HIS WORK AND GLORY (part three)

Even though I never had to, nor was I inclined, to use stars, smiley faces, percentages and alphabet letters in my classes to reinforce the learning of those who attended, as the days of my mortality have lengthened, I have become increasingly aware and grateful that our Heavenly Father is not only going to be the administrator of our FINAL EXAM, but he also created a system whereby we can have frequent feedback on our progression.

The love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. (Romans 5:5)

Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error. (1 John 4:6)

Besides the feelings which give us strong indications whether our choices are pleasing unto our Father in Heaven, we will also know by the inclination we have to work in His ways and do His works, whether we are progressing in our efforts to put on His attributes and characteristics.

The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance … If we live in the Spirit, let us walk in the Spirit. Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another. (Galatians 5:22-26)

We are also given to understand that our Heavenly Father desires to help us progress at the pace He knows we are capable of moving, and will give us appropriate assignments when He knows we will complete them.

The Holy Ghost, even the comforter, which showeth all things and teacheth the peaceable things of the kingdom. Behold I say unto you … I have looked upon thy works and I know thee. And verily I say unto thee, thine heart is now right before me at this time; and, behold, I have bestowed great blessings upon thy head. (Doctrine and Covenants 39:6-8)

There seem to be times when our Father knows that drastic intervention is needed, that will put us back on to the path which will lead toward fulfilling our existence. We will one day recognize with grateful hearts that His course correcting discipline came upon us because of His abundant love and mercy unto His children.

Behold he changed their hearts; yea, he awakened them out of a deep sleep, and they awoke unto God. Behold, they were in the midst of darkness; nevertheless, their souls were illuminated by the everlasting word … (Alma 5:7)

Thou knowest that thou hast inquired of me and I did enlighten thy mind; and now I tell thee these things that thou mayest know that thou hast been enlightened by the Spirit of truth. (Doctrine and Covenants 6:15)

Evidently the Master Teacher is ready to bestow upon His student children extra credit assignments when they recognize the need for them and petition for these lessons.

If ye will not harden your hearts, and ask in faith, believing that ye shall receive, with diligence in keeping my commandments, surely these things shall be made know unto you. (1 Nephi 15:11)

Blessed art thou for what thou hast done; for thou hast inquired of me and behold, as often as thou hast inquired thou hast received instruction of my Spirit. (Doctrine and Covenants 6:14)

Having spent some time searching the scriptures I am convinced that Divine Instruction can and should be part of our mortal learning. We can have the privilege of a fairly constant feedback on the correctness of our thoughts, words and deeds.

However, I remain a bit unsure whether this feedback comes because the spirit which inhabits our bodies is able to remember and recall the instructive processes of its previous existence or because the body which houses that spirit is learning how to receive and interpret these interactions from the Creator. My heart tells me that the answer lies in a well-planned Eternal combining of the two.

Random related thoughts:

Sometimes we give ourselves a smiley face by looking back where we were, remembering what we have overcome and looking forward with hope to that which we might someday be.

There is nothing to be gained by comparing our personal growth to ‘A’ or ‘F’ companions during our mortal passages.

There is a direct correlation between our diligence in our studies and the progress we will make.