Family SOTW: Prepare to meet God

Elder Christofferson

When I say “study,” I mean something more than reading. It is a good thing sometimes to read a book of scripture within a set period of time to get an overall sense of its message, but for conversion, you should care more about the amount of time you spend in the scriptures than about the amount you read in that time. I see you sometimes reading a few verses, stopping to ponder them, carefully reading the verses again, and as you think about what they mean, praying for understanding, asking questions in your mind, waiting for spiritual impressions, and writing down the impressions and insights that come so you can remember and learn more. Studying in this way, you may not read a lot of chapters or verses in a half hour, but you will be giving place in your heart for the word of God, and He will be speaking to you. Remember Alma’s description of what it feels like: “It beginneth to enlarge my soul; yea, it beginneth to enlighten my understanding, yea, it beginneth to be delicious to me.”⁶You will know that the gospel is being written in your heart, that your conversion is happening, as the word of the Lord from His prophets, past and present, feels more and more delicious to your soul.

When Thou Art Converted, Apr 2004

President Eyring

Our humility and our faith that invite spiritual gifts are increased by our reading, studying, and pondering the scriptures. We have all heard those words. Yet we may read a few lines or pages of scripture every day and hope that will be enough. But reading, studying, and pondering are not the same. We read words and we may get ideas. We study and we may discover patterns and connections in scripture. But when we ponder, we invite revelation by the Spirit. Pondering, to me, is the thinking and the praying I do after reading and studying in the scriptures carefully.

Serve with the Spirit, Oct. 2010

Elder Bednar

One of the best ways to draw near unto Him and to both learn about and become more like the Lord Jesus Christ is to consistently study the holy scriptures—to daily “feast upon the words of Christ” (2 Ne. 32:3).Please notice that I used the word study and not the word read. Studying and feasting suggest a focus and an intensity that reach far beyond casual reading or quick perusing. Studying and feasting, followed by sincere prayer and steadfast application of the truths and principles we learn, yield personal resolve, spiritual commitment, and the bright light of testimony. Studying, learning, praying, and appropriately applying gospel truths are all key elements in the process of coming unto the Savior.

Because We Have Them Before Our Eyes, Apr 2006

Saturday, June 19, 2010

Prepare to meet God

Alma 34:31-32
"Yea, I would that ye would come forth and harden not your hearts any longer; for behold, now is the time and the day of your salvation; therefore, if ye will repent and harden not your hearts, immediately shall the great plan of redemption be brought unto you."
and then halfway through 32:
"... this life is the time for men to prepare to meet God; yea behold the day of this life is the day for men to perform their labors."

Wow! I love how in vs. 31 it says: IMMEDIATELY shall the great plan of redemption be brought unto you. not maybe, or it's a small chance He might forgive you. It says immediately!! And all WE have to do is not harden our hearts and repent! Then in vs. 32 it says: this life is the time for men to prepare to meet God. How true is that! This life isn't about having the BEST of the BEST, your not trying to beat out your neighbor by having the best car, or having the most money. It's about doing what is right and repenting and making sure your always living your best so you can live with our Eternal Heavenly Father, and our family for, FOREVER! :) I love that thought! It really brings me so much joy! I know this Gospel is true, and I'm so grateful for it!
I love you all!!
Chels