I've been thinking a lot about two talks that were given in this last General Conference by Elder Cook and Elder Ballard.
Elder Cook spoke about the importance of staying focused on Christ and not "looking beyond the mark". Of course, there are so many ways to do that and I think to one degree or another, we are all guilty of it every day. The bottom line is that the most important thing we can do is focus on our intimately personal relationship with the Savior and strive to be closer to Him.
Elder Ballard shared this quote from Elder Neal A. Maxwell: "We must never assume that just because something is unexplainable by us, it is unexplainable." I have fallen into this arrogant trap more than once, but why would science move forward if we assume we know all there is to know? Is it not even more true with the gospel and our conversion? I was struck by the statement that the Savior suffered for the pains of a diminishing testimony-- He understands the struggle, not dismisses it! Should we not do the same for both ourselves and others?
I think when we stay focused on the Savior everything else falls into its place and we realize that all that consumes us is not really that important in the long run. We cannot know all that is going on in someone's life. We cannot judge their sins when we have a long list of our own. We cannot walk away from all that is good in a person because we notice a flaw. There is power in choosing to lift another (and allowing them to lift us) instead of stubbornly making our way through this life with a haughty isolation.
I'm grateful for Jesus Christ, His example, and His atonement. I'm grateful for the chance we've been given to learn and explore and fall and rise again. I hope I can be better at lifting those around me and helping them see the love of the Savior.
Elder Cook spoke about the importance of staying focused on Christ and not "looking beyond the mark". Of course, there are so many ways to do that and I think to one degree or another, we are all guilty of it every day. The bottom line is that the most important thing we can do is focus on our intimately personal relationship with the Savior and strive to be closer to Him.
Elder Ballard shared this quote from Elder Neal A. Maxwell: "We must never assume that just because something is unexplainable by us, it is unexplainable." I have fallen into this arrogant trap more than once, but why would science move forward if we assume we know all there is to know? Is it not even more true with the gospel and our conversion? I was struck by the statement that the Savior suffered for the pains of a diminishing testimony-- He understands the struggle, not dismisses it! Should we not do the same for both ourselves and others?
I think when we stay focused on the Savior everything else falls into its place and we realize that all that consumes us is not really that important in the long run. We cannot know all that is going on in someone's life. We cannot judge their sins when we have a long list of our own. We cannot walk away from all that is good in a person because we notice a flaw. There is power in choosing to lift another (and allowing them to lift us) instead of stubbornly making our way through this life with a haughty isolation.
I'm grateful for Jesus Christ, His example, and His atonement. I'm grateful for the chance we've been given to learn and explore and fall and rise again. I hope I can be better at lifting those around me and helping them see the love of the Savior.