LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!!

Our world has passed through a multitude of eras – agricultural development – discovery and development of metals – industrial production – technological development – just to name a few – it would be wonderful if the time came for an era – of putting on Christlike attributes and characteristics – would consume the lives of the planets inhabitants!!

LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!!

It has been interesting – to have lived a life which has been full of interesting advancements – in technology – astronomy – weaponry – travel – along with a myriad of other fascinating – impressive – and – constant changes – while strangely watching such attributes – as love unfeigned – service – kindness – and – mercy – along with a myriad of other character traits – which have not only faille to advance – but - in many cases – seem to have retrogressed!!

LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!!

There are many times – when the buildup to an event – make that which was eagerly anticipated – impossible to be fulfilled!!

LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!!

Although our dedicated efforts – seem t be seldom recognized – we must never cease to strive!!

MAXIMIZING HAPPINESS DURING MORTALITY – FAITH IN THE LORD JESUS THE CHRIST

During the latter part of Mosiah I’s reign and throughout the reign of his son Benjamin and then continuing into the latter part of his grandson, Mosiah II’s reign (circa 150 BC – 92 BC), the Book of Mormon people known as Nephites enjoyed the blessings of a mini period of living in a Zion-like society. The prophet/king Alma later records that there cannot be a happier people than those who are blessed to live during such times.

We aren’t given much instruction about the governmental and economic administrations of this period other than that both the people and the King were striving to live their lives according to the laws of God and that all worked diligently to sustain the welfare of the people. The society was built on the principles of equality and inclusiveness. King Benjamin writes that he labored diligently with his hands so that he would not be a burden to his people.

We are left with the vision that if a people work diligently and maintain a high standard of moral behavior, they will be blessed with sufficient temporal needs and with relationships which maximize happiness.

I cannot recall if I have ever read the address Benjamin gave to his people, which has been translated by the gift of God and come to us in chapters two thru five of the book of Mosiah of the Book of Mormon, without being struck with the feeling that King Benjamin was giving us the key principles upon which mankind’s ability to maximize their happiness during mortality depends.

Whether I am 100% correct or not about the principles given in King Benjamin’s address being the very keys to maximizing our happiness or not, I do believe 100% that anyone who strives to live according to the principles outlined in his address will be blessed with abundant happiness. We may fall short of being blessed with the added blessing of living in a Zion like society, because others may not have chosen to apply the necessary principles to their lives, but the promised happiness will not be withheld.

The many times I have had the joy of going through these chapters in classroom settings testify to me that it was going to be impossible for me to cover them in one Thought for one Sabbath Day. For those with great memories and if you have been reading my Thoughts for the last three weeks you will be aware that those Thoughts were also based on King Benjamin’s address, so for you this will be the fourth Thought based on his words.

Therefore, I invite you to come with me as I continue pondering the wonderful words of King Benjamin. As a prelude to this series of Thoughts I include the words found in Mosiah 2: 41 thru Mosiah 3: 1-4.

And moreover, I would desire that ye should consider on the blessed and happy state of those that keep the commandments of God. For behold, they are blessed in all things, both temporal and spiritual; and if they hold out faithful to the end they are received into heaven, that thereby they may dwell with God in a state of never-ending happiness. O remember, remember that these things are true; for the Lord God hath spoken it.

And again my brethren, I would call your attention, for I have somewhat more to speak unto you; for behold, I have things to tell you concerning that which is to come. And the things which I shall tell you are made known unto me by an angel from God. And he said unto me: Awake; and I awoke, and behold he stood before me. And he said unto me: Awake, and hear the words which I shall tell thee; for behold, I am come to declare unto you the glad tidings of great joy.

For the Lord hath heard thy prayers, and hath judged of thy righteousness, and hath sent me to declare unto thee that thou mayest rejoice; and that thou mayest declare unto thy people, that they may also be filled with joy.

We are not given to know if King Benjamin’s address came completely from the visitation of an angel or not, but whatever was his source, he had boldly proclaimed that the words were not to be trifled with, but our challenge was to wake up, listen and apply the principles if we had desires to maximize our happiness during mortality.

Just as Joseph Smith declared in the Articles of Faith of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints that the first principle of the gospel was faith in the Lord Jesus the Christ, the angel declared the first principle leading to a life filled with joy is Faith in the Lord Jesus the Christ.

A few things the angel pronounces which we should consider as we contemplate the completeness of our faith in the Lord Jesus the Christ:

Do I believe He is the Lord Omnipotent who reigns from all eternity to all eternity?

