Mormon Musings

Within each of our circles of friendship there lie so many unused opportunities to love, to serve, and to be taught.  Indeed, one could apply the scriptural phrase about there being "enough and to spare" (D&C 104:17).  None of us ever fully utilizes the people--opportunities allocated to us within our circles of friendship.  You and I may call these intersecting "coincidence."  This word is understandable for mortals to use, but coincidence is not an appropriate word to describe the workings of an omniscient God.  He does not do things by "coincidence," but instead by "divine design".   Elder Neal A. Maxwell, "Brim With Joy" (BYU Devotional January 23, 1996)

http://mormonthoughts.wordpress.com/2011/01/15/after-all-we-can-do/

Impressions of the Spirit can come in response to urgent prayer or unsolicited when needed. Sometimes the Lord reveals truth to you when you are not actively seeking it, such as when you are in danger and do not know it. However, the Lord will not force you to learn. You must exercise your agency to authorize the Spirit to teach you. As you make this a practice in your life, you will be more perceptive to the feelings that come with spiritual guidance. Then, when that guidance comes, sometimes when you least expect it, you will recognize it more easily. Richard G. Scott ,  "To Acquire Spiritual Guidance," Ensign, Nov. 2009, 8

http://mormonthoughts.wordpress.com/2010/12/09/petitioning-in-prayer/

…whenever I have had anything that was great or important to accomplish, I have been impressed with my own weakness and inability to perform the task imposed upon me, and that of myself I was as nothing, only as I trusted in God, and under these circumstances I was certain to speak by the power and influence of the Holy Ghost.   When I have trusted in books, or in my own acquirements that I had gleaned from reading the productions of different authors…I was sure to be foiled in my attempt, for all would leave me.   But when I have trusted in the Lord, and relied upon Him for strength, it has come out right. Jedediah M. Grant, May 30, 1855, Journal of Discourses 3:11 Therefore, verily I say unto you, lift up your voices unto this people; speak the thoughts that I shall put into your hearts, and you shall not be confounded before men; For it shall be given you in the very hour, yea, in the very moment, what ye shall say.   But a commandment I give unto you, that ye shall declare wh

http://mormonthoughts.wordpress.com/2010/11/05/the-choice-of-faith/

http://mormonthoughts.wordpress.com/2010/10/31/be-still-my-soul/ P.S. for those who might wonder, I've been having issues with this Blogger version, so I'm now slowly migrating over to the Wordpress version of this blog.  

I pray because the need flows from me constantly- awake, asleep.  It does not change God, it changes me! C.S. Lewis I know not by what methods rare, but this I know, God answers prayer! I know that He has given us His word that tells me prayer is always heard, And will be answered soon or late, and so I pray and calmly wait. I know not if the blessing sought will come just in the way I thought, But leave my prayers with Him alone, whose ways are wiser than my own- Assured that He will grant my quest, or send some answer far more blessed. Eliza M. Hickock

"When a person is placed in circumstances that he cannot possibly obtain one particle of anything to sustain life, it would then be his privilege to exercise faith in God to feed him, who might cause a raven to pick up a piece of dried meat from some quarter where there was plenty, and drop it over the famishing man. When I cannot feed myself through the means God has placed in my power, it is then time enough for him to exercise his providence in an unusual manner to administer to my wants. But while we can help ourselves, it is our duty to do so." Brigham Young, Discourses of Brigham Young , p. 155 "If the Latter-day Saints will walk up to their privileges, and exercise faith in the name of Jesus Christ, and live in enjoyment of the fullness of the Holy Ghost constantly day by day, there is nothing on the face of the earth that they could ask for, that would not be given to them. The Lord is waiting to be very gracious unto his people, and to pour out upon them rich

http://mormonthoughts.wordpress.com/2010/10/24/continue-to-patience/

Elder Scott, October 2010 General Conference

"My faith is, when we have done all we can, then the Lord is under obligation, and will not disappoint the faithful; he will perform the rest." Brigham Young, Discourses of Brigham Young , p. 155 "If I ask Him to give me wisdom concerning any requirements in life, or in regard to my own course, or that of my friends, my family, my children, or those that I preside over, and get no answer from Him, and then do the very best that my judgment will teach me, He is bound to own and honor that transaction, and He will do so to all intents and purposes." Brigham Young, Discourses of Brigham Young , p. 43

See other blog:   Answers to Prayer (Mormon Stuff) I could not get the text to paste in here...

“You remember the Prophet [Joseph] saw in panoramic vision at least nine of the Twelve in a foreign land. (He doesn’t say England, but that is where they eventually went.) He saw them gathered in a circle, without shoes, beaten, tattered, discouraged. Standing above them in the air was the Lord Jesus Christ. And it was made know to the Prophet that He yearned to show Himself to them, to reach down and lift them. But they did not see Him. The Savior looked upon them and wept. We are told by two of the brethren who hear Joseph rehearse that vision that he could never speak of it without weeping himself. Why? Why should he be so touched? Because Christ willingly came to earth so that all of the Father’s family could come to Him boldly, knowing that He knows what is taking place in us when we sin, that He knows all our feelings and cares. The greatest tragedy of life is that having paid that awful price of suffering 'according to the flesh that His bowels might be filled with compas