20 Let us Be Wise 6-12-2023

 20- Let us Be Wise (6-12-2023)

Hello Family,

During the early part of last week I was reading towards the end of Helaman in the Book of Mormon. There was a particular part that stood out to me that I have seen repeated in my own life serval times. Hopefully not to the extent that the Nephites were experiencing, but I think at times we can all relate. Below are the first 5 versus of Chapter 12 of Helaman. 

1 And thus we can behold how false, and also the unsteadiness of the hearts of the children of men; yea, we can see that the Lord in his great infinite goodness doth bless and prosper those who put their trust in him.

• Unsteadiness - off and on again, up and down in our personal spirituality. Just as one who is unsteady while walking ultimately needs to find balance to stay the course. Steady and consistent “doing” of the small and simple things, and therefore “always abounding in good works.”

2 Yea, and we may see at the very time when he doth prosper his people, yea, in the increase of their fields, their flocks and their herds, and in gold, and in silver, and in all manner of precious things of every kind and art; sparing their lives, and delivering them out of the hands of their enemies; softening the hearts of their enemies that they should not declare wars against them; yea, and in fine, doing all things for the welfare and happiness of his people; yea, then is the time that they do harden their hearts, and do forget the Lord their God, and do trample under their feet the Holy One—yea, and this because of their ease, and their exceedingly great prosperity.

• When all is going well and we are so busy doing good, productive things, things that are promoting our growth educationally, physically, or in our employment pursuits, this is when we tend to shelf the things that give us a spiritual recharge. Life gets going so fast, without any apparent speed bumps in our near future, and we just keep going at it on our own, because we’ve fooled ourselves in thinking that “we” are the ones that have set ourselves up for our current successes. 
• And because of the smoothness of our daily routine, the groove of things going well, with no apparent need to switch things up from how they are, we hit cruise control. We go through the motions of what we have always done when it comes to living the gospel on autopilot, but we have become stagnant, not growing, not seeking for more light or knowledge or help.

3 And thus we see that except the Lord doth chasten his people with many afflictions, yea, except he doth visit them with death and with terror, and with famine and with all manner of pestilence, they will not remember him.

• Again, we are not to this extreme, and hopefully we never get to the point where we need that big of a wake up call, but often times not until our personal road gets a little bumpy, where we realize that we need help beyond our own, that we call our for His help. When prayer becomes more earnest and searching more diligent.

4 O how foolish, and how vain, and how evil, and devilish, and how quick to do iniquity, and how slow to do good, are the children of men; yea, how quick to hearken unto the words of the evil one, and to set their hearts upon the vain things of the world!

• Think of the times in your life when you were at a spiritual high and then fell into a rut of spiritual apathy. Think of others you see returning from missions and then fall off the path right after they get home. How quick we are to listen to the world. And how often we are slow to make the little things like prayer and scripture study and regular temple attendance a consistent part of our lives.

5 Yea, how quick to be lifted up in pride; yea, how quick to boast, and do all manner of that which is iniquity; and how slow are they to remember the Lord their God, and to give ear unto his counsels, yea, how slow to walk in wisdom’s paths!

• Why so quick? Because of pride, arrogance, and sin (not matter if just a little here and a little there).  We begin to question more, our doubts grow, our obedience is a little more justified or rationalized way. Our ears become a little less perceptive to hearing the Spirit clearly, and our eyes start to become blurry to things as they really are according to Him who created them.

Invitaion - 

Let us learn from our past failed efforts. Let us learn from those who we read about in the scriptures. Let us choose to go down “wisdom’s path”. Let us “remember the Lord our God” in the small and simple things each day. Let us make Him feel like a priority to each one of us!

When the Savior appeared to those on the American continent he gave the parable of the wise vs foolish man. We all know what happened after the rains came down and the floods came up :)

We must build upon a solid foundation of faith in our Savior. 

Through his prophet, he has commanded us to read the Book of Mormon every day. He has commanded us to come to him in prayer and to have a broken heart and contrite spirt of repentance every day. These two simple yet profound acts will keep us close to him. They will keep us seeking to align with His will. Listen to the Savior’s direct words to us:

21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father who is in heaven.

22 Many will say to me in that day: Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name, and in thy name have cast out devils, and in thy name done many wonderful works?

23 And then will I profess unto them: I never knew you; depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

24 Therefore, whoso heareth these sayings of mine and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, who built his house upon a rock—

25 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not, for it was founded upon a rock.

26 And every one that heareth these sayings of mine and doeth them not shall be likened unto a foolish man, who built his house upon the sand—

27 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell, and great was the fall of it.

Ask ourselves, How am I doing? How can I more completely show him my love and gratitude?

I love each one of you and hope you have a wonderful week! Love,

Dad