In our house, the smoke alarm going off is not uncommon. I remember in our house in West Jordan it went off more than it didn't and soon it became a familiar sound or a warning to grab a towel to fan the light smoke away or to blow out some of the dust in the alarm cover. I don't think we ever went running grabbing our personal and keep sakes to save before running out the front door in a panic.
Usually it was more, rolling over in bed to throw a pillow over your head or trying to avoid the high pitch shriek of the alarm.
I tell you all this because the other morning as I was in the shower, the smoke alarm went off. My first thought was, “Should I wash the shampoo out of my hair first or jump out now?” As I continued to finish my shower routine and casually looking out behind the curtain to see if flames were bursting under the door yet, I thought; “This is a good comparison to the warnings we hear from the Prophet.”
Just like the smoke alarm, warning us of danger, it's our choice to wash the shampoo out first or to jump out and take all precautions. Even if it is a false alarm.
Our family, friends, Bishop, leaders, the scriptures, the Prophet and the Ensign are there to protect and warn us of the dangers in our lives. It's our choice to follow those warnings or to turn away and say, “Oh, there is no danger. I have nothing to worry about.”
What what happens when a real fire does start and the alarm goes off? What do you do then? You've heard the warnings before but you chose not to listen. You brushed it aside thinking it wouldn't do you any good and you put it off and now when it's the time to act- your not sure what to do.
President Henry B Eyring says:
'We will need to have developed and nurtured faith in Jesus Christ long before Satan hits us, as he will, with doubts and appeals to our carnal desires and with lying voices saying that good is bad and that there is no sin. Those spiritual storms are already raging. We can expect that they will worsen until the Savior returns.
'However much faith to obey God we now have, we will need to strengthen it continually and keep it refreshed constantly. We can do that by deciding now to be more quick to obey and more determined to endure. Learning to start early and to be steady are the keys to spiritual preparation. Procrastination and inconsistency are its mortal enemies.”
As President Eyring explained, because the current storms will only increase, our current level of preparation also needs to increase. The secret to our success is to be consistent and to start early.”
I love that. We are constantly warned that we need to prepare now and stay on the straight and narrow. I know I haven't always been perfect, but more then ever, I find the time each day to read my scriptures, say my prayers and go to the temple weekly. Just those few changes in my life I have noticed a huge difference in my life.
I testify that the scriptures are the perfect place to turn to for answers, guidance, and strength in our lives. If ever a time to listen to the smoke alarm... it's now. Opening your scriptures for 5 minutes a day will change your day immensely.
President Marion G. Romney said if we prayerfully and regularly read the Book of Mormon, 'The spirit of that great book will come to permeate our homes and all who dwell therein. The spirit of reverence will increase; mutual respect and consideration for each other will grow. The spirit of contention will depart... Faith, hope, and charity- the pure love of Christ- will abound in our homes and lives.”
