Be 100 Percent Responsible ~ Part Two

Good Morning or Good Afternoon or Good Evening, 

this post should take five minutes to seven minutes to read from start to finish.

This post focuses on August 2017 Brigham Young University {BYU} Devotional, and it is called "Be 100 Percent Responsible" by Elder Lynn G. Robbins. This post is part one, and I would like to share with you some highlights while I was reading the Devotional. 

Elder Robbins has mentioned the following; "Excuses Do Not Equal Results

It is important to recognize that excuses never equal results. In the case of Laman and Lemuel, all the excuses in the world could never obtain the brass plates. ... As Elder David B. Haight of the Quorum of the Twelve stated, “A determined man finds a way; the other man finds an excuse.”

If the anti-responsibility list is so dangerous, why do so many people frequently turn to it? Because the natural man is irresponsible by nature, he goes to the list as a defense mechanism to avoid shame and embarrassment, stress and anxiety, and the pain and negative consequences of mistakes and sin. 

Rather than repent to eliminate guilt, he sedates it with excuses. It gives him a false sense that his environment or someone else is to blame, and therefore he has no need to repent.The anti-responsibility list could also be called the anti-faith list because it halts progress dead in its tracks. 

When Satan tempts a person to avoid responsibility, that person subtly surrenders their agency because the person is no longer in control or “acting.” Instead they become an object who is being acted upon, and Satan cleverly begins to control their life.

The Difference Between Making an Excuse and Giving a Reason

It is important to note that everyone occasionally fails in their attempts at success, just as Nephi did with his brothers in their first two trips to Jerusalem when they were trying to obtain the plates. But those who are valiant accept responsibility for their mistakes and sins. They repent, get back on their feet, and continue moving forward in faith. They may give an explanation or a reason for their lack of success but not an excuse.

At first glance it may appear that Adam was blaming Eve when he said, “The woman thou gavest me.” However, when Adam subsequently added “and I did eat,” we are given to understand that he accepted responsibility for his actions and was giving an explanation, not blaming Eve. Eve in turn also said, “And I did eat” (Moses 4:18–19; see also verses 17–20; 5:10–11).

The Power and Reward of Being Responsible

Turning to the anti-responsibility list is an act of self-betrayal. It is to give up on oneself and sometimes on others. ... 

Story 2: “Putting My Marriage Before My Pride”

Let me quote from the experience of a young wife:

Like any couple, my husband and I have had disagreements during our marriage. But one incident stands out in my mind. I no longer recall the reason for our disagreement, but we ended up not speaking at all, and I remember feeling that it was all my husband’s fault. I felt I had done absolutely nothing for which I needed to apologize.

As the day went by, I waited for my husband to say he was sorry. Surely he could see how wrong he was. It must be obvious how much he had hurt my feelings. I felt I had to stand up for myself; it was the principle that mattered.

As the day was drawing to a close, I started to realize that I was waiting in vain, so I went to the Lord in prayer. I prayed that my husband would realize what he had done and how it was hurting our marriage. I prayed that he would be inspired to apologize so we could end our disagreement.

As I was praying, I felt a strong impression that I should go to my husband and apologize. I was a bit shocked by this impression and immediately pointed out in my prayer that I had done nothing wrong and therefore should not have to say I was sorry. A thought came strongly to my mind: “Do you want to be right, or do you want to be married?”

As I considered this question, I realized that I could hold onto my pride and not give in until he apologized, but how long would that take? Days? I was miserable while we weren’t speaking to each other. I understood that while this incident itself wouldn’t be the end of our marriage, if I were always unyielding, that might cause serious damage over the years. 

I decided it was more important to have a happy, loving marriage than to keep my pride intact over something that would later seem trivial. I went to my husband and apologized for upsetting him. He also apologized, and soon we were happy and united again in love.

Since that time there have been occasions when I have needed to ask myself that question again: “Do you want to be right, or do you want to be married?” How grateful I am for the great lesson I learned the first time I faced that question. It has always helped me realign my perspective and put my husband and my marriage before my own pride.

In the story, this sister learned that even if she may have been right and it was her husband’s fault, blaming him was counterproductive, causing her to lose control over positive outcomes. She also discovered that there is power and control in the expression “I’m sorry” when it is used with love unfeigned and empathy—not merely to excuse ourselves.

In a marriage, a 50 percent attitude on both parts may seem logical, but only a 100 percent attitude on both parts closes the door to the anti-responsibility list. A final lesson that this sister learned is that you cannot control the agency of another person only your own. A loving mother once gave the following wise counsel to her daughter, who was unhappy with a struggling marriage. 

She had the daughter draw a vertical line down the middle of a sheet of paper and write down on the left side all the things her husband did that bothered her.Then, on the right side, she had her write down her response to each offense. 

The mother then had her cut the paper in half, separating the two lists. “Now throw the paper with your husband’s faults in the garbage. If you want to be happy and improve your marriage, stop focusing on your husband’s faults and focus instead on your own behavior. 

Examine the way you are responding to the things that bother you and see if you can respond in a different, more positive way.” This mother understood the power and wisdom of 100 percent responsibility.

The Greatest Example of All

Of course the Savior was the most responsible person in the history of the world. His is the greatest example. Even in His moments of excruciating pain and anguish, He showed no self-pity, one of the dysfunctional items on the list. 

... The more we are like Jesus Christ, the less likely we are to judge unrighteously, to give up on someone, or to quit a worthy cause. Even though we may sometimes give up on ourselves, the Savior never gives up on us, because He is perfect in His long-suffering ... Jesus Christ did not come to find fault, criticize, or blame. 

... However, His compassion does not nullify His expectation that we be fully responsible and never try to minimize or justify sin. ... If the Lord cannot look upon sin with even the least degree of allowance, what law of the gospel demands complete and full responsibility for sin?

That would be the law of justice. ... The danger of the anti-responsibility list consists in the fact that it blinds its victims to the need for repentance. Laman and Lemuel, for example, didn’t see a need to repent because it was all Nephi’s fault. 

... The one blinded can’t even take the first step in the repentance process, which is to recognize the need for repentance. ... To deny God’s justice or to say we are not accountable for sin is to also deny His justification in the forgiveness of that sin: “The Lord surely should come to redeem his people, but that he should not come to redeem them in their sins, but to redeem them from their sins” (Helaman 5:10; emphasis added).

Two Ways to Deny the Lord’s Justice

Satan successfully divides the complimentary principles of mercy and justice when a person succumbs to the temptation to deny the Lord’s justice. ... There is a sense of fairness and a desire in each of us that good must prevail over evil, that things lost must be restored, and that broken hearts must be mended. 

Until these things happen, there is an injustice gap that is hard for us to reconcile in our minds and even more so in our hearts leaving us troubled and finding it difficult to move on. People try to reconcile this injustice gap in many ways: through seeking revenge, justifying their anger and bitterness, or seeking legal redress and imposed consequences. 

We ultimately discover that the Lord’s way is the only way for true and complete reconciliation. ... By relying on the law of Moses an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth rather than on the law of the gospel, including forgiving and praying for one’s enemies 

... Having faith in Jesus Christ is to trust that because of His atoning sacrifice, He will correct all injustices, restore all things lost, and mend all things broken, including hearts. He will make all things right, not leaving any detail unattended. Therefore, “ye ought to say in your hearts let God judge between me and thee, and reward thee according to thy deeds” (D&C 64:11).

... As hard as forgiving may be in such situations, not forgiving is even harder over the long run because it puts a person on the disabling anti-responsibility list. Not forgiving is a synonym with blaming, anger, self-justifying, and self‑pity—all things that are on the list. When Satan taps into any of these negative emotions, he begins exercising control over a person’s life.

... Justice is an eternal law that requires a penalty each time a law of God is broken (Alma 42:13–24). The sinner must pay the penalty if he does not repent (Mosiah 2:38–39; D&C 19:17). If he does repent, the Savior pays the penalty through the Atonement, invoking mercy (Alma 34:16).7

If the former husband does not repent, he will pay the penalty—“how sore you know not, how exquisite you know not, yea, how hard to bear you know not” (D&C 19:15). The wife will know if he truly repents because his restitution will include humbly and sincerely asking for her forgiveness and his striving to make amends.

Even though the wife may understand the law of justice, what she is feeling is the need for justice now. Elder Neal A. Maxwell wisely taught that “faith in God includes faith in His purposes as well as in His timing. We cannot fully accept Him while rejecting His schedule.”

Elder Maxwell also said, “The gospel guarantees ultimate, not proximate, justice.”9 “Behold, mine eyes see and know all their works, and I have in reserve a swift judgment in the season thereof, for them all” (D&C 121:24).

The law of justice and trusting in the Lord’s timing allows the wife not to worry about justice anymore and places judgment in God’s hands: “Behold what the scripture says man shall not smite, neither shall he judge; for judgment is mine, saith the Lord, and vengeance is mine also, and I will repay” (Mormon 8:20).

