Seek Ye Diligently

The Lord encouraged the Saints in the Olive Leaf revelation with these words: “And as all have not faith, seek ye diligently and teach one another words of wisdom; yea, seek ye out of the best books words of wisdom; seek learning, even by study and also by faith” (Doctrine and Covenants 88:118). Three times He told us to seek, and this is a theme we see throughout the Doctrine and Covenants: we are to earnestly seek that which is good. To Hyrum Smith the Lord said, “Now, as you have asked, behold, I say unto you, keep my commandments, and seek to bring forth and establish the cause of Zion. Seek not for riches but for wisdom; and, behold, the mysteries of God shall be unfolded unto you, and then shall you be made rich. Behold, he that hath eternal life is rich” (Doctrine and Covenants 11:6-7). He was invited to seek wisdom and to bring forth the cause of Zion. To Emma Smith He said, “And verily I say unto thee that thou shalt lay aside the things of this world, and seek for the things of a better” (Doctrine and Covenants 25:10). She was to seek out the things of God instead of the things of the world. To all of His Church He encouraged, “Wherefore, beware lest ye are deceived; and that ye may not be deceived seek ye earnestly the best gifts, always remembering for what they are given” (Doctrine and Covenants 46:8). We are to seek the gifts of the Spirit so that we can perform His work. With those gifts we are not to glorify ourselves, but instead the Lord invited in another revelation: “Every man seeking the interest of his neighbor, and doing all things with an eye single to the glory of God” (Doctrine and Covenants 82:19). We are to seek knowledge, seek learning, seek wisdom, seek the things of a better world, seek the gifts of God, and seek the interest of our neighbor. Or as, the Savior put it in the Sermon on the Mount, we are to “seek… first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness” (Matthew 6:33).  

                Seeking the kingdom of God and His righteousness ultimately leads us to seek that which is greatest of all: Him. He invited us all in the Olive Leaf revelation, “Draw near unto me and I will draw near unto you; seek me diligently and ye shall find me; ask, and ye shall receive; knock, and it shall be opened unto you” (Doctrine and Covenants 88:63). Ultimately all that we do in the gospel of Jesus Christ is to seek Him. He invited us with these powerful words, “And seek the face of the Lord always, that in patience ye may possess your souls, and ye shall have eternal life” (Doctrine and Covenants 101:38). We are to seek Him so that we can possess to save our souls. If we seek on the other hand only the things of this life, then we will lose our soul: “Whosoever shall seek to save his life shall lose it; and whosoever shall lose his life shall preserve it” (Luke 17:33). In another revelation the Lord encouraged us, “And again, be patient in tribulation until I come; and, behold, I come quickly, and my reward is with me, and they who have sought me early shall find rest to their souls” (Doctrine and Covenants 54:10). If we have sought Him, we will find rest. There is much that we might seek in this life, but only as we seek to find Him first will we find that which we are truly looking for. We should strive to be like the psalmist who wrote to the Lord, “When thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, Lord, will I seek” (Psalm 27:8). All that we do in the Church—from praying to fasting to studying the scriptures and going to the temple and partaking of the Sacrament—is in the end done for the purpose of seeking Him and drawing near to Him.