Answers and Strength Do Come As We Study His Words

As I have been diligently striving to study the scriptures and/or the General Conference talks every morning, I have come to know that Heavenly Father really does speak to me through His words. Answers do come and knowledge is given before it is needed. I have been having discussions with friends where I have known exactly what to say from my morning studies. I am seeking knowledge myself and His words answer them.

Elder Randall K. Bennett's talk Your Next Step couldn't have been named more perfectly! I just want to write down the points that really stuck out to me from his talk.

• When faith is exercised, faith increases.

3 Principles to Help Us Return To Our Heavenly Father

1. We need to do what we did as children -- childlike humility and willingness to focus on our Father in Heaven and our Savior, we take steps toward Them, never giving up hope, even if we fall.
2. Be willing to act with faith in Jesus Christ and take another step and we may be blessed with strength.
• Strength is given to those who keep seeking and trying.
• 2 Essential weekly signposts that mark our journey back to our HF are the perpetual covenant of the ordinance of the sacrament and our Sabbath day observance -- sign to the Lord that we love Him.
• Blessings from these signposts -- Holy Spirit's influence improves, strengthens, teaches, and guide us.
• Devoted Sabbath day observance brings the fullness of the earth to be ours.
• Ordinances and covenants become our credentials for admission into God's presence.
3. We must counter the natural man's tendency to procrastinate, to put off, or to give up.
• Faith in Heavenly Father and in Jesus Christ is a principle of ACTION and POWER. 
• If we are willing to act, we will be blessed with the strength to repent and with the strength to change.
• We fail only if we fail to take another faithful step forward.

In this talk he prompts us to do a couple things.

• Become as a little child - humble and meek. 
• Willingly act in faith in Jesus Christ and take that next step! Don't wait! Take it now!
• Be worthy of and use our temple recommends to serve regularly.
• Partake of the sacrament weekly and observe the Sabbath Day

Has there been a thought, a decision or a prompting that you've been sitting on for a bit that needs attention? Have your procrastinated in studying it over and pondering on the right direction to go with that? Elder Bennett says that we should not wait to act upon it. We need to act now, even if it is only through faith and he promises us that the Lord with strengthen us through the Holy Spirit to continue to act and guide us in the right direction we need.

The Blessings NOW of Being Temple Worthy

What exactly are we striving for in this life? Do you want your family to be "united in love, harmony and peace" right now and not just in the next life? The Lord gives us a promise that we can have that right now and in the next life as we keep ourselves temple-worthy no matter if we having ups or downs. Elder Quentin L. Cook gives great advice on how to remain temple worthy in order to receive these blessings.

If we have the knowledge of the plan of happiness, then we should be preparing to receive it. He says that "the rewards of righteousness are available right now." I love how he states that some of us may feel that reaching the ultimate goal of being worthy enough my seem too distant for us but that it is attainable and here's how by giving a list. Here is that list from my notes of his talk:

Principles That Lead to Righteousness

1. Righteous Self-Control and Conduct
• Self-control is like a muscle: the more you use it, the stronger it gets. Avoiding something tempting once will help you develop the ability to resist other temptations in the future. 
• Exercising self-control and living righteously strengthen our ability to resist temptation
• If we don't continually exercise spiritual strength and self-discipline these qualities will atrophy like a muscle that is not used
• We need to develop and demonstrate conduct and appearance that declare we are true followers of Christ
2. Honoring the Sabbath Will Increase Righteousness and Be a Protection for the Family
• Sabbath symbolizes the mighty works of God
• Observing the Sabbath is sign between God and me that I know He is the Lord my God
• Honoring the Sabbath is a form of righteousness that will bless and strengthen families, connect us with our Creator, and increase happiness
• Keeping the Sabbath Day holy is a refuge from the storms of life
• Keeping the Sabbath Day holy is a sign of devotion to our Father in Heaven and helps us understand better the sacredness of sacrament meeting
3. Divine Protections Are Provided When We Are Righteous
• When we are worthy, we can have the companionship of the Holy Ghost as a gift
• Holy Ghost serves as a cleansing agent if the gospel is first in our priorities
• Holy Ghost is a voice of warning against evil
• Holy Ghost is a voice of protection against danger
• Holy Ghost will help us avoid temptations and dangers
• Holy Ghost will comfort and lead us through challenges
• Adherence to sacred gospel principles will allow us to be temple worthy, enable us to find happiness in this life, and lead us back to our heavenly home

Apostolic Promise

Living and maintaining temple-worthy lives will hold together all that really matters. 

Blessings that come from this promise:

• Peace
• Happiness
• Joy
• Eternal life
• Celestial glory with our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