As A Child

One of my favorite stories from General Conference was told by President Henry B. Eyring. It was given in the General Conference session back in April 2006 in his talk titled "As a Child." I remember this talk for many reasons, and to this day it is still one of my favorite talks. One reason why I remember this talk is because of the Spirit I felt when Pres. Eyring shared this story. I remember feeling that I could turn to the Lord for help whenever I needed it. I most likely won't get my prayers answered the way that I want them to be answered, BUT  I knew God was listening. This is the personal experience he shared:

 

 "Once, for instance, I prayed through the night to know what I was to choose to do in the morning. I knew that no other choice could have had a greater effect on the lives of others and on my own. I knew what choice looked most comfortable to me. I knew what outcome I wanted. But I could not see the future. I could not see which choice would lead to which outcome. So the risk of being wrong seemed too great to me.

I prayed, but for hours there seemed to be no answer. Just before dawn, a feeling came over me. More than at any time since I had been a child, I felt like one. My heart and my mind seemed to grow very quiet. There was a peace in that inner stillness.

Somewhat to my surprise, I found myself praying, “Heavenly Father, it doesn’t matter what I want. I don’t care anymore what I want. I only want that Thy will be done. That is all that I want. Please tell me what to do.”

In that moment I felt as quiet inside as I had ever felt. And the message came, and I was sure who it was from. It was clear what I was to do. I received no promise of the outcome. There was only the assurance that I was a child who had been told what path led to whatever He wanted for me.

I learned from that experience and countless repetitions that the description of the Holy Ghost as a still, small voice is real. It is poetic, but it is not poetry. Only when my heart has been still and quiet, in submission like a little child, has the Spirit been clearly audible to my heart and mind." ("As A Child" Ensign, May 2006) Read the talk HERE

Have you ever been on your knees pleading for Heavenly Father to tell you what to do? I know I have several times in my life. If you are seeking for direction in your life, might I suggest you get on your knees? Plead with your Father in Heaven for direction. Repent, change, submit yourself to HIS WILL and HIS DIRECTION. He will guide you! I know that He will answer your prayers and give you direction! You are HIS child! He loves you!

He is ALWAYS there!

Liberty Jail

"God is close to us and aware of us and never hides from His faithful children."

Lately, I have been pondering about an experience I had about a year ago. A group of people from my congregation had come together and planned a trip to go to several different church history sites in the United States. We went to Missouri, Illinois, Nebraska, and Kansas. It was truly a very moving experience for me. The picture on this post is of Liberty Jail. It is where Joseph Smith was wrongfully imprisoned for about five months and the conditions were terrible. I felt the Spirit very strongly while I was in the visitor center. I actually got to touch the actual door of the jail. The door that Joseph Smith touched and walked through. It was a very powerful experience for me as I reflected and pondered on what happened in that place. Joseph Smith received revelations while he was there. President Henry B. Eyring explains, "In the depths of his anguish in Liberty Jail, the Prophet Joseph Smith cried out, 'O God, where art thou? And where is the pavilion that covereth thy hiding places?'" Have you ever felt like God is hiding from you? You are in the deepest moments of your life wondering, " How will I ever get through this? Is God really there? Does He know me? Why is this happening to me?" I can't speak for the prophet Joseph Smith, but I'm guessing that he felt something very similar. While Joseph Smith was in Liberty jail he received some very powerful revelations. These revelations found in the Doctrine and Covenants have helped me "endure to the end" of really hard trials. In section 121 the Lord comforts Joseph, "My son, peace be unto thy soul; thine adversity and thine afflictions shall be but a small moment; And then, if thou endure it well, God shall exalt thee on high; thou shalt triumph over all thy foes." (D&C 121:7-8)

 I have felt similar to Joseph's plea " Where art thou?" in several different parts of my life. One in particular was when my mother passed away. I didn't understand. I couldn't comprehend that this could happen to me. How could He abandon me? Didn't He understand that she was my mother? That I needed her? Couldn't He see that we were good members of  His church? Couldn't He see that we tried to do everything right because we loved him? I have pondered on this more than I can describe. But an answer always comes. He does know who I am. I am his daughter and He does loves me. President Erying continues, "Many of us, in moments of personal anguish, feel that God is far from us. The pavilion that seems to intercept divine aid does not cover God but occasionally covers us. God is never hidden..God is close to us and aware of us and never hides from His faithful children." ("Where is the Pavilion? Ensign Nov. 2012) God is not far from us! He is there willing and wanting to help us! The Lord has said, "even so am I am in the midst of you." (D&C 6:32) He is there! I know that if we are willing to get on our knees and open our heart unto God. He will hear us! He will strengthen you and help you! When you cry out " O God, where art thou?" He knows where you are. He knows what we're doing and how He can help us. We just have to ask. Then we have to act in faith and follow Him. I know these things are true. If you are struggling, please, turn to your Father in Heaven. President Gordon B. Hinckley said,"Our safety lies in the virtue of our lives. Our strength lies in our righteousness. God has made it clear that if we will not forsake Him, He will not forsake us." ( Ensign Nov. 2001)