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland shared this helpful insight: Please don’t ask if it is fair. . . . When it comes to our own sins, we don’t ask for justice. What we plead for is mercy—and that is what we must be willing to give. ... Those who have experienced permanent damage, prolonged suffering, or loss from an offense face a far more difficult challenge in forgiving and turning justice over to the Lord. 

Hopefully they can find comfort in something the Prophet Joseph Smith taught: “What can [these misfortunes] do? Nothing. All your losses will be made up to you in the resurrection, provided you continue faithful.” ... President George Albert Smith referred to this as “cherish[ing] an improper influence.” 

With her husband having hurt her so deeply, why would the wife allow him to continue victimizing her by haunting her thoughts? Hasn’t she suffered enough? Not forgiving her abuser allows him to mentally torment her over and over and over. Forgiving him doesn’t set him free; it sets her free.

Part of understanding forgiveness is to understand what it is not:

... Forgiving does not mean forgetting his brutality; you cannot unremember or erase a memory that is so traumatic.

... Forgiving does not erase the injury he has caused, but it can begin to heal the wounds and ease the pain.

Forgiving does not mean trusting him again and giving him yet another chance to abuse her and the children. While to forgive is a commandment, trust has to be earned and evidenced by good behavior over time, which he clearly has not demonstrated.

Forgiving does not mean forgiveness of his sins. Only the Lord can do that, based upon sincere repentance. ... Forgiveness does not mean giving him another chance to abuse, but it does mean giving him another chance at the plan of salvation.

It is also helpful if the wife understands “that we are punished by our sins and not for them.” ... And even in the present, his true happiness and joy diminish in inverse proportion to his increased wickedness, because “wickedness never was happiness” (Alma 41:10). 

... Knowing that he is sinking in spiritual quicksand might begin to change her desire for ­justice which is already occurring to a hope that he will repent before it is too late. With this understanding she might even begin to pray for the one who has despitefully abused her.

This Christlike change in her heart helps her to forgive and brings about the healing she so desperately wants and deserves. The Savior knows exactly how to heal her because He precisely knows her pain, having lived it vicariously.

... Alma teaches us that the Savior suffered for both: for the sins of the man and for the anguish, heartache, and pain of the woman (see Alma 7:11–12; Luke 4:18). To access the Savior’s grace and the healing power of His Atonement, the Savior requires something from both of them.

The husband’s key to access the Lord’s grace is repentance. If the husband doesn’t repent, he cannot be forgiven by the Lord (see D&C 19:15–17). The wife’s key to access the Lord’s grace and then allow Him to heal her is forgiveness. 

Until the wife is able to forgive, she is choosing to suffer the anguish and pain that He has already suffered on her behalf. ... 

Conclusion

In summary, being 100 percent responsible is accepting yourself as the person in control of your life. If others are at fault and need to change before further progress is made, then you are at their mercy and they are in control over the positive outcomes or desired results in your life. 

Agency and responsibility are inseparably connected. You cannot avoid responsibility without also diminishing agency. Mercy and justice are also inseparable. You cannot deny the Lord’s justice without also impeding His mercy. Oh, how Satan loves to divide complementary principles and laugh at the resulting devastation!

I invite each one of you to eliminate the anti-responsibility or anti-faith list from your life, even when you are right! It is an anti-happy and an anti-success list even when you are right. ... It is one of Satan’s foremost tools in controlling and destroying lives. 

The day a person eliminates the list from their life is the day they regain control over positive outcomes from that point on, and they begin moving forward in the light at an accelerated pace (see D&C 50:24). ..."

If you would like to read the whole Devotional either now or in your own time, here is the link below. 

https://speeches.byu.edu/talks/lynn-g-robbins/be-100-percent-responsible/

Be 100 Percent Responsible ~ Part One

Good Morning or Good Afternoon or Good Evening, 

this post should take five minutes to read from start to finish.

This post focuses on August 2017 Brigham Young University {BYU} Devotional, and it is called "Be 100 Percent Responsible" by Elder Lynn G. Robbins. This post is part one, and I would like to share with you some highlights while I was reading the Devotional. 

Elder Robbins has mentioned the following; 

"... Many gospel principles come in pairs, meaning one is incomplete without the other. ... When Satan is successful in dividing doctrinal pairs, he begins to wreak havoc upon mankind. It is one of his most cunning strategies to keep people from growing in the light.

You already know that faith without works really isn’t faith (see James 2:17). ... The Book of Mormon teaches us that we are agents to “act . . . and not to be acted upon” (2 Nephi 2:26) or to be “free to act for [our]selves” (2 Nephi 10:23). This freedom of choice was not a gift of partial agency but of complete and total 100 percent agency. 

It was absolute in the sense that the One Perfect Parent never forces His children. He shows us the way and may even command us, but, “nevertheless, thou mayest choose for thyself, for it is given unto thee” (Moses 3:17). Assuming responsibility and being accountable for our choices are agency’s complementary principles (see D&C 101:78). 

Responsibility is to recognize ourselves as being the cause for the effects or results of our choices good or bad. On the negative side, it is to always own up to the consequences of poor choices. Except for those held innocent, such as little children and the intellectually disabled, gospel doctrine teaches us that each person is responsible for the use of their agency and “will be punished for their own sins” (Articles of Faith 1:2). ...

The Korihor Principle - Separating Agency from Responsibility

One of Satan’s most crafty strategies to gain control of our agency isn’t a frontal attack on our agency but a sneaky backdoor assault on responsibility. Without responsibility, every good gift from God could be misused for evil purposes. ... With negative consequences removed, you now have agency unbridled, as if there were no day of reckoning.

The Nehor Principle - Denying Justice

If Satan is not successful in fully separating agency from responsibility, one of his backup schemes is to dull or minimize feelings of ­responsibility ... What an attractive offer for those who seek happiness in wickedness! ... Denying justice is a twin of avoiding responsibility. ... A common strategy of each Book of Mormon anti-Christ was to separate agency from responsibility. 

... Faith without works, mercy without justice, and agency without responsibility are all different verses of the same seductive and damning song. With each, the natural man rejects accountability in an attempt to sedate his conscience. ... Agency without responsibility is one of the foremost anti-Christ doctrines very cunning in its nature and very destructive in its results.

The Anti-Responsibility List

...

1. Blaming others: Saul disobediently took of the spoils of war from the Amalekites; then, when confronted by Samuel, he blamed the people (see 1 Samuel 15:21).

2. Rationalizing or justifying: Saul then rationalized or justified his disobedience, stating that the saved livestock was for “sacrifice unto the Lord” (1 Samuel 15:21; see also verse 22).

3. Making excuses: Excuses come in a thousand varieties, such as this one from Laman and Lemuel: “How is it possible that the Lord will deliver Laban into our hands? Behold, he is a mighty man, and he can command fifty, yea, even he can slay fifty; then why not us?” (1 Nephi 3:31).

4. Minimalizing or trivializing sin: This is exactly what Nehor advocated (see Alma 1:3–4).

5. Hiding: This is a common avoidance technique. It is a tactic Satan used with Adam and Eve after they partook of the forbidden fruit (see Moses 4:14).

6. Covering up: Closely associated with hiding is covering up, which David attempted to do to conceal his affair with Bathsheba (see 2 Samuel 12:9, 12).

7. Fleeing from responsibility: This is something Jonah tried to do (see Jonah 1:3).

8. Abandoning responsibility: Similar to fleeing is abandoning responsibility. One example is when Corianton forsook his ministry in pursuit of the harlot Isabel (see Alma 39:3).

9. Denying or lying: “And Saul said . . . : I have performed the commandment of the Lord. And Samuel said, What meaneth then this bleating of the sheep in mine ears . . . ?” (1 Samuel 15:13–14).

10. Rebelling: Samuel then rebuked Saul “for rebellion.” “Because thou hast rejected the word of the Lord, he hath also rejected thee from being king” (1 Samuel 15:23).

... Difficult situations are the test of one’s faith, to see if we will go forward with either a believing heart (see D&C 64:34) or a doubting heart (see D&C 58:29), if at all. A difficult situation reveals a person’s character and either strengthens it, as with Nephi, or weakens and corrupts it, as with Laman and Lemuel, who epitomize what it means to be irresponsible (see Alma 62:41)." 

Stay Tuned until next time. 

The Eternal Blessings of Marriage

Good Morning or Good Afternoon or Good Evening, 

this post should take four minutes to seven minutes to read from start to finish.

This post focuses on April 2011 General Conference talk, and it is called "The Eternal Blessings of Marriage" by Elder Richard G. Scott. I would like to share with you some highlights while I was reading the talk. 

Elder Scott has mentioned the following; "... If you are a young man of appropriate age and are not married, don’t waste time in idle pursuits. Get on with life and focus on getting married. Don’t just coast through this period of life. Young men, serve a worthy mission. Then make your highest priority finding a worthy, eternal companion. 

When you find you are developing an interest in a young woman, show her that you are an exceptional person that she would find interesting to know better. Take her to places that are worthwhile. ... If you want to have a wonderful wife, you need to have her see you as a wonderful man and prospective husband.

