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As I've said previously, my mind wanders to and fro trying to understand everything a little better as I go about my daily life. What grounds me, however, are my experiences—things that are so vivid and unexplainable that I simply can't let my mind move me away from them. When you have experienced the truly miraculous, everything else is secondary.
For example, I would assert that the core of this experiential conviction is summarized perfectly in the foundational missionary verse we too often overlook while quoting those that follow. We speak constantly of the “challenge” written in Moroni 10:4–5, but when I attended seminary so long ago, the verses we memorized included Moroni 10:3. In that verse, we are told to “remember” before we ponder and pray. We aren't told to read, ponder and pray; we are told to read, remember, ponder and pray—and we are told explicitly to remember how merciful the Lord has been throughout history. In effect, we are told to “experience” vicariously His grace and mercy toward others—that He has spoken to people for thousands of years —and use their experiences to help us come to believe that we can have a similar experience. Their experiences serve as the foundation for our faith in the possibility of our own. I see this as less of a “challenge” than an “invitation”—and I like the concept of inviting much more than the concept of challenging. This invitation to remember has direct application to two groups of people: those who have accepted the Restored Gospel already and those who still are searching for it.
First, as we in the Church go through life, it can be empowering to see ourselves as “eternal investigators.” This attitude not only keeps our minds and spirits open to further light and knowledge, but it allows us to see the world through the eyes of “traditional investigators—thus keeping us in tune with those who are seeking the truth we have found and are trying to find. It focuses on the eternal nature of growth and progress and reminds us that we still need to be active in the pursuit of “becoming”. It keeps us grounded in our experiences, which gives us the foundation we need to endure difficulty and painful times. When we remember the Lord's tender mercies specifically for us, it is much easier to retain our grasp on the Iron Rod, despite the tempests that rage around us.
Second, we do a terrible disservice to our religion and its missionary effort when we preach “read, ponder and pray” apart from our collective, experiential memory—when we make gaining a testimony an intellectual, or even strictly prayerful, process void of contemplation and reflection on previous experience (both our own and others'). So, the next time you are sharing a “missionary moment” with someone, please remember to help them “remember” by sharing how merciful the Lord has been to you and others (and then themselves) before you ask them to read, ponder and pray—or even attend Church with you. Testify of His grace and mercy first; of the things that He has taught you second; of the fact that He can do the same for them last. Too often we short-circuit that process and deprive both ourselves and others of an amazing experience.
Alison Moore Smith is a 61-year-old entrepreneur who graduated from BYU in 1987. She has been (very happily) married to Samuel M. Smith for 40 years. They are parents of six incredible children and grandparents to two astounding grandsons. She is the author of The 7 Success Habits of Homeschoolers.
Right on, Ray. Loved it. You wrote this beautifully. Especially liked the idea that Moroni had an INVITATION for us, not a challenge. We are invited to come unto Christ, not
challenged. “Whosoever will come, may come; and whosever will not come is not compelled to come, but in the last day it will be rewarded unto him according to his deeds.” No arm-twisting.
Even the invitation is amazing to me. I think if we understood what a beautiful opportunity it is, to receive a witness of the Spirit merely for the the price of studying and asking, offered so freely, we would see it as a privilege and the chance for a great blessing, and take it up eagerly. I feel the same way about the phrase repeated in the Sacrament prayer, “. . .willing to take upon them the name of Thy Son.” Oh, not just willing. Honored. Privileged. Awed at the opportunity.
It really is a special blessing and opportunity to take His name upon us.
That phrase “And when ye have received THESE things” so often goes unnoticed. I’m glad you pointed it out. What is the THESE referred to? The blessings God gave to Adam. The blessings God gave to Noah. The blessings God gave to Elijah. We took this invitation seriously a few years ago. As a family, we started in Genesis and went through the Old Testament story by story, writing down the specific blessings God gave to different individuals and groups of people. It was so eye-opening to specifically study His mercy to the children of men. It filled our hearts with gratitude. I think gratitude carves out a place in a stony heart for a testimony to come to rest. As we receive the recognition of how God has mercifully blessed obedient children all through the ages, it gives us hope that He would likewise be merciful to and bless us. In that grateful state, we can best receive the witness that the Book of Mormon is true. What wisdom Moroni had in offering that counsel. Thanks, Ray.
Really good points.
The “challenge” is a bit of a soapbox for me. I just can’t see the Savior standing there “challenging” someone to do something. I picture a gentle, humble invitation, instead – unless, of course, you’re a Pharisee or a hypocrite. “Scolding” might be a better description of that reaction. :angry:
Kind of like the “gentle persuasion” talked about during conference?
Yup, just like that. Good point, Stephanie.
Who’s Stephanie? Oh, never mind.
Good point, Tink. :bigsmile:
This is me dancing around singing, “Secret A-gent man! Secret A-gent man!”. :boogie:
Love the way you worded this, Ray. Spencer W. Kimball said that remember is one of the most important words in the dictionary. (Paraphrased, but close to his original statement.) “Remember” is one of my favorite words — and counsels — from the Book of Mormon. (Likely because on an ongoing basis I need to remember my blessings instead of being overwhelmed with life’s challenges!)
Loved this post, Ray. And I learned something, too!! I never really paid attention to the order of “remember, ponder and pray.” Nor have I thought about helping others to “remember” when discussing the gospel with them. Much to ponder!!!