Elders,
I hope that you are all having a great week. I am playing the single-parent role this week and every time I do, I am in awe at the added level of challenge it presents. It helps me be more mindful of those where it is the norm and not the exception. It also renews my appreciation for my sweetheart.
This past Sunday we had a discussion about Elder Bednar’s talk from conference titled “Gather Together in One All Things in Christ”. Ken Stonebrook led us through the talk and invited a great discussion. One thing that stood out to me was actually in how he prepared for the talk. He spent time with his son discussing the talk and googling information about ropes. I was touched that he made his preparations a family activity. I can certainly learn from his example. Thank you Ken.
Amongst other things, we discussed the “pharisaical focus on checklists” that we sometimes have in the church and how by focusing on the individual tasks we can often miss the point and/or opportunities to learn, grow, and serve. I had a period of my mission where I truly had the “pharisaical focus” that we discussed. I was struggling a bit as a missionary and started making a list of everything that I needed to do to be 100% obedient. I desperately wanted to qualify for the spirit and the help from the Lord. This list started with getting up at a certain time and ended with going to bed at a proscribed time. In between, I had nearly 50 other tasks to check off each day. I have page after page in my journal of these checklists. None of the items on the checklist were bad. They were all commendable and even appropriate, but as I focused on the checklist itself I totally missed the mark and ended up in a worse spot than I was before. I found myself smug at times for getting all my marks and depressed at others when I didn’t. I found myself frustrated when others that I knew weren’t as “dedicated” were seeing the success that I so hungered for. It was a vicious cycle and it took me a long while to realize what I was doing to myself and to my companion and to the work. More importantly I wasn’t ultimately helping others to come unto Christ.
Jesus Christ is at the core of our lives and as we apply His doctrines, principles, and practices in an integrated and interrelated way we will draw closer to Him. We use as a measuring stick, what would the Savior do in this situation – and just do it. Our rope becomes stronger and we add more strands to our testimony. The gospel is truly a “beautiful tapestry” that we can add to on a daily basis.
Ken challenged us to do a little introspection and see what strands we are weaving into our personal tapestry, what strands are there and which ones we need to shore up. I encourage you to take some time and tackle the challenge.
Thank you Elders. I encourage you to reach out to your friends and family, your ministering families and companions. Do as the Savior would. See them as He sees them. Love them as He does. It will bless and enrich your lives (and theirs).
God bless each of you. See you on Sunday,
President Oldroyd