Where I stand on this topic:
“We are
to learn our duty from the Lord, and . . . act in all diligence, never being lazy or slothful,” directs
Elder Henry B Eyring. “The pattern
is simple but not easy to follow. . . . . Sitting down to rest can be more
attractive than making appointments to visit those who need . . . service. . .
.When I find myself drawn away . . . by other interests and when my body begs
for rest, I give to myself this rallying cry: ‘Remember Him.’” [i]
The gospel, Elder David A Bednar teaches,
“is not simply about avoiding bad in our lives; it also is essentially about doing and becoming good”—more
like the Savior. His help changes our very natures. “Each
of us desperately needs, … the enabling
power of the Atonement, . . . to do and be good and serve beyond our own
individual desire and natural capacity. [ii]
Elder M
Russell Ballard affirms, “It is crucial for us to understand that Heavenly Father
has provided a way for all . . . to have access to the blessings of and be
strengthened by the power of the priesthood. (Moses 1:39) . . . [It]
should be part of our lives to succor, strengthen, and bless our families, our
friends, and our neighbors . . . to do the things that the Savior would do.” [iii]
How this affects my future:
“There
is no substitute for love, (D&C 4:2, 5-6, [7]),” declares President
Thomas S Monson. “Well might each of you
... [ask yourself]“Today, have I increased in faith, in virtue, in knowledge,
in godliness, in love? Through your dedicated devotion
at home or abroad, those souls whom you help to save may well be those whom you
love the most.”
Elder Bednar inquires, “Do our spouses, children,
and others . . .feel the power of our prayers . . . for their specific needs
and desires? Do those we serve hear us pray for them with faith and
sincerity? If [not] . . . the time to repent is now.” [v]
Elder Eyring promises, “Many of you have loved ones who are wandering ... You
wonder what more you can do .... Depend
on the Lord to draw closer to them as you serve Him in faith ... Your prayers
. . .[of] faith will bring the Lord’s servants to help . . . them choose the way home to God. . . . My promise [about loved ones] ... cannot be that you will
have every blessing ... But . . . the Savior will draw close to you and bless
you and your family with what is best. . . .as you reach out your arms in
giving service to others. As you bind up the
wounds of those in need and offer the cleansing of His Atonement to those who
sorrow in sin, the Lord’s power will sustain you. . . ” [vi]
“Peace will come as you couple your
efforts to be obedient with serving those around you,” says Elder Richard G
Scott. “Selfishness
is the root of great evil. The antidote for that evil is exemplified in the
life of the Savior. . . . . Obedience and service relate to the power of God. When
we obey . . . and serve unselfishly, the natural consequence is power from
God—power to do more. . . . Insights, talents, and abilities are expanded
because we receive strength and power from the Lord." [vii]
My plan to apply it in my life:
President Monson requests, “Ask [your]self the question [each day],'What
have I done for someone today?'” [viii]
He teaches a 4 part formula to ensure successfully following the Savior, “first, search
the scriptures with diligence; second, plan
your life with purpose (and, I might add, plan your life regardless of your
age); third, teach the truth with testimony; and fourth,
serve the Lord with love.” He adds, “The challenge is
to be more profitable servants in the Lord’s vineyard. This applies to all of us, whatever our
age, . . . for to each of us
comes the mandate to share the gospel of Christ.” [ix] President Monson also directs, “Be good citizens of
the nations in which you live and good neighbors in your communities, reaching
out to [others] as well as to our own, . . . follow [Christ’s] example, . . .
ever be ready to extend . . . a helping hand and a loving heart.” He
emphasizes, “We live at a time . . . when there
are many difficult challenges but also great opportunities and reasons
for rejoicing. There are, of course, those times
when we experience disappointments, heartaches, and even tragedies in our
lives. However, if we will put our trust in
the Lord, He will help us through our
difficulties. . . . (Psalm 30:5).” [x]
Elder
Jeffrey R Holland urges, “Take heart, be filled with faith, and remember the
Lord has said He ‘would fight [our] battles, [our] children’s battles, and [the
battles of our] children’s children (D&C
98:37).’ And what do we do to merit such a defense? We are to ‘search
diligently, pray always, and be believing[. Then] all things shall work
together for [our] good, if [we] walk uprightly and remember the covenant
wherewith [we] have covenanted (D&C
90:24).’ The latter days are not a time to fear and tremble. They
are a time to be believing and
remember our covenants. [sic].”
