Seek The Lord Often

I've been thinking a lot about Elder Holland's recent remarks. As I was pondering, this passage of scripture from The Book of Mormon came to mind. It's Alma 4:9-15. 9 And thus, in this eighth year of the reign of the judges, there began to be great contentions among the people of the church; yea, there were envyings, and strife, and malice , and persecutions , and pride, even to exceed the pride of those who did not belong to the church of God. 10 And thus ended the eighth year of the reign of the judges; and the wickedness of the church was a great stumbling-block to those who did not belong to the church; and thus the church began to fail in its progress. 11 And it came to pass in the commencement of the ninth year, Alma saw the wickedness of the church, and he saw also that the example of the church began to lead those who were unbelievers on from one piece of iniquity to another, thus bringing on the destruction of the people . 12 Yea, he saw great inequality among t...

 Let your preaching be the warning voice, every man to his neighbor, in mildness and meekness. Go out from among the wicked. Save yourselves. Be clean ye that bear the vessels of the Lord. Seek the riches of eternity Seek the Kingdom of God with all my heart. If ye are not one, ye are not mine. Section 39 thou hast rejected me many times because of pride and the cares of the world. How many times have I rejected him just by focusing on things that aren't that important? Section 40 The fear of persecution and the cares of the world...these are the things that can cause us to reject the word.

 EASTER THOUGHTS ON JESUS CHRIST If the savior stood beside me Would I do the things I do? Would I think of his commandments and try harder to be true? Would I follow his example? Would I live more righteously if I could see the savior standing nigh Watching over me? If the savior stood beside me Would I say the things I say? Would my words be true and kind if he were never far away? Would I try to share the gospel? Would I speak more reverently if I could see the savior standing nigh Watching over me? If the savior stood beside me, would my thoughts be clean and pure? Would his presence give me strength and hope and courage to endure? Would his counsel guide my actions? Would I choose more worthily if I could see the savior standing nigh Watching over me? He is always near me, though I do not see him there And because he loves me dearly I am in his watchful care So I'll be the kind of person that I know I'd like to be If I could see the savior standing nigh watching over me So...

 The sun shall be darkened The moon shall turn to blood Interesting, since we recently had a total eclipse where the sun was darkened. We have also had an unprecedented number of blood moons lately. It just means we should be ready and watching. It means we should be improving each day and trying to do the right thing so we can be ready when he comes again.  To God, all things are spiritual. 

Jesus Christ's word is quick and powerful Partake of the sacrament with an eye single to God's glory In the fulness of times, Christ will gather together in one all things Take the whole armor of God Loins girt with truth Breastplate of righteousness Feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace Take the shield of faith Take the helmet of salvation Take the sword of the spirit Be faithful 28 Open thy mouth at all times, declaring his gospel with the sound of rejoicing Ask in faith, united, receive All things must be done by comment consent, and in order Be obedient to the prophet

SECTION 12 The field is white, already to harvest If you desire to reap, thrust in your sickle with your might and reap while the day lasts Whosoever will thrust in his sickle and reap, the same is called of God. No one can assist in the work except they are Humble Full of love Having faith, Hope, And charity, And being temperate in all things, whatsoever shall be entrusted to his care I am the light and the life of the world Give heed with your might, and then ye are called. SECTION 13 The priesthood of Aaron Holds the keys of the ministering of angels And of the gospel of repentance And of baptism by immersion for the remission of sins The part of section 13 that always strikes me is the keys of the ministering of angels. What a powerful thing. What if we could truly fathom the power we have in the priesthood to call down angels. I believe there are angels among us, both seen and unseen. They help us keep moving. They lift up those who are struggling.   

 Be diligent, but don't run faster than you have strength. 5  Pray  always, that you may come off  conqueror ; yea, that you may conquer Satan, and that you may  escape  the hands of the servants of Satan that do uphold his work. 57  Behold, I am Jesus Christ, the  Son of God . I came unto mine own, and mine own  received me not . 58  I am the  light  which shineth in darkness, and the darkness comprehendeth it not. How many times is Christ right there ready to bless me and I don't comprehend it? How do I open myself up more to his light?