Gratitude -- More Than a Platitude

This week we will be celebrating Thanksgiving. It is a time for family gatherings and for feasting. Traditionally, a cornucopia, or horn of plenty, filled with the bounty of the harvest has been used as a symbol for our Thanksgiving celebration -- symbolic of the many bounteous blessings we have received from our Father in Heaven.

For many, Thanksgiving, our other sacred holidays (Christmas and Easter) has lost its spiritual meaning. Now it is referred to as "Turkey Day". Football games often receive more devotion than does God. The poor newspaper carrier has to deliver the largest, heaviest newspaper of the year on Thanksgiving day, in order to prepare consumers for the special sales taking place on the following day. Others like Martha of old, are so busy cooking, and making preparations, and getting everything set just so, that they can hardly wait for Thanksgiving to be over with. Lost in the shuffle is the better part of Thanksgiving -- remembering our Lord, and the many blessings He has bestowed upon us.

Is there anything wrong with turkey, or football, or shopping malls? No, not by themselves. However, if they distract us from truly taking stock of our blessings, and expressing our gratitude to God, then we lose out on the true purpose and meaning of the holiday. In fact, we miss out on some choice blessings, if we do not have grateful hearts.

Giving thanks is not merely a courtesy, it's a commandment. In the scriptures we read:

(D&C 59:7)
Thou shalt thank the Lord thy God in all things

(D&C 59:21)
And in nothing doth man offend God, or against none is his wrath kindled, save those who confess not his hand in all things, and obey not his commandments.

(Alma 34:38)
38 . . . that ye [should] live in thanksgiving daily, for the many mercies and blessings which he doth bestow upon you.

Why Are We Commanded to be Grateful?

Why does God want us to be grateful unto him? Does he want our praises and thanks for His benefit -- or is there another reason?

Is it because he expects our thanks after all that He's done for us? After all, we owe him, don't we? I would suppose that might be part of the reason as well.

Would not common courtesy and graciousness require us to express our thanks for that which we have received? Surly it would!

However, there is yet another reason for us to be grateful. We know that whenever Heavenly Father gives us a commandment, that he, in turn, attaches certain blessings to that commandment. (See D&C 130:20-21)

Heavenly Father does not just want to hear us say "Thank-You". In his wisdom, He knows that if we will carry a spirit of gratitude in our hearts, that he can bless us in ways that otherwise would not be available to us.

Now, let's see if we have this straight: Heavenly Father wants to give us yet more blessings for thanking him for the blessings we already have!

What blessings do we receive by having a grateful heart?

First, in order to carry a spirit of gratitude in our hearts, we are required to be humble. If we are not humble, we don't acknowledge that the blessings we already possess are from the Lord.

Ingratitude is a form of Pride.

Over time, if we fail to thank the Lord for his blessings, we start to believe that those things which we have are by our own doing alone, rather than received through the grace of God.

President James E. Faust commented on this tendency:

"It seems as though there is a tug-of-war between opposing character traits that leaves no voids in our souls. As gratitude is absent or disappears, rebellion often enters and fills the vacuum. . . . Rebellion against moral cleanliness, beauty, decency, honesty, reverence, and respect for parental authority. A grateful heart is a beginning of greatness. It is an expression of humility. It is a foundation for the development of such virtues as prayer, faith, courage, contentment, happiness, love, and well-being." (James E. Faust, Liahona, Dec. 1996, 3)

If we have grateful hearts, we are blessed with a shield against pride, which can blind our minds and harden our hearts against God.

An Ungrateful Nation

The following statement comments on the State of American Society as a whole. See if you can guess who the author was, and when it was written.

"We have been the recipients of the choicest bounties of heaven; we have been preserved these many years in peace and prosperity; we have grown in number, wealth, and power as no other Nation has ever grown. But we have forgotten God. We have forgotten the gracious hand which preserved us in peace and multiplied and enriched and strengthened us, and we have vainly imagined, in the deceitfulness of our hearts, that all these blessings were produced by some superior wisdom and virtue of our own. Intoxicated with unbroken success we have become too self-sufficient to feel the necessity of redeeming and preserving grace, too proud to pray to the God who made us.

"It behooves us, then, to humble ourselves before the offended power, to confess our . . . sins, and to pray for clemency and forgiveness." (John Wesley Hill, Abraham Lincoln, Man of God, 4th ed., New York: G. P. Putnam's Sons, p. 391.)

This quote comes from Abraham Lincoln, in 1863! If you didn't know better, you might think that it was something written by a church leader, or heard in a recent General Conference!

As a society, have we become too proud to pray?

The same pitfalls of ingratitude and pride that can befall individual, can also befall a society. Likewise, the same blessings that an individual can enjoy by being humble and grateful, can also benefit a whole society as well.

Taken to its extreme, ingratitude can result in a denial of God altogether.
In the Book of Mormon, we have the example of Korihor, who stated:

(Alma 30:17-18.)
17 . . . [That] every man prospered according to his genius, and that every man conquered according to his [own] strength; and whatsoever a man did was no crime.

18. . . [and] that when a man was dead, that was the end thereof.

Korihor not only denies that we are blessed of God, he denies God altogether. He argued that everything we have comes from our own cunning and labor. He also denies that there is a life after death, wherein we will be held accountable for our actions here on earth. Logically, if this were to be true, it would follow that you may as well do anything you can get away with, because there is no accountability for our actions. A very selfish, and self-centered philosphy.

Keeping Score

A lack of gratitude can lead to a condition I refer to as: "Keeping Score". This is where we keep track of how good someone else has it, and how lousy things are for us.

Keeping score always has at least two elements:

• A comparison between us and someone else, and
• A feeling that we are not being treated fairly.

Let me illustrate with an example that often happens in our home:

In our house each evening before dinner, one child sets the table, empties the dishwasher, and puts the clean dishes away. After dinner, the other child clears off the table, loads (and hopefully actually starts ) the dishwasher, and wipes down the table, sink, and countertops.

Each week they exchange kitchen jobs.

This system might seem straightforward, but it doesn't always work out that way. Life always seems to interrupt our schedules. Should a disruption to the normal schedule take place, one child might be asked to fill-in for the sibling who is unavailable to do their regular task when scheduled.

On Tuesday nights Bryan attends the Young Men's program here at the church. If he happens to be on clean-up duty in the kitchen, there is usually not enough time for him after dinner to do his job and make it to scouts on-time.

On Thursdays, both children have piano lessons, with Amy having the later session. If she has table-setting duty, she might not have time to complete her chores in time before dinner.

Disruptions to the schedule can provide opportunities for service. Amy could help out Bryan cleaning up the kitchen on Tuesday nights. Bryan could help out Amy by setting the table on Thursday nights.

However, sometimes these opportunities for service are not always met with a smile. The suggestion that one child might help out a sibling by doing the other's chore sometimes met with resistance. Often times we will hear something like: "It's not my turn!", or "It's his or her job" , and, "I did it last time!" as if there were a scoreboard keeping track of whose turn it is.

Sometimes a comparison of jobs will be made. Who's job is the hardest? And how often does one sibling have to fill in for the other. And this so unfair!

When all is said and done, the task is usually done, but not always with a smile.

The same situation happens to adults as well. Think of the workplace. Some tasks are more desirable than others. How many times do we roll our own eyes when asked to do an unpleasant task. How often to we complain, or hear complaints about how so-and-so always gets out of having to do the unpleasant tasks that we seem to always get stuck with. Do we hear or make complaints of how unfairly we are being treated? Are we keeping score too?

Each of us, whether as children or adults would be less prone to keeping score, if we were more humble, and more gracious.

The Savior's Example

Let's look to the life of the Savior. Did he keep score? After a long, tiring day, when the little children were brought before him to be blessed, did he tell them go away? No! He invited them to come unto him. He took them on his knee and be blessed them. His disciples had figured that he had already done enough for one day, but the Savior's response was to turn no one away. (See Mark 10:13-16)

When we call upon the Lord for his blessings, will he turn us away? Will he hang up a "closed" sign and tell us to come back some other time? No! He invites always to come unto him, at any time, and at any place.

