When this venture began in “starting spiritually fresh,” I went shopping…of course! I bought myself my first new set of scriptures since I was 12. The permanent marker highlights that my little darlings drew were adorable but I have always wondered what in the world happened to Nephi! ;) Just Kidding. I also picked up some fancy highlighters and a beautiful handmade notebook (love it) to write down my thoughts. Now, I was set…or so I thought. While my focus was on preparing the physical tools, I quickly realized, while those things were nice, there were two main spiritual tools that were essential for me in building a sure spiritual foundation. Today I will share the first… Tool #1: an OPEN HEART About two years ago, my sweet husband, Mr. Q, and I took our 4 girls, hair brushes, Beenie Boos and Kleenex (for the impending emotional breakdowns) down south to Zion National Park for our Spring Break. What is it about the fresh air, beautiful scenery, the warmth of the sun, and also a perfectly chilled diet soda, as Mr. Q would say, that rejuvenates the soul? Ahhh… On the drive down, Mr. Q replayed one of his most favorite hiking memories as a kid, Angels Landing. He talked of the beauty, heavenly details (in the manliest way of course), and the practical risks (which translated to me as…the SCARY STUFF) in scaling the mountain to the top. As he spoke, I was picturing in my “city girl” mind what it might have been like. It sounded so awesome and at the same time SOOO something I thought I could never accomplish, let alone, want to do. My mind and my heart were closed to the whole idea. The physical toll, the “deadly” drop offs, and on top of that, the early morning hour…Nope. No Thanks. That ship has sailed and the dead bolts to possibility have been engaged. BTW...I am a blast on road trips ;) For the entire drive down I was trying to convince Mr. Q why I couldn’t do it, why I didn’t feel like it, and why that experience was meant for everyone else with cuter hiking boots. I kept slamming the door to an extraordinary experience over and over again. Why? I was afraid. After some good encouragement and the fact that I melt. like. butter. when I look into Mr. Q’s Bear Lake blue eyes, I finally decided to trust him. I decided to open myself up to the idea. Lets be real…I thought I was most likely doing it for him. And as it turned, while it was definitely challenging, Mr. Q was right…again! It was beautiful! The top of the landing really was angelic! The view was clear, crisp, and refreshing. The peace, humility, strength, courage…and a thousand other adjectives that came, were an unexpected gift. To think, the only thing I had to do to receive the gift was to open my heart and trust in the promise. In the Spring of 1820, a young 14 year old boy had the courage to open his heart and heeded these words in his quest for truth: “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to men liberally and upbraideth not; and it shall be given them.” So with faith in what he read, our brother, Joseph Smith, went to a quiet grove of trees and simply prayed. Do you think Joseph could ever imagine what would happen next? … “I saw a pillar of light exactly over my head, above the brightness of the sun, which descended gradually until it fell upon me. It no sooner appreared than I found myself delivered from the enemy which held me bound. When the light rested upon me I saw two Personages, whose brightness and glory defy all description, standing above me in the air. One of them spake unto me, calling me by name and said, pointing to the other—“This is My Beloved Son. Hear Him.” I believe, that while our experience will be different than the Prophet Joseph’s, the invitation from the Father to all of us is the same. “Hear Him.” The answers which we seek are at the door. The real question is, is our heart open to receive our own witness?
Personal revelation, understanding of the scriptures and doctrine of the Gospel of Jesus Christ is possible for all to achieve, not just an elect few with cute hiking boots. I am coming to know this for myself, I just needed to open my heart!
2 Comments
Anne
10/22/2015 10:25:06 am
Dahhh!! The suspense! I wanna know the second tool! Love this blog so much!
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Meghan
10/22/2015 09:47:57 pm
Thanks for sharing your thoughts. I am enjoying reading them! Love you girl!
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