A few years ago, I was on a treadmill getting some running time in. I was pondering and also listening to music. I was on the treadmill for about twenty minutes when I finally realized something. I had listened to the same song over and over again four times. I was so engrossed in my thoughts and my efforts that I had completely forgotten the same song was on replay.

Frequently when we are preoccupied with life, family, work, and the day-to-day grind, we forget things. Sometimes we forget we are on replay or rewind and we keep doing the same things over and over again whether they are effective or not. Sometimes it takes an awakening to help us realize we need to move on to the next song so we can move forward. We must not forget the Lord, the goals He has for us, and the importance of His plan for our lives.    

When we wake up and arise and heed the voice of the Lord, the Lord brings about great blessings. Here are a few scriptural examples of prophets rising up to claim blessings. Nephi had this life changing experience: “And it came to pass that after I, Nephi, had been in the land of Bountiful for the space of many days, the voice of the Lord came unto me, saying: Arise, and get thee into the mountain. And it came to pass that I arose and went up into the mountain, and cried unto the Lord” (1 Nephi 17:7).

What if Nephi had not listened to the Lord and arose and followed His commands? Nephi would never have been able to build a ship, cross the great waters, or obtained a land of promise. Remember Nephi and his family had by that point been in the wilderness for eight years. All those blessings to come hung on Nephi rising up and getting into the mountain to be instructed and inspired.