Alert and Attentive
I don't know why, but this thought has been going through my head over and over again the past few days. It happens in church, it happens when I read the scriptures, it happens during family home evening, it has even come to me during a PPI. I wonder why?
Am I being alert and attentive? Am I actively engages in my responsibilities or am I just a physical mound of dirt occupying space? How about you? Have you ever thought about this?
There is a point during temple instruction that all patrons are reminded to remain alert and attentive throughout the period of instruction. I was reading in Mosiah 4 the other day and this thought hit me. Are we not here on earth to be instructed? Shouldn't we do our best to be engaged in all things?
In chapter 4, King Benjamin had just spent several hours speaking to his people. He was concerned for their welfare. Where were they? Several chapters previous to this, we learn that they were in their tents facing the temple, gathered to receive instruction. Like a mini general conference. We they texting, talking, preparing lessons, marking rolls, checking out Lehi's dream on the back of their eye lids, or just zoning out? After reading the first few verses of chapter 4, I don't think so.
They were engaged. They had been alert and attentive in all things. They received the message through the spirit. When King Benjamin finished speaking, they immediately applied the teachings he had just shared with them. They did not walk away saying, "That was a good meeting. We should have more of those." They actually walked away doing what they had just been asked to do.
They realized who they were. Their eyes were open to the goodness of God. That knowledge opened their mind of understanding. Suddenly, it was not all about them. They were not looking at themselves and what was in it for them. They wanted to know what they could give to make it all happen.
What does Benjamin instruct them to do? Read on. We need to apply this teaching.
Am I being alert and attentive? Am I actively engages in my responsibilities or am I just a physical mound of dirt occupying space? How about you? Have you ever thought about this?
There is a point during temple instruction that all patrons are reminded to remain alert and attentive throughout the period of instruction. I was reading in Mosiah 4 the other day and this thought hit me. Are we not here on earth to be instructed? Shouldn't we do our best to be engaged in all things?
In chapter 4, King Benjamin had just spent several hours speaking to his people. He was concerned for their welfare. Where were they? Several chapters previous to this, we learn that they were in their tents facing the temple, gathered to receive instruction. Like a mini general conference. We they texting, talking, preparing lessons, marking rolls, checking out Lehi's dream on the back of their eye lids, or just zoning out? After reading the first few verses of chapter 4, I don't think so.
They were engaged. They had been alert and attentive in all things. They received the message through the spirit. When King Benjamin finished speaking, they immediately applied the teachings he had just shared with them. They did not walk away saying, "That was a good meeting. We should have more of those." They actually walked away doing what they had just been asked to do.
They realized who they were. Their eyes were open to the goodness of God. That knowledge opened their mind of understanding. Suddenly, it was not all about them. They were not looking at themselves and what was in it for them. They wanted to know what they could give to make it all happen.
What does Benjamin instruct them to do? Read on. We need to apply this teaching.
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