"For this people’s heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them."
- Matthew 13:15Last night, a friend ask me about how I overcame my almost-life-long issue of negativity. My answer as I expressed it to her really did sum up to "my relationship with the Saviour." But everyone hears that answer (everyone in church, that is). Everyone has that idea firmly planted in their minds that Christ can do something about all the problems we have.
But the implementation is a little more mysterious. The substance of meaning in His gospel seems to be like his parables: hidden in plain sight.
The true substance of what Christ wants us to understand is, as I believe it, hidden like the meaning of parables: it takes one who has eyes of the Spirit to see the meaning. That is not to say that all who don't understand don't have eyes of the Spirit, but rather, everyone has the opportunity to do what it takes to see as Christ sees, feel as He feels and know what He knows.
And we all know how to do that: it's been repeated over and over and over and over and... and over and over. Scriptures study, prayer, and pondering.
I would bring emphasis on pondering, since the other two are straightforward. The other two can be done lightheartedly if there is no pondering. When an individual is pondering something, that individual is musing over the most meaningful and important things in their life. They have come to accept that some things they love in life must take a back seat to those things which will last forever: A relationship with God. A testimony. A conversion. Continual spiritual, secular, physical and emotional education. Family bonds. Progression. Missionary work. Redeeming the dead.
Once an individual opens their hearts to what God sees is important, they are inviting the Spirit into their life. Make and keep covenants, and the Spirit can progressively trust that individual with treasures of hidden knowledge, even the mysteries of God.
I am reminded of a quote from the Sherlock Holmes novels: "'When I hear you give your reasons,’ I remarked, ‘the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you explain your process.'" (Dr. Watson to Sherlock Holmes A Scandal in Bohemia.)
We will all experience Watson's beffuddlement until the Spirit opens our eyes.
Now, what does this have to do with repentance and faith, Aaron?
Just quickly, let me define repentance and faith.
Repentance is turning away from things not of God, and turning to God. Faith is the correct exercising of correct gospel principles, or otherwise explained, the decision making and execution involved with coming closer to God.
Simple, right? I've discovered that repentance and faith has been the solution to my problems over and over again - solutions that don't just last a few weeks or a year like some of the world's solutions - gospel solutions that last forever, for as long as we care to implement them.
I am reminded of Jeffrey R Holland's quote: "The solutions to life’s problems are always gospel solutions" (How do I love Thee?)
Now I did say "simple, right?" Well, this is where the pondering comes in - because it's easier said than done. Easier mentioned than understood. I have discovered that in order to fully apply the principles of faith and repentance in my life, I have needed to pray and ponder over how to apply them.
During the Atoning suffering of Christ, the scriptures said of Christ, "being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground."
Luke 22:44
He prayed more earnestly? Christ? He who did no sin? He who lived life perfectly, with no offense to the Father?
Elder James E Talmage taught that the greater struggles of life call upon the greater struggles in prayer and fasting. (Somewhere in his authored book Jesus the Christ.)
In summary, when a friend asks for spiritual things, it takes a spiritual answer to convey the message God intends, and no human being can adequately express that. I end this post with Elder Richard G Scott's introductory words from his talk, "Do What Is Right."
"I have prayed about, pondered over, and worked on this message because each one of you is an exceptional daughter or son of our Father in Heaven and I want to help you. Early on, I strongly felt impressed to discuss with you how to make your noble dreams and aspirations a reality. I am sure that each one of you has treasured dreams of what you want your life to be. Having moved down the path of life ahead of you, I have learned that while there are growing challenges along the way, life is most beautiful. As you continue to exercise faith in the Master and are obedient to His commandments, you will receive magnificent blessings. Some of those blessings you will have dreamed about. Other blessings He plans for you are beyond anything you can conceive of now. My earnest desire is to help you live so that your worthy dreams become realities.
"I have wrestled with many different ways to communicate principles that I know—if understood and applied—would greatly help you. As this evening approached, I realized I did not yet have a satisfactory way to express what I know to be true. Then a peace enveloped me. I felt that if I strive the best I can to talk to you, and you listen with an open mind and heart with real intent, having faith in the Lord, then it won’t matter too much what I say. You will have impressions come to you that will be individually tailored to your needs. As you write those impressions down and follow them, they will be guidelines for your life and will help you realize your righteous dreams."
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