When Jesus knelt in the Garden of Gethsemane, and as he Hung on the Cross, was he keeping score? Did he complain about how hard his task was, compared to what was required of the rest of Heavenly Father's children? No! He bent His will to that of the Father.

Then he took upon himself the sins of the world. Again, was he keeping score? No! For his was an infinite and eternal sacrifice, for which it was impossible to score.

Even though we can't comprehend what he went through, we know that he did accomplish the work of the Atonement. And we know that he did it for us, because he loved his Father enough to do his father's will, and because he loved us enough that he was willing to bear all of our sins and burdens as well.

If He could do all of that for us without complaint, without keeping score, how is it that we have such a hard time loving and serving one another ungrudgingly. When you think of what the Savior has done for us, it makes our whining and complaining and score keeping seem very small, indeed.

To Whom Do We Owe Our Gratitude?

As we begin to understand the power of gratitude in our lives, and the shield of protection that a grateful heart can bring to us, it would be wise to consider to whom we owe a debt of gratitude.

Some of those would include:

• Our Parents and Family. -- The ones who have borne and raised us in this world.
• Our Teachers, leaders, and those who have been good examples and an influence for good in our lives.
• Our ancestors, as well those from whom we have inherited a legacy of the gospel -- Including the prophet Joseph Smith, and his successors. This is true whether we are a first generation member of the church, or if we have many generations of our family in the church.
• The Founders of our Nation, and the soldiers who have protected and defended the freedoms we enjoy.
• Of course we owe a debt of gratitude to our Heavenly Father, for his wondrous plan of salvation, and his willingness to share all that he has with us, including his only begotten son, Jesus Christ
• Jesus Christ, our Savior and Redeemer, without whom the plan of the Father could never come have come to pass.

How Do We Show Our Gratitude and Appreciation?

The first way we can express our gratitude is by expressing it verbally. Express thanks to our parents, our families, and those who have taught us, or have been an influence for good in our lives. President Thomas S. Monson encourages us to "Think To Thank." Be sure to take a moment to express our thanks and appreciation to others. Drop someone a thank-you note. Let them know you are thankful for the impact they have had on your life.

Take this approach, even with casual acquaintances or other associates. You never know when your moment of thoughtfulness may be an answer to someone's prayer. Your acknowledgement of them may be just the thing that helps them get through a difficult moment in their lives.

How can we thank those who are no longer living among us: our ancestors, the forefathers of our nation, and the prophets and apostles in this and previous dispensations to whom we owe so much. We can't just call them up on the phone, or drop a note in the mail. Not even email or instant messaging can reach them! How can we show our love and gratitude for their sacrifices on our behalf?

I would propose that if we honor the legacy that they have left for us, by living honorable lives, that they would feel that their sacrifice was worthwhile.

With Heavenly Father and Jesus, we do have a way of communicating with them, through the power of prayer. We can take time on our knees, in earnest prayer to express our gratitude for the many blessings we have received. However, there is more that we can do beyond honoring them with our words.

We can honor them best, by honoring the covenants we have made. We honor them, and show gratitude by the way we live our lives. When we obey our Heavenly Father's commandments, we show our love for him. It was Jesus who said: "If ye love me, keep my commandments" (See John 14:15).

Even though we may express thanks to the Lord in words, if we do not strive to keep His commandments, we are, in effect, being ungrateful. In essence, if we do not honor Our Heavenly Father by keeping the covenants we have made with Him, then we are rejecting the gift of the atonement that was wrought by His Son.

Passing Along Our Gifts

Perhaps the best way we can show our gratitude for what the Lord has done for us, is for us, in-turn, to give the heavenly gifts we have received to others.

We can give our children the gift of a good home, filled with love, warmth and the light of the gospel of Jesus Christ. We can see that they receive the blessings of the Priesthood, and the eternal blessings of the temple.

We can also reach out to those around us who may not as yet received the great gifts that are ours. We can reach out to those who may have lost their way, whether they be members of the church, or those who have yet to learn the message of the restored gospel.

How pleased and honored our Lord would be if we were to assist Him in His work of bringing souls unto Christ.

Conclusion

As we enter this holiday season, may we do so with grateful hearts, recognizing our dependence upon the Lord for all that we have, all that we are, and all that we ever hope to become.

As the gift-giving season approaches, may we remember that the greatest gift ever given was that of our Father In Heaven sending us his Only Begotten Son to be the Savior of the World. May we also reach out to our families and fellow-man, and give them the gifts of the gospel of Jesus Christ, which will last well beyond Christmas morning, but will last for a lifetime, and endure throughout all eternity.

Are They There Yet?

Most of us with children, have had a child ask (usually repeatedly), are we there yet?

One of the great responsibilities we have as parents is to prepare our children for the journey of life. At some point in time, each child will reach a point when they will no longer be in our immediate care. This may come when they are about to leave home for college, a mission, or to embark on a new path. For some, it may also be when they are called home to their Heavenly Father's care. In any case, as parents, we may well ask ourselves the question: "Are They There Yet?" Meaning, have we prepared them sufficiently for their journey through life, when we will not be able to shepherd their every move. How will they act, now that they are alone.

Early Teachings and Examples

As parents, we have a responsibility to teach our children to pray. One of the most powerful lessons about prayer we can give our children is the example we set as we pray. Let them see us offering our prayers every day and night. Let them see us offering fervent prayer, as we pass through the trials of life. Let them hear us petitioning the Lord on their behalf. Let them know that they are important enough for us to call upon the powers of heaven for blessings upon their heads. Then let them hear us bear sincere testimony that God has heard and answered our prayers. Then when the day comes when they will pass through their own trials –they will be prepared.

In later years, as the child grows up and is away from home and family, prayer – both those we offer in their behalf, and hopefully the prayers they offer on their own, – can provide a shield of progection to them. Also our teachings, both lessons taught, as well as lessons learned by our examples will help server them as well.

Elder Henry B Eyring relates an experience he had with his father when he left home:

“Parting can be hard, particularly when the parent and the child know that they may not see each other for a long time. I had that experience with my father. We parted on a street corner in New York City. He had come there for his work. I was there on my way to another place. We both knew that I probably would never return to live with my parents under the same roof again.

It was a sunny day, around noontime, the streets crowded with cars and pedestrians. On that particular corner there was a traffic light which stopped the cars and the people in all directions for a few minutes. The light changed to red; the cars stopped. The crowd of pedestrians hurried off the curbs, moving every way, including diagonally, across the intersection.

The time had come for parting, and I started across the street. I stopped almost in the center, with people rushing by me. I turned to look back. Instead of moving off in the crowd, my father was still standing on the corner looking at me. To me he seemed lonely and perhaps a little sad. I wanted to go back to him, but I realized the light would change and so I turned and hurried on.

Years later I talked to him about that moment. He told me that I had misread his face. He said he was not sad; he was concerned. He had seen me look back, as if I were a little boy, uncertain and looking for assurance. He told me in those later years that the thought in his mind had been: Will he be all right? Have I taught him enough? Is he prepared for whatever may lie ahead?” (Henry B. Eyring, “Write Upon My Heart”, Ensign, Nov. 2000, p85)

Have We Done Enough?

Throughout our lives, and as our children grow up, there are times when we too, may wonder if we have taught them enough. Are they sufficiently prepared for the challenges and realities of life? Do they know in whom they can trust? We, as parents cannot be with them at every moment of their lives to give direction and counsel.

I remember taking my eldest son to his first day of kindergarten. It was the first such parting for our family. He was so young. He was a little small for his age. We worried about how well he would be treated and accepted by others. Would he be easily led astray by others? Would he choose the right?

Later, he would go on his first scout camp. Would he be wise in his decisions and choices? At this age, out in the wilderness, he faced choices that could mean life or death! Will he obey the rules, and stay with the group? How will he behave?

Later, he’ll go on his first date. Will he remember the Lord’s standards for proper conduct with the opposite sex? Will he be true to the moral values he has been taught, both at home, and at church?

When the time comes, will he choose to go on a mission. Will he serve faithfully?

When he comes home, will he remain true and faithful in the gospel. Will he seek out a young woman with whom he can be worthily married in the temple?

Will he, in turn, be a wise parent, and set the proper example to his own children?

