Gifts We Can Give To The Savior

How would this world be if we could never repent? If we could never forget the wrongs we did—intentional or unintended? What about never having the guilt or pain of conscience taken away for our wrongs or misdeeds? If we could never receive forgiveness for past mistakes or errors we would be in an awful, miserable state. A state from which one, who is eternally miserable, can never escape (see 2 Nephi 2:27). But thanks be to God for the gift of His Son!

During this Christmas season, many of us make time to remember the birth of our Savior. For One who has given us more than we can ever repay (see Mosiah 2:21) what can we offer in return? I've thought of a few gifts that we can offer Him. I realize this is an incomplete list, but it's something we can start with.

The Gift of Repenting

King Benjamin taught, 

“[B]elieve that ye must repent of your sins and forsake them, and humble yourselves before God; and ask in sincerity of heart that he would forgive you” (Mosiah 4:10).

We can choose to repent. 

Merriam-Webster defines repent as “to turn from sin and dedicate oneself to the amendment of one’s life” (link to definition). Tad R. Callister defines true repentance as, “a melting, softening, refining process that brings about a mighty change of heart….It is a burning resolve to make amends with God at any cost”. He later states that those who are "repentant [are] those who have given of their spiritual best" (Tad R. Callister, The Infinite Atonement, p178, 311) In Acts we read, “Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out” (Acts 3:19). 

As we look within ourselves we will find things that we can change; if we see nothing wrong within, we can pray to understand where we fall short. As we repent, we are in a position for the arm of forgiveness to be extended by the hand of the Lord. As we reach out and accept His forgiveness, through the power of the Atonement in our lives, we can be healed; wrongs can be righted; our sins can be blotted out; and we can have a renewed hope in life. Tad R. Callister explained,

“His spirit heals; it refines; it comforts; it breathes new life into hopeless hearts. It has the power to transform all that is ugly and vicious and worthless in life to something of supreme and glorious splendor. He has the power to convert the ashes of mortality to the beauties of eternity” (Tad R. Callister, The Infinite Atonement, p206).

Let us choose to trust in the Lord’s atoning sacrifice, and the power it has to change us. Let us choose to give the gift of a repentant heart.

The Gift of Using Our Agency

In the Book of Mormon, Amaleki's short remarks include these words, “[C]ome unto Christ…and offer your whole souls as an offering unto him” (Omni 1:26, emphasis added)—our soul, comprised of both body and spirit. Offering our whole souls would require a commitment of heart, mind and strength; demanding physical and spiritual effort. It isn't something that can be done over the weekend, or even within a year's time. It is the quest of a lifetime.

In the scriptures we can read examples of people who have had dramatic experiences in which they turned their whole souls over to the Lord, and never looked back (Alma the Younger and the Apostle Paul come to mind). There are also others who were already being obedient and line upon line, precept upon precept, they continued in righteousness (Nephi and Joseph Smith, for example). Whether dramatically or little-by-little, all of these individuals (and many more) had numerous trials and tribulations in their mortal lives—but all of them made the choices that would bless them in the eternities. We can choose to do the same. In his direct way, Elder Maxwell admonishes us to choose to follow the Savior now:

“Joshua didn’t say choose you next year whom you will serve; he spoke of ‘this day,’ while there is still daylight and before the darkness becomes more and more normal. 

“When Jesus called his first disciples, the scriptures record that they left their ships and nets ‘straightway.’ They didn’t ask to join Jesus after the fishing season; they didn’t even delay their response in order to make just one more catch. They left ‘straightway’! 

“Act, my brothers and sisters, for once the soul is tilted toward belief, and once there is even a desire to believe, then marvelous things begin to happen!” (link to talk).

As we use our agency to act and turn our lives over to the Lord, instead of being acted upon—the natural result of inaction—amazing things can happen. President James E. Faust taught,

“If we will turn to the Lord and believe on His name, we can change. He will give us the power to change our lives, the power to put away bad thoughts and feelings from our hearts. We can be taken from ‘the darkest abyss’ to ‘behold the marvelous light of God’. We can be forgiven. We can find peace” (link to talk).

Everyone has a past that cannot be remade. The only thing we can do is to move forward. By accessing the power of the Atonement in our lives the guilt and frustration of past mistakes can be swept away, and we can begin anew. Through the Atonement of Jesus Christ we can be made better. President Faust also taught,

“Each one of us has been given the power to change his or her life. As part of the Lord’s great plan of happiness, we have individual agency to make decisions. We can decide to do better and to be better. In some ways all of us need to change; that is, some of us need to be more kind at home, less selfish, better listeners, and more considerate in the way we treat others. Some of us have habits that need to be changed, habits that harm us and others around us. Sometimes we may need a jolt to propel us into changing” (link to talk).

We may have a shady past, or may have been faithful throughout our lives, or may still be deciding which way we want to go. No matter our state, one thing to remember is that the Lord is not as concerned with where we have been, as He is with the direction that we are heading. Elder Jeffrey R. Holland counseled, 

“My beloved brothers and sisters, to those of you who have been blessed by the gospel for many years because you were fortunate enough to find it early, to those of you who have come to the gospel by stages and phases later, and to those of you—members and not yet members—who may still be hanging back, to each of you, one and all, I testify of the renewing power of God’s love and the miracle of His grace. His concern is for the faith at which you finally arrive, not the hour of the day in which you got there.

