My last blog post talked about how finding true life balance isn't about doing an equal amount of everything, but it's about living in harmony with God, yourself and others. It would be nice if after writing something like that down, it instantly became a reality in my life. The thing is I'm still working out how to find that harmony. I guess it's something that will be a life-long journey.
Last weekend, I watched the General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It's a semi-annual gathering of all of the members of the church across the world. We get to hear messages from our prophet, apostles and other church leaders. If you want to learn more about that, click here.
Each time conference comes around, I try to pray to the Lord to give me answers to questions and struggles I have. This time I prayed to know what He wanted me to focus on in my life. What His will was for me to become a better person and to be more able to serve Him.
The answer to my prayer came from Elder Richard G. Scott's talk, "Make the Exercise of Faith Your First Priority." He said that our first priorities should be prayer, scripture study, family home evening and temple attendance.
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| Elder Richard G. Scott "Make the Exercise of Faith Your First Priority" |
He said it so emphatically and sincerely, that I knew it was something he had lived in his own life. I felt confirmation from God that these were the things I needed to focus on in my life to help me achieve my divine potential.
I wanted to share a few quotes from his talk about each priority that really stuck out to me:
"Our Father in Heaven has given us tools to help us come unto Christ and exercise faith in His Atonement. When these tools become fundamental habits, they provide the easiest way to find peace in the challenges of mortality." (What a promise!)
1. Prayer
"Choose to converse with your Father in Heaven often. Make time every day to share your thoughts and feelings with Him. Tell Him everything that concerns you. He is interested in the most important as well as the most mundane facets of your life. Share with Him your full range of feelings and experiences."
(It hasn't always been easy for me to talk to God about the hard things in my life, but I'm trying to get better at talking with Him like I would a good friend. After all, He is the best friend I could have.)
2. Scripture Study
"Don’t yield to Satan’s lie that you don’t have time to study the scriptures. Choose to take time to study them. Feasting on the word of God each day is more important than sleep, school, work, television shows, video games, or social media. You may need to reorganize your priorities to provide time for the study of the word of God. If so, do it!"
(This point really struck a chord with me. Sometimes I do give into the Satan's lie that I don't have time to study God's word. But, it helps bring me closer to God which helps me through the rest of my day, so really I don't have time to not read.)
3. Weekly Family Home Evening
"The structure of your evening is not as important as the time invested. The gospel should be taught both formally and informally. Make it a meaningful experience for each member of the family. Family home evening is a precious time to bear testimony in a safe environment; to learn teaching, planning, and organizational skills; to strengthen family bonds; to develop family traditions; to talk to each other; and more important, to have a marvelous time together!"
(Family home evening is something we've struggled with. Since our son is so young, I've felt like we really can't teach him anything. I love what Elder Scott said that the structure is not as important as the time invested.)
4. Temple Attendance
"We all know there is no more peaceful place on this earth than in the temples of God. If you don’t have a temple recommend, qualify to get one. When you have a recommend, use it often. Schedule a regular time to be in the temple. Don’t let anyone or anything prevent you from being there."
(I love that he counseled us to pick a time and then not to let anything keep us from going to the temple. I've been wanting to go more, but it's been hard to find a regular time. I talked with my husband and we were able to find a day that we'll trade off each week, so we can take turns going.)
I've already seen blessings in my life from just one week of making these things my first priority. I feel closer to the Savior Jesus Christ and more in tune with what Heavenly Father wants me to do. I have felt the "peace in the challenges of mortality," and I know it is because I'm trying to live closer to the Lord.
I challenge each of you to make these things a priority. And, if you are not a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, but you want to find a way to find more peace and direction in your life, start by praying to God and then I invite you to search out the Church's missionaries in your area or go to mormon.org to learn more.
I wanted to share a few quotes from his talk about each priority that really stuck out to me:
"Our Father in Heaven has given us tools to help us come unto Christ and exercise faith in His Atonement. When these tools become fundamental habits, they provide the easiest way to find peace in the challenges of mortality." (What a promise!)
1. Prayer
"Choose to converse with your Father in Heaven often. Make time every day to share your thoughts and feelings with Him. Tell Him everything that concerns you. He is interested in the most important as well as the most mundane facets of your life. Share with Him your full range of feelings and experiences."
(It hasn't always been easy for me to talk to God about the hard things in my life, but I'm trying to get better at talking with Him like I would a good friend. After all, He is the best friend I could have.)
2. Scripture Study
"Don’t yield to Satan’s lie that you don’t have time to study the scriptures. Choose to take time to study them. Feasting on the word of God each day is more important than sleep, school, work, television shows, video games, or social media. You may need to reorganize your priorities to provide time for the study of the word of God. If so, do it!"
(This point really struck a chord with me. Sometimes I do give into the Satan's lie that I don't have time to study God's word. But, it helps bring me closer to God which helps me through the rest of my day, so really I don't have time to not read.)
3. Weekly Family Home Evening
"The structure of your evening is not as important as the time invested. The gospel should be taught both formally and informally. Make it a meaningful experience for each member of the family. Family home evening is a precious time to bear testimony in a safe environment; to learn teaching, planning, and organizational skills; to strengthen family bonds; to develop family traditions; to talk to each other; and more important, to have a marvelous time together!"
(Family home evening is something we've struggled with. Since our son is so young, I've felt like we really can't teach him anything. I love what Elder Scott said that the structure is not as important as the time invested.)
4. Temple Attendance
"We all know there is no more peaceful place on this earth than in the temples of God. If you don’t have a temple recommend, qualify to get one. When you have a recommend, use it often. Schedule a regular time to be in the temple. Don’t let anyone or anything prevent you from being there."
(I love that he counseled us to pick a time and then not to let anything keep us from going to the temple. I've been wanting to go more, but it's been hard to find a regular time. I talked with my husband and we were able to find a day that we'll trade off each week, so we can take turns going.)
I've already seen blessings in my life from just one week of making these things my first priority. I feel closer to the Savior Jesus Christ and more in tune with what Heavenly Father wants me to do. I have felt the "peace in the challenges of mortality," and I know it is because I'm trying to live closer to the Lord.
I challenge each of you to make these things a priority. And, if you are not a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, but you want to find a way to find more peace and direction in your life, start by praying to God and then I invite you to search out the Church's missionaries in your area or go to mormon.org to learn more.
