LINE UPON LINE; PRECEPT UPON PRECEPT

This morning while I was reading in 2 Nephi 28 I came across a couple verses that I have read many times before.  Yet, this time it meant a little bit more to me and my understanding was broadened.

2 Nephi 28:26-31

26Yea, wo be unto him that hearkeneth unto the precepts of men, and denieth the power of God, and the gift of the Holy Ghost!


27Yea, wo be unto him that saith: We have received, and we need no more!

28And in fine, wo unto all those who tremble, and are angry because of the truth of God! For behold, he that is built upon the rock receiveth it with gladness; and he that is built upon a sandy foundation trembleth lest he shall fall.

29Wo be unto him that shall say: We have received the word of God, and we need no more of the word of God, for we have enough!

30For behold, thus saith the Lord God: I will give unto the children of men line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little and there a little; and blessed are those who hearken unto my precepts, and lend an ear unto my counsel, for they shall learn wisdom; for unto him that receiveth I will give more; and from them that shall say, We have enough, from them shall be taken away even that which they have.

31Cursed is he that putteth his trust in man, or maketh flesh his arm, or shall hearken unto the precepts of men, save their precepts shall be given by the power of the Holy Ghost.

A couple thoughts came to mind: 1) We receive counsel every six months from the Prophet and General Authorities of the Church 2) We have been counseled to read the scriptures daily - specifically The Book of Mormon 3) We have been counseled to pray continually.

What if we decided that we didn't need to listen to or read the Conference Talks?  What if we decided that we didn't need to read our scriptures or say our prayers?  What if we didn't head the counsel of our Priesthood leaders?  What if we decided that we had learned all that we needed to learn?

Every April and October I eagerly anticipate the messages given during General Conference.  I am excited to hear the messages that have been specifically prepared for me.  The messages are meant to inspire us to do good; make ourselves better; give us needed counsel; and sometimes it is designed to repremand.  It is given to each of us to glean from these messages those things that we are required to do; to change and to act upon.  Each step we take is added upon six months later. 

If we choose to not participate in the normal activities afforded Latter Day Saints we will lose the knowledge; comfort; peace and assurance that the Gospel brings.  Basically we start from scratch when we decide to participate again.  What we have learned so far needs to be protected and nourished so that it stays with us; preparing us to gain more wisdom and knowledge in this life.

Heavenly Father desires for us to be better than we are.  He desires for us to have everything he has.  We can't have it all at once.  We gain it a little at a time; when we are ready to receive more.