... be very, very happy eternally by staying within the bounds of worthiness the Lord has established. If you are married, are you faithful to your spouse mentally as well as physically? ... Are you kind and supportive of your spouse and children?

Brethren, do you lead out in family activities such as scripture study, family prayer, and family home evening, or does your wife fill in the gap your lack of attention leaves in the home? Do you tell your wife often how very much you love her? It will bring her great happiness. 

I’ve heard men tell me when I say that, “Oh, she knows.” You need to tell her. A woman grows and is greatly blessed by that reassurance. Express gratitude for what your spouse does for you. Express that love and gratitude often. That will make life far richer and more pleasant and purposeful. 

Don’t withhold those natural expressions of love. And it works a lot better if you are holding her close while you tell her. I learned from my wife the importance of expressions of love. Early in our marriage, often I would open my scriptures to give a message in a meeting, and I would find an affectionate, supportive note Jeanene had slipped into the pages. 

... Those precious notes from a loving wife were and continue to be a priceless treasure of comfort and inspiration. I began to do the same thing with her, not realizing how much it truly meant to her. ... I remember one day I took some of those little round paper circles that form when you punch holes in paper, and I wrote on them the numbers 1 to 100. 

I turned each over and wrote her a message, one word on each circle. Then I scooped them up and put them in an envelope. I thought she would get a good laugh. When she passed away, I found in her private things how much she appreciated the simple messages that we shared with each other. 

I noted that she had carefully pasted every one of those circles on a piece of paper. She not only kept my notes to her, but she protected them with plastic coverings as if they were a valuable treasure. There is only one that she didn’t put with the others. It is still behind the glass in our kitchen clock. 

It reads, “Jeanene, it is time to tell you I love you.” It remains there and reminds me of that exceptional daughter of Father in Heaven. As I have thought back over our life together, I realize how blessed we’ve been. ... Now I realize that blessing came because of her. 

It resulted from her willingness to give, to share, and to never think of herself. In our later life together, I tried to emulate her example. I suggest that as husband and wife you do the same in your home. Pure love is an incomparable, potent power for good. 

Righteous love is the foundation of a successful marriage. It is the primary cause of contented, well-developed children. ... What enduring fruits result from the seeds of truth that a mother carefully plants and lovingly cultivates in the fertile soil of a child’s trusting mind and heart? 

As a mother you have been given divine instincts to help you sense your child’s special talents and unique capacities. With your husband you can nurture, strengthen, and cause those traits to flower. It is so rewarding to be married. Marriage is wonderful. 

... You have times when you are extremely happy, times of testing, and times of trial, but the Lord guides you through all of those growth experiences together. ... Jeanene’s kindness taught me so many valuable things. ... Marriage provides an ideal setting for overcoming any tendency to be selfish or self-centered. 

I think one of the reasons that we are counseled to get married early in life is to avoid developing inappropriate character traits that are hard to change. I feel sorry for any man who hasn’t yet made the choice to seek an eternal companion, and my heart weeps for the sisters who haven’t had the opportunity to marry. 

Some of you may feel lonely and unappreciated and cannot see how it will be possible for you to have the blessings of marriage and children or your own family. All things are possible to the Lord, and He keeps the promises He inspires His prophets to declare. 

Eternity is a long time. Have faith in those promises and live to be worthy of them so that in His time the Lord can make them come true in your life. With certainty, you will receive every promised blessing for which you are worthy. ... I know what it is to love a daughter of Father in Heaven who with grace and devotion lived the full feminine splendor of her righteous womanhood. ..."

If you would like to read the whole talk either now or in your own time, here is the link below.

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2011/04/the-eternal-blessings-of-marriage

Stay Tuned until next time.

If You Will Be Responsible ~ Part Two

Good Morning or Good Afternoon or Good Evening, 

this post should take three minutes to five minutes to read from start to finish.

This post focuses on a April 2015 General Conference talk, and it is called "If You Will Be Responsible" by Elder Jorge F. Zeballos. This post is part two. I would like to share with you some highlights while I was reading the talk. 

Elder Zeballos has mentioned the following; "3. Acting Accordingly

After learning our duty and making the decisions that are associated with that learning and understanding, we must act accordingly. A powerful example of the firm determination to meet His commitment with His Father comes from the Savior’s experience of having a man sick with palsy brought to Him to be healed. 

... We know that the Atonement of Jesus Christ is essential to receiving forgiveness for our sins ... The path that we have chosen to walk is narrow. Along the way are challenges that will require our faith in Jesus Christ and our best efforts to stay on the path and press forward. 

We need to repent and be obedient and patient, even if we do not understand all the circumstances that surround us. We must forgive others and live in accordance with what we have learned and with the choices we have made.

4. Willingly Accepting the Father’s Will

Discipleship requires us not only to learn our duty, make correct decisions, and act in accordance with them, but also essential is our developing the willingness and the ability to accept God’s will, even if it does not match our righteous desires or preferences.

... The leper did not demand anything, even though his desires might have been righteous; he was simply willing to accept the will of the Lord. Some years ago a dear, faithful couple who are friends of mine were blessed with the arrival of a long-yearned-for son, for whom they had been praying for a long time. 

That home was filled with joy while our friends and their daughter, who was their only other child back then, enjoyed the company of the newly arrived little boy. One day, however, something unexpected happened: the little boy, who was only about three years old, suddenly went into a coma. 

As soon as I learned of the situation, I called my friend to express our support at that difficult time. But his reply was a lesson to me. He said, “If it is the Father’s will to take him to Him, then it is all right with us.” My friend’s words contained not the slightest degree of complaint, rebelliousness, or discontent. 

Quite the contrary, all I could feel in his words was gratitude to God for having allowed them to enjoy their little son for that brief time, as well as his total willingness to accept the Father’s will for them. A few days later, that little one was taken to his celestial mansion.

Let us press forward by learning our duty, making correct decisions, acting according to those decisions, and accepting the will of our Father. ... Over time, I have come to understand that the condition he gave me to be responsible for that decision meant being responsible to my Heavenly Father and seeking my own salvation and that of my fellowmen, thereby becoming more as my Father expects and wants me to become. ..."

If you would like to read the whole talk either now or in your own time, here is the link below.

https://abn.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2015/04/if-you-will-be-responsible

Stay Tuned until next time.

If You Will Be Responsible ~ Part One

Good Morning or Good Afternoon or Good Evening, 

this post should take three minutes to five minutes to read from start to finish.

This post focuses on a April 2015 General Conference talk, and it is called "If You Will Be Responsible" by Elder Jorge F. Zeballos. This post is part one. I would like to share with you some highlights while I was reading the talk. 

Elder Zeballos has mentioned the following; "... What responsibility do we have as members of the Church of Jesus Christ? President Joseph Fielding Smith expressed it as follows: “We have these two great responsibilities. … First, to seek our own salvation; and, second, our duty to our fellow men.”

These, then, are the main responsibilities that our Father has assigned to us: seeking our own salvation and that of others, with the understanding that in this statement, salvation means reaching the highest degree of glory that our Father has provided for His obedient children.

These responsibilities that have been entrusted to us and which we have freely accepted must define our priorities, our desires, our decisions, and our daily conduct. For someone who has come to understand that, because of the Atonement of Jesus Christ, exaltation is truly within reach, failing to obtain it constitutes damnation. 

Thus, the opposite of salvation is damnation, just like the opposite of success is failure. President Thomas S. Monson has taught us that “men cannot really long rest content with mediocrity once they see excellence is within their reach.” How, then, could we be content with anything short of exaltation if we know that exaltation is possible? ...

1. Learning Our Duty

If we are to do God’s will, if we are to be responsible to Him, we must begin by learning, understanding, accepting, and living according to His will for us. The Lord has said, “Wherefore, now let every man learn his duty, and to act in the office in which he is appointed, in all diligence.” 

Having the desire to do what is right is not enough if we do not make sure to understand what our Father expects from us and wants us to do. ... However, we know that the path that leads to the “tree, whose fruit [is] desirable to make one happy” “the way, which leadeth unto life” is narrow. 

It takes effort to journey along the path, and “few there be that find it.” Nephi teaches us that “the words of Christ will tell you all things what ye should do.” Then he adds that “the Holy Ghost … will show unto you all things what ye should do.” Thus, the sources that allow us to learn our duty are the words of Christ that we receive through ancient and modern prophets and the personal revelation that we receive through the Holy Ghost.

2. Making the Decision

Whether we have learned about the Restoration of the gospel, a particular commandment, the duties associated with serving in a calling, or the covenants we make in the temple, the choice is ours whether or not we act according to that new knowledge. 

Each person chooses freely for himself or herself to enter into a sacred covenant such as baptism or the temple ordinances. ... However, in the meridian of time, the Savior taught a higher way of keeping our commitments when He said that yes meant yes and no meant no. 

