Speaking in the October 1990 Priesthood session of conference, President Monson tells a story of a lonely missionary who never received letters from home because his parents weren’t active, and didn’t care that he was out serving the Lord. President Monson’s advice to him was to write his parents weekly, describing all his experiences with a testimony of his efforts. And then wait for heaven to open its miraculous hand. The heavens did open, and this young man’s prayers were answered. His parents later decided to pick him up from his mission so they could go to the nearest temple to be sealed as a family.
President Monson’s eloquent conclusion is, “Clean hands, a pure heart, and a willing mind had touched heaven.” This reminds me of a talk that President Nelson has recently given about specific steps we can take to open heaven in our own lives.
The talk, given by President Monson, actually introduces the new For Strength of Youth pamphlet. He goes through each area and shares the importance and safety of following these guidelines. When was the last time you read through this pamphlet? These guidelines are so needed in our world today because they help us stay clean and pure from worldly filth. By living in this way, the heavens will open for us and we will see the hand of the Lord in our lives.
Recently, President Nelson has talked about revelation for our lives. When revelation is part of our daily lives it becomes an armor of protection to know how to act, when to act, and even why we must act a certain way. But it is up to us to practice.
So, the question becomes: How do I practice receiving revelation? What do I need to do to hear the Lord in my life? I love how President Nelson has given us a specific list of things we can do to literally open up the heavens to us. In this talk, he says, “Nothing opens the heavens quite like the combination of increased purity, exact obedience, earnest seeking, daily feasting on the words of Christ in the Book of Mormon, and regular time committed to temple and family history work.”
PURITY
This is the number one thing the For Strength of Youth pamphlet helps us to do: stay pure, clean, and separate from the world.
EXACT OBEDIENCE
This is Nephi’s greatest tool, his exactness in obedience.
EARNEST SEEKING
Our desire will lead us to what we want most.
DAILY FEASTING ON THE WORDS OF THE BOOK OF MORMON
President Monson, speaking to us in his last address, implores us to “study, ponder, and apply its teachings in our lives.” President Nelson promises us that if we ponder the words in the Book of Mormon, “the windows of heaven will open, and you will receive answers to your own questions.”
REGULAR TIME COMMITTED TO TEMPLE AND FAMILY HISTORY
Spending more time “out of the world” will help us separate from the world. And when we make ourselves available to our Heavenly Father, He will fill us with His spirit.
Do we really believe all this is possible? Even necessary? The warnings are coming to us loud and clear. We must make our choice. President Nelson has already told us that time is running out. What more invitation do we need in seeking heaven to open for us, preparing us to stand before the Lord?