Living Life with Purpose

Look for the purpose we are to have in life.

  12 For there are many yet on the earth among all sects, parties, and denominations, who are blinded by the subtle craftiness of men, whereby they lie in wait to deceive, and who are only kept from the truth because they know not where to find it—

 13 Therefore, that we should waste and wear out our lives in bringing to light all the hidden things of darkness, wherein we know them; and they are truly manifest from heaven—

Doctrine & Covenants 123:12-13

There are so many people in life who are stumbling around in the darkness of this world. They need you to share the light you have.  Whether member or non-member, active or inactive, we all need the light we can share with each other. This is a purpose that we should “waste and wear out our lives” with.  We have one shot at this life to make a difference for good.

Today’s Takeaway: Whose life does God want you to bless today with a bit of light? I know you are tired and worn out, but do it anyway. Do something today to help someone know God loves them. 

Rise Again

Look for what made Oliver Granger a great man.

12 And again, I say unto you, I remember my servant Oliver Granger; behold, verily I say unto him that his name shall be had in sacred remembrance from generation to generation, forever and ever, saith the Lord.

 13 Therefore, let him contend earnestly for the redemption of the First Presidency of my Church, saith the Lord; and when he falls he shall rise again, for his sacrifice shall be more sacred unto me than his increase, saith the Lord.

Doctrine & Covenants 117:12-13

There are a few things that would make Oliver Granger a great man.  One is that he supported and sustained the First Presidency. But the part I wanted to focus on is that “when he falls he shall rise again, for his sacrifice is more sacred unto me than his increase”.  A great person isn’t someone that never falls down. They are great because when they fall down, they get back up to try again. I love this great quote from Nelson Mandela, “I am not a saint, unless you think of a saint as a sinner who keeps on trying.” Failing and falling down are just part of life in this world. God knows that.  But with the person who keeps on trying, God can make them into incredible instruments in His hands. To the Lord, the sacrifice we make each day to do His will (and keep trying) is more important than the level or measurement of success.

Today’s Recharge: Are you down right now?  Have you given up in some important area of your life?  Pray and then get up and try again. Albert Einstein is quoted as having said, “You never fail until you stop trying.”

Strengthening Exercises

Four ways to strengthen those around us.

  Therefore, strengthen your brethren in all your conversation, in all your prayers, in all your exhortations, and in all your doings.

Doctrine & Covenants 108:7

Have you ever been strengthened by another person.  Some people just know how to empower others.  We can be those people.  In that verse, we are commanded to strengthen others and are given four ways to do it.

 

Conversations: When you are talking to someone, can they tell you care about them? Do they know you are listening? How often do you give a specific compliments and reinforce the good you see?

Prayers: Sometimes we think that if God is going to bless someone, He is going to do it, so what difference do our prayers make? But that is just not how the economy of Heaven works. All over in scripture we are shown how prayers make a huge difference in the outcome of things and people. Prayer changes things! Our prayers should not be a last resort; they should be a first resort.

Exhortations: Do you encourage and kindly challenge those around you for good?

Doings: There are so many ways that we can bless and strengthen those around us by doing things for them, verbal and nonverbal.

Today’s Takeaway: Think of those you will interact with today at home and away. Look at the four ways we can strengthen others and decide some small thing you can do to build someone up on their way through life. 

A Disturber & Annoyer

Look for if it is okay to be a disturber and annoyer.

   He again forbade me to join with any of them; and many other things did he say unto me, which I cannot write at this time. When I came to myself again, I found myself lying on my back, looking up into heaven. When the light had departed, I had no strength; but soon recovering in some degree, I went home. And as I leaned up to the fireplace, mother inquired what the matter was. I replied, “Never mind, all is well—I am well enough off.” I then said to my mother, “I have learned for myself that Presbyterianism is not true.” It seems as though the adversary was aware, at a very early period of my life, that I was destined to prove a disturber and an annoyer of his kingdom; else why should the powers of darkness combine against me? Why the opposition and persecution that arose against me, almost in my infancy?

Joseph Smith-History 1:20

So is it okay? Joseph labeled himself here as a disturber and annoyer –to Satan and his kingdom. How would you like that?  How would you like to be one of those people who make Satan so angry he says, “Oh that man (or woman) annoys me so bad! He disturbs all my great plans for the misery and sorrow of everyone around him!” Followed by the sound of his usually wailing and of teeth gnashing.

