Tag: Blessings

He Never Doth Vary from That Which He Hath Said

~ Richard Rowley

Benjamin testifies that every promise God makes is kept, including his promise to bless those who keep His commandments.

“…All he requires of you is to keep his commandments; and he has promised you that if ye would keep his commandments ye should prosper in the land; and he never doth vary from that which he hath said; therefore, if ye do keep his commandments he doth bless you and prosper you.” (Mosiah 2:22)

Questions:

-Is the typical person’s awareness capable of perceiving all the ways that God blesses him or her?

-Is it typical to look for blessings in a narrow zone of reality and then assume blessings were not realized?

He Stretches Forth His Hands unto Them All the Day Long

~ Richard Rowley

Jacob testifies of the merciful and persistent manner in which God works with the house of Israel.

“…How merciful is our God unto us, for he remembereth the house of Israel, both roots and branches; and he stretches forth his hands unto them all the day long; and they are a stiffnecked and a gainsaying people; but as many as will not harden their hearts shall be saved in the kingdom of God.” (Jacob 6:4)

Questions:

-Does God only stretch forth his hands towards the “House of Israel all the day long”? Or, does He reach out continually to all His children on earth?

-If God blesses the earth through the house of Israel, does He reach out to them first and in the most direct manner?

-Why would He focus on specific groups of people in order to bless the inhabitants of the earth in general?

Look unto God with Firmness of Mind and Pray with Exceeding Faith

~ Richard Rowley

The prophet Jacob describes the power that comes to those who are pure in heart, look to God with firmness of mind, and pray with exceeding faith:

“…I, Jacob, would speak unto you that are pure in heart. Look unto God with firmness of mind, and pray unto him with exceeding faith, and he will console you in your afflictions, and he will plead your cause, and send down justice upon those who seek your destruction. O all ye that are pure in heart, lift up your heads and receive the pleasing word of God, and feast upon his love; for ye may, if your minds are firm, forever.” (Jacob 3:1)

Questions:

-What does it mean to be pure in heart? How can one obtain purity of heart?

-Do some expect remarkable blessings without looking to God with firmness of mind and without praying with exceeding faith?

-Do some keep their head bowed stubbornly in sorrow rather than receiving the pleasing word of God and rejoicing in the power of His love?