Get Wisdom, Get Understanding

I laid in bed last night feeling I had left something out of my blog. I realized it was incomplete because I had left out the text of the message of the Plan of Salvation. For my kids, all of you should have PEACH MY GOSPEL in your homes. It is a good resource for Family Home Evenings. For those of you who do not have Peach My Gospel and are interested on what the pictures mean, here is a link to the text.

http://broadcast.lds.org/Missionary/PreachMyGospel___07_03-2_PlanOfSalvation__36617_eng_007.pdf

A few years ago our son, Jason, was reading Proverbs and telling us how much he loved it. I have to admit I have not read Proverbs since I was a teenager. At that time it did not seem very interesting to me. However, I am now in that part of my studies of the Old Testament. I now see what Jason was talking about. I love it too.

Yesterday I was reading Chapter 4. I love the guideline for the flow of our spiritual progress:

• v-1 - "Here, ye children, the instructions of a father, and attend to KNOW UNDERSTANDING." First we must  gain knowledge. But knowledge is not enough.
• v-4 - "He taught me also, and said unto me, Let thine heart retain my words: KEEP MY COMMANDMENTS." Knowledge is strengthened and explained as we keep his commandments. It is then that we gain _______________
• v-5 - "Get WISDOM, get understanding." We can only gain wisdom by experience or by the teachings of the Holy Ghost.. Wisdom is knowing why and how knowledge effects us. 

As we follow this pattern; what is the blessing that the Lord wants us to achieve?

• v-12 - "When thou goest, thy steps shall not be straightened (NOT DISTRESSED); and when thou runnest, thou shalt NOT STUMBLE."
• v-13 - "Take fast, hold of instructions; let her not go; keep her; for she is thy LIFE."
• v-18 - "But the path of the just is as the shining LIGHT, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.

Everything goes back to the Plan of Salvation. Why are we here? Does my life here have a meaning other than the few years I'm here? How does my life here effect my life with God? 

As I ponder the answer to these questions my heart swells as if it will burst; my love for my Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ becomes so strong that there is nothing they can ask that I will not do. I know who I am. I know why I'm here. And I know where I'm going. 

I encourage each of you to ponder on this and then do as the Lord says will bring us life and light; that is to get knowledge, obey his commandments and you will be blessed with wisdom and (eternal) life and light.

I know these things are true. I have put them to the test and the Lord has blessed me beyond measure. This is my testimony, that He lives and loves us. I say these thing in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.