Do I believe He came to dwell on earth and performed miracles, cast out devils, suffered and resisted temptations, is called Jesus Christ, Son of God, Father of heaven and earth, creator of all things?

Do I believe He was born after the manner of men and His mother was called Mary?

Do I believe He came that salvation might come unto the children of men?

Do I believe there is no other name given whereby salvation can come unto the children of men?

I conclude this Thought with extracts form King Benjamin’s personal testimony of his faith in Jesus the Christ.

And king Benjamin again opened his mouth and began to speak unto them, saying: My friends and my brethren, my kindred and my people, I would again call your attention, that ye may hear and understand the remainder of my words which I shall speak unto you. For behold, if the knowledge of the goodness of God at this time has awakened you to a sense of your nothingness, and your worthless and fallen state—I say unto you, if ye have come to a knowledge of the goodness of God, and his matchless power, and his wisdom, and his patience, and his long-suffering towards the children of men; and also, the atonement which has been prepared from the foundation of the world, that thereby salvation might come to him that should put his trust in the Lord, and should be diligent in keeping his commandments, and continue in the faith even unto the end of his life, I mean the life of the mortal body—I say, that this is the man who receiveth salvation, through the atonement which was prepared from the foundation of the world for all mankind, which ever were since the fall of Adam, or who are, or who ever shall be, even unto the end of the world. And this is the means whereby salvation cometh. And there is none other salvation save this which hath been spoken of; neither are there any conditions whereby man can be saved except the conditions which I have told you.

Believe in God; believe that he is, and that he created all things, both in heaven and in earth; believe that he has all wisdom, and all power, both in heaven and in earth; believe that man doth not comprehend all the things which the Lord can comprehend. And again, believe that ye must repent of your sins and forsake them, and humble yourselves before God; and ask in sincerity of heart that he would forgive you; and now, if you believe all these things see that ye do them.

And again I say unto you as I have said before, that as ye have come to the knowledge of the glory of God, or if ye have known of his goodness and have tasted of his love, and have received a remission of your sins, which causeth such exceedingly great joy in your souls, even so I would that ye should remember, and always retain in remembrance, the greatness of God, and your own nothingness, and his goodness and long-suffering towards you, unworthy creatures, and humble yourselves even in the depths of humility, calling on the name of the Lord daily, and standing steadfastly in the faith of that which is to come, which was spoken by the mouth of the angel. (Mosiah 4: 4-11)

I add my personal testimony, that the first principle of the gospel is faith in the Lord Jesus the Christ. Likewise, the first principle of maximizing our happiness during mortality is faith in the Lord Jesus the Christ.


THOUGHTS FOR A SABBATH DAY – WILLIAM L. RILEY

EDITED BY – KATHLEEN W. RILEY

LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!!

Although testimonies borne – seem to be in the main ignored – we must never cease to bear them!!

LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!!

Although our arms – extended in an invitation for love – remain empty – we must resist the temptation to withhold them!!

LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!!

Although our wanting cries for peace – seem to go unheeded – we must never cease to cry!!

LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!!

It is shocking to those who are persuaded by promotional propaganda of products – that by far the greater portion of the planet’s population – live good – and – full lives – wearing suitable clothing which keeps them from getting too warn – or – too cold as the seasons change – who are nourished with common – and – life sustaining foods – do most of their moving around by foot – or – public transportation – are grateful for a home which shelters them from the elements – and yes – they live full and productive lives – un affected by product promotional propaganda!!

LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!!

If the writers of promotional propaganda are correct – why do we see all those – who have arrived – constantly seeking – new apparel – cancelling restaurant reservations because the ‘in’ place has changed – buying a newer model of car with advanced gadgets – and – ever construction houses on top of higher hills – constantly seeking for the good life??

LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!!

If we were to believe the promotional propaganda of products – all we would need to enjoy a full – and – perfect life – would be to wear the right apparel – have reservations at the most expensive restaurants – drive the most luxurious cars with the most gadgets – and – live in the biggest house on the highest hill!!

UNTO WHOM MUCH IS GIVEN

I remember a lot about the days I was in the second thru the fourth grades because of the double trauma I experienced upon our arrival: First I had to deal with having all new friends to adjust to and second I had to deal with the teasing which came because I had to wear embarrassing high topped shoes the doctor had prescribed because of my flat feet.

It was also during those primary school days that I suffered a onetime affliction of rheumatic fever which resulted in me being confined to bed for several months. There was some good which resulted from that illness. I developed a love for putting puzzles together and as a result of the fever my heart actually ended up being stronger.