These are questions we all have as parents. At each of these times, like Elder Eyring’s father, we may wonder if we have taught them enough, and if we have prepared them enough for the challenges they will face in life.

Enos

In the Book of Mormon, we find examples of parents who taught their children well, and whose teaching and examples of prayer would bless the lives of their children.

One day Enos went into the forest to go hunting. As he found himself alone in the wilderness, he began to ponder in his heart and mind the things that had been taught to him by his father, Jacob:

Behold, I went to hunt beasts in the forests; and the words which I had often heard my father speak concerning eternal life, and the joy of the saints, sunk deep into my heart.

And my soul hungered; and I kneeled down before my Maker, and I cried unto him in mighty prayer and supplication for mine own soul; and all the day long did I cry unto him; yea, and when the night came I did still raise my voice high that it reached the heavens.

And there came a voice unto me, saying: Enos, thy sins are forgiven thee, and thou shalt be blessed. (Enos 1:3-5)

We don’t know how old Enos was at this time. We don’t know if is father, Jacob, was still living at this time.

What we do know, is that the teachings of his father were deeply imprinted upon him. We do know that when the time was right, that the words of his father caused him to ponder and think, and seek out the Lord in prayer. He wanted to make sure his life was right with God.

Alma

Another instance where the teachings of parents played an important role in the life of their child was that of Alma the Younger:

In this situation,Alma the younger was,perhaps, in his greatest hour of need. He was suffering in mind, body and spirit as he was harrowed up by the memory of his sins. In his mercy, what did the Lord do for Alma? He sent the Holy Ghost to him, and in his hour of need, recalled to the mind of Alma the words that he had been taught by his father, perhaps long before, and possibly long since forgotten. The words that he came to Alma’s mind were the very words that he needed to hear in his moment of despair. They were the words that testify of Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world.

You never know when your own teachings will be brought to remembrance in the minds of your children. Like, Alma, it might be in a moment of extreme need. It might be in a moment when their eternal destiny might hinge on a single decision. The words of truth and testimony that you teach your children, may be just the thing that pulls them through, during the fiery trials of their lives. The Holy Ghost will help to bring these teachings to their rememberance. (See John 14:26)

Don’t let the opportunities to teach your children pass you by. Take advantage of Family home evenings, and family scripture study to teach them the gospel. Even more importantly, teach them by example. Your children will remember your actions more readily than they will remember your words. Additionally, your example speaks volumes about what is truly most important to you.

Leave your children a legacy of honor, and of truth, and of testimony. It can be a legacy that will not only bless the lives of your children, but can also span the generations to come.

The culmination of all our efforts as a Parents in the home could be summed up by the invitation: "Come Follow Me, as I follow Christ."

Writings Upon The Heart

When preparing to attend a Priesthood meeting, President George Q. Cannon once said:

“I should enter that assembly with my mind entirely free from all influence that would prevent the operation of the Spirit of God upon me. I should go in a prayerful spirit, asking God to write upon my heart His will; not with my own will already prepared, and determined to carry out my will … , regardless of everyone else’s views. If I were to go, and all the rest were to go, with this spirit, then the Spirit of God would be felt in our midst, and that which we would decide upon would be the mind and will of God, because God would reveal it to us. We would see light in the direction where we should go, and we would behold darkness in the direction we should not go” (Deseret Semi-Weekly News, 30 Sept. 1890, 2; emphasis added).

Notice here that President Cannon entered the meeting with a prayer in his heart. He came with an open mind and an open heart – willing to receive God’s will, and willing to relinquish his own. He wanted the Lord to not only convey his will to him, but to write his will upon his heart .

We might want to use this same approach as we listen to, general conference, or as we later re-read the conference talks.

We might want to use this approach as we enter our council meetings, whether they we ward or stake councils, presidency meetings, or even family councils.

This would be a good approach to take as we prepare ourselves to attend the temple, and as we prepare ourselves to partake of the sacrament.

This is the approach that we should take as we approach the Lord in prayer, especially when we are seeking guidance and counsel regarding the direction our lives should take.

Let his will be written upon our hearts. Let it have the power to change us for the better, that we can progress toward our eternal goals.

Having Our Own Personal Liahona

When Lehi was traveling through the wilderness, the Lord Provided the Liahona for he and his family. This Liahona had spindles on it, that pointed them in the direction that they should go on their journey toward the promised land. The ball also contained instructions from the Lord, and taught them about his ways, which if followed would give them guidance and direction along their way. This is how Nephi describes it:

And it came to pass that I, Nephi, beheld the pointers which were in the ball, that they did work according to the faith and diligence and heed which we did give unto them.

And there was also [that which was] written upon [the ball] . . ., which was plain to be read, which did give us understanding concerning the ways of the Lord; and it was written and changed from time to time, according to the faith and diligence which we gave unto it. (1 Nephi 16:28-29)

As we approach the Lord in humility and faith he will guide our lives in a similar manner. Only for us, instead of the writing being upon a ball, the writing is upon our hearts. He will give us direction in the way in which we should travel. Guiding us in the more fertile, bounteous paths of living the gospel, and away from the barren deserts of despair and sin.

From time to time, the writing upon our hearts may be updated as well. At each phase of our life, there are things the Lord would have us do and learn. As we give proper faith and heed to what He would have us do, the Lord will give us further light and knowledge, and further ways in which we can make that next step to become more like Him. Eventually, we will be led to the promised land, which is to have Eternal Life, with our Father In Heaven.

Choose You this Day

Each of us must arrive at a time in our lives, when we are willing to give our own will over to the will of the Father. Each of us must be converted to the gospel of Jesus Christ – regardless of whether you may have just joined the church, or if you come from a long line of many generations in the church.

To those who have been raised in the church, it is sometimes easy to accept the gospel as a way of life, or as a cultural experience rather than a spiritual experience. We go to church because our family does. We might go on a mission, or marry in the temple – which are worthy pursuits – but, perhaps, only because it is expected of us.

However, for each of us, there comes a time in our lives when we have to choose – really choose – how we will live our lives, and what kind of a man or woman we will really be.

Unless we have had our hearts changed, so that they are written with the will of God, rather than our own will, it will be difficult, if not impossible to withstand all the trials and temptations of this life.

Each of us must have our own “Joshua” moment: “Choose you this day whom you will serve, but as for me and my house – we will serve the Lord.” (See Joshua 24:15)

My Joshua Moment

My Joshua moment came when I was 30 years old. I realized that I had been drifting along, and was beginning to go off the straight and narrow path. I decided to re-read the Book of Mormon once again, but this time, just as one who is investigating the church would read it. As I read, many insights came to me. The power of the Holy Ghost issued a gentle call to repentance as well.

I began to make changes in my life, but was still a little unsure of myself, and my standing before God.

Then one day, a priesthood leader asked me to fill an assignment. The time of decision was at hand. It seemed like, for a moment, that time had stopped.

I began to wonder if I was up to the challenge. Was I worthy? Could I do it? Was I ready? Before my doubts and fears could overtake me, I felt a wondrous flood of light, and a feeling of peace and confidence flood over me. I felt the presence of the Holy Ghost with great strength and power.

It was like the Spirit of the Lord was my best cheerleader, urging me on to take the next step of faith. I felt him saying: "Yes! You can do it! Commit to yourself, and to God that from this day forward, you will leave your old self behind, and walk with Him in a newness of life."

For the first time in a long time, I had real hope, and a confidence that I could do it.

All of these thoughts and feelings transpired in a single moment, maybe 1 or 2 seconds long in real-time, as my priesthood leader awaited my answer. At that moment, I made my choice. My Joshua Moment had come. I chose that as for me, I would serve the Lord.

I accepted that assignment from my priesthood leader, and fulfilled it. He may never know what great impact he had on me, just by asking me to fulfill an assignment. From that moment on, my heart was changed. The results of that Joshua moment, will have eternal consequences.

I chose to have the Lord’s will written upon my heart. I wanted to do His will, instead of my own selfish will. And with that willingness and commitment, comes great power. The power to change. The ability to overcome weaknesses, through the power our Savior, Jesus Christ. Through Him, I found the power to become a new and better person. The power to pass through the trials and temptations of mortal life. Each of us needs to have this power in our hearts and lives, if we are to overcome the world.

