Obtaining Blessings from the Lord

**My mom printed this talk out for me a few weeks ago and guess who the talk was given by... yep, Elder Scott. For the next 3 days I am going to write quotes from that talk. I don't want to write them all at the same time because they are very powerful.

"We see such a limited part of the eternal plan He has fashioned for each one of us. Trust Him, even when in eternal perspective it temporarily hurts very much. Have patience when you are asked to wait when you want immediate action. He may ask you to do things which are powerfully against your will. Exercise faith and say, Let Thy will be done. Such experiences, honorably met, prepare you and condition you for yet greater blessings. As your Father, His purpose is your eternal happiness, your continuing development, your increasing capacity. His desire is to share with you all that He has. The path you are to walk through life may be very different from others. You may not always know why He does what He does, but you can know that He is perfectly just and perfectly merciful. He would have you suffer no consequence, no challenge, endure no burden that is superfluous to your good."

-Elder Richard G. Scott, "Obtaining Help from the Lord" Ensign Nov. 1991

We MUST Apply What We Learn

I am in my first trimester of pregnancy right now and all I can find the motivation to do is sleep and eat! So, needless to say I haven't been as consistent in posting as I would like to but I will be trying.

Back to learning more about listening to the spirit and having prayers answered and back to Elder Scott's great wisdom on the subject. Elder Scott says, "To obtain spiritual direction or to acquire spiritual knowledge are not sufficient--you must find the courage and strength to consistently use them."

"For behold, it is not meet that I should command in all things; for he that is compelled in all things, the same is a slothful and not a wise servant; wherefore he receiveth no reward. Verily I say, men should be anxiously engaged in a good cause, and do many things of their own free will,, and bring to pass much righteousness; for the power is in them, wherein they are agents unto themselves. And inasmuch as men do good they shall in nowise lose their reward."

D&C 58:26-28; see also verses 29-33

From Elder Scott's book, Finding Peace, Happiness, and Joy

Great Idea on Listening to the Spirit

My sister-in-law, Sarah, left this great comment. She also told me that her mother kept a separate journal called her prayer journal, to record all of the prayers and answers in.

"I really believe principle, it's one my mum always taught me. She would sometimes write out her prayers, word for word, and wait for the answer and then write them out word for word. Seems kind of daunting doesn't it, but I've tried it and it helps me to focus and makes 'hearing' the Spirit easier, plus I also think its shows Heavenly Father that he can trust you if you put so much effort into trying to listen."
-Sarah

Like Elder Scott's quote from the last post said, it is very important to write these things down, act on any instruction that has been given and then be grateful for the inspiration.

The Spirit Speaks to Your Heart and Mind

"Yea, behold, I will tell you in your mind and in your heart by the Holy Ghost, which shall come upon you and which shall dwell in your heart.

Now, behold, this is the spirit of revelation."

-D&C 8:2-3

Did you know that the spirit can speak to you almost word for word in your mind? Like dictation.

Elder Scott says: "Sometimes the impressions are just general feelings. Sometimes the direction comes so clearly and so unmistakably that it can be written down word for word, like spiritual dictation."

He then goes on to describe an experience he had with this dictation. He was in a Sunday church meeting when the impressions came flooding in, "I received such an outpouring of impressions that were so personal that I felt it inappropriate to try to record them in the midst of a Sunday School class. I sought a more private location. There I continued to write the feeling that flooded into my mind and heart as accurately and as faithfully as possible. After each powerful impression was recorded, I pondered the feeling I had received to determine if I had accurately expressed them in writing. As a result, I made a few minor changes to what had been written. Then I studied their meaning and application in my own personal life.

Subsequently I prayed, reviewing with the Lord what I thought I had been thaught by the Spirit. When a feeling of peace and serenity confirmed what I had sought, I thanked Him for the guidance given. I was then impressed to ask if there was yet more that I could be given to understand. I received further impressions, and the process of writing down the impression and pondering and praying to know if I had done it properly was repeated. Again I was prompted to ask, "is there more I should know?" There was. When that last, most sacred experience was concluded, I had received some of the most precious, specific, personal direction one could ever hope to obtain in this life. I am convinced that had I not responded to the first impressions, valued, and recorded them, I would not have received the last, most precious guidance. What I have described in not an isolated experience."