“So if you have made covenants, keep them. If you haven’t made them, make them. If you have made them and broken them, repent and repair them. It is never too late so long as the Master of the vineyard says there is time.…Don’t delay. It’s getting late” (link to talk).

The Gift of Sacrifice 
In the scriptures we read of the Savior being approached by a wealthy young man who asks Him what he can do to have eternal life. Jesus replied,

"Thou knowest the commandments...

"And [the wealthy young man] answered and said unto him, Master, all these have I observed from my youth.

"Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me.

"And he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved: for he had great possessions" (Mark 10:19-22).

In our own lives we may be asked to do something hard, something that will test our commitment to the Lord. Many times the hardest things to give up are those things that we don't want to change within ourselves.

The Lord has commanded, “Thou shalt offer a sacrifice unto the Lord thy God in righteousness, even that of a broken heart and a contrite spirit” (Doctrine & Covenants 59:8). To be contrite means to show sincere sorrow or remorse. The Apostle Paul taught of having our hearts softened (perhaps broken) insomuch that they can be penetrated. The law of the Lord is not something we just need to have memorized, or have written in stone, “but  [written] in [the] fleshy tables of the heart” (2 Corinthians 3:3). 

In order to truly sacrifice, we must humble ourselves enough to recognize our weakness and errors, and want to change. This willingness to change will allow our hearts to be softened, and become open to the whisperings of the Spirit, which will teach us "all things what [we] should do" (2 Nephi 32:5).

During His mortal ministry the Savior invited, 

“Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

“For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel’s, the same shall save it.

“For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?” (Mark 8:34-36).

To some it may be a great sacrifice to get out of comfort zones, letting go of pride, putting aside our own desires, or trusting in the Lord when we don't fully understand. Still to others it may be the act of selfless serving that is hard. Whatever challenges we are faced with in this life, we will be tried to see if we will put the Lord first above everything and everyone else in our lives. Just as we are "immediately" blessed (Mosiah 2:24) by doing everything the Lord asks of us, putting Him first is not without benefit. President Ezra Taft Benson counseled, 

"When we put God first, all other things fall into their proper place or drop out of our lives. Our love of the Lord will govern the claims for our affection, the demands on our time, the interests we pursue, and the order of our priorities" (link to talk).

The end result of all that we do on this earth is not to gain the glory or riches of the world, but to live in such a manner that we may return to live eternally with our Father in Heaven again. What truly matters in life is our willingness to trust in Him, and do what He asks. By so doing we will be blessed in this world, but more so in the world to come.

Occasionally we can ask ourselves is if we are looking forward, as Alma asked, “with an eye of faith…to stand before God to be judged according to the deeds which have been done in the mortal body?” (Alma 5: 15). Or, as Elder Neal A. Maxwell asked, if our hearts are “so set [upon the things of the world that] they must first be broken” (link to talk)?

To sacrifice means giving up something we want now for something better later. Elder Maxwell also said, “the submission of one’s will is really the only uniquely personal thing we have to place on God’s altar” (link to talk). Sacrifice isn’t intended to be easy—it is meant to stretch and refine us. Elder Richard G. Scott explained, “We were taught in the premortal world that our purpose in coming here is to be tested, tried, and stretched” (link to talk). David, in the Book of Psalms, teaches, “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart” (Psalms 51:17). And, Tad R. Callister reminded us that, “sacrifices in and of themselves are meaningless. They are not an end. They become purposeful only if they serve to focus the mind and heart of the giver upon the Savior’s atoning sacrifice” (Tad R. Callister, The Infinite Atonement, p280).

When we have our hearts in the right place—focusing our mind and heart on the Savior's sacrifice—is when we can truly offer a worthy sacrifice. May we take the first step by giving Him the gift of our trust; trust enough to sacrifice. 

Our Gift of Time

Throughout the scriptures we can find examples of those who have diligently spent their time and become so converted unto the Lord that they are confident in their standing with Him. One story that stands out in my mind is the story of Ammon. Ammon and his brothers had been converted unto the Lord and went to teach a ferocious and blood thirsty people—the Lamanites.

Ammon ends up as a servant to King Lamoni and is helping the king’s servants tend sheep. Other Lamanites come and scatter the sheep of the king. Apparently this has happened before and the servants are scared because they know they will be killed. Ammon “flattered them by his words, saying: My brethren, be of good cheer and let us go in search of the flocks” (Alma 17:31). They gathered the flocks and the Lamanites came again to scatter them. 

“[B]ut Ammon said unto his brethren: Encircle the flocks round about that they flee not; and I go and contend with these men who do scatter our flocks.

“Therefore, they did as Ammon commanded them, and he went forth and stood to contend with those who stood by the waters of Sebus; and they were in number not a few” (Alma 17:33-34). 