Conclusion

Originally I posed the question, "Are They There yet", or are they prepared to take on this world. We can help prepare them by teaching them to pray, reading the scriptures, and by living gospel standards. We can reinforce those teachings by our own examples. We can teach them about the importance of receiving the Holy Ghost, and developing a personal Liahona within our own hearts.

All of these things will help prepare them for their own "Joshua Moment". Of course ultimately, the choice will always be their own. Agency is the Prime Directive of the Plan Of Salvation. It is for us to "light the path, and show them the way" toward the Savior. They must have their own relationship with the Savior, and if they have that, they have all they need to overcome the world. And then, they will be there, at last.

Change is Constant -- Yet Good

I have been serving in my current church calling for two years now. It has been my privilege, as part of that calling to work with the missionaries, and ward mission leaders in our stake. I have met some very fine people during the last 24 months. Some wonderful missionaries, and some very dedicated ward mission leaders. Now, while still remaining in my calling, I have been given new areas of responsibility.

During the past two years, I have seen many people come into the church, and come unto Christ. There is a fine spirit in missionary work, the Spirit of the Lord. I will miss rubbing shoulders with these fine people, and feeling that missionary Spirit. Oh, I know I can still be a member missionary, but its just not the same.

In my home ward, we have a very fine ward mission leader, perhaps the best in the Stake. I intend to keep involved with him, and doing what I can to further the work here.

I just sent out an email to the ward mission leaders, explaining the change in assignments. I would like to quote a little from that letter:

It is with mixed emotions that I must inform you that I no long will be assigned to missionary work in the stake. Assignments, like callings, come and go. I told the Lord when I accepted my calling that I would serve him in any way that He wished. I still stand by that. I will look forward to my new assignment, and will do my best to fulfill it. My only regret is that I won't get to rub shoulders so much with you fine brethren, or with the missionaries as much as I have in the past. What a privilege its been! . . .

. . . It's been my great priviledge to be involved in missionary work for the past two years. Looking back, two years seems like a fitting time period to be working with the missionaries. It has been a real pleasure to work with each of you, and the many ward mission leaders I have associated with during the past 24 months.

Thanks for your efforts in bringing the gospel to our Heavenly Father's children, and in helping the members of your wards join you in that effort. In some ways, this reassignment is a little like being released from my own mission some twenty-(mumble, mumble) years ago.

Carry on brethren, in this fine and noble work. There is no greater work (outside the walls of your own home, that is.)

As for me, I will be learning my new assignments. Just when we get comfortable in what we are doing, the Lord always figures out a way to make us stretch and grow some more. Being comfortable is not really a part of the plan, now is it? Perhaps this is one way that the Lord chooses to help us keep humble, and to learn to depend on him, and not upon the arm of flesh, or our own strengths. . .

And so it goes. I take a deep breath. I make some phone calls to explain this, and other changes to my assignments. I wish people well, and express my thanks for their association.

I have new associations to make, and I look forward to those. The work goes on. I will have to rely on the Lord to learn my new responsibilities. Nevertheless, I trust that He will be there for me, and I will be able to accomplish the things required at my hand -- no matter how daunting they may seem right now. And with His help, I will be able to do my part to serve and glorify Him in new ways, and to help build His Kingdom here on earth.

Choirs

I recently read Woody's account of participating in the Choir at the dedication of the Newport Beach California Temple this past weekend. It sounds like it was a marvelous experience. Some of the most spiritual experiences I have had in my life, were when I have participated in choirs, on sacred occasions.

My first experience with choirs came in high school. My friends persuaded me to join the Jr. Class choir. My previous musical experience had been 5 years of accordion lessons (ages 7-12) and 3 years of piano lessons after that. (I also had the calling of priesthood meeting accompanist from ages 14-17 -- which would serve me well later on my mission.) Up until then, I hadn't done much singing. I joined the choir, and really enjoyed it. Later I would sing in the Sr. Class choir as well.

Now this was back in the days when you could actually sing religious music in the public schools. We sang great classical sacred music: Bach, Handel, Beethoven, Palestrina, and Faure. Much of this music was in Latin. We also sang religious music of more modern composers such as Natalie Sleeth and Randall Thompson. Singing the sacred music, was almost like having a second seminary class each day. It brought the Spirit of the Lord into our hearts. It was very uplifting.

It's too bad that today, even non-denominational Christian and classical music is under fire in the public schools. Christmas music that actually speaks of Christ is all but gone in the putlic schools. (See my post from last year's elementary school Christmas Program. )

Later I sang in a couple of different Choirs at BYU (University Chorale, and Male Chorus). After my mission, in the early 80's, I had the privilege of singing with the Mormon Youth Chorus. Perhaps my most memorable experience with Mormon Youth was when we got to sing in the April 1980 general conference in the Salt Lake Tabernacle. It was the sesquecentennial (150^th) anniversary of the organization of the church. President Spencer W. Kimball spoke, via satellite from the Peter Whitmer cabin, in Fayette, New York.

I had the opportunity to sing in several sessions of General Conference as a member of the Mormon Youth Chorus. Priesthood Sessions were especially fun, because they would invite the men's section of the Tabernacle Choir, and of the Mormon Youth Chorus to join together. It was fun (and even awe inspiring) to rub shoulders with the Tabernacle Choir members, and to be directed by Jerrold Ottley.

Since my Mormon Youth days, I have sung in various ward and stake choirs. Occasionally I will sing in a quartet or other small group for a musical number in Sacrament meeting (usually at Christmas time.) Nowadays, my church calling includes responsibility to oversee the music programs in the wards and in the Stake. Which introduces my latest experience with church choirs.

A little over a year ago (July 1, 2004) I was called in by the Stake President. He informed me of a new assignment that our stake had been given. It was to organize and oversee a choir of 360 primary children (11-year-olds) to sing in the upcoming General Conference to be held on October 2, 2004. I was to be called as the "Choir Manager". As choir manager, I was to coordinate and organize this choir from among 7 different stakes. I was to organize rehearsals, transportation, security arrangements, and establish the ground rules of the choir. I would work directly with coordinators from the General Church Music committee. I had no idea how much background and organizing work went into putting something together on this scale was.

This turned out to be a massive undertaking. A year ago today, we were halfway through the 8 rehearsals. I was working through issues with the choir director, and with the various stake leaders. E-mail turned out to be a real blessing, as it afforded me a way to communicate with a lot of people very quickly.

The Primary Choir turned out to be a most memorable experience. At the conclusion of our experience, I wrote a big thank you note to all of the ward and stake primary leaders who had been so crucial in making it all work out. In the end, the choir sang well. We received a lot of nice compliments. And we were able to feel like it had been a job well done. You can read the thank-you letter which also contains my thoughts and impressions of the overall Primary Choir experience here.

Music has always been a large part of my worship experience. It is one of the things that helps me to get in tune with the Spirit of the Lord faster than most anything else. Even to this day, if I have had a particularly trying day I will come home and play on the piano, or quietly sing some of the hymns. Sacred music can be a balm to the battered soul. I know it has been for mine.

Prayer

My assignment here today is to speak on the topic of prayer. Prayer is our personal connection to God, Our Heavenly Father, and to His Son, Jesus Christ. The right to approach our heavenly father in prayer, is something that no one can take away from us. President James E Faust said it this way:

No earthly authority can separate us from direct access to our Creator. There can never be a mechanical or electronic failure when we pray. There is no limit on the number of times or how long we can pray each day. There is no quota of how many needs we wish to pray for in each prayer. We do not need to go through secretaries or make an appointment to reach the throne of grace. He is reachable at any time and any place. (James E. Faust, “The Lifeline of Prayer,” Ensign, May 2002, 59)

Implications of Prayer(1)

When we pray, we are acknowledging certain things before the God:

1. Acknowledgement. When we pray, it is an acknowledgement that we believe in, or that we want to believe in, the existence of God. When we pray to God, in the name of his son, Jesus Christ, we also acknowledge him as our Savior and Redeemer – our Mediator or intercessor with the Father. When we pray, it also is an expression of our faith in God as well.

