Sister Hole was up and ready, sharing a conference talk by Elder Cook from last Oct. As you can see by the title, it deals with one of our most valued possession, choice. As the young women know, with choice comes accountability and that goes for all of us, not just the youth. After all, you are a youth to our Heavenly Father.
Once again I feel like I should apologize how I share a conference talk with you for I find it perplexing when I try to summarize. I know I will do much "quoting" but that is the only way I feel I can share what great thoughts we heard today.
Do small things determine your destiny? Think about that for a bit and then at the end, see if your answer is still the same.
Do you love the Peanuts characters as much as I do? Elder Cook must feel the same way as he began with a story of Lucy in the out field at a tied up game, last inning. Fly ball to her and all kinds of assistance close by. Of course she dropped it, but her "excuse" was "“How do you expect me to catch the ball when I am worried about our country’s foreign policy?" Can you picture yourself with an assignment of some sort that you just couldn't quit get into so you didn't do it or touched lightly? Have you ever dropped the ball because of an "unsecure server"? We have all rationalized some things along the way ( and I think my 8th grade English teacher would approve of my use of the word all, here).
I like a statement made by Pres. Monson when he said, "decisions determine destiny." (pause for thought.) "I believe it is of particular importance in our day, when Satan is raging in the hearts of men in so many new and subtle ways, that our choices and decisions be made carefully, consistent with the goals and objectives by which we profess to live. We need unequivocal commitment to the commandments and strict adherence to sacred covenants." We may profess to believe the gospel of Jesus Christ and belong to his church, but if we rationalize away our conflicted behavior, we are setting ourselves up for heart break, either here and now or in time to come.
The talk speaks to the young men about going on missions and temple marriage, but I want to share what Sister Hole did in a way that it applies to all of us. When we say we want a gospel oriented goal, we must ACT in order to achieve. We must set a goal and find a way to make it happen. If you are not coming to church right now, set a goal for yourself that you will come one time. Once is a beginning and makes the next time easier. If you haven't been to the temple, make an appointment with the bishop now and he will help you get there, IF you truly have a testimony of the temple's importance for you and your family. Choose to exercise your faith. If a young man must work hard to prepare for a mission, we must work hard to prepare to dwell with God.
Elder Cook tells of his concern for the non tipping point decisions. (remember me asking you about the little thing?) In this tech world, it is up to us to balance, use moderation and wisdom in use of all these fun things. Take a quick time to inventory how you use your day/free time. These tech tools have great potential for good but as you know, evil as well. As Elder Cook says, "Distractions and opposition to righteousness are not just on the Internet; they are everywhere. They affect not just the youth but all of us. We live in a world that is literally in commotion.10 We are surrounded by obsessive portrayals of “fun and games” and immoral and dysfunctional lives. These are presented as normal conduct in much of the media."
Remember, what people put out there on social media isn't real. Their entire life is presented incompletely, as I doubt you read about some unkind thing someone said or that their child flunked a test or punched his sibling.
I will share a great quote in this talk that we should be able to use each day. "Will this make you a better person?" Going back to the setting of goals, make your list for the day or the morning or the week and get going. Do it the way you must, as only you can do. I have learned that my husband doesn't work the same way I do and I have almost learned to deal with our difference. A good goal, huh?
There is a great story about a young Elder Cook and Merlin Olson. I encourage you to read that bit. Maybe you have a remembrance of something wise your parents taught you.
Now is the time to go back to the question of, "Do little things make a difference in your destiny?" Yes, we know they do for one rationalization makes the next slightly wrong choice easier and so it goes. Don't let something small carry you off. Heavenly Father loves you and wants you to come home to Him so pray for help when you need it (every day) and let Him know how you are doing and where you could use a little extra boost.
"This life is the time to prepare to meet God.22 We are a happy, joyous people. We appreciate a good sense of humor and treasure unstructured time with friends and family. But we need to recognize that there is a seriousness of purpose that must undergird our approach to life and all our choices. Distractions and rationalizations that limit progress are harmful enough, but when they diminish faith in Jesus Christ and His Church, they are tragic."
As Sister Hole noted, "Be real. Live your own life." We can't be someone else and God doesn't expect us to be anyone but who we are, just an improved version of who we were yesterday. God doesn't give us more than we can handle. Believe it.
Your temporary bloggess,
Janice
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