This will be a quick study since it’s already pretty late and I really want to get to bed earlier this week.
I looked up Objectives at LDS.org and found a few talks I’d like to look at more:
Which Road Will You Travel?
Some Thoughts on Goal-Setting
From the first talk by President Monson:
…you and I have the God-given gift to choose the direction we go. Indeed, the Apostle Paul likened life to a race with a clearly defined goal. To the Saints at Corinth he urged: “Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain” (1 Cor. 9:24). In our zeal, let us not overlook the sage counsel from Ecclesiastes: “The race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong” (Eccl. 9:11). Actually, the prize belongs to him who endures to the end.
Each must ask the questions: Where am I going? How do I intend to get there? And what is my divine destiny?
- Where am I going?
- How do I intend to get there?
- What is my divine destiny?
I think these questions can be answered in part by looking at my Patriarchal Blessing. I think they can also be answered by praying diligently for understanding regarding God’s will for me.
Obviously I want to be successful financially. What that “success” really means is dependent on a variety of things:
- Time
- I put into my work
- With family
- In extra-curricular activities
- In Church service
- Money
- How much is enough
- What I plan to DO with the money
- Who I will help as I make “sufficient for my needs”
- What time will it take to make the money we need to live the lifestyle we desire
I’ve always said that I feel one of my “life goals” is to serve multiple missions with Becky. How much will I need to do that?
I want my children to have all the opportunities to pursue their talents and interests and education. How much will that take?
I do want to be limited too much in time we take to do things as a family: travel, entertainment, necessities of life. I think we have that one pretty well factored in.
I want to have sufficient money saved away to help further my kids education.
I want to have sufficient money saved away to “retire” if there really is such a thing.
I want to be able and willing to give to others who need help – how much will that take and who can I give to?
These are some thoughts that come to mind as I think about these questions.
Temporal vs. Spiritual Goals
I’m not sure how I really need to differentiate these goals. I don’t want to be selfish or greedy; but I do want to feel I’ve done my best and met my potential. As a self-employed person, I feel like I can go wherever I want and be whatever I want to be. The main question is WHAT IS THAT?
Who should I look to for guidance and direction? Who can I model my progress and success after?
President Walker is someone that comes to mind. I could put together some questions for him related to these goals and objectives.
Asking Heavenly Father specifically is an idea as well, although at times I feel He’s not going to tell me as directly about some of these things, simply because I need to move in a direction and then He’ll be there to confirm or re-direct my path. I don’t know if this is a lack of faith on my part or not. I think praying about this and then being worthy to listen for answers is key.
We have been provided divine attributes to guide our destiny. We entered mortality not to float with the moving currents of life, but with the power to think, to reason, and to achieve. We left our heavenly home and came to earth in the purity and innocence of childhood.
Our Heavenly Father did not launch us on our eternal journey without providing the means whereby we could receive from Him God-given guidance to ensure our safe return at the end of life’s great race. Yes, I speak of prayer. I speak, too, of the whisperings from that still, small voice within each of us; and I do not overlook the holy scriptures, written by mariners who successfully sailed the seas we too must cross.
Individual effort will be required of us. What can we do to prepare? How can we assure a safe voyage?
First, we must visualize our objective. What is our purpose? The Prophet Joseph Smith counseled:
“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” (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, pages 255–56).
In this one sentence we are provided not only a well-defined goal, but also the way we might achieve it.
…we must not detour from our determined course. In our journey we will encounter forks and turnings in the road. There will be the inevitable trials of our faith and the temptations of our times. We simply cannot afford the luxury of a detour, for certain detours lead to destruction and spiritual death. Let us avoid the moral quicksands that threaten on every side, the whirlpools of sin, and the crosscurrents of uninspired philosophies. That clever pied piper called Lucifer still plays his lilting melody and attracts the unsuspecting away from the safety of their chosen pathway, away from the counsel of loving parents, away from the security of God’s teachings. His tune is ever so old, his words ever so sweet. His price is everlasting. He seeks not the refuse of humanity, but the very elect of God. King David listened, then followed, then fell. But then so did Cain in an earlier era, and Judas Iscariot in a later one.
You are the fellow that has to decideWhether you’ll do it or toss it aside. …Whether you’ll seek the goal that’s afarOr just be contented to stay where you are.(Edgar A. Guest, “You.”)
may we know where we are going, be willing to make the continuous effort required to get there, avoid any detour, and be willing to pay the often very high price of faith and determination to win life’s race.At the end of our mortal journey, may we be able to echo the words of Paul: “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith” (2 Tim. 4:7). By so doing we shall be given that “crown of righteousness” which perisheth not, and hear the plaudit from our Eternal Judge: “Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord” (Matt. 25:21).
We will then have completed our journey. Not to a nebulous “Anywhere,” but to our heavenly home—even eternal life in the celestial kingdom of God.
This was great stuff!
I thought my study would be quick but this is the information I needed right now.
I’m grateful for the confirming voice of the prophets, both ancient and modern, that can really help me know where I need to go and how to get there.
Hasta manana!
Nate
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