Due to clear skies and lower temperatures, the stars these last few mornings as I walk the dog have been exceptionally clear. 

I marvel at the bright stars, their light blazing over millions of miles through space. 

I marvel as well when I see a high-flying plane or a low-flying satellite, cruising smoothly through the night sky. 

And, as probably everyone does, I get excited when I see a shooting star. 

Just as the sky is more clear under certain conditions, I feel that the strength and brightness of faith can vary based on conditions in our lives. 

For example, I feel a clarity about my faith and about my relationship with God as I study the scriptures. It is in these sacred writings that we can learn how God communicates with His children, and how He teaches about His plan. 

Spencer W. Kimball (1895-1985), the twelfth President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, taught: “I find that when I get casual in my relationships with divinity and when it seems that no divine ear is listening and no divine voice is speaking, that I am far, far away. If I immerse myself in the scriptures the distance narrows and the spirituality returns.”

Most of all, as we study the scriptures, we can remember that God is our Father and that He loves each of us, and wants us to come to know Him better. Jesus taught: “And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent” (John 17:3). 

I certainly feel more clarity in my place in the Universe when I am consistent in my personal prayers. Speaking with God through prayer opens up a channel with Heaven. It sends the message to our Heavenly Father that we believe in Him, that we love Him, and that we are ready to receive instruction from Him. 

Prayer requires a degree of self-reflection. President Russell M. Nelson, current President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, taught that sometimes keeping the channel of heavenly communication open means making changes on our part. 

He said: “If something is stopping us from opening the door to heavenly direction, we may need to repent. Repentance allows us to open the door so we can hear the voice of the Lord more frequently and clearly.”

Effective prayer also requires a lot of listening. Elijah of the Old Testament learned this principle: “The Lord was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. And after the earthquake a fire; but the Lord was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice” (1 Kings 19:11-12).

May we each strive to create the conditions that will lead to greater spiritual clarity in our lives by studying the scriptures and consistently seeking our Heavenly Father through prayer. 

Dr. Brent Roberts is the Bishop of the Sandy River Ward, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and also Assistant Provost for Academic Outreach and Dean of Greenwood Library at Longwood University. He can be reached at brentsroberts@hotmail.com.