The Cost of Riches

 

I hope it's a wide known fact that, you cant buy happiness at Disney Land,

but that doesn't stop us from trying. 

Our world is so saturated with a greed for more money and more things. It's hard not to get caught up in the whirlwind that credit cards and mortgages create. We give up more and more cherished things as we work more and more to buy the next best thing. What are we sacrificing? 

"For what shall it profit a man if he shall gain the whole world and lose his own soul?"

Elder Christofferson shared a study in his latest CES fireside, he said, "This is not to say that we should not seek to succeed, even excel in worthy endeavors, including education and honorable work... Comparing several groups in American society at large on measures such as “income, academic accomplishment, corporate leadership, professional attainment, and other conventional metrics,” Chua and Rubenfeld say: “If there’s one group in the U.S. today that’s hitting it out of the park with conventional success, it’s Mormons." 

It seems like God is staying true to his word when He said, "And if ye seek the riches which it is the will of the Father to give unto you, ye shall be the richest of all people, for ye shall have the riches of eternity; and it must needs be that the riches of the earth are mine to give; but beware of pride, lest ye become as the Nephites of old." D&C38:39

The scriptures give us countless accounts of  people who stay true to their covenants and sacrifice worldly wealth to align their will with God. Alma gave us his position as the Chief Judge over all the Nephites to fulfill his role as a missionary and a prophet. (Alma 4:18) Similarly his companion Amuleck gave up his riches to spread the gospel. (Alma 10:4) Later these two great men were tempted by others to deny the existence of a Supreme Being in exchange for money. Their reply, "Thou knowest that there is a God, but thou lovest that lucre more than him."

Are we sometimes guilty of that as well. How much of our time is invested in worldly gain rather than eternal truths. Elder Chrisofferson counciled how we might balance the two.

"With our faith in Christ, we must see political, business, academic, and similar forms of success not as defining us but as making possible our service to God and fellowman—beginning at home and extending as far as possible in the world. Personal development has value as it contributes to development of a Christlike character."

So in a world that revolves around money, and that requires us to work for our own support, how much is enough? "It's interesting to note that in the 1990s, people were “on average four-and-a-half times richer than their great-grandparents were at the turn of the century, but they were not four-and-a-half times happier"... One antonym for greed, and perhaps the antidote to it, is contentment. The Apostle Paul stated, “I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content”(Philip. 4:11). Contentment and gratitude are essential if one is to be truly happy." -Elder Lynn G. Robbins

The Lord doesn’t expect us to seek out poverty, but His counsel is direct: “Thou shalt lay aside the things of this world, and seek for the things of a better”(D&C25:10)

The truth about Laman

In the Book of Mormon we learn about a man named Laman. He was asked by God to give up all his worldly possessions, which were plentiful, and follow his father in to the wilderness. He packed up his tent with the rest of his brothers and headed out. A short time later he was told he needed to return to Jerusalem and get the Brass Plates. He made the trek back to the city and went to speak to Laban alone trying to get the plates. He was chased out and nearly killed in the process. Laman journeyed in the wilderness for years, caring for his family and pregnant wife. They struggled with hunger, fatigue and many other trials but he kept working. When they finally reached the ocean he was again asked to trust that God was talking to his little brother and help him build a boat. None of them had made such an attempt before but his labors went in with everyone else’s to build this ship. 

After all of this, what is Laman really famous for? Murmuring. As you read the story it’s interesting to note that Laman and Lemuel did many of the same things as their brother Nephi. They sacrificed and worked and dwelt in a tent too, but they did it complaining and murmuring every step of the way. Sadly now as we hear their story we don’t remember their sacrifices we remember their doubting.  

What does that teach you about doubting and complaining and murmuring?

Murmuring is defined as a half-suppressed resentment or muttered complaint.

Many of us like Laman get up and do, but we murmur the whole way through. We attend church each Sunday, we do our calling, we do our visiting teaching, we hold family home evening and we even show up at the Relief Society luncheon. But we grumble about the inconvenient time that church starts, we gripe about the pesky 9 year old in our primary class, we whine about how hard it is to actually get a visiting teaching appointment and doubt our companion will even show up. We get discouraged by how chaotic and irreverent our Family Home Evening lesson is, and then vent to our friends about our neighbor through the entire Relief Society luncheon.  

