4/15/2018 - Section 89:1-3

April 15, 2018

Section 89:1-3

Draw Neat Unto Me, My Deepest Hopes, Word of Wisdom, Scripture Study,

When I read the scriptures, I really try to apply each morsel I read to my life. I may read just a few verses each day—but if those few verses allow me to inch forward in living the gospel more fully (which also means in experiencing more happiness and deeper peace) then what a wonderful time this is each day.

And along with putting these morsels into use in my daily life…I’m afraid I also spread out and connect these treasures of truth to those I deeply love. And today, while reading the beginning of the Word of Wisdom that came as “greeting; not by commandment or constraint…in the temporal salvation of all saints in the last days” (v2), my thoughts turned to Alex. I would so love to have Alex and Payton, Riley and Whit happily involved in the Mormon Church. But I have seen her at New Hope where she has been introduced to the scriptures in a way that touched her heart and her mind. She then went further, and made time in a very busy life for studying the scriptures—not just at her class—but in her quiet, private moments she created at home. She has made time to learn of Heavenly Father and has put efforts into drawing near unto Him—and she has succeeded! I am happy that she has His influence in her life on a much more full time basis. I hear her gratitude for this new level of spirituality and her understanding of heavenly help and love, and I am full of gratitude with her and for her.

My deepest, most fervent and most frequent prayer is that all of our children (and that is a term that includes their children and those who will be their children’s children) will all feel a connection with their Heavenly Father—for that is where sure comfort, peace and guidance can always be found. I have long felt that the loss of spiritual health is far more serious than the loss of physical health.

In v 3, I love the phrase “principle with promise”. As the Lord reveals his will to us through the scriptures or through His prophets, I find there is a promise associated with each principle. His promises are far more valuable to me than the paths that I might be asked to avoid. And the neatest thing is that so many those promises have become tangible blessings in my life. I am so grateful for His plan and His guidance.