A person’s word ought to be sufficient to establish his or her truthfulness and commitment toward someone else and even more so when that someone else is our Father in Heaven. Honoring a commitment becomes the manifestation of the truthfulness and honesty of our word."

Stay Tuned until next time.

Do Not Fear ~ Part Two

Good Morning or Good Afternoon or Good Evening, 

this post should take three minutes to five minutes to read from start to finish.

This post focuses on a April 2004 General Conference talk, and it is called "Do Not Fear" by Elder Boyd K. Packer. This post is part two. I would like to share with you some highlights while I was reading the talk. 

Elder Packer has mentioned the following; "... I counsel you to have faith. Things have a way of working out. Stay close to the Church. Keep your children close to the Church. 

In Alma’s day “the preaching of the word had a great tendency to lead the people to do that which was just yea, it … had more powerful effect upon the minds of the people than the sword, or anything else, which had happened unto them therefore Alma thought it was expedient that they should try the virtue of the word of God” (Alma 31:5)."

True doctrine, understood, changes attitudes and behavior. The study of the doctrines of the gospel will improve behavior quicker than a study of behavior will improve behavior. Find happiness in ordinary things, and keep your sense of humor. ... Keep your sense of humor!"

Do not be afraid to bring children into the world. We are under covenant to provide physical bodies so that spirits may enter mortality (see Gen. 1:28; Moses 2:28). Children are the future of the restored Church. Put your homes in order. 

If Mother is working outside of the home, see if there are ways to change that, even a little. It may be very difficult to change at the present time. But analyze carefully and be prayerful (see D&C 9:8–9). Then expect to have inspiration, which is revelation (see D&C 8:2–3). 

Expect intervention from power from beyond the veil to help you move, in due time, to what is best for your family. ... Each of us came into mortality to receive a mortal body and to be tested (see Abr. 3:24–26). Life will not be free from challenges, some of them bitter and hard to bear. 

We may wish to be spared all the trials of life, but that would be contrary to the great plan of happiness, “for it must needs be, that there is an opposition in all things” (2 Ne. 2:11). This testing is the source of our strength. ... “Little children need no repentance, neither baptism. … “… Little children are alive in Christ” (Moro. 8:11–12).

Remember the Atonement of Christ. Do not despair or count as forever lost those who have fallen to the temptations of Satan. They will, after the debt is paid to “the uttermost farthing” (Matt. 5:26) and after the healing which attends complete repentance takes place, receive a salvation.

Follow the leaders who are called to preside over you, for the promise is given: “If my people will hearken unto my voice, and unto the voice of my servants whom I have appointed to lead my people, behold, verily I say unto you, they shall not be moved out of their place” (D&C 124:45).

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will go forward “until it has filled the whole earth” (D&C 65:2) ... We will be protected by justice and comforted by mercy (see Alma 34:15–16). No unhallowed hand can stay the progress of this work (see D&C 76:3).

We are not blind to the conditions in the world. ... Isaiah promised, “In righteousness shalt thou be established: thou shalt be far from oppression; for thou shalt not fear: and from terror; for it shall not come near thee” (Isa. 54:14).

The Lord Himself encouraged, “Wherefore, be of good cheer, and do not fear, for I the Lord am with you, and will stand by you; and ye shall bear record of me, even Jesus Christ, that I am the Son of the living God, that I was, that I am, and that I am to come” (D&C 68:6). ..." 

If you would like to read the whole talk either now or in your own time, here is the link below. 

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2004/04/do-not-fear

Stay Tuned until next time.

Do Not Fear ~ Part One

Good Morning or Good Afternoon or Good Evening, 

this post should take three minutes to five minutes to read from start to finish.

This post focuses on a April 2004 General Conference talk, and it is called "Do Not Fear" by Elder Boyd K. Packer. This post is part one. I would like to share with you some highlights while I was reading the talk. 

Elder Packer has mentioned the following; "... The fear of the future was gone. That bright-eyed, little two-year-old can have a good life a very good life and so can his children and his grandchildren, even though they will live in a world where there is much of wickedness.

They will see many events transpire in the course of their lifetime. Some of these shall tax their courage and extend their faith. But if they seek prayerfully for help and guidance, they shall be given power over adverse things. Such trials shall not be permitted to stand in the way of their progress, but instead shall act as stepping-stones to greater knowledge.

As a grandfather and as one of the Twelve, I will give you some counsel, some caution, and a lot of encouragement. ... Mothers know much more about life than fathers do ... We do not fear the future for ourselves or for our children. We live in dangerously troubled times. ...

We cannot take lightly this warning from the Book of Mormon: “The Lord in his great infinite goodness doth bless and prosper those who put their trust in him … doing all things for the welfare and happiness of his people; yea, then is the time that they do harden their hearts, and do forget the Lord their God, and do trample under their feet the Holy One yea, and this because of their ease, and their exceedingly great prosperity.

“And thus we see that except the Lord doth chasten his people with many afflictions, yea, except he doth visit them with death and with terror, and with famine and with all manner of pestilence, they will not remember him” (Hel. 12:1–3; emphasis added).

... Nevertheless, I do not fear the future. World War I ended only six years before I was born. When we were children, the effects of the war were everywhere present. World War II came only 15 years later. And dark clouds were already gathering. We had the same anxious feelings that many of you do now. We wondered what the future held for us in an unsettled world.

When I was a boy, childhood diseases appeared regularly in every community. When someone had chicken pox or measles or mumps, the health officer would visit the home and place a quarantine sign on the porch or in the window to warn everyone to stay away. In a large family like ours, those diseases would visit by relay, one child getting it from another, so the sign might stay up for weeks.

We could not blockade ourselves inside our homes or stay hidden away to avoid those terrible contagions. We had to go to school, to employment, to church to life! ... The best thing to do then and what we must do now is to avoid places where there is danger of physical or spiritual contagion.

... Parents now are concerned about the moral and spiritual diseases. These can have terrible complications when standards and values are abandoned. We must all take protective measures. With the proper serum, the physical body is protected against disease. We can also protect our children from moral and spiritual diseases. 

The word inoculate has two parts: in “to be within” and oculate means “eye to see.” When children are baptized and confirmed (see D&C 20:41, 43; D&C 33:15), we place an eye within them the unspeakable gift of the Holy Ghost (see D&C 121:26). With the Restoration of the gospel came authority to confer this gift.

The Book of Mormon gives us the key: “Angels speak by the power of the Holy Ghost; wherefore, they speak the words of Christ. … Feast upon the words of Christ; for behold, the words of Christ will tell you [and your children as well] all things what ye should do” (2 Ne. 32:3).

If you will accept it in your mind and cradle it in your feelings, a knowledge of the restored gospel and a testimony of Jesus Christ can spiritually immunize your children. One thing is very clear: the safest place and the best protection against the moral and spiritual diseases is a stable home and family. 

This has always been true; it will be true forever. We must keep that foremost in our minds. The scriptures speak of “the shield of faith wherewith,” the Lord said, “ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked” (D&C 27:17). 

... While the shield can be polished in classes in the Church and in activities, it is meant to be handcrafted in the home and fitted to each individual. The Lord said, “Take upon you my whole armor, that ye may be able to withstand the evil day, having done all, that ye may be able to stand” (D&C 27:15).

Our young people in many ways are much stronger and better than we were. They and we should not be afraid of what is ahead. Encourage our young people. They need not live in fear (see D&C 6:36). Fear is the opposite of faith."

Stay Tuned until next time.

Choose to Trust the Lord ~ Part Three

    Good Morning or Good Afternoon or Good Evening, 

this post should take approximately three minutes to read from start to finish.

I just realized now that it was so much easier to divide the Devotional highlights into three different posts. Oops. There are so much that really stood out to me. 

This post focuses on June 2019 Brigham Young University (BYU) Devotional and it is called, "Choose to Trust the Lord" by Sister Michalyn Steele. This post is part three. I would like to share with you some highlights while I was reading the Devotional.

Sister Steele has mentioned the following; "As we put our trust in the Lord and lean not on our own limited understanding of eternal things, the individualized path He has designed for each of His children will unfold. It is marvelous to contemplate that although He is the great God of the universe and the works of His hands are beyond our numbering, each of us is known and loved by Him. Indeed, we are “graven . . . upon the palms of [His] hands.”

To fulfill God’s purposes for our lives, we must learn to trust in His love and goodness, even in times when we feel alone just as Jesus felt alone. ... The Savior felt the hunger, thirst, fatigue, rejection, grief, pain, and loneliness of His mortal experiences. He even asked that the unimaginable weight of His burden of sorrow and pain be removed, if possible. 

... The experience of Jesus in Gethsemane teaches me that it is not a sin to desire that we be spared some experiences or to ask that burdens be removed. The pain of those crossroads, in which our will and the Father’s will diverge, is profound. Nevertheless, Jesus modeled how such moments are best resolved: choosing, because of our love for the Father, to trust His will. We trust Him by receiving the Lord’s counsel rather than insisting that He take ours.

