Thoughts From The Ensign
I always seem to find the greatest stories and quotes from the Ensign. In July's issue of the Engisn there is a story titled "Start Moving". After telling a story, it ends with a quote by Boyd K. Packer that I definitely needed to hear.
"We are expected to use the light and knowledge we already possess to work out our lives. We should not need a revelation to instruct us to be up and about our duty, for we have been told to do that already in the scriptures; not should we expect revelation to replace the spiritual or temporal intelligence which we have already received -- only to extend it. We must go about our life in an ordinary, workday way, following the routines and rules and regulations that govern life. Rules and regulations and commandments are valuable protection. If we need revealed instruction to alter our course, it will be waiting along the way as we arrive at the point of need."
The story teller goes on to say, "...the best and clearest direction comes in our lives not when we are waiting for our Heavenly Father to send help and guidance but when we are anxiously engaged with our back bent to the task. ... Prayerfully and carefully use your own intelligence and your own resources to choose a path that seems right to you. Then become anxiously engaged in walking that path. When the time for course correction comes, He will be there to help you and to guide you."
There isn't much I can add to those perfectly said words. All I know is that what these men said is 100% true. I read this last Sunday before church. A couple weeks leading up to this Sunday, Jesse and I were not being very consistent with our scripture reading together. It was on and off, when we had time. Those weeks were fine, but Jesse and I argued more, couldn't resolve any conflicts together, and I know the spirit wasn't always in our home. During that time I thought, "Why isn't Heavenly Father helping us?" I quickly remembered that if we weren't doing our part, by reading, praying, and attending the temple, then I'm sure He didn't want to help out as much. That Sunday, Jesse and I read this article together and decided to make a goal. The goal was to read every night, pray every morning and night together, (even when I left for work at 5:30am) and attend the temple once a week. Let me tell you, last week was one of the greatest because we stuck to our goals and did exactly what we wanted to. We got along better, we laughed and played more, our "arguments" never really went anywhere, we respected and loved more, and had the spirit with us everyday. I have always known that consistently doing the things you are supposed to will make your days go better, but sometimes it gets hard to do that. I realized that I know, believe, and have been taught enough to know what is right and wrong; what will make me happiest. I don't need to sit around and just hope the Lord will help me out. I need to continue to be anxiously engaged in all that I do. Remember, as long as we are doing our part, the Lord will do his.
"We are expected to use the light and knowledge we already possess to work out our lives. We should not need a revelation to instruct us to be up and about our duty, for we have been told to do that already in the scriptures; not should we expect revelation to replace the spiritual or temporal intelligence which we have already received -- only to extend it. We must go about our life in an ordinary, workday way, following the routines and rules and regulations that govern life. Rules and regulations and commandments are valuable protection. If we need revealed instruction to alter our course, it will be waiting along the way as we arrive at the point of need."
The story teller goes on to say, "...the best and clearest direction comes in our lives not when we are waiting for our Heavenly Father to send help and guidance but when we are anxiously engaged with our back bent to the task. ... Prayerfully and carefully use your own intelligence and your own resources to choose a path that seems right to you. Then become anxiously engaged in walking that path. When the time for course correction comes, He will be there to help you and to guide you."
There isn't much I can add to those perfectly said words. All I know is that what these men said is 100% true. I read this last Sunday before church. A couple weeks leading up to this Sunday, Jesse and I were not being very consistent with our scripture reading together. It was on and off, when we had time. Those weeks were fine, but Jesse and I argued more, couldn't resolve any conflicts together, and I know the spirit wasn't always in our home. During that time I thought, "Why isn't Heavenly Father helping us?" I quickly remembered that if we weren't doing our part, by reading, praying, and attending the temple, then I'm sure He didn't want to help out as much. That Sunday, Jesse and I read this article together and decided to make a goal. The goal was to read every night, pray every morning and night together, (even when I left for work at 5:30am) and attend the temple once a week. Let me tell you, last week was one of the greatest because we stuck to our goals and did exactly what we wanted to. We got along better, we laughed and played more, our "arguments" never really went anywhere, we respected and loved more, and had the spirit with us everyday. I have always known that consistently doing the things you are supposed to will make your days go better, but sometimes it gets hard to do that. I realized that I know, believe, and have been taught enough to know what is right and wrong; what will make me happiest. I don't need to sit around and just hope the Lord will help me out. I need to continue to be anxiously engaged in all that I do. Remember, as long as we are doing our part, the Lord will do his.
"Do your best and He will do the rest"
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