Chapter 4: Help from on High

There is a God in heaven.
He is our father.
He has power over the seas and the land.
He has power over feeling and action.
He is more than a king, and more than a president.

If he so desired,
With a little movement in his pinky toe
he could sink ships or shake stars.
He is an all-powerful, all-knowing, amazing individual

and he chooses to hear us
when we humbly kneel and whisper his name.
He chooses to comfort us and guide us
when we listen to the Holy Spirit

When prayer is the most powerful gift our father has given us,
why do we hesitate to use it?

I know my father lives and loves too. The spirit whispers this to me and tells me it is true. - Hymn 302

This week's lesson from "Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Howard W. Hunter" is on Chapter 4.
I always love the featured quotes.

"Perhaps no promise in life is more reassuring than that promise of divine assistance and spiritual guidance in times of need"

The chapter begins telling a couple stories from President Hunter's life.
In the second story, he tells of when he was a bishop and someone came to him with bitterness toward another member. He told this member to go home and pray for this other member every day for two weeks and then come back. After two weeks "All the venom was gone and all the bitterness was gone,” President Hunter later recalled. “This is the way it is when we pray for one another." The man agreed to help the other member, and I am sure that the hate or bitterness he had was transformed into productive love. 

"The Lord promised that if we would be humble in … times of need and turn to him for aid, we would ‘be made strong, and [be] blessed from on high’” (D&C 1:28). 

I am a struggler. My boyfriend is an optimist, the type that makes everything look easy. I am his opposite. I make everything harder than it needs to be. I overthink it and worry too much. It's probably why I have such a hard time making decisions. 

Maybe the honest truth is that I do not pray enough. He prays often and I feel his sincerity. He kneels properly and intently, and when he prays out loud I can hear that he is patient and thoughtful. I am learning from his example. 

When I was on my mission I once heard a challenge to get up early everyday just to pray. As you may know we are already required to get up at 6:30 every morning. One transfer I decided to get up at 6:00 every mourning so I could pray alone in the peace and quiet. I was already having some dificulties with so many challenges at the time. I was already waking up tired, but I did it, and boy was it worth it. It is the best way to start your day. It seemed like the challenges made it easier to pray without falling back asleep, but I did not neglect a good amount of gratitude in each prayer. Sometimes I only prayed in gratitude and it seemed to make all the difference.

“Be of good cheer,” the Lord says, “for I will lead you along.” (D&C 78:18.) “I will impart unto you of my Spirit, which shall enlighten your mind, which shall fill your soul with joy.” (D&C 11:13.)

In the second section of the chapter, President Hunter talks about Joseph Smith. He retells a part of the story that led Joseph Smith to pray in the grove. He then continues,
 

"But my purpose … is not to outline the first moments of the Restoration, though it is one of the most sacred stories in the scriptures. I wish, rather, simply to emphasize the impressive degree of spiritual sensitivity demonstrated by this very young and untutored boy."

Do you ever feel under-qualified to receive spiritual revelation or comfort from our father in heaven?

We do not need worldly studies, or to reach an age of wisdom as prerequisites to holy learning. There are no limitations to who may pray.

"How remarkable … that this lad would turn profoundly to the scriptures and then to private prayer, perhaps the two greatest sources of spiritual insight and spiritual impression that are available universally to mankind." (Pres. Hunter)

“If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.” (James 1:5.)

Although any one can pray at any time, understanding an answer can require spiritual preparation.

“But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.” (1 Cor. 2:14.)

Many say that what they miss the most from their mission is the spirit. How can that be when we are still entitled to access to it? We were baptized members of Christ's church. We received the gift of the Holy Ghost. Shouldn't we still feel his presence if we are worthy? Yet, I know exactly how they feel.

When you are on a mission, all of your time is the lord's. You spend a good amount of time studying the scriptures EVERY DAY, and you are constantly thinking of others. You become much more spiritually trained. You are able to feel the spirit's pull with much more strength and much more consistency. 

