It is natural to wonder from time to time just how strait and narrow the paths of our lives are. We may ask ourselves if we are still as converted as we once were or whether we are enduring well. Are we still making progress or have we drifted-- even just a few inches-- from the iron rod?
Thankfully, prophets of ancient and modern times have given guidelines that we can use to evaluate our lives. The prophet Alma asked a group of members in his stewardship whether they still felt to "sing the song of redeeming love" (Alma 5:26). President Hinckley taught that optimism is another indicator of the strength of our faith and trust in God.
King Benjamin had this to say about knowing whether we are walking along the strait and narrow path that leads to eternal life. If we are, we:
"...shall always rejoice, and be filled with the love of God, and always retain a remission of your sins; and ye shall grow in the knowledge of... that which is just and true. And ye will not have a mind to injure one another, but to live peaceably, and to render to every man according to that which is his due. And ye will not suffer your children that they go hungry, or naked; neither will ye suffer that they transgress the laws of God, and fight and quarrel one with another... And also, ye yourselves will succor those that stand in need of your succor."
As you evaluate your progress in life during this General Conference weekend, and in sacrament meetings and on quiet Sunday afternoons to come, this counsel can be used to guide our evaluation. Are we growing in knowledge of things that are just and true? Are we generous and compassionate to the less fortunate, including in our fast offerings? Do we teach our children to obey?
These prophetic guidelines, and others like it, will help us know where we are along the path back to our Heavenly Father. What guidelines will be given at conference this year?
You'll have to watch and see.
No comments:
Post a Comment