Tools Part 3

Just a few more random thoughts about the use of spiritual tools:

*I should use the right tool for the task.  It doesn't work well to peel a potato with a power washer or a garlic press even though those are useful tools.  In a like manner, I shouldn't try to mend a bit of a depressed spirit with a spiritual gift/tool, such as--say, the gift of tongues. If I'm hanging by a limb off of a cliff, scripture reading is not the tool I should try to employ.   I recognize that those are incredibly extreme examples, but my thoughts are that if there is a problem to solve, some tools are more fit for the job than others.  And perhaps my thoughts are more along the lines of solving my problems with spiritual tools rather than tools of the world.  Given all of the cool tools out there, still the best one for peeling potatoes is one that is designed to peel potatoes.

*Often problems take more than one tool. Even after I've peeled the potato, I usually have to go in with a paring knife to remove other impurities. I can't just pray a problem away--in my experience, I also have to search the scriptures and put into action ideas given by the Holy Ghost, as well other things depending on the problem.  I am wise to make use of the many spiritual tools available to me.

(Sorry it's so blurry; hope you can still get the idea.)

*I kept one of the potatoes from my Primary lesson and let it sit on my counter top for a few weeks.  As it sat there, I observed that it is much easier to apply the Atonement (and other spiritual gifts) earlier rather than later.  A new crisp potato is much easier to peel than a-growing-soft one. If I can, I should always opt for the easier job. It saves so much time and emotional energy for other things.

*As Debbie pointed out in a comment, we sometimes go into back up/emergency battery mode.  This surely will be the case in a very mortal experience.  I feel like I've been there a great deal since Caleb got his mission call.  But, at some point I cross into a dangerous situation where I am not as easily helped back into peace of mind/conscious and joyous living.  I need to be able to recognize when my emergency battery signal is flashing at me and take appropriate action.

*The wonderful thing about spiritual tools is that they are useful in many situations.  Obedience, repentance, prayer, scripture study etc. can all be put to use for solving many of my problems.  They are not isolated and can all add value to my task or maintaining peace of conscious.

Here is an illustration of how the development of many modern day tools and inventions have blessed our lives.  It is directions from a recipe book printed in 1879.

"To secure nice butter for the table in winter:

In October and November, engage butter to be brought weekly, fresh from the churn in rolls.  Wrap each roll in a piece of old table cloth, and put in a sweet firkin or stone jar which has been washed with soda water, scalded and sunned for a month before using.  Pour over it a clear strong brine, which also must have been prepared at least a week beforehand, by pouring off the settlings and repeated strainings.  Have a nice flat rock washed and weight the butter down with it, being careful to keep it always under the brine."

In the same way that Heavenly Father has poured His knowledge on earth towards the creation of physical tools, His spirit is also flooding the earth with spiritual tools that we can use. He has given us many physical and spiritual tools in these last days--all of which I need to use be efficient and effective.

One of the scriptures that Angel Moroni repeated four times to Joseph Smith was Joel 2:28-29:  "And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions:  And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit."

Sister Beck said of this scripture:  "The ability to qualify for, receive, and act on personal revelation is the single most important skill that can be acquired in this life."

That gives me a glimpse of what kind of spiritual power tools I have available to simplify and bless my life. 

Making butter and preparing my firkin seems so much more difficult than my current luxury of acquiring purchased butter. I likewise would be wise to make use of as many spiritual tools as I can they will simplify and enrich my life.