How do you maintain your commitment to the Lord?

[lost87]

I am looking for different ways that people maintain the desire to follow the Lord and do all the right things (read scriptures daily, pray often, attend church, etc.). I find myself going through phases where I'll be really committed to doing all those things and living a truly LDS life, but it only lasts for a little while and then its as if I couldn't care less. How do you keep that desire to continue on in righteousness?

[mlbrowninwa]

For me going to church each week renews my commitment. Normally by the end of the week I am pretty drained spiritually. I don't want to go every week, but once I'm there I'm always glad I came and leave feeling refreshed and ready to face the week again. I also make it a point daily to have a prayer/listening time with Heavenly Father. It is in the morning before work most days, but at night every now and then. I will pray and sit and listen quietly for about 30 minutes. I have really grown my testimony since I have been doing that.

Those sessions help me stay focused on what I am doing and the commitments that I have made. It is very hard some days not to revert back to some of my old ways. But through prayer, church, and reading scriptures daily, I find that I am able to stay on that narrow path.

[Tarnished]

Much as mlbrowninwa said I go to church, but I also pray for help to remember to do what I should be doing, and strength to do it even when I don't feel like doing it. And when I pray for help I find that if I reach the end of the day and have not done what I should have, (pray, read scriptures) I get a little reminder thought, "I forgot to read scriptures or say prayers" and I then have the choice on whether or not to follow that thought. I tend to rely on the Lord's help often because I am weak.

[rameumptom]

I think it is like building muscles. If you just bench press all the time, your muscles will strengthen, but eventually you plateau. In fact, once you plateau, there is a big chance you will lose some muscle mass.

A good workout set includes cross training. You have to work different sets of muscles, which tends to strengthen the entire body better than if you just focus on a specific set of muscles and exercises.

For instance, reading the scriptures can inspire us. However, if we just read them over and over, we get lazy in reading the scriptures and eventually we plateau spiritually. It is at this juncture that we have to figure out ways to increase the quality of scripture study. Instead of reading them straight through, try studying by theme. Read a few verses, and then write in a scripture journal your thoughts on those verses and why they are important to you. Discuss scriptural concepts with others, to enhance your own understanding, so the next time you read the scriptures, you see them from a new perspective.

Don't be afraid to challenge your spiritual muscles, by just getting into discussions of a very basic nature. Seek to understand the doctrines on a deeper level (doctrines, not speculations). For example, many people know the first principles and ordinances of the gospel are Faith in Christ, Repentance, Baptism, Gift of the Holy Ghost. But have you ever done an intense study on each of these? Spend one or two months studying each of these topics, reading the related items in the scriptures, discussing them online, and perhaps reading a few scholarly books (both LDS and non-LDS). You'll be surprised at how your appreciation increases.

I will pick one or two themes in a year on non-scriptural things I wish to study. A couple years ago, I began studying birds. I really became fascinated with the study. Did you know there are over 40 types of feathers, including eyebrows and lashes? I learned some of the local bird calls, so even if I couldn't see them, I could recognize them and enjoy the birds. I bought a camera with a 10X optical lens, so I can photograph them and identify them later. I've found several birds in my area that I never supposed would be here, and others that I wasn't even aware of their existence. I appreciate nature much more since I became an amateur/novice student of it.

So it is with the gospel. We have to become gospel students/scholars. Ever searching for more information and knowledge. We need to seek learning from the best books, by study and by faith (revelation). As we learn new things, it helps us appreciate the scriptural teachings in new ways.

We can find new ways to improve our prayers. Try prayers that last 1/2 hour or more on occasion, just to stretch yourself. Try prayers of gratitude, where you do not ask for anything, you just give thanks. Try waiting on the Lord for 1/2 an hour, sitting quietly and meditating, allowing him to commune with you if He wishes. Prepare for prayer and scripture study by singing a hymn, etc. Make a list of the things you wish to pray over and people to pray for. Be specific in requests and questions.

When you fast, try fasting from more than just food and water. Fast from your television and video games, etc. Give up something very important for a day.

And in Church meetings, quietly pray for the speaker/instructor.

Any and all of these can reinvigorate a plateaued testimony.

[dazed-and-confused]

i agree with ram, it is like building muscles.

also, dont worry too much about feeling guilty or getting down on yourself because you think that you arent doing everything you think you should be doing. THAT can be very dangerous.

as an addictive personality, i am able to recocgnise certain "habits" i have used in order to..indulge in my addictions.

try to use some of those to bolster your spirituality......some include, the people you hang with...the music you listen to or any number of other things that you do when you ARE feeling the spirit.

i know it's easy then, and not so much when you just dont feel that "into it".

you are fighting a war within yourself that MANY others have fought, and ARE fighting, so dont feel alone, on the contrary, share some of your battles with others. you might be surprised how many can truely understand what you mean, and then you just might feel..connected.

btw...hows school going?

