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Written by Joel Randall church news
When King Benjamin was told by an angel to wake up, he said this in the Book of Mormon: “I woke up, and, behold, he was standing before me” (Mosiah 3:2). But the angel’s invitation was extended again in the next verse. “Awake and hear the words I say to you.”
“Maybe King Benjamin was thinking, ‘Wait a minute, I already said I’m awake,'” said Elder Ricardo P. Jimenez of the General Authority Seventy. “But even though he had his eyes open, the angel was inviting him to open his heart and awaken his soul to understand what he was about to share.”
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Elder Ricardo P. Jimenez of the General Authority Seventy speaks during a BYU-Idaho devotional on Tuesday, March 26, 2024, at the I Center in Rexburg, Idaho. Photo by Lydia Ramsey, courtesy of BYU-Idaho. All rights reserved.
At a BYU-Idaho devotion on Tuesday, March 26, Elder Jimenez said being “spiritually awake,” or paying attention to spiritual promptings, can lead to greater direction and strength. He told students and faculty that he would bring a sense of security.
His wife, Sister Catherine Jimenez, also spoke briefly, saying that those who liken the scriptures to themselves (see 1 Nephi 19:23) feel Heavenly Father’s love for them and come to a deeper understanding of the Savior’s Atonement. I promised.
Elder Jimenez said, “Ensuring that you are ‘awake’ will be helpful throughout your life, especially as you seek additional help, guidance, and reassurance.”
What does it mean to be “spiritually awake”?
According to Elder Jimenez, there are 17 references to “wake up” in the Book of Mormon, including the invitation to “wake up from deep sleep” (2 Nephi 1:13) and “wake up!” . “And rise up from the dust” (2 Nephi 1:14) and “Awake, awake, be strong” (2 Nephi 8:24).
Being “spiritually awake” means paying attention to spiritual promptings, seeking to follow Jesus Christ, or recognizing that Jesus Christ’s help is available .
Elder Jimenez said not listening to spiritual guidance is like wearing headphones that block out the sounds around you. When saints are distracted or not focused on the Lord, they can miss God’s counsel.
“Sometimes we may think we’re awake, paying attention, and aware of what’s going on in our lives and around us, but the noise canceling feature turns on. “That’s not really the case because I’m still using headphones that are,” he said. Listen to what our Heavenly Father is trying to tell us. ”
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Elder Ricardo P. Jimenez of the General Authority Seventy speaks during a BYU-Idaho devotional on Tuesday, March 26, 2024, at the I Center in Rexburg, Idaho. Photo by Lydia Ramsey, courtesy of BYU-Idaho. All rights reserved.
“Heavenly Father is in the details of our lives.”
One Saturday, after returning home from a ward activity, Elder Jimenez’s 6-year-old daughter anxiously explained that she had lost her pink “Right Choices” bracelet.
The elder Jimenez didn’t think this was a big concern at first, since he had no problem buying new ones. But the weight of her daughter’s loss of her bracelet became clear when she asked them to pray with her to find it.
“At that moment,” he said. From a global perspective, it is insignificant. ”
The next day, before the Sunday morning meeting, Elder Jimenez was urged to park in the middle of the church parking lot instead of on the street where he usually parks. He then noticed a pink object on the ground. It’s a lost bracelet.
By paying attention to the Spirit and being “awake,” he learns that “there is someone who loves us and cares for us,” and that Heavenly Father is willing to be involved in even the seemingly insignificant things. I have a deeper understanding of what God has given me.
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BYU-Idaho students speak with Elder Ricardo P. Jimenez of the General Authority Seventy after a devotional at the I Center on Tuesday, March 26, 2024 in Rexburg, Idaho. Photo by Michael Lewis, courtesy of BYU-Idaho. All rights reserved.
freedom from bondage
The Book of Mormon testifies that: Please deliver you from bondage. ” (Mosiah 7:33)
This includes freedom from “not just physical imprisonment,” Elder Jimenez said. “It also includes other types of bondage, such as physical, emotional, and spiritual bondage.”
He says that a person’s “bondage” is not necessarily a big mistake or sin. It can be small things like social media, video games, low self-awareness, false beliefs, etc. that keep a person from being reliably “woke.”
Overcoming feelings of not being good enough
Distractions and daily busyness can make it difficult to be spiritually awake and responsive to spiritual promptings. However, the manual For the Strength of Youth recommends: That’s normal. Turn to the Savior, especially in times like these. He is the “strength of youth.” ”
Elder Jimenez added: “When you feel like you are not good enough, you may be focusing on yourself. But when you turn to the Lord, you will find a way, awaken to your potential, and tap into the guidance and inspiration of the Holy Spirit. You will be able to receive it.”
He encouraged his audience to turn to Christ because “Christ knows how to help us.” The Savior knows the potential and challenges of His children, and He empowers them through His Atonement.
Elder Jimenez said: “If the Lord is at the center of our lives, we not only have access to the saving power of His atoning sacrifice, but we also have access to the possibilities He gives us to help us with our decisions, challenges, and decisions. You will also have access to the power to become a lifelong disciple of Jesus Christ, giving us strength, guidance, and hope to continue our journey as lifelong disciples of Jesus Christ. ”
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