Ask, Seek, Knock

My thoughts on Elder Nelson's talk, "Ask, See, Knock"

As my husband buys yet another toy to "communicate" I have to think about what Elder Nelson said about our "opportunity to access information directly from heaven, without hardware, software, or monthly service fees. It is one of the most marvelous gifts the Lord has offered to mortals."

Yet, how often do we not use it. I remember thinking about 10 years ago giving my mom a cell phone. The problem was she didn't know how to use it. I remember it took us about a year for her to use email and with her mind going even faster I knew a cell phone was going to be left at home, never charged and subsequently never used. I wonder if Heavenly Father's heart feels as heavy as mine did when we fail to use the latest and greatest of all technology: personal revelation.

But like that cell phone I was going to give my mom there has to be a few things that have to be done for it to work.
"To access information from heaven, one must first have a firm faith and a deep desire. One needs to “ask with a sincere heart [and] real intent, having faith in [Jesus] Christ.” “Real intent” means that one really intends to follow the divine direction given."

"The next requirement is to study the matter diligently. This concept was taught to leaders of this restored Church when they were first learning how to gain personal revelation. The Lord instructed them, “I say unto you, that you must study it out in your mind; then you must ask me if it be right, and if it is right I will cause that your bosom shall burn within you; therefore, you shall feel that it is right.”"

I love that scripture. I love how we must put in our time for the Lord to put in his time. I know it is hard when we want the answers right now and yet, we haven't put our time in and therefore no answer is forth coming. I remember one time trying desperately to get an answer from the Lord and I knew I hadn't studied it out long enough and yet my back was against the wall. I asked that he direct my study to help me. Wouldn't you know it in the next day the answer was spread out in front of me.

I also love that we have a way to know if what we have received it true and right. I remember one time getting an answer that I didn't like--it didn't "sit right" with me, but I had a burning in my bosom and knew it was right. I knew what I needed to do even though it was painful and broke my heart to do it. There was no stupor of thought and the burning was there.

I am so grateful for that witness.

"Part of being prepared is to know and obey the relevant teachings of the Lord"

I don't want to toot our own horn but I know I have felt more perceptive to the promptings and more deserving of personal revelation now that I have made a concerted effort to study his word--especially the LATEST word of the Lord.

"His children through prophets assures us that He will bless each prophet and that He will bless those who heed prophetic counsel."

"To discern means to sift, to separate, or to distinguish. The gift of spiritual discernment is a supernal gift. It allows members of the Church to see things not visible and to feel things not tangible."

We need to remember that not all are given the same gift and there are some gifts that we must work to get and even ask. I know I have asked for discernment when faced with some agonizingly important decisions to make. I don't believe I have it all the time, but I do believe he gives it to me at certain times. I know when I was RS president I had that gift. I do miss having it with me 24/7.

"For each of you to receive revelation unique to your own needs and responsibilities, certain guidelines prevail. The Lord asks you to develop “faith, hope, charity and love, with an eye single to the glory of God.” Then with your firm “faith, virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, brotherly kindness, godliness, charity, humility, [and] diligence,” you may ask, and you will receive; you may knock, and it will be opened unto you."

"Revelation need not all come at once....Patience and perseverance are part of our eternal progression."

But we are commanded in each set of scriptures to "ask, seek and knock" and it is always accompanied by the promise that he will answer. Now the answer may not be the one we want--we are parents know all too often we tell our own children no--but he will answer. I think the most frustrating answer is the "not yet my child." But if we have faith, hope, charity and love and keep our eye single to the Glory of God and say, "thy will be done" our desires will be granted. I can't wait to hear him tell me, "You can have whatever you wish for I know you will never wish anything contrary to my will." I will then know that my faith is complete.