Straight and Narrow

Sweetheart and I had a discussion last night about being willing to sacrifice and to follow the plan that God has set for us. We talked about how sometimes the unknown will cause us to shrink from asking for God's will. It reminds me of a scriptures that says, "the straitness of the path, and the narrowness of the gate, by which they should enter, he having set the example before them." The he is Jesus Christ.

An example in the Bible of such a man that was willing to seek, sacrifice, and follow God's will was Josiah.

Josiah is an more unknown man in the Bible (2 Kings 22-23). His story shows his conversion to the gospel of Jesus Christ. He showed how leadership can change a nation. He made great sacrifice to have his people AND the Northern Kingdom to return to God.

Here is a video that explains the story of Josiah. Josiah's father was an idol worshiper and participated in human sacrifice. The beginning of the video show a representation of this. This is a warning so that you will not be shocked.

Joseph B Wirthlin talked about staying on the straight and narrow.

 King Josiah was a king of Judah who reigned in righteousness. When he was only eight years old, he succeeded his father as king. Scripture tells us that although he was just a boy, Josiah “did that which was right in the sight of the Lord, … and turned not aside to the right hand or to the left.” (2 Kgs. 22:2.)

The Lord revealed to the Prophet Joseph Smith, “For God doth not walk in crooked paths, neither doth he turn to the right hand nor to the left, neither doth he vary from that which he hath said, therefore his paths are straight, and his course is one eternal round.” (D&C 3:2.)

Even though these teachings of the Savior are plain and direct, we are still at risk of getting sidetracked. Some people choose to follow the teachings of the Lord and of his living prophet only when convenient, but reject them when sacrifice or deeper commitment is required. Some fail to follow only because his divine teachings do not agree with their own preconceived notions. (Source)

 In the end of our conversation last night, Sweetheart said to me, "If you don't ask, how can you change. We already know it will be hard, but the reward is so worth it. We've been promised." The promise is when covenants are made with God the Father and Jesus Christ "then are ye in this strait and narrow path which leads to eternal life....unto the fulfilling of the promise which he hath made, that if ye entered in by the way ye should receive." And for me in parenting, this promise is to have the peace of mind of knowing that I am doing my best. Taking the first step and asking always the hardest. And last night I took the first step.