In this time of Christmas, we are reminded of the important things in life for ourselves and most importantly toward others.
The following video is a message for Christmas, one of the heart and of the Spirit, godly in nature and a life message
If you wish to view this video directly on the YouTube site - http://www.youtube.com/user/MormonMessages#p/c/4A73DDEE675FBC39
When someone looks at the world of Christianity, there are diverse beliefs about God and the scriptures. It is no different in regard to the range of beliefs about how God answers prayers. I could write a book about it, but my purpose here is to address only a concern about how prayers are answered.
It can be hard for a floundering member of this Church when he/she doubts the doctrines taught by the apostles and prophet, then go out, investigate and compare the doctrines and beliefs of other Christian denominations, especially in terms of how God answers prayers, leading themselves to think that another church or another Christian denomination or group knows more about prayers and God. This usually happens through accounts given by other Christians of how their prayers were answered.
I have heard and read personal accounts of prayers answered from a range of people, both in and out of this Church. I have heard accounts of the results from prayers that range from the mundane to the impressive. From all of that, I heard other Christians claim that God’s Spirit is therefore always within them, as they explain about their answered prayers, believing wholeheartedly that God is working in their life and guiding them. With all the differing accounts, especially from people outside the Church, how can a member discern if what was said is true and prevent getting pulled into the deluge of false claims about God and his Holy Spirit?
When God gives his will on matters, many expect this would be through revelation or inspiration. When we look at Church leaders, we generally expect they would be recipients of revelation or inspiration and if we do not see the results of this, some of us may become saddened, disappointed or even disheartened because we work with the hope that our Church leaders (local leaders or the General Authorities) are led by God.
I hear upset or disappointment come from members every so often of how this leader or that leader failed here or should of done something there. As much as this is “murmuring” and we should not do it, we do get caught into that habit from time to time. It is part of being mortal, but this is not what you like to hear and instead you would likely want to know something that helps you deal with these struggles and frustrations felt and experienced about Church leaders. Well, there is something that will help.
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One day, when I was in the Sunday School Presidency, we had to find a replacement teacher for one of the Sunday school classes. We sat for about thirty minutes, making a list of names of members that would be able to take the calling. Then we spent more time to narrow the list down to three names, making a short list, but once done, we could not come to a decision as to who would be first on the list, which would be our recommendation to the Bishop.
We decided that each of us would silently pray to Heavenly Father as to his will. Once we each completed our prayers, we each silently and separately wrote down what our individual inspiration gave us. Once done, we each revealed what our inspiration was and the first name we each wrote down was the same person. The second, third and fourth names, from each of us, did not match the order we each gave them.
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