-Elder Richard G. Scott, "Finding Peace, Happiness, and Joy" pgs. 42,45,46

Personal Revelation

I love Elder Scott's book, "Finding Peace, Happiness, and Joy." He has a chapter called, To Understand Spiritual Guidance. I will be writing a few of the key points from that chapter in the next few posts.

"Another example underscores the clarity of spiritual communication. You may have opened your eyes under water while swimming. Everything looks blurred and difficult to identify, yet with the aid of a diver's mask, every detail can be seen with absolute clarity. Satan tries to blur reality and confuse you by tempting you to incorporate false principles into your life. Father in Heaven can clarify your life by sharing correct principles through the Holy Ghost. How you exercise your moral agency will determine which of these two influences will be predominant in your life. Your happiness now and for the eternities will unquestionably be determined whether or not you follow the spiritual guidance of the Lord communicated through the Holy Ghost."

President Kimball taught: "Revelations will probably never come unless they are desired. I think few people receive revelations while lounging on a couch... I believe most revelations would come when a man (or women, I would add) is on his tip toes, reaching as high as he can for something which he know he needs, and then there bursts upon him the answer to his problems."
-Elder Richard G. Scott, "Finding Peace, Happiness, and Joy"

I Need Help!!!

Those of you who know me know that my oldest son is extremely difficult to raise. Those who don't I'll just put it this way, his primary teacher said there was only one of him in ALL of Heaven. Anyway, I am having a very difficult time getting him to obey. My husband and I have tried everything we know. If there is anyone reading this that has any suggestions at all I would love to hear them. Thank you. Just email me at drennanbakerblog@yahoo.com

Importance of Personal Revelation

"Personal communication with God through the Holy Spirit is a reality. To me it is as literally real as life itself and far more precious than all of the treasure of the earth. As you understand and use the eternal principles governing such communication, you can learn that the counsel of others and the programs of the Church are useful aids but not the best source of fundamental direction in you life. That guidance come from the Lord through the Holy Ghost."

-Richard G. Scott, "Finding Peace, Happiness, and Joy"

A Great Place to Start with Listening to the Spirit

"A test whereby we can know whether or not revelation is from God: 1. Is it contrary to instruction from a living Prophet? 2. Is there anything secret? 3. Does it bring harmony and peace of mind? 4. Does it square with the scriptures? 5. What have you done yourself to ask of the Lord? 6. Are you keeping the commandments? By answering this series of questions, you can know by the Spirit whether or not the information come from God."

-Thomas S. Monson,

Favorite Quotations From

The Collection Of

Thomas S. Monson, 104

I think this is a great place to start when wanting to know more about listening to the spirit and whether or not you heard right. :)

What You Can Do to Receive the Gift of Charity

Charity is a gift that you can receive as you pray to be filled with love, as you give service, and as you look for the good in others.

Pray to be filled with love. The prophet Mormon admonished: “Charity is the pure love of Christ, and it endureth forever; and whoso is found possessed of it at the last day, it shall be well with him. Wherefore, … pray unto the Father with all the energy of heart, that ye may be filled with this love” (Moroni 7:47–48). You may not feel the pure love of Christ immediately or all at once in answer to your prayers. But as you live righteously and continue to pray sincerely and humbly for this blessing, you will receive it.

Give service. We grow to love people as we serve them. When we set aside our own interests for the good of another in the pattern set by the Savior, we become more receptive to the Spirit. As you pray for those you teach, ponder their needs, and prepare lessons, your love for them will increase.

Look for the good in others. As you discover the good qualities in others, you will grow in your understanding of them as children of God. The Spirit will confirm the truth of your discoveries about them, and you will appreciate and love them more.

Seeking the Gift of Charity,” Teaching, No Greater Call: A Resource Guide for Gospel Teaching, 12

I would also like to add Listening to the Spirit and Instant Obedience.

