Strengthening Your Personal Spirituality

I was home schooled through high school. I took seminary 1st hour high school and then I'd walk home about 45 minutes. At the beginning of the year I would just walk and think and sing little songs to pass the time, and as weeks passed and I got tired of songs, and as my feet were hurting, and it was hot, I began to use that time to talk to my Heavenly Father. There was 45 minutes a day that I had absolutely nothing to do but talk to Him and learn who He is to me personally. I used to pray for little things and it was the most wonderful experience to have those silly prayers from just a little girl answered consistently. Many of those days were pretty hot and often it seemed like the road was endless. I used to say that I had to walk to the horizon twice... and it really seemed like it. I frequently prayed for a ride home and for just a breeze so I didn't die from the heat, because I really thought I might. I had Many experiences when I would just finish asking for a ride and someone I knew would happen to drive up next to me and ask me if I wanted a ride home, and even more experiences when I would just ask for a breeze and immediately I would see the breeze coming down the street in the trees and come over me to give me the relief I needed. It was during this time in my life that I came to know that my Father in Heaven truly listens to every sincere prayer and that He is completely aware of me on a very personal and intimate basis. Having those experiences gave me knowledge that has sustained me through my life since then, and I am so very grateful to have had the opportunity to learn that in that manner. For most of us, we don't have to walk anywhere and and it can be hard to set aside 45 minutes a day consistently. Building that relationship, and maintaining our personal spirituality has to be done in other ways. I learned then that prayer is a very effective way to both build and maintain that relationship with my Father in Heaven. In Alma 34:20-25 it talks about praying over our flocks and fields, in our homes, and over our households, morning midday and evening; praying against our enemies, and against the devil, as well as pouring our souls out in our closets, our secret places, and in our wilderness. The Bible Dictionary says that as soon as we learn the true relationship in which we stand toward God (namely that God is our Father, and we are his children), then at once prayer becomes Natural and Instinctive on our part. It is to our Great benefit to take the time and make the effort to have personal, individual, and actual Conversation with our Father in Heaven.Last week in Gospel Doctrine we learned about how the people of Alma were being oppressed by Amulon and he commanded them that they should not pray, and put guards over them to watch them and that whosoever should be found calling on God should be put to death. In like manner Daniel was also commanded by law not to pray, under penalty of death if he were to be discovered. And he was, and was thrown into the lion's den. Now, in these two instances, both would die if they were found praying, and both prayed anyway. That says a lot for the extreme importance of prayer. In Daniel 6:10 it says that he went into his house, prayed audibly, and on his knees, 3 times a day giving thanks and asking humble petition. Alma and his people poured out their hearts and God knew the thoughts of their hearts.What does that teach us about prayer? We need to be praying in earnest, with effort, pondering the things we are praying about before asking. Set time aside specifically for prayer, speak aloud, pray frequently, and in all things. Listen to the thoughts and feelings you have when you pray. When you have the Spirit to guide you prayer is the most immediately effective way to bring yourself into the presence of God.Reading our scriptures is an equally useful tool in building and maintaining our personal spirituality. I'm sure at times we all have tried different ways of reading the scriptures. Sometimes we read a chapter, or a certain number of pages a day, a specific amount of time, or on a particular topic. All of those are valid ways to study. We have also, at different times in our lives, each been stopped by a scripture that we hadn't noticed before, an answer to our prayers, or a thought we hadn't considered before. When you come to those scriptures, stop, re-read them again, And again if you need to, be careful not to get so caught up in the schedule you have set for your scripture study that you miss the priceless knowledge and revelation that can come. Don't worry about not finishing the chapter, or going over the allotted time because of it. Feast on that one verse, or one part of the verse even. Take a few minutes to apply the revelation you receive to your life in a Specific way before you go on. Listen to the things the Spirit is teaching you when you read. Fasting is another way in which we may strengthen our personal spirituality. Plan for your fast in the days before. Think of the things you want to fast for specifically. To not eat is the Definition of fasting, making the will of the body yield to the will of the spirit. When you go a step further, and fast with a purpose you may receive a multitude of blessings, and in a variety of ways. Take opportunities to fast for others and to fast as a ward, in your families, or even with friends. There is great power in fasting. I was born 11 weeks early and because of it, my vital organs were not yet fully developed. I had holes in my heart, my lungs, and my liver. I was in intensive care for 2 months and was not making significant progress. After some time my parents were told that I had only a 5% chance of living. They were approached by a doctor who wanted to try out an experimental medication for premature babies. He said that if he could try it on me that the study would pay for all the medical bills, which were quickly growing. With a 5% chance my parents were willing to try anything and with the added