{"id":727,"date":"2009-04-23T22:40:14","date_gmt":"2009-04-24T04:40:14","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.ldswomenofgod.com\/blog\/?p=727"},"modified":"2012-03-31T13:43:00","modified_gmt":"2012-03-31T19:43:00","slug":"spiritual-preparedness","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.reliefsocietywomen.com\/blog\/2009\/04\/23\/spiritual-preparedness\/","title":{"rendered":"Spiritual Preparedness"},"content":{"rendered":"

Spiritual Preparedness is a message the leaders of our church have been teaching us for a very long time; and that would include Bible and Book of Mormon leaders.\u00a0 We listen well enough, but sometimes that’s as far as it goes.\u00a0 We don’t internalize the gospel until it means something to us.<\/p>\n

While preparing a lesson, it dawned on me what the simplest message for spiritual preparedness is—-\u00a0 We need to look for opportunities to teach the gospel—- that is the one and only thing that will prepare us.\u00a0 In teaching, we will understand and know for ourselves.\u00a0 It finally means something to us.<\/p>\n

When was the last time you told someone the story of the First Vision?\u00a0 Have you recently set your nerves aside to bear a fervent testimony of the Atoning sacrifice you have personally benefitted from?\u00a0 Do your children, friends, and husband know how you feel about the gospel?
\nHelaman 11:23\u00a0 really struck me while I pondered this topic:<\/p>\n

23\u00a0\u00a0 And in the seventy and ninth year there began to be much strife.\u00a0 But it came to pass that Nephi and Lehi, and many of their brethren who knew concerning the true points of doctrine, having many revelations daily, therefore they did preach unto the people, insomuch that they did put an end to their strife in that same year.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

First of all they needed to know and feel comfortable with the teachings of the gospel.\u00a0 By having this complete understanding, they naturally were close to the Spirit and received revelations daily.\u00a0 Just think about that!\u00a0 Do you have daily revelations?\u00a0 You probably do, but do you notice them and recognize them for what they are?\u00a0 So, they go out to preach and their preaching is so effective, everyone believes too.\u00a0 Wow!\u00a0 What an environment to live in.\u00a0 I believe these people were prepared to meet their Lord.\u00a0 What made the difference was teaching the gospel.
\nThis is something we all have the opportunity to do.\u00a0 Isn\u2019t it wonderful the church programs allow us to practice on one another?\u00a0 Aren\u2019t we grateful to be in training?<\/p>\n

I\u2019m sure you\u2019re like I am.\u00a0 When I\u2019m asked to teach, I study like crazy in order to be well prepared.\u00a0 I love having a teaching calling, because without doubt, I am the one who learns the most, even when I teach the younger children.\u00a0 I strive to challenge myself with whatever age group I teach.\u00a0 Some lessons are better than others, but by putting forth that extra effort, I gain the help of the Spirit, who is the true teacher.<\/p>\n

Do we give our children opportunities to teach?\u00a0 Are they preparing their own FHE lessons and\u00a0Sunday talks?\u00a0\u00a0How well do we listen to their concerns, questions, or discoveries?\u00a0 Maybe we should step back and\u00a0let them teach us for a change.\u00a0 It could change everyone’s life.<\/p>\n

As Visiting Teachers, we all have the opportunity to teach.\u00a0 We can either go through the motions, or with a very little effort on our part, we can stretch ourselves, learn something new about the subject, and share it with the help of the Holy Ghost, who will be our never failing companion.\u00a0 What we learn may not stick with us unless we turn around and teach it.\u00a0 In this way we become spiritually prepared.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Spiritual Preparedness is a message the leaders of our church have been teaching us for a very long time; and that would include Bible and Book of Mormon leaders.\u00a0 We listen well enough, but sometimes that’s as far as it goes.\u00a0 We don’t internalize the gospel until it means something to us. While preparing a […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"nf_dc_page":"","_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[473,487,481],"tags":[163],"class_list":["post-727","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-faith-2","category-proclaim-the-gospel","category-scripture-study-2","tag-preparedness-s"],"yoast_head":"\nSpiritual Preparedness – Relief Society Women<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.reliefsocietywomen.com\/blog\/2009\/04\/23\/spiritual-preparedness\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Spiritual Preparedness – Relief Society Women\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Spiritual Preparedness is a message the leaders of our church have been teaching us for a very long time; and that would include Bible and Book of Mormon leaders.\u00a0 We listen well enough, but sometimes that’s as far as it goes.\u00a0 We don’t internalize the gospel until it means something to us. 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