Search, Ponder, and Pray

Tonight was the much-anticipated Relief Society meeting. The first woman, who has a Master's degree in exercise science and writes for the Huffington Post on health and fitness, spoke about physical health. The second woman, a clinical psychologist who teaches at Rutger's and writes textbooks, spoke about mental and emotional health.

And then there was me.

The sweet sister who was in charge of the evening wanted to introduce each of us, so she asked for a few things she could say. The other two gave their credentials about why they were knowledgeable enough to speak on these subjects. I wracked my brain for anything that qualified me to speak on spiritual health and renewal. I had nothing. Well, I had several funny, quirky things to say about myself, but nothing that made me an expert.

The first two speakers were interesting and informative, and while I listened I discovered I had over prepared. A lot. I had researched and reviewed and agonized and rehearsed. I quickly restructured my lesson while I listened to the other two. I kept the hook and about one-fourth of the quotes and the general idea, but I streamlined it.

And you know what? It went well. It was funny where it needed to be funny and heart-felt where it needed to be heart-felt. Most importantly, I bore my testimony about the vital necessity of daily prayer, daily scripture study, and daily time for listening and pondering.

These are the quotes that I ended up using:

Spiritual food is necessary for spiritual survival, especially in a world that is moving away from belief in God and the absolutes of right and wrong. In an age dominated by the Internet, which magnifies messages that menace faith, we must increase our exposure to spiritual truth in order to strengthen our faith and stay rooted in the gospel. -Elder Oaks, April 2015

We should make daily study of the scriptures a lifetime pursuit. … The most important [thing] you can do … is to immerse yourselves in the scriptures. Search them diligently. … Learn the doctrine. Master the principles. …You must … see that … searching the scriptures is not a burden laid upon [us] by the Lord, but a marvelous blessing and opportunity. - President Ezra Taft Benson, Oct 1986

I find that when I get casual in my relationships with divinity and when it seems that no divine ear is listening and no divine voice is speaking, that I am far, far away. If I immerse myself in the scriptures the distance narrows and the spirituality returns. I find myself loving more intensely those whom I must love with all my heart and mind and strength, and loving them more, I find it easier to abide their counsel. -The Teachings of Spencer W. Kimball

·         We are continually counseled to increase our spiritual knowledge through prayer and through studying and pondering the scriptures and the words of the living prophets. - Sister Esplin, 2^nd Counselor Primary General Presidency, April 2015

      The first tool is prayer. Choose to converse with your Father in Heaven often. Make time every day to share your thoughts and feelings with Him. Tell Him everything that concerns you. He is interested in the most important as well as the most mundane facets of your life. Share with Him your full range of feelings and experiences. Because He respects your agency, Father in Heaven will never force you to pray to Him. But as you exercise that agency and include Him in every aspect of your daily life, your heart will begin to fill with peace, buoyant peace. That peace will focus an eternal light on your struggles. It will help you to manage those challenges from an eternal perspective. -Elder Scott, October 2014

·         For us, as Latter-day Saints, wonders also occur in our individual lives. They include our own personal conversion, the answers we receive to our prayers, and the tender blessings God showers upon us daily. To marvel at the wonders of the gospel is a sign of faith. It is to recognize the hand of the Lord in our lives and in everything around us. Our amazement also produces spiritual strength. It gives us the energy to remain anchored in our faith and to engage ourselves in the work of salvation. But let us beware. Our ability to marvel is fragile. Over the long term, such things as casual commandment keeping, apathy, or even weariness may set in and make us insensitive to even the most remarkable signs and miracles of the gospel. My brothers and sisters, is the gospel still wonderful to you? Can you yet see, hear, feel, and marvel? -Elder Causse, April 2015