[tomk]

I've enjoyed reading these posts, particularly Hemidakota's.

I remember reading the Book of Mormon during my teens and praying about it in private and receiving a witness. It was a witness such that I have never felt to discount it as having any other source other than having come from God. No angels appeard, no visions opened in my mind. Just a sweet feeling of peace and warmth from head to toe.

But I would have to say that my testimony and conversion regarding the Book came many many years later, particularly as I became involved in an LDS 12-Step program in order to deal with some Law of Chastity issues that had plagued me since I was 14 years old.

There are many verses which have deep meaning for me now, but one verse in particular has come to mean a lot to me. The wording is very subtle, but if you have "eyes to see" and "ears to hear" you can catch the meaning of it. Or in other words, God can reveal it to you and write it upon your heart when you are ready.

Alma 7:23 And now I would that ye should be humble, and be submissive and gentle; easy to be entreated; full of patience and long-suffering; being temperate in all things; being diligent in keeping the commandments of God at all times; asking for whatsoever things ye stand in need, both spiritual and temporal; always returning thanks unto God for whatsoever things ye do receive.

This verse is like a cup of ultra concentrated laundry soap, but the part that I want to talk about is the last part. There is a distinct word choice that captivates me, and causes my heart to sing hosana:

"whatsoever things ye do receive"

The verse instructs us to ask for whatever spiritual or temporal things we stand in need of.

Then it instructs us to ALWAYS RETURN THANKS for whatsoever things we end-up receiving from the Lord in response to our petition.

This has striking parallels to the Law of Consecration.

1) We ask for EVERYTHING we think we stand in need of.
2) We get back what God in His wisdom knows we need.
3) We are to thank Him for what He wisely chose to give us, even if it is not what we asked for.

The implied lesson here is "What can I learn about the nature of God by what I asked for vs what I received back from Him?" What lesson is He teaching me by how He chose to respond to my petitions?

But there's more.

In this verse lies the secret to "getting what we want" especially in terms of the struggles we face. The key is in being grateful. Grateful for what we DO HAVE not envying what we DON'T HAVE or the ways in which we think or wish God would bless us. Be grateful for how He chooses to bless you. If you do, He can bless you with even more things that are needful! Blessings that you truly need. Blessings that will help you grow the most.


I just can't say enough about this verse or the book.


The book does not have any other origins beside what was stated by Joseph Smith. It is of God. It came about by His power and by no other means. It testifies of Christ and brings us closer to Him (literally).


Tom