Monday, October 13, 2014

The Word of God

As I was folding laundry on Thursday night, Mia came in to talk to me, as she often does before she falls asleep.
Most of the time, I shoo her back into bed, because I am ready for quiet and for some personal time.

Sometimes I am not even very nice about my shooing.

But.

Last Thursday, as I tucked her back in bed, I saw that the Book of Mormon that I received when I was baptized at 8 years old was next to her pillow.

I told her I wanted to take that one back to my room, because that book has a special place in my heart.  The book, yes.  Definitely yes.  But I was referring to that specific copy.
I told her that I have such a warm feeling when I heft that book, and even just when I see it.
And I told her why.

Because that is where I became acquainted with God, where my testimony happened, where the Spirit confirmed to me the beauty of the doctrines of the gospel.

It happened within those pages, of that particular book.
It happened as a little girl and young woman, in my bedroom at night---reading, marking, thinking about those words and pondering.
When I go to that place in my memory, it is warm.  Peaceful.  Quiet.  Deliberate.  Strengthening.

She asked me if I would read her some of the things I had written in the margins.

Out of bed she came.

We went back to my room, and really just sat and looked at the book, and Mia tried to read a few words.

I had the chance to tell her that spending time with the word of God takes it down into your heart. And that the Holy Ghost had brought me peace because of what I know from the scriptures.  As I was talking with her, I thought of this talk, which is a favorite.  It always prompts me to consider the blessings in my life as a result of the word of God.

I told Mia that I wasn't afraid when Poppi died, because of what I learned in the scriptures.

When I have questions or don't know what to do, or hit obstacles in my life, I have found peace because of what I know from the scriptures.

That it was in the scriptures that I gained a testimony of the validity of a Heavenly Father, and where my love for the Savior happened.
Where it began, where it took root, where it was nourished.

In Lehi's vision, the word of God led people to the tree, to the fruit that was the love of God -- to feasting and rejoicing in that wholeness.
I have felt that for myself.
I read Mia Moroni's promise, where he says that, "...by the power of the Holy Ghost, ye may know the truth of all things."

I told her that if she chooses to spend time with the word of God, the Holy Ghost will also confirm these things to her.

I told her that my testimony of the gospel, and them, are my most cherished blessings.

And then, lying next to her (by this time I had tucked her back in), I sang her the words of a primary song that have been a favorite since I was a child.  Perhaps they are so dear to me because of my feelings for the scriptures.

"I love to read the holy scriptures, and every time I do, 
I feel the spirit start to grow within my heart---
A testimony that they're true.
Are the things that I must do.
The Spirit will guide,
And deep inside,
I'll know the scriptures are true.

So prayerfully I'll read the scriptures
Each day my whole life through.
I'll come to understand.
I'll heed the Lord's command
And live as He would have me do.
Search, ponder, and pray---
Are the things that I must do.
The Spirit will guide,
And deep inside,
I'll know the scriptures are true."

I find myself hoping that my children will have a love of the scriptures, that the word of God will nourish and sustain them.  
I have found solace, comfort, faith, direction, counsel, nudgings to repent, peace, admonition, courage, doctrine, application of principles, teaching, revelation, joy, knowledge, conviction, and truth there.

Beautiful does not even begin to describe it, but it is a beautiful thing---
a glorious gift from God.

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