Increased Spirituality in Seven Simple Steps

As his were the seven steps that inspired my idea of doing this post weekly, I only feel it to be appropriate that I open my "seven simple steps" series with the "Seven Small and Simple Things" my Stake President introduced to our stake shortly after receiving his calling four years ago.

As our spiritual thought of the week, Alma 37:6, states: "...by small and simple things are great things brought to pass..." Thus, here we have seven small things to help each of us increase our spirituality:

1. Personal prayer morning and evening
2. Family prayer morning and evening
3. Personal scripture study daily
4. Family scripture study at least five days a week
5. Hold Family Home Evening every Monday night
6. Attend church as a family every week
7. Attend the temple at least once monthly

Now, I understand that this list were be more aptly named "Six (or five) simple things and one (or two) very difficult things". While these are all very basic things to do, they are not always easy to do. Here are some tips, both from my personal experience and the experience and advice of those I have talked to.

First, I understand that not everyone is part of a family group. This makes all of the family steps much more difficult. In fact, when my Stake President was pondering over this, he prayed fervently about what to do with my ward (at the time I was in a single adult ward where many members had no family in the area); he was told that the list needed to remain as it was. In the Church, we are all a family. Family prayer, family scripture study and Family Home Evening can be done with a group of people who become your spiritual family. In fact, for a while I was stuck at home, fairly bed-bedridden after a surgery, and was unable to make daily scripture study with my normal group; I was able to find a group of sisters online who had a scripture study blog-they would all read the same thing daily and then post their thoughts and feelings about it when they finished.

Some may not hold a current temple recommend or are preparing to become worthy to attend the temple. I testify that there is a special spirit about the temple; you do not have to be inside performing temple work to be touched and influenced by the spirit. A trip to the temple grounds is spiritually uplifting and beneficial. I understand that for those who do not live within a comfortable drive to the temple this can be much more of a challenge; I encourage you to do your best in temple attendance.

I know these seven things can increase ones spirituality; I know this because from the time I committed to myself to do these things blamelessly, I have been changed. I am closer to the spirit and I feel his promptings more readily. While this was inspired advice for my stake, I know that these things can help any who make a point of doing them.

May each of us put our best foot forward in faith to the Lord. I encourage each of you to implement the "seven simple things" in your own life-you will be blessed.

* *Rae* *