Sisters, This church does have, running through its veins, the spirit of revelation which inspires anyone who feels of its influence. I am excited about the new challenge given us to read out of the Book of Mormon together as sisters of the Relief Society. As I began to read yesterday, I had so many promptings and I think it was because I was reading with the intent to share with each of you and my children and grandchildren some of the impressions that I received while reading and pondering - what a blessing! We have been given the most precious and priceless gift of the Holy Ghost at our baptisms and if we desire to feel of the Holy Ghost's presence always we need only to pray and immerse ourselves in the scriptures. The feeling comes with peace, assurance, love, acceptance and whatever feeling you need to help you feel as the Savior felt/feels and do as he did/does.
As I read 1 Nephi 1:5-8, I was reminded of my conversion some 30+ years ago where I, too, received an answer to prayer which was undeniable . Just as Lehi prayed to the Lord with all his heart in behalf of his people I prayed to know if the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints was true because I wanted the fruits of the gospel, not only for myself, but for my family. Several similar principles involved here: (1). The power of prayer when we pray with real intent, (2) The power of remembering others in our prayers, (3) The power of Heavenly Father to answer those prayers through the Holy Ghost in a vision or through an impression of enlightenment where our heart and mind become settled.
The Holy Ghost does desire to be our constant companion and is beckoning to us to come unto Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father. You and I need to be still so we can know that they are there for us always and our lives are better for realizing they can be more of a constant influence in our lives if we will but seek them daily and more frequently.
Sisters, I love you and pray as you take this challenge given to us by an inspired Relief Society Presidency that your lives will be enriched and filled with that joy that does not fade with the lights.
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I've also been thinking about personal revelation as I read Week 1 of the 40 weeks. Viewing the first few chapters of 1 Nephi looking for connections to revelation, I see revelations coming from learning and studying, pondering, dreams, questions, and obedience. I realize that personal revelation is the only way to know truth, espcially in these last days. I appreciate those quiet moments at 3am while I am breastfeeding, pondering the doctrines, and praying for direction for raising these children the Lord has blessed me with.
One thing that impresses me with these chapters is the way that Nephi is willing to move forward before he knows where he is going. He gives us indications of his deep faith with his statement of 1 Nephi 3:7.
He leaves the camp to retrieve the plates, he doesn't know how, but God does.
As Nephi continues, we see evidence that God is giving him revelations of what is coming in 1 Nephi 4:2, reminding his brothers of the strength of God in helping Moses - but also of the destroying of the armies of Pharaoh.
In 1 Nephi 4:6 Nephi describes his faith, but also his willingnes to act in faith, moving forward to get the plates before he knew how or where or what God wanted him to do in order to retrieve them.
I belive that these earlier verses indicate that the Lord was already giving Nephi the inspiration needed to finally accept the need to kill Laban.
I think we can learn much by following Nephi's example of not only praying for inspiration, - but also by moving forward in faith before we receive or totally understand that inspiration, with the willingness needed to do the acts required by that inspiration.
Each of us who has prayed to know the truth of the Book of Mormon has demonstrated this by being baptized once we have received that confirmation of truth.
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