Act in All Diligence

I read a talk by Elder Eyring today. He was talking to the Priesthood, but I feel like I can apply some of it to my own situation. I am finding it difficult this week to keep working when I am tired or bored or working. It has been hard for me to just do simple things like clean a dish after I use it or care to fold laundry and I have become obsessed with the book I am reading for fun, neglecting other basic tasks that need to be done. I can tell that it is stressing David out because he is so kind and picks up my slack, but then gets behind in his own responsibilities! I need to be more diligent and proactive about the way that I work and serve!

Elder Eyring said, "We are to learn our duty from the Lord, and then we are to act in all diligence, never being lazy or slothful. The pattern is simple but not easy to follow. We are so easily distracted. Studying the daily news can appear more interesting than the...lesson manual. Sitting down to rest can be more attractive than making appointments to visit those who need our...service.

When I find myself drawn away from my...duties by other interests and when my body begs for rest, I give to myself this rallying cry: “Remember Him.” The Lord is our perfect example of diligence in...service. He is our captain. He called us. He goes before us. He chose us to follow Him and to bring others with us."

I can do better.

In 3 Nephi, I was reading about the years when the people see the sign of Chirst's birth and endure many wars and much wickedness with the Gadianton robbers. I can't imagine how scary it would be to live in a time like that...or maybe I can. Maybe I do live in a time like that. What's worse: being struck down physically with a sword or having your mind rot from exposure to pornography? Maybe our times are not so different. Anyway, the Nephite army defeats the Gadianton robbers and every single Nephite repents and praises the Lord for how much he blesses them. It says that, "...there was not a living soul among all the people of the Nephites who did doubt in the least the words of all the holy prophets who had spoken; for they knew that it must needs be that they must be fulfilled. And they knew that it must be expedient that Christ had come, because of the many signs which had been given, according to the words of the prophets; and because of the things which had come to pass already they knew that it must needs be that all things should come to pass according to that which had been spoken. Therefore they did forsake all their sins, and their abominations, and their whoredoms, and did serve God with all diligence day and night." (3 Nephi 5:1-3)

So everything is great, right? Life is moving along nicely. BUT...pride seeps into the mix and people begin to fall away.

"And thus there became a great inequality in all the land, insomuch that the church began to be broken up; yea, insomuch that in the thirtieth year the church was broken up in all the land save it were among a few of the Lamanites who were converted unto the true faith; and they would not depart from it, for they were firm, and steadfast, and immovable, willing with all diligence to keep the commandments of the Lord."

"And thus Satan did lead away the hearts of the people to do all manner of iniquity; therefore they had enjoyed peace but a few years."

Only the ones who were truly diligent made it.

Confessions of an Unlikely Teacher

Most of the choices I have had to make in my life have been between right and wrong, or a selection of one option among many. I haven't often been required to make choices of elimination where I have two great things, but must sacrifice one in order to keep the other. When I made the decision to apply to BYU, it was an easy choice. I could choose any university I wanted, but that was the only one I had interest in. I had always wanted to go there. My best friends all wanted to go there. I applied early. I was accepted. It was great. I was anxious of course to know whether I would get in or not, but I never had to act on my back-up plans. My choice to go on a mission was a little more tricky, but still obvious. I had wanted to serve a mission from the time I was 15, and although other opportunities presented themselves along the way, like school and boys, when the time came, there wasn't much to think about. ...

Music

" We get nearer to the Lord through music than perhaps through any other thing except prayer." -J. Reuben Clark, 1936 I believe that is true. The majority of my most significant life events, especially those that have increased my testimony, have had something to do with music. Take a peek at some of my favorites. Perfect Love I Know That My Redeemer Lives O Come, O Come, Emmanuel Nearer My God to Thee Nessun Dorma Don't Give Up Hourglass Come Thou Fount As I Am My Kindness Shall Not Depart From Thee He (II) Rob Gardner A Little More Like Thee

"I call redo!"

Anytime we made mistakes playing games or doing anything really, as little kids (especially playing 4-square), we would yell, "I call redo!" This was the all-inclusive, error-erasing phrase that could never be contested, and always allowed one the chance to try again. You could use this phrase in many circumstances: when you messed up yourself, or when others messed up in a way that gave you a disadvantage. Either way, it was a saving grace throughout my childhood. Well, today, I call redo. Earlier this week, I posted about my thoughts on the "Wear pants to church" controversy that people were talking about all over Facebook and in the news. I had one friend who helped me to see that I hadn't really considered all sides of the story. I am grateful for the time she took to point out some of my unjust and partly ignorant thinking. Just because someone participated in, or even initiated this event did not mean that she was demanding to be given the Pries...

Pearls & Perfection Pending