Hey all! This is Josie! Right now I am preparing to serve a mission just like mi hermana Sharlee! I tell ya she is an amazing person! So right now I am taking an Old Testament class, which is helping me prepare for a mission, and I felt like I would share some of the things that I have studied.
In 1 Kings 3:9-28, King Solomon at the beginning of these verses asks for an understanding heart in one of his prayers to the Lord. This pleases the Lord very much because Solomon asked not for riches, or for power, but to be able to just understand. To me this is very amazing because Solomon, I think, just wanted to judge his people in a way that would be pleasing to the Lord. And this of course pleased the Lord very much, because he did not ask for anything of material value. Which leads me to a thought that I have I think that as we go throughout our lives many of us get caught up in material things, and what is the hottest trend etc. For instance a person might have asked the Lord for more money, or to be popular in his area of expertise. But, it takes a person who has followed the Lord to know what is of greater importance, like Solomon asking for an understanding heart. He knew that he would not be able to take with him to the next life money, clothes, or anything that satisfies the person temporarily. He knew that what we take to the next life is what we learn, and what we have achieved mentally and spiritually.
Solomon was able to show his people that he had an understanding heart through the experience of the two women. The one had accidentally laid on her baby, and the other still had a living child. So, the first woman stole the second woman's child in the night. However, when the second woman woke up in the morning she knew that her baby was with the first woman, so they took it to the king. King Solomon then prayed to the Lord to know what to do and his answer was to divide the baby in half, and see who would defend the poor child. The second woman of course spoke up and he was able to understand, with the understanding heart that the Lord had given him, that she was the true mother (1 Kings 3:16-27). He was able to show unto these women that he was a just and understanding ruler.
As I have thought about the example of Solomon, and how he prayed to have an understanding heart I thought about how I could apply this principle in my life. How can I be more understanding to my fellowmen, to my siblings, to my parents, and to my friends? I should realize that they are not perfect, and make mistakes. I should realize that we are all spiritual brothers and sisters, and with this knowledge be loving and kind to those around me. One of my bishops (the leader of our congregation) told me that if I tell myself that each of the people that I come into contact with everyday is going through something hard I would most likely be correct. Thus, I should be more kind, and understanding. In 1 Corinthians 12:31 it say that the Lord will show unto you a more excellent way. In my opinion this means that the Lord has a greater plan, and knows what we need. We should not second guess his plan. He is the great creator, and he knows.
So, as I have studied I have come across the following scriptures in Doctrine and Covenants 46: 8, 28, and 30. These scriptures are that of advice to the Lord's children (us). They tell us that if we want to develop spiritual gifts like Solomon did all we have to do is ask with a sincere heart, and have faith that the Lord will provide, and of course do everything in our power to help this come to pass.
As the following scriptures 1 Kings 4:1-25, and 1 Samuel 11-20 have clearly portrayed, if you follow the Lord, our Heavenly Father you will be blessed. If you do not follow him then bad things come to pass.
Anyway! That is some of the things that I learned from my study! I hope that I was not boring to you (the reader).
Over and out!
-Josie
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