by David E Bay, High Councilor

Looking out of my window, I can see the leaves on trees changing their colors and falling off. The colors on the mountainside are a beautiful part of this wonderful world. The recent drop in temperature has helped me appreciate the warm and sunny days we’ve had even more. Having an attitude of gratitude is crucial in life. When we adopt a thankful approach, we begin to see the world through different eyes. As the season changes, winter is approaching. Despite the cold weather that comes with it, we can prepare ourselves and even thrive during this season.

Jesus taught us that we could recognize the signs of the times and his second coming, just as we can anticipate the changing of the seasons. President Russell M. Nelson has reminded us, “Our Savior and Redeemer, Jesus Christ, will perform some of His mightiest works between now and when He comes again. We will see miraculous indications that God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, preside over this Church in majesty and glory. But in coming days, it will not be possible to survive spiritually without the guiding, directing, comforting, and constant influence of the Holy Ghost.”

Spending time in a meditative state can help us connect with our Heavenly Father. The scriptures teach us to “Be still and know that I am God.”(Psalm 46:10) In the October General Conference, Elder Gong shared, “As we recognize Jesus Christ at the heart of temple covenants, we refer less to ‘going to the temple’ and more to ‘coming to Jesus Christ in the house of the Lord.’”

My sweetheart, Coleen, and I are currently working on a painting project in our house. These activities remind me of my Grandpa Bay, who always emphasized the importance of doing everything with exactness. He believed that preparation was key and that for many jobs, including painting walls, the preparation should take longer than actually doing the final steps, such as applying the paint. Grandpa Bay would ensure that the wall was perfectly smooth and sanded, and he would work out any defects with the wall before even considering painting it. When the wall was ready, he could begin to apply the final paint job.

Preparation can have physical and tangible aspects, but to be rock solid its foundation must be spiritual. Prophets have taught us the importance of being prepared, not just for emergencies, but also to continue serving God and our neighbors. A strong spiritual foundation is the most crucial aspect of our preparation, as it enables us to be ready for anything. As baptized members of The Church of Jesus Christ, we have each been blessed with the gift of the Holy Ghost. He will tell us individual things that we need to take care of. Therefore, when we prioritize our spiritual preparation, we can be ready for any situation that comes our way. The Lord has given us a plan of action for the Church as a whole, but we can also receive individual direction tailored to the needs of ourselves and our families.

When we listen to the prophets, it is important to pray for understanding about what we, both as individuals and as families, need to do to prepare ourselves. By doing so, we will receive guidance and be better equipped to face the trials that lie ahead. The upcoming days may bring great challenges and cause many to feel fearful and uncertain. However, if we do what we know is right, we can look forward to being among the righteous who welcome the Savior to our world.

Image from Wikimedia Commons, the free media repository