2. Confession. When we pray, our prayers can be a confession of our sins and transgressions before the Lord, and our request for his forgiveness. We know that we, as mortals are not perfect. We often make mistakes. Our confession of our sins and weaknesses to the Lord is one of the first steps toward overcoming those weaknesses, with the Lord’s help.

3. Humility. When we pray, we humble ourselves before God, and recognize that our need for help beyond our own ability. None of us has the power to save ourselves. We must rely on the merits of our Savior, Jesus Christ for that. As we approach the Lord in prayer, and confess our sins, we can express our desire to be better, and to do better in our lives. We can call upon the powers of heaven to help us overcome the sins that so easily beset us. The Lord gives us weaknesses, that we may be humble. But through His help, he has provided a way in which those weaknesses can be made into strengths.

4. Thanksgiving. Prayer gives us an opportunity to give our sincere thanks and appreciation to our Creator. It is important that we frequently say: “We thank Thee … , “ “We acknowledge before Thee … ,” “We are grateful unto Thee …” In the D&C 59:21, the Lord Said:

21 And in nothing doth man offend God, or against none is his wrath kindled, save those who confess not his hand in all things, and obey not his commandments.

Giving thanks is not just good manners, it is a commandment! Having gratitude, and acknowledging that gratitude to the Lord not only will spare us from having the wrath of God kindled toward us, but it will help us to be more humble, and to have a greater sense of well-being as well. When we approach our lives, and our circumstances with a sense of gratitude, we focus our attentions less on what we don’t have. Instead of wishing for or demanding more that what we have, we can find true joy in the blessings that we do have.

If we continually acknowledge the blessings that the Lord has given us, we will not forget the Love that he has for us. Our lives will be that much more pleasant and uplifting with grateful hearts.

Those who are ungrateful, almost always are more focused upon themselves, rather than others. This self-absorption leads to selfishness, and may cause us to feel that we have been cheated somehow, and are not getting our fair share. Ingratitude can cause a dark cloud of suspicion and resentment to come upon us, which can harden our hearts, and drive a wedge between us and the Lord.

5. Asking for Blessings. As we pray, we have the opportunity to ask for specific blessings. These may be blessings we may need in our own lives, or blessings on behalf of others. The Lord already knows what blessings we stand in need of. However, he wants us to come unto to him, in humility, and ask for those things which are needed in our lives, and in the lives of others as we become aware of their needs. In all cases, when we are asking for specific blessings, we need follow the example of the Savior, when after expressing his desires and wishes, he said: “Nevertheless, not my will, but thine be done.”

We need to acknowledge that the wisdom and understanding of God is far greater than our own. We may not always get what we ask for. We may not get it when we want it. We may not get it in the way we might have envisioned. However, we know that the Lord does hear and answer prayers. We need to trust in him, that he will bless us with the righteous desires of our hearts, according to our needs, and in accordance with his divine will. We need to trust that that those things which are His will, will be the best for us in the long run. And the day will come, whether in this life, or the next, when the wisdom of his ways will be revealed to us, and we will know that we have been dealt with in a just and loving manner.

When Should We Pray

In effect, we should always be praying in one way or another. We have been commanded to pray morning, noon, and night. In public and in secret. Alone, and with our families and our spouse. And when we are not formally praying, we should have a prayer in our hearts continually.

In the Book of Mormon, King Benjamin Said:

13 For how knoweth a man the master whom he has not served, and who is a stranger unto him, and is far from the thoughts and intents of his heart? (Mosiah 5:13)

If we have a prayer in our hearts, we will not be far from our Lord. The thoughts and intents of our hearts will be near to him.

Continually having a prayer in our hearts doesn’t necessarily mean continuously offering a formal prayer. The Hymn, “Prayer is the Soul’s sincere desire sheds some light on other ways in which we communicate with the Lord, and thus are a form of prayer as well:

Prayer is the soul’s sincere desire,
Uttered or unexpressed,
The motion of a hidden fire
That trembles in the breast.

Prayer is the burden of a sigh,
The falling of a tear,
The upward glancing of an eye,
When none but God is near.

Oh, thou by whom we come to God,
The Life, the Truth, the Way!
The path of prayer thyself hast trod;
Lord, teach us how to pray.
(LDS Hymns, no. 145.)

Music itself can be a form of a prayer. Speaking to Emma Smith, the Lord Said: “My soul delighteth in the song of the heart, yea the song of the righteous is a prayer unto me.” (D&C 25.12)

Singing or humming a hymn, is a way to maintain a prayer in our heart. Sometimes after a tough day, I like to sit down to the piano, and play some of the hymns, even though I am not necessarily singing the words, the music itself can be inspirational, and to me, is a form of prayer as well.

Memorizing scriptures, or the words to a hymn also can be a form of a prayer. When we memorize a scripture, the words of the Lord will flow more readily into our hearts and mind. When we do this, we are treasuring up the words of eternal life. The Lord will in turn bless us with greater insights and understanding as a result. This too, is a form of prayer as well.

When done properly, all three members of the Godhead should be involved in our prayers. First we are praying to God the Father. We pray in the name of His Son, Jesus Christ. If we are in tune, the Holy Ghost will prompt us with those things for which we should pray. When we listen to the voice of the spirit, the Lord does, indeed, teach us how to pray. When we pray, according to the promptings of the spirit, our prayers become more than just one-way pleadings with the Lord, they become real two-way communication.

In D&C 88:63 the Lord Said: “Draw near unto me and I will draw near unto you;”

As we draw out our souls in prayer to the Lord, he will reach out to us. Prayer is like the key that unlocks the to the door to let Christ into our lives. The Savior said, “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.” (Rev. 3:20) He will draw near to us, and fill our hearts with his love, and mercy and kindness. He can heal our hearts, and make us whole.

What Happens if We Don’t Pray

Failure to pray, effectively places a wall between us and the Lord, of our own making. He is still there to hear and answer our prayers, but how can he answer a prayer that is not offered?

President Heber J Grant gave this counsel:

“The minute a man stops supplicating God for his spirit and direction, just so soon he starts out to become a stranger to him and his works. When men stop praying for God’s spirit, they place confidence in their own unaided reason, and they gradually lose the spirit of God, just the same as near and dear friends, by never writing to or visiting with each other, will become strangers.” (Improvement Era, Aug. 1944, p. 481.)

Failure to pray is an act of pride. It in essence tells the Lord that we don’t need him, that we can get along just fine on our own. When we don’t pray, we are saying that we know better than the Lord, and that our wisdom is sufficient. When we fail to pray, we are well on the path to become the kind of person that is described in the Hymn, I stand all amazed:

“ . . .a soul so rebellious and proud as mine,
Sufficient to own, to redeem, and to justify. . .“
(LDS Hymns, No. 193)

If we are not praying as we should, the Spirit of the Lord will eventually withdraw from us, and we will be left on our own, and in great danger of losing our way. The Brother of Jared learned this lesion the hard way:

(Ether 2: 14-15)
14 And it came to pass at the end of four years that the Lord came again unto the brother of Jared, and stood in a cloud and talked with him. And for the space of three hours did the Lord talk with the brother of Jared, and chastened him because he remembered not to call upon the name of the Lord.

15 And the brother of Jared repented of the evil which he had done, and did call upon the name of the Lord for his brethren who were with him. And the Lord said unto him: I will forgive thee and thy brethren of their sins; but thou shalt not sin any more, for ye shall remember that my Spirit will not always strive with man; wherefore, if ye will sin until ye are fully ripe ye shall be cut off from the presence of the Lord.

Here the Lord tells us directly that not praying will eventually result in a Loss of the Spirit of the Lord. Eventually that loss of the spirit can result in us being cut off from the presence of the Lord!

How does that happen? It happens because we start trusting in our own strength and wisdom, instead of relying upon the Lord to show us the way. As the Spirit of the Lord withdraws from us, we become more vulnerable to the temptations of the devil, and to the philosophies of men. What once may have stood out as black and white, can become shades of grey. The light that we once enjoyed, is darkened and taken away from us. What once may have been a strong testimony, can diminish, and be lost. The light that we have with in us, and the testimonies that give us strength, need the constant nourishment of the Spirit of the Lord. Without that Spirit, they will eventually wither away.

