Promptings and Squirrels

Our Prophet, President Thomas S. Monson, counsels us as members of the church to follow the promptings that come to us.  These could also be described as feelings or ideas that come from our conscience.  We have all had the experience of feeling like we should do something good or say something kind.  When we follow that feeling we are serving Christ.

In one of my FAVORITE scriptures there is the following phrase:

"...the words of Christ will tell you all things what ye should do."  
2 Nephi 32:3

I know this to be true!  The words of Christ come in various forms.  One, of course, is the revealed word of God spoken to us through Prophets.  We have these words in the form of scripture.

Another way Christ speaks to us is through the invaluable, beautiful language of the Spirit.  The Spirit will tell us what we should do and will not lead us down wrong paths.

I have started a simple exercise.  I am keeping a prompting journal.  In it, I write down the things I feel the Holy Ghost is telling me to do. (write a thank you card, give someone a call, treat a particular child with more mercy...)  I will keep this little notebook handy and write down the feelings that come to me.  When I follow through with that prompting, I put a check mark by it.  When I go to bed at night and see that I haven't carried out the Lord's desires and therefore can't mark that thing as done, I will resolve to do that the next day.

My (not so fancy) little notebook.



It is sooo easy to get distracted by the "shiny" things in this world, and to lose focus on the fact that there are people to serve all around us!

In the movie "Up", by Disney, there is a darling dog who is constantly distracted by squirrels.  He can't seem to focus on what he should be doing if there is a squirrel around! 

 

 I think we are all similar to this dog.  There are different distractions which appeal to each of us.  These distractions keep us from doing those things that are precious and important.  

Examples:  

We spend time flipping through our smart phone notifications when we are with people we rarely see (smartphones are the biggest squirrels sometimes!). 

We hesitate to do something for someone because the timing or our appearance or the climate or our mood isn't just perfect (perfectionism: squirrel)

We focus so much on how to decorate our homes that we don't pay enough attention to the people living in them. (home beautification websites can be a squirrel for me if I let them).

Today,  I'd like to try really hard to pray to know what the Lord would have me do with my time and then to do it!  

Here is a sweet story from the life of Thomas S. Monson, when he was serving as an Apostle:

One weekend in August 1974 an unexpected change of conference assignment came, sending Elder Monson to the Shreveport Louisiana Stake. The Saturday afternoon schedule was filled with a busy slate of meetings. Rather apologetically, the stake president asked Brother Monson if time would permit him to provide a blessing to ten-year-old Christal Methvin, who was afflicted with cancer. Brother Monson said he would be pleased to do so and then asked if she would be coming to the conference meetings or if she were confined to a Shreveport hospital. Almost reluctantly, the stake president said Christal was unable to leave her home many miles from Shreveport. 

 Elder Monson examined the meeting schedule and found that there simply was no available time. As an alternative, he suggested that she be remembered in the public prayers which would be offered throughout the conference. Surely, he consoled, the Lord would understand and bless the Methvin family accordingly. 

 Prior to the stake conference, and unbeknown to Brother Monson, Christal had lost her leg to surgery, only to discover later that the cancer had spread to her tiny lungs. A trip had been planned to Salt Lake City, where she might receive a blessing from one of the General Authorities. The Methvins knew none of the Brethren personally, so they placed before Christal a picture of all the Church leaders. She pointed to the photograph of Elder Thomas S. Monson and said, “I would like him to give me a blessing.” 

 But Christal’s condition had deteriorated so rapidly that the flight to Salt Lake City had to be cancelled. She was growing weaker in body but not in faith. She said, “Since a General Authority is coming to our stake conference, why not Brother Monson? If I can’t go to him, the Lord can send him to me.” At about the same time, Brother Monson received the unexpected change in his stake conference assignment which sent him to Shreveport. 

 As one final favor to Christal, the family agreed to kneel by her bedside and ask for just one more blessing; the chance to enjoy Brother Monson’s personal visit. 

 After receiving word from the stake president that Brother Monson would be unable to visit Christal because of the extremely tight meeting schedule, the Methvins were understandably very disappointed. They knelt again around Christal’s bedside, pleading for a final favor on her behalf: that somehow her desire for a blessing at the hands of Brother Monson would be realized. 

 At the very moment the Methvin family knelt around Christal’s bed, Elder Monson was shuffling his notes, preparing to speak at the concluding portion of the Saturday evening session. However, as he began his move to the pulpit, a voice whispered in near-audible tones a brief but very familiar message: “Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.” 

