Speaking Plainly Through the Spirit

My sister and I do Online Seminary. The lesson today was supposed to be a live class done over webcams, but the teacher was unable to get on the website. So Mo and I were on the class with one other student (I'll call her Ashlinn). At first, we just chatted, talking about life. But when we found out that the teacher couldn't make it, we decided that we needed to have a seminary lesson still. Most youth at this time would have probably just gone back to bed. But we didn't. We started with our favorite scriptures, and then we share what we liked about them.

Ashlinn shared hers first. Ether 12:27, a scripture mastery. 

"And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them."

I shared mine next, 3 Nephi 12:14-16. 

"Verily, verily, I say unto you, I give unto you to be the light of this people. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid. Behold, do men light a candle and put it under a bushel? Nay, but on a candlestick, and it giveth light to all that are in the house; Therefore let your light so shine before this people, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven."

One of Mo's favorites is 1 Nephi 7:12.

"Yea, and how is it that ye have forgotten that the Lord is able to do all things according to his will, for the children of men, if it so be that they exercise faith in him? Wherefore, let us be faithful in him."

After that, we shared neat experiences we had this past week. All three of us spoke of "small and simple things". 

~Ashlinn shared how she accidentally deleted an answer that she had worked on for a scholarship. Faithfully, she tried to fix her problem, and was able to recover it. 

~I spoke about how I was saying my personal prayers when a name popped into my head, so I prayed for her. Then I found out later that she had been struggling. 

~Mo said that she had been trying to be more positive and look for the good things in everyone, and she was able to have a better attitude towards everyone. 

Finally, we discussed what we did this past week to fulfill the challenge we were given in our previous live class. (What can you do this week that shows love and support for your family?) All of us had similar experiences. Each person had striven to be kinder to their family, and have positive attitudes, and it helped a lot with strengthening love for each other.

We then had a closing prayer and concluded the lesson.

This was an incredible experience. Probably one of the most uplifting live classes I have ever experienced, because it was all done out of our own love for Heavenly Father. And right after I finished the lesson, another neat thing happened. My scriptures opened up to a page in the Book of Mormon, talking about the Spirit.

"Behold, my brethren, he that prophesieth, let him prophesy to the understanding of men; for the Spirit speaketh the truth and lieth not. Wherefore, it speaketh of things as they really are, and of things as they really will be; wherefore, these things are manifested unto us plainly, for the salvation of our souls. But behold, we are not witnesses alone in these things; for God also spake them unto prophets of old." (Jacob 4:13) 

This scripture applied to our live class! We did this lesson through the Spirit, and it spoke plainly, through our words to each other. What an amazing morning!

-JS

Personal Study By Faith

Keeping a daily habit of personal scripture study and prayer can be hard. But it doesn't have to be. I have found that as I study the scriptures, my faith is strengthened, and I receive protection from the adversary. How much harder would life be if we didn't have the Spirit?

My seminary lesson today said, "Scripture study isn’t just about the amount of time you do it. It’s about what happens to your mind and your heart while you open yourself to the voice of God in your life." When we put forth the effort to learn and grow, God blesses us with guidance and love. Our faith is increased, and we develop firm testimonies.

Elder Dallin H. Oaks stated, “Scripture reading puts us in tune with the Spirit of the Lord. . . . Because we believe that scripture reading can help us receive revelation, we are encouraged to read the scriptures again and again. By this means, we obtain access to what our Heavenly Father would have us know and do in our personal lives today. That is one reason Latter-day Saints believe in daily scripture study." I, too, believe in daily scripture study! It brings the Spirit, and helps me to have the strength to withstand temptation. No matter how many times I have read specific scriptures, I can always find new lessons to learn from them. For instance, the Book of Mormon. I have read it at least three times, but each time I find something that I either forgot, or something that applies well to my life during that time, or even simple words that touch my heart. When we open our hearts and ask God in faith, the Holy Ghost will help us understand gospel truths.

Again with seminary, "If you make efforts to learn by faith, you can know that your life will change because you will feel Heavenly Father near to you. He will help you understand not only the scriptures, but also the problems you have and what you need to do to prepare for a happy life." The Lord blesses me daily with trials to overcome, and gives me the love and strength I need to persevere. If we put in sincere effort to learn from the scriptures, we can gain testimonies of them and receive the spiritual strength we need to endure to the end.

So, study your scriptures. Pray daily. Develop a sincere relationship with your Father in Heaven. You will be blessed for your efforts! 

-JS