However, there is no doubt that the most harrowing event which transpired during those years was the death of my joyfully anticipated little brother Fred when he was just 8 days old. It is still a very short journey into my memory bank to see his small casket in the living room of the parsonage house we were renting, in American Falls, Idaho.

I don’t remember having very many serious thoughts before we moved to American Falls that first time, but there is little wonder that along with or perhaps because of all the trauma, my young brain started thinking about a lot of things besides singing cowboys and being afraid of snakes.

One of the themes which continually played upon my wee brain was how different my life was from that of my friends. Some of their parents did a lot more shouting and hitting than mine. Some of them went to church on Sundays and some didn’t. Some had parents who smoked and some didn’t. I could easily occupy this entire Thought with the differences I remember.

The result of a lifetime of thinking of the vast differences we all experience during mortality could easily be summed up in the glimmer of understanding which has come to me as I have pondered the following scripture.

For of him unto whom much is given much is required; and he who sins against the greater light shall receive the greater condemnation. (Doctrine and Covenants 82: 3)

I won’t bear solemn testimony nor use the phrase ‘without a shadow of a doubt’, but I have become convinced that our judgement of how we spent our earthly days will be governed by a sliding scale based upon the teachings we have been given and the understanding we have gained during our lives.

Besides the topics we have already addressed in the two previous Thoughts based on King Benjamin’s address to his people, he also talks about the accountability they who have been given much will have.

And now, I say unto you, my brethren, that after ye have known and have been taught all these things, if ye should transgress and go contrary to that which has been spoken, that ye do withdraw yourselves from the Spirit of the Lord, that it may have no place in you to guide you in wisdom’s paths that ye may be blessed, prospered, and preserved — I say unto you, that the man that doeth this, the same cometh out in open rebellion against God; therefore he listeth to obey the evil spirit, and becometh an enemy to all righteousness; therefore, the Lord has no place in him, for he dwelleth not in unholy temples.

Therefore if that man repenteth not, and remaineth and dieth an enemy to God, the demands of divine justice do awaken his immortal soul to a lively sense of his own guilt, which doth cause him to shrink from the presence of the Lord, and doth fill his breast with guilt, and pain, and anguish, which is like an unquenchable fire, whose flame ascendeth up forever and ever.

And now I say unto you, that mercy hath no claim on that man; therefore his final doom is to endure a never-ending torment.

O, all ye old men, and also ye young men, and you little children who can understand my words, for I have spoken plainly unto you that ye might understand, I pray that ye should awake to a remembrance of the awful situation of those that have fallen into transgression. (Mosiah 2: 36-40)

Besides explaining the added responsibility and accountability placed upon those ‘who have been give much’ about their obligation to be honorable to their covenants, Benjamin also explains the blessings which will attend they who keep their covenants not just as a reward in the next stage of existence, but during mortality.

And moreover, I would desire that ye should consider on the blessed and happy state of those that keep the commandments of God. For behold, they are blessed in all things, both temporal and spiritual; and if they hold out faithful to the end they are received into heaven, that thereby they may dwell with God in a state of never-ending happiness. O remember, remember that these things are true; for the Lord God hath spoken it. (Mosiah 2: 41)

Most of the time I have been stimulated to meditate upon the different levels of opportunity Heavenly Father’s children have during their short mortal span when I am seeing firsthand the extremities of the different experiences which exist between eternal brothers and sisters. Children in the streets of Cairo. Sewer dwellers in Bogota. Couples inhabiting mansions in Malibu. Bidders on rare paintings. Etc.

The annals of history have recorded man’s inability or unwillingness to rectify the gulfs in which we humankind have, do and probably will exist. Therefore, there has to be a way in the Eternal Plan of Heavenly Father through His mercy to rectify the inequitable situations of His children during mortality.

With the words of Benjamin we are given a clear understanding of the accountability scale those ‘who have been given much’ to know and understand and therefore will be judged by. But what of those ‘who have been given little or nothing’.

Wherefore, he has given a law; and where there is no law given there is no punishment; and where there is no punishment there is no condemnation; and where there is no condemnation the mercies of the Holy One of Israel have claim upon them, because of the atonement; for they are delivered by the power of him. (2 Nephi 9: 25)

Only a quick glance around us should give us the understanding that we do not all have equal opportunity during our lives to know and understand the Plan of Heavenly Father, therefore, we should all be grateful that His plan adjusts to fit each of our circumstances and opportunities to know of Him and His Plan during mortality.

