They started with the scriptures as a tool to draw near unto Christ. President Wilson shared that although it hasn't always been easy to read the scriptures, when he does engage the scriptures with purpose he receives a spiritual boost. How do you develop the habit? One trick that has worked for him is to get some accountability. In his case it was writing a summary for his family. Another is a penalty approach. For him every time he missed he had to buy a friend a steak. However, these approaches are the lower law. The higher law is to read until you feel the Spirit.
Katie spoke on bringing scripture study into her new marriage. She received advice to start during the honeymoon. Even though she and her husband aren't always in the same physical location they make it a priority to connect nightly.
President issued another challenge; go to the topical guide and read about the blessings of the Word.
Someone else mentioned that she was challenged to read the Book of Mormon in one month and promised that it would change her life. What it did also that it changed others lives too as she was guided by the Spirit.
You can find a reading mentor to help you. Sometimes the language of the scriptures can be difficult and having a mentor can be helpful. One Sister shared about reading to children and feeling the Spirit even though they didn't understand what was happening. Another Sister found that classes such as institute classes were useful to help in understanding.
A second tool to draw near unto the Savior is temple worship. Katie shared how she felt grateful for the blessing of having temples, particularly the opportunity to feel closer to the Lord, to be taught, and how it helps to bring things into perspective. President Wilson has found the temple a place of revelation.
A Sister talked about how she once read that the welfare system was tied to the temple, which made her look at the temple differently as she realized that the covenants were real. Another sister shared how she would visit the temple monthly regardless of whether her husband could join her or not. If she couldn't find babysitting she would take her kids for a visit. One brother shared his testimony that the temple is holy ground where you have a unique connection to God. Then when a challenge comes you can still see the hand of the Lord.
The third tool discussed was prayer. Katie shared a story about how the Lord teaches through prayer. On her mission she was in the middle of a baptism draught. Then was transferred to be a trainer, something that terrified her. She was asked by her new companion how to baptize. She humbly answered that she didn't know but she did know that she could know through prayer. That pattern has continued in her life.
President Wilson reminded us that prayer is communication between parent and child. He referred us to the Bible Dictionary for a discussion of prayer. We should never forget or feel unworthy since this is a parent-child conversation, where we both ask, and listen.
The last topic discussed was carrying burdens and lightening loads. Katie discussed our baptismal covenants and how it is truly taking on the name of Christ to serve. When her father passed away suddenly, leaving her mother with seven children, others reached out and blessed their lives. She shared how touched she was to see all the ward dads and sons come and support her brother as he played on the all-star baseball team shortly after his fathers death, even though many of those boys had wanted dearly to be on that team but hadn't made the cut.
With these tools, President Wilson and Katie both testified that we can have a more rich life.
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