This blogpost features some of my thoughts and a half-sheet activity page to complement the Come Follow Me (CFM) reading for February 10-16, which includes Doctrine and Covenants 10-11. Click here for an index and links to my CFM blogposts for other weeks.
You remember the book, "The 5 Love Languages," by Gary Chapman? It was talked a lot about 10-15 years ago and the main premise of the book is that each person feels and gives love in different ways. The whole concept was related to speaking different languages. For example, if we speak English and express our love sincerely to someone who only speaks French, that love may not be felt by the French speaker as deeply as it was expressed. In much the same way, each person, because of their individual personality and life experiences, may express and feel love in very different ways...in ways that may not always be recognized by the recipient. It went on to discuss the idea that we can strengthen our relationships with others by learning to better "speak {and recognize} the love languages" of our friends and loved ones. It was a revolutionary concept for me and it's still something that I'm thoughtful about even many years after reading the book.
Anyway, I am not here today to talk about interpersonal relationships, but to discuss more of the concept of "asking, seeking, and knocking" that we read so much about in the Doctrine and Covenants and how I think the concept of love languages relates to it. I feel like the hardest part of seeking answers to the prayers of our hearts is the receiving part. How do we know what the answer is after we've asked? How can we sort out our own feelings on the matter and recognize the Spirit?
I am not a person who tends to feel the Spirit in big ways and this used to bother me enough that I thought there was something wrong...like that the Spirit, for some reason, just didn't communicate with me. It's taken me a lifetime of experiences, however, to understand that just like we, as humans, express and feel love differently, we also communicate with and feel the Spirit in our unique ways. While many people do feel the Spirit in big visible ways {like crying or being able to eloquently share the feelings of their heart}...that's just not me. Never has been, likely never will. I am someone who stumbles over every word when speaking extemporaneously, whether that be over the pulpit or in a classroom setting. And if I cry, it's because I'm sad, not because the Spirit is speaking to me.
So, how do I feel the Spirit? I feel it when I write down the thoughts of my heart {hence this blog}. I feel it as an overarching sense of peace/calm when I'm pondering a question or facing a difficult time in my life. I feel it as a voice of compassion in my head when my train of thought is taking me somewhere negative. Learning to recognize the way I feel the language of the Spirit has been monumental to me and I encourage all that worry that they're not feeling the Spirit, to take some time to study the different ways that God can communicate with us.
Taking the time to fill out this little spreadsheet...individually or as a class can be a helpful exercise to launch a discussion on this topic.
Additionally, here are some quotes that you may find helpful as you study or discuss this topic. In particular, I feel like quote #5 is hugely important in this day and age of endless streams of information.
1. “The prompting that goes unresponded to may not be repeated. Writing down what we have been prompted with is vital. A special thought can be lost later in the day through the rough and tumble of life. God should not, and may not, choose to repeat the prompting if we assign what is given such a low priority as to put it aside.” Neal A. Maxwell
2. “President Monson has taught, “As we pursue the journey of life, let us learn the language of the Spirit.” The Spirit speaks words that we feel. These feelings are gentle, a nudge to act, to do something, to say something, to respond in a certain way. If we are casual or complacent in our worship, drawn off and desensitized by worldly pursuits, we find ourselves diminished in our ability to feel.” Ronald A. Rasband
3. “ We must be confident in our first promptings. Sometimes we rationalize; we wonder if we are feeling a spiritual impression or if it is just our own thoughts. When we begin to second-guess, even third-guess, our feelings—and we all have—we are dismissing the Spirit; we are questioning divine counsel. The Prophet Joseph Smith taught that if you will listen to the first promptings, you will get it right nine times out of ten.” Ronald A. Rasband
4. “We frequently may press forward hoping and praying—but without absolute assurance—that we are acting in accordance with God’s will. But as we honor our covenants and keep the commandments, as we strive ever more consistently to do good and to become better, we can walk with the confidence that God will guide our steps.” David A. Bednar
5 “It is important that our daily activities do not distract us from listening to the Spirit.” Richard G. Scott
Last, but not least, I wanted to share this video with you that I have found impactful as I've gotten bogged down in making big decisions and feeling like the answers weren't coming. The whole idea of taking one step at a time with the light and knowledge we have in front of us is HUGE. Sometimes one step is all we can see and we let our inability to see the whole plan at once to paralyze us into inaction.
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And....here is the activity sheet....
These activity sheets are designed to print double-sided and cut in half. They're perfect for reviewing or introducing the content found in the Come, Follow Me reading each week and would be great used in a classroom or home setting. I have no children at home, nor do I have a calling working with youth, so I copy these to be handed out with the sacrament programs each week. Kids, teens, and adults enjoy them...especially the word searches!
THIS WEEK'S ACTIVITY PAGE LINK (in case it's not showing below)
I hope that sharing these thoughts with you have been helpful as you engage in your personal study or in preparation for an upcoming lesson.
Have a beautiful week! 💗
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