Principle Number 3: Love Abundantly

The third principle that I would urge you to adopt is to love abundantly. In most any situation we face, love really is the answer. We can trust that the will of the Lord is motivated entirely by perfect love. When we cannot understand the things that are happening or the things that are not happening the one true constant is the perfect love of God. You can trust it entirely.

Alma counseled the people of the Church to avoid contention and to have “their hearts knit together in unity and in love one towards another.” I have found that my happiness is multiplied and my challenges are dulled when I have opened my heart to be knit in loving ties to friends, colleagues, and family. 

The Savior commanded us to love even our enemies and to do good to those who despitefully use us. My life is not defined by the blessings I have not received but by the abundance of love and blessings that I have received. ... Choosing to love is choosing to heal from the spiritual wounds inflicted by injustice and suffering.

One important way that we magnify our love to others and to the Lord is through the words that we speak. Many Native American creation stories describe the world’s creation as having been brought about because the Creator spoke it. Speaking is, in a way, giving birth to ideas and forming and shaping our reality. 

... Our words are powerful beyond measure. Words have the power to create and heal, but they also have the power to destroy and wound. Let us speak with abundant love and use the power that is ours to heal and build others, just as the Savior uses His.

Most important, we should not place conditions or limits on the love that we offer to our Father in Heaven and His Son. But even when we have done so, having withheld love or obedience, He stands ever ready to receive and heal us. As often as we will repent, He will forgive. His arms are ever outstretched. We can trust His love. ..." 

If you would like to read the whole Devotional or listen to the whole Devotional, here is the link below. 

https://speeches.byu.edu/talks/michalyn-steele/choose-to-trust-the-lord/

Choose to Trust the Lord ~ Part Two

   Good Morning or Good Afternoon or Good Evening, 

this post should take approximately five minutes to read from start to finish.

This post focuses on June 2019 Brigham Young University (BYU) Devotional and it is called, "Choose to Trust the Lord" by Sister Michalyn Steele. This post is part two. I would like to share with you some highlights while I was reading the Devotional.

Sister Steele has mentioned the following; "Principle Number 2: “Seek Not to Counsel the Lord”

In addition to the seven generations principle of taking the long view, might I suggest a second principle that seems especially relevant to the ­successful navigation of our trials. I take this principle from Jacob’s plea to the wavering Nephites. He urged, “Seek not to counsel the Lord, but to take counsel from his hand.”

If you are like me, you are full of great ideas, hopes, and dreams about how your lives ought to go: the timing of change and the fulfillment of blessings, jobs or other experiences we might enjoy, or opportunities that we think would be a good fit and would help us to be happy. 

Indeed, we are commanded to ask the Lord for the desires of our hearts. With faith and with fasting, when appropriate we should plead with and petition the Lord for the experiences we desire. That is a very different thing than seeking to counsel the Lord or resisting His counsel. 

Seeking to counsel the Lord means to me that we adjudge our wisdom and preferences to be superior to the Lord’s. That reflects a fundamental lack of trust in His omniscience, in His omnipotence, and, more important, in His perfect love. We might suppose that if we could only persuade the Lord to do things our way, life would be much improved. We may feel frustrated by what we deem His resistance to our counsel on such matters.

... He sees the end from the beginning, “and there is not anything save he knows it.” ... Those of us who have responsibilities for your education are eager for you to develop sound critical thinking skills and judgment. Whatever your field of study, I have no doubt that you will contribute your learning and good judgment to the inevitable and daunting challenges of your families, your employers, your ­communities, and your congregations.

But no ­matter how learned we may become in whatever field, and no matter the earthly value of our ­counsel, we will never have knowledge or judgment that will exceed the Lord’s. That is why we should not seek to counsel the Lord but should seek to take counsel from His hand.

... We must not allow the great gift and blessing of our learning and education to divide us from His wisdom. Instead, we must let our learning deepen our trust in Him and multiply the gifts we have to offer to Him and His children. I have learned that He does not need to be persuaded to do good things or advised about “how to give good gifts unto [His] children.” 

While there are many settings in which He will draw upon our good judgment and learning to bless lives, we must remember that He does not need the best thinking of the wisest and brightest among us to augment His understanding. He already has all wisdom and all judgment.

... Nephite society, including the Church, was stratified and destroyed because “there became a great inequality in all the land.” What caused the inequality? In part it was because “the people began to be distinguished by ranks, according to their riches and their chances for learning.” 

The people who had money or who had “chances for learning” looked down on those who did not. Let us never misappropriate the blessing of our education as a cause to vaunt our knowledge over those who have not had the same opportunities we have had and certainly not as a reason to vaunt our wisdom over the Lord’s. 

Rather, let us humbly consecrate our gifts to the Lord. Let us serve and love His children, no matter their circumstances and even when we do not understand the Lord’s purposes. A long time ago, I was called as a missionary to the Texas Houston Mission. 

The call said that I should report to the MTC to prepare to teach the gospel in the English language. As my stake president set me apart as a missionary, I remember him saying these words: “The language the Lord would like you to learn is the language of the Spirit.”

I knew that to learn the vocabulary and grammar of the language of the Spirit, I would need to study the scriptures, identify promptings, and understand the whisperings of the Holy Ghost. I knew that it was a language I had been learning my whole life as my parents taught me to keep the commandments and to love the Lord.

I had mentors and teachers who had modeled fluency in the language of the Spirit. “To take counsel from [the Lord’s] hand,” as Jacob instructed, we must develop our own fluency in the language of the Spirit. To try to learn that language, I undertook a deep study of the Book of Mormon.

Once I had arrived at the MTC, I enjoyed learning the principles of missionary work, but I kept wondering how I might say certain phrases in Spanish. When that happened, I told myself to keep focused on the tasks at hand. But my mind kept wandering to the few Spanish phrases I knew, and I kept wondering about Spanish grammar and vocabulary.

I eventually recognized that these unbidden thoughts were the whisperings of the Spirit helping to prepare me to go to Houston, Texas, where there would be many people I would meet who would speak Spanish. So I went to the MTC bookstore and bought a copy of El Libro de Mormón and put it with my things, pleased that I had felt and recognized a prompting and sure that I would have the opportunity to share that book with someone as a missionary.

When I arrived in Houston a few weeks later, my mission president, Clark T. Thorstenson, pulled me aside at the airport. He said, “Sister Steele, the Lord has made it clear to me that He would like you to learn Spanish. I am assigning you to the Spanish-speaking program.”

I felt like the Lord had been trying to whisper it to me all along and was smiling, now that I was in on the plan too. That evening I wondered how I would ever learn Spanish, and I wished that I could go back to the MTC. Then I remembered my Libro de Mormón. I took it out and began to read. 

My study of the Book of Mormon in preparing for my mission helped me to follow along: “Yo, Nefi, nací de buenos padres.” Buenos padres? “Goodly parents”! At first I had no other books to use to study the Spanish language except for the Book of Mormon. 

But I remembered the inspired counsel of my stake president: the language the Lord wanted me to learn was the language of the Spirit. I enlisted the Spirit who, it turns out, speaks perfect Spanish to magnify my abilities and to tutor me in both the Spanish language and the language of the Spirit. Those two languages would be crucial to my missionary service.

A few months in, I had a companion from El Salvador, Hermana Seravia. She was a great missionary and senior companion. One day she said to me, “Hermana, you are doing pretty good with Spanish, but you talk too much like a Book of Mormon! We don’t really say, ‘Now behold, we rejoice to be in your home.’”

I have reflected a lot in the years since this experience about the way that calling unfolded. I know that the Lord is omniscient. Surely He knew that the people I was called to teach in Houston spoke Spanish and that I did not know Spanish when my call had been issued months earlier.

So why did the Lord send me to Texas without MTC language training? At the time, if I were to have designed the experience for myself, I would have called me to learn Spanish in the MTC. However, although I have the power of choice and autonomy in many things, I am not the primary architect of my own life experiences. 

I am called to trust that the Lord has a plan for my life, just as I know that He has a plan for yours. Both the big picture and the smaller details are within His infinite and loving calculus. ... I had to rely on the gifts and tutelage of the Spirit. I had to plead for the gift of tongues. 

I had to rely on the prayers of loved ones the power of which I could feel bringing words and phrases to my mind and loosing my tongue as I taught. The Lord foresaw that Spanish would be a great blessing in my life but that learning to trust Him and rely on Him while learning the language of the Spirit was an even more important lesson.

Sometimes we are asked to submit to ongoing ambiguity or to a grueling lesson we would prefer not to learn. Such moments provide us with the opportunity to realize one of the purposes of our mortal experience: to choose to trust Him to bless us with the experiences that we need rather than the experiences we might want."

Stay Tuned until next time.

Choose to Trust the Lord ~ Part One

   Good Morning or Good Afternoon or Good Evening, 

this post should take approximately five minutes to read from start to finish.

In what ways do you trust the Lord in your life? Why do you choose to trust the Lord? 

This post focuses on June 2019 Brigham Young University (BYU) Devotional and it is called, "Choose to Trust the Lord" by Sister Michalyn Steele. This post is part one. I would like to share with you some highlights while I was reading the Devotional.

