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Putting First Things First

December 31, 2009

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Enduring to the End

“Our emphasis, therefore, should be on ‘doing’ and ‘becoming," not just on surviving; on serving others, not just serving time. Thus this quality of graceful endurance includes, but is more than, hanging on ‘for one moment more.’ Passing beyond breaking points without breaking takes the form of endurance.” (Neal A. Maxwell, Not My Will, But Thine, p. 115) Even yesterday’s spiritual experience, however, does not guarantee us against tomorrow’s relapse. Persistence thus matters greatly. More than a few, for instance, have had supernal, spiritual experiences only to fall away later; or, more often, merely to pull off to the side of the road, though intending only a brief rest stop. Hence the emphasis on enduring well to the end is wise, simply because we are at risk till the end!…Included in the enduring process is meeting the test of being constantly improved. Remodeling is costly and painful. But how can we realistically expect the arduous process of putting off the old man and p...

Eyring-Gathering the Family of God

Bednar: Prayers focused on action

Elder Bednar's counsel to saints in England He said that many times we forget we are agents with capacity to act. For example, Elder Bednar taught we may pray, “Save my children,” rather than “Increase my understanding and strengthen my vision so I can be an instrument in Thy hand to help them.” He also said that rather than praying that those who are not in sacrament meeting this week may be here next week, we ought to be praying for the courage to go find them and help them, and then go and do. “When we are baptized and confirmed, the promised blessing is that we may always have the Holy Ghost to be with us. If you are consistently good, you will have the companionship of the Holy Ghost much of the time,” he said, and the issue will be recognizing when it leaves, not when it comes. Then, you will not want to do anything that causes the Spirit to withdraw.

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