Search and Ponder

Learn to Recognize the Impressions of the Spirit ( PMG Ch. 4) When asked the question, "How do I know if it's the Spirit or myself talking?" Elder Bednar has responded, "Quit worrying about it. Quit fussin', quit stewin', and quit worrying about it." That is a pretty welcome answer, except haven't I always heard that impressions of the Spirit are impressions that "inviteth and enticeth to do good continually"(Moroni 7:13)? Isn't that the way to tell where the impression is coming from? After answering that question the way he did, Elder Bednar continued to tell a story. I think this story was in a 2009 issue of The Liahona . When he was a 19 year old missionary he was sent to pick up Elder Boyd K. Packer from the airport and take him to a train station. Elder Packer was with his wife. They both got on the train and (I found the story) this is how Elder Packer tells what happened: As the train was pulling out, one young elder said

FEAR Fear is an ugly monster that grows inside the human mind and whose only accomplishment is human failure. How many times have you missed out on a great opportunity because you were nervous about what others would think of you? You didn't walk out of that movie that was making you uncomfortable, or you didn't speak up in your meeting when you had something to say. Maybe you didn't talk to that cute girl that sat by you in your huge statistics class or you didn't turn your hazards on and get out of your car to help the mother and daughter trying to push theirs. What if what you had to say was dumb, the girl didn't like you, or the traffic behind you got mad that you were holding them up? What if...what if. How many times is your failure to act based on a fear, however small it may be, that has grown in your mind? Imagine how much you could accomplish were fear eliminated from your life. How much of an impact could your life have on others if you were suddenly

There is a book called Acting on Doctrine  by Elder David A. Bednar. I haven't read it but it comes with a DVD of a question-and-answer setting with Elder Bednar. One invitation he gave on that DVD was to pray and ask God to show you who you really are, and you'll be surprised what you see. Over General Conference weekend with a mission reunion and a temple session, I accepted that invitation. I won't write the very special experiences that happened as a result, but since then my studies have turned to the topic of conversion. The objective of life's experiences and challenges is that man can become like God; to be like God in the sense that one's desires are the same as God's, and also the way in which one reacts and responds in any situation is the same way God himself would respond in that same situation. It's pretty clear when you realize that your potential is to work with God side by side in His kingdom one day. In essence it is an effective use