Heeding the Voice of the Prophets

We believe in the same organization that existed in the Primitive Church, namely, apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, evangelists, and so forth. (Articles of Faith 6)
We believe all God has revealed, all He does now reveal, and we believe that He will yet reveal many great and important things pertaining to the Kingdom of God. (Articles of Faith 9)

One very distinguishing characteristic of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, that sets it apart from 'traditional' Christian churches, is it has modern day prophets and apostles. You can't find that anywhere else, and I have to say it was one of the biggest things that first attracted me to the Church.

The Church is lead by a prophet of God, whom we call the President of the Church. The current prophet is President Thomas S. Monson. We also have a structure of organization and church leadership similar to that of the Primitive Church Christ established here on the earth.

The 'job', or a 'job', of the prophets, apostles, and leaders of the Church is to give the world guidance and tell and help us to live good, prosperous, and Christlike lives. Now this seems to be a popular point of contention by those who have problems with the Church, "I don't need people to tell me how to live my life." Well, I agree none of us need guidance in our lives, but man it sure does help, and we're pretty lucky to have it.

Some look at our Church as being "controlling" and "restrictive", telling us what we can and can't do, or what we can or can't consume. But these rules, commandments, and other forms of guidance we have received in these latter-days, actually does the opposite of "restricts" us, it helps keep us free. It keeps us free from the crutches of addiction to many things (alcohol, drugs, tobacco, eating to excess, pornography, etc.). Freedom is integral part of the Plan of Salvation, without it we cannot practice agency (the ability to have and make free choice). We lose that freedom of choice when we allow outside forces to make decisions for us, addiction being one of them. I know some of you may argue that, "I use my 'agency' to choose to do these things." That may be true when you first start these things it is often because you want to, but there comes a decisive point when a dependency is developed and whether you realize it or not you allow these substances to dictate you, your time, and your finances. Before I was introduced to the Church I had my fair share of addictions. Like most I started these things because I wanted to, deep down I knew they were wrong but I did them "because they were pleasing unto the carnal mind". For example I started drinking once in awhile, maybe a Friday every 2 weeks. Then I wanted to do it more, so every Friday and Saturday. Again, wasn't enough so started doing it after school. Then I started actually doing in school, even in some classes; I would just fill up a water bottle with it and sip it during class. Now did I feel like I needed it? Not necessarily. I realized I craved it when I didn't have it, but I enjoyed it still, it was still pleasing, 'unto the carnal mind'. I realize now that there is a distinct difference from the 'happiness' things such as alcohol brought me and the true happiness I receive from friends, loved ones, and the Gospel. The happiness I received from those were temporary and fleeting, and when I didn't have it I felt bad, at times miserable and depressed, but true happiness, that fills you forever, it stays with you no matter what problems you face; you turn to those things that give you true happiness, not to the bottle or the bowl, and you may overcome any adversity.

Now these addictions to substance is all very different from that of "heeding the voice of the Prophets". I always have the freedom to choose to listen to what they say. I can can choose not to listen to God's commandments, I can choose not to listen to Church leaders, I can choose to do whatever I want. And there in lies the key difference we, as the body of the Church, listen to and obey guidance given to us by our leaders because we choose to, not because we are forced to. And I know that through adherence to both commandments new and old and to guidance given to us by revelation, we will experience rewards greater than we can fathom, and we all will be blessed for doing so.

I am trying to truly heed the guidance we receive from the Church leadership (everything from food storage to trying to remain debt free). Have I been the best at it? No. For awhile I viewed things like not watching R rated or inappropriate movies as something that was maybe for some people but I didn't need to adhere to it. But I ask myself, does it make sense to follow just some of the commandments, just the ones that you like to follow, or are easiest? I think the answer is obvious.

I can't tell you how many times my life has been blessed by listening to guidance from the Church leaders. One recent example is our Ward goal (I really don't know if that is the correct term...) for our Ward Mission was to know the Articles of Faith. Well I didn't go to Primary so I had some memorization to do. I wrote out the Articles on a piece of paper and decided to practice memorizing them during my lunch break at work. One night (I work nights) my boss asked me what I was doing, and I told him I was memorizing scripture for my Church. He asked what scriptures and I told him it was the Articles of Faith. This lead us into a lengthy conversation about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (which he had really never heard of, just knew about the "missionaries on bikes" whom he thought were awesome). As we talked I could tell he liked a lot of the things he heard and was eager to have another conversation about it. Immediately after talking, it clicked in my head, this is why we were given that direction by our Church leadership.

I believe that the continuation of prophetic guidance is not only necessary, but also testifies the love that God has for His children is not fleeting. We in this dispensation are not sheep lost from the flock, doomed to wander in the dark, no, we have a constant torch that stays lit with the power of revelation by Heavenly Father. I testify of these things in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Power of Prayer

Prayer is a powerful thing (probably one of the most general statements ever). But in all seriousness prayer is immensely powerful. It is our means of conveyance to Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. How lucky are we to be able to directly talk to God? I can bear my testimony of how well prayer works. Many times in my life have I prayed and asked for help. This may not sound like a big deal but my father and brother were about to drive our two 'jet-skis' (really a Seadoo Bombardier and Yamaha Waverunner) back to the marina which was a little ways away. The problem was a big storm was moving in, it was pouring like crazy and I could see many lightning strikes out at sea. I was slightly worried... so I prayed, I prayed for the safety of my father and brother. And not three seconds after I said "Amen" the clouds opened and the sun seemed to pierce the storm, for it immediately stopped, rain and all. Now some would call that coincidence perhaps; but I knew, I felt the Holy Spirit as I prayed and I knew my message got through.

Now the aforementioned anecdote is just an example of prayer that was answered somewhat immediately. Prayer, from my experience many times takes a bit longer to receive an answer. Have faith and be patient, 'good things come to those who wait'.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is heavily driven by prayer. The restored Church of Christ was founded on prayer. A young boy named Joseph Smith Jun. read a verse in the General Epistle of James, "if you lack any wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally... But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering" (James 1:5-6). Because of a boy's simple prayer the world changed forever. The Book of Mormon also shows how important prayer is,

"For if ye would hearken unto the Spirit which teacheth a man to pray ye would know that ye must pray; for the evil spirit teacheth not a man to pray, but teacheth him that he must not pray. But behold, I say unto you that ye must pray always, and not faint;... ye shall pray unto the Father in the name of Christ, that he will consecrate thy performance unto thee, that thy performance may be for the welfare of thy soul" (2 Nephi 32:8-9).

Lastly one of the most important prayers I've ever made was posed in the Book of Mormon, by Moroni, "Behold, I would exhort you that when ye shall read these things... and ponder it in your hearts. And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost. And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things" (Moroni 10:3-5)

One cannot just pray... "Pray always, lest you enter into temptation and lose your reward" (D&C 31:12). One needs to keep commandments, have faith, do good that allows them to have the Holy Spirit really bless them with its presence.

"I would that ye should be humble, and be submissive and gentle; easy to be entreated; full of patience and long-suffering; being temperate in all things; being diligent in keeping the commandments of God at all times; asking for whatsoever things ye stand in need, both spiritual and temporal; always returning thanks unto God for whatsoever things ye do receive" (Alma 7:23).

One also needs to 'do'; one cannot simply sit and wait for things to happen, God helps those who help themselves right?

I am writing about prayer tonight because my family has been having some trouble. My mother just told me, "we just need to pray; just say a prayer." My parents instilled in my brothers and I, at a young age, a great priority when it came to prayer. They taught me its power, and the Church only furthered that lesson.