Small Plates

As I mentioned in my previous post, I'm subbing in seminary tomorrow.  True confession.  I kinda really like it, even though it's early morning.  I'm not sure what it is.  I think it's the layout of the lesson plans.  But, don't tell anyone - they'll think I'm a wackadoo.

If ever there were a lesson tailor made for me to teach, this would be it.  I love the lesson topic and it fits beautifully into what I've been writing about.  There are some highlights of the lesson that I want to write about.  I will let you all in on a little secret.  I have no idea why on earth I am writing the things that I'm writing about - let alone why I'm doing it here instead of a private journal.  Maybe someone out there is benefiting from my journey.  Maybe one day when I'm super awesome and need to give spiritual talks on a regular basis, I can look back thru my blog and find all kinds of talks to take and expand on.  It will look like I've remembered every detail of my life, but in reality, I will have cheated by going back through here - because my mind in not a "mind palace" where I keep everything forever.  This blog also serves as reminders for me of what I know.  I am in constant need of reminders and I'm more likely to listen to the advice when it is coming from me - a me in a wiser moment.  Everyone is capable of wise moments - that's why it's best to document them when they occur :0)

So, what is this lesson on?  Well, most specifically 3 Nephi 23.  That chapter is about searching the words of the prophets and His disciples adding an important event to their spiritual record.  In verses 4-5 Christ tells them to give heed to His words and to write down the things that he told them.  He also wants them to hearken to His word……I'm going to remember that as His voice (remember - doctrine and covenants 18:34-36).  He also tells them to search the prophets.  

What I have been trying to convey thru all my writing of spiritual things and the process that I've taken to see more spiritual things in my life is spoken best by Elder Merrill j Bateman of the Seventy when he said:

"There are certain blessings obtained when one searches the scriptures.  As a person studies the words of the Lord and obeys them, he or she draws closer to the Savior and obtains a greater desire to live a righteous life.  The power to resist temptation increases, and spiritual weaknesses are overcome.  Spiritual wounds are healed." (emphasis added)

Boom, there it is.  That's all you need to know!

So, General Conference is coming up and knowing the scripture in Doctrine and Covenants 1:38 that says "whether by mine own voice or by the voice of my servants, it is the same," how will that affect what you hear?  When you hear the voice of the Lord speaking specifically to you, what will you do?  Well, remember back in 3 Nephi?  We need to write it down.  So we can experience what Elder Bateman described.  Now, do you need to write it for the world to see?  No and very personal revelation should be regarded as sacred and not trivialized by sharing in an inappropriate setting.  I constantly evaluate the appropriateness of what I share here.  I also try to just stick to basics instead of getting too specific about things.  For instance.  What I wrote of my experience with "waiting" was only a small part of the entire story and what I learned and what I learned about myself.  But these experiences do need to be written down.

President Eyring said after relating an experience he had with his father who was providing service to his family…"I heard in my mind-not in my own voice- these words: 'I'm not giving you these experiences for yourself.  Write them down." I went inside.  I didn't go to bed.  Although I was tired , I took out some paper and began to write.  And as I did, I understood the message I had heard in my mind.  I was supposed to record for my children to read, someday in the future, how I had seen the hand of God blessing our family…"

What I like about what he said is that the process of writing helped him to understand the direction he was given.  This blog is an exercise in learning for me.  I have no idea where these posts are going to go when I sit down to write them.  Often I go back and re-read them and realize how incomplete my thoughts are.  Hopefully I will get better with time.

He goes on to say: "More than gratitude began to grow in my heart.  Testimony grew.  I became ever more certain that our Heavenly Father hears and answers prayers.  I felt more gratitude for the softening and refining that come because of the Atonement of the Savior Jesus Christ.  And I grew more confident that the Holy Ghost can bring all things to our remembrance- even things we did not notice or pay attention to when they happened."

So, what if you're like my kids and say "I don't have anything exciting happen that is worthy of writing about.  I do nothing."  You're in luck, I've got just the quote from John H Groberg "Some people say, 'I don't have anything to record.  Nothing spiritual happens to me.' I say, 'Start recording, and spiritual things will happen.  They are there all the time, but we become more sensitive to them as we write.'"

So, get out some pen and paper and start your own small plates.  Record the spiritual experiences that you have so that you can not only help your children and future posterity, but you can remind yourself when the dark clouds descend that you have indeed heard the voice of the Lord and he has been there for you and loves you and has given you many experiences to strengthen you and gain his trust.