Ammon’s father had been given a promise, by the Lord, that none of his sons would die while teaching the Lamanites (see Mosiah 28:7). Ammon had such confidence in the Lord, and His promise, that he was not at all daunted by the number of opposing—and not a few—Lamanites: he killed “a certain number of them” with his sling, killed their leader with his sword, “and he smote off as many of their arms as were lifted against him, and they were not a few”. After killing several of the Lamanites there were also others that “began to flee before [Ammon]; yea, and they were not few in number” (see Alma 17:36-38). 

How did he gain such confidence in the Lord? We read that Ammon and his brothers, 

“had waxed strong in the knowledge of the truth; for they were men of a sound understanding and they had searched the scriptures diligently, that they might know the word of God.

“But this is not all; they had given themselves to much prayer, and fasting; therefore they had the spirit of prophecy, and the spirit of revelation, and when they taught, they taught with power and authority of God” (Alma 17:2-3).

They searched the scriptures diligently, and had prayed and fasted much, then they did their best to act on those things they believed. It was through devoting their time to the seemingly small and simple things (that all of us have been asked to do) that they gained confidence in the Lord; and their standing before Him. We can gain that same trust and confidence by following their example. Then, when the challenges come into our lives, we will be able to move forward, acting in confidence. Elder David A. Bednar taught,

“In many of the uncertainties and challenges we encounter in our lives, God requires us to do our best, to act and not be acted upon, and to trust in Him. We may not see angels, hear heavenly voices, or receive overwhelming spiritual impressions. We frequently may press forward hoping and praying—but without absolute assurance—that we are acting in accordance with God’s will. But as we honor our covenants and keep the commandments, as we strive ever more consistently to do good and to become better, we can walk with the confidence that God will guide our steps. And we can speak with the assurance that God will inspire our utterances. This is in part the meaning of the scripture that declares, ‘Then shall thy confidence wax strong in the presence of God’” (link to talk).

We don’t know very much about the early years of our Savior’s life on this earth, but we do know that He “grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom” (Luke 2:40). His wisdom came from applying the teachings He learned in such a perfect way that He gained  understanding (see Mosiah 12:27). James E. Talmage gave this insight,

“[T]he Boy was well taught in the law and the scriptures…He garnered knowledge by study, and gained wisdom by prayer, thought, and effort” (James E. Talmage, Jesus the Christ, p106).

May we strive to do the same, by offering the gift of our time—time to learn of His ways, time to ponder, time to become the best we can be. May we choose to act now in bettering our ways and becoming more converted unto the Lord. None of us know when the Savior will come again, and none of us know when the end of our probationary state will be. May we decide today to be ready for when our probationary state ends. Elder Maxwell advised,

“There are reasons for your commitment to be made now, for as the rush of hours, days, and months grows stronger, the will to commit grows weaker….

“Act now, so that a thousand years from now, when you look back at this moment, you can say this was a moment that mattered—this was a day of determination….

“[F]or it will never be easier to do than it is now” (link to talk).

Ours is the challenge to overcome the natural man. It will be a daily struggle, even (and sometimes especially) after we  choose to follow the Savior. As we learn to rely on the power of His Atonement we truly can become like Him. Elder Russell M. Nelson taught, 

“God is the same yesterday, today, and forever, but we are not. Each day, ours is the challenge to access the power of the Atonement so that we can truly change, become more Christlike, and qualify for the gift of exaltation and live eternally with God, Jesus Christ, and our families” (link to talk).

Our Gift of Accepting His Sacrifice

The last gift I thought of is the gift of accepting His offering to us—shown through our willingness to repent and to follow Him. Each week as we partake of the sacrament we covenant to remember Him, and to stand as His witness. As we keep this covenant we are showing our willingness to accept His Atonement in our behalf. Tad R. Callister taught,

“The atoning sacrifice of Christ, and our full acceptance of it, is the spiritual antidote that heals the wounded soul. It is such an antidote that replaces despair with hope, darkness with light, and turmoil with peace” (Tad R. Callister, The Infinite Atonement, p203).

In the concluding chapter of the Book of Mormon, Moroni exhorts us to remember the Lord's mercy, to gain a testimony and become converted ourselves, and to deny not the power nor the gifts of God (see Moroni 10). He then invites us to come unto Christ.

“Yea, come unto Christ, and be perfected in him, and deny yourselves of all ungodliness; and if ye shall deny yourselves of all ungodliness, and love God with all your might, mind and strength, then is his grace sufficient for you, that by his grace ye may be perfect in Christ” (Moroni 10:32).

At this time of year, when we remember the birth of the Savior, may we offer the gift of our agency to repent; our gift of time to become converted; and our gift of a broken heart and contrite spirit to willingly come unto Him and accept of His offering for us. As we do this we will come to know Him, and will be prepared for whatever lies ahead, knowing we have Him by our side. 

The Power and Freedom of Obedience

How is it possible that laws, rules, and commandments, that seem so restrictive to some, can in reality be the pathway to freedom and power in this life? When we are obedient  to God’s laws without understanding why—some call it "blind obedience"—are we really just deceiving ourself? What is the purpose of obedience?

I want to start with a law that we are all very familiar with: gravity. If I were holding a ball and placed it in the air, would it hover? No. Gravity always pulls down, and the ball would fall. No matter how hard I try to place that ball in the air it will always fall. That is the nature of gravity.

