I know this is a conference blog - but this article in the Ensign really impressed me. It is taken from a devotional address given at BYU in 2007.
He begins by addressing college age people and how he is speaking to "the one." I however - am sadly very past college age, but, I really gained a lot from this address.
He notes many changes morally from his day to ours and that we are at a time of "Spiritual War."
He asks us to read Lehi's dream,, and read it again.
"If you hold to the rod, you can Feel your way forward with the gift of the Holy Ghost, conferred upon you at the time you were confirmed a member of the Church."
He continues to say that the word in the dream that we need to pay attention to is after. It was after the people found the fruit that they headed the words of those in the great and spacious building and fell away. They were ashamed... "And After they had tasted of the fruit they were ashamed because of those that were scoffing at them; and they fell away into forbidden paths and were lost.."
Strength comes to those who do not head the words of the great and spacious building. I liked this next quote:
"At your baptism and confirmation, you took hold of the iron rod. But you are never safe. It is after you have partaken of that fruit that your test will come."
He tells of a classmate who was talented and rose to prominence, but after years of trying to please the world and those around him he fell. - he talks about clothing... simple ways we groom or dress to try to be in style can loosen our grasp. I was really surprised by this next quote:
"Largely because of television, instead of looking over into that spacious building, we are in effect, living inside of it. That is your fate in this generation. You are living in that great and spacious building."
I really really hope we can chose not to live in it. It is around us - immersing us - but I really believe we can find ways to avoid it. We can look ahead instead of at the magazines in the grocery lines, we can leave the TV off, we can screen our movies before watching them, we can ignore the billboards, we can listen to a church talk in our car instead of the radio, we can read uplifting - enlightening books instead of books that do not draw us closer to the savior... to name a few...
He continues to say that living the gospel by dressing modestly, attending our meetings, paying tithes, taking the sacrament, honoring our calls and leaders, reading our scriptures and praying.. always praying- will hold our hand to the iron rod... but it will not solve all of our problems. "That would be contrary to the purpose of your coming into mortality." "But with the gift of the Holy Ghost, you can Feel your way ahead through life. Grasp the iron rod, and do not let go."
We are warned even after this that secret combinations "are had among all people."
"Atheists and agnostics make nonbelief their religion and today organize in unprecedented ways to attack faith and belief. They are now organized, and they pursue political power. You will be hearing much about them and from them. Much of their attack is indirect in mocking the faithful, in mocking religion."
He continues to say (I must add this makes me sad, though I know it is true) that some of the mocking does not come from outside of the Church. (he repeats this for importance) "Be careful that you do not fall into the category of mocking."
Embedded in the dream are these key facts from Nephi's later explanations:
1. A virgin bearing child
2. One who should prepare the way (John the Baptist)
3. The ministry of the Son of God
4.Twelve others following the Messiah
5. The heavens open and angels ministering to the children of men
6. The multitudes blessed and healed
7.The Crucifixion of the Christ
8. The wisdom and pride of the world opposing His work
He tells us that this is what we face now. Nephi adds after explaining the vision: "Wherefore, now after I have spoken these words, if ye cannot understand them it will be because ye ask not, neither do ye knock; wherfore, ye are not brought into the light, but must perish in the dark."-- "For behold, again I say unto you that if ye will enter in by the way and receive the Holy Ghost, it will show unto you all things what ye should do" (2 Nephi 32:4-5)
He continues to express the importance of learning to follow the promptings of the Holy Ghost - "it is to be a shield and a protection and a teacher for you."
I think about this vision a lot. I wonder about my part in the dream.. how I am doing with the world yelling at me. I understand and have partaken of this fruit (yes I have.. and I have a testimony of it's sweetness). Sometimes at Tracy's medical conferences, ceremonies, dinners etc - people make comments about us being so young and in a busy profession with 3 children... most of the comments are outwardly said as a conversation piece,, some are not. I have been ridiculed by others for my religion, and sadly at times by friends for my standards. But it is how I let these things effect me that really matter. I am embarrassed to say that often times I am offended.. (which is not really 'heeding them not').. Taking offence I am sure could lead any of us to forbidden paths.
I think that the pressures of this great and spacious building will continue to build. If I do not learn to live independent of it, it can hurt me spiritually. I want so much to have my grasp tight on the iron rod, and to continue to partake of the fruit which is most sweet.
Until Next time... :-)