If you want to be one of those people who really make Satan so mad, just be a firm follower of Christ.  You will end up doing so much good for so many around you that Satan will despise you.  But don’t worry, God has you in His hands. 

Today’s Takeaway: Live life on the edge. Decide today to be a disturber and annoyer of Satan’s kingdom.  Be a completely dedicated follower of Christ and you will have countless opportunities to help and heal and bless other’s lives. You will help save many from so much sorrow and misery. And that will be incredibly annoying and disturbing to Satan.    

To Live or To Die

What is required of a disciple of Christ?

  And whoso is not willing to lay down his life for my sake is not my disciple.

Doctrine & Covenants 103:28

Recently in the news, there were Christians taken captive by ISIS soldiers.  They were told they would be beheaded unless they renounced their faith in Christ and converted to Islam. They would not and became martyrs for their Christian faith. Would you do the same?  Would you be willing to give your life for sake of Christ? I hope we never have to find out the answer to that question, but it does give some unique introspection.

Here is another question to add to the mix. Is it easier to die for Christ or live for Christ? Where dying for Christ would be extremely difficult, living for Christ is a decision we must make anew each day, which can make it harder.

Today’s Takeaway: Make the decision now that no matter the circumstances, or even threat of death, you will never renounce your faith in Christ.  Likewise, decide now to live for the Lord. To treat others the way you think Jesus would. To serve, help, uplift as He would. It is the quest of a lifetime, but everything else has no value in comparison. 

Buffet Followers

Look for how much of the Gospel they wanted.

   Behold, I say unto you, that they desire to know the truth in part, but not all, for they are not right before me and must needs repent.

Doctrine & Covenants 49:2

The members mentioned in this verse wanted the Gospel in their lives… at least “in part”. But are we any better? Like a buffet line, do we like to pick our favorite aspects of the gospel and ignore other parts? Do we want to be followers of Jesus Christ completely, or “in part”?  Do we want God to touch some areas of our lives, but hands off other aspects of our lives?

Today’s Takeaway: Take some time and consider what parts of your life you have not let the Savior and His Gospel in.  The Lord won’t let us pick and choose to be halfway, part-time followers of Him. God is good.  Trust Him and surrender those areas of your life to Him. Otherwise, we really “must needs repent.”

Fair & Foul Weather Christians

Look for what the troubles of life can bring.

  In the day of their peace they esteemed lightly my counsel; but, in the day of their trouble, of necessity they feel after me.

Doctrine & Covenants 101:8

Have you ever had a “fair weather friend”?  They are great to have around when everything is going well. But the moment you have difficulties in life, they disappear until the trouble is over.  There are also fair weather Christians.  When life is going well, and the Church activities are interesting, they are OK with God.  But when life’s storms come, they feel betrayed and abandon their faith.  There is also the opposite of “foul weather Christians”.  You rarely see them at Church or see their faith or devotion until the storms of life come. When they need help, they seek the refuge of the Church and God.  But instead of being “fair weather” or “foul weather Christians”, we need to be “all weather Christians”.  

Today’s Takeaway: Through thick and thin, good times or bad, we need to be faithful and trust in God’s goodness. Decide once and for all your devotion to God and His goodness. It isn’t enough to be converted; we must also be committed to the Lord.   

Are We True Enough?

Look for something that might offend people in other Churches.

  And also those to whom these commandments were given, might have power to lay the foundation of this church, and to bring it forth out of obscurity and out of darkness, the only true and living church upon the face of the whole earth, with which I, the Lord, am well pleased, speaking unto the church collectively and not individually—

Doctrine & Covenants 1:30

I know this is Christ’s church here on the earth again.  The Church is true “collectively”, but are we “individually” true?  A true church need’s true people to represent it.  For better or worse, people will often judge if a church is true, based on if the people of that church are true. Maybe we should ask ourselves questions like: Am I a true friend? A true employee? A true spouse? A true parent? A true member of this church? Am I a true follower of Christ?

Today’s Takeaway: Consider what it means to be true. Contemplate how true you are with family members and others you associate with.  Would you want them to judge how true the Church is based on how you act?  Think about how you can be a true representative of Christ’s true church. 

Light and Truth (Part Two)

Look for the secret for us to receive a fullness of light and truth.

