Because of the work I do, I get to read lots of books before they're actually published. One of those was More Than the Tattooed Mormon by Al Carraway, set to be released before the end of the year. (If you don't know who Al Carraway is, you can check out her blog at http://alfoxshead.blogspot.com/.)
While I was reading, I had the thought, I want what she has. A large blog following? No. An adorable smile and killer fashion sense? No. What I want that she has is a thirst for the gospel, a desire to be as close to the Lord as I possibly can. You see, I was raised a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I have taken many of the teachings of the gospel for granted. I've strived to be diligent in my daily scripture reading and in my prayers, but they've often been accomplished with a "this is what I've been taught and what I'm supposed to do" mentality. Al reads her scriptures, and anything gospel related, because she wants to learn everything she can. She prays because she has an actual relationship with the Lord, and her prayers are conversations with Him. The last time I remember having that sort of drive and that sort of relationship was when I was in high school. But being blessed with the gospel in my life and knowing of the Savior's love for me, why have I become content in the small trickles I receive each Sunday and the waves that come twice a year at general conference when I have an ocean before of knowledge just waiting for me to dive in? I've realized that there's something new I can learn every day, or at least be reminded of, and I can kept lift others simply by sharing what I've learned. So I'm starting on a new journey. Every day, I'm going to read or listen to the words of the Lord's servants, in addition to normal scripture study, and share with others what stood out to me in each article or talk. And every week, I'm going to post what I've learned.
I decided to start with the most recent general conference, found in the Ensign of May 2015. The short week of starting (Thursday through Sunday) happened to be just right for the women's broadcast of conference. (The quotes were shared on my Facebook page. In the future, I may post them here throughout the week as well.) Sister Esplin's quotes to seemed to be reaffirming the new commitment I made, to seek for truth and to share it. Sharing it doesn't have to be going out and finding someone who isn't a member. Active members, the Lord's disciples can also benefit from shared gospel truths. The other quotes I shared support that, and some of the comments I received are evidence of it. We may never know what comfort, what strength, what answers we may be giving to someone. But the Lord does. He knows who needs comfort, and He knows who can give it. He knows who needs strength and who needs answers, and He knows who can give them. We may never know whose lives we touch. But if we are in tune with the Spirit, listen to His promptings, and allow ourselves to be instruments in His hands, I know that we will be able to help those who need it, even if it is just through our example.
Sometimes we have to wait for the things that we want, even if they're righteous desires. I think I'm getting my PhD in patience. But as Sister Oscarson said, our lives rarely go how we plan them to. We need to realize that the Lord has His own timetable for us and we can't just sit around waiting for Him to get on with it. Easier said than done, I know. But what could be a better plan B than lifting others, giving comfort and strength, and sharing the good news of our Lord and Savior? Sometimes the Lord makes us wait, but we don't need to wait idly.
