In the Church we talk a lot about things you should and shouldn't do. In the world, we are bombarded with messages about what to buy, what to think, what to do, how to sleep, what to eat etc. However deafening the messages may seem there is a still small voice we all must adhere to.
When Elijah was fleeing for his life from the wicked Phoenician princess Jezebel, the Lord directed him to a high mountain, where he had a most unusual experience. As Elijah stood upon the mount before the Lord, he felt “a great and strong wind … ; but the Lord was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the Lord was not in the earthquake: and after the earthquake a fire; but the Lord was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice” (1 Kgs. 19:11–12).
We often think an all powerful God must only speak through natural disasters or great plagues or wars etc. but as all powerful He is, He knows that we are all individuals and He will not take away our right to choose. So, the war for our hearts is the one He is fighting and even though there may be missionaries all over the globe or loud preachers or strong political pressures, He talks to us through a "still, small voice." He is sensitive to our hearts.
When the resurrected Christ visited His people in the Americas -
it came to pass that the multitude went forth, and thrust their hands into his side, and did feel the prints of the nails in his hands and in his feet; and this they did do, going forth one by one until they had all gone forth, and did see with their eyes and did feel with their hands, and did know of a surety and did bear record, that it was he, of whom it was written by the prophets, that should come. (3 Nephi 11:15).
He says, “I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him.” (Rev. 3:20.) He is a gentle, patient, and loving Person who comes to each of us individually, "one by one". He won't take away our right to choose, whether its to listen and open the door or to not. He won't break down the door or yell to make Himself known. This still small voice is heard through the ears of our spirit. Its found in our hearts of hearts.
This power to choose is known as agency. "Men have power to be agents unto themselves."- D&C 58: 28. It might be a hard thing to realize because we're constantly being asked to live one way or another. But, this is probably the most empowering message we can learn if we wish to be happy- men have power to be agents unto themselves. Sometimes we forget it and get caught up in something that can potentially hurt others. We must be careful how we use our agency for with the use of this power we will be judged before God. I'm always impressed to think of this scripture from the Savior when I think of God's judgment-
Matthew 25:33-40
And he shall set the sheep on his aright hand, but the goats on the left.
Then shall the King say unto them on his aright hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:
For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:
Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.
Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungered, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?
When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?
Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?
And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.
So, it is imperative that we use our agency with sensitivity to the Spirit of the Lord. For the Spirit of the Lord teaches us that we must "yield to the enticings of the Holy Spirit ... and becometh as a child, submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon him, even as a child doth submit to his father." (Mosiah 3:19)
The Spirit is full of Love for others. If we are sensitive to the Lord we will be sensitive to others. This is a HUGE part of being a true follower of the Lord Jesus Christ. Although, He spoke with authority it was always with love. I know that everything God does is out of love for us for He has said "For behold, this is my work and my glory—to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man. " (Moses 1:39). He works for us. His whole purpose is to make sure we're happy and delivered from the bondage of Satan. I say if the Lord does it, then we must do it. If He is forgiving so should we be forgiving. If He loves unconditionally then so should we. That is what being a Mormon and a true follower of God is all about. If we do not the things of God then we are not of God and won't be with God. I love Heavenly Father and I know that He loves us and will do anything to make sure we are happy and free. This is the purpose of this blog and my life, to follow God and be like Him as much as I can. I know anyone who does this will find a multitude of wisdom, freedom, hope, love, and purpose.
There is a great quote by Joseph Smith that says "If my life is of no value to my friends, then it is of no value to me." He said this right before his martyrdom when persecution against the Mormons was at a peak and it was hard to find loyal friends. He didn't abandon them or the church and was killed by a mob for his testimony of the divinity of the church and book of Mormon. He truly gave his life for his friends.
"Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." John 15:13
