Are you Hearing or Doing?

Last night I was working on my Personal Progress in Young Women.  I read this scripture in James 1:22-27 “But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves….”  I’ve heard this scripture over and over, but it finally resonated with me.  I have understood the teachings of the gospel and many of them are repeated over and over.  For example, I know that to keep my family safe and have the greatest chance of having my family stay on the right path and having them forever, I must do these 3 basics things:  Read scriptures daily, have family prayer daily, and have Family Home Evening once a week.  Simple, like looking at a staff, yet sometimes not easy to do.  Too much of life gets in the way.

I have been a “hearer” of this for many years and have been a “doer” very inconsistently.  Hearing these things, I can teach them and share them, but what good is it if I am not DOING it?  I am deceiving myself into thinking that I am doing good and “trying” when I am really not.

On Sunday I attended another ward where Jadon was singing.  The speakers talked about staying firm during adversity and Kreg Harrison talked about holding on to the Iron Rod.  I’ve thought of myself to be somewhat of an “iron rod” expert, yet I’ve realized that I’m not as good as I think I am. ;o)  However, it hit me that day that the scripture reading that I have been doing consistently over the last few years is exactly that– holding on.

Later on Sunday, I was talking to Paul about scripture reading and I told him that I was a week ahead of schedule to finish the Bible by the end of the year.  He said, “oh, good.  That will be a nice break.”

I said, “Oh, no!  I can’t afford to take a break, I will just start all over with the Book of Mormon.  I love reading everyday so much and really, I can’t afford to ‘let go’ of the rod.  It’s all the strength I have right now.”

Having said that, I think that is why, last night, I realized the importance of being a DOER and not just a HEARER.   We have to be DOING in order to be saved.  It is our WORKS that are judged, not what we HEARD.

Leslie teaches this a lot in her Home Study Course.  You have to plan and think and believe, but if you don’t get up and DO something, it will never come to you.  An example she uses:  You can plan your trip and pack and get in the car, but if you don’t turn it on and put it in gear, the Lord cannot direct your path.  He can’t move a parked car. You have to DO something, anything….just get moving.  Get in gear!!

There is nothing better you can DO than to read the scriptures daily.  As for me, again, I will recommit myself to the 3 basic things that I should be doing with my family.  Their eternal salvation and my peace of mind are worth it, especially as I see all the darkness in the world surrounding them.  Time to be part of the good part and go and DO!