Now, on the other hand, if I am a downhill skier and want to increase my speed I know that gravity can assist me. By knowing how the law of gravity works I can use it to enhance my run. Of course, like all things in life, practice is needed. The first time I try to ski down a slope my experience and unsteadiness may give way, gravity may take control, and I might end up rolling down the slope a lot faster than I had planned. But by getting up when I fall, figuring out where I went wrong, and trying again I can improve. If I continue down this path of learning and improving I can eventually—as some olympic athletes can attest—excel. Through the process of learning how to work with gravity, rather than against it, I can have it as my ally as I race down the mountainside.

Our Heavenly Father has given us laws that are just as unchanging as gravity. Any blessing that we receive from our Heavenly Father comes “by obedience to that law upon which it is predicated” (Doctrine & Covenants 130:21). Disobedience, on the other hand, leads to a lack of blessings. Elder L. Tom Perry taught,

“God reveals to His prophets that there are moral absolutes. Sin will always be sin. Disobedience to the Lord’s commandments will always deprive us of His blessings. The world changes constantly and dramatically, but God, His commandments, and promised blessings do not change. They are immutable and unchanging.…

“In a world where the moral compass of society is faltering, the restored gospel of Jesus Christ never wavers, nor should [we]. We must not pick and choose which commandments we think are important to keep but acknowledge all of God’s commandments. We must stand firm and steadfast, having perfect confidence in the Lord’s consistency and perfect trust in His promises” (link to talk).

Throughout the ages God’s laws have been passed down through prophets. By obtaining God’s word—through the scriptures and words of the prophets—we can find His laws, and the blessings that come with them.

In the Doctrine & Covenants, for example, we learn of the blessings that come from obeying the Word of Wisdom.

“And all saints who remember to keep and do these sayings, walking in obedience to the commandments, shall receive health in their navel and marrow to their bones;

“And shall find wisdom and great treasures of knowledge, even hidden treasures;

“And shall run and not be weary, and shall walk and not faint.

“And I, the Lord, give unto them a promise, that the destroying angel shall pass by them, as the children of Israel, and not slay them” (Doctrine & Covenants 89:18-21).

In Malachi we learn the blessings that come from obeying the law of paying an honest tithe.

“Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse…and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.

“And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the Lord of hosts.

“And all nations shall call you blessed: for ye shall be a delightsome land, saith the Lord of hosts” (Malachi 3:10-12).

Another is the Law of the Fast. In the Bible Dictionary we read, “Fasting, a voluntary abstinence from food, is a principle of the gospel of Jesus Christ for developing spiritual strength” (link to topic). But the blessings are even more numerous as Elder Robert L. Simpson taught.

“One of the most neglected and yet most needed laws for this troubled generation in a modern world of acceleration and distraction is the law of the fast.…

“The world needs self-discipline. You can find it in fasting and prayer. Our generation is sick for lack of self-control. Fasting and prayer help to instill this virtue.

“The world’s future depends upon an urgent return to family unity. Fasting and prayer will help to guarantee it. Each person has greater need for divine guidance. There is no better way. We all have need to overcome the powers of the adversary. His influence is incompatible with fasting and prayer” (link to article).

The Lord has other laws that He gives us, with blessings that may not be as visible. Our obedience to them, however, is still just as vital for our eternal progress. President Thomas S. Monson taught,

“Obedience is a hallmark of prophets; it has provided strength and knowledge to them throughout the ages. It is essential for us to realize that we, as well, are entitled to this source of strength and knowledge. It is readily available to each of us today as we obey God’s commandments” (link to talk).

When Adam and Eve were cast out of the Garden of Eden the Lord gave commandments to help them.

“And Adam was obedient unto the commandments of the Lord.

“And after many days an angel of the Lord appeared unto Adam, saying: Why dost thou offer sacrifices unto the Lord? And Adam said unto him: I know not, save the Lord commanded me” (Moses 5:5-6).

Adam did not fully understand why he was asked to offer sacrifices unto the Lord, but he trusted the Lord and chose to be obedient.

The Lord will never force us to be obedient. He tutors us through life with experiences to build faith, feel joy, learn from sorrow, and grow through challenges and trials. He grants us innumerable opportunities but leaves the choosing up to us. The choices we make now will have a direct correlation to where, and with whom, we will end up after this life. The Apostle Paul asked,

“Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?” (Romans 6:16).

Why is it that obedience to God’s commandments seems to be so critical to our experience here in mortality? Can’t we learn things on our own, without being obedient to God’s laws?

The answer is, yes. We can learn things on our own, and many of us do. However, any time we choose to do things our own way, and on our own terms (rather than the Lord's), the way will be harder. As we try to do things solely on our own we will be left on our own. If we choose to be obedient to the commandments of the Lord we will be provided with much needed guidance and direction. President Monson taught,

“There are rules and laws to help ensure our physical safety. Likewise, the Lord has provided guidelines and commandments to help ensure our spiritual safety so that we might successfully navigate this often-treacherous mortal existence and return eventually to our Heavenly Father” (link to talk).

