October 31, 2020

This week we have been studying Mormon 1 - 6. Mormon 1:2 reads, "And about the time that Ammaron hid up the records unto the Lord, he came unto me, (I being about ten years of age, and I began to be learned somewhat after the manner of the learning of my people) and Ammaron said unto me: I perceive that thou art a sober child, and art quick to observe;"

Elder Bednar describes "Quick to Observe" in the following way: "Please consider the significance of this important spiritual gift. As used in the scriptures, the word observe has two primary uses. One use denotes “to look” or “to see” or “to notice”—as we learn in Isaiah 42:20: “Seeing many things, but thou observest not; opening the ears, but he heareth not” (emphasis added).

The second use of the word observe suggests “to obey” or “to keep”—as is evident in the Doctrine and Covenants: “But blessed are they who have kept the covenant and observed the commandment, for they shall obtain mercy” (D&C 54:6; emphasis added).

Thus when we are quick to observe, we promptly look or notice and obey. Both of these fundamental elements—looking and obeying—are essential to being quick to observe. And the prophet Mormon is an impressive example of this gift in action."

I love that. As I have thought about the meaning of "quick to observe" I have thought about my youngest daughter,

Sierra Langford

. That is a good description of her as a child. I remember growing up how mature she always was. Her questions were grown up questions, not silly questions. She was quick to observe. She watched her siblings and saw when they got in trouble. She avoided those things and so avoided getting in trouble. When she was about four, her Primary teacher talked to me after one class she gave on repentance. She went around the room asking the kids if they ever took a cookie they weren't supposed to take, or if they hit a sibling, or told a lie. All the kids would share a time when they had done one of those things and Sierra wouldn't say a word. Finally the teacher asked Sierra directly and she responded, "Oh no, I would never do that. That is wrong." Every example she would give the same answer. They teacher really didn't believe she was telling the truth and so she was telling me the story to see if I would verify that Sierra has actually told a lie or taken a cookie or some other little thing. I listened and then responded with, "she is right. She has never done any of those things. She has watched her siblings do them and get in trouble and learned that you can get in trouble if you do that so she has never done it." When the Bishop interviewed her just before her Baptism, he came out of his office and said to me, "that is the first seven-year-old going on twenty-one-year-old I have ever met." He then told us how adult their conversation had been and what a great understanding she had of the Gospel.

Being "quick to observe" is a wonderful blessing we should all strive for. We need to look and then obey.

10Sierra Langford, Shirleen Passey Bland and 8 others

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