2-4-13

Hi everyone! :) I hope this blog post finds you well. This week was slow but good. Got to see another baptism with the Elders from Bernburg. Also had a couple birthdays (the elders in Halle).

Today I wanted to talk about something I have been studying. As I do any kind of studying, I have bee keeping my eye out for two patterns I have noticed, or rather, two scriptures that seem to occur over and over in the Book of Mormon. The first: seek and ye shall find, ask and ye shall receive, knock and it shall be opened unto you. The second: if you ask in faith/with the Holy Ghost/according to God's will, it shall be given to you, whatever you may ask.

I love these scriptures. They are -such- a powerful promise. I have been writting down each of the references as I find them. Let me share some of my list with you.

3 Ne 14:7 & 18:20 & 27:28-29
Mormon 9:21
1 Ne 15:11
Enos 1:15
2 Ne 4:35
Moroni 7:26

This promise is -everywhere-. I think God is trying to emphasise something. :)

I can testify that God answers prayers. I know that he helps us to develop righteous desires, and inspires us to feel good about praying about them when they are in line with what He would want for us. I can promise you, adding my testimony to the many prophets in the scriptures that have preceeded me, that God listens to you, and will give you what you ask for as long as you follow three conditions.
1. Ask in faith. Look at the proof of the stories in the scriptures, stories you hear in the church, specific promises in the scriptures like the mentioned references. God does answer prayers. You can trust Him on that. :)
2. Not asking astray/asking only for what aligns with His will for us. This means understanding what is good and righteous by learning about what is good and right, and then being sensitive to the Holy Ghost as you pry. As you listen to Him, He will help you to feel if your desire is right. Whether you should be asking for it, whether He can support you. He will also help you to feel the promise that God will answer the prayer. :)
3. Work for it! We cannot expect God to do anything for us, if we are not willing to do anything ourselves. When you have a dream or desire, work for it! God can't make something out of nothing in those situations. We have to be doing what we can. God will guide us, and miracles will happen as we strive in faith for what we feel is right.

I testify in the name of Christ that God loves you. I testify that He wants to help you to achieve wonderous things. Trust Him.

Have a wonderful week guys. Go do wonderful things. :) And keep close to the Savior, that He may save you. :)

- Elder Michael Bright Miles