Then when you get home, the world starts creeping back into your life and attention. Media. Work. Study. Friends. Personal ambitions and goals. Some things good and important and some things wasteful take over and scripture study slips into the back of your mind and serving others becomes less of a priority. 

In section four of the chapter, President Hunter says,

"Our modern times seem to suggest that prayerful devotion and reverence for holiness is unreasonable or undesirable, or both. And yet, skeptical “modern” men have need for prayer."

Do you ever feel silly to pray? I know I regrettably do. Sometimes I have awkward moments in restaurants, maybe I am with someone, or alone, and I want to pray and I get hesitant and embarrassed. Most of the times I remember, I pray, but I feel sorry that I feel so embarrassed. I should not feel embarrassed. I should be happy to be a shining example to those around me. Maybe someone will see and be inspired to so a prayer of their own. I don't know if it will affect someone else, but I know it will affect me. 

"If there is any element in human life on which we have a record of miraculous success and inestimable worth to the human soul, it is prayerful, reverential, devout communication with our Heavenly Father." (President Hunter)

Do not feel embarrassed to speak with our almightly heavenly father. It is an important investment of your time. Do not feel intimidated by those around you. 

"Men and women in many circles are clever, interesting, or brilliant, but they lack one crucial element in a complete life. They do not look up...Their talk is witty, but not wise...they have come too far down the scale of dignity who display their own limited powers and then find it necessary to blaspheme those unlimited powers that come from above." (Pres. Hunter)

As President Hunter explains with some help from Joseph Smith in section 5, developing spiritual maturity takes time. 

"Developing spirituality and attuning ourselves to the highest influences of godliness is not an easy matter. It takes time and frequently involves a struggle. It will not happen by chance, but is accomplished only through deliberate effort and by calling upon God and keeping his commandments." (President Hunter)

What actions must you take to develop a stronger sense of spirituality? What goals will you make starting today that will attune you to influences from the spirit?

Spiritual growth comes one step at a time. God does not expect us to be perfected in a moment. Sometimes life is a roller coaster. Trials and attitudes go up and down. Financial situations may go up a down. Relationships with family members and friends can go up and down. Do not let your spiritual progress go up an down. It may happen. I know that it happens to me, but do your best to grow spiritually with every experience. Try not to let down-swells from other parts of your life affect your spirituality. The best way to do that is by keeping the little things constant. Pray always. Study the gospel everyday. 

“Wherefore, be not weary in well-doing, for ye are laying the foundation of a great work. And out of small things proceedeth that which is great. Behold, the Lord requireth the heart and a willing mind; and the willing and obedient shall eat the good of the land of Zion in these last days.” (D&C 64:33–34.)

I love what President Hunter said about this quote: 

 

"All of us can be willing and obedient. If the Lord had said the perfect shall eat the good of the land of Zion in these last days, I suppose some of us would be discouraged and give up. …" (Pres. Hunter)

Be thou humble in thy weakness and the Lord thy God shall lead thee, shall lead thy by the hand and give thee answer to thy prayers. - Hymn 130 

Thank you for studying this chapter with me. I hope you can use it during your week to grow and inspire others. Don't be afraid to grow spiritually and seek the Lord through Prayer. 

“Let the solemnities of eternity rest upon your minds” (D&C 43:34).

With love,

Erin

 

Secularization of America

I am reading a really good book called Standing for Something, by Gordon B. Hinkley

It is really amazing

In the introduction he talks a lot about America. He brings up the sad truth that Americans are abandoning God. He calls it the "Secularization of America".

He has a good point.

When I was growing up, there was debate about the pledge of alliegence being said in the classroom. Many people were offended by it because of the phrase "under God". People who did not believe in God did not want their children saying his name in the classroom. At the time I was an innocent little girl who didn't like conflict. I would avoid the argument and just keep my belief in God to my reverent self. I wish I had stood up for what I believed in, but I was just to shy to even think about saying something.

