Obedience

We had a great lesson in Relief Society today based on the talk by President Thomas S. Monson,  Obedience Brings Blessings. He said: " Throughout the ages, men and women have sought for knowledge and understanding concerning this mortal existence and their place and purpose in it, as well as for the way to peace and happiness."

Declared President Joseph F. Smith in October 1873, “Obedience is the first law of heaven.”

Said President Gordon B. Hinckley, “The happiness of the Latter-day Saints, the peace of the Latter-day Saints, the progress of the Latter-day Saints, the prosperity of the Latter-day Saints, and the eternal salvation and exaltation of this people lie in walking in obedience to the counsels of … God.”

When it comes to provident living, what have we don't to show obedience?What do we do when the prophet speaks? Obedience may not always be easy, but it is what gives us what we need physically (food, water, tools) and spiritually (strength, faith, peace, testimony).

We know that when we follow the prophet, we are happy. When we follow the counsel to have a food storage, and a major or minor emergency strikes, we are happy because we can sustain ourselves--if not by the actual food we set aside (because some disasters destroy this) we are at least able to sustain our spiritual strength to move forward. Obedience isn't a one time occasion that automatically propels us into heaven, but rather an enduring attribute and desire associated with faith and action that leads us to do even the hard things day in and day out, during our times of ease as well as times of trial, it means being obedient in all things not just those that seem convenient.

I really like what President Henry B. Eyring had to say about spiritual preparation in the October 2005. Spiritual Preparedness: Start Early and Be Steady

"So, the greatest test of life is to see whether we will hearken to and obey God's commands in the midst of the storms of life. It is not to endure storms, but to choose the right while they rage.

"It will take unshakable faith in the Lord Jesus Christ to choose the way to eternal life. It is by using that faith we can know the will of God. It is by acting on that faith we build the strength to do the will of God. And it is by exercising that faith in Jesus Christ that we can resist temptation and gain forgiveness through the Atonement.

"However much faith to obey God we now have, we will need to strengthen it continually and keep it refreshed constantly. We can do that by deciding now to be more quick to obey and more determined to endure. Learning to start early and to be steady are the keys to spiritual preparation. Procrastination and inconsistency are its mortal enemies.

"Decisions now to exercise faith and be steady in obedience will in time produce great faith and assurance. That is the spiritual preparedness we all will need. And it will qualify us in the moments of crisis to receive the Lord's promise that "if ye are prepared ye shall not fear.'"

Growing a garden is a great way to become more self reliant and to show our obedience to our Prophets counsel .The Church gives us some helpful reminders for planning a garden.   If you already have a garden and are wondering what to do with all of those squash, tomatoes, zucchini and cucumbers, keep checking the blog for recipes and tips soon to come!