Do We Recognize Our Answers?

"I invite you to consider two experiences most of us have had with light.

The first experience occurred as we entered a dark room and turned on a light switch. Remember how in an instant a bright flood of illumination filled the room and caused the darkness to disappear. What previously had been unseen and uncertain became clear and recognizable. This experience was characterized by immediate and intense recognition of light.

The second experience took place as we watched night turn into morning. Do you recall the slow and almost imperceptible increase in light on the horizon? In contrast to turning on a light in a dark room, the light from the rising sun did not immediately burst forth. Rather, gradually and steadily the intensity of the light increased, and the darkness of night was replaced by the radiance of morning. Eventually, the sun did dawn over the skyline. But the visual evidence of the sun’s impending arrival was apparent hours before the sun actually appeared over the horizon. This experience was characterized by subtle and gradual discernment of light" - Elder David A. Bednar 

What a beautiful experience it is, to watch the sun rise. It is something you have to be prepared for. You cannot wake up whenever you want; go outside, and expect the sun to rise. The sun rises on it's own time. We cannot make it go faster, nor slow it down. We have no control over the sun, but it will always rise regardless of what we do. 

God works in a way similar to this. He will always answer our prayers, though they may not be received when we want them to be, nor in the way we thought, he always answers. In a talk given by one of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, Elder Richard G. Scott talked about receiving answers through prayer. He discussed that our Father in Heaven, is much like a parent on Earth. He wants to answer our questions, but he also wants us to learn and grow. A teacher in school doesn't give you all the answers and let you copy them off the board. She teaches you, and through your own experience, you gain more knowledge. 

I saw this not a long ago, when I was trying to decide what college to apply for. I had some very interesting options. There were pro's and con's to each. For those of you who know me well, you know decision-making is not my strong point. I agonized over this decision for months. I made it a matter of prayer, I consulted my mom and dad, they gave ideas and discussed their opinions,but I just felt flat rejected from God. I was getting nothing. I thought to myself constantly, "This is one of the most important decisions of my life, why wont God tell me where to go?" 

As I agonized over my decision, I remember talking with many people, and having them tell me that I have to make a decision first. Then I would receive help from God. So here I was with this problem. I needed to know what college to go to, and I was waiting God to tell me. While God was going to help after I had made my own decision. All this, and graduation was right around the corner. 

After some time, I realized that I needed to just make a decision, and let the chips fall where they may. So I picked my college, I put in my application, and I waited for some peace or comfort to come. I waited for some inclination that I had made the right decision to come, and I got....nothing, still. By this time, I was fed up because I wasn't being answered, nervous because I may have picked the wrong college, and frustrated because I might have messed everything up. (I tend to get overwhelmed and blow things out of proportion.) 

At last, in the mail, I got a letter from my school of choice. I gathered my family together to read whether or not I got accepted. I remember the feeling of anxiety as I opened up my letter, and the complete peace and love that filled my soul as I read the words, You have been Accepted. 

After the storm, Peace comes. 

I realize that college is a small prospect compared to that of losing a loved one, or being let go from a job, or even not being able to have children. There are many more questions and problems we have that are much bigger than where to go to college. Yet it mattered to me, and God answered my prayer. 

I know God answers prayers. I know it takes work on our part, and I know most times it is not easy. But I also know it is worth it, and we will be able to see light of truth in our lives enter as does the Sun rise over the sky. He will always answer.

https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2011/04/the-spirit-of-revelation?lang=eng

https://www.lds.org/general-conference/1989/10/learning-to-recognize-answers-to-prayer?lang=eng