Elder Maxwell said, “A basic cause of murmuring is that too many of us seem to expect that life will flow ever smoothly, featuring an unbroken chain of green lights with empty parking places just 
in front of our destinations!”

I am just as guilty with my murmuring spirit as the rest. I catch myself too many times being pessimistic and ornery.  “Perhaps when we murmur we are unconsciously complaining over not being able to cut a special deal with the Lord. We want full blessings but without full obedience to the laws upon which those blessings are predicated.” -Maxwell

The Lords teaches us a parable that warns against murmuring and teaches how it can lead to distraction and disobedience in D&C 101. It is broken up into 3 steps.

First, we begin to question (D&C 101:48). We question first in their own minds and then start to plant questions in the minds of others. 

Second, we rationalize and excuse ourselves from doing what they had been instructed to do (D&C 101:49). We find reasons why that rule doesn’t apply to us, or why we are the exception. Thus, they made an excuse for disobedience.

The third step inevitably follows: slothfulness in following the commandment of The Lord. The parable says, “They became very slothful, and they hearkened not unto the commandments of their lord” 
(D&C 101:50). 

In summery it really comes down to one fact. “And thus Laman and Lemuel … did murmur because they knew not the dealings of that God who had created them.” (1 Ne. 2:12.)

That fact that Murmuring causes damage to ourselves is sufficient reason to resist murmuring, but another obvious danger is its contagiousness. Even faithful father Lehi, for one brief moment, got caught up in the contagion of murmuring. (1 Ne. 16:20.)  Murmuring over the weight of our crosses not only takes energy otherwise needed to carry them but might cause another to put down his cross altogether.

Let us each recommit ourselves to “arise from the dust, and be men, and be determined in one mind and in one heart, united in all things, that ye may not come down into captivity.” (2 Ne. 1:21) I know that as I’ve gone to my Father in Heaven in prayer and asked for his help to put off the natural and complaining man that he has blessed and supported me in my efforts. He wants us to be happy! Let us follow the example of Nephi who trusted in the Lord with all his heart without a murmuring spirit.

In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Because I live, ye shall live also

Connor Benjamin Thredgold, 19, of Springville, Utah, and Yu Peng Xiong, 24, of Kaohsiung, Taiwan, were found dead Saturday in an apartment they shared in Taiwan.

My prayers go out to all those who knew and loved these Elders. I didn't know Elder Thredgold but he was from my home stake in Springville, Utah and my heart goes out to his family and friends.

Why did God allow such a thing to happen? Why didn't he protect these young boys who were so willing to serve Him?

2 Nephi 11:17 I know that he loveth his children; nevertheless, I do not know the meaning of all things.

"Because Adam and Eve did fall, we have temptation, trials, and death as our universal inheritance. However, our loving Heavenly Father gave us the gift of His Beloved Son, Jesus Christ, as our Savior. The great gift and blessing of the Atonement of Jesus Christ brings a universal inheritance: the promise of the Resurrection and the possibility of eternal life to all who are born." Henry B. Eyering

"This is what the gospel gives us-- not immunity from death, but victory over it!" -Richard J. Maynes

The hurt is real when someone so young is taken away from a family but Elder Russell M. Nelson promised, "From an eternal perspective, death is only premature for those who are 

not prepared to meet God."

I know that Elder Thredgold and his companion have not been excused from their missionary labors but they continue to labor for the cause on the other side. Each of us have heard countless stories of ways God has protected his missionaries and saved their lives. I know without a doubt that God is watching over me and my friends here in the Montana Billings Mission. We have seen many miracles and been watched over by the Good Shepherd. God's timing is perfect and if He chooses to bring one of his children home to Him it is for a wise purpose. 

And should we die before our journey's through,

Happy day! All is well!

We then are free from toil and sorrow, too;

With the just we shall dwell!

But if our lives are spared again

To see the Saints their rest obtain,

Oh, how we'll make this chorus swell--

All is well! All is well!

I'm trying to be like Jesus

This week I watched the movie Ephraim’s Rescue for the first time. As we watched it with our investigator I learned some very valuable lessons. I was struck by an exchange near the end when a women tells Ephraim, “You must be a holy man.” His humble response is something like, “I have too many flaws to even count.” Her question to him is then, “Then how do you accomplish so much good?”