[rameumptom]

Remember that this is not a sprint, but a marathon to the finish line. You have to move forward by pacing yourself, not rushing to the finish line. During a marathon, there will be times when you feel like quitting, or slow down some because it hurts. There will be hills to climb along the way that are difficult. As long as you keep moving forward, you will eventually get to the top, and have it easier on the way back down the hill. Along the way, people will give you drinks to refresh you, etc. There will be exhilarating moments along the way. Use those to keep moving forward on the path.

But pace yourself, setting goals and moving forward are the key points to winning.

[Hemidakota]

I am looking for different ways that people maintain the desire to follow the Lord and do all the right things (read scriptures daily, pray often, attend church, etc.). I find myself going through phases where I'll be really committed to doing all those things and living a truly LDS life, but it only lasts for a little while and then its as if I couldn't care less. How do you keep that desire to continue on in righteousness?

What is your core desire of this life? Our personal testimony keeps us committed to the desire or eternal goal.

[Guest Alana]

So the two things that are a MUST for me are morning and night prayers and scripture reading in the morning. Reading the scriptures doesn't need to be a big long study everyday, sometimes it's only 2-3 verses. Regular church attendance also helps replenish me. Something else that I've noticed really helps me be more mindful of the Savior is taking advantage of any service opportunities that are presented to me. This can be anything from washing someones table for them when you see them getting ready to sit at a dirty table at costco, or bringing meals to someone who has a broken arm, etc. Also, I find that the more I pray throughout the day and have a 'prayer in my heart' the more I can feel the spirit.

I have spiritual highs and lows. Past experience has shown that once I stop saying my prayers everyday, I'm pretty much already in trouble, and setting myself up for it to be harder to get back on the right track.

For me, a big part of these things is habit, not just desire. Like I said, i have highs and lows, and having scripture and prayer already established as part of my daily habits, carries me through the low.

Edit: I would like to add that I really enjoy reading the Ensign and especially the past conference issues. Looking up topics on LDS.org also has played a part in my progression, as I come to better understand different ideas.

[Guest Alana]

What is your core desire of this life? Our personal testimony keeps us committed to the desire or eternal goal.

I would say that my eternal goals are what encourages me to develop good habits. These righteous habits are what help me put off the natural man, desire it's self is not enough.

[Bini]

I'm inactive and have been for a long time. So for me, I'm starting with itty bitty baby steps. I am not a church-goer nor do I read the scriptures. But I've been praying and I've stopped drinking alcohol. I'm trying to live a better lifestyle and hopefully be an example for my husband. Clearly, I have a looong way to go!

[SwordofLaban]

Remember growing up the standards your parents set for you (ex: get good grades, be active, involved, etc..) Like our earthly parents, our Heavenly Parents have standards that we must live up to as well. I know, for me at least, having this mindset helps with my covenants and my commitments. Its all about being worthy of our Heavenly Lineage.

Listening to scriptures in your car on your way to work/school, praying always whenever you need anything or have recognized Heavenly Father influence in your life. Doing those two things along will increase your testimony tenfold, I personally guarantee it. If your feeling really ambitious one day, drive out to the country-get into nature- find a spot and spend a day reading scriptures and praying about them.

Also, ask yourself, "What about our doctrine really interests me?" For myself, it happens to be The Book of Abraham and The Pearl of Great Price. Find a gospel subject that genuinely grabs your attention and study it. It doesn't have to be everyday, and you don't have to really compile any papers or anything. Just do a google search, visit a bookstore, or engage in discussions about it with other members or missionaries.

Need some good LDS topics to study or look into? Some of my favorites include: Intelligences, Adam-Ondi-Ahman, Joseph's Martyrdom and the Succession Crisis, John Taylor's years in hiding, Nahom, Joseph's Seer Stones, and Orrin Porter Rockwell.

Best of luck!

[jadams_4040]

I am looking for different ways that people maintain the desire to follow the Lord and do all the right things (read scriptures daily, pray often, attend church, etc.). I find myself going through phases where I'll be really committed to doing all those things and living a truly LDS life, but it only lasts for a little while and then its as if I couldn't care less. How do you keep that desire to continue on in righteousness?

actually its really easy for me to maintain the desire; because when i,m not doing all i can do the loss of spiritual companionship makes it really easy to get back on track.:)

[Guest Utahrulzz]

I find the best way to build testimony, is to bear testimony. I do it all day now without even realizing it sometimes.

Another tool I use, try to recite all of the Articles of Faith while brushing your teeth in the morning. It's a great tool of rememberance as to what you believe each day. It's helps get your priorities clear right away each day.

Go serve Brother!