talents and obedience

“Share your talents, for that which we willingly share, we keep.”  

Thomas S. Monson

"The Spirit of Relief Society"

April 1992

I found this quote at the bottom of a sweet story from the friend magazine, "The Calling", July 2011

It's about John Carling, who was called with Elijah Fordham to make the oxen for the Navoo Temple. Brother Carling uses his best ox, Taurus, as a model for the oxen. He used this particular ox because he was strong and obedient.  

Maybe talents and obedience don't go together. Maybe they do. I know sharing your talents can be scary for a lot if reasons. I know I'm often called upon to share what I consider basic knowledge rather than an actual talent. So many other people are more gifted in so many things but I'm the one asked. Maybe the most important word in Pres Monson's quote is willingly. It doesn’t matter how talented you are if you aren't willing to shsre it. Isn't that consecration? I guess talents and obedience do go together. Thanks for letting me wander about with it a bit so I could make the connection. 

Consecrating talents is obedience.

crap happens

Jacob 5:47, 64, 76

The manual sats, "Even though Jacob 5 teaches about nations and centuries of world history, it’s also about you and your life." I've found this allegory very useful when applied directly to me individually. Things need pruned, good grafted in to replace the bad, nourishment, etc. One part that feels so relevant but also makes me laugh is the dung. Everyone has manure on their lives. It might be just normal life, other people's bad choices or even our own stupidity that dumps "dung" into our pasture. This allegory just reminds me that crap is a necessary part of life. It can even be important for growth. Crap happens. Make the most of it. Let something beautiful grow because of it.

love first. words later

Today you get the dubious honor of following my train of thought:

You know I'm making a meme from daily sections in the book of mormon. Some days are hard to find something short and sweet enough to be meme-able. Today’s section was omni 1:19-30. I thought, "oh good. It's a man of God closing his writings. There's always good testimony in that."

Why?

I guess because we try to leave the people we care about with the most important information we have, our testimonies, or guidance to Jesus Christ. 

If it's the most important thing, why isn't it the first thing?

Words aren't important. Actions are. If you start with important information in the form of words, it means nothing. A person doesn't know you care or see the information in action until later. If you come outta the gate telling people what to do it's just bossy.  

Jesus did the same for us. He didn't just jump to descending from a cloud and telling us what to do. He lived it and showed us how much He cared so we'd know His words come from a place of deep love for us. Otherwise, it's just another ruler being bossy.

be good

You may have seen a video of elder bednar talking about revelation. I found an interview where he expands on it a bit. Here's a couple extracts:

"How can I tell when I’m being prompted by the Spirit?…Quit worrying about it. Quit fussing with it. Quit analyzing it. You be a good boy, you be a good girl, you honor your covenants, you keep the commandments; and I promise you in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ that as you press forward with faith in Christ, your footsteps will be guided.

The vast majority of the time you are being influenced by the Holy Ghost and you have no idea that it is happening. We have the expectation that we have to be consciously aware in the moment that we are receiving revelation and that is not true. In fact, I would suggest much revelation is occurring as we are simply pressing forward, being good and trying to get better with God’s help."

I just love that he says to stop overthinking and just be a good person.  

https://www.ensign.edu/devotional/elder-david-a-bednar-and-jeff-simpson-01-2023

https://youtu.be/AGS45Fd9nmE?si=vrjSLa9t6gE0AT_c

it's all in the plan

Jarom 1:2

The plan of salvation entails everything. What more needs said or taught? It's all in the plan.

tree or building

Found on "Latter Day Saints Standing United".

"No one at the tree is murmuring. That is an exclusive trait of the great and spacious building."

1 Nephi 8:27-33

I love that. I can ask myself if an action or attitude belongs at the tree or in the building.  

Humble or be humbled

"When we choose not to be humble, we end up being humiliated."

Joni L. Koch

"Humble to Accept and Follow"

Alma 32:12-16

This is a lesson over learned over the last half century. "Humble or be humbled. Being humbled is definitely more painful than humbling yourself."