Showing posts with label prayer. Show all posts
Showing posts with label prayer. Show all posts

Thursday, January 12, 2012

1 Nephi 2: Relationship with the Father - Continual Instruction

In 1 Nephi 1 we see that Lehi had 2 recorded revelations. Then 1 Nephi 2 starts out with another revelation to Lehi in which Lehi is told to leave Jerusalem with his family.

1 For behold, it came to pass that the Lord spake unto my father, yea, even in a dream, and said unto him: Blessed art thou Lehi, because of the things which thou hast done; and because thou hast been faithful and declared unto this people the things which I commanded thee, behold, they seek to atake away thy blife.

2 And it came to pass that the Lord acommanded my father, even in a bdream, that he should ctake his family and depart into the wilderness.

3 And it came to pass that he was aobedient unto the word of the Lord, wherefore he did as the Lord commanded him.

Later in the chapter we read of Nephi receiving revelation from the Lord 2 times.

16 And it came to pass that I, Nephi, being exceedingly young, nevertheless being large in stature, and also having great desires to know of the amysteries of God, wherefore, I did cry unto the Lord; and behold he did bvisit me, and did csoften my heart that I did dbelieve all the words which had been spoken by my efather; wherefore, I did not frebel against him like unto my brothers.

Also, in this verse he receives additional instruction about his future:

It appears clear that the Lord is willing to continually instruct us as we have questions about what to do in life or questions about certain doctrinal issues. He wants us to learn and is willing to communicate to us. He is our Father, and Father's want their children to learn (as we find out that's a good definition of a great Father based on 1 Nephi 1 and Mosiah 1).
1 Nephi 1:1
I, Nephi, having been aborn of bgoodly cparents, therefore I wasdtaught somewhat in all the learning of my father;
Mosiah 1:2
2 And it came to pass that he had three asons; and he called their names Mosiah, and Helorum, and Helaman. And he caused that they should be btaught in all the clanguage of his fathers, that thereby they might become men of understanding; and that they might know concerning the prophecies which had been spoken by the mouths of their fathers, which were delivered them by the hand of the Lord.

Wednesday, January 4, 2012

Prayer - Do your best and God will understand your intentions

Sometimes we worry about saying the perfect prayer or making sure we say everything the right way. It's important to know that God understands our heart and that if we're doing our true best to express to him what we need and want, it doesn't need to be perfect. We really just need to try.

It's important to say the right words because that can help us know that God is helping us with the things we ask for, but our desires will make prayers effective. Consider these verses in Romans 8:

26 Likewise the Spirit also ahelpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should bpray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh cintercession for us with dgroanings which cannot be uttered.

27 And he that asearcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh bintercession for the saints according to the will of God.

The Spirit helps us with God by communicating what we truly want to Him. The Spirit searches our hearts, so our true desires will always be understood and helped by God.

Monday, December 12, 2011

God is Real, our Father

Paul does a great job explaining some core principles to people. In this, one of his most famous sermons, he explains that God is our Father.

29 Forasmuch then as we are the aoffspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto bgold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man’s cdevice.

30 And the times of this aignorance God bwinked at; but nowccommandeth all men every where to drepent:

This understanding is helpful because it affects us meaningfully. If we believe he's a loving Father, we'll want to talk to him daily, about things we've done well and things we haven't done well. I think this understanding of who God is most affects our prayers. He does love us. He knows everything we do anyway, so we really should talk to him about life. It helps us.