Learn to Join the Dance

I was walking to work the other day reading an article from the Ensign about the law of fasting. The article quoted from the Doctrine and Covenants - a collection of revelation given to Joseph Smith, the prophet who restored Christ's Church to the earth in modern times:

"For all who will have a blessing at my hands shall abide the law which was appointed for that blessing, and the conditions thereof, was were instituted from before the foundation of the world" (Doc & Cov 132:5).

As I thought about this verse in connection to fasting and the blessings that come from obedience to specific laws, I was reminded of another verse from this same body of scripture:

"There is a law irrevocably decreed in heaven before the foundations of this world, upon which all blessings are predicated— And when we obtain any blessing from God, it is by obedience to that law upon which it is predicated" (Doc & Cov 130:20-21)

Then I got to thinking about how cool it is that we existed before this life, and that we knew God's plan for us and chose to come to this earth and be tested and have the opportunity to choose to follow the laws of God and reap blessings connected to those laws. I also thought about the fact that we do not always know the blessings that are attached to specific laws and that sometimes we do not even know exactly what we need to do.

Almost immediately the lyrics to a country song came to my mind:

"Life's a dance you learn as you go/Sometimes you lead, sometimes you follow/Don't worry about what you don't know/Life's a dance you learn as you go" (Life's A Dance by John Michael Montgomery)

I really felt at that moment no need to "worry about what I don't know" I felt assured that I really will learn as I go - and that I will not be alone in my efforts. Another song with very similar lyrics also came to mind:

"And though you'll never know all the steps, you must learn to join the dance." (Prince of Egypt sound track "Through Heaven's Eyes")

Dancing is something I really like to do, but do not feel that I am very good at - or at least I do not know many steps. That does not keep me from participating, nor does it make me doubt that dancing is possible. I know there are others that know far more than I do, and often they are more than willing to teach me if I will but ask and watch and then do what they show me. I have also learned that I am fairly good at following. If I dance with someone who knows the steps and how to lead, with a little coaching on the basic steps I am good to go.

Thinking about all this I realized that I can come to learn principles and doctrines of Christ's gospel in the same way. He set the perfect example that I can watch and follow. He knows the steps and will help me follow and learn them as I allow Him to lead me. Laws and rules exist to help us and guide us. We can follow them, and will experience greater success and joy when we do so.