Brigham Young University (BYU) is operated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, often mistakenly called the “Mormon Church.” As part of their undergraduate coursework, BYU students take multiple semesters of spiritually uplifting, stimulating religion classes.
Here, in this column, students enrolled in scripture study classes have shared their thoughts, insights, and reflections on the New Testament and gospel of Jesus Christ in the form of letters to someone they know. In publishing these, we fulfill their desire to witness to all of us of the relevance, power, and beauty of the New Testament, and God’s plan of happiness for each of us. We invite you to take a look at their epiphanies and discoveries as they delve into the scriptures. Let us know how these may help you in your own life. Share them with a friend.
Mormonism: Promptings
In Acts 27, Paul extends a warning, saying “Sirs, I perceive that this voyage will be with hurt and much damage, not only of the lading and ship, but also of our lives.” Unfortunately, “the centurion believed the master and the owner of the ship, more than those things which were spoken by Paul.”
It is far too easy to trust ourselves as we make decisions, thinking we know more about our situation rather than the Holy Ghost as we ignore passing promptings. This story comes to a head in verse 20-21, when “neither sun nor stars in many days appeared, and no small tempest lay on us, all hope that we should be saved was then taken away. But after long abstinence Paul stood forth in the midst of them, and said, Sirs, ye should have hearkened unto me, and not have loosed from Crete, and to have gained this harm and loss.”
I often find myself being given promptings and warnings, sometimes very clearly. Each time I am tempted to let them go, to continue on with what I am doing. I always regret it if I fail to listen. We should hearken unto the promptings we receive from the Holy Ghost, even if we are tempted to rationalize them away when they don’t seem to make sense or be applicable in the given situation. If we do not, we will know as the consequences face us that we should have hearkened unto them in order to prevent a harm or loss that will surely ensue.
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