Ten Virgins

“The oil of spiritual preparedness cannot be shared” in a way that depletes the giver’s supply, “lest there be not enough for us and you.”

“When you give someone money or food, you will have less. However, when you share your testimony, it strengthens and increases for both the bearer and the hearer.”

By sharing spirituality, “neither shall the cruse of oil fail.”

Nature of God

"Our heavenly Father is more liberal in His views, and boundless in His mercies and blessings, than we are ready to believe or receive; and, at the same time, is more terrible to the workers of iniquity, more awful in the executions of His punishments, and more ready to detect every false way, than we are apt to suppose Him to be."—Joseph Smith

Shield of Faith

I understood the shield of faith this morning in a new way – since faith is action, the shield is generated by my righteous actions. I envision it materializing around me as I move. The Lord will protect me if I engage in battle, but if I stand still my protection evaporates.

Ephesians 6:16 (D&C 27:17) 16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.

2 Nephi 25:26

I will speak of the glory of thy kingdom all the day long—thy infinite goodness, thy wondrous works, thy righteousness, and thy power—that we may be glad with the great reason of rejoicing, that the exceedingly great joy of Christ may be more abundant, that we may look forward to the day when his glory shall be revealed.

Thou hast appointed prophets to preach of thee with exceedingly great care, according to the Spirit, through which we ourselves have great views of that which is to come.

May I labor diligently to teach plainly, as I sit in my house and as I walk by the way, morning and night; and write to persuade brethren and children alike to believe in Christ, that his mercy and long-suffering, and the hope of his glory and of eternal life may rest in our minds forever; that we may be reconciled to God. 

“Come unto me all ye that labour and are heavy laden and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn of me for I am meek and lowly in heart and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Italics added) [Matt. 11:28–30]

Come to me and learn how to be meek and lowly in heart like I am, because that is the only way to enter into challenges, persecutions, afflictions, and feel rested at the same time; You will continue to go through these things, but I will teach you how to endure them with humility, and so they will become easy and light. That is the way I endured all things.

Cheering

We are encompassed by so great a cloud of witnesses—all these veterans cheering us on.

I can become better as I learn to cheer for every person that I see.

Have ye inquired of the Lord?

The Lord maketh no such thing known unto us.

This statement is a more apt description of my spirituality than I would like to admit. When I face a difficulty, it is not my first reflex to pray to my Father in Heaven who seeth in secret for help in overcoming my inner turmoil. 

For professional advice, for parenting advice, for understanding my place in the world and what I should do with what He has given me: for all of these things, I will inquire of the Lord, recognizing His ability to counsel right in all things.