This talk, given by C. Terry Warner (back in 2001, at Ricks College) is something to think about, ponder, then move us into action.\u00a0 I present it to you as a challenge.<\/p>\n
One day, Bro. Warner decided to arrange his scriptures by topic.\u00a0 This was of his own volition, without assignment, and was clearly an enormous undertaking, but one which he hoped would bring him closer to the Lord, which was his purpose in doing it. \u00a0When he completed his little project, he indeed felt closer to the Lord and learned a great lesson:\u00a0 \u201cStepping out on our own to do what\u2019s right, to obey the commandments of our own free will, to go beyond the minimum that\u2019s expected\u2014this draws into our lives the delivering and sustaining power of God.\u201d<\/p>\n
Elder Busche spoke similar words, \u201cWhen we take a responsible step to do what is right or sacrifice what is wrong\u2026we will be given strength to persist.\u00a0 What the Lord contributes is infinitely greater than what we contribute, but it comes to us only by our initiative and diligence.\u201d<\/p>\n
The words INITIATIVE and DILIGENCE intrigued Bro. Warner.\u00a0 The definition of Initiative is a willing, decisive action that starts something going.\u00a0 Diligence is a constant, attentive, persistent, caring effort to accomplish something.\u00a0 And, may I add, isn\u2019t this the very reason we chose to come to earth:\u00a0 to prove our initiative and diligence to the Lord, over Satan?<\/p>\n
He states several examples in the Book of Mormon; those who have shown these two characteristics:\u00a0 Nephi, because he desired to see and hear and know for himself;\u00a0 Enos, who prayed mightily;\u00a0 The sons of Mosiah, choosing to go on a 14 year mission;\u00a0 The Lamanites, who buried their weapons;\u00a0 The 2000 sons whose idea it was to fight for their fathers;\u00a0 Captain Moroni, Teancum, Nephi and Lehi.\u00a0 You will find more.<\/p>\n
Satan always has a counterfeit.\u00a0 In this case, it is the attitude of \u201cThis is just the way I am\u201d– I\u2019m not churchy, I\u2019m too shy, It\u2019s too hard, etc.\u00a0 Bro. Terry quotes Pres. Kimball with a lengthy checklist.\u00a0 It says, in part, \u201cYou need to evaluate yourselves carefully.\u00a0 Take a careful inventory of your habits, your speech, your appearance, your weight, and your eccentricities, if you have any.\u00a0 Take each item and analyze it.\u00a0 Can you make some sacrifices to be acceptable?\u00a0 You must be the judge.\u201d\u00a0 Bro. Warner follows up with, \u201cYou must take the initiative to claim your blessings.\u00a0 Work diligently at becoming a Christ-like person.\u00a0 Then the help from heaven comes.\u201d<\/p>\n
He suggests we create a list of everything we, a Latter-day Saint, should be.\u00a0 Then do it.\u00a0 With each triumph, cross it off your list.\u00a0 We know where our weaknesses lie.\u00a0 We know what the prophets have asked us to do.\u00a0 And we know what we aren\u2019t doing.\u00a0 Many of us just shrug it off and say, \u201cIt\u2019s too hard\u201d, or maybe, \u201csome day I\u2019ll get to it\u201d.\u00a0 Bro. Warner says, \u201cExamine that statement.\u00a0 It is not an explanation.\u00a0 It\u2019s an excuse.\u00a0 Remember the principle:\u00a0 When we take a responsible step to do what is right and sacrifice what is wrong, there flows to us, often immediately, a quiet confirmation from the Spirit of the Lord that we are doing right, and encouragement and strength to keep going.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 Start with something small, or easier, if you have to.\u00a0 But once you initiate the course, diligently walk along its path.<\/p>\n
Recognize that Satan will try to stop you.\u00a0 Do not let him win.\u00a0 He cannot control you.\u00a0 \u201cOften it is only when we make an effort to repent that we realize how tight [his] grip on us has been.\u00a0 You must completely avoid entertaining the sin in any form, even in thought.\u201d<\/p>\n
Bro. Warner\u2019s testimony is powerful and motivating.\u00a0 \u201cI bear witness to you, from my personal experience, that putting our whole heart into learning and living the gospel draws the Spirit of the Lord into our lives, with stirring power.\u00a0 We feel filled as if with fire to worship God and learn of His ways.\u00a0 Our confidence begins to \u201cwax strong\u201d, a lively hope awakens within us confirming that we are on the course to eternal life.\u201d<\/p>\n
My challenge to you is to create your list of weaknesses.\u00a0 Turn them into your strengths.\u00a0 Prove to the Lord why you have come to earth, and why you choose Him.<\/p>\n