Whenever I spend some meaningful time contemplating this theme I am left with a grateful heart concerning the Temple work taking place in these Latter Days which provides the needed ordinances for those ‘who had been given little or nothing’ and opens the pathway for them to come to know and understand in that paradisiacal school in the next phase of our progression.


THOUGHTS FOR A SABBATH DAY – WILLIAM L. RILEY

EDITED BY – KATHLEEN W. RILEY

LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!!

When the feeling that you are becoming a dinosaur – comes upon you – remember – the light which brightens – the path of your progeny – is partially illuminated – because of the glow you left!!

LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!!

It is sad – but – if one lives long enough – they may come to the point in their lives – where they feel like a dinosaur – living in a world – where their existence – is no longer important!!

LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!!

We must be careful – never to become so overwhelmed – by the noise of the world – that the whisperings of the Holy Spirit – get drown out!!

LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!!

There are times – when the power which gives us strength – to overcome – and – continue – only comes from Divine sources!!

LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!!

Our level of righteousness – is seldom determined – by the number of years we have lived – but more likely – by the number of times – we have been moved by the Holy Spirit!!

LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!!

The record of mankind indicates – that it is not – is a dispensation will fall from righteousness – but – how quickly!!

IN THE SERVICE OF GOD

And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. (Joshua 24:15)

Therefore, O ye that embark in the service of God, see that ye serve him with all your heart, might, mind and strength, that ye may stand blameless before God at the last day. (Doctrine and Covenants 4:2)

I cannot remember how many years I wrestled with the idea of how it could it be possible to serve God, since He has all Omni-ness. I also realize that there were probably many more important doctrines and principles about which I should have been struggling.

However, I was very grateful after having taught the Book of Mormon countless number of times, when I finally had a marvelous ‘aha’ moment while preparing a lesson on the 17th verse of chapter 2 of the book of Mosiah in the Book of Mormon.

And behold, I tell you these things that ye may learn wisdom; that ye may learn that when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the Service of your God.

There it was and there it had always been. Adam knew it, Moses knew it, Abraham knew it, Joseph Smith knew it and now I finally knew it. We are in the Service of God, we do not serve Him who has all. We are enlisted in the army of He who is all powerful. We are contracted under-shepherds who cannot learn enough to be able to add to the understanding of He who knows all. We cannot travel far enough to expand the universe of Him who is all present.

The only commitment He requires of us is to submit ourselves to be ministers in whatever work He might call us to perform in helping Him bring to pass the immortality and eternal lives of His children.

Mosiah is quick to admonish and warn those who covenant their lives to being in the Service of God.

I say unto you, my brethren, that if you should render all the thanks and praise (and service) which your whole soul has power to possess, to that God who has created you, and has kept and preserved you, and has caused that ye should rejoice, and has granted that ye should live in peace one with another.

I say unto you that if ye should serve him (be in the Service of God) who has created you from the beginning, and is preserving you from day to day, by lending you breath, that ye may live and move and do according to your own will, and even supporting you from one moment to another—I say, if ye should serve him (be in the Service of God) with all your whole souls yet ye would be unprofitable servants. (Mosiah 2: 20, 21)

I know Mosiah repeats we must serve God several times, therefore, if you have strayed from the concept we are trying to convey, you need to reread the beginning paragraphs of this Thought.

Mosiah must have been well aware of what needy little beings we are whose constant battle with pride sends us plodding after self-aggrandizing glory for every tiny service we render to our brothers and sisters while we throw in our minute acts with pretense of being in the Service of God.

And now I ask, can ye say aught of yourselves? I answer you, Nay. Ye cannot say that ye are even as much as the dust of the earth; yet ye were created of the dust of the earth; but behold, it belongeth to him who created you. (Mosiah 2: 25)

It probably does not happen as often as it should, but at least every December I am reminded by the ghost of Christmas Present what miserable little creatures we are.

As servants in the Service of God

We do an act of kindness – and – then become offended when thanks is not heaped upon us.

We share a pittance of our abundance – and – then are saddened because a hospital wing is not named in our honor.

We lend a cloak from our overflowing closets – and – then want everyone to realize it warms a stranger’s shoulders.

We make a simple contribution of understanding – and – then wonder at the absence of acknowledgement of our genius.

We provide a scant meal to one who is hungry – and – then expect everyone to praise our benevolence.

