Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Lorenzo Snow
Chapter 8: “Search Me, O God, and Know My Heart”
And it came to pass that he departed into the wilderness. And he left his house, and the land of his inheritance, and his gold, and his silver, and his precious things, and took nothing with him, save it were his family, and provisions, and tents, and adeparted into the wilderness.
When we apply for employment or other opportunities we often need to produce a resume, and/or letters of recommendation that shows some of our work experiences, skills, community service, character, and other items to show our qualifications for employment.
"It is, however, comparatively easy to obtain a written character, as it is termed, a character that one can put in his pocket; and, indeed, according to my observation it is not infrequently the case that people are the bearers of written characters which their real and true character fails to attest."
On the resume of our life, we don't get to omit the failures and short comings, nor can it be embellished or falsified. What will be on our resume when we apply for the celestial kingdom. What will be written on our hearts?
What are some of the things that keeps us from having our hearts right with the Lord?
-Obsessions/idolatry (cleaning house, addictions, too much computer, etc.) that take time that should be spent elsewhere.
-The way, tone of voice, we speak with, or of (gossip), others, especially our families, can drive away the Spirit.
-Procrastinating temple work or other essential gospel activities.
- Pride
- Low self-esteem or self-worth (you can't do it, you aren't worthy of love). Remember you really are precious in Gods eyes.
- Going through the motions: kind of doing what you should, but not putting your heart and soul into it.
- Environmental pressures: we may still be doing what worked before, but things in our lives have changed (external stresses, kids especially difficult, deadlines at work) requiring a reevaluation of our commitment to the Lord.
What can we do to bring us back in line with his will?
- Recommit to do his will and stay in tune to the promptings of the Holy Ghost.
- Start your day with fervent prayer and ask for opportunities to serve the Savior
- Prayer of Thanksgiving
- Having an attitude of Gratitude.
- Set right your priorities, take time for things that matter most.
- Remove those things in your life that are distancing you from the Lord.
- Remember you are a child of God, and the Savoir atoned for your sins, because you are worth it.
"There is no doubt, speaking of the people as a whole, that we are greatly improving in the sight of God. But although this is undoubtedly the case, I am convinced there are persons among us endowed with spiritual gifts and susceptible of cultivation, that could be exercised, if they chose, to a far greater extent than they are, and who could move much faster in the ways of holiness and get much nearer to the Lord. But the spirit which attends the things of this world is operating upon them to that extent that they do not increase those spiritual powers and blessings; they do not place themselves in that close relationship to the Lord that it is their privilege.6
Our character, as Latter-day Saints, should be preserved inviolate, at whatever cost or sacrifice. Character, approved of God is worth securing, even at the expense of a life-time of constant self-denial.
While thus living we may look forward … , with full assurance that … we shall be crowned with the sons and daughters of God, and possess the wealth and glory of a Celestial kingdom.7"
