I needed answers.
Important answers.
The heavens felt so far away. I was praying, I was reading, I was pleading.
Why were the heavens closed for me?
My guidance during a seemingly-typical Relief Society lesson. Our wonderful teacher was tackling a challenging topic by exploring the ‘Seven Deadly Sins’. The sin of “Lust” was brought up, and discussion commenced, on how we see “Lust” destroying us, as women in the Church.
Who would’ve thought that a discussion on the seven deadly sins, would be an answer to my prayer?
One sister commented that she had always been taught that “Lust is anything that I see, hear, or read that makes me feel unsatisfied in my marriage.” While this comment in an ordinary Relief Society lesson might not seem like much, I was overcome with direction from the Spirit on why my prayers weren’t being answered. My mind was directly guided to a TV show (a very specific one!) that I had been watching. As I watched these TV charactersI had moments of feeling jealous of the extravagant nature of their lives, and truly – I had started to feel unsatisfied. It was subtle. It was sneaky! The Lord was very specific with me in this moment! It was almost as if hours of pondering had culminated in a few short seconds in that Relief Society room. The Lord’s message was clear: Time spent watching this show was causing the Spirit to be distant in my life. If I wanted it back, I needed to give it up.
This was my personal version of: Stand Ye in [more] Holy Places.
D&C 87: 8Wherefore, stand ye in holy places, and be not moved, until the day of the Lord come; for behold, it cometh quickly, saith the Lord. Amen.
What does “Stand Ye in Holy Places” look like in our day and age?
For me, it is spending time doing things that satisfy, and to be fiercely aware of the things that lead us away from the Spirit. What does it mean to you?
“The Lord’s Church needs Spirit-directed women who use their unique gifts to nurture, to speak up, and to defend gospel truth. Our inspiration and intuition are necessary parts of building the kingdom of God, which really means doing our part to bring salvation to God’s children.” Neil F. Marriott
What if I have felt inspired to do things…and I do them, but then they don’t work out?
Once we have given up the things that keep the Spirit distant, the Lord grants us inspiration, and perspective. One of the greatest examples of this perspective, that the Lord will provide, is through a story told by Matthew Holland, Elder Jeffrey R. Holland’s son. Only through the Spirit could such perspective be had, especially when instinct would tell us: The Lord told me wrong.
Wrong Roads and Revelation: by Matthew Holland
Having some serious mom-guilt about being in business – and yet have felt inspired to do it? Join us for our series: 5 Days to a Guilt Free Business.
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