If we are obedient to God’s laws, commandments, and ordinances we will be blessed and protected with God’s power, we will also gain “light and truth” (see Doctrine & Covenants 93:39). This isn’t to say that life will be without trouble or sorrow—that is why we are here on earth—but it does mean that the troubles and sorrows that come “shall give [us] experience, and shall be for [our] good” (Doctrine & Covenants 122:7). Being obedient does not bring additional trials in our life, but not being obedient will bring additional obstacles to pass over, that are not required for our salvation. Obedience to God’s laws can provide us with freedom to pursue our eternal course, whereas disobedience can hamper our progress. Tad R. Callister expressed,

“Some might contend that freedom comes when there are no laws or restraints. They contend that freedom in its purest form is the right to do anything, anytime, anywhere, without consequence….Does it not seem ironic that such an [eat, drink, and be merry] philosophy is authored by the master slave himself? It was he who was cast out of heaven, who was deprived of a body, who will be bound a thousand years, and who will ultimately be banished to outer darkness. The freedom he promises is illusory; it is a mirage on the desert; it is the very condition that has always eluded his grasp.” (Tad R. Callister, The Infinite Atonement, p 257).

Nephi taught that it is by obedience to the commandments that we can avoid the captivity of the devil.

“And now, my sons, I would that ye should look to the great Mediator, and hearken unto his great commandments; and be faithful unto his words, and choose eternal life, according to the will of his Holy Spirit;

“And not choose eternal death, according to the will of the flesh and the evil which is therein, which giveth the spirit of the devil power to captivate, to bring you down to hell, that he may reign over you in his own kingdom” (2 Nephi 2:28-29, emphasis added).

Elder Richard G. Scott reemphasized the importance of obedience to the seemingly small things in life, and the protective power that they provide.

“When we are consistently praying morning and night, studying our scriptures daily, having weekly family home evening, and attending the temple regularly, we are actively responding to His invitation to ‘come unto Him.’ The more we develop these habits, the more anxious is Satan to harm us but the less is his ability to do so” (link to talk, emphasis added).

It is through our obedience to the laws of God that will keep us safe on the Lord’s side of the line. President George Albert Smith often repeated the words of his grandfather, George A. Smith, when he said,

“There is a line of demarcation well defined between the Lord’s territory and the devil’s territory. If you will stay on the Lord’s side of the line you will be under his influence and will have no desire to do wrong; but if you cross to the devil’s side of that line one inch you are in the tempter’s power and if he is successful, you will not be able to think or even reason properly because you will have lost the Spirit of the Lord” (link to article).

In the Doctrine & Covenants we learn that when Adam chose to yield—submit to—temptation by transgressing the commandment of God, that is when “he became subject to the will of the devil” (Doctrine & Covenants 29:40). The Savior never yielded to temptation, and was thus never within the devil’s grasp. He is our perfect Exemplar.

Contrary to what some may think, rather that being restrictive obedience to God’s laws gives us more freedom. We always have the freedom to make the initial choice, but we cannot change the consequence that goes with that choice. For example, if we choose a life of smoking we are not free to choose to cancel any negative effects it may have on our lungs. If we choose to be glutenous in our food habits, and lax in our exercising, we are relinquishing our freedom to have the energy that nutrition and active habits will afford us. Rather than being confining Tad R. Callister explained how commandments can help us.

“Commandments are no more restrictive to the spiritual man than street signs are to the motorist. Neither prohibits our progress; to the contrary, they enhance it by serving as guideposts or directional signs to help us find and reach our destination” (Tad R. Callister, The Infinite Atonement, p258).

President Monson also expressed,

“There is no need for you or for me, in this enlightened age when the fulness of the gospel has been restored, to sail uncharted seas or to travel unmarked roads in search of truth. A loving Heavenly Father has plotted our course and provided an unfailing guide—even obedience. A knowledge of truth and the answers to our greatest questions come to us as we are obedient to the commandments of God" (link to talk).

We are here on earth to learn. The Lord has given us many guideposts and signs to follow. Elder M. Russell Ballard spoke of the Lord’s servants being similar to “seasoned river guides [who have been] tutored by life’s experiences; have been trained and mentored by apostles and prophets and other officers of the Church; and, most important, have been tutored by the Lord Himself”. He also explained that “The words of the Lord are found in the scriptures and the teachings of the apostles and prophets. They provide us counsel and direction that, when followed, will act like a spiritual life jacket and will help us know how to hold on with both hands” (link to talk). 

Another guidepost that the Lord has provided us is the perfect example of His Son, Jesus Christ. As we study the life of the Savior we can learn more how to follow His example and become like Him. As we learn about His life we can understand more, in part, of His atoning sacrifice for us. Through the power of Atonement of Jesus Christ we can overcome our challenges, weaknesses, and any unfairness that this life throws in our direction. Through humbly approaching our Savior and Redeemer we can be tutored about the purpose of our individual struggles in life.