Sister Steele has mentioned the following; " ... I believe that the Lord has preserved many essential truths by preserving the indigenous peoples and their cultures. Just as Joseph of old stored up grain against the time of famine to save the house of Israel, and just as the record of Lehi and his children was preserved against a time of spiritual famine, indigenous peoples and cultures hold truths to teach us in this age of political, moral, and ecological turbulence.

... College is a time of tremendous growth, both intellectually and spiritually. We develop critical thinking skills and take in so much information. ... In this age of abundant information and disinformation, how do we know where to turn as we refine our beliefs and mature our testimonies? And how do we respond as our faith passes through refining fires?

My message to you today is that, whatever your trials mortal or spiritual you can choose to trust in the Lord. While so much around you is inconstant and fleeting, He is faithful. He will never fail you. You may rely on His love as an unerring truth.

In the Midst of Fiery Trials

... The Lord is there to understand and to quiet our anguish. At many points I have seen the Lord’s hand moving miraculously to order and bless the circumstances of my life. He has prepared a path, opened doors, raised up friends, and multiplied joys in my life. I have seen how these blessings have been tailored specifically for me and fitted to my particular needs. Many blessings were set in motion long before my needs arose. 

... There have also been times when I have longed for the Lord’s intervention in specific ways, when I have petitioned and pleaded with the Lord for blessings that have not been realized. There have been questions that have gone unanswered and times when the heavens felt silent. In those moments the adversary has tried to whisper that no one has heard my prayers. 

I have prayed and fasted for many years that the promise of my patriarchal blessing and other priesthood ­blessings that I would find a true companion and be a mother might be fulfilled. Those blessings have not been realized for me on my preferred timeline, despite my most fervent petitioning. 

But it has not been because no one heard them. That was a lie from the adversary. My Father in Heaven has heard and answered every prayer, even when the answers have been difficult for me. ... The Lord has poured out abundant ­blessings meted out with the “good measure” of the Lord, “pressed down” and “running over” far beyond my merits. 

But my life has not looked like the life I would have sought for myself. In coping with the Lord’s counsel to wait or to do without, I have had to learn to choose to trust the Lord. I have had to choose to let these experiences refine and deepen my faith rather than yield to the temptation to despair in the Lord and abandon my hope and faith.

Everyone passes “through fiery trials.” I know that many of you, though you may be young, are like the Savior, acquainted with grief. Many of you may be weighed down with your own sorrows, challenges, or disappointments. Some of you may be wrestling through questions concerning your faith. 

I know that the Savior is intimately acquainted with your grief and sees your sorrows. He has promised one day to wipe away all tears. And He will. But, in the meantime, during those moments of fiery trial, how do we choose to trust in the Lord especially when we may, for a time, feel alone?

I hope that some of the lessons I am learning might be of some comfort to you now or in future times of need. ... In walking my path, I have been given the opportunity to choose to love and obey the Lord, even when I have felt sometimes forsaken. 

... I offer three principles that have helped me choose to trust the Lord in times of trial. I offer these principles humbly knowing that you walk a path tailored for you but also confidently, trusting in the constancy of the Lord.

Principle Number 1: The Seven Generations Principle

First, I offer one lesson from the Seneca ­tradition. It is an idea found in many ­indigenous cultures in some form. It is called the seven generations principle. The seven generations principle in the Seneca culture means that we are obliged to consider the consequences and outcomes of our choices on the next seven generations. 

It is a cultural value that entrenches the practice of taking the long view where possible and acting in the interest of the long term rather than the short term. The seven generations principle challenges us to pause and contemplate how our choices, when multiplied and ­amplified through future generations, might affect our ­relationships with the Creator, with one another, and with the earth.

This principle means that we strive to keep an eye on the things of eternity, even perhaps ­especially in the midst of blinding mortal pain. How do we maintain that long view and choose to trust the Lord when the pain of our physical or spiritual trial is so acute and present, when the suffering is sore and stubborn?

... I mean that we should seek to keep our spiritual gaze fixed on the great eternal sacrifice, the infinite Atonement of Jesus Christ. The adversary seeks to distract us by fixing our focus entirely on our temporal pain and by tempting us to dwell on perceived slights and injustices, obscuring the Lord’s love. 

This is one reason it is imperative that we partake of the sacrament each week, renewing our covenant to “always remember” the Savior. Just as He suffered, we will suffer as part of the mortal experience. In choosing to trust the Lord, we can consecrate our suffering to a greater understanding of His suffering and allow it to build in us a deeper capacity for compassion and mercy toward the suffering of others. 

.... As Alma taught his son Helaman, “I do know that whosoever shall put their trust in God shall be supported in their trials, and their troubles, and their afflictions, and shall be lifted up at the last day.” Putting our trust in God does not spare us from trials, troubles, or affliction. Instead, God has promised to support us while we are in those mortal difficulties. 

Elder Neal A. Maxwell taught of our trials, “Rather than simply passing through these things, they must pass through us and do so in ways which sanctify these experiences for our good.” By taking the long view, as the Seneca culture counsels, and choosing to trust the Lord and His eternal timeline, we can pass through our trials and let the trials pass through us as we deepen not abandon our faith and our kindness."

Stay Tuned until next time.

The Importance of Balance ~ Part Two

Good Morning or Good Afternoon or Good Evening, 

this post should take approximately five minutes to read from start to finish. 

This post focuses on a Brigham Young University (BYU) Devotional in June 1998, and it is called "The Importance of Balance" by Elder W Eugene Hansen. This post is part two and I would like to share some highlights while I was reading the Devotional. 

Elder Hansen has mentioned the following; 

"Family

A very important part of achieving balance is having a good family life. We all have the responsibility to be dutiful children, and as we find our life’s companion, to be a good spouse and a good parent. We will never be released from these responsibilities. ...

It is so important to realize that children need both a dad and a mom. It’s pretty hard for one to do both. And we shouldn’t try to justify our absence or neglect by reasoning that we’re doing all this for a spouse or children. Often our time is the most precious and valuable gift we can give our children.

... I have one other important suggestion with respect to the family. I always tried to let the children feel their father’s testimony and know how important the gospel was in my life.

Prayer was an important part of our family life. We had a rule in our home that none of our children left the house in the morning without having family prayer. We defined family prayer as a kneel-down prayer with both of the parents depending on availability or with at least one if the other was gone. Sometimes it was necessary to have more than one family prayer in the morning, as we would not wake up the youngest children to have prayer when others were leaving for early morning meetings, classes, or seminary activity.

We also followed the custom of giving father’s blessings each year as school began and at such times during the year as there was need for comfort, direction, guidance, or healing, as the case might be.

You may also want to dedicate your home when you are fortunate enough to have one. I believe it was eight years before we were able to extricate ourselves from the rental game and purchase our first home. And remember, it’s not necessary to have it all paid for before you dedicate it.

Now, an important tip: ... We enjoyed traveling, and consequently we took some trips during the early years of our marriage. Not long ones. Usually less than a week. Often members of our extended family were able to help with the children.

Church

We have always accepted Church calls and assignments as they have come. It seemed we found a way to take care of those responsibilities and yet felt we were not neglecting our family or professional obligations. As you do the Lord’s work, you receive blessings in so many ways blessings that make up for the extra time and effort that go into fulfilling a Church calling with a “well done, thou good and faithful servant” result (Matthew 25:21).

And it goes without saying, we should keep the commandments, attend our meetings, pay our tithes and offerings, read the scriptures, show respect for parents and Church leaders, and always be conscious of the importance of example.

"With balance comes happiness and inner peace.
How unfortunate it is that some work a lifetime
on a goal like making money or attaining social status,
only to find that these things do not bring real happiness."

Work

One of the greatest challenges is balancing work and family responsibilities in order that neither go wanting. Of course the family must have sufficient money to take care of needs, but, beyond that, money has very little to do with happiness. ...

Remember the counsel in Jacob 2:18–19: But before ye seek for riches, seek ye for the kingdom of God. And after ye have obtained a hope in Christ ye shall obtain riches, if ye seek them; and ye will seek them for the intent to do good to clothe the naked, and to feed the hungry, and to liberate the captive, and administer relief to the sick and the afflicted.

As we continue to lead busier lives, it seems we never have time to do all the things we would like to do or perhaps even need to do. My father gave me some helpful advice as a young man. It has application to both men and women: “Do the most important thing first.” That rule along with setting sound priorities is the best way I know of balancing work with the other aspects of living. ...

Maintaining Spirituality

Now a few words concerning spirituality. If we who have received the greater light the gospel gives are to be true to the faith and effective in our various fields of endeavor, we must be ever sensitive to our level of spirituality.

We should be constantly providing nourishment to our spiritual side. Scriptures, conference reports, counsel given by the Brethren, lesson manuals, and gospel texts provide excellent sources for “treasuring up” the word.

Fasting and prayer also provide nourishment for the soul.