He further expounds, “God never leaves us alone, never leaves us unaided in the challenges that we face. '[N]or will he, so long as time shall last, or the earth shall stand, or there shall be one man [or woman or child] upon the face thereof to be saved (Moroni 7:36).' On occasions, global or personal, we may feel we are distanced from God, shut out from heaven, lost, alone in dark and dreary places. Often enough that distress can be of our own making, but even then the Father of us all is watching and assisting. And always there are those angels who come and go all around us, seen and unseen, known and unknown, mortal and immortal.” [xi]
He further expounds, “God never leaves us alone, never leaves us unaided in the challenges that we face. '[N]or will he, so long as time shall last, or the earth shall stand, or there shall be one man [or woman or child] upon the face thereof to be saved (Moroni 7:36).' On occasions, global or personal, we may feel we are distanced from God, shut out from heaven, lost, alone in dark and dreary places. Often enough that distress can be of our own making, but even then the Father of us all is watching and assisting. And always there are those angels who come and go all around us, seen and unseen, known and unknown, mortal and immortal.” [xi]
Elder Ballard implores, "Keep
foremost in mind the sacred covenants [we] have made with the Lord … Eliminate from [your] lives the things that clamor for and consume [your] thoughts, feelings, and energies without contributing to …[reaching your] main goal . . . ‘immortalityand eternal life’ (Moses 1:39).” He lovingly reminds us, “Just do the very best you can each day. Do the basic things and, before you realize
it, your life will be full of spiritual understanding that will confirm to you
that your Heavenly Father loves you. When a person knows this, then life will
be full of purpose and meaning, making balance easier to maintain.”
Elder Robert
D Hales recognizes, “The call to be a Christian can seem demanding, even
overwhelming.” He declares, “We need not be afraid or feel inadequate.
The Savior has promised that He will make us equal to His work. . . . As
we follow Him, He blesses us with gifts, talents, and the strength to do His
will, allowing us to go beyond our comfort zones and do things we’ve never
before thought possible.” [xiii]
“Find ways to recognize and remember God’s kindness,”
Elder Eyring reminds me and instructs that as I serve I should “record for [my]
children . . . how [I] have seen the hand of God blessing [our] family.” He suggests, “Ponder this
question: “Have I seen the hand of God reaching out to touch [me or my]
children or our family today?” He promises, “The Holy Ghost can
bring all things to our remembrance—even things we did not notice or pay
attention to when they happened. . . . It will build our testimonies. . . . It
won’t be easy to remember. . . . Seeing such things takes the Holy Ghost. And
it is not easy to be worthy of the Holy Ghost’s companionship in a wicked
world.” [xiv]
NOTES:
[i]
Elder HENRY B EYRING,
First Counselor in the First Presidency, “Act
In All Diligence,” 180th Annual General Conference, April
2010
[ii]
Elder DAVID A. BEDNAR of
the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, The Atonement and the Journey of
Mortality." Ensign, April 2012 - Brigham Young University
Devotional, October 23, 2001. For the full text visit speeches.byu.edu.
[iii]
Elder M. RUSSELL BALLARD of the Quorum of the
Twelve Apostle, “This Is My
Work and Glory,” 183rd Annual General
Conference, 7 April 2013
[iv]
President THOMAS S MONSON, President
of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, “Come, All Ye Sons of God”
183rd Annual General Conference, April 6, 2013
[v] Elder DAVID A. BEDNAR
of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, “Pray
Always,” 178th Semi-annual General Conference, October 2008
[vi]
Elder HENRY B EYRING, First
Counselor in the First Presidency, “Come
Unto Me,” 183rd Annual General Conference, 6 April
2013
[vii]
Elder RICHARD G.
SCOTT of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, “For
Peace at Home” 183rd Annual General Conference, 6
April 2013
[viii] President THOMAS S
MONSON, President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, “What
Have I Done For Someone Today,” 179th Semi-Annual General Conference,
1 October 2011
[ix] President THOMAS S
MONSON, President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, “Come,
All Ye Sons of God,” 183rd Annual General Conference, 6 April
2013
[x]
President THOMAS S MONSON, President of The Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter Day Saints, “Until We Meet Again,” 183rd Annual General
Conference, 7 April 2013
[xi] Elder JEFFREY R
HOLLAND of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, “The
Ministry of Angels,” 178th Semi-annual General Conference, October 2008
[xii] Elder M. RUSSELL
BALLARD of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, “Keeping
Life’s Demands In Balance,” Annual General Conference, April 1987
[xiii] Elder ROBERT D HALES of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, “Being
a More Christian Christian” 182nd Semi-annual General Conference, October 2012
[xiv] Elder HENRY B EYRING,
First Counselor in the First Presidency, “O
Remember, Remember,” 177th
Semi-Annual General Conference, October
1, 2007
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