Be an Example and a Light -- Part Five

"Our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and in our Heavenly Father will influence all that we do. Amidst the confusion of our age, the conflicts of conscience, and the turmoil of daily living, an abiding faith becomes an anchor to our lives. Remember that faith and doubt cannot exist in the same mind at the same time, for one will dispel the other. I reiterate what we have been told repeatedly—that in order to gain and to keep the faith we need, it is essential that we read and study and ponder the scriptures. Communication with our Heavenly Father through prayer is vital. We cannot afford to neglect these things, for the adversary and his hosts are relentlessly seeking for a chink in our armor, a lapse in our faithfulness. Said the Lord, “Search diligently, pray always, and be believing, and all things shall work together for your good.”"

-- President Thomas S. Monson, Be an Example and a Light, October 2015

I love this quote!  I added the emphasis.  I've said this many times in my blog and President Monson just said it again -- reading, studying, and pondering the Scriptures and praying are vital to gaining and keeping faith.

Interesting that he uses the word vital.  I don't think the Prophet chooses his words haphazardly.  Coming from a medical background the word vital to me has to do with life and death.  For example, vital organs are essential or you die if they aren't functioning properly.  Vital signs are indicative of how your vital organs are functioning.  President Monson here uses the word vital to indicate the importance of prayer and scripture study.  They are vital to our spiritual nourishment and growth.

Prayer is our way of communicating with our Heavenly Father, and scripture study is His way of communicating with us. I love the use of the word vital in that context.  Because without prayer and scripture study, we die spiritually.

And in the grand scheme of things, spiritual death is far worse than physical death.  Gaining and keeping our faith through prayer and scripture study are vital!  I absolutely love that prophetic counsel and his amazing use of the English language.

I hope we will all follow the Prophet's counsel to study our scriptures and pray daily as they are vital to our spiritual survival.

That's my two cents.