Dear Jane,
It was good to hear your testimony yesterday about the
Sacrament and Temple work. We are glad
to hear that you are doing well in school and even how you are able to share
some of your happiness with your teachers?
Nothing brings more joy than sharing gospel concepts with others who
have not heard them before.
We hope you are on the lookout for eligible young men at
school and especially at the UVU Institute if you are able to attend
there. I would like to share with you
some thoughts from the D&C that were pointed out a few years ago by one of
the counselors in the Timpanogos Temple Presidency, Bro. Dean Garrett.
Sec. 52 was given to the saints when the church was just
over one year old and there had been some instances of disruptive spirits, or
individuals having strange, even frightening behaviors showing up in
meetings. The Lord provides some
guidelines for discerning those whose spirits are of God from those whose spirits are
not.
These little tests are also applicable to discerning the
kind of young man or young woman that one would like to date. Particularly returned missionaries who may
profess to be faithful but are lacking in evidence of being true disciples of
Christ. Here’s what the Lord says:
Sec 52:14-19
14 And again, I will give unto you a pattern in
all things, that ye may not be deceived; for Satan is abroad in the land, and
he goeth forth deceiving the nations—
We need a means of
identifying the influences of Satan and those who may be even slightly under
his power.
15 Wherefore he that prayeth, whose spirit is
contrite, the same is accepted of me if he obey mine ordinances.
How does a man
pray? Are his words sincere and contrite?
Do they show genuine concern for others, or are his words excessive and showy
so that they call our attention more to himself than to God? Sincere prayer becomes a conversation with
God, not a performance.
16 He that speaketh, whose spirit is contrite,
whose language is meek and edifieth, the same is of God if he obey mine
ordinances.
How does a man
speak? First of all is his language
clean and free from objectionable words?
Does he speak ill of others, make fun of others, criticize or cut people
down. Or does his language edify, build
up and strengthen others? Much can be
learned about a man’s spirit through his speech.
17 And again, he that trembleth under my power
shall be made strong, and shall bring forth fruits of praise and wisdom,
according to the revelations and truths which I have given you.
What does it mean
to tremble under God’s power? Perhaps it
means to respect and honor the Priesthood.
It may mean to look forward to worshipping with the Saints, to serving
in callings, to hearing the word taught by God’s servants. It means to respect and reverence God and all
things that have to do with God. As
Nephi said, “my soul delighteth in the things of the Lord, and my heart
pondereth continually upon the things which I have seen and heard.”
18 And again, he that is overcome and bringeth
not forth fruits, even according to this pattern, is not of me.
If there is no
evidence in a man’s life of good fruits coming forth then his speech and
behavior may be all a show. Look for
evidence of good works. Is he a faithful
home teacher, Sunday School teacher, or Elders Quorum secretary?
19 Wherefore, by this pattern ye shall know
the spirits in all cases under the whole heavens.
God does not want his children to be deceived and He will
provide knowledge of people’s spirits if we are faithful and desire that
knowledge. In summary, to discern the spirit of a person
we should observe how he or she prays, how he or she speaks, whether he or she
trembleth under the power of God, and what kind of fruits he or she bringeth
forth. Perhaps it goes without saying
that if we are not living under the influence of the Spirit of The Lord
we will not be able to discern much by these tests.
So be on the lookout for worthy young men and use the
Lord’s own criteria in choosing who to date.
Have a great week.
Bro. Carter
