Ephesians 1

Paul wrote the Ephesians -

"Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence;
9 Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself..." (New Testament Ephesians 1:8 - 9)

As I read these verses this morning I thought of the message I delivered last evening in a high priest quorum meeting:

As many of you already know, I tend to see the world through the eyes of a contractor.

A significant portion of my business’s construction work comes as a result of being the successful low bidder. Each of the projects we bid are different and so are the requirements that must be turned in or submitted with each bid. A contractor runs the risk of having his bid rejected if that which he submits is incomplete or not in compliance with all bid requirements. I have to admit that over the years we have had one too many bids rejected. Nonetheless, no matter the reason, it is the contractor’s burden and responsibility to search the bid documents, determine, and be in compliance with each and every bid requirement.

So is the case in spiritual matters, or in a sense, our bid for eternal life. In this our second estate, our Father in Heaven has specifically stated that it is the burden and responsibility of each of his children to –

"...work out [their] own salvation…" (Book of Mormon Mormon 9:27)

According to His words, the failure to do so will result in the rejection of ones bid for Eternal Life.

Three gospel writers recorded the event of a certain ruler that came running then kneeling before the Savior, asking Him –

"...Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?" (New Testament Mark 10:17)The Savior answered – "...if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments." (New Testament Matthew 19:17)This young man seemed quite sincere as he asked "Which?” of all the commandments, to which the Savior answered -"...Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness,19 Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself." (New Testament Matthew 19:18 - 19)Many of us here this evening could give the same answer as the young ruler. But what the young man asked next maybe the greatest and most important question of all, as he said – "...All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet?" (New Testament Matthew 19:20)

The Savior then kindly responded to him –
"...If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me." (New Testament Matthew 19:21)I believe this commandment was given personally just for the young ruler. It was probably was what he needed to be perfect. It may have been the very thing "which he lacked" most. For we know –"...he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions." (New Testament Matthew 19:22)

The scriptures do not reflect what became of this young wealthy man, but in all fairness to him, the Savior later, in parable, taught the Pharisees –

“But what think ye? A certain man had two sons; and he came to the first, and said, Son, go work to day in my vineyard.
29 He answered and said, I will not: but afterward he repented, and went.
30 And he came to the second, and said likewise. And he answered and said, I go, sir: and went not.
31 Whether of them twain did the will of his father?...” (New Testament Matthew 21:28 - 31)

Of course the Pharisees had no choice but to answer – “the first”.

“Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.” (New Testament Matthew 7:21)

We must understand that in order for us to be in compliant in our bid for eternal life, the burden is placed on each of us to seek out, learn, and know the will of our Father in Heaven concerning ourselves. In a sense, we too must regularly approach our Father in Heaven with the all searching question "What lack I yet”" Elder Richard G. Scott taught in this past general conference –

"…A key to improved prayer is to learn to ask the right questions. Consider changing from asking for the things you want to honestly seeking what He wants for you. Then as you learn His will, pray that you will be led to have the strength to fulfill it." (Using the Supernal Gift of Prayer Elder Richard G. Scott Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles)

Many of us are quite fearful to ask in prayer "What lack I yet". Who knows where that could lead? Like the rich ruler, the answer may not be what we want to hear. Whether we want to hear it or not, the answer is still important and essential to our salvation. Maybe that is why Paul, Alma, and Moroni specifically said as they told us we must "...work out [our] own salvation” that we are to do it with –

“…with fear and trembling…" (Book of Mormon Mormon 9:27)

As we strive to seek out that which we lack, there maybe a few that feel somewhat like Laman and Lemuel. When Nephi asked them if they had inquired of the Lord, they answered –

"We have not; for the Lord maketh no such thing known unto us." (Book of Mormon 1 Nephi 15:9)

But Nephi reminded them as well as us that –

“…the Lord hath said?—If ye will not harden your hearts, and ask me in faith, believing that ye shall receive, with diligence in keeping my commandments, surely these things shall be made known unto you.” (Book of Mormon 1 Nephi 15:11)

Elder Scott promised –

“…When you are living righteously and are acting with trust, God will not let you proceed too far without a warning impression if you have made the wrong decision...”
(Using the Supernal Gift of Prayer Elder Richard G. Scott Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles)

I testify that our Father in Heaven loves us, that Jesus is the Christ. We will be blessed as we seek out and do their will as we strive to receive guidance and personal revelation through the Holy Ghost which is –

“…the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints” (New Testament Colossians 1:26)

Like Paul of old, we as the presidency of this High Priest Quorum –

“…do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding…” (New Testament Colossians 1:9)