It Works Wonderfully!
by President Dieter F. Uchtdorf
This was one of my favorite talks. It really hit home to me. A few months ago I was struggling with feelings of despair. After pondering and praying about why I was feeling this way, Heavenly Father told me that I was running too fast and I needed to Simplify my life - the way I mother, the way I keep house, the way I live the gospel. I was trying to fit in too much, to do too much, much more than I was capable of.
In my study I was led to a couple of talks that were really helpful:
1. Keeping the Gospel Simple - by Glen L. Rudd
Ensign Jan. 1989
This talk is about just what you would expect, not making living the gospel overly complicated.
The gospel is meant to be simple. We are the ones who make it complicated.
2. Give us This Day Our Daily Bread - by Elder Christofferson
BYU Speech Jan 09, 2011
by President Dieter F. Uchtdorf
This was one of my favorite talks. It really hit home to me. A few months ago I was struggling with feelings of despair. After pondering and praying about why I was feeling this way, Heavenly Father told me that I was running too fast and I needed to Simplify my life - the way I mother, the way I keep house, the way I live the gospel. I was trying to fit in too much, to do too much, much more than I was capable of.
In my study I was led to a couple of talks that were really helpful:
1. Keeping the Gospel Simple - by Glen L. Rudd
Ensign Jan. 1989
This talk is about just what you would expect, not making living the gospel overly complicated.
The gospel is meant to be simple. We are the ones who make it complicated.
2. Give us This Day Our Daily Bread - by Elder Christofferson
BYU Speech Jan 09, 2011
In this devotional, Elder Christofferson teaches us to take it one day at a time.
To "Look to God for What Is Needed Each Day".
President Uchtdorf's talk was another witness and reminder to me to slow down, take it day by day, and to simplify. Let me share with you some of my favorite quotes from his talk.
"Sometimes, the truth may just seem too straightforward, too plain, and too simple for us to fully appreciate its great value. So we set aside what we have experienced and know to be true in pursuit of more mysterious or complicated information. . ."
"I wonder if we as Church members might also benefit from asking ourselves from time to time: “Is my experience in the Church working for me? Is it bringing me closer to Christ? Is it blessing me and my family with peace and joy as promised in the gospel?”
image source
SIMPLIFY
Are we making our discipleship too complicated?
". . .sometimes we take the beautiful lily of God’s truth and gild it with layer upon layer of man-made good ideas, programs, and expectations. Each one, by itself, might be helpful and appropriate for a certain time and circumstance, but when they are laid on top of each other, they can create a mountain of sediment that becomes so thick and heavy that we risk losing sight of that precious flower we once loved so dearly. . .Therefore, as leaders we must strictly protect the Church and the gospel in its purity and plainness and avoid putting unnecessary burdens on our members."
"Brothers and sisters, if you ever think that the gospel isn’t working so well for you, I invite you to step back, look at your life from a higher plane, and simplify your approach to discipleship. Focus on the basic doctrines, principles, and applications of the gospel. I promise that God will guide and bless you on your path to a fulfilling life, and the gospel will definitely work better for you."
START WHERE YOU ARE
"I wonder if we as Church members might also benefit from asking ourselves from time to time: “Is my experience in the Church working for me? Is it bringing me closer to Christ? Is it blessing me and my family with peace and joy as promised in the gospel?”
SIMPLIFY
Are we making our discipleship too complicated?
". . .sometimes we take the beautiful lily of God’s truth and gild it with layer upon layer of man-made good ideas, programs, and expectations. