It's all just so good!

Ok so this is just the second of what will likely be many posts about my Doctrine and Covenants class. BECAUSE IT IS ALL JUST SO GOOD! 

Today's reading were sections 6-9. They all discuss receiving revelation and the answers to prayers. PERFECT for me. On any day. Today though I absolutely fell in love with section 6.

This summer I worked for an awesome program called Retreat for Girls. It is a camp for girl's ages 12-15 that focuses on how to help them have faith and how to incorporate God in their lives. It is given from an LDS faith, but is for any and all girls. During my time there, I discovered verses 33-37. They helped me throughout the rough patches of being a counselor. As well to give advice to my friends on missions who were having a difficult time.

These verses are just so perfect. Don't believe me? Let me share them with you:

"Fear not to do good, my sons, for whatsoever ye sow, that shall ye also reap; therefore, if ye sow good ye shall also reap good for your reward. Therefore, fear not, little flock; do good; let earth and hell combine against you, for if ye are built upon my rock, they cannot prevail. Behold, I do not condemn you; go your ways and sin no more; perform with soberness the work which I have commanded you. Look unto me in every thought; doubt not, fear not. Behold the wounds which pieced my side, and also the prints of the nails in my hands and feet; be faithful, keep my commandments, and ye shall inherit the kingdom of heaven. Amen."

If this doesn't give you motivation, then read it until it does. I assure you that those words came from the Lord himself, and he knows how to encourage us to do what it is that we need to do. Fear not to do good. You will never regret it. 

So these were ones that I already knew about and the rediscovery renewed my motivation and courage that I had already received from these verses.

What I really wanted to focus on are verses 8 through 13. Again marvelous words full of glorious goodness. When I read these verses, I circled the action words that Joseph and Oliver were asked to do in order to receive the revelation that they were looking for. Again doing so I applied them to myself. The actions included:

Desire

Keep my commandments

Remember

Inquire

Exercise thy gift

Do good

Hold out faithful

Why are these things so essential to receiving answers to our questions?

Desire: You can't just expect the revelation that you need to know right then is just magically going to come. You have to desire to know the truth that you need. Have a question. It isn't just going to come without you desiring it to come. 

Keep my commandments: Revelation comes through the Holy Ghost. He can only dwell in holy temples and holy places. Meaning if you aren't worthy, his words will not come. If you are doing things you aren't supposed to, then the revelation you seek cannot come. You must live worthy of the spirit.

Remember: remember that it is the Lord that can answer your questions. Turn to him, the source of truth, rather than those that do not have the truth. As shown in this video:

Inquire: This goes back to this video as well. You have to ask. It doesn't just come

Exercise thy gift: This is the gift of the Holy Ghost. For those that are members of the LDS church, we have the Holy Spirit with us wherever we go. We have to utilize that gift. Rely on his promptings and act upon them. They can be answers to our questions. If you aren't a member, you can still receive promptings and feelings from the Holy Ghost. Pay special attention to ideas that don't seem to come from you. That can be guidance from our friend.

Do good: This is more than just keeping the ten commandments. It is seeking to help those around you. Serving others is a great way to receive answers. I know this from experience.

Hold out faithful: This is the most important and difficult piece to the revelation puzzle. Hold out faithful. Heavenly Father doesn't always answer right away. But he DOES answer. Keep the faith during that time, and you will without a doubt receive it.

Revelation is such a key to this life. I have come to love and truly rely on the promptings of the Holy Spirit. I know that it has saved me, brought me peace, answered a difficult question, stopped me from making dumb mistakes and much much more. It is such an important part of my life. If it isn't in yours, I encourage you to do these things so that you too can have it in your life.