I Need Thee Every Hour

"I Need Thee Every Hour/Señor Te Necesito

  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pXoK9ZkLovc 

 (Or a more formal version :) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X )

 We need Christ EVERY hour! Leaning on last week's thoughts, regarding how there is so much going on in the world around us; in Doctrine & Covenants 46:8-9, Jesus counsels us saying, "Wherefore, beware lest ye are deceived; and that ye may not be deceived seek ye earnestly the best gifts, always remembering for what they are given. 

 "For verily I say unto you, they are given for the benefit of those who love me and keep all my commandments, and him that seeketh so to do; that all may be benefited that seek or that ask of me, that ask and not for a sign that they may consume it upon their lusts." (emphasis added). The following several verses list many wonderful gifts God has given to His children. But these aren't all the gifts. I think it would be impossible to list all the gifts He's given to each of us. 

 A few points I think of in these verses are:

 1) We all are given gifts. (See Moroni 10:8-19). God has given each of us gifts and talents, "And all these gifts come from God, for the benefit of the children of God" (D&C 46:26).

 2) I've also learned for myself, that if there is a gift I desire, I can sincerely pray for that gift and seek to develop it. All of our gifts are different. None surpassing another in value. For example, in verses 19-20, it says, "...to some it is given to have faith to be healed; And to others it is given to have faith to heal." So is it more faithful to have the power to heal, than to have faith to be healed? No, it's not.

3)  You can review your patriarchal blessing and see the gifts God has given to you. If you haven't received your patriarchal blessing, I would strongly encourage you to consider it. Pray about it. study about what a patriarchal blessing is and where it comes from. (Links at bottom of page!) Talk to your bishop to see how you can receive your blessing.

 I find guidance, encouragement, counsel and strength every time I read my blessing. It has helped me to see a more clear direction of who I am and where I should go in my life. I know that these blessings are directly from Heavenly Father who knows me, and you, far better than we know ourselves. He knows what I'm going to go through in my life. He knows what I'll need to hear in pivotal moments in my life. He knows what I can become. And through my patriarchal blessing, He has given me guidance of what I can do to be prepared for what He needs me for in this life and in the next.

 Everyone's blessing is different, but the unchangeable part is that it comes directly from our Heavenly Father who knows and loves each one of us. 

 Read through D&C 46:10-26 and consider what blessings you've been given. Ponder and pray to know how you can better develop your gifts and how you can use them to bless your life and the lives of those around you; to build up the Kingdom of God. 

 With love and prayers, 

 Jillene Smith

  Patriarchal Blessing Links https://history.churchofjesuschrist.org/faq/library/patriarchal-blessings?lang=eng