In addition to seeking the positive, we should also avoid the negative. ... We don’t need to view R-rated movies to know that they are not good for us. Nor do we need to become familiar with the ways of the world in order to know that certain conduct or practices are demeaning and offensive to the Spirit.

If those who have been endowed in the temple live worthy of and have a current temple recommend in their possession, high levels of spirituality will be maintained. In summary then, if we are to achieve balance in our lives, we must have our priorities in order.

And my priorities go something like this:

Wife

Family

Church

Work

I am so grateful for the gospel of Jesus Christ that has been restored upon the earth in these, the latter days. I’m thankful that the Lord has provided us the pattern that will see us safely home to dwell with him. And if we will but follow the Lord’s prophets here on earth, there will be joy, happiness, and success in this life and the greatest of all the gifts of God the gift of eternal life.

... Real life is response to the best within us. To be alive only to appetite, pleasure, pride, money-making, and not to goodness and kindness, purity and love, poetry, music, flowers, stars, God and eternal hopes, is to deprive one’s self of the real joy of living. [CR, October 1963, p. 7]

May you develop qualities of courage, faith, and self-control. Use your background and experience in analyzing the choices that are constantly before you. Draw on the Holy Ghost that you are privileged to have and your decisions will be much wiser.

Don’t let habits and excuses interfere with proper choices. Those who rely on excuses at best have only the excuse and not the blessing.

Hear Elder Richard L. Evans on this subject: No matter how good an excuse may be, no reason for failure or defection is ever so satisfying to ourselves or to anyone else as is actually doing what we should do, or delivering on the date that something is due. Excuses are at best a second-choice substitute.

It is a surpassing quality in life to follow through, to keep commitments, to keep the commandments, and no matter how ingenious our excuses are, they don’t cancel commitments, or justify our failures, or relieve us from answering before the highest bar, unless they are founded on real, valid reasons—and not merely on our comfort or convenience. [Richard L. Evans, From the Crossroads [New York: Harper, 1955], p. 20]

... President Spencer W. Kimball provides us with an appropriate reminder: The Lord’s program is unchangeable. His laws are immutable. They will not be modified. Your opinion or mine does not alter the laws. Many in the world, and even some in the Church, seem to think that eventually the Lord will be merciful and give them the unearned blessing. But the Lord cannot be merciful at the expense of justice. [The Miracle of Forgiveness (Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1969), p. 249]

... May we be wise enough and valiant enough to embrace the gospel of Jesus Christ; may we cleanse the inner vessel; may we come unto Christ and be perfected in him and deny ourselves of all ungodliness. And may we strive to achieve the balance that will bring everlasting peace and happiness into our lives. ..."

If you would like to read the whole Devotional either now or in your own time, here's the link below.

https://speeches.byu.edu/talks/w-eugene-hansen/importance-balance

Stay Tuned until next time.

The Importance of Balance ~ Part One

 Good Morning or Good Afternoon or Good Evening, 

this post should take approximately five minutes to read from start to finish. 

This post focuses on a Brigham Young University (BYU) Devotional in June 1998, and it is called "The Importance of Balance" by Elder W Eugene Hansen. This post is part one and I would like to share some highlights while I was reading the Devotional. 

Elder Hansen has mentioned the following; 

"... There is a sense of enthusiasm and industry, a sense of respect and determination, a sense of confidence and spirituality all of which inspires confidence by the visitors, in you the student body, the faculty, and the Church. That should be reassurance to you of how the world needs a generation of young people who know why they are here and where they are going and the direction they need to take to get there.

... It has been my experience that balance is sometimes very elusive as we struggle to meet the pressures and challenges that are ever present. So I hope I can share some thoughts that will be useful in the challenging experience we call life. I think of the definition someone coined: “Life is what happens while you are making other plans.” 

... I commend you for having exhibited the mental and physical discipline that brings you to this point in your life. ... As you continue to make the right choices, you will have tremendous opportunities for continued growth and development.

It is so sad to see poor choices being made at critical times, choices that have very seriously limited the options a person has for future opportunity. No doubt you will continue to see the “poor-choices” factor operating all the days of your life. 

Consider it ongoing evidence for you to make good choices and to be consciously striving to improve yourself each day. I recall a motivational speaker during my teenage years making the statement, “I know of no one to be pitied more than one whose future is in the past.” 

What a sobering thought bad choices seriously compromising opportunities of the future. So if you are tempted to take that dare or to get involved in activities that may appear exciting, give it careful thought. ... Is the potential thrill worth the risks and the baggage that accompany questionable conduct? You have come so far. 

Don’t let bad choices put a ceiling on your upward mobility and, even more important, bring heartache and sorrow and loss of self-respect into your life. I continue to be amazed at the frivolous way in which choices are made by some, both young and old alike decisions that have eternal and everlasting consequences.

... I refer to conduct that leads to loss of virtue or harm or injury to self or other people. ... What a price to pay for such a moment of abandonment, a moment of thoughtlessness. Of course, not every case of addiction or promiscuity or a wasted lifestyle results from just one experiment or just one drink or just one immoral encounter, but unfortunately we are not able to determine just how strong we will be in a given situation or what effect harmful substances will have on us.

I am reminded of a wise father’s counsel: “If you never take the first one, you’ll never need to worry about the second one.” We should all keep in mind that there is no neutral ground between where the Lord’s boundary ends and the adversary’s begins. The safe rule to remember is to stay on the Lord’s side of the line.

Well, you might keep that in mind as a motivator while you are striving for excellence in whatever pursuit you follow.

Personal

With balance comes happiness and inner peace. How unfortunate it is that some work a lifetime on a goal like making money or attaining social status, only to find that these things do not bring real happiness.

Too often we conjure up thoughts in our minds of things we imagine will make us happy. To some extent we may even become jealous or covetous: If only we could afford the nicer clothes that others have or a better house or new furniture or perhaps a different car. If we had just been blessed with a beautiful singing voice or smaller feet or a more perfect profile or athletic prowess, then we could be happy.

... I had other talents and many other opportunities. But for a period of time I almost lost my effectiveness and made myself miserable worrying about something that really was not indispensable to my progression and happiness.

Sometimes we let reverses or unpleasant experiences undermine our confidence and create more turbulence in our lives than they should. Here I don’t mean to imply that all you need to do is keep a smile on your face and everything will be all right. 

Many have had those experiences in life when it hurts so badly inside that, for a short time at least, it may seem hard to go on. If you ever commence feeling that way, you might try quietly humming the hymn “Count Your Blessings” and reviewing the words in your mind. 

.. Think of the problems and difficulties of others who have been required to bear so much. You might also think in terms of “What could I do to be of greater service to others?” I believe it was the legendary jurist Oliver Wendell Holmes who said, “I find the great thing in this world is not so much where we stand, as in what direction we are moving” (The Autocrat of the Breakfast Table [1858], ch. 4). 

... At any given time in a person’s life we may have feelings of inadequacy or ineptness or lack of confidence or ability. But that will fade as you conscientiously stretch and put forth the effort to become a better student or better at whatever you’re doing, or being a more loving husband, wife, and parent. As we hold fast to correct principles, we will continue to move in the right direction.

I hope I go to my grave never having “peaked out,” but rather striving to improve, to do better, to be better, to enhance my ability to serve, and to learn something worthwhile each day.

... I still remember one occasion, as we were leaving, asking if President Romney had any counsel for us as his stake presidency. President Romney paused and then gave us a sermon in a sentence: “Live a little better each day.”

It has always been my belief that a keen sense of personal accountability is necessary to keep a person in balance. Our moral compass needs to be operating efficiently and accurately. Often I sense an individual is tempted to make bad choices through the urging of the adversary. 

He quietly suggests, “No one will ever know.” But we should constantly keep in mind that our Heavenly Father always knows. And he is saddened when we do not live up to what we are capable of. We all know how important prayer is in maintaining balance. 

If you have trouble remembering, here’s a suggestion. Years ago I read about Brigham Young following the practice of never taking any food or drink in the morning before he had his personal prayer. I have followed that practice for more than 20 years now in fact, ever since I was called as a bishop. I commend that practice to you, and I guarantee you won’t forget your prayers.

... Read your patriarchal blessing from time to time. I received mine when I was just about 12 years of age, and it has been a source of inspired direction my entire life. In fact, one of the reasons I stayed active in the army reserve for 30 years was largely because of counsel given in my patriarchal blessing.

Recognize the difference between pleasure and happiness, and then pattern your lives in such a way that you will seek happiness as opposed to mere pleasure. If adversity strikes, don’t succumb to the temptation to counsel the Lord. Pray for strength to get you through. 

President Harold B. Lee used to say: “Never put a question mark where the Lord has put a period.” Wise counsel is also helpful. ... Work at developing self-control. ..." 

Stay Tuned until next time. 

Some Suggestions of What to Pray About

Good Morning or Good Afternoon or Good Evening, 

this post should take approximately three minutes to read from start to finish. 