Now I recognize how absurd this argument is. It is too late for me to go back. Things have already changed. I don't remember saying the pledge of allegiance when I was in High School. When we did I remember everyone felt weird about it because it had been so long since the last time. Oh how the tables have turned. Speaking of religion in schools feels socially unacceptable. Others look at you wrong and uncomfortably. Where as it is seemingly impossible to have a conversation with out homosexuality, or transgender becoming part of the discussion. And if you don't like it you are called homophobic or a bigot, or both.

Why is it that those who don't believe same-sex marriage to be correct must tolerate it in the classroom, but that who do not believe in God can not not tolerate him in discussion? Why can't we all be tolerant? Why must this divide us?

I believe in God. I believe in Christ. He is my king. God's presense is all around us. He deeply loves and cares for us. It is sad that so many openly reject him.

I am currently living in Brazil. I have also had a chance to travel a bit more than the past. As I have been meeting so many people from so many different parts of the world. I realized something.

People outside of the United States are so much more open to talking about God.

When I was growing up, I felt SO embarassed to talk about religion. I felt no one would understand me. I thought everyone would make fun of me. I quietly skirted along, doing what was right not aruguing with anybody about it.

In Brazil, and other parts of the world, people part wishing "God bless". People talk about how God had blessed them that week. People share their testimonies on the bus, in the street, with old friends and new. People of all kinds of religions all agree that God is real. They can all smile about that. There are a few athiests. They are respected. They don't yell at you if you say "God bless" because they know it is from your heart and you wish them the best. they probably don't like it and if they are your friend they might ask you not to say it to them, but they don't fight you.

When did God become an enemy? When was it decided that the mere mention of his name in the pledge of alegience could be considered offensive?

Margaret Thatcher, former Prime Minister of Great Britain has often said "You use the name of Diety in the Declaration of Independence and in the Constitution of the United States, and yet you cannot use it in the schoolroom." (p.xx)

Gordon B Hinckley talks about how this country was built by men who believed in God. The Declaration of Independence concludes "And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor."(p.xvi) These were dedicated men of God who gave so much for our freedom. I hope we do not abuse it.

President Gordon B. Hinckley talks about many postive things about this country. He is pleased to say that is it spiritual. He says "I especially love America for its great spiritual strength. It is a land of churches and synagogues, of temples and tabernacles, of pulpits and altars. We have on our coinage and our corrency a national motto. It simply says, "In God We Trust." I believe that this is the foundation on which this nation was established: an unequivocal trust in the power of the almighty to guide and defend us." (p.xv)

Once when I was on the bus, I sat next to a muslim. He saw that I was reading the Book of Mormon. I sensed him staring at it so I decided to start a conversation. We talked a lot! He asked questions about Christianity and I asked questions about Islam. We found many diferences in our beliefs as well as many similarities. He was really excited to talk about religion. He said he had always been curious about Christianity because they don't have it in the country he is from. It seems he had been studying at the local university and had not had a chance to discuss it with anyone. ( That University is known to have a lot of athiests and people with new ideas turning away from God's teachings It was probably a really wierd environment for him coming from such a religious country) Our discussion wasn't a debate. I didn't leave the discussion wanting to be muslim. He didn't leave the dissussion itching to bet baptized, but it felt really nice. Even though we had different opinions, we could both agree that God exists. We both had a stong attachment to this testimony. And we both wanted so much to do his will. For that moment, we had something in common that most of the other youth around us didn't have. And that commonality of love for God was a trait that was so important to each of us. I felt like we were siblings, children of God.

President Hinkley warns, "America is still strong, but destructive forces have been and are at work. There is serious unsteadiness in our country's stance in terms of morality, ethics, principles, and behavior. We as a people and a nation have increasinly neglected and abandoned time-honored virtues that have been proven through the centeries to keep human beings individually, and therefore collectively strong." (p.xix)

The book will talk about lost virtues that we must guard and protect. I am so excited to continue reading. President Hinkley was a happy and beloved man. He was a very good man. He was a great example of strength and love. The two should coexist. He showed example in word and action.

I love God. I love this church. I am so grateful for the great examples I have had in my life, especially my parents. I grew up surrounded by great people.

with love,
Erin