Random Wanderings

That is the name of a book written by Sheri Dew.

It is one of the most inspiring books of my recent reading. I haven’t finished it yet but it is giving me lots of things to think about.

There is an example she shares in the book about her name badge she was issued when she was in the General Relief Society presidency. Though she carried the badge with her she rarely had to show it. It wasn’t until the day that she was released and therefore the power of the badge became null and void that she discovered how much power the badge really had. She had an early morning speaking assignment and came across a locked door. When she called the security guard to let her in, he told her that all she had to do was hold the badge to the door sensor and it would unlock. All along she had the power with her to unlock the doors to the halls where prophets and apostles walk every day and she didn’t know it until the last day that she had that power.

What she also points out in the book and what I am coming to understand for myself is a similar example of under utilized power available to all baptized members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. At that time, by laying on of hands, and with priesthood power and authority is given a gift! The gift of the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost. We are invited to receive that gift. I think many members carry that gift around with them and rarely ever comprehend or begin to utilize the power that is available to them with that gift. In fact I have known good people who are not members of the church that take more advantage of the temporary gifts of the Spirit. Those gifts that are freely given to all people of the world who ask God (or even their own perception of a higher power).

That gift is only given with the commitment of baptism and the requirements and responsibilities that are a part of that commitment. When those requirements are not met the gift gets harder and harder to access. It also takes practice to use and learn how it is manifest in your life. It is not something you just pick up and have full power and control over.

I have a son who writes a blog called God Speaks to Me. It is a total farce and makes a mockery of sacred things. The really tragic thing is that he does have access to God speaking to him. He just chooses at this time to not meet the requirements and not utilize the gift he has been given.

Some of the potential of this gift:

It is like having a mentor walk by your side on a daily basis and prompt you in the choices that will keep you moving in a progressive direction, giving you confidence and helping to accelerate your growth. It can be a voice of warning to protect you from danger. It can accelerate emotional healing and bring comfort in difficult times. It teaches truth and can help you see through the deceptions of others. It can prompt you in what to say to comfort, inspire, or teach others. It can help you retain learning in school and give you guidance in business and other everyday activities. It can teach you what choices to make to heal physically. It can help you overcome addiction. It can give you hope in seemingly hopeless situations. It can teach you of the mysteries of heaven and earth and testify of the existence of God.

It takes practice to be able to tune into the frequency that your individual soul hears. As you tune in and follow the guidance you are able to hear and recognize easier the promptings and guidance.

For me it is a tremendous blessing in my life and one that I am just starting to really understand the power and potential, though it has been available to me for years and I just didn’t understand how to access the power.