Willing to Receive
There were several talks from General Conference this last time around that really struck me. One of them was by A. Roger Merrill. He talked about the concept of receiving by the Spirit.
In our Church meetings, in our personal and family scripture study, and even this day as we listen to the Lord’s prophets and apostles, some of us will receive more than others. Why? I am learning that those who truly receive do at least three things that others may not do.
First, they seek. We live in an entertainment world, a spectator world. Without realizing it, we can find ourselves coming to conference or going to church with the attitude, “Here I am; now inspire me.” We become spiritually passive.
When we focus instead on seeking and receiving the Spirit, we become less concerned about a teacher or speaker holding our attention and more concerned about giving our attention to the Spirit. Remember, receive is a verb. It is a principle of action. It is a fundamental expression of faith.
Second, those who receive, feel. While revelation comes to the mind and heart, it is most often felt. Until we learn to pay attention to these spiritual feelings, we usually do not even recognize the Spirit.
In a recent conversation I had with one of our daughters-in-law, she suggested that we can help even young children become aware of these feelings of the Spirit. We can ask them questions such as “How do you feel as we read this scripture together? What do you feel the Spirit is prompting you to do?” These are good questions for us all. They demonstrate the desire to receive.
Third, those who receive by the Spirit intend to act. As the prophet Moroni instructed, to receive a witness of the Book of Mormon, we must ask “with real intent” (Moroni 10:4). The Spirit teaches when we honestly intend to do something about what we learn.
This concept of receiving is something I have thought about a lot the last few years. Elder Merrill echoed something that I have felt in my heart:
[R]eceiving is a foundational gospel pattern. It is set forth in the very ordinance by which we are confirmed members of the Church. In this ordinance we are instructed to “receive the Holy Ghost.” This is a formal invitation to act, to receive this great gift.
Are we willing to receive what God has to offer us? As we struggle through daily life, with questions and trials that sometimes test our faith, are we seeking, feeling, and ready to act on what we learn?
This reminds me of something I have heard more than once. This thought is from Elder Worthlin:
I fear that some members of the Lord’s Church “live far beneath our privileges” [quoting Brigham Young] with regard to the gift of the Holy Ghost. Some are distracted by the things of the world that block out the influence of the Holy Ghost, preventing them from recognizing spiritual promptings. This is a noisy and busy world that we live in. Remember that being busy is not necessarily being spiritual. If we are not careful, the things of this world can crowd out the things of the Spirit (emphasis added).
And from Brother Merrill again:
One cannot help but wonder how many gifts and blessings surround us that we do not receive. The Lord has said: “For what doth it profit a man if a gift is bestowed upon him, and he receive not the gift? Behold, he rejoices not in that which is given unto him, neither rejoices in him who is the giver of the gift” (D&C 88:33).
I’m writing this because I need the reminder that God is so anxious to bless my life with His Spirit. But I have to be willing to receive.
This phrase, “willing to receive,” is actually from Sister Parkin’s talk from the Relief Society General Broadcast. She said:
Do we frequently reject the Lord’s love that He pours out upon us in much more abundance than we are willing to receive? Do we think we have to be perfect in order to deserve His love? When we allow ourselves to feel “encircled about eternally in the arms of his love,”1 we feel safe, and we realize that we don’t need to be immediately perfect. We must acknowledge that perfection is a process. This is a gospel of eternal progress, and we must remember to appreciate the journey. Eternal means “without beginning or end,” so the encircling of His love is there for us every day. Remember, it’s constant—even when we don’t recognize it. I love Nephi’s description of this great gift: “The love of God . . . sheddeth itself abroad in the hearts of the children of men; wherefore, it is the most desirable above all things . . . and the most joyous to the soul.”
I need to be more willing to receive God’s spirit and God’s love in my life. The more I do that, the easier and more joyful life is. I invite you to examine your heart and life. Are you willing to receive?
November 17th, 2006 20:09
First response–yes.
On further reflection though, if willingness and what I have received are to be considered equal (or nearly so) then I suppose I’m not nearly as willing as I think I am.
November 18th, 2006 07:37
Téa, that’s a wild realization. Stay with it, pray, ponder–really consciously focus on receiving insight, and see where the Lord goes with it.
Michelle,
Wow, what a great message. Thank-you so much. This is a concept of which I have not just a strong testimony, but even an intense one. To see such articulation of it from our leaders is such a gem. The confort, guidance, and inspiration that comes to us by the Spirit is always there; it’s up to us simply to choose to receive.
I had occasion to do some exercises in ‘active receiving’ a couple years ago, before which it had always been a very passive state. Choosing to open yourself, to allow it entrance is really a skill to cultivate. As Elder Merrill says, it’s not just “here I am, inspire me.” I can’t really share my personal understanding of it (receiving as an active verb), but I can testify that there is a difference, and you can feel it, by trying it. (by seeking, feeling, all the while knowing that you will act on what you receive.)
November 18th, 2006 10:51
Thanks for the many good insights and ideas in this post, Michelle. It sparked several thoughts, one of which I’ll mention.
You quoted Elder Wirthlin as saying, “This is a noisy and busy world that we live in.” At one time in my life I used to keep the car radio tuned to the local classical music station and automatically turn it on whenever I was in the car. I am usually personally uplifted by classical music, and I also thought it would help my young children develop an appreciation for that kind of music.
One day a good friend mentioned that she decided to limit her listening to music in the car, because she wanted to be open to spiritual guidance as she pondered while driving. I thought this was very good advice, and after that I tried to make a conscious decision on whether on not to listen to music, both in the car and at home.
I feel I am often inspired while listening to good music. However, as my friend helped me realize, if we always have music–even sacred music–playing in the background, we might be missing some promptings which the Lord would like us to receive.
November 19th, 2006 01:41
[…] 2) Mortality is only a temporary state, a “probationary state”, a time to “prepare to meet God.” God doesn’t view us through the lens of our flesh; He views us as who we can become if we pass this mortal test. When He reminds me of my nothingness, His intent is not to depress and paralyze me with feelings of worthlessness (which is my natural response to such a message). He is simply inviting me (with open arms!) to humble myself so that, through Christ, He can eventually make me all He is (and can help me through life now!). In short, He wants me to remember to be meek and humble so I can receive the gifts He has to offer. […]