As we gain spiritual knowledge, in our efforts to emulate the Savior, we also need to gain secular knowledge as well. But, despite how much knowledge we gain in this life, it will do us no good without obedience to God. In the Garden of Eden, Lucifer tempted Adam and Eve to gain knowledge of good and evil through partaking the fruit of the Tree of Knowledge, but in direct disobedience to God’s law. This, in and of itself, should help teach us about the critical importance of obedience to—doing, as opposed to merely knowing— our Heavenly Father’s plan. Bruce C. Hafen taught,

“All of us, like Adam and Eve, must leave God’s presence in the quest for knowledge and growth through personal experience. Our exploration will not cease until we return to his presence, prepared at last to grasp, to comprehend—to receive with full understanding of life’s meaning—the endowment of a Godlike nature. This sacred gift, the greatest of all the gifts of God, transcends infinitely the limits of man’s own power. Knowledge without obedience leads not to a final understanding of life’s meaning, but to ‘sound and fury, signifying nothing.’ On the other hand, knowledge constrained by obedience to God and then fulfilled by the grace of God leads to meaning, sanctification, and eternal joy” (Bruce C. Hafen, The Broken Heart: Applying the Atonement to Life’s Experiences, p33).

In life there are things—physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual—that we will need to suffer through, and sometimes endure for long periods of time. That is part of life. The crucial teaching element that comes with suffering and enduring can be attained as we learn to humble ourselves enough to recognize the hand of the Lord in our lives; and to become more obedience in our trials, not less. I had a good friend once say, “The greatest mistake people make during their struggles in life is to turn away from obedience.” It is our obedience to God’s laws that allows His purposes to be fulfilled in our lives (see Zechariah 6:15).

The more we are obedient in this life the more power we will have in this life, and in the next. Tad R. Callister explained,

“Power comes by obedience. we gain power to play the piano as we obey the law of practicing. We gain mastery over a language as we learn and follow the rules of linguistics. We gain power over the elements as we obey the laws of God. That is why the Lord said to the obedient, ‘Then shall they be gods, because they have all power” (Tad R. Callister, The Infinite Atonement, p260).

The Lord also taught us the impact that obedience in this life has on our eternal future.

“Then shall they be gods, because they have no end; therefore shall they be from everlasting to everlasting, because they continue; then shall they be above all, because all things are subject unto them. Then shall they be gods, because they have all power, and the angels are subject unto them.

“Verily, verily, I say unto you, except ye abide my law ye cannot attain to this glory” (Doctrine & Covenants 132:20-21, emphasis added).

We have also been taught that, “if a person gains more knowledge and intelligence in this life through his diligence and obedience than another, he will have so much the advantage in the world to come” (Doctrine & Covenants 130:19, emphasis added). Secular knowledge is necessary, but spiritual knowledge is critical to our progress here on earth. Tad R. Callister stated,

“While God is certainly a proponent of earthly knowledge, he also wants us to know that powers of a higher source flow from the acquisition of spiritual truths. It is this spiritual power that parted the Red Sea, that caused the sun to ‘stand still,’ rivers to change their course, and mountains to flee. This unseen force has calmed the angry sea, quelled the reckless storm, compelled the drought-stricken skies to disgorge their hidden pearls of dew, and, in short, controlled, directed, and governed every native element of the universe” (Tad R. Callister, The Infinite Atonement, p256).

The Lord is not trying to force us to obey His laws because He is God. He is teaching us the rules of the eternal laws so that we can learn to work with them. As we trust Him enough to obey those commandments and laws we can gain knowledge and the blessings will unfold—although blessings are not always visible in this life.

So, is it really “blind” obedience if we obey without fully understanding “why”? President Boyd K. Packer taught,

“Those who talk of blind obedience may appear to know many things, but they do not understand the doctrines of the gospel. There is an obedience that comes from a knowledge of the truth that transcends any external form of control. We are not obedient because we are blind, we are obedient because we can see.” (link to talk). 

We may not see the end from the beginning, but seeing with an eye of faith we know that the Lord does know the end from the beginning. We put our faith, our trust, and our obedience, in Him—or, at least we are working toward that end.

Living With The End in Mind

Something that has been on my mind lately is the need to set goals. I have tried to set goals in the past, and some have been easy while other have been very lofty (I didn't really take into account the time or effort required). Needless to say, I never attained those lofty goals. 

In this last General Conference Elder Carlos A. Godoy was speaking of how his life had been going very well, when he had a friend come for a visit. That talk has stuck with me, and has been the driving influence behind this post. He said,

“At the conclusion of his visit, he made a comment and asked a question that unsettled my convictions. He said, ‘Carlos, everything seems to be going well for you, your family, your career, and your service in the Church, but—‘ and then came the question, ‘if you continue to live as you are living, will the blessings promised in your patriarchal blessing be fulfilled?’

“I had never thought about my patriarchal blessing in this way. I read it from time to time but never with the intent of looking toward the blessings promised in the future and evaluating how I was living in the present” (link to talk).

As I’ve been studying the topic of goal-setting I am learning that setting goals, in general, is a good idea--I can't find any information to the contrary. It seems that the pursuit of goals helps unleash a power from within that propels us to become who we know inside that we can become. I think that it is through the process of setting and achieving our goals that helps to refine us and find fulfillment in our lives. 

Included among the many benefits of setting (and achieving) goals, is joy. Elder Dallin H. Oaks said,

“[One] source of happiness and mortal joy is the accomplishment of worthy goals, simple things like physical exercise or more complex goals like the completion of an arduous task.

