While
these goals may be inspired by any number of sources, prophets and other
Church leaders mentioned during the October 2014 General Conference some
specific changes people can make to improve their lives and their spirituality.
In his
address, Elder Elder Quentin L. Cook said, “I
encourage everyone, young and old, to review goals and objectives and strive to
exercise greater discipline. Our daily conduct and choices should be consistent
with our goals. We need to rise above rationalizations and distractions. It is
especially important to make choices consistent with our covenants to serve
Jesus Christ in righteousness.”
Here are
15 goals from the prophets to help you center your life on Christ
during 2015.
1. Avoid contention
Today’s
world—especially the online social media world—is fraught with
arguments and differing opinions. Church members can emulate Christ
by being peacemakers even when they disagree with others.
“On the subject of public discourse,
we should all follow the gospel teachings to love our neighbor and avoid
contention,” Elder Dallin H. Oaks taught. “Followers
of Christ should be examples of civility. We should love all people, be good
listeners, and show concern for their sincere beliefs. Though we may disagree,
we should not be disagreeable. . . . We should be wise in explaining and
pursuing our positions and in exercising
our influence.”2. Find more meaning in temple service
With a new temple set for dedication
in Utah County during 2015, now is a great time to recommit to
meaningful temple worship. Elder Richard G. Scott taught, “Don’t
let anyone or anything prevent you from being there. While you are in the
temple, listen to the words of the ordinances, ponder them, pray about them,
and seek to understand their meaning. The temple is one of the best places to
come to understand the power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. Seek Him there.
Remember that many more blessings come from providing your own family names in
the temple.”
3. Take care of your body
Physical well-being is closely connected to mental,
emotional and spiritual health.
“Take responsibility for your own physical well-being,” Elder Jörg Klebingat taught. “Feeding
the spirit while neglecting the body, which is a temple, usually leads to
spiritual dissonance and lowered self-esteem. If you are out of shape, if you
are uncomfortable in your own body and can do something about it, then do it! …
[P]lease use good judgment in what and especially how much you eat, and
regularly give your body the exercise it needs and deserves.“
4. Learn more about the gospel
Before Church members can fully live the gospel,
they must understand it. Elder M. Russell Ballard taught this
important truth:
“In searching the scriptures and the words of past and
current apostles and prophets, we should focus on studying, living, and loving
the doctrine of Christ,” he taught. “In addition to developing the habit of
personal scripture reading, we need to be like the sons of Mosiah and give
ourselves ‘to much prayer, and fasting.’ It seems that these things which are
not easily measured are of great importance. Stay focused on these simple
things, and avoid becoming distracted.”
5. Be a better parent
Children are the future of our homes, the Church and the
world. Therefore, the role of parents is of paramount importance.
“It is my firm conviction that there has never been a
period in my many years of life when our Father in Heaven’s children have
needed the guiding hand of faithful, devoted parents more,” Elder L. Tom Perry taught.
“… We must find within ourselves that same determined spirit and overcome the
challenges we face with the same spirit of sacrifice. We must instill in future
generations an ever stronger reliance on the teachings of our Lord and Savior.”
6. Improve personal scripture study
Prophets have repeatedly counseled that scripture study
is essential to gaining a testimony and maintaining the companionship of the
Spirit.
“Don’t yield to Satan’s lie that you don’t have time to
study the scriptures,” Elder Richard G. Scott taught. “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!”
7. Serve someone every day
The small acts of service we offer may seem
insignificant, but Elder Jeffery R. Holland taught that when we do what we can,
our offering will make a difference.
“A journalist once questioned Mother Teresa of Calcutta
about her hopeless task of rescuing the destitute in that city,” Elder Holland said. “He
said that, statistically speaking, she was accomplishing absolutely nothing.
This remarkable little woman shot back that her work was about love, not
statistics. Notwithstanding the staggering number beyond her reach, she said
she could keep the commandment to love God and her neighbor by serving those within
her reach with whatever resources she had.”
8. Have more meaningful prayer
Improving prayer habits can improve every facet of
life. Elder Richard G. Scott taught, “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.”
9. Increase your fast offering
When speaking about caring for the poor, Elder Jeffrey R. Holland asked Church
members to be “as generous as circumstances permit” in their contributions.
“Cherish that sacred privilege [to fast] at least
monthly, and be as generous as circumstances permit in your fast offering and
other humanitarian, educational, and missionary contributions,” he said. “I
promise that God will be generous to you, and those who find relief at your
hand will call your name blessed forever.”
10. Repent daily
Repentance has some negative connotations, but daily
repentance helps disciples of Christ become closer to the Savior.
“Because the Atonement of Jesus Christ is very practical,
you should apply it generously 24/7, for it never runs out,” Elder Jörg Klebingat said.
“Embrace the Atonement of Jesus Christ and repentance as things that are to be
welcomed and applied daily according to the Great Physician’s orders. Establish
an attitude of ongoing, happy, joyful repentance by making it your lifestyle of
choice. … Keeping your eyes on the Savior, care more about what He thinks of
you, and let the consequences follow.”
11. Have Family Home Evening
As Church members strengthen their own testimonies,
teaching family members gospel truths will increase their understanding and
increase the influence of the Spirit in family members’ lives.
“Be cautious not to make your family home evening just an
afterthought of a busy day,” Elder Richard G. Scott taught. “Decide
that on Monday night your family will be together at home for the evening. Do
not let employment demands, sports, extracurricular activities, homework, or
anything else become more important than that time you spend together at home
with your family. The structure of your evening is not as important as the time
invested.”
12. Forgive quickly
People who forgive others relieve themselves of heavy
burdens that decrease happiness. Immediate forgiveness increases joy and
strengthens relationships.
“Forgive everyone, everything, all the time, or at least
strive to do so, thus allowing forgiveness into your own life,” Elder Jörg Klebingat said. “Don’t
hold grudges, don’t be easily offended, forgive and forget quickly, and don’t
ever think that you are exempt from this commandment. Spiritual confidence increases
when you know that the Lord knows that you bear no ill feelings toward another
soul.”
13. Maintain a clear vision
As Church members set new goals and resolve to
become better, it’s important to keep the end goal in mind. Elder Carlos A. Godoy taught this
important principle: “Making decisions that can impact our lives and those we
love without having the broader vision of their consequences can bring some
risks. However, if we project the possible consequences of these decisions into
the future, we can see with greater clarity the best path to take in the
present. Understanding who we are, why we are here, and what the Lord expects
from us in this life will help give us the broader vision we need. … We have
the scriptures, the temple, living prophets, our patriarchal blessings,
inspired leaders, and, above all, the right to receive personal revelation to
guide our decisions.”
14. Evaluate yourself honestly
As people improve their lives and become more
committed disciples, constant self-evaluation helps the process continue. President Dieter F. Uchtdorf
gave this helpful formula for self-evaluation:
“[H]ow can we shine the pure light of God’s truth into
our souls and see ourselves as He sees us? May I suggest that the holy
scriptures and the talks given at general conference are an effective mirror we
can hold up for self-examination. As you hear or read the words of the ancient
and modern prophets, refrain from thinking about how the words apply to someone
else and ask the simple question: ‘Lord, is it I?'”
15. Emulate Jesus Christ
The best goals and resolutions lead Church members toward
Jesus Christ. President Thomas S. Monson
taught, “As we strive to place Christ at the center of our
lives by learning His words, by following His teachings, and by walking in His
path, He has promised to share with us the eternal life that He died to gain.
There is no higher end than this, that we should choose to accept His discipline
and become His disciples and do His work throughout our lives. Nothing else, no
other choice we make, can make of us what He can.”
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