Who is it that wants is not to pray? Satan knows how important prayer is, and he doesn’t like it one bit!

“. . .For if ye would hearken unto the Spirit which teacheth a man to pray ye would know that ye must pray; for the evil spirit teacheth not a man to pray, but teacheth him that he must not pray.” (2 Nephi 32:8)

What if we just don’t feel like praying? If we find ourselves in that situation – the first thing to remember is just WHO it is that wants you to feel this way. We may have many feelings or emotions that cause us to not want to pray – and none of them are good.

We might feel unworthy. But if that is the case, only by appealing to the Lord in prayer, and asking that the atoning sacrifice of the Lord may be applied on our behalf will lead to our forgiveness.

We might feel angry at the Lord. We might have such thoughts as: “Why did this happen to me!” Through prayer, we can learn from the wisdom of the Lord, and increase in our own wisdom to understand his ways. Being angry and shaking our fist at the Lord in defiance will never lead to an increase of your own wisdom and understanding. The healing balm of the Lord is waiting for you. But you must first humble yourself, and ask for his love to fill your heart, and then you will find peace.

We might just be plain too lazy to pray. Of these, the prophet Nephi warned:

And others will he pacify, and lull them away into carnal security, that they will say: All is well in Zion; yea, Zion prospereth, all is well—and thus the devil cheateth their souls, and leadeth them away carefully down to hell. (2 Nephi 28:21)

Regardless of the reason that we may not feel like praying, we should always know that it is Satan’s desire that we not approach the Lord in prayer.

Remember the commandment of the Savior to the Nephites:

Behold, verily, verily, I say unto you, ye must watch and pray always lest ye enter into temptation; for Satan desireth to have you, that he may sift you as wheat. (3 Nephi 18:18)

If ever we don’t feel like praying, the that should be a clue to us to drop to our knees as soon as possible, and pray until we do feel like praying. By praying, and trying to root the evil spirit out of our hearts, we demonstrate that we trust in the Lord, more than we trust in the evil whisperings of the devil.


Prayer and The Sacrament

Prayer, regular, sincere, and humble prayer, is one of the keys to obtaining the Spirit of God in our lives, and to keep that Spirit with us.

There are other prayers that can bring the presence of the Holy Ghost into our lives as well. The two sacrament prayers were offered just a few minutes ago, in which we all took part as we said: “Amen:, each ended with the phrase: “that they may always have His Spirit to be with them”.

As we worthily partake of the sacrament, and renew our covenants, with repentant hearts, we have the promise of the Lord that we will have his Spirit to be with us. As we combine this with our regular, daily prayers, we can have the blessings of the Spirit of the Lord to be with us, as a constant companion. That is why regular church attendance is so important, so we can have the blessing of the sacrament to invite the Holy Ghost I into our hearts and minds.

This then is our protection from being deceived. Right and wrong will be more easily discernable. We will receive direction on those areas of our lives we need to improve upon. We will no longer wander and stumble in paths of darkness and sin. The course of the straight and narrow path be comes lighted before us, and we will see the way that we must go to return to our Father in Heaven.

Something Worth Saving

This talk was given to a congreagation at the Utah Boys Ranch, on July 31, 2005.

The Story of Rosemarie Deppe

As a young girl, Rosemarie spent her summers with my grandma, and she spent much of her time in her garden. She didn’t have a nice, small garden in the corner of her yard like other grandmas. Oh No!! She had what she called a “work-hard-and-eat-well” garden. We would get up early in the morning before it got too and spend hours weeding, watering, and eventually picking the vegetables from the garden. The only thing that kept me going was that once in a while, a fresh breeze would come along to help cool us off.

My grandma didn’t say very much, but she worked a lot. I followed her around the garden, but my mind was usually thinking of something else. I thought to myself: “Gardening is for grandmas!” But my grandma would smile at me, and that smile told me she was pleased as she looked over our work. She made me promise that I would follow the counsel of the prophet (President Spencer W. Kimball) and plant my own garden someday.

Sowing Seeds of Obedience

Eventually Rosemarie grew up, and had a family of her own. She decided that it was time to plant a garden—not because she was too excited about it, but because she had a at least out of a desire to obey the prophet and to keep the promise she had made to her Grandma. She daid: “As soon as I dug up a small area of ground, I realized that I hadn’t paid very close attention to what grandma was doing in the garden when I was younger. What had come so easily for Grandma now seemed impossible for me. Did I pick a good location? How should I arrange the rows? How close should I plant the seeds?”

Continuing her story Rosemarie said: “I tried to dismiss the need to plant a garden. “What’s the big deal, anyway? I can just buy this food from the store and save myself all of this work.” But I had made a promise, and I wanted to keep it. I called Grandma for reminders and tips about gardening. I began to remember again our summer days together in the garden. At first, nothing happened—all that work and nothing. But finally, after several weeks, a few plants struggled through the ground and began to grow.”

Weeding Out Distraction

After planting the garden, Rosemarie got distracted by the challenges in her life, that she forgot her garden. The kids got sick. Life got busy. The dog ate some of the young plants. Other things seemed more important, and she didn’t think much about her garden until grandma came to visit.

Rosemarie said: “I cringed when grandma asked to see the garden. The walk out to the garden seemed long and terrible. When we went outside, I was completely embarrassed by what we both saw. The plants had withered down to nothing, and the weeds were choking out the vegetables. Grandma’s looked around, and didn’t say very much. After looking things over, grandma turned to me, with disappointment in her voice and said: ‘You have neglected your garden.’ “

“I had neglected my garden—and my promise to her. I had not cared about my garden until she was there. I knew I had disappointed her. I thought of a thousand excuses, but none of them mattered. “It’s hopeless, Grandma. I’m hopeless!”

Cultivating Hope

She looked at my garden intently. She looked at me and then looked back at my garden. “No, it’s not hopeless,” she said with a comforting smile. “I think there is something in here worth saving.” Her eyes settled on a scrawny, pathetic-looking green bean bush. I don’t even like green beans very much, but that was the plant she thought would survive.

I would have given up, but Grandma doesn’t give up on anything or anyone. She knelt down beside the little plant and began to clear away the weeds. She instructed me about what I needed to do. This time I listened carefully. Grandma believed that this green bean bush had value. It was important that it lived. I began to care about it too. I did not want to disappoint her again.

It took days to bring that little plant back to life and weeks of nurturing and care to keep it going. I’ll never forget the day I picked three green beans from that bush—I was thrilled!

Learning about Gardening—and God

Many years later, after having many gardens, Rosemarie came to understand what grandma meant when she said: “You will understand more about God if you tend your garden.”

Rosemarie wondered what she meant by that. But then she remembered back to a time in college when her life had come to look like my neglected garden. Her spiritual life was withering. Her gospel roots were not very deep. She said: “In the garden of my life, weeds were growing everywhere because I had neglected scripture study and prayer and had let other things become more important. I went to church, but I didn’t really listen. I made some mistakes, and I knew I needed help.”

The walk to the bishop’s office—like the walk to the garden with my grandma—seemed long and terrible. I was embarrassed by what my life had become. I felt I was hopeless.

My bishop listened. He looked at me intently. Finally, with a comforting smile, he said, in effect, “No, it’s not hopeless. I see something in you that is worth saving.”

I began to understand that the power of the Atonement could restore my withered life. I came to know that Heavenly Father doesn’t give up on anybody, and I determined to try my best to not disappoint Him.

Just like the revitalizing breeze I had felt in my grandmother’s garden, the repentance process restored me. Through the blessings of the Atonement, my withered hopes slowly came back to life. It was a blessing—a blessing just for me.

I now realize that I am responsible for my garden—the garden of my life. It takes daily effort to grow closer to the Lord, just as it takes daily effort to keep a garden. Repentance repairs our mistakes, and the Atonement allows us to keep trying. I have learned that the fruits of the Spirit cannot be purchased from a store; we have to grow them ourselves by following Him.

I have never forgotten how pleased I was to see those three green beans on that scraggly bush long ago. But more important than saving the plant, I came to understand that the Lord sees someone worth saving in me.