His answer is what truly stuck with me, “I try.”

Does trying count in the eyes of God?

We all have grown up with quoting the famous “Do or do not, there is no try.” Although I can appreciate the sentiment trying to be portrayed in this scenario, I believe that our loving and forgiving Heavenly Father recognizes that we will not always be able to accomplish all that is placed before us 

but He asks us to try.

I’m trying to be like Jesus, I’m following in His ways

I’m trying to love as He did, in all that I do and say.

“I do not believe in a God who would set up rules and commandments only to wait for us to fail so He could punish us. I believe in a Heavenly Father who is loving and caring and who rejoices in our every effort to stand tall and walk toward Him. Even when we stumble, He urges us not to be discouraged—never to give up or flee our allotted field of service—but to take courage, find our faith, and keep trying.”

“My dear brothers and sisters, don’t get discouraged if you stumble at times. Don’t feel downcast or despair if you don’t feel worthy to be a disciple of Christ at all times. The first step to walking in righteousness is simply to try. We must try to believe. Try to learn of God: read the scriptures; study the words of His latter-day prophets; choose to listen to the Father, and do the things He asks of us. Try and keep on trying until that which seems difficult becomes possible—and that which seems only possible becomes habit and a real part of you.” –Uchdorf

I know that as we follow this council to try, our efforts will be blessed and through Christ we will be able to accomplish all things. He knows what each of us are capable of becoming and

He will help us to get there if we will try.

What desirest thou?

All of us have heard the scripture, “For I, the Lord, will judge all men according to their works, according to the desire of their hearts.” (D&C 137:9 ) For much of my life I have found comfort in knowing that even though my actions are flawed and I often fall short, God will look upon my heart and recognize that I meant to do what was right. I’m sure that many of us have come to that same conclusion, and it is true. As we stand before our Eternal Judge He will look not only upon our actions but our hearts also. It was only recently that I realized that maybe my desires are not as easy of a cop out as I once thought. They too are riddled with pride, selfishness, greed and envy and they too need to be educated and refined.

 

Elder Anderson said “In order to serve as a substitute for action, desire cannot be superficial, impulsive, or temporary. It must be heartfelt, through and through. To be efficacious for blessings, the desires of our hearts must be so genuine that they can be called godly.”

I began to ask myself some honest questions. What are my hearts desires? Some were honorable and genuine, like a desire to return to live with my Father in Heaven as an eternal family.

Other desires were a lot less appropriate.

Elder Oaks said, “Have you ever found yourself doing something you thought was right, but doing it because you “had” to? Did you ever keep a commandment of God with an attitude of resentment or self-righteousness, or even because you expected some immediate personal benefit? I suppose most of us have had this experience. Remember your feelings on such occasions? Do you think such feelings will be ignored by a Father in Heaven who gave us the willpower we call agency? Don’t such feelings tell us something about the desires of our hearts?”

I came to the realization that like it or not, reality requires that I acknowledge my responsibility for my desires. What do I really desire, God’s plans for me or Satan’s?

It is up to us. This is life’s greatest and most persistent challenge. When people are described as “having lost their desire for sin,” it is they, and they only, who deliberately decided to lose those wrong desires by being willing to “give away all [their] sins” in order to know God (Alma 22:18).

President McKay said, “The greatest battles of life are fought … within the silent chambers of the soul.”

So how do we educate our desires? Where do we begin? Elder Oaks counseled to start with our feelings. “The desires of our hearts are deep-seated and fundamental. But our feelings are closer to the surface and easier for us to identify and influence… In order to have righteous desires, we have to control our thoughts and achieve appropriate feelings.”

It is up to us. God will guide, but He will not force.

Righteous desires need to be relentless, said President Brigham Young, “The men and women, who desire to obtain seats in the celestial kingdom, will find that they must battle every day.”

Fortunately for us, our loving Lord will work with us, “even if we can do no more than desire to believe,” providing we will “let this desire work in us” (Alma 32:27.)

