Now that we have finished pondering the quotes from President Kimball this week, you may have wondered what else there is to study in the lesson. If you turn to the back, you will see a list of ‘related scriptures’ to read and ponder. As usual, I wound up caught up in the first scripture and didn’t make it to the rest. I guess it’s a good thing I have an entire week to study!
The first scripture referenced is James 1:22. “But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.” This scripture fits in easily with the rest of the lesson of the week. It is not enough to simply study the teachings of the prophets, the words of the scriptures, the quotes from the leaders. Nor is a halfway method good enough. We must be willing to put our all into serving our Savior.
As we become doers of the word and sincere servants of Christ, we reveal a great deal about ourselves to Him. We also are blessed in many ways as we keep the commandments.
First, by being “doers of the word”, we reveal the depths of our obedience and our commitment to Christ. He has asked us to feed His sheep. Are we? Are we seeking to do our daily scripture study, our home and visiting teaching, our Family Home Evenings? Are we striving to magnify our callings? Are we committed enough to following Him to do the things that He has asked? How sincere is our love? These are all questions that are answered by our actions, not merely by our words. In these ways and many others, we show Christ just how much we love and obey him.
Second, as we keep the commandments and heed the words of his prophets, we reveal the depth of our faith. Are we paying our tithes even when we struggle financially? Are we having family prayer when our children seem to fight against us? Are we trusting in the Lord to keep His promises and to take care of us? The Lord doesn’t always promise us direct blessings as we keep His commandments; I have yet to find the scripture that says that we will become millionaires if we pay our tithing first. Yet I have found that, when we trust the Lord, we reap the spiritual benefits if nothing else – and often, the temporal blessings follow.
Third, by acting on the teachings of the prophets, we increase our testimony. In the infamous 32nd chapter of Alma, we are told that if we act on the principle being taught – if we but plant the seed – then our testimonies will bloom and grow. Perhaps we have doubts about one particular area of the gospel. As we heed the counsel of the Lord and obey His laws, maintaining a spiritual focus and seeking His guidance, our testimony of that and other aspects of the gospel will go. Not sure if you are really called to visit teach a particularly difficult sister? Pray for her, visit with her each month, and make frequent contacts. You may be surprised at the results.
Finally, as we become “doers of the word”, we are blessed by the Lord. Sometimes the blessings are ‘only’ spiritual – but those are the greatest blessings of all, I think. Our testimonies of the Lord will grow. Our feelings of love towards others increase. We come to know – or to know even more fully – that God in Heaven loves and treasures us. Other times, we may receive temporal blessings to go along with the spiritual. As we visit the temple, our genealogy research may become easier, or stumbling blocks may be removed. Our financial situation may improve. The peace in our home may increase. Many times, the Lord makes us conditional promises. He wants to bless us, but in many cases cannot until we do our part. He cannot open the windows of heaven if we do not pay our tithes. He cannot give us health in our marrow if we do not obey the Word of Wisdom.
The Lord loves us like a Father, and wants what is sincerely best for us. As we obey his commandments, we show our trust in this simple precept. If God wants what is best for us, shouldn’t we want what is best for us? In becoming “doers of the word, and not hearers only,” we deepen
our relationship with Heavenly Father and draw ourselves closer to Him.
Related Articles:
General Conference from the Past: “Conversion and Commitment”
RS/EQ: Ye Ought ‘Not Procrastinate the Day of Your Repentance’
RS/EQ: Casually But Not Devoutly