In order to avoid causing all who read this Thought to be moved to judge why I have so great an understanding about how we who are called to serve others in the Service of God react in an abundance of sad ways, I will not do my usual 10 examples, but stop at five. I am sure I have provided enough fodder to cause the horse to founder.

I doubt very many of us will ever reach the point of serving in the Service of God with all our might, mind and strength, but hopefully, He who accepted the widows mite will accept all of our meager offerings.

And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me (In the Service of God). (Matthew 25: 40)


THOUGHTS FOR A SABBATH DAY – WILLIAM L. RILEY

EDITED BY – KATHLEEN W. RILEY

LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!!

If the Lord had to wait – for us to become perfect – before allowing us to be publishers of peace – very few sermons on peace – would ever be given!!

LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!!

I wonder if Joshua – would have been overwhelmed – about the choice which God he should serve – if he had been inundated with the propaganda – we receive today!!

LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!!

We often reject truth – because it causes us to make difficult choices – never the less – regardless of the personal path we take – truth will continue to be truth!!

LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!!

Having confidence in one’s own ability – does not guarantee – others will have confidence in – or – recognize the depth of that ability!!

LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!!

We need to be careful – when we attempt to go beyond – the parameters of our ability to be in control – or – we will soon find ourselves – out of control!!

LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!!

If you ever doubt – the Divine Hand – is involved in the affairs of His mortal children – just ponder – the wisdom – of having children mainly come to parents – when the parents are still young!!

REVELATORY WORDS

Between the books of Omni and Mosiah in the Book of Mormon, Mormon explains that we what we will be reading in Joseph Smith’s translation will be from the Large Plates of Nephi, which is the more secular of the two sets of plates rather than the Small Plates. We have been made aware previously of the existence of both records, but have been learning from the teachings from the Small Plates which were a record of the more spiritual happenings among Lehi’s descendants.

As I started this new year of Thoughts for a Sabbath Day, I was struck with the realization that a year ago when I started this ‘get it off my bucket list’ project of writing Thoughts for a Sabbath Day based on thoughts stimulated by searching The Book of Mormon Another Testament of Jesus Christ, I anticipated it would be a project which would keep me occupied for the next two years.

Now that a year has passed and I am writing the 53rd Thought based on The Book of Mormon Another Testament of Jesus Christ and have just finished the pages which comprise what Nephi identified as the Small Plates of Mormon or the first 144 pages of the current edition of The Book of Mormon Another Testament of Jesus Christ, it became apparent that an adjustment to the original estimation of this exciting project would need to be made.

In the first year of this project, I have written Thoughts on just 27% of The Book of Mormon Another Testament of Jesus Christ, which seems to indicate that I will be working on this project for four years rather than two and I will end up with both a volume five and a volume six of my Thoughts for 100 Sabbath Days series and I will be enjoying my 85th year of mortality.

Although the translation from the abridgement of the Large Plates is a secular history and we have all heard or taught how they read like a current events column, I will mention this prophetic factor just in passing. For the purpose of finding springboards for my Sabbath Day Thoughts I will be concentrating on the spiritual teachings which are interspersed among the wars, power driven leaders and people who move quickly through the cycle from evil to repentance and back to evil again.

I think the words the prophet/king Mosiah I said to his son Benjamin when he delivered the Large Plates into his hands are a good indication of the principles which will guide me as I use the rest of the Book of Mormon as a springboard for my Thoughts for a Sabbath Day.

O my sons, I would that ye should remember that these sayings are true, and also that these records are true. And behold, also the plates of Nephi, which contain the records and the sayings of our fathers from the time they left Jerusalem until now, and they are true; and we can know of their surety because we have them before our eyes. And now, my sons, I would that ye should remember to search them diligently, that ye may profit thereby; and I would that ye should keep the commandments of God, that ye may prosper in the land according to the promises which the Lord made unto our fathers. (Mosiah 1: 6, 7)

I only had to search until verse nine of Mosiah chapter two before I found a verse which has been of great profit during my life.

And these are the words which he spake and caused to be written, saying: My brethren, all ye that have assembled yourselves together, you that can hear my words which I shall speak unto you this day; for I have not commanded you to come up hither to trifle with the words which I shall speak, but that you should hearken unto me, and open your ears that ye may hear, and your hearts that ye may understand, and your minds that the mysteries of God may be unfolded to your view.

Not commanded you to come up hither to trifle with the words

I learned very early in my life that there was a great bridge between my sister Geraldene, who was born with a ‘believing spirit’ and myself who was born with a ‘prove all things’ spirit. I wasted a lot of time in the proving process, which may be another way of saying, for me doubt always preceded belief and I was more prone to desire discussion rather than to calmly accept another person’s position on a proposition.