 His notes became a blur. He attempted to pursue the theme of the meeting as outlined, but the name and image of Christal Methvin would not leave his mind. Then, ever faithful to the precious gift so demonstrably his, he responded to the spiritual message. He instructed that changes in the next day’s conference schedule be made, whatever the cost in confusion and disruption. Then the meeting continued. 

 After a very early Sunday drive over many miles, Elder Monson gazed down upon a child too ill to rise, too weak to speak. Her illness had now rendered her sightless. Deeply touched by the scene and the Spirit of the Lord which was so prevalent, Brother Monson dropped to his knees and took the child’s frail hand in his own. “Christal,” he whispered, “I am here.” 

 With great effort she whispered back, “Brother Monson, I just knew you would come.”

President Monson has a special gift of seeing the ONE.  One person who needs his love and ministry at that moment.  Is this not unlike our Savior?  There are sweet scriptural scenes of Christ serving one person, which led to great good:

Healing the woman with an issue of blood.

Speaking to the woman at the well.

Teaching Nicodemus of being born again.

Raising Peter from the depths of the sea.

Appearing to Mary after his resurrection.

Can you imagine how each of these people felt after having this interaction with their Savior?  Their lives were never the same as a result!  I hope to follow Jesus and seek for a moment with someone who needs lifting today. 

Personal Revelation

I have recently made a decision that was not easy to make.  We are moving our family for the purposes of my husband's work.  This means moving to a new little town where I know currently 4 people, and am related to no one.

Kanab, UT.  It is out in the middle of nowhere, sort of.

I am leaving many connections here with family and church service, and I'm having a hard time.
However, the comfort I have is that the Spirit has sustained me in this decision.  I will not be alone in this new venture.
How have I arrived upon this choice, which will determine much of our future?
Personal Revelation.
My husband felt like this is what we should do.  We went to the temple and prayed about it and it felt right.
I fasted and prayed, presenting our choice to the Lord, and again felt peace.
We have some beautiful scriptures to teach us, and Elder Scott highlights some of those in his excellent article from the June Ensign, "Agency and Answers: Recognizing Revelation"

Three Ways to Find Answers

1. Look for Evidence That He Has Already Answered You

"Like many of us, Oliver Cowdery did not recognize the evidence of answers to prayers already given by the Lord. To open his—and our—eyes, this revelation was given through Joseph Smith:

“Blessed art thou for what thou hast done; for thou hast inquired of me, and behold, as often as thou hast inquired thou hast received instruction of my Spirit. If it had not been so, thou wouldst not have come to the place where thou art at this time.

“Behold, thou knowest that thou hast inquired of me and I did enlighten thy mind; and now I tell thee these things that thou mayest know that thou hast been enlightened by the Spirit of truth” (D&C 6:14–15; emphasis added).

If you feel that God has not answered your prayers, ponder these scriptures—then carefully look for evidence in your own life of His having already answered you.

2. Pay Attention to Feelings

To help each of us recognize answers given, the Lord said:

“If you desire a further witness, cast your mind upon the night that you cried unto me in your heart, that you might know concerning the truth of these things.

“Did I not speak peace to your mind concerning the matter?” (D&C 6:22–23; emphasis added).

The Lord provides further insight by counseling us to study a problem out in our mind and then to ask if it be right:

“If it is right I will cause that your bosom shall burn within you; therefore, you shall feel that it is right.

“But if it be not right you shall have no such feelings, but you shall have a stupor of thought” (D&C 9:8–9; emphasis added).

3. Act When He Withholds an Answer

It is vitally important to recognize that the Lord also responds a third way to prayer by withholding an answer when the prayer is offered. Why would He do that?

He is our perfect Father. He loves us beyond our capacity to understand. He knows what is best for us. He sees the end from the beginning. He wants us to act to gain needed experience:

When He answers yes, it is to give us confidence.

When He answers no, it is to prevent error.

When He withholds an answer, it is to have us grow through faith in Him, obedience to His commandments, and a willingness to act on truth. We are expected to assume accountability by acting on a decision that is consistent with His teachings without prior confirmation. We are not to sit passively waiting or to murmur because the Lord has not spoken. We are to act."

So, the decision was made.

I was moving.