I know there is real power in desire. I testify that if we will seek to build our righteous desires, heaven will not abandon us and our Heavenly Father will give us answers to our prayers. The love of God is most desirable (1 Nephi 8:12) and if we let Him, I know that true happiness comes when we align our desires with His. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

The Savior Wants to Forgive

 

In October 2012 General conference, President Monson counseled:

“We need to bear in mind that people can change. They can put behind them bad habits. They can repent from transgressions. …We can help them to overcome their shortcomings. We must develop the capacity to see men not as they are at present but as they may become.”

 

Our Heavenly Father knows what we are facing, that we all sin and “come short of the glory of God” again and again. He sent His Son, who “knoweth the weakness of man and how to succor them who are tempted.” His Son teaches us to “pray always that we enter not into temptation.” We are told to “cry unto God for mercy; for he is mighty to save.” The Savior commands us to repent and to forgive. And although repentance is not easy, as we strive with all our hearts to obey His gospel, He gives this promise: “Verily I say unto you, notwithstanding your sins, my bowels are filled with compassion towards you. I will not utterly cast you off; and in the day of wrath I will remember mercy.” The Savior wants to forgive.

 

While on my mission I've been blessed with the opportunity to see this principle in action. I have stepped into homes full of hard feelings and broken families, then been able to see Jesus Christ transform them as they take hold of His Atonement.

 

Again and again I hear the stories of their darkest times, their lowest points all with a common thread, "He never left me. He was always there."

 

As members of the church we are very quick to say, "You can have the companionship of the Holy Ghost only as long as you are worthy of it." This is true, when we turn away from the Spirit, when we choose to ignore His voice and avoid His embrace we can loose the feelings of comfort and council that He brings. I believe however that that companionship is never lost. I've received countless witnesses that tell me He was there for them in that dark pit they had dug for themselves. He didn't just throw in a rope but climbed down in there with them and lifted them up and out.

 

“And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost."

 

Let us remember our commission from the Savior to find those that wonder and are lost. He has not forgotten nor forsaken them and neither can we. I know that God is mindful of all of his people. I know that there is nothing we can do to separate ourselves from His love. We can help others to return to that love again!

 

 

O Remember, Remember

"I will remember the works of the Lord: surely I will remember thy wonders of old." Psalms 77:11

This week my remembering skills have been put to the test! 

It is no secret that a missionaries life can change on a dime and last Wednesday my life changed with one phone call. "Sister Taylor, you are being transferred to Great Falls." Honestly I thought he was joking with me. How did he know that I had left my heart in Great Falls a year ago and I wanted nothing more then to go and find it there again? I was so excited.

I felt like I'd climbed aboard a time machine rather then a transfer van as we pulled into the city limits of Great Falls MT. In an instant so much from my life here came rushing back. I knew exactly where I was! Although I had experienced some of the most trying days of my mission when I was here last summer, I felt like I was returning home.

Then came the test of my memory. Sister Greenfield and I were ambushed with countless new names and place. I felt an instant pressure to remember each person and name. I knew each person was precious and was a gifted opportunity for me to share the gospel. Within hours I was tempted to get frustrated and disheartened.

"Remember, remember that it is not the work of God that is frustrated, but the work of men" D&C 3:3

I've been put into some pretty trying circumstance on my mission, some of them right here in Great Falls. I remember first arriving in the mission field, scared and overwhelmed. Feeling under prepared and inadequate. But I also remember the way that the Lord carried me. Through my experiences he taught, stretched, shaped and qualified me for the work. I remember it came one day at a time, one experience at a time. He never left my side and he never let me fall.

"I remember what the Lord has done for me, yea, even that he hath heard my prayer; yea, then do I remember his merciful arm which he extended towards me." Alma 29:10

President Eyering said, "My point is to urge you to find ways to recognize and remember God’s kindness. It will build our testimonies... It won’t be easy to remember. Living as we do with a veil over our eyes, we cannot remember what it was like to be with our Heavenly Father and His Beloved Son, Jesus Christ, in the premortal world... The key to the remembering that brings and maintains testimony is receiving the Holy Ghost as a companion. It is the Holy Ghost who helps us see what God has done for us. It is the Holy Ghost who can help those we serve to see what God has done for them."

I can testify that the companionship of the Holy Ghost not only will comfort us in times of trial but he will help us to remember all that God has done for us in the past. He will testify of the enabling power of the atonement, and remind us to turn to the source of all light, truth and strength. 

In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.