BOOK OF MORMON: DAY 169: SHOW FORTH HIS POWER -

Today’s Reading: Alma 8

31 And they had power given unto them, insomuch that they could not be confined in dungeons; neither was it possible that any man could slay them; nevertheless they did not exercise their power until they were bound in bands and cast into prison. Now, this was done that the Lord might show forth his power in them.

Power.

I witnessed it today when my daughter was being set apart for a Laurel class presidency calling. The bishopric member blessing her said things that I knew only the Spirit could have led him to say, quoting parts of her patriarchal blessing almost verbatim, and telling her things that my mama heart knew she needed to hear from another source besides me.

I witnessed power last week when a now trivial, but at the time stressful “dad lost his wallet” situation was quickly resolved thanks to an inspired prayer given by our 13 y.o. son. I felt immediately prompted to ask him to pray in behalf of his dad to find it. He then, without hesitation, led a prayer that oozed total expectation of being answered. His prayer was followed by an immediate prompting on where to find the wallet, allowing this young man to save the day and witness the Lord’s power in using both of us for good.

When thinking about the word POWER do we tend to shrink away from associating ourselves with it thanks, in part, to phrases like “power hungry or power trip?” Do we more often think of scriptural examples of those who unrighteously craved power for the wrong reasons when instead the greater opportunity lies in hearing the Spirit call to us to embrace it like Alma and Amulek?

In my own search to better understand the Lord’s power and how he “shows forth his power” through each of us, I have found the following to be helpful:

Understand what the Lord’s power is intended to do.

I found this acronym by author Anthony Sweat to be an amazing starting point in better understanding what the Savior uses his power for in our lives. Cleansing, healing, restoring, identifying, strengthening, and transforming us individually and collectively are his true focus. I’ve loved studying accounts of this in the scriptures and in the lives of others from this perspective. I see these 5 “everyday powers” showing up over and over again.

Prepare yourself daily to be a power “tool” in his hands.

Had I not taken care of my own spiritual needs that day, I might have missed the really subtle thought that came to ask my son to pray to find the wallet. Over the years, my daily spiritual practice has evolved to include early morning quiet time (even when it can be so hard to do sometimes) to pray, meditate, and exercise combining the efforts of keeping mind, body, and spirit in tune and working together. It sets the tone for my day when I do this practice consistently, it keeps my spiritual senses heightened, and has allowed me time and time again to humbly play a small part in his ongoing efforts to show forth his power.

Get to know and refine your spiritual gifts.

There was a gem of an article tucked in the very back of the April 2016 Ensign. Did you see it? It was from a previous article written by Pres. George Q. Cannon urging us to get to know and understand spiritual gifts. They are for improving our imperfections while simultaneously showing the Lord’s power in very clear ways. Double bonus! Again, I think that we sometimes shy away from seeking these gifts like we do from thinking of ourselves as literal conduits of the Lord’s power. Please don’t! Be willing to pray to know how to pray for more power, as urged by Pres. Nelson in our last general conference. You’ll find part of the answer is in getting better acquainted with your spiritual gifts by seeking, asking, studying, and using them.

The Savior himself taught that those who believe him and in him will do the works that he has done and even greater works will they be called to do. This has got to be one of the most profound promises in the scriptures for those that are willing to hear it and have the courage to discover for themselves how he plans on accomplishing it. He truly wants to show forth his power in us for the sake of gathering all men, women, and children unto him. Are you willing?