 27 And no man receiveth a fulness unless he keepeth his commandments.

 28 He that keepeth his commandments receiveth truth and light, until he is glorified in truth and knoweth all things.

 39 And that wicked one cometh and taketh away light and truth, through disobedience, from the children of men, and because of the tradition of their fathers.

Doctrine & Covenants 93:27-28, 39.

So if Jesus had the Veil of Forgetfulness, just like you and I, how in the world did He progress and gain a fullness of knowledge so quickly?  By at least age twelve, He already knew He was the Son of God (see Luke 2: 49).  The secret is in those verses in Section 93. Whenever Jesus was given light and truth (by his earthly parents and others), He lived perfectly up to what He was given.  And what does God do for those living up to the light they have been given?  He gives them more light.  So without sin getting in the way, Jesus grew in light and truth in a perfect and dramatic manner.  On the other hand, you and I sometimes live up to the light we have been given, but then sin so light and truth are taken away (see verse 39). So the charting of our growth is far less impressive. So the principles are:

 

Sin makes us spiritually slow.

Obedience makes us spiritually smart.

Today’s Takeaway: So what do we need to do to grow in spiritual intelligence? Just stop sinning.  Easy to say, but hard to do.  But as we become more obedient to God, we will find the Lord enlightening our understanding, as we study His word, and seek His face.  

Building People

Look for what God is all about.

 And that which doth not edify is not of God, and is darkness.

Doctrine & Covenants 50:23

So God has nothing to do with anything that does not edify. But what does edify mean?  The word come from Latin and it means “to build”.  It is where the Spanish words “edificio” (a building) and edificar (to build) come from.  Or the English word for a building, “edifice”, comes from.  

So God is all about building.  Most of all He is about building people. Any feeling that is tearing you down or discouraging you is not from God. The Lord just doesn't work that way. He is a builder.

It should be the same with us.  We live in a world where people love to tear others down as a joke or an insult. It takes no great skill to be able to tear down things or people.  But have you ever known a builder?  Someone who built you up and made you want to strive for the best when you were around them? They complimented, encouraged, and cheered you on? Those are the kind of people we love, and should strive to be like.

Today’s Recharge: Think of ways that you can be a better builder of those around you: spouse, children, associates. Make some specific plans for today on how you can build up someone close to you. Likewise, is there a pattern of tearing others down in your life? Make plans to replace the demolition work with the work of building. 

Trying to "Always Remember Him"

36 Look unto me in every thought; doubt not, fear not.

Doctrine & Covenants 6:36

Over the years, I've had my share of getting dental work done. But I am always impressed with the dental assistants. As the dentist is doing the various things, I am amazed how the assistant will anticipate the desires of the dentist. They will often see the need and fulfill it without ever having to be asked. They will often already be handing the dentist the next tool with the slightest indication. Their whole focus is anticipating and servicing the needs of the dentist.

That is how we should be with the Savior. Every week when taking the Sacrament, we recommit ourselves to “always remember him”. We are commanded to look unto the Lord in every thought.  Perhaps this means to have Him in our thoughts and what He would have us do like the dental assistant would for the dentist.  We always remember Him so we can do His will all around us with the people around us. 

Today’s Takeaway: This week as you try to “always remember him”, consider what the Lord wants you to do for him around you.  Whose lives does He want you to touch with His hands and your hands?  

The Power of a Mentor

Look for the duty of a person who is spiritually strong.

106 And if any man among you be strong in the Spirit, let him take with him him that is weak, that he may be edified in all meekness, that he may become strong also.

Doctrine & Covenants 84:106

You can think of this verse as about being a mentor, or having a mentor in life. A mentor is someone you admire and would like to be more like. When someone becomes your mentor, they become a guide, tutor, supporter, and counselor for you.  Like the verse says, they are someone who edifies (builds up) in meekness. As followers of Jesus Christ, we have a responsibility to take with us those who are weak and help build them up in a nurturing relationship.

Today’s Takeaway: Do you have any mentors in life, whether formally, or informally? If not, seek one. Make a list of those you know who you deeply admire in different areas. Seek to learn from them. Are you a mentor to anyone?  Is there anyone that you are striving to help along in their journey through life? It is easy to feel unworthy or incapable of being a mentor to someone, but you are probably more able than you think.  