“Other goals have eternal significance. Their completion produces joy in this life and the promise of eternal joy in the world to come” (link to talk).

It seems that the cure for gloom or despair can be overcome through accomplishing goals, as President Ezra Taft Benson taught.

“Every accountable child of God needs to set goals, short- and long-range goals. A man who is pressing forward to accomplish worthy goals can soon put despondency under his feet, and once a goal is accomplished, others can be set up” (link to talk).

The Lord, Himself, spoke of goals a long time ago when He spoke to Moses. He showed Moses His many creations, but then said that His crowning work was to help us, His children, become like Him.

“And the Lord God spake unto Moses, saying: The heavens, they are many, and they cannot be numbered unto man; but they are numbered unto me, for they are mine.

“And as one earth shall pass away, and the heavens thereof even so shall another come; and there is no end to my works, neither to my words.

“For behold, this is my work and my glory—to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man” (Moses 1:37-39).

Before the marvelous physical creation of man on earth our Father in Heaven created everything spiritually (see Moses 3:5). He had His end goal in sight, thought it through, planned it all out, and after much preparation and deliberation executed His plan perfectly.

The Lord has a goal—a purpose—for everything He does. His desire is to help us, in every way possible, to become like Him. He has given us guidelines and direction through the voice of His servants: those from the past whose word we find in scripture, and those from the present whose words we can hear. We have been commanded to pray to our Father and to “counsel with the Lord in all [our] doings” (Alma 37:37). He knows how to get us where we need to be, and we can come to know that path for ourselves by conversing with Him in humble prayer.

The purpose or our creation is to return to live with our Heavenly Father in eternal splendor and glory. This is a life-long goal, and have all other goals would be but steps to reach it.  

“The celestial kingdom is the highest of the three kingdoms of glory. Those in this kingdom will dwell forever in the presence of God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ. This should be your goal: to inherit celestial glory and to help others receive that great blessing as well. Such a goal is not achieved in one attempt; it is the result of a lifetime of righteousness and constancy of purpose” (link to topic, emphasis added).

As we examine our own life we should take into account our shortcomings and weaknesses and set goals to improve them. If we approach the Lord, in humility, He will help us make our “weak things become strong” (Ether 12:27). If we try to do everything on our own we will struggle more than we would with His help. We will also not receive the blessings and help the Lord has prepared to bestow on us that come from giving heed to His counsel. Tad R. Callister wrote,

“The power to convert a weakness to a strength is possible through the grace of Christ, but the Lord has imposed two prerequisites, humility and faith. If these requirements are satisfied, the grace of Christ becomes like a bookstore rocket that powers and lifts us above our weaknesses” (Tad R. Callister, The Infinite Atonement, p228).

A key ingredient in setting goals is our gift of agency—the ability to act for ourselves. We are here on earth to “work out [our] own salvation…before God” (Alma 34:37); something to keep in mind when setting goals. Elder Marvin J. Ashton taught,

“In setting our own goals we need to examine our own needs and abilities. The direction in which we are moving is more important than where we are at the moment. Goal setting should cause us to stretch as we make our way….

“When our progress seems to be at a standstill, it is well for us to ask who is at fault. Is it I? Am I sufficiently committed to righteous goals? Do I have the courage, fortitude, and wisdom to apply self-examination[?]…

“Realize that God will judge you by the way you make use of all your possibilities.” (link to talk).

As we counsel with the Lord, we will be directed to be obedient to His already established plan. When we use our agency to be obedient to His plan, we can become truly free. I love Tad R. Callister’s explanation of true freedom—attained in full measure only by gods themselves; a state we may obtain through faithful obedience to the end.

“The lives of gods are driven internally, rather than externally. Their freedom springs from their power to act according to their will without restraint from an outside source. There is no external force that controls their destiny, no spiritual or physical limitation that restricts their desired expression….Gods act, rather than being acted upon…Gods do not live oblivious of laws, but through obedience have mastered the laws so that they might use them to accomplish their purposes.

“Freedom is achieved through a step-by-step process of obedient compliance to God’s will” (Tad R. Callister, The Infinite Atonement, p251).

By setting goals to be obedient to God’s laws, or commandments, and to the covenants we make with Him we can grow to be more and more like Him. Through the Atonement of Jesus Christ our nature can be changed, and it is also through obedience that we will find the peace and joy that we seek. Joseph Smith taught,

“Happiness is the object and design of our existence; and will be the end thereof, if we pursue the path that leads to it; and this path is virtue, uprightness, faithfulness, holiness, and keeping all the commandments of God” (History of the Church, 5:134–35).

As we focus on our eternal goals the temporal storms and winds of life may not seem quite as terrifying or overwhelming. It is when we take our eyes off of those eternal goals that the waves rage, as when Peter walked on water. 

The disciples were in their ship and were “in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary” (Matthew 14:24). Jesus came walking toward them on the water,

“And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear.

“But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.

“And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water.

“And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus.

“But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.

“And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?” (Matthew 14:26-31).

Peter had Jesus as his focus and walked on water. It was when Peter took his eyes off of the Savior and saw the wind boisterous that the fear set in, and he began to sink. A lesson to us to keep our eyes firmly fixed on our Lord, Jesus Christ. 