***Remember that I would love to post anything that anyone wants to send in. If you would like to share something that you have learned about charity or any of the other posts please let me know. I also love to have comments. :) drennanbakerblog@yahoo.com

Charity: The Great Healer

A few years ago I had anoriexa. Those of you who have experienced any type of eating disorder can understand what they do to you. I completely lost sight of who I was, I lost confidence in myself, others and sadly even the Lord at times. As a result I became very depressed and confused. After a couple of years of eating agian, I was finally able to see a bit straighter and I remembered what my mother had taught me about Charity..."it literally changes your nature." I knew that in order to fully overcome the ramifications of the eating disorder I needed a complete change. (I couldn't even remember who I was before the E.D. so I couldn't just say, "Oh, that's who I was before, I'll just remember that and become that again." I really COULDN'T remember!)

So, for the past few years I have been focused largely on weeding out my false beliefs that the eating disorder created and trying to focus on doing what it takes to receive the gift of Charity. Although, I have not yet received the "gift" in the way Paul, Nephi, Elder McConkie and many others have defined it, I know that the focus on it has helped me in ways I could never have imagined. I know that as I hold as tight as possible to the Iron Rod, I eventually will be led to the Gift of Charity (the "Tree", 1 Ne. 11:22). I believe this is what our Relief Society motto, "Charity Never Failith" really means... you can be healed from ANYTHING when you strive to receive the gift of Charity.

Sheri Dew puts it this way, "Very simply, put without Charity we cannot enter the celestial kingdom, because if our natures have not become defined by charity, then we won't be like our Father and His Son. It's as simple, and profound as that.

For charity changes us. It transforms us. It is as a healing balm. When we plead with all the energy of our hearts to be filled with the pure love of Christ, the increasing, continual bestowal of charity not only changes our natures, it heals us from the emotion and other wounds created by the buffetings we experience in this lone and dreary world--wounds such as insecurity and jealousy, resentment and fear, a propensity for anger and an unforgiving heart. The healing power of charity, bestowed by the Father and made possible by the Atonement of Jesus Christ, can make it virtually impossible for us even to feel emotions common to the natural man."
-Sheri Dew, "If Life Were Easy, It Wouldn't Be Hard"

"Charity Never Faileth"

I think Charity is a great place to start with marriage. There is so much to write about Charity! I am not sure where to begin. So I will start here...

Elder Bruce R. McConkie's definition of Charity:
Above all the attributes of godliness and perfection, charity is the one most devoutly to be desired. Charity is more than love, perfect love, the pure love of Christ which endureth forever. It is love so centered in righteousness that the possessor has no aim or desire except for the eternal welfare of his own soul and for the souls of those around him. (McConkie, Doctrinal New Testament Commentary, 2:378)

Charity is much more than doing service...MUCH MORE!

Charity is the "Tree" in Nephi's vision: ...Yea, it is the love of God, which sheddeth itself abroad in the hearts of the children of men; wherefore, it is the most desirable above all things. (1Ne. 11:22)

Moroni says this: And now I know that this love which thou hast had for the children of men is charity; wherefore, except men shall have charity they cannot in inherit that place which thou hast prepared in the mansions of thy Father. (Ether 12:34)

Charity is the love of God for us, not the other way around.(John Pontius, Following the Light of Christ into His Presence.)

Wherefore, my beloved brethren, pray unto the Father with all the energy of heart, that ye may be filled with this love, which he hath bestowed upon all who are true followers of his Son, Jesus Christ; that ye may become like him, for we shall see him as he is; that we may have this hope; that we may be purified even as he is pure. Amen. (Moro. 7:48)

And above all things, clothe yourselves with the bond of charity, as with a mantle, which is the bond of perfectness and peace. (D&C: 88:125)

Wherefore, there must needs be faith; and if there must be faith there must also be hope; and if there must be hope there must also be charity. And except ye have charity ye can in nowise be saved in the kingdom of God; neither can ye be saved in the kingdom of God if you have not faith; neither can ye if ye have no hope. (Moro. 10:20-21)