What can we learn from Rosemarie’s Story

In Rosemarie’s story, we see that it takes a conscious effort on our part, if we are to keep our spirits in tune with our heavenly father. He has much that he wants to bless us with. We can have the blessing of the Holy Ghost to dwell with us, to help us overcome our weaknesses, and to more clearly see right from wrong.

If we don’t try to weed out the distractions, and things in our lives that can choke out the presence of the Holy Ghost in our lives, our spirits may become like the tiny bean plant in Rosemarie’s garden, struggling to survive and to bear fruit, but severely hampered by neglect, which allowed the weeds to grow all around it, and to steal the sunshine, water, and nutrients in the soil. By clearing away the weeds in our lives, we can open the way toward greater spiritual growth, and strength. We will be better able to grow and enlarge, and reach the potential that is within each one of us as Children of God.

(You Can read Rosemary's own Account Here.)

The Seeds of Death Valley

Have you ever heard of a place called Death Valley?

· Death Valley Normally receives 1-2 inches of rainfall per hear. (Salt Lake City averages between 18-20 inches per year, by contrast.)

· Some years Death Valley can go an entire year without any rainfall at all!

· This winter, there have been 6 inches of rainfall in the last 4 months. What do you think has happened as a result?

· (Show pictures of wildflowers)

· Rainfall like this occurs only about once in every 100 years in Death Valley

· Embedded In the dry and parched desert soil of Death Valley, there are millions of tiny seeds, just waiting to spring forth into life, when the conditions are right. This year the conditions were right, and you can see the results.

Seeds of the Divine

· Just as there are wildflower seeds, embedded in what normally looks like dry, arid soil, there are hidden within each of us, seeds of the divine.

· Each of us is a child of God. We are precious to him.

· We carry within each of us some of his own divine and noble attributes, just like we carry many of the physical attributes of our earthly parents.

· Like the wildflower seeds waiting for rain, the seeds of divinity, inherited from our Heavenly Father, are waiting us to make the conditions right for those seeds to spring forth into life.

How do we Go about Removing the Weeds?

Removing the weeds from our spiritual lives involves making changes in our life. President Spencer W. Kimball counseled young people to take a careful inventory of their habits. “Change,” he said, “comes by substituting good habits for less desirable ones.” Then he added, “You mold your character and future by good thoughts and acts.” (New Era, Sept. 1974, p. 7.)

A favorite saying often quoted by the late President David O. McKay was:

“We sow our thoughts, and we reap our actions; we sow our actions, and we reap our habits; we sow our habits, and we reap our characters; we sow our characters, and we reap our destiny.”

(C. A. Hall, The Home Book of Quotations, New York: Dodd, Mead & Company, 1935, p. 845.)

When we are born into the world, we have no habits at all. All the habits that we now have, have been learned and acquired at some point in our lives.

Elder Delbert L Stapley, of the Quorum of the Twelve said:

“We are not born into this world with fixed habits. Neither do we inherit a noble character. Instead, as children of God, we are given the privilege and opportunity of choosing which way of life we will follow—which habits we will form.”

Good habits don’t happen overnight. We must first resolve to make a change. But just having made a resolution won’t make it happen. Good habits are formed in our daily lives, by the things we do, one day at a time. As our habits change, from bad ones, to good ones, our character is changed as well. It is not in the moments of great trial that build our character. Rather, these moments display the character that has already been built in our lives, through our day to day actions.

Elder Delbert L. Stapley Said:

“The character required to attain eternal life must be formed in this life with good habits. Goodness in a person is not simply the absence of wrongdoing. It is a love of and practice of all things that are true, honest, lovely, and of good report.”

Let us set high goals for ourselves and work to achieve those goals by making God the center of our lives. He is the fountainhead of all truth, justice, and peace. Let us remember that God’s laws are eternal. They do not change. There is no moral or spiritual code that changes with what is popular in the world, or what might be politically correct. Some may presume that they can change the laws of God to fit their own selfish needs or desires. But God is the same Yesterday, Today, and Forever. Truth is Truth, and it will endure and abide forever. Evil or bad habits can never lead us to joyful living. For as the prophet Alma said: “Wickedness never was happiness”. God’s standards and truths for his people will always point toward the true way of life for all of his children.

The Lord has said: “There is a law, irrevocably decreed in heaven before the foundations of this world, upon which all blessings are predicated— “And when we obtain any blessing from God, it is by obedience to that law upon which it is predicated.” (D&C 130:20–21.)

Our efforts to love and serve God will be openly rewarded by him. He always extends to us the hand of love and mercy. He loved us so much that he suffered and died for us. He knows that like the tiny bean bush overcome with weeds, that within each one of us, there is something worth saving. We need only have faith and trust in Him. Have faith that He is there. Have faith that he loves us, no matter how many weeds we may have in our gardens. We need to have faith that he has the power, and the willingness to help us overcome our weaknesses. We need to have faith that he will bless us, as we follow him, and keep his commandments.

Maintaining good personal habits which are pleasing to our Heavenly Father will strengthen our character, increase our influence for good, improve our example toward others, bless our loved ones and friends, enrich our lives, and enable us to accomplish those things that yield true personal satisfaction and build peace and happiness in our hearts. We will have joy eternally, possessing a treasure to be much desired and sought after, for the Lord gives this assurance: “Inasmuch as men do good they shall in nowise lose their reward.” (D&C 58:28.)

It all starts with a single step—we decide that we can do it.

May we forsake all evil and take that first step to shape our lives for eternity through good habits and righteous standards of good character.

Focus and Priorities

We of this generation have been preserved to come forth in this period of time in the worlds history, during the approach of the final days before the Second Coming of the Lord.

Because we have been blessed to live upon the earth at this time, there are certain blessings and advantages which we enjoy. Some of those blessings include:

• Living while the Gospel is upon the earth in its fullness.


• The Priesthood Authority has Been Restored


• Having modern Prophets and Apostles who minister among us today


• The wealth of knowledge that comes to us from the scriptures, especially the increased light and knowledge we gain from our Latter-day scriptures.

We share these gifts with everyone who has taken part in this last dispensation from Joseph Smiths day, until now.

There are many blessings that we enjoy today, that our brethren earlier in this dispensation did not have. We have many modern conveniences and inventions which not only save us time and labor, but which bring vast amounts of information at our fingertips.

A Wealth of Information

Today we live in a world which is literally flooded with information. With the advent of computers, mass storage devices, and the Internet there is more information available the ever before! So much of what we do in our work, at home, and even in the church is based on information, and information technology.

President Brigham Young once said:

Every discovery in science and art, that is really true and useful to mankind, has been given by direct revelation from God. ...We should take advantage of all these great discoveries ... and give to our children the benefit of every branch of useful knowledge, to prepare them to step forward and efficiently do their part in the great work (Deseret News, 22 Oct. 1862, 129).

Information technology has been a great blessing to us. Many of us make our living based upon the collection, processing and analysis of information. For the church, information technology helps to maintain the records of church members, and church units. As the church continues to grow, so will the information processing needs of the church grow as well. In addition, through the Church Web site, we now have access to the scriptures, and all of the general conference addresses and church magazines for the past 30 years! What a wealth of information this is to assist in our gospel study and to help us with talk and lesson preparation as well.

Perhaps one of the greatest impacts of information technology on the mission of the church is in regard to family history research. Think of the records of ancestors, first copied by hand, then microfilmed, then placed on compact disks, and now on the Internet. Instead of having to go to a centralized library to view and research records, now anyone with a computer can access much of the genealogical information possessed by the church. Plans are underway to continue capturing genealogical and temple ordinance information in electronic form, so as to make it as widely available as possible. Software programs that help us collect, organize, and share family history information are also a great boon.

With all these advances in information technology, also comes a responsibility, to use them wisely, and for good and righteous purposes, that will have an eternal impact.

In our efforts to search out information, we can find vast quantities of various kinds. Teachers can download bales of information on any subject. But a bale of handouts can detract from our attempt to teach gospel principles with clarity and testimony. Piles of supplementary information can blur the focus of what we were trying to teach in the first place, and divert students away from prayerfully considering what has been taught, and to apply it in their own lives.

