Yet another favorite scripture!!!

"If thou shalt ask, thou shalt receive revelation upon revelation, knowledge upon knowledge, that thou mayest know the mysteries and peaceable things - that which bringeth joy, that which bringeth life eternal." - D&C 42:61.

I came across this verse as I was preparing my lesson for tomorrow. The lesson is on the first principles and ordinances of the gospel. Ok, this verse really isn't directly related (although I think all scriptures are at least indirectly related to the first principles and ordinances of this blessed gospel!) but I had marked it some time ago, and it caught my eye as I was scanning through the chapter.

I just can't express my joy concerning the marvelous things I have learned in exactly this fashion!!! How I love my Father in Heaven!!! How I love my Elder Brother Jesus the Christ! How I long to be back with Them, to be in Their glory, and to Feel their love through a hug and see it in Their eyes. But They have given it to me, as They have given it to all of us, and I can feel it right now! Surely I have been privy to know a few of these mysteries and peaceable things mentioned in this verse, because the knowledge I have gained has certainly brought me the greatest of joy, and such a desire to obey the commandments of my most loving Father in Heaven!

Oh I am anxious to make all of this public. It will be soon, I am sure. I want to share it with the entire world!!!! I wish everyone was willing and able to listen to His Spirit, and to ask in Christ's name any question, with faith and believing it can be answered. Oh dear friends and family, visitors who I know and who I do not know...go and read James 1:5 - "if any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him."

This is exactly it! This is all one needs to do to know the truth! If one simply asks, and realizes they will be given knowledge "line upon line, precept upon precept; here a little and there a little" (D&C 128:21) the maginficent and glorious truth awaits all of mankind! Joseph Smith himself read this verse, and realized that he, too, a simple young farm boy, could receive answers.

It really is that simple. It really is!! Oh I don't care one wink whether anyone who reads this or knows me believes me to be a lunatic, or a zealot, or even evil (as I have previously been called because of my belief in God). You know why I don't care? Because I know it isn't true! And I love you all! Every last one of you :) Even those of you who might think such things about me. I love you, because frankly, we are all in this together. Judging one another, hurting one another, using one another, controlling one another...these are evil practices that we need to learn to shun from our lives. We are all brothers and sisters, and we all have that same gentle, loving, and gracious Father. We all came from the same place, and we all can learn about it if we truly want to know! Is the conscience, the Holy Spirit, the still small voice...aren't all these things but a sixth sense? It has existed since the beginning of mankind, yet while we so faithfully trust our other 5 senses, we cast doubt and scorn upon those who actually recognize and use their sixth sense? That sense that not only comes from a center of truth that each and everyone one of us has inside, but also from the whisperings of a very real person, namely the Holy Ghost himself?

Think what you want, but I know it is true. I will never doubt it. I will never deny it. I for one am grateful for commandments and the opportunity to obey...especially the ones I might not understand or even agree with (although I can't think of one at this moment that I do not agree with!!). We are all on a big scavenger hunt just wanting to get home. Those commandments are only but hints to help us get home with the least pain and sorrow possible. They are not to bind us or prevent us from exercising our God given right of free agency....they only help us! They make us more free!! Oh it is so simple and so precious...we complicate things so, do we not?

Look, I have already started sharing my parable. I will stop now, because I can't do it quite yet. One thing is lack of time, but there are other reasons. But I just want to say...I am so grateful for the Atonement, for the miracle of forgiveness, for the understanding and utter appreciation of unconditional love, and for the opportunity I have to learn and grow through my trials, to learn to glory in tribulation such as Paul did...to develop strength through my weaknesses, and to learn to unconditionally love the people all around me. It is a journey that extends beyond a lifetime, but it is sooo worth the time and effort. I have never known joy that can match that of eternal knowledge and love.

I'll just end with another scripture...which is also part of the parable...

"Wherefore, the Lord God gave unto man that he should act for himself. Wherefore, man could not act for himself save it should be that he was enticed by the one or the other." - 2 Nephi 2:16.