I thought I would share something I just read from Elder Gene R. Cooks book, "Searching the Scriptures".

A Pattern for Hearing the Lord's Voice

1. Prepare ourselves by praying w/faith

2. Prepare ourselves by humbling ourselves.

3. Search diligently as we are reading, and

4. Obey the truths we are learning.

Nephi taught - l Nephi ll:l -

1. Have a desire to know,

2. Have faith to know and understand

3. Ponder in our hearts

4. The spirit will teach

And we learn from Joseph Smith & Sidney Rigdon: D&C 76:l9

"And while we meditated upon these things, the Lord touched the eyes of our understanding"

My BIL who is a seminary teacher taught me something this past weekend that I'd like to share. He told me he was asked by a man one day, "What would you do if you saw a piece of gold on the ground?" My BIL replied, "I'd pick it up!" The older gentleman took hold of his arm and said, "No, you dig where you found it!" He then told my BIL the scriptures are gold - we must "dig" if we are to find more. I thought that was wonderful!

Just in the first verse of the assignment, I feel I have found gold. A pattern to follow, a way to become closer and to know the will of the Lord in my life.

I'm so grateful to "know" the Savior. I can bear witness of His presence in my life! I Know of His love and especially after this Easter can bear stronger witness than ever before that He is the light, the truth, the way!"

I know how easy it is to sometimes get caught up in that "great and spacious building" and that if we will "hold to the rod" (can you hear the words of the song in your mind?) and help our families stay hold, we will be safe, we will be lead, we will understand, and we will return to our Heavenly Father through the "love of God", the atoning sacrifice He made!