Search Me, O God, and Know My Heart

I've said a few things about hearts here before:

• Knowing Someone's Heart (Sept. 2012)
• It's All About our Hearts (Feb. 2010)

A couple of weeks ago, I was inspired by our Relief Society lesson from the life and teachings of President Lorenzo Snow on a similar topic and the scripture in Psalms 139:23-24: "Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting."

It's all about our hearts and our motivations and our character and desires!  Who are we really and is that who we profess to be?  I came across this talk from April 1998 by President James E. Faust, Search Me, O God, and Know My Heart.  It is really neat and reminds us of the importance of living our covenants and having moral courage, as well as humbly following the Lord and His will.  It reminds me of many of the things we have been taught recently about the importance and peace of obedience.

The discussion we had in Relief Society also reminded me about a book that I just read, Daring Greatly by Brene Brown.  It's all about being vulnerable and open to others.  I was thinking about how important it is to be honest and open with ourselves and with God - not oversharing, but being ourselves and letting ourselves be seen, not hiding from the world or from God.

I think there is great power and happiness in being open and being ourselves, most importantly with the Lord.  I know that He loves and knows us (better than we know ourselves) and I find great comfort in sharing the thoughts and feelings of my heart with Him.  Then, I think it is important to listen as he teaches us, corrects us, helps us, guides us and "leads [us] in the way everlasting."

I think one of my very most favorite Mormon Messages sums it up beautifully: