Yesterday, I was searching for additional study materials to supplement my reading in Hebrews, in the New Testament. I found many wonderful resources that the church has scanned and made available on-line, following these links: lds.org, Menu, Manuals, Institute.
I feel overwhelmed with the realization that all this information is at my fingertips, in an instant. I'm experiencing a modern day miracle. This experience reminded me of another scripture in 2 Ne 9:50.
50 Come, my brethren, every one that a, come ye to theb; and he that hath no c, come buy and eat; yea, come buy wine and milk without money and without price.
I wanted to remember the following quote from the Institute, New Testament Student Manual, PDF, pg 388.
Perfection Entails Consecrated Effort on a Specific
Problem
In a very real and meaningful way, you can begin to
become perfect right now. This means specific and
concentrated efforts on a particular problem rather
than scattered random attempts to overcome all
problems in one immense effort. Consider the counsel
from President Harold B. Lee: “The most important
of all the commandments of God is that one that
you’re having the most difficulty keeping today. If it’s
one of dishonesty, if it’s one of unchastity, if it’s one
of falsifying, not telling the truth, today is the day for
you to work on that until you’ve been able to conquer
that weakness. Then you start on the next one that’s
most difficult for you to keep.” (Church News, 5 May
1973, p. 3.)
President Lee’s comments suggest some specific
things that you can do to overcome your weaknesses.
First identify what your weaknesses are. Make a list
with your greatest concern at the top and so on in
descending rank. Remember, this list is very personal
and should be kept secret and private. It is a matter
strictly between you and your Savior, and you should
never share it in class or in public.
Each morning review your list, particularly noting
the problem you want to work on that day. Then pray
to the Lord, entreating him for power and promising
him you will do all you can. That night report to him
on your success or failure. As you find yourself
improving (and you will), pray for forgiveness and
additional strength. Keep constantly in mind the joy
and love your Heavenly Father is feeling toward you
because of your efforts. Remember also that your
weaknesses can become your strengths; indeed, as
each is overcome, it can be a rung of power leading
upward to God and your eternal home. Examine
Ether 12:27. What is the purpose of weakness? What
does the Lord intend to do with your weaknesses if
you let him? Will you let him? If you do, you will find
the power of heaven opened to you and you will
receive greater joy and peace and a closer
relationship with your Savior than most people ever
know.
Ok, it happened….I was ornery and disagreeable all the way
to the temple. I could blame the Los
Angeles bumper-to-bumper traffic. Or, perhaps it was the way my husband and I exchanged words, or the lack thereof. Maybe it was my lack of sleep or having to
adjust my high expectations. But, when
all was said and done, I was in a very bad mood when I attempted to smile for
a picture outside the temple with my husband.
I knew I could not, in good conscience, attend a session. It would have been totally in vain.
So when we entered, I jumped at my husband’s suggestion to
eat some lunch in the temple cafeteria first. And sure enough, by the time we were done
eating, I was able to genuinely smile at my husband with love!, and thank him
for getting us to the temple safely. I
apologized for my actions and felt the spirit return. I was glad for a recovery period! After all, the temple isn’t for “perfect”
people, but is for people striving to
become perfect.
This experience taught me about the importance of preparing
to attend the temple. I wonder how many
blessings I have forfeited by my neglect.
I think the Lord is eager to share all he can with us, yet I am
sometimes not in a frame of mind to receive what he has for me. And, I believe the earlier and more diligent
the preparation, the more abundant the blessing.