"I've got a better idea... than God"

Try to recall the Old Testament story referred to in this verse.

 8 While that man, who was called of God and appointed, that putteth forth his hand to steady the ark of God, shall fall by the shaft of death, like as a tree that is smitten by the vivid shaft of lightning.

Doctrine & Covenants 85:8

Poor Uzzah. Here is the sad story about how thinking we know better than God, can lead to death. In 2 Samual 6:1-8, the Ark of the Covenant was being moved to a new location. Although Numbers 7:6-9 clearly says to carry, and not use a wagon, to transport the Ark, someone thought that it would be much more efficient and logical to use a cart. Then when the oxen were on some unsteady ground, the cart began to rock and Uzzah put his hand on the Ark to steady it.  Numbers 1:51 also clearly states that only certain Levites could ever touch the Ark, or death would come.  But Uzzah didn’t want the Ark to fall out of the cart; surely this would be a good time to make an exception to the commandment. But God smote Uzzah dead on the spot. 

So what is the lesson for us? Have you ever felt like you had a good logical reason, which made it OK to disobey God. “But this is different.” “Yeah, but this is for the greater good.” Willful disobedience to God might not bring immediate death, but over time it often brings spiritual death.

Today’s Takeaway: Consider if there is a standard or commandment God has given where you have decided it is OK to make yourself an exception.  Is there an area you are compromising “for the greater good”?  Trust God enough to know He will support us and take care of things if we will be faithful.  

Personal Stewardship Interview With The Savior

3 And verily in this thing ye have done wisely, for it is required of the Lord, at the hand of every steward, to render an account of his stewardship, both in time and in eternity.

Doctrine & Covenants 72:3

The Lord has made each one of us stewards. Our stewardship is the talents, abilities, blessings, and people He has placed in our lives to look after and help.  One day we will give an account of our stewardship to the Lord.

In 1965, President David O. McKay made the following statement to a group of Church employees:

"Let me assure you, Brethren, that someday you will have a personal priesthood interview with the Savior himself. If you are interested, I will tell you the order in which he will ask you to account for your earthly responsibilities."

"First, he will request an accountability report about your relationship with your wife. Have you actively been engaged in making her happy and ensuring that her needs have been met as an individual?"

"Second, he will want an accountability report about each of your children individually. He will not attempt to have this for simply a family stewardship but will request information about your relationship to each and every child."

"Third, he will want to know what you personally have done with the talents you were given in the preexistence."

"Fourth, he will want a summary of your activity in your Church assignments. He will not be necessarily interested in what assignments you have had, for in his eyes the home teacher and a mission president are probably equals, but he will request a summary of how you have been of service to your fellow man in your Church assignments."

"Fifth, he will have no interest in how you earned your living but if you were honest in all your dealings."

"Sixth, he will ask for an accountability on what you have done to contribute in a positive manner to your community, state, country, and the world."

(Found in Robert D. Hales, BYU Devotional March 15, 1988)

Today’s Recharge: Are you taking your stewardship seriously? Are you trying to bless your family and improve upon what you have been given?  Take a moment and write down, in order, how to do better with each of the six areas President McKay said the Savior would want to know from us. 

Get Off The Sidelines

Has this prophecy been fulfilled yet?

2 The keys of the kingdom of God are committed unto man on the earth, and from thence shall the gospel roll forth unto the ends of the earth, as the stone which is cut out of the mountain without hands shall roll forth, until it has filled the whole earth.

Doctrine & Covenants 65:2

Nebuchadnezzar’s dream is coming true; the stone (the Gospel and God’s Kingdom) has been cut out of the mountain without hands and is now filling the earth.  The battle between good and evil is raging like never before? It’s going to be a nail-biter. Many times it is going to seem like evil is going to win.  But we have the promise that the Lord will pull off the victory with us in the end.

So knowing who’s going to win, have you decided which side you will be fighting for?  Are you doing your part to help build up the Kingdom of God here on the earth, and help your fellow man?  Are you accepting callings, sharing your faith, and serving others? Or are you more of a spectator?   

Today’s Takeaway: Life was never meant to be a spectator sport.  You have a valuable and important role that the Lord wants you to fill here on earth. Do all you can so you can look back on the victory with satisfaction on the part you played, and not regret. Get off the sidelines and into the game.  Are you in?

