7/16/2017 - Section 50:21-30

July 16, 2017

Section 50:21-30

Draw Near Unto Me, Prayer, Progression, Missionary Work A New Lifestyle, Direction Toward Perfection,

I know v’s 22 &24 apply to us all everyday, but I feel they are of utmost importance to missionaries as they work to establish a new order to their life that will bring them ever closer to Heavenly Father and His specific instructions: v 22 “Therefore, he that preacheth and he that receiveth, understand one another, and both are edified and rejoice together.” And then v 24 speaks about progression within these efforts: v 24 “That which is of God is light; and he that receiveth light, and continueth in God, receiveth more light; and that light groweth brighter and brighter until the perfect day.” There is a beautiful verse in section 88 that follows also applies here: 88:11 “And the light which shineth, which giveth you light is through him who enlighteneth your eyes, which is the same light that quickeneth your understandings;”  That is the light I pray for every time I open my scriptures. That is the light I pray for as I begin my day looking forward to the things I have planned to do, and as I end my day remembering my blessings of that day and giving thanks for them; talking with my Heavenly Father about the things I could have done better, or maybe even the things I neglected to do; and sharing my desire to move forward trying to do just a little better tomorrow.

This section continues to teach me. I don’t know why it is that every other verse seems to be particularly meaningful to me. V 26: “He that is ordained of God and sent forth, [again, I am reminded that this is written to all of us, but seems to apply most wonderfully to missionaries who are so intent on living ever closer to Heavenly Father] the same is appointed to be the greatest, notwithstanding he is the least and the servant of all.” V 28 “But no man is possessor of all things except he be purified [the Holy Ghost has power to be with us and to lead us in the ways that will take us to a greater level of purity and power] and cleansed from all sin. [Christ lovingly does this.] It is a wonderful cooperative effort: Our sincere communication with Heavenly Father, plus our attention to the Holy Ghost and our efforts to quickly and completely respond to his promptings, plus seeking for positive change, for power, for solace, for knowledge, for wisdom, for courage, etc through Christ’s atonement.

There is a wonderful comment in the student manual, p 109: “Those who are clean before the Lord may pray with confidence and expect to receive righteous answers to their prayers. That which they ask, if expedient in the Lord’s mind, will be given (see D&C 88:64). “But know this, it shall be given you what you shall ask” (D&C 50:30). We should pray for what is reasonable and according to the mind and will of the Lord. If we are righteous, we will enjoy God’s spirit, and it will be “given unto [us] what [we] should pray,” because we will be ‘filled with desire’ (3 Nephi 19:24). We will desire what the Lord wants us to have, and that will be the subject of our prayers.” I need to read this often, for it is so easy to forget and fall back to my normal type of prayers. I should include not just my thanks, and my request for help in my must-do’s, but also ask for help in my quest for progression—for the Lord will direct me to the program that is exactly tailored to my needs. I guess you could call that my personalized plan of Direction Toward Perfection. That would bring in big bucks in the market place, but all it requires of us is desire, thoughtfulness, time, sincerity, consistency & thankfulness.