"For behold, if a man being evil giveth a gift, he doeth it grudgingly; wherefore it is counted unto him the same as if he had retained the gift; wherefore he is counted evil before God.
And likewise also is it counted evil unto a man, if he shall pray and not with real intent of heart; yea, and it profiteth him nothing, for God receiveth none such."
Moroni 7:8-9
This is interesting and show us that obedience isn't everything... or rather, perhaps, that obedience includes attitude. As we start out in the gospel, we can start out in a lot of ways. We dont' have to have it all together at once. Sometimes we start out with just wanting to believe, or with trying one part, obeying one commandment. We don't understand everything at first, and so obeying and making the effort when we don't understand might be part of the process for us, and as long as we're moving in the right direction, that is okay temporarily.
Significantly though, we can't stay in those stages. We have to grow up and understand ourselves and our desires and our goals. Resentful obedience and empty prayers don't count unless they are part of a process of serious effort that leads to full-hearted and intentional obedience. We have to keep moving forward, not just going through the motions. We can't really find out about God unless we are serious about it, and unless our hearts and minds are open to it.
Today, let's stop faking it. No matter where we are, let's be real. Let's go before the Lord in total honesty and tell him where we are and what we feel, and where we want to go from here. If we want to know more and learn more, he will help us. If we have doubts, let's ask God to help us know the truth. If we ask sincerely, and we really are open to it, God will help us there too.
And likewise also is it counted evil unto a man, if he shall pray and not with real intent of heart; yea, and it profiteth him nothing, for God receiveth none such."
Moroni 7:8-9
This is interesting and show us that obedience isn't everything... or rather, perhaps, that obedience includes attitude. As we start out in the gospel, we can start out in a lot of ways. We dont' have to have it all together at once. Sometimes we start out with just wanting to believe, or with trying one part, obeying one commandment. We don't understand everything at first, and so obeying and making the effort when we don't understand might be part of the process for us, and as long as we're moving in the right direction, that is okay temporarily.
Significantly though, we can't stay in those stages. We have to grow up and understand ourselves and our desires and our goals. Resentful obedience and empty prayers don't count unless they are part of a process of serious effort that leads to full-hearted and intentional obedience. We have to keep moving forward, not just going through the motions. We can't really find out about God unless we are serious about it, and unless our hearts and minds are open to it.
Today, let's stop faking it. No matter where we are, let's be real. Let's go before the Lord in total honesty and tell him where we are and what we feel, and where we want to go from here. If we want to know more and learn more, he will help us. If we have doubts, let's ask God to help us know the truth. If we ask sincerely, and we really are open to it, God will help us there too.
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