Even good information can have varying levels of importance. Elder Dallin H Oaks stated:

Consider the comparative value today of the advice Brigham Young gave to an audience 140 years ago with what President Hinckley and other servants of the Lord are saying to each of us right now, in this conference. Or compare the value to each of us of some other facts or advice from the distant past with what our stake president said at our last stake conference or what our bishop counseled us last Sunday.
Overarching all of this is the importance of what the Spirit whispered to us last night or this morning about our own specific needs. Each of us should be careful that the current flood of information does not occupy our time so completely that we cannot focus on and hear and heed the still, small voice that is available to guide each of us with our own challenges today. (Elder Dallin H. Oaks, Focus and Priorities, Ensign, May 2001, 82.)

Ultimately, the highest priority knowledge is not found through the use of technology. Rather, the highest priority knowledge is what we receive in the temple. That knowledge is obtained from the explicit as well as the symbolic teachings of the endowment, and from the whisperings of the Spirit that come as we are desirous to seek and receive the revelation available to us in that holy place.

Beware of the Dangers

While all of this information can be a great blessing to us, Satan also desires to use these same tools, for his own purposes as well. There is opposition in information technology, as in all things. We need to avoid that which may be harmful. There are those who would seek to destroyfaith, hope, and light and truth. There are those who would seek to degrade us through pornographic images as well. That which was once hidden away under store counters, is now readily accessible, almost without effort, and without having to leave the privacy of ones home or room. The Internet has also facilitates those who would prey upon our children for evil purposes. We need to be aware of these dangers, and take whatever steps necessary to prevent these evils from coming into our homes. These steps can be in the use of filtering and blocking technologies, and perhaps even more important, in the placement of where computers are located. If a computer monitor is located in a place where other family members can easily see the contents of the computer screen, it will greatly lessen the temptation to view those things which are objectionable.

This is not to say technology is bad, or that it should not be used. Only that these technologies should be used with wisdom and care, avoiding that which is evil.

Using Our Time Wisely

We have been discussing some of the modern conveniences we enjoy today, that were unavailable to our brethren earlier in this dispensation. Another great privilege that we enjoy is that we have more time than they did. That may be hard to believe, in our busy world, but lets think about it for a minute.

We have literally been given more time to complete our labors upon the earth. With the advancements in science and medicine (and modern revelation) our life expectancies are more than double what they were in 1830, when the church was organized.

Not only do we have more years in which to live, we also have more discretionary time in each day as well. We have many modern conveniences which allow us to spend our time on pursuits other than the hard manual labor that was required of most people to provide for their families. The nature of their work was physically demanding, such that exhaustion often would set in when they completed their work for the day.

Most of us work in far more controlled settings. Many of us work in climate controlled offices, doing work which is not nearly so physically taxing. For those who work in more physically challenging jobs, there are many workplace rules now in place that restrict the number of hours to be worked, as well as rules to help ensure health and safety in the workplace.

With our increased life-spans, and our increased discretionary time, over that which our forebears enjoyed, comes a greater accountability for how we use the time that we have. Where much is given, much is expected.

We werent given these privileges and blessings so we could just idle away the hours self-indulgently. The Lord has commanded: Thou shalt not idle away thy time (D&C 60:13), and Cease to be idle D&C 88:124.

The Hymn, Improve the Shining Moments speaks the fleeting nature of time:

Time flies on wings of lightning, we cannot call it back. It comes, then passes forward along its onward track. And if we are not mindful, the chance will fade away, for life is quick in passing. Tis as a single day (Improve the Shining Moments, LDS Hymns, no. 226).

Why does it not seemthat we have all of this free time on our hands. The fact is, we have chosen to fill that time with various activities. Have we chosen wisely in how we prioritize our time?

How are we doing on the things in our lives that are really important? The things that will last beyond our mortal lives.
When we make major decisions in our lives, are we seeking for personal revelation, and the guidance of the Spirit? Some of these major decisions in life would include: education, occupation, place of residence, marriage, and childbearing. Some decisions that may seem desirable for mortality have unacceptable risks for eternity. These decisions should be made carefully, and with personal revelation, with all due consideration to what impact of these decisionswill have on our lives, and upon the lives of our family, and posterity to come. Both in the here and now, and throughout the eternities.

When we consider how we use our time and resources, we should also give consideration to what the eternal implications might be from our actions, and the way we spend our time. We may need to re-set our priorities, if we are spending too much of our time for that which will not be of benefit to us eternally.
Lets examine some areas in which we should be devoting our time towards:

Family Relationships. Are we building the kind of relationships we should with our children and our spouse, or do we spend too much of our time transfixed before the television, or surfing the Internet. Is everyone off in their own little world, on their personal computer, personal TV, or Personal Music Player, being isolated from one another, while living under the same roof? None of these things are necessarily evil (although theycan be), but do they seize hold upon us, and divert our attention to that which is trivial and temporal, instead of that which is divine and eternal.

Spiritual Nourishment.Are our diversions keeping us from doing those things which will nourish our spirits, such as: reading the scriptures, attending the temple, and having meaningful prayer.Are we taking time to examine our lives, and giving thoughtful prayer and pondering as to what the Lord would have us do to continue our progression toward him? Do we have a few quiet moments in which the Spirit can speak to our hearts and minds?

Family History. How is our family history work coming along. Do we say to ourselves that we just dont have time for family history at this stage of our lives. What if we carved out just hour or two a week away from our TV viewing, to spend on family history. If we did, real progress could be made over time.

Missionary Work.What about our missionary efforts. Do we know our neighbors by name. Have we reached out the hand of fellowship toward them, even if they are not yet ready to embrace the gospel? We have been commanded to let our light shine before men, that they may glorify, and come unto our Father In Heaven, and his Son. How can our neighbor look to that light, if they dont know who we are?

Home and Visiting Teaching.We have home and visiting teaching families as well. Are we taking the time to visit them each month? If we are visiting them, do we ever think about them between visits? Are they a part of our prayers. Do they know of our love and concern for them, over and above making the obligatory monthly visit?

Magnifying our Callings.What of our church callings? How well are we magnifying and fulfilling those callings? Do we spend the time requisite to properly prepare for our talks and our lessons. Did you think to pray, as you made your preparations? Did you ponder the lesson materials? Did you allow yourself some quiet, undistracted moments to allow the Still, Small, Voice to communicate with you what the Lord would have you teach?

To What Are We Devoted

The truth is, we can tell what our priorities are by how we use our time. That to which we devote our time, is that to which we are devoted.Look at how you spend your time. If you were to analyze how your time used, you would learn rather quickly to what, or to whom you are devoted. Then we can discern if we have set proper priorities for ourselves, or if we might need to us more self-discipline in the way our time is spent. We can determine if our priorities are good ones, based upon their eternal impact.
Based on howwe use our time, you might ask yourself if you are devoted to the Lord, or to some other god. King Benjamin Said:

For how knoweth a man the master whom he has not served, and who is a stranger unto him, and is far from the thoughts and in tents of his heart?(Mosiah 5:13)

Time, at least in this life, is a scarce resource. Someone has said, Three things never come backthe spent arrow, the spoken word, and the lost opportunity. We cannot recycle or save or borrow time allotted to us each day. With time, we have only one opportunity for choice, and then it is gone forever. Each day is rife with a myriad of decisions and choices. With each choice, we either stay on course, or we are diverted from our eternal goals. Our progress is always moving, it never stands still. Either we are truly pressing forward, with a steadfastness in Christ, or we are not. And if we are not, then we are going the wrong direction, and a course correction isin order.

Dont get me wrong. Im not saying there is not time for diversion, recreation and entertainment. These things all have their place. However, they should not be the dominant pursuits of our lives.

In the end our priorities should rest upon two areas:

1) First we must seek to understand our relationship to God the Eternal Father, and to his Son, Jesus Christ. We need to secure that relationship by entering into their saving ordinances, and by keeping our personal covenants.

2) Second, we seek tounderstand our relationship to our family members, and to secure those relationships by the ordinances of the temple, and by keeping the covenants we make I that holy place.

These relationships, secured by the ordinances of the gospel, provide eternal blessings that are available to us in no other way. No combination of science, success, property, pride, wealth, prominence or power can provide these eternal blessings.

Let us focus on that which is most important. That which will bring us true hope and joy in this world, and a fullness of joy in the next.