This post is very similar to the previous post. I hope this post will give you a few new suggestions or some suggestions of what to pray about and I would like to encourage you to think about and answer the following list of some questions that I thought about recently.

Have you ever thought of praying about what you are going to do this day or this evening?

Have you ever thought of praying about what you are going to do this week or this month? 

Have you ever thought of praying about your current plans or near future plans or future plans? Have you ever thought of praying about ways of how you can become a better person this present time than you were in the past? 

Have you ever thought of praying about ways of how you can overcome your current struggles? Have you ever thought of praying about ways of how you can overcome your current trials and current challenges? 

Have you ever thought of praying about ways of how you can overcome your current difficulties? Have you ever thought of praying about ways of how you can come your current hardships and current bad habits? 

Have you ever thought of praying about your choices in relation to making a right choice that you have made? Have you ever thought of praying about purchasing a home or renting a new house? 

Have you ever thought of praying about getting employment (whether it is part-time position or full-time position)? Have you ever thought of praying about your short-term goals and your long-term goals?

Have you ever thought of praying about your immediate family members and extended relatives? Have you ever thought of praying about your friends (church members and non-members)?

Have you ever thought of praying about your current relationship if you are currently in a steady relationship? 

Have you ever thought of praying about your current engagement if you are currently engaged to your partner? 

Have you ever thought of praying about your current marriage if you are currently married with your spouse? 

Have you ever thought of praying about ways how you can resolve any of your concerns that you have at this present time? 

Have you ever thought of praying about your current feelings that you currently have at this present time? 

Have you ever thought of praying about everything? Have you ever thought of praying about many things?
"Did you pray about your current marriage if you are currently married with your spouse?"
"Did you pray about your current concerns that you have at this present time?"
"Did you pray about your current feelings that you have at this present time?"

"The only way to worry about nothing is
to pray about everything."

I know that I always do my best to include in my prayers to mention a lot of things. I pray about my family, I pray about my relatives, I pray about my friends, I pray about my marriage, I pray about my choices, I pray about my concerns, I pray about my short-term goals, I pray about my long-term goals, and I pray about other things too.

Stay Tuned until next time.

Some Suggestions of What to Pray For

Good Morning or Good Afternoon or Good Evening, 

this post should take approximately three minutes to read from start to finish. 

I hope this post will give you a few new ideas or some ideas what to pray for. I would like to encourage you to think about and answer the following list of some questions that I thought about recently.

"What did you pray for today?" "What did you pray for this evening?"
"Did you pray for someone's health whenever he or she is sick/unwell?"
"Did you pray for your health whenever you are sick/unwell?"

"Did you pray for direction as where you are heading in life at this present time?"
"Did you pray for having the spirit to be with you as you do scripture studies?"

"Did you pray for to have missionary opportunities?" "Did you pray for forgiveness?" "Did you pray for help?"
"Did you pray for safety and protection while you are driving/travelling?" "Did you pray for comfort?"

The list goes on and on. How well did you think you went with answering a few questions from the list?
Did it go well? Did any of the questions made you think more than one minute before answering?

How well did you think you went with answering some of the questiions from the list?
How well did you think you went with answering all of the questions from the list?

"Pray, Blessed are those who mourn, for they will
be comforted. Matthew 5:4."

I would like to share with you some of the things what I pray for. In my prayers, I always pray for the spirit to be with me as I read the scriptures, I always pray for comfort, I always pray for forgiveness, I always pray for safety and protection while I am driving/travelling, I always pray for my family, I always pray for my relatives, I always pray my friends wherever they are in the world now and I always pray for a few other basic things such as pray for direction.

In my prayers, I always strive my best to ask questions, pray for my health and someone's health and many more.

Stay Tuned until next time.

Be a Missionary All Your Life ~ Part Two

Good Morning or Good Afternoon or Good Evening, 

this post should take approximately five minutes to read from start to finish. 

This post focuses on a Brigham Young University (BYU) Devotional in March 2007, and it is called "Be a Missionary All Your Life" by Elder Quentin L. Cook. This post is part two, and I would like to share with you some highlights while I was reading the Devotional.

Elder Cook has mentioned the following; "Third: Do not be discouraged because missionary work is hard.

... Missionaries experience this kind of rejection every day. Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve, in speaking about how hard missionary work is and has been, said:

I am convinced that missionary work is not easy because salvation is not a cheap experience. Salvation never was easy. We are The Church of Jesus Christ, this is the truth, and He is our Great Eternal Head. How could we believe it would be easy for us when it was never, ever easy for Him?

Fourth: Be a good example and take every opportunity to share the gospel.

Paul counseled Timothy, “Be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.” It is not enough to preach the gospel. One must also live the gospel. Very often people are receptive to being taught because they have had a positive experience with a Church member.

... The First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve are the missionary committee of the Church and oversee all aspects of missionary work. President Hinckley became president of the Church 12 years ago yesterday March 12, 1995. Under his prophetic guidance a great deal has been accomplished. Let me give you some numbers describing what has happened during those 12 years:

• Approximately 387,750 missionaries have entered the mission field, which represents almost 40 percent of the missionaries who have ever served in this dispensation.

• About 3,400,000 converts have been baptized, which is the equivalent of more than one-fourth of the total current membership of the Church.

• The total number of missions in the Church has increased from 303 to 347.

• The number of converts increased by almost 30,000 in 2006.

• Retention as measured by sacrament meeting attendance, priesthood ordinations, and tithing faithfulness has increased significantly.

"Missionary work is not just one of the 88 keys on a piano
that is occasionally played; it is a major chord in a compelling melody
that needs to be played continuously throughout our lives if we are to
remain in harmony with our commitment to Christianity and the
gospel of Jesus Christ."

I am very enthusiastic about where we are at this time in missionary work. But, as President Hinckley always counsels the Brethren, “We can still do better.” Preach My Gospel: A Guide to Missionary Service was first introduced in October 2004. 

.. He called for the missionaries to learn the doctrine and teach the principles by the Spirit in their own words and avoid rote recitations of the discussions. ... I was deeply touched when President Boyd K. Packer, acting president of the Quorum of Twelve, speaking of Preach My Gospel, said, “It was designed beyond the veil and put together here.” Over 1.4 million copies of Preach My Gospel have been acquired by members of the Church. 

I hope you will all become familiar with this great missionary guide. It will help strengthen you to live worthily to receive sacred temple ordinances. For you young men, it will help prepare you for mission service. For you sisters, it will help you apply doctrine in a future role as a wife or mother, and, if you choose to serve a full-time mission, you will be prepared to preach the gospel.

There are great blessings, including eternal joy, in helping to bring souls unto Christ. Among the blessings of being a full-time missionary are the lifelong relationships you develop with missionary companions. ... Other blessings of serving a mission are having the opportunity of being nurtured under the guidance of a mission president who has been called by inspiration; developing gospel knowledge and study habits that will serve you well throughout your life; and achieving the enormous strength that comes from doing something that is very challenging. 

Having increased faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and the restoration of His gospel is a most significant blessing. But the most important reason for going on a mission and being committed to missionary work throughout your life is because it is doctrinally what the Savior has asked us to do.

The last chapters of Matthew, Mark, and Luke; the last two chapters of John; and the first eight verses of Acts contain the only New Testament accounts of the risen Christ. Suppose for a minute that you had been a disciple of the Savior during His life here on earth. Suppose you had believed His teachings. Can you imagine how wonderful it would have been to actually behold the risen Lord? ...

There may have been other things the risen Lord taught that were not recorded, but the overwhelming message in each of the accounts was to preach His gospel. The next-to-last verse in Matthew is a good example: “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.”

We could go to almost any part of the Book of Mormon for the same message. Think of Alma and his lifelong commitment to bring souls unto repentance even when he was the head of state. What about missionary work in this dispensation?

... Every missionary is called to serve by the prophet and assigned to a field of labor by one of the Twelve Apostles. As I see missionaries all over the world including here in North America teaching investigators in so many languages, it is inspiring to reflect on D&C 90:11: For it shall come to pass in that day, that every man shall hear the fulness of the gospel in his own tongue, and in his own language, through those who are ordained unto this power.

Missionary work is not just one of the 88 keys on a piano that is occasionally played; it is a major chord in a compelling melody that needs to be played continuously throughout our lives if we are to remain in harmony with our commitment to Christianity and the gospel of Jesus Christ.

My specific challenge to each of you is to make a commitment to be a missionary for the rest of your life. ... If you look at your group of friends back home, there are many who would respond to the gospel if you would have the faith to share the message of the Restoration with them. 

What we desperately need is for member-missionary work to become a way of life for the Savior’s mandate to share the gospel to become part of who we are. I pray that this generation of leaders here at BYU, along with your colleagues across the world, will follow the Savior’s counsel and the prophetic counsel of all of the prophets of this dispensation to preach the gospel throughout your lives. ..."

If you would like to read the Devotional either now or in your own time, here is the link below.

https://speeches.byu.edu/talks/quentin-l-cook/missionary-life

Stay Tuned until next time.