Over Anxiety

"Behold, my beloved brethren, I will unfold this mystery unto you; if I do not, by any means, get shaken from my firmness in the Spirit, and stumble because of my over anxiety for you." 
~ Jacob 4:18  

I have all too often seen a person struggling with something precious for them, praying to the Lord, struggling in the spirit, searching for the answer, but because the problem is so dear to them, they are unable to hear the answer.  They have, what Jacob refers to as, over anxiety.  This over anxiety is a great deal of stress, that impedes our ability to think clearly.  It makes it ever so difficult to hear the answers we so desperately seek, especially if that answer is about a dear friend or family member.  I myself have recently experienced this.  I have a dear friend that is going through a huge trial, and has asked me for my prayers.  I have approached the Lord, but because of my over anxiety of concern for my friend and our relationship, I could not hear all the answer, so I also asked a different friend for his prayers.  The Lord was so kind,so as to give the answer to my other friend, who in turn gave it to me, of which I prayed about, and can pass it on to the friend who requested it of me.  To work together, to let go of any and all pride, to love each other; is this not what it is all about? 

On another note, there is the pride issue: 

It is indulgent pride to believe that God will not speak to another person on your behalf.  To believe that the Lord will only tell you, and 'if He tells another and not you, then it must be false', is false.  The Lord loves all of us, and speaks to whomever will listen, and a person will not progress if he does not learn to accept information from the Lord, even if it comes through another.  Of course, the Lord expects us to ask Him for confirmation.  He wants to talk to all of His children.  This is how chaos is avoided, and how we will all eventually see alike. 

God never gives all gifts, nor all information, nor all revelation to just one servant.  He does love all of us and will bless us through others as well.  The sooner this lesson is learned, the sooner a person may progress. 

Let us all work together.  Let us all seek God together.  Let us all love each other with that Divine Love that God sheds forth on all His children.

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Progress

I have tried for a number of years to get the minds of the Saints prepared to receive the things of God; but we frequently see some of them after suffering all they have for the work of God, will fly to pieces like glass as soon as anything comes that is contrary to their traditions: they cannot stand the fire at all. 
~ TPJS pg. 331 

The Gospel is a gospel of progression.  We must be ever learning, ever progressing.  That means getting better.  We have a tremendously long way to go.  And when the Lord, or the Lord's servant, teaches you something that is against your traditions, then go to the Lord and ask for further light and knowledge.  Ask for that witness of the Spirit that is promised in D&C 9.  Break down the question into very small segments if you need to.  Then go back to the Lord and ask for confirmation.  Just keep going to the Lord. 

If the church knew all the commandments, one-half they would condemn through prejudice and ignorance. 
~ TPJS pg. 112 

There are many commandments.  The Lord says, that He will bless us with 'commandments not a few'.  Of course all those commandments come from the first commandment, to Love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, might, mind, and strength.  But until we learn that type of love, the Lord in His infinite mercy, grants us more and more, until we come to a full understanding of that type of love. 

Having a knowledge of God, we begin to know how to approach him, and how to ask so as to receive an answer. 
~ TPJS pg. 309 

And how does this knowledge come?  Through our belief in correct principles!  The principles must be correct, in order that our faith may bear fruit. 

Section 9 of the Doctrine and Covenants is a great place to start.  Moroni chapter 10 also gives great insight.  Alma chapter 32 teaches us how to grow our faith, so that it may bear good fruit.  In fact, study the Book of Mormon prophets, and watch how they got answers.  Pay close attention to the converts of the sons of Mosiah!  They reached out, broken hearted, totally contrite before the Lord.  Completely willing to give up all their traditions.  Just copy them! 

And because of the knowledge of this man, he could not be kept from beholding within the veil: and he saw the finger of Jesus, which, when he saw, he fell with fear: for he knew that it was the finger of the Lord; and he had faith no longer, for he knew, nothing doubting; wherefore, having this perfect knowledge of God, he could not be kept from within the veil; therefore he saw Jesus, and he did minister unto him. 
~ Ether chapter 1 pg. 545  (BoM 1st edition) 

We can all progress to this point; the point at which we see Jesus.  What do you think this story is in the Book of Mormon for?  It is there because we can obtain it.  Why would the Lord put this process in the Book of Mormon if it was not for us to follow?  It is there for us to follow.  The Book of Mormon is a blueprint for us to follow to get to God.  Follow it! 

And without the ordinances thereof, and the authority of the priesthood, the power of godliness is not manifest unto men in the flesh; For without this no man can see the face of God, even the Father, and live.  Now this Moses plainly taught to the children of Israel in the wilderness, and sought diligently to sanctify his people that they might behold the face of God; But they hardened their hearts and could not endure his presence; therefore, the Lord in his wrath, for his anger was kindled against them, swore that they should not enter into his rest while in the wilderness, which rest is the fullness of his glory.
~ D&C 84:21-24 

The fullness of His glory!  Moses was trying to get all of Israel into the very presence of God.  Not just one or two special guys, but all of them!!  But they turned him down!  They had their traditions.  Did they give the same excuses as we hear today?  To claim their traditions were all that mattered, that this was the way they always worshiped, that this was the way their ancestors worshiped, etc.  And that God would accept them.  Yes, it is true that God will accept them if they live a lower law; they will be accepted into a lower degree of glory.  They will never enter into the "rest" of the Father, which rest is the "fullness of his glory." 

If it was possible for the children of Israel to enter into His rest, then it is possible for us today to enter into His rest!  If God wanted it so bad, for His children to enter into His rest, so bad that He was "angry" when they chose not to, why would anyone think this is not still what God wants for us today???? 

There are a great many wise men and women too in our midst who are too wise to be taught; therefore they must die in their ignorance, and in the resurrection they will find their mistake. 
~ TPJS pg. 309 

The Father of all creation wants you in His very presence.  It is time to progress.  It is time to give up the world.  It is time to give up your traditions for what the Lord is teaching.  It is time to go to the Lord and ask Him.  Ask Him.  Embrace Him.  And never let go! 

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