O God, Wilt Thou Make Thyself Known Unto Me?

“O God…wilt thou make thyself known unto me, and I will give away all my sins to know thee…” Alma 22:18

These few words spoken by an old man, King Lamoni; in his first prayer, are full of meaning for those who desire to know God.

King Lamoni asked God to reveal Himself, he understood that to know God, God would need to reveal himself (1 Corinthians 2:11). King Lamoni also understood the need for repentance when he said that he would give away all of his sins to know God.

These two principles:

1. Faith that God will reveal Himself, and

2. A willingness to give up our sins are basic to the gospel of Jesus Christ.

We never out grow our need for these principles. Those who desire to become church members and those who are seeking the face of the Lord need to understand and apply these two principles.

Both King Lamoni, and the Brother of Jared found it necessary to have faith that God would reveal Himself, and they both needed to be willing to give up their sins. Anyone who is seeking a blessing from God will need to understand an apply these two principles.

How Does God Make Himself Known?

The scriptures repeatedly answer this question. Three examples:

1.  Nephi said that the Lord did soften his heart so that he believed the words of his father Lehi (1 Nephi 2:16).

2. Lehi was given a vision (1 Nephi 8:1-38) to help him understand the plan of salvation.

3. Moroni saw Jesus and talked with Him face to face (Ether 12:39).

As the above examples illustrate, there are many ways God makes Himself known to His children.

How Do We Give Away All Our Sins?

The scriptures repeatedly answer this question. Moroni taught that as often as we repent and seek forgiveness, with real intent, we will be forgiven (Moroni 6:8). The Savior told the Nephites that he laid down His life for those who repent and come unto Him to be saved (3 Nephi 9:22).

We give away our sins when we sincerely change the direction of our lives through repentance.

Summary

All who seek a blessing from the Lord can apply these two basic principles of the gospel, and if done with real intent, the Lord will make Himself known in one of the many ways taught available to Him, as recorded in scripture.

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