Seek

We are often invited in the scriptures to “seek” for the most important things in life.  Zephaniah wrote, “Seek ye the Lord, all ye meek of the earth, which hath wrought his judgment; seek righteousness, seek meekness” (Zephaniah 2:3).  The Psalmist told us to “seek the Lord and his strength, seek his face continually” (Psalms 105:4).  Similarly Joseph brought us these words: “Seek the face of the Lord always, that in patience ye may possess your souls” (D&C 101:38).  We are told to “seek learning even by study and also by faith” (D&C 109:7).  Likewise the Lord invites us to “seek ye diligently and teach one another words of wisdom” (D&C 88:118).  Isaiah teaches to “Learn to do well; seek judgment” (Isaiah 1:17). 

From Jacob’s teachings in the Book of Mormon we are invited to “seek ye for the kingdom of God” and the Lord likewise told Hyrum in our day, “Seek the kingdom of God” (Jacob 2:18, D&C 11:23).  Lehi told his sons how Nephi had “sought the glory of God” (2 Nephi 1:25).  Moroni likewise told the leaders of the Nephites, “I seek not for honor of the world, but for the glory of my God, and the freedom and welfare of my country” (Alma 60:36).  The Lord praised Nephi, son of Helaman, this way: “Thou hast not feared them, and hast not sought thine own life, but hast sought my will, and to keep my commandments” (Helaman 10:4).  We are to “seek peace” and of “land of [our] inheritance” we are to “seek it with all [our] hearts” (Psalms 34:14, D&C 38:19).  Abraham “sought for the blessings of the fathers” and said, “I sought for mine appointment unto the Priesthood” (Abraham 1:4).  In our dispensation the Lord commanded us to “seek to bring forth and establish the cause of Zion” (D&C 6:6, 11:6, 12:6).

                So using this list, we are to seek these things: the Lord, the face of the Lord, the kingdom of God, the glory of God, the will of God, the blessings of the Priesthood, the cause of Zion, righteousness, learning, judgment, meekness, freedom, and peace.  For all of these I have to believe that the Lord’s oft-repeated promise applies, “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find” (Luke 11:9).  Our problem if we don’t find what we seek for is probably that we haven’t sought diligently enough.  I love the words of Abraham after he “sought” and “desired” blessings of the Lord that He knew could be given to him: “Now, after the Lord had withdrawn from speaking to me, and withdrawn his face from me, I said in my heart: Thy servant has sought thee earnestly; now I have found thee” (Abraham 2:12).  Abraham sought the Lord and found Him, and the promise is the same for all of us: “If from thence thou shalt seek the Lord thy God, thou shalt find him, if thou seek him with all thy heart and with all thy soul” (Deuteronomy 4:29).