But I was sad.  I still feel I have so many things I could do here.  I love my mom so much and I'm having a hard time leaving her.  I feel that I may be disappointing some people in leaving.  All of these emotions were hitting me last week, and I couldn't control the feelings of regret and worry.  Again, I chose to fast to help me know if I should stay a little longer.  

I went for a walk after a day of fasting and had the distinct impression to call my grandpa, who was visiting our town for a week.  I asked him if he could give me some advice.  He said, "sure, kid", and he came and picked me up in about an hour.  We drove to a secluded place and talked.  I shared with him my list of pros and cons of moving now vs. moving in a little while.  He listened for a long time as I cried and shared my confusion.   Then he shared his feelings on the matter.  He felt I should prioritize my husband and immediate family and not give so much heed to the opinions of those outside that circle.  He said, "what do you want?"  I told him, after thinking for a minute, that I wanted to make everyone happy.  He laughed and explained that I couldn't do that.  

I told him of how I had attended church in Kanab and felt the Spirit wash over me and envelop me like a blanket.  He said, "Well, why do you think the Lord gave you that sign?".  I answered that I knew it was right for us to go.  My grandpa encouraged me to stick with the decision my husband and I had made, and not look back!  He said, "I don't want you to call me and say you have changed your mind again.  Stick with it, kid."  

He was an answer to my prayers that day.  He gave me strength to stand firm in my choice.

The next morning, I read another wonderful article by Elder Scott, "To Acquire Spiritual Guidance", from the October 2009 General Conference.  In it, he shares the following:

"The inspiring influence of the Holy Spirit can be overcome or masked by strong emotions, such as anger, hate, passion, fear, or pride. When such influences are present, it is like trying to savor the delicate flavor of a grape while eating a jalapeño pepper. Both flavors are present, but one completely overpowers the other. In like manner, strong emotions overcome the delicate promptings of the Holy Spirit."

What a great description! I think my fears and emotions had been overpowering the influence from the spirit.

Here is another experience he shares in this article:

"Now I share an experience that taught me a way to gain spiritual guidance. One Sunday I attended the priesthood meeting of a Spanish branch in Mexico City. I vividly recall how a humble Mexican priesthood leader struggled to communicate the truths of the gospel in his lesson material. I noted the intense desire he had to share those principles he strongly valued with his quorum members. He recognized that they were of great worth to the brethren present. In his manner, there was an evidence of a pure love of the Savior and love of those he taught.

His sincerity, purity of intent, and love permitted a spiritual strength to envelop the room. I was deeply touched. Then I began to receive personal impressions as an extension of the principles taught by that humble instructor. They were personal and related to my assignments in the area. They came in answer to my prolonged, prayerful efforts to learn.

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. The details of the communication are sacred and, like a patriarchal blessing, were for my individual benefit. I was given specific directions, instructions, and conditioned promises that have beneficially altered the course of my life."

He shares how this happened again in another Sunday School class:

"strong impressions began to flow to me again. I wrote them down. The message included specific counsel on how to become more effective as an instrument in the hands of the Lord. I received such an outpouring of impressions that were so personal that I felt it was not appropriate to record them in the midst of a Sunday School class. I sought a more private location, where 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. As a result, I made a few minor changes to what had been written. Then I studied their meaning and application in my own life.

Subsequently I prayed, reviewing with the Lord what I thought I had been taught by the Spirit. When a feeling of peace came, I thanked Him for the guidance given. I was then impressed to ask, “Was there yet more to be given?” I received further impressions, and the process of writing down the impressions, pondering, and praying for confirmation was repeated. Again I was prompted to ask, “Is there more I should know?” And there was. When that last, most sacred experience was concluded, I had received some of the most precious, specific, personal direction one could hope to obtain in this life. Had I not responded to the first impressions and recorded them, I would not have received the last, most precious guidance."

I have a testimony that what Elder Scott teaches is true.  When we strive to be in tune,  the Lord will pour out his spirit upon us and we will receive guidance in our lives, whether we are making big decisions or little ones.  I exercised the faith necessary to write down the revelation that came to me that morning,  and, like Elder Scott, found it to be precious, personal, and comforting.  I kept writing until a child came into the room who was hungry, but I had been given some really beautiful thoughts.

Sister Julie B. Beck:

"The ability to qualify for, receive, and act on personal revelation is the single most important skill that can be acquired in this life."

I know He will help us in acquiring this skill, and I am profoundly grateful for the gift of the Holy Ghost which gives me revelations daily.