MY WORD FOR THE WEEK

'STILL'

Be still, and know that I am God (Psalms 46:10) Though the word "still" is rarely used in the scriptures, the concept is indispensible for preparing ourselves to hear and feel the spirit. It is also key to understanding the principal way the Lord communicates with us. "Still" comes from the root "to be quiet" or "to put in place or to stand." The Hebrew word "still" means to "rest;to cease;to wait with silent expectation and submission." The Oxford English Dictionary defines "still" as motionless;not moving from one place;stationary;remaining in the same position or attitude;abstaining from action. "Still also means silent;quiet;free from commotion;gentle in disposition;meek;calm;settled;unperturbed in mind. With respect to water )as in "He leadeth me beside the still waters") :having an unruffled surface, without waves or violent current;motionless or flowing imperceptibly. The word "still" is used in scripture and in the teachings of the brethren in two contexts. First is the commandment for us to be still in order to be able to feel, hear and inderstand the voice of the Lord.By being still, we are, in effect, in our closets free of noise, unburdened by relentless and thereby open to divine communication. (see Psalms 4:4) The second context is how God communicates with us. While he is unrestricted in how that communcation can come, in fact, most typically, he speaks to us through a still, small voice. Thus, when Elijah was commanded to stand upon the mount before the Lord, the Lord was not in the great, strong wind, nor in the earthquake, nor in the fire but came as a "still small voice." (1 Kings 19:11-12) Notwithstanding that it is a still small voice, if our hearts are prepared through stillness, that voice "whispereth through and pierceth all things, and often it maketh my bones to quake." (D&C 85:6) Sometimes it seems all of nature conspires against this stillness. There is too much noise in our lives. There is the decibel-type noise of iPods, TV's, radios in our cars. It is almost as though we consciously ir subconsciously seek noise and disquiet. Of course, there is also the spiritual disquietude of sin. If we are not careful, we can become like Nephi's brothers.Even though they had been spoken to "in a still samll voice," they "were past feeling" and could not "feel his words." ( 1Nephi 17:45) "Still must meet still for that deep communication to be felt in our beings. This article was in the MORMONTIMES of the Deseret News..and I loved it,so that is my Word of the Week and hopefully I will be able to work on being "STILL" and really listening and hearing any promptings from our Lord that I may be in need of......