In order for things to grow in this world it requires the cooperation of four essential elements. A seed will only grow as a result of the natural action of water, earth, wind (air) and light. As mortals to reach our full potential we too need four elements - faith, hope, love (charity), and knowledge. Faith can be compared to the earth, that in which we take root. Hope is the water through which we are nourished. Love is the wind through which we grow. Knowledge, then, is the light through which we ripen. We read in D&C 4:5 that "And faith, hope, charity and love, with an eye single to the glory of God, qualify him for the work." (We know that the Glory of God is intelligence (knowledge) or, in other words, light and truth.)
The path back into the Lord's presence is an individual one and it is not likely to be accomplished while in an group. However, we can petition together to have Heaven take notice of our desires and pray for one another. We all know that the Lord will one day associate with a group in a city; and that group will be comprised of individuals who have sought diligently to connect with Heaven and who have previously met Him.
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For those interested. below are a few photos from an early morning hike last weekend.
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| Spectrum of Color prior to the sunrise |
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| Moon still visible as the sun rose. The far right rock peak was the summit we reached prior to the sunrise. |
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| The Beginning of a New Day |
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| The now waning moon a couple days after the lunar eclipse (the second blood moon in the tetrad) |
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| The summit where we stood to watch the sunrise. |
