Be Quick to Connect — Helaman 7–12 — Life Experienced with Terri Anne Flint

Come, Follow Me: Book of Mormon 2024 (September 2-8)

Sporty man and woman with grey hair stretching on yoga mats with hands to one leg during outdoors workout.

One of the greatest disappointments in life is that the benefits of one day of exercise does not last longer than one day. Wouldn’t it be grand if we could do just one long walk or one vigorous workout and those wonderful health benefits would last a month or even a week? But no, by repeated experience I know that physical strength and endurance is only maintained with consistent, daily effort.

The Helaman chapters teach this same truth as it applies to our spiritual strength and endurance. Without regular “exercise” in faith, we quickly lose our focus on what matters most and get caught up in the pride of the world.

“Yea, how quick to be lifted up in pride; yea, how quick to boast and do all manner of that which is iniquity; and how slow are they to remember the Lord their God, and to give ear unto his counsels, yea, how slow to walk in wisdom’s paths!” (Helaman 12:5).

Have you noticed how quickly a spiritual sacrament meeting can be displaced with the news of the day as you look at your phone walking down the hall to Sunday School? Or a morning of special scripture study is easily forgotten with a problem at work or a budget crisis? Even a sacred temple experience can be seriously diluted with a “bad driver” encounter as we make our way home. The “unsteadiness” of our hearts, as described by Helaman, was real in his time, and especially true in our time with flashing distractions always in view.

Finding ways to stay connected with God throughout the day is like finding ways to be physically active. Both require intention, awareness and choice. Both are essential to our health, mortal and eternal.

“With frightening speed, a testimony that is not nourished daily “by the good word of God” can crumble. Thus, the antidote to Satan’s scheme is clear: we need daily experiences worshipping the Lord and studying His gospel. I plead with you to let God prevail in your life. Give Him a fair share of your time. As you do, notice what happens to your positive spiritual momentum” (Russell M. Nelson).

Do Hard Divinely Better Lesson #33: Find ways to stay connected with God throughout your day, especially when you’re prospering and at ease.