How often I day I think, "Heavenly Father do you really want me to do it that way? Because I'm pretty sure I like it this way better." Throughout my life I feel I have had to learn the same lesson over and over again: Heavenly Father knows me better and has a better view of what's ahead for me. As I read Jacob 4 the other day I was reminded of this again. 

I found myself down on my knees asking Heavenly Father for some guidance, starting with a resounding "why?" I opened my scriptures and came to Jacob 4:10

"Wherefore, brethren, see not to counsel the Lord, but to take counsel from his hand. For behold ye yourselves know that he counseleth in wisdom, and in justice, and in great mercy, over all his works."

I can't figure out the reason this lesson seems to be so hard to grasp. Not only does our Heavenly Father knows what's best for us, but Christ's hands bear the markings. When Jesus Christ atoned for us, He felt exactly what we feel, went through what we go through in the way we go through it. Shouldn't He then be more than capable to counsel us? 

This year, as we make our resolutions, why not ask Him what He would have us do to draw closer to Him?

There Shall be No Darkness

In Helaman 14 Samuel prophecies of the birth of Christ. It's the primary song we all sing "Said Samuel within 5 years...." Right?  This is what he says:

"3 And behold, this will I give unto you for a sign at the time of his coming; for behold, there shall be great lights in heaven, insomuch that in the night before he cometh there shall be no darkness, insomuch that it shall appear unto man as if it was day.

 4 Therefore, there shall be one day and a night and a day, as if it were one day and there were no night; and this shall be unto you for a sign; for ye shall know of the rising of the sun and also of its setting; therefore they shall know of a surety that there shall be two days and a night; nevertheless the night shall not be darkened; and it shall be the night before he is born.

 5 And behold, there shall a new star arise, such an one as ye never have beheld; and this also shall be a sign unto you."

So first, the best part to realize is that the night before the Light of the World came down, there was no darkness. That is what Christ does for us. He takes away the darkness from our lives on the condition that we let Him. He has lighted our life and offers to light the lives of those around, through us. That is the gift of Christ.

But look at what Samuel says again. Why was there no night? Because 'so great were the lights in Heaven.' That was US! We were the ones up in Heaven lighting up the world to let them know Christ was going to be born. Our task down here is to do the same. WE are to light up the world and let them know that Christ has been born, He has redeemed us from sin and death, and He lives! That is the light we are to share. We are responsible to bring the light of Christ, our own light to others so that just as there was no night on earth, there will be no night in someone else's life.