Apr 10, 2015

Trifle Not with Sacred Things

by Elder Larry S. Kacher

In life, we have many choices.  Elder Kacher refers to them as currents.
"There are many currents in this earthly life -- some safe and others not. . .These forces are real.  We should never ignore them."

We must also remember that "the decisions we make in this life, greatly affect the course of our eternal life."  They also affect others - "On this mortal journey we must never think that our choices affect only us."

A good example of this would be the experience Elder Kacher shared about swimming out to the sandbar and getting caught in a riptide.  Because of this choice, he almost killed himself and his wife, who was following behind him.

What choices am I making?  What current and I allowing to pull on me when I make that choice?

We also create a "current of life" in our homes.  Elder Kacher refers to the example of his in-laws who, "In their home they established a pattern where the priesthood was respected, where love and harmony were abundant, and where the principles of the gospel directed their lives. . . Side by side, [they] demonstrated what it meant to live lives patterned after Jesus Christ.  Their children could clearly see which of life's currents would bring peace and happiness."

As a mother, are my choices setting this kind of example for my children.
Elder Kacher quotes several times from a talk given by President Spencer W. Kimball who taught,
"If we can create. . .a strong, steady current flowing toward our goal of righteous life, we and our children may be carried forward in spite of the contrary winds of hardship, disappointment, [and] temptations."
I loved this talk by President Kimball.  A little further down in this same talk, President Kimball elaborates:
"Youth and adults are subjected to so many swirling winds that we sometimes wonder if they can survive. The winds of fashion push those about who are insecure and who require the feeling that they are in step with the crowd. The winds of sexual temptation drive some to destroy their marriage or to dash bright prospects or to degrade themselves. Bad companions, addicting drugs, the arrogance of profanity, the slough of pornography—all these and more act as influences pushing us, if we are not being carried forward by a strong, steady current toward the righteous life."

"Examine your choices (which current you are in) by asking yourself the question, "Are my decisions firmly planted in the rich soil of the gospel of Jesus Christ?"  
"Have we set our course firmly in the eternal current of the restored gospel?"
"I invite you to make whatever adjustments are needed, whether small or large, to ensure the eternal blessings of Heavenly Father's plan for you and those you love.

If you have tried to create a steady righteous current in your home, but you, like me, have a family member who has fought this current, and maybe they're caught in a riptide that is pulling them away from the safety of the beach out into the dangerous sea, so to speak.  Take heart in these words by President Kimball (found in the same talk mentioned above):

"I have sometimes seen children of good families rebel, resist, stray, sin, and even actually fight God. In this they bring sorrow to their parents, who have done their best to set in movement a current and to teach and live as examples. But I have repeatedly seen many of these same children, after years of wandering, mellow, realize what they have been missing, repent, and make great contribution to the spiritual life of their community. The reason I believe this can take place is that, despite all the adverse winds to which these people have been subjected, they have been influenced still more, and much more than they realized, by the current of life in the homes in which they were reared. When, in later years, they feel a longing to recreate in their own families the same atmosphere they enjoyed as children, they are likely to turn to the faith that gave meaning to their parents’ lives."