I have decided that an important element of my personal
study of the scriptures and the words of the Prophets is the meta-thinking that
happens when I write about what I am learning.
As I write I seem to learn even more, a process that is described by
Elder Richard G. Scott in his October 2009 General Conference Address “To
Acquire Spiritual Guidance.” You can
read the whole talk at that link, but a short excerpt from his description of
how he receives revelation is included below.
“As each impression
came, I carefully wrote it down. In the process, I was given precious truths
that I greatly needed in order to be a more effective servant of the Lord…I
continued to write the feelings that flooded into my mind and heart as
faithfully as possible. After each powerful impression was recorded, I pondered
the feelings I had received to determine if I had accurately expressed them in
writing…I believe that you can leave the most precious, personal direction of
the Spirit unheard because you do not respond to, record, and apply the first
promptings that come to you.”
I relate strongly to Elder Scott, perhaps because he
frequently addresses exactly how to
hear and understand the guidance of the Holy Spirit in your life, something
that I am always anxious to learn how to do better. And also because I feel that he, like me,
finds great power in words, and in the process of writing. As a writer, this
process of recording seems to be especially important and effective for me,
perhaps because words hold such influence and meaning in my life.
In the address mentioned above, and when I have been
privileged to hear him speak in person, Elder Scott consistently encourages
individuals to write down the promptings they receive from the Lord, that
when we take the time to record our spiritual insights and promptings, often
the Lord takes that opportunity to teach us even more. And in recording them we are effectively
telling the Lord that we are willing to receive even more knowledge and
learning through the Holy Spirit.
Sometimes the knowledge, enlightenment, or understanding I
gain from my personal study is too personal, or individual to be shared, and
will remain in my digital journal.
However, often I believe that my thoughts and ideas are about challenges
and struggles which are universal. So when they are not too personal, I have
decided to share them via my blog. Lately, I have been feeling more intently my
baptismal covenant to “stand as a witness of God, at all times, and in all
things and in all places…” (Mosiah 18:9) And Paul’s challenge to Christians
worldwide “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ: for it is the
power of God unto salvation...” (Romans 1:16 ).
Sharing my insights and testimony of Christ on my blog is a way in which
I am striving to be a better witness of Him, and a better example for my
(future) children.
Originally, I had planned to just include them as part of my
current blog, but if I succeed in writing daily entries, that creates 2
postings per day on many days, which is a bit overwhelming. However, I am
reluctant to separate them completely, as the secular and religious aspects of
my life are so intertwined. So, the solution I have come up with is to include
a link to my SST Blog Entry for the day whenever I post in Chronicles.
The scriptures references I include in my Scripture Study
Thoughts blog will usually be quoted from the KJV of the Holy Bible, and the
Book of Mormon (you can order your own free copy from this link “I would like a free Book of Mormon.”) I will
also include quotes from the General Conferences of The Church of Jesus Christ
of Latter-Day Saints, which happen semi-annually. One of the tenets of the LDS
(or Mormon) faith is that God has restored a Prophet and 12 Apostles on the
earth today, the same as in biblical times. At these ‘General Conferences’ of
the church, the Prophet and 12 Apostles of our time, address the current
challenges of our world, giving advice and counsel to people worldwide.
