Week 52: Genesis 1:26

This week, Elder Taylor and I listened to the story of Glenn Beck's conversion to Jesus Christ.  He said something so profound that hit me hard.  Sometimes I find things profound that others don't, but I thought it was pretty brilliant.  He said, quoting Thomas Jefferson,  "When it comes to religion, question with boldness! Question everything! Honest questions!  Fix reason firmly in her seat, for if there be a God, He must surely rather honest questioning over blind folded fear."  He then went on to say, "Ask honest questions. Not questions with an agenda. Your only agenda for any question should be: I want the truth. I don't care what the truth is, I want the truth!"

I've ran into a problem a lot on my mission, both with investigators and myself.  I've seen the desire to ask questions, but the intent is wavering.  We have no problem being obedient when the answer is easy, but if it isn't something we want to hear, we shut ourselves off.  Sometimes we want a certain answer and when we don't get the answer we want, we reject it.  We cannot "seek to counsel ... the Lord."  We need to be open to whatever answer He gives us, and act upon the prompting no matter what.  

"I made this my rule: When the Lord commands it, do it." - Joseph Smith

Agree with Thomas Jefferson and Glenn Beck's political views or not, those statements are simple yet powerful.  It falls back on Joseph Smith and the honest question he had.  He didn't care what the truth was and he didn't fixate on an answer he wanted.  Whatever God told him, he would do it.  I know that as we follow James' counsel to "ask of God," we will have mysteries unfolded to us and we will know truth from falsehood.

Elder Poulsen