What would it be like to have the spirit flow into and through you at all times and in everything you do? God has given a tremendous promise to all who will declare what they declare in his name in solemnity of heart and in meekness:
7 But a commandment I give unto you, that ye shall declare whatsoever thing ye declare in my name, in solemnity of heart, in the spirit of meekness, in all things.
8 And I give unto you this promise, that inasmuch as ye do this the Holy Ghost shall be shed forth in bearing record unto all things whatsoever ye shall say. (D&C 100)
To declare does not just mean to speak. The Hebrew definitions of words translated as testify and declare also mean to demonstrate, and the Lord explicitly defined what you say as your desires, thoughts, and actions.7
What you say and do should align fully with what you feel and believe. When what you feel, think, and do are fully aligned with each other, you maximize the conduit through which the light of God can flow in and through you. To the extent your feelings, thoughts, or actions are out of alignment with one another, you can be assured that you are experiencing less than the full measure of joy, peace, and growth that God wants for you.8
During his mortal life, the Lord walked in the full power of the spirit because everything he said, did, and felt was the full measure of his sincere belief of what the Father would do in his place, based on everything he had learned about him.9
To speak the words of eternal life is to seek, know, and do what the Lord would in your place. He calls us to learn and live his purpose, just as he learned and lived the Father’s purpose.10
Footnotes
- 1. How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? (Romans 10:14) ↩
- 2. ...Only one who actually carries out the works of Christ will obtain the blessings attending the works of Christ. (James 1:25, Author’s Reflection) For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it. (Hebrews 4:2) ↩
- 3. There are so many scriptures whose value is severely restricted by poor English translation. Here’s one: “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.” (Psalms 119:11) This does not mean that memorizing scripture prevents you from sin. The Spanish translation is closer to the intent: “En mi corazón he guardado tus dichos, para no pecar contra ti.” Literally: “In my heart I keep your word, so as not to sin against you.” The word “keep” here is the same one used in the phrase, “keep my commandments.” The English translation leaves a lot of room for committing all the same mistakes of the Pharisees, who managed to focus on outward acts while neglecting the more important inward motive, all the while doing all sorts of terrible things “in between” the rules of the law. These same failings are repeated all over common Christianity. ↩
- 4. But what think ye? A certain man had two sons; and he came to the first, and said, Son, go work to day in my vineyard. He answered and said, I will not: but afterward he repented, and went. And he came to the second, and said likewise. And he answered and said, I go, sir: and went not. Whether of them twain did the will of his father? They say unto him, The first. Jesus saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That the publicans and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you. (Matthew 21:28-31) ↩
- 5. Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures. (James 1:18) ↩
- 6. He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him. (1 John 2:4-5) ↩
- 7. A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things. But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned. (Matthew 12:35-37) ↩
- 8. Any man whose feelings, thoughts, and actions are fully aligned is a man achieving his full potential. (James 3:2, Author’s Reflection) ↩
- 9. For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak. And I know that his commandment is life everlasting: whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the Father said unto me, so I speak. (John 12:49-50) ↩
- 10. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. (Matthew 11:29) ↩