Prophets and Apostles - Friday Night Adult Class April 2017

If I were to ask what you believe is the most valuable commodity on earth, what would you say?  Gold?  Silver?  Maybe wood?  What about water?  I would propose that the most valuable commodity on earth is water.   It has been said that a human can live for several weeks without food, but only a couple days without water.  My wife and I used to live in Fresno and all along the valley we would see signs that said "Food grows where water flows."  I will make a bold statement and said that without water, life on this planet is not sustainable.

This brings me to John, chapter 4.  In John 4 we find the account of Jesus at the well with the Samaritan Women.  The Savior asks the Samaritan women to get Him some water from the well.  As we know, the Samaritans and the Jews don't get along very well and the women, very kindly, tells Him "NO."  The Savior's response is very insightful.   He says "If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water."  He continues "Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again: But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life."

What is the living water that Jesus is offering?  Obviously we know that it is something more just water from the well.  It is truth, it is the gospel, it is the "Words of Christ."

Elder Bednar said the following, "The scriptures contain the words of Christ and are a reservoir of living water to which we have ready access and from which we can drink deeply and long. You and I must look to and come unto Christ, who is “the fountain of living waters” by reading , studying , searching, and feasting upon the words of Christ as contained in the holy scriptures.  By so doing, we can receive both spiritual direction and protection during our mortal journey. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has a sacred stewardship to preserve the written revelations in purity and in safety— this precious reservoir of living water."

I believe we all know the importance of scripture study and are honestly striving to be better at daily scripture study.  As we ponder our personal scripture study, I would first ask the question, How can our scripture study be a reservoir of living water?

When we talk about things that are living, can we all agree that they are growing, expanding, developing and maturing?  Let's apply that to our scripture study.  Is it growing or developing?  How many times have you, or someone you know, said the following: "I have the Book of Mormon several times, but I have never read that verse that way before" or "I always find something new every time I read the Book of Mormon."  I believe that is a testament to how our understanding and testimony of the scriptures grow and mature.  This is part of a living study of the scriptures.

I believe another way that our scripture study can be living is by reading, studying, searching, and feasting upon the words of living prophets.  We all remember that the Savior has said, "whether by mine own voice or by the voice of my servants, it is the same." (D&C 1:38)  Part of our regular scripture study needs to include the words of the living prophets.  As we consider our daily scripture study, lets ponder how we can include the words of the living prophets.  We have greater access today to the words of the prophets that at any other time on the history of the earth.  Which also means we have a greater responsibility to immerse ourselves in the words of the prophets and apostles.

I would now invite us to ponder another question: what would you say is the reason we study the scriptures?  Is it because we are told to read them?  Is it because we enjoy them?  I have often heard members say the following: "If you want to speak to God, then you pray.  If you want God to speak to you, then you read the scriptures."  When we read the scriptures or listen to the words of the living prophets, are we actively seeking to hear our Father in Heaven speak to us?  Are we seeking revelation as we study and ponder?  I thought I would share a couple videos from the prophets on we can better seek revelation, both as we study the scriptures and throughout our daily lives.  As you watch the videos below, lets ask ourselves the question: "How can I be better as seeking inspiration and revelation?"

Packer_Reverance invites revelation from Scott Kneeland on Vimeo.

Ballard_May 2014_Pondering from Scott Kneeland on Vimeo.

Again, the questions is: "How can I be better at seeking inspiration and revelation?"

The last idea I would like to discuss is, once we have become better at seeking inspiration and revelation, what do we do once it comes?  I think there is no better example than President Monson.  He has repeatedly share the teaching "Never postpone a prompting."

I would like to share two thoughts from President Monson.  The first is a talk that he gave in October 2012 called "Consider the Blessings."  Here is a link to the talk.

https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2012/10/consider-the-blessings?lang=eng

Second is a video of President Monson sharing his testimony.  As you watch, consider the following question, "How can I show my desire and commitment to follow to promptings I receive?"


Pres Monson_Testimony from Scott Kneeland on Vimeo.

To conclude, let's consider the following: 1) How can I include the words of living prophets into my daily study?  2) How can be better and seeking inspiration and revelations?   3) How can I show my desire and commitment to following the promptings I receive?