Obedience and Personal Revelation

At the beginning of the year I promised the Lord I would attend all my church meetings, including family home evening, institute, other activities and attending the temple regularly. That may not seem like a big deal but when I felt stressed by the amount of homework I have to do and working full time every minute becomes precious. But I knew, and felt, God would bless me for striving to do what he has asked. For a month it was not a problem. As the homework load increased it became increasingly difficult to still attend all the above mentioned activities. This week was particularly hard to attend institute. Due to other things coming up I lost a day of doing homework. So when institute came around I was sorely tempted not to attend but work on the large pile of homework I knew was before me. However, I knew that id I did not attend I would miss out on something. Or even showing up late I would miss out. So I went. And I am so grateful I did! Within the first five minutes of the lesson I gained some very specific, and much needed, personal revelation. Throughout the entire lesson I continually gained more and more inspiration. I would have missed out on that had I stayed home to do homework. I do believe though that I would have gained that revelation at some point in the future but I feel that it would not have come so clearly or powerfully then. And to top it off when I did finally make it home I was more focused on my homework and I think I did better on the assignments. I was able to get them done in a more timely manner. I was blessed for keeping my commitment. I am so grateful for the blessings of the Lord. I love revelation!

Knowledge

Have you ever thought about how knowledge sets you free? The more you know the more free you are. In 2 Nephi 15:13 it reads, "Therefore, my people are gone into captivity, because they have no knowledge." When we have a knowledge of truths, especially gospel truths, we are able to make better decisions. And by so doing we are free.

I was discussing this with a friend and he related it to Proverbs 29:18. "Where there is no vision, the people perish."  Knowledge helps us grow. We flourish when we are learning. Applying what we learn brings an even added measure of developing into great men and women.

Although we do find a caution in 2 Nephi 9:29. "But to be learned is good if they harken unto the counsels of God." Heavenly Father wants us to gain knowledge. He wants us to be educated as we make decisions. However, he wants us to remember we receive everything from Him. He is the source of all knowledge.

So the conclusion is, gain as much knowledge as you can and retain in remembrance it comes from God.