DISCOVERY 30 September 2016

Every time I read the Book of Mormon, there is always a new DISCOVERY.  But can you really call it a discovery when you have read something so many times.  I think so.  Webster says that discovery is the act of finding or learning something for the first time; something seen or learned for the first time; a disclosure. So, the other day during our scripture study, I discovered a "new" verse that is quickly becoming a favorite.  It is found in Helaman 3:35:

"Nevertheless they did fast and pray oft, and did wax stronger and stronger in their humility and firmer and firmer in the faith of Christ, unto the filling their souls with joy and consolation, yea, even to the purifying and the sanctification of their hearts, which sanctification cometh because of their yielding their hearts unto God."

Wow, that was quite a discovery for me.  That one scripture has so much meaning and direction and solution for making it through this earthly life.

• First of all, what did they do......fasted and prayed often.  Something we have heard so much and we all know the importance but look at the blessings that come from that. The importance of fasting and praying!
• Stronger and stronger in their humility:  "the development of humility is a strengthening factor that leads to greater faith and joy"  To be humble is to recognize our total dependency on the Lord - to understand that we have constant need for His support - to truly know where our strength comes from.
• As we do this we will become firmer and firmer in the faith of Christ.  Becoming firm in the faith of Christ is really only something we can do for ourself.  It is only us individually that can develop a firm faith in God.  Only us individually can have a passion for personal prayer. Only us individually can keep the commandments of God. Only we can repent. Only we can be worthy for the ordinances performed in the temple.  
• The blessing is to have our souls be filled with joy and consolation.
• The scriptures define sanctification as "the process of becoming free from sin, pure, clean and holy through the atonement of Jesus Christ".  What a beautiful definition.
• Yielding of their hearts unto God.- to surrender or give our hearts to God.  When one yields his or her heart to God, he is surrending his personal desires to exchange for the Lord's desires. Elder Neal A. Maxwell taught "that yielding our hearts and souls to God is the highest form of consecration to the Lord."

Quite a DISCOVERY don't you think.  There is so much in that one verse that I have been studying it for quite a few days. There is still much to discover.  I have only begun!