How to Open the Heavens, and Be Unspotted from the World

I have really been trying hard to do better at reading spiritually enlightening material, not just the fiction that I so dearly love. One thing I have been doing is reading the Ensign. It's rare that I manage to get through an entire article in one sitting, but I do it piece by piece, and I will get it all read.

I have been reading the August Ensign this weekend, and there were two articles that I really liked. The first one was a talk from President David O. McKay titled Unspotted from the World. He gave this talk at General Conference in 1911. What a testament to the truthfulness of Latter-Day Prophets and their divine inspiration, that their counsel is truly timeless.

His talk was truly wonderful, but one part in particular seemed to really jump out to me. In his talk he spoke about when Satan came and tempted Christ. Then President McKay related

Now, nearly every temptation that comes to you and me comes in one of those forms. Classify them, and you will find that under one of those three nearly every given temptation that makes you and me spotted, ever so little may be, comes to us as (1) a temptation of the appetite; (2) a yielding to the pride and fashion and vanity of those alienated from the things of God; or (3) a gratifying of the passion, or a desire for the riches of the world, or power among men

I liked it because it simplified all of our temptations. How much easier could it be to withstand our own personal temptations if we first recognize them for what they really are. Which of these things are being tempted, and do we really need to give into them?

You can learn more about David O. McKay here.

The second article that really struck me, especially with the personal struggles I have been having, was titled Opening the Heavens, by Elder Yoshihiko Kikuchi, Of the Seventy.

He spoke about how to have the Spirit of the Lord with you everyday. He spoke particularly about having your own personal "morning devotional" each day, and what a great impact it can have in your life. He shared many stories from people he was worked with, which I was able to relate to.

What I found really helpful, in a logistical sort of way, was the outline he gave for your morning. (This was advice directed at a struggling missionary, but it applies to all of us)

• • Rise from his bed early—in his case, a few minutes before 6:30 a.m.

• • Exercise for a few minutes.

• • Wash his body and shave—make himself clean.

• • Dress for the day.

• • Go to a quiet place inside his apartment.

• • Kneel, subdue his spirit before Heavenly Father, and call upon Him. Talk with Him in reverent prayer.

• • Wait for His holy inspiration, pondering the scriptures or a recent general conference talk and think about the specific problems he faced.

I promised this young elder that if he did this and immersed himself in the scriptures, especially the Book of Mormon, for a few minutes every day, he would experience feelings of joy and would receive strength to go on.

What wonderful advice this is. Now, it is not quite realistic for me to rise early enough to accomplish all of these before my children are up, especially since they rise at 6am to get ready for school, but I can do all of these things after they leave.

I knew that these were all good things to do, I just hadn't really ever put them in that order before, and after reading this article, it makes total sense to do just that. So, this is my new goal. Every day, whenever possible, I intend to follow the advice from Elder Kikuchi, and I know that not only will I benefit personally, but my family will feel a difference in their lives as well.

I strongly recommend that everyone reads these wonderful articles. I hope that you find your own personal message in them, just as I did.