When it comes to setting goals we can ask Him for guidance and direction. We can also look at the priorities He has already given to us through the scriptures, words of the prophets, and in our individual patriarchal blessings, as quoted by Elder Godoy earlier.

Goal-setting isn’t meant to be overwhelming, tedious, or painful, but it should stretch us a little. Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin offered some humorous advice about setting attainable goals; which will continue to change throughout our lives, as we continue to change.

“In my younger days, I loved to run. Although it may be hard for you to believe it, I did. And I did win a few races. I’m not so fast anymore. In fact, I’m not sure how well I would do in a race if the only contestants were the members of the Quorum of the Twelve.

“My ability to run is not so swift now. While I am looking forward to that future time when, with a resurrected body, I can once again sprint over a field and feel the wind blowing through my hair, I do not dwell on the fact that I cannot do it now.

“That would be unwise. Instead, I take the steps that I can take. Even with the limitations of age, I can still take one step at a time. To do what I can is all my Heavenly Father now requires of me. And it is all He requires of you, regardless of your disabilities, limitations, or insecurities….

“The only thing you need to worry about is striving to be the best you can be. And how do you do that? You keep your eye on the goals that matter most in life, and you move towards them step by step” (link to talk).

When I started researching “worthy goals” I found a number of links to talks, quotes,  articles, and more. It seems to be a common understanding that setting worthy goals will help give us direction in life. I found several quotes where setting goals was likened to the rudder on a ship. A rudder, per wikipedia, “is a primary control surface used to steer” (link to reference). President Thomas S. Monson told a story about the ship, Bismarck, and the amazing power that comes from having a rudder (or loss, with the lack thereof).

“On February 14, 1939, Americans were celebrating Valentine’s Day. Postmen delivered sealed envelopes, and small children placed at the doorsteps of special friends folded papers containing brightly colored pictures. Each contained a greeting—a message of love. After all, Valentine’s Day is a day of love.

“Far from America’s shores, in Hamburg, Germany, a public holiday also was being celebrated. However, a more somber mood prevailed. Amid fervent speeches, cheering throngs, and the playing of the national anthem, the new battleship Bismarck rumbled down into the River Elbe. This, the most powerful vessel afloat, carried not a message of love; rather, the Bismarck bristled with weapons of war.

“The mighty colossus was a breathtaking spectacle of armor and machinery. Construction required more than fifty-seven thousand blueprints for the 406-millimeter, triple turret, radar-controlled guns. The vessel featured twenty-eight thousand miles of electrical circuits, and thirty-five thousand tons of armor-plate provided maximum safety. Majestic in appearance, gigantic in size, awesome in firepower, the Bismarck was considered unsinkable.

“The Bismarck’s day of destiny dawned more than two years later, when on May 24, 1941, the two most powerful warships in the British navy, the Prince of Wales and the Hood, engaged in battle the Bismarck and the German cruiser Prinz Eugen. Within four minutes, the Bismarck had sent to the depths of the Atlantic the Hood and all but 3 men of a crew of 1,419. The other British battleship, the Prince of Wales, had suffered heavy damage and turned away.

“Three days later, the Bismarck was engaged again, by four British warships. In all, the British concentrated the strength of eight battleships, two aircraft carriers, eleven cruisers, and twenty-one destroyers in an effort to seek and sink the mighty Bismarck.

“Shell after shell inflicted but superficial damage. Was the Bismarck unsinkable after all? Then a torpedo scored a lucky hit which jammed the Bismarck’s rudder. Repair efforts proved fruitless. With guns primed, the crews at ready, the Bismarck could only steer a slow and stately circle. Just beyond reach was the powerful German air force. The safety of home port was ever so close. Neither could provide the needed haven, for the Bismarck had lost the ability to steer a charted course. No rudder; no help; no port. The end drew near. British guns blazed as the German crew scuttled and sank the once proud vessel. The hungry waves of the Atlantic first lapped at the sides, then swallowed the pride of the German navy. The Bismarck was no more.

“Like the Bismarck, each of us is a miracle of engineering. Our creation, however, was not limited by human genius. Man can devise the most complex machines, but he cannot give them life or bestow upon them the powers of reason and judgment. Why? Because these are divine gifts, bestowed solely at God’s discretion. Our creator has provided us with a circulatory system to keep all channels constantly clean and serviceable, a digestive system to preserve strength and vigor, and a nervous system to keep all parts in constant communication and coordination. God gave man life, and with it, the power to think, to reason, to decide, and to love.

Like the vital rudder of a ship, we have been provided a way to determine the direction we travel. The lighthouse of the Lord beckons to all as we sail the seas of life. Our home port is the celestial kingdom of God. Our purpose is to steer an undeviating course in that direction. A man without a purpose is like a ship without a rudder—never likely to reach home port. To us comes the signal: Chart your course, set your sail, position your rudder, and proceed” (link to talk).

May we strive to set worthwhile, attainable, goals that stretch and improve us. May we also do all within our power to keep our eternal goals in sight so that the leaving of this life will prove to be a joyous experience as we move onward and upward to the eternal spheres that await us.