Heavenly Father must have known I needed this constant influence of a ‘believing spirit’ in my life because I spent the first quarter with a sister who had such a gift and the last three quarters of my life with Kathleen who likewise possesses this gift.

If I understand Benjamin’s counsel correctly when he admonishes us not to trifle (put our own spin on – doubt – argue) with inspired revelatory words from prophets, but that our assignment once having received the word of God was not to tear it down and discuss it to death, but to find a way to make it part of our own system of beliefs.

Hearken unto me

I am well aware that we have been taught that the meaning of the word hearken is twofold. First, that we should hear and second that we should then go forth to do.

As I read the words spoken by Benjamin I have a feeling that he was at this moment putting an emphasis on the hearing part of the word ‘hearken’.

I fear if you have any of the spirit of ‘proving all things’, many times rather than paying tribute and honor to the speaker your mind is constantly being interrupted with thoughts in the category of ‘yah-but’ or ‘is it possible that it could be’. I believe to truly hear we must allow others sufficient respect so that we can hear their words without the interruptive bias’s which we might have.

It is a very unfair and non-learning position to begin to argue before you really understand what the other person has said. Benjamin says to truly understand what has been said we must open our ears that we may hear, and our hearts that we may understand, and our minds that the mysteries of God may be unfolded to our view.

Open our ears that we may hear

I have been left with little doubt that opening one’s ears involves alertness and concentration. One of the sadness’s with which I have been inflicted during the aging process has been a loss of hearing which makes it very difficult to hear high pitched voices, soft toned voices and people who speed read their talks. Up to this point in my life I have still been able to stay awake.

I am sure there are many excuses why we do not clearly hear the words of others, but if Benjamin is correct, if we have not clearly heard, we should be even more diligent in avoiding trifling.

I am sure of one thing. If for any reason we have not clearly heard, there is no way we will be able to fulfill the rest of the formula. Therefore, it would be best if we didn’t express our arguments until we are sure we have correctly heard what has been spoken.

Open our hearts that we may understand

As long as records have been kept, societies have used the heart to indicate the attributes of love, mercy, affection, devotion and grace along with many other characteristics which are indicators of our best virtues. Even today on social media we click on a heart when we have kind and good feelings about what someone has said or done.

Benjamin obviously knew that if we were going to gain an understanding of his words, we could not be filled with hate, philosophical differences, biased parental tapes or any other force which would harden our hearts and cause a preemptive blockage of understanding.

It is sad that we so often continue on our paths of ignorance because we would not open our hearts and let love, mercy, affection, devotion and grace be the bridge to understanding.

Open our minds that the mysteries of God may be unfolded to our view

There are many truths which I have come to feel very secure about. One I am sure easily makes the top ten, is that what I know of the mysteries of God is a grain of sand in comparison to what I don’t know about the mysteries of God.

I didn’t really understand what she meant when my mother first told me ‘a little learning is a dangerous thing’ or ‘when we are learned we think we are wise’, but the experiences of life have seared into my soul the consciousness of how little I really know. For me, the opening of my mind, has come in direct proportion to my recognizing how limited my understanding has been and is.

If a person believes their glass is filled to the brim, it becomes impossible for any one to add anything. I have mostly been a glass half full person during my life, but if I am going to be added upon by coming to partially know a mystery of God I must view my glass with just a few droplets.

Once I recognize my mind falls short of knowing even elementary eternal truths, it is a beginning to having it open to receive a new fragment of a mystery of God.

I wish I had better understood what Benjamin was saying about coming to know truth when I first read the Book of Mormon in my youth, but I am extremely grateful that I have begun to gain a bit of understanding.


THOUGHTS FOR A SABBATH DAY – WILLIAM L. RILEY

EDITED BY – KATHLEEN W. RILEY

LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!!

There are times – when even a new approach – will not change results – those are the very moments – for which – prayer was designed!!

LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!!

We should be careful – and – avoid letting a tragic moment in our lives – become the governing force of our future!!

LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!!

It is frightening – how many times we have to develop – tricks – schemes – and – keys – to help us get through difficult situations!!

LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!!

When we use the phrase – what would Jesus do – the most frequent answer – probably would be – He didn’t!!

LIFE'S LESSONS LEARNED!!

If we live long enough – there comes a day – when that which we can drag out of our brain – is but a fraction of what has been implanted!!