When I was twelve years old I had a wonderful bishop who was especially involved and kind to me as a youth in my congregation. His name was Lee Blatter.
One night, he was speaking to the youth at a fireside (an evening get-together to talk/learn about spiritual things). I don't remember exactly what the topic was, but there is one sentence he said that evening that I have carried with me all my life.
I was sitting in the first or second row as he spoke to us in a room at the church. As he was teaching us, he made us a promise, saying, with tears in his eyes, "I promise you that if you will read the scriptures and sincerely pray every day, that you will never stray too far from the straight and narrow path."
As soon as he said that, I wanted to have that promise. I wanted to know that my heart could always stay open to God's guidance. I wanted to know that I might not stray too far from God's path for my life, and that if I did stray, I could find my way back again. I wanted to continually be in communication with my heavenly parents and the Holy Spirit who could teach and direct me.
So, throughout my life, I have held fast to that promise. I have missed a day now and then of scripture study, but for the most part, I have read the scriptures and offered my sincere prayers to Heavenly Father every day of my life since then. And it has helped me in more ways than I could number. I have been comforted and directed on countless occasions, sometimes through reading something that struck me with such power that I feel almost like it must have been written just for me, or often through praying and listening and receiving some quiet inspiration that directed me through a difficult situation. I have felt God heal and soften my heart towards others over time, as I seek his grace to help me forgive, to not be angry or jealous or resentful. I have felt his power comfort and guide me when I have been afraid or distressed. I have sought his direction every time I have to make an important decision in my life, and I have found peace and direction through quiet thoughts and feelings in my heart when I pray.
And I pray now that God will continue to guide me in my life, to ever and ever greater understanding, to do his work more and more fully as a true disciple of Christ. Amen.
One night, he was speaking to the youth at a fireside (an evening get-together to talk/learn about spiritual things). I don't remember exactly what the topic was, but there is one sentence he said that evening that I have carried with me all my life.
I was sitting in the first or second row as he spoke to us in a room at the church. As he was teaching us, he made us a promise, saying, with tears in his eyes, "I promise you that if you will read the scriptures and sincerely pray every day, that you will never stray too far from the straight and narrow path."
As soon as he said that, I wanted to have that promise. I wanted to know that my heart could always stay open to God's guidance. I wanted to know that I might not stray too far from God's path for my life, and that if I did stray, I could find my way back again. I wanted to continually be in communication with my heavenly parents and the Holy Spirit who could teach and direct me.
So, throughout my life, I have held fast to that promise. I have missed a day now and then of scripture study, but for the most part, I have read the scriptures and offered my sincere prayers to Heavenly Father every day of my life since then. And it has helped me in more ways than I could number. I have been comforted and directed on countless occasions, sometimes through reading something that struck me with such power that I feel almost like it must have been written just for me, or often through praying and listening and receiving some quiet inspiration that directed me through a difficult situation. I have felt God heal and soften my heart towards others over time, as I seek his grace to help me forgive, to not be angry or jealous or resentful. I have felt his power comfort and guide me when I have been afraid or distressed. I have sought his direction every time I have to make an important decision in my life, and I have found peace and direction through quiet thoughts and feelings in my heart when I pray.
And I pray now that God will continue to guide me in my life, to ever and ever greater understanding, to do his work more and more fully as a true disciple of Christ. Amen.
