Leaning on the Lord's Understanding by Morgan Shill

One of the most important principles of the gospel, in my opinion, is that of learning to lean upon Heavenly Father's understanding and learning to trust in him. The Lord knows all things, so why should we not seek and gain understanding from him? What are the steps in learning how to lean on the Lord's understanding? I would like to share with you what I think one must do in order to lean on Heavenly Father's understanding and why it is so important.

Understanding the importance of understanding, and having a desire for it is a critical first step in leaning unto Heavenly Father's understanding. D&C 1:24, in talking about The Book of Mormon says, "Behold, I am God and have spoken it; these commandments are of me, and were given unto my servants in their weakness, after the manner of their language, that they may come to understanding." The Lord himself tells us in this verse that one of the purposes of The Book of Mormon is for all people to come to the understanding of the true gospel of Christ. It also says, "after the manner of their language" which shows that Heavenly Father wants us to understand and do the things which he has commanded us. Joseph Smith and many other previous members of the church suffered greatly so that we, in our day, could receive understanding through The Book of Mormon. In 2 Nephi 31:3 we read, "...for the Lord God giveth light unto understanding; for he speaketh unto men according to their language, unto their understanding." God wants us to understand, and he wants to help us, and if we are worthy and prepared to receive understanding, it will be given unto us. The Lord will never try to confuse or deceive us because he loves us and is always there for us. He wants us to succeed if we will but have the desire to ask, listen, obey, and trust in him.

Once we have the desire for understanding, we must then ask for understanding through prayer. Alma 37:36-37 says, "Yea, and cry unto God for all thy support; yea, let all thy doings be unto the Lord and whithersoever thou goest let it be in the Lord; yea, let all thy thoughts be directed unto the Lord; yea, let the afflictions of thy heart be placed upon the Lord forever. Counsel with the Lord in all thy doings, and he will direct thee for good; yea, when thou liest down at night, lie down unto the Lord, that he may watch over you in your sleep; and when thou risest in the morning let thy heart be full of thanks unto God; and if ye do these things, ye shall be lifted up at the last day." Prayer is a powerful and important principle and action. It allows us to gain a relationship with our Father in heaven, and through that relationship and our faithfulness and trust in him, Heavenly Father will give us the understanding that we need. Gordon B. Hinckley has promised us that, "If we will be prayerful, seeking wisdom from God, who is the source of all true wisdom, we shall be blessed as God has promised." This quote clearly establishes that if we yearn for understanding and wisdom, and ask the Lord in prayer, he will reveal the things we ask for unto us, and we will be blessed.

After obtaining an understanding from the Lord, we must trust in what he tells us, and go forward in faith. Proverbs 3:5-6 reads, "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths." These scriptures were our seminary theme for last year, and after focusing continually on them, they have become some of my favorite scriptures. I think is is extremely important to recognize the Lord in ALL our doings, and at all times. He wants to help us, and bless us, but how can he if we are not willing to listen to what he has to tell us, and not willing to do those things that we should do? We cannot rely on our own understanding because we are not alone. Heavenly Father is there to guide and direct us. We need to recognize that everything we have and do is through the Lord, and we would be nowhere and have nothing without him. But having faith and trust in him is not the last step of the process in leaning on the Lord's understanding. In James 2:17 we read, "Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone." We must use our understanding to do work that Heavenly Father wants and needs us to do. President Hinckley said, "We have work to do, you and I, so very much of it. Let us roll up our sleeves and get at it, with a new commitment, putting our trust in the Lord." When we are blessed with understanding, we must use our knowledge to accomplish the works of the Lord.

In relying on Heavenly Father rather than ourselves, we must come unto him with a yearning for understanding and insight. Leaning unto the Lord's understanding requires us to be humble, that we might have a desire for understanding. We then must ask Heavenly Father what he would have us do, and then do it with faith. We must exhibit faith and follow the things, which the Lord has revealed unto us and we will be blessed. I know that these things are true and I say this now in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Works Cited:

1. The Scriptures

2. www.lds.org

3. Stand a Little Taller by Gordon B. Hinckley