According to Merriam-Webster's dictionary, a definition of "Noise" is anything that attracts attention. Last week, I was teaching seminary at a couple high schools, and we were discussing Helaman 7-10, from the Book of Mormon. I put the word "Noise" on the board and had the students list things that were going to attract their attention that day. It looked sort of like this:
We talked about how most of these things were all good things, in moderation- and if you choose good things to watch, listen or read. However, Boyd K. Packer said, "This trend to more noise, more excitement, more contention, less restraint, less dignity, less formality is not coincidental nor innocent nor harmless. The first order issued by a commander mounting invasion is the jamming of the channels of communication of those he intends to conquer" (Boyd K. Packer, "Reverence Invites Revelation," Ensign, Nov. 1991).
When you think about it, Satan works really hard on us. He blocks our channels of communication all the time. Like while I'm working on my math, I have Spotify playing the country favorites, the spirit probably isn't going to speak to me then. I looked at those kids, at least one in each class had an earbud in one ear for a time. There's no way the spirit is going to be able to speak louder than your music blaring in those earbuds. Thinking of them walking down the halls with their earbuds in at all times, communication is blocked- whether it's from the spirit or just from someone else walking by them.
In Helaman 10, Nephi- the son of Helaman, is walking home after he's just been proven as a prophet. He goes towards his house, "...pondering upon the things which the Lord had shown unto him..." In verse 3, it says, "...and it came to pass as he was thus pondering in his heart, behold, a voice came unto him saying:" He was in a state of pondering, where he was ready to receive inspiration from the Lord.
I've been thinking about taking time to ponder. With all of the distractions that come up, I think we have to choose to set aside time to ponder. When our hearts are in the right place, we can be led to greater knowledge, understanding, or a task to help someone.
Last week I was teaching institute, and we were discussing how Jesus Christ's atonement was for everyone. We talked about how the atonement covered our sins. If we choose to repent, we are forgiven of it. Christ already went through the pain of all of that for all of us. We just need to choose. Then we talked about how the atonement covers all of our pains, sorrows, joys, etc. He's felt it all. As we were talking I shared a story from my life, of when I didn't let the spirit in, and the brokenness I felt couldn't be healed. I had gone through something that was so hard, and I didn't understand why. It's been a long time, and I had come to the conclusion that I didn't need to understand why, I'm okay without knowing. Right there in that classroom, with those young adults, just talking, the answer came. I didn't share with them what understanding had come, and I'm not going to share it here, because it is personal, but knowing that the Lord answered my prayers when I was in a place where I was open to the spirit was a blessing!
When we put ourselves in a place where we are not distracted, the Lord will share with us his light. An understanding will come, like the sunrise, the light is gradual. It's beautiful when it first starts to show, and it's beautiful when it's all the way out from behind the mountain. If we take the time to ponder, we'll get inspiration, and when we act on it, we'll be given more inspiration.
We talked about how most of these things were all good things, in moderation- and if you choose good things to watch, listen or read. However, Boyd K. Packer said, "This trend to more noise, more excitement, more contention, less restraint, less dignity, less formality is not coincidental nor innocent nor harmless. The first order issued by a commander mounting invasion is the jamming of the channels of communication of those he intends to conquer" (Boyd K. Packer, "Reverence Invites Revelation," Ensign, Nov. 1991).
When you think about it, Satan works really hard on us. He blocks our channels of communication all the time. Like while I'm working on my math, I have Spotify playing the country favorites, the spirit probably isn't going to speak to me then. I looked at those kids, at least one in each class had an earbud in one ear for a time. There's no way the spirit is going to be able to speak louder than your music blaring in those earbuds. Thinking of them walking down the halls with their earbuds in at all times, communication is blocked- whether it's from the spirit or just from someone else walking by them.
In Helaman 10, Nephi- the son of Helaman, is walking home after he's just been proven as a prophet. He goes towards his house, "...pondering upon the things which the Lord had shown unto him..." In verse 3, it says, "...and it came to pass as he was thus pondering in his heart, behold, a voice came unto him saying:" He was in a state of pondering, where he was ready to receive inspiration from the Lord.
I've been thinking about taking time to ponder. With all of the distractions that come up, I think we have to choose to set aside time to ponder. When our hearts are in the right place, we can be led to greater knowledge, understanding, or a task to help someone.
Last week I was teaching institute, and we were discussing how Jesus Christ's atonement was for everyone. We talked about how the atonement covered our sins. If we choose to repent, we are forgiven of it. Christ already went through the pain of all of that for all of us. We just need to choose. Then we talked about how the atonement covers all of our pains, sorrows, joys, etc. He's felt it all. As we were talking I shared a story from my life, of when I didn't let the spirit in, and the brokenness I felt couldn't be healed. I had gone through something that was so hard, and I didn't understand why. It's been a long time, and I had come to the conclusion that I didn't need to understand why, I'm okay without knowing. Right there in that classroom, with those young adults, just talking, the answer came. I didn't share with them what understanding had come, and I'm not going to share it here, because it is personal, but knowing that the Lord answered my prayers when I was in a place where I was open to the spirit was a blessing!
When we put ourselves in a place where we are not distracted, the Lord will share with us his light. An understanding will come, like the sunrise, the light is gradual. It's beautiful when it first starts to show, and it's beautiful when it's all the way out from behind the mountain. If we take the time to ponder, we'll get inspiration, and when we act on it, we'll be given more inspiration.
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