KELLEYPLUS: October 2011

Thursday, October 6, 2011

LEHI'S DREAM

HOLDING FAST TO THE ROD- By David A. Bednar

Elder Bednar is fast becoming my favorite speaker/ writer. As I read his works I see a man who is searching and pondering in a profound way, the scriptures.
In the new Ensign he writes about Lehi's Dream. If you get a chance to read it, it is worth the effort.
What the scriptures have done for me in my life is described in 1 Nephi 11:22-23. Reading the Book of Mormon as a teen gave me the gift of God's love in a profound way. This Love is "most desirable above all things" and, as the angel in his vision declared, "most JOYOUS to the soul".

It is pointed out that the Tree of Life is the Love of God. To get to the tree we must be holding on to the rod of iron. The rod is the word of God. So, in order to feel God's love fully we must hold fast to the scriptures continually!
Elder Bednar says,"Let me suggest that holding fast to the iron rod entails, in large measure, the prayerful, consistent, and earnest use of the holy scriptures as a sure source of revealed truth and as a reliable guide for the journey along the strait and narrow path to the tree of life-- even the Lord Jesus Christ."
"And it came to pass that I beheld that the rod of iron, which my father had seen, was the word of God, which led to the fountain of living waters, or to the tree of life."

I can testify, through experience, that this is true. I know that when I am earnestly studying and pondering the scriptures that I am happiest, most content, and able to feel the presence of the Lord in my life through the Holy Ghost.
This is a good reminder for me as I have not been as earnest as I need to be, especially under the present challenges before us.
I love the gospel and the wonderful men and women who lead us by thier faith and testimony! I needed to read this and commit to putting the Lord first in my life by study and prayer and pondering.