I love how parables and gospel/life lessons can come from any where. Today being the fifth Sunday of the month we had our Bishopric Message as a lesson and Bishop Murray did a fabulous job. He taught us what I am going to name the Parable of the Peach Milkshake.
After many years of living in what his wife and him decided was the best ward ever two new families moved into the ward. One family was a prototype LDS family (well behaved children, he worked for the church, saints in every way, etc.). After just a few weeks in the ward the wife got called to be the Young Womens President. But after only nine months in the ward the family left saying the ward was cold, not welcoming and one of the worst they had been in.
The second family was one that was a little less perfect. The children were out of control and the family simply tried to do their best. With in a week or two of being in the ward they invited the Murrays and a few other families over to their house on a Friday evening for Peach Milkshakes. This tradition continued on a regular basis. After a few months this family agreed with the Murray's that this was the best ward there is.
What was the difference. The first family sat and waited for things to happen and in turn lost faity in the ward. The second family proactively sought a solution and to be welcomed in. The sought after an answer to their prayers.
This leads me to a few thoughts I have been having this week. I recently started taking a class on personal revelation. One of the greatest types of revelation we can have is that of conformation and comfort that everything will work out.
The Doctrine and Covenants Chapter 11 has some great insight into personal revelation and how it can help us in times we need comfort and so forth.
D&C 11:11 "For behold it is I that speak behold, I am the light which shineth in darkness, and by my power I give these works unto thee."
D&C 11:12 "And now , verily, verily, I say unto thee, put your trust in that Spirit which leadeth to do good-yeas to do justly, to walk humbly, to judge righteously, and this is my spirit."
D&C 11:14 "And then shall ye know, or by this shall you know, all things whatsoever you desire of me, which are pertaining unto things of righteousness, in faith believing in me that you shall receive."
D&C 11:18 "Keep my commandments; hold your peace; appeal unto my spirit."
D&C 11:19 "...cleave unto me with all your hear...be patient until you shall accomplish it."
D&C 11:26 "...treasure up in your heart until the time which is in my wisdom."
How do Peach Milkshakes and revelation come together. In my mind that is simple. The lesson behind the Peach Milkshakes is not to lay and wait for what you are desiring it is to make a life for your self and work towards it. All the while knowing you are doing the right thing and carry in your heart the comfort of knowing you are doing it. Personal revelation brings us this comfort. As long as we remain close to the Lord, pray, study, keep the commandments and make up a life for ourselves the other pieces will fall into place. As long as we dont sit by and wait for the promise to come they will come. If we place trust in the Lord and seek after his promise by doing we can do it will happen. And in those times when things are tough and we are unsure the revelation of comfort, peace and guidance will come to our hearts for are living worthy of it.
After many years of living in what his wife and him decided was the best ward ever two new families moved into the ward. One family was a prototype LDS family (well behaved children, he worked for the church, saints in every way, etc.). After just a few weeks in the ward the wife got called to be the Young Womens President. But after only nine months in the ward the family left saying the ward was cold, not welcoming and one of the worst they had been in.
The second family was one that was a little less perfect. The children were out of control and the family simply tried to do their best. With in a week or two of being in the ward they invited the Murrays and a few other families over to their house on a Friday evening for Peach Milkshakes. This tradition continued on a regular basis. After a few months this family agreed with the Murray's that this was the best ward there is.
What was the difference. The first family sat and waited for things to happen and in turn lost faity in the ward. The second family proactively sought a solution and to be welcomed in. The sought after an answer to their prayers.
This leads me to a few thoughts I have been having this week. I recently started taking a class on personal revelation. One of the greatest types of revelation we can have is that of conformation and comfort that everything will work out.
The Doctrine and Covenants Chapter 11 has some great insight into personal revelation and how it can help us in times we need comfort and so forth.
D&C 11:11 "For behold it is I that speak behold, I am the light which shineth in darkness, and by my power I give these works unto thee."
D&C 11:12 "And now , verily, verily, I say unto thee, put your trust in that Spirit which leadeth to do good-yeas to do justly, to walk humbly, to judge righteously, and this is my spirit."
D&C 11:14 "And then shall ye know, or by this shall you know, all things whatsoever you desire of me, which are pertaining unto things of righteousness, in faith believing in me that you shall receive."
D&C 11:18 "Keep my commandments; hold your peace; appeal unto my spirit."
D&C 11:19 "...cleave unto me with all your hear...be patient until you shall accomplish it."
D&C 11:26 "...treasure up in your heart until the time which is in my wisdom."
How do Peach Milkshakes and revelation come together. In my mind that is simple. The lesson behind the Peach Milkshakes is not to lay and wait for what you are desiring it is to make a life for your self and work towards it. All the while knowing you are doing the right thing and carry in your heart the comfort of knowing you are doing it. Personal revelation brings us this comfort. As long as we remain close to the Lord, pray, study, keep the commandments and make up a life for ourselves the other pieces will fall into place. As long as we dont sit by and wait for the promise to come they will come. If we place trust in the Lord and seek after his promise by doing we can do it will happen. And in those times when things are tough and we are unsure the revelation of comfort, peace and guidance will come to our hearts for are living worthy of it.
