KEEPING LIKFE'S DEMANDS IN BALANCE Summary

173rd Annual General Conference of

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

Saturday Morning, April 2003

Key Doctrines and Principles:

Elder Ballard taught that “too much of anything in life can throw us off-balance. At the same time, too little of the important things can do the same thing.” He suggests a periodic review of eight basic, easily-overlooked objectives to help us “manage the many demands that life makes on us.” Elder Ballard suggests that “through honest, open self-examination” we can find “an awareness within as to who and what we want to be.”

Even though they may seem very simple we will “need a strong commitment and personal discipline to incorporate them . . . into [our] life. . .  King Benjamin counseled ‘that all these things are done in wisdom and order’ (Mosiah 4:27).”

      1. Think about your life and set your priorities.

      2. Set short-term goals that you can reach.  

3. Through wise budgeting, control your real needs

     and measure them carefully against your many wants in life.

          Remember to always pay a full tithing

      4. Stay close to your spouse, children, relatives, and friends.

          They will help you keep a balance . . .

      5. Study the scriptures.  

      6. Schedule time on your daily calendars . . . for sufficient rest, exercise, and relaxation.

      7.  Teach one another the gospel, preferably in a weekly family home evening.  

      8. Pray often as individuals and as families.

Favorite Quotes:

“A periodic review of the covenants we have made with the Lord will help us with our priorities and with balance in our lives. This review will help us see where we need to repent and change our lives to ensure that we are worthy of the promises that accompany our covenants and sacred ordinances. Working out our own salvation requires good planning and a deliberate, valiant effort. . . . Jesus, our exemplar, often ‘withdrew himself into the wilderness, and prayed’ (Luke 5:16). We need to do the same thing occasionally to rejuvenate ourselves spiritually as the Savior did.”

“Find some quiet time regularly to think deeply about where you are going and what you will need to do to get there. . . . Write down the tasks you would like to accomplish each day. Keep foremost in mind the sacred covenants you have made with the Lord as you write down your daily schedules.”

“Set goals that are well balanced—not too many nor too few, and not too high nor too low. Write down your attainable goals and work on them according to their importance. Pray for divine guidance in your goal setting.”

“It is much easier to borrow money than it is to pay it back. There are no shortcuts to financial security. There are no get-rich-quick schemes that work.”

“A good marriage and good family relationships can be maintained through gentle, loving, thoughtful communication. Remember that often a glance, a wink, a nod, or a touch will say more than words. A sense of humor and good listening are also vital parts of good communication.”

“Study the scriptures. They offer one of the best sources we have to keep in touch with the Spirit of the Lord. … Make the study of the Book of Mormon a daily habit and a lifetime pursuit.”

“Schedule time on our daily calendars . . . for sufficient rest, exercise, and relaxation. . . . Good physical appearance enhances our dignity and self-respect.”

“Satan is always working to destroy our testimonies, but he will not have the power to tempt or disturb us beyond our strength to resist when we are studying the gospel and living its commandments.”

“When we focus on a few basic objectives, we are more likely to be able to manage the many demands that life makes on us. Remember, too much of anything in life can throw us off-balance. At the same time, too little of the important things can do the same thing.

So What?

A periodic review of the covenants we have made with the Lord will help us with our priorities and with balance in our lives. This review will help us see where we need to repent and change our lives to ensure that we are worthy of the promises that accompany our covenants and sacred ordinances. Working out our own salvation requires good planning and a deliberate, valiant effort.