Meditating Mormons

This is a more recent picture of Richard Frye.
Thank you, my friend.

And ye must practice virtue and holiness before me continually. Even so. Amen.

Doctrine & Covenants 46:33

In one area of my mission in the Philippines, I served with an Elder Frye. One of the first mornings there, I saw him sitting Indian style on his bed in what looked like a meditative state.  I felt like I shouldn’t disturb him but later that morning I said something sarcastic like, “You realize, Elder, we aren't Hindu, right?” He kindly said that he was in fact meditating.  He then explained that each morning he tried to mediate through his day and how to be the kind of person he wanted to be; he would think through how he would see that day and how he would like to approach each situation as a godly man.  He would think through situations that might frustrate him and how he would like to approach them in a better way.  He would “practice virtue” in his mind so when the actual events came, he had already practiced through what he would do.

Have you ever done the opposite of this? Have you ever had a conflict and imagined through a whole argument or fight that later never happened? You imagined what they might say and how you would react to get the best of them?  How often does your mind take you into the very opposite than the kind of person you want to be?  I think of it as the opposite of this verse. Instead of practicing virtue, we might often practice vice in our mind.  Then when the situation happens, we don’t always do what we should.

Today’s Takeaway: Take a few minutes and try meditating through your day; think of who you will see and interact with: family, work associates, friends. Practice through in your mind how you can be your best self in thosepotential situations. Think of situations where you often give in to temptation and meditate through how you will be different this time. This can be a powerful tool to becoming the man or woman of God you want to be. And remember practice makes perfect. 

If this or any post is a help in your life, please share it with others. Thanks.

High Yield, Low Maintenance

26 For behold, it is not meet that I should command in all things; for he that is compelled in all things, the same is a slothful and not a wise servant; wherefore he receiveth no reward.

 27 Verily I say, men should be anxiously engaged in a good cause, and do many things of their own free will, and bring to pass much righteousness;

 28 For the power is in them, wherein they are agents unto themselves. And inasmuch as men do good they shall in nowise lose their reward.

 29 But he that doeth not anything until he is commanded, and receiveth a commandment with doubtful heart, and keepeth it with slothfulness, the same is damned.

Doctrine & Covenants 58:26-29

I’ve told youth that those verses are the perfect formula to getting their parents to trust them more and give them more freedom.  For adults, it is the secret to getting a promotion at work and a good deal of success in life. Read the verses again and look for the powerful secrets for living.

In the Church, there seems to be two types of members:

High Yield, Low Maintenance members 

Low Yield, High Maintenance members

In wards and branches, there are the 10% that do 90% of the work, and there are the 10% of people that demand 90% of your efforts.  So what kind of member are you in God’s kingdom here on the earth?  Yes, there are times in our lives that roles are reversed and we need a great deal of help, but are we generally contributing? Like the scripture refers to, do you have to be told to do something before it gets done? Or do you do good for others, just because you saw it needed to be done?

Today’s Takeaway: Consider some act of kindness you can do for a family member, or someone you know.  Don’t wait for an assignment.  Make the world a better place because you were here. 

His Hands - Your Hands

And I will lay my hand upon you by the hand of my servant Sidney Rigdon, and you shall receive my Spirit, the Holy Ghost, even the Comforter, which shall teach you the peaceable things of the kingdom;
Doctrine & Covenants 36:2

This verse holds one of the most amazing principles about Priesthood service, and how we all are to serve our fellow beings. Notice that the Lord tells Edward Partridge that He (the Lord) would lay His hands upon him (Edward), by the hands of his servant Sidney Rigdon. So what is this teaching about what happens when we are performing Priesthood ordinances?  That when we are worthily performing the ordinance, our hands become the Lord’s hands.  When following the direction of His Spirit, our words, become His words.  This can become a scary proposition. Every Priesthood holder has to ask himself if he is living his life in such a way that at any moment he can represent the Lord and be His hands, and His voice, and a conduit for His power, in another person’s life.

Likewise, whether male or female, we all take upon ourselves the name of Christ.  That means we recommit ourselves each Sunday to represent Him in every situation. All of us are to be His hands and His voice to everyone around us.

Today’s Takeaway: Try to live today so that you can be God’s voice today to someone.  Try to follow His Spirit so you can be His hands in someone else’s life. Who’s life does God want you to touch for Him today?