(Read and Follow the Directions)

I heard President Dieter F. Uctdorf talk about it raining blessings from Heaven all the time, but sometimes we can’t see them because we have our umbrellas up. He encouraged us to stop hiding beneath our umbrellas and risk stepping out of our comfort zones, letting go of fear, doubt, and sin, so that we can realize the amazing gifts that are pouring down on us all the time. Or something like that. The downpour happening outside my window tonight made me think of this. His talk is called “Living the Gospel Joyful”. I’ll be taking a few minutes to reread it tonight. I invite you to join me.

Part of our challenge is, I think, that we imagine that God has all of His blessings locked in a huge cloud up in heaven, refusing to give them to us unless we comply with some strict, paternalistic requirements He has set up. But the commandments aren’t like that at all. In reality, Heavenly Father is constantly raining blessings upon us. It is our fear, doubt, and sin that, like an umbrella, block these blessings from reaching us.

His commandments are the loving instructions and the divine help for us to close the umbrella so we can receive the shower of heavenly blessings.