benefit that regardless of the outcome the bills would be paid, they agreed. That Sunday the ward held a fast for my health and for the successful aid of the medication. Monday the doctors came in and a miracle was undeniable. My organs were fully developed and in the span of two weeks I went from being in an incubator losing my chance at life, to being out of the hospital and home with my family. I know that had it not been for the faith showed in fasting and prayer, that I would not be standing before you today. With temple attendance you also receive spiritual blessings, knowledge, and revelation. There is a peace there that is unlike any other experience I have ever had. In the temple the love of our Father in Heaven is so apparent, and so strong. That place is the Lord's house on Earth and He walks those halls. The temple is a holy place where Satan and his influence has no power. You may go there and truly escape the world, the cares that fill your mind. You may learn, serve, and come closer to your Father in Heaven, building a deeper relationship with Him. The temple is such a wonderful gift that should not be taken for granted. Anyone may spend time on the grounds outside enjoying the quiet peace and beauty. If you are not endowed, but are worthy, you may strengthen your self spiritually by doing baptisms regularly, and if you are endowed you may fully receive all the blessings the temple has to offer. I was talking to someone this week who attends the temple weekly, she said that she could feel an obvious difference in her life when she hasn't attended the temple. She said it's like it is with scripture study how you notice the absence of it when you do not read daily. She is a fairly new convert and said that she has no idea how she ever made it without the strength the temple and scripture study gives her. In attending the temple the Spirit can reach you more readily and you will be more open to listen and obey. In order to receive many blessings, we must first be worthy of the Spirit. The spirit provides us a witness of truth, a constant guiding companion, and comfort in times of need. I treasure the guidance and communication from the Spirit that I am so blessed to receive. I see in my own life that guidance comes readily, frequently, and as I request it . It is a blessing that is so very valuable to me. If any of you have ever been at point where you don't have it, you don't realize what you've lost until you get it back. It is such a priceless blessing, and for me having the Spirit with me constantly as my literal companion is Such motivation to make decisions that will keep Him with me.
There is one other thing that is crucial in strengthening and maintaining your spirituality. I think that this one is the most important and the most personal. In order to have a strong relationship with our Heavenly Father, we must Choose to come to Christ. Christ has said over and over and over again the phrase, come unto me. We have been given our agency of thought, word, and deed and it is completely our choice individually to come unto Him. We choose the extent of our obedience and it exactly parallels our happiness. 2 Nephi 1:20 says that “Inasmuch as ye shall keep my commandments ye shall prosper in the land; but inasmuch as ye will not keep my commandments ye shall be cut off from my presence.” For me, the word 'inasmuch' is an important word. It means that if you are a little bit obedient, you prosper a little bit, if you obey a lot you prosper a lot, and if you obey completely you receive everything. It's our choice, and it is a daily choice. When we choose to live as Christ instructed, we can realize our full potential and fulfill our purpose here on earth. When we make choices that take us further from Christ we do so by placing ourselves in the bonds of sin. When I think of the bonds of sin, I always get the mental picture of the ghost of Christmas past, from Charles Dickens' 'The Christmas Carol'. If you remember, that ghost was covered in thick chains that were draped all over him and he walked under their burden and was restricted in his movements by them. If you remember, Scrooge heard that ghost coming by the chains he had to carry around. All of us have partaken in sin and have had the chains of sin hold us down in varying degrees. They are put on one at a time, so that they are not readily recognized. They can easily build until you feel as though you are carrying those chains as thick as he was. You don't need to. You have already been redeemed. That word is said a lot and because of it the meaning can be lost. Let me give you an analogy. For instance, when you redeem a prize lets say, you you claim what is yours. If you redeem a car from the impound, you pay for it so you can have it back. Christ has redeemed you. He has already paid to have you back. He has the right to claim you as His own. You now need to come with Him, into His rest. Let Him take the load from you. It's your choice, He is waiting, ready and willing to give you all the joy, peace, love, and blessings that are so vast you cannot imagine it. All of us may take inventory of the unrighteous things in our lives, things we can improve on to become like Christ. Frequently analyze the worthiness in your heart, your true desires. If your desires are not pure and aligned with Christ's example, focus on removing that desire from your heart, that you may receive all the blessings that our Father in Heaven wants to give you. Our Father in Heaven has immense love for each of us and is constantly beckoning us to Him. His work and glory is to assist us in this life, that we may learn what we came here to learn, and again return to live with Him. He doesn't want to lose even one of us, and will be as close to us as we let Him be. It is our choice. I can testify to you that if you do come closer unto Christ, He will be right next to you and will help you, bless you, and teach you; and that you will be happier than you have ever been at any other time in your life. I know that is true.