My quote of the day:
Determine never to be idle. No person will have occasion to complain of the want of time who never loses any. It is wonderful how much may be done if we are always doing.”
– Thomas Jefferson
Now how do I implement that quote today?
A SCHEDULE!
I’m going to type out my schedule right here:
8:45 – 9:15: Study the scriptures and words of the prophets
9:15 – 10:15: Do Life Imagination Work
10:15 – 10:30: Shower, Shave, Get Ready
10:30 – 11:30: Make phone calls to new leads, current leads, and email pending deals
11:40: Leave for SLC
That’s a start. I’ve set the timer and am ready to IMPLEMENT!
I’m going to study the talk by President Eyring today titled Mountains to Climb.
One of the things I liked about this talk was the opening statement:
If we have faith in Jesus Christ, the hardest as well as the easiest times in life can be a blessing.
The time I’ve been going to the meeting has been a “hard” time. It’s been hard on Becky; it’s been a bit demanding of my time; it’s caused me to realize other imperfections I have, and I haven’t always seen the progress I’d like to see when I want to see it (my own choice and responsibility).
However, it’s also been a blessing in my life. I’m learning how to use the Atonement of Jesus Christ in my life. I’m learning what it means to submit my will to God. I’m learning that all things really are possible if I put my trust in the plan of happiness.
Has it been easy? Not even close!
Have I been perfect at the process – not so much.
However, I do feel I’m making progress.
“And if thou shouldst be cast into the pit, or into the hands of murderers, and the sentence of death passed upon thee; if thou be cast into the deep; if the billowing surge conspire against thee; if fierce winds become thine enemy; if the heavens gather blackness, and all the elements combine to hedge up the way; and above all, if the very jaws of hell shall gape open the mouth wide after thee, know thou, my son, that all these things shall give thee experience, and shall be for thy good.
“The Son of Man hath descended below them all. Art thou greater than he?
“Therefore, hold on thy way, and the priesthood shall remain with thee; for their bounds are set, they cannot pass. Thy days are known, and thy years shall not be numbered less; therefore, fear not what man can do, for God shall be with you forever and ever.”2
There seems to me no better answer to the question of why trials come and what we are to do than the words of the Lord Himself, who passed through trials for us more terrible than we can imagine.
This was the answer Joseph Smith got when he was in jail for standing up for what he’d seen and what he believed.
The trials I go through are NOTHING compared to these trials.
Our choosing the right consistently whenever the choice is placed before us creates the solid ground under our faith. It can begin in childhood since every soul is born with the free gift of the Spirit of Christ. With that Spirit we can know when we have done what is right before God and when we have done wrong in His sight.
Those choices, hundreds in most days, prepare the solid ground on which our edifice of faith is built. The metal framework around which the substance of our faith is poured is the gospel of Jesus Christ, with all its covenants, ordinances, and principles.
…It is serving God and others persistently with full heart and soul that turns testimony of truth into unbreakable spiritual strength.
Faith is grown as a seed and will give us strength to endure and overcome adversity. Moroni said it himself:
“And now, I, Moroni, would speak somewhat concerning these things; I would show unto the world that faith is things which are hoped for and not seen; wherefore, dispute not because ye see not, for ye receive no witness until after the trial of your faith.
“For it was by faith that Christ showed himself unto our fathers, after he had risen from the dead; and he showed not himself unto them until after they had faith in him; wherefore, it must needs be that some had faith in him, for he showed himself not unto the world.
“But because of the faith of men he has shown himself unto the world, and glorified the name of the Father, and prepared a way that thereby others might be partakers of the heavenly gift, that they might hope for those things which they have not seen.
“Wherefore, ye may also have hope, and be partakers of the gift, if ye will but have faith.”7
One of the things that has come to mind as I’ve studied this talk is that I need to forgive and forget about the PR experience with EW. Was it how I would have handled things? Probably not. Was I completely “in the right”? No. So the next time I’m tempted to bag on that company or that person, I need to say a quick prayer and let it all go. I learned a lot through all those experiences. They’ve helped me become who I am today. THE END.
It is never too late to strengthen the foundation of faith. There is always time. With faith in the Savior, you can repent and plead for forgiveness. There is someone you can forgive. There is someone you can thank. There is someone you can serve and lift. You can do it wherever you are and however alone and deserted you may feel.
…in Their perfect love for you, Heavenly Father and the Savior want you fitted to be with Them to live in families forever. Only those washed perfectly clean through the Atonement of Jesus Christ can be there.
…if we have faith in Jesus Christ, the hardest as well as the easiest times in life can be a blessing. In all conditions, we can choose the right with the guidance of the Spirit. We have the gospel of Jesus Christ to shape and guide our lives if we choose it. And with prophets revealing to us our place in the plan of salvation, we can live with perfect hope and a feeling of peace.
This was a great talk. This was something I needed to read. It makes me ask myself the question:
How can I strengthen my faith every day?
The answers seem simple yet they aren’t easy:
- Study the words of the prophets, both ancient and modern.
- Say my personal and family prayers.
- Ask for guidance and direction in my life, not only spiritual, but temporal guidance too.
- Be grateful for what I’ve been blessed with: a loving wife and family, health, ability to work and support my family – and the list goes on and on.
- Look for opportunities to SERVE OTHERS. Be the best hometeacher. Serve my family. When opportunities arise to help others – JUST DO IT!
- Work the steps of the program and share it with others.
I know God lives. I know the Savior is there for me and always will be as I look to Him.
I know that as I strive to submit my will to Him, I’ll be guided and protected. I know that it won’t always be easy, but I know too that this life is a time to prepare to meet God – to go through tough times in order to make us stronger and more ready to live with Him for eternity.
I’m grateful for this time I’ve made today to implement the initial quote I shared:
Determine never to be idle. No person will have occasion to complain of the want of time who never loses any. It is wonderful how much may be done if we are always doing.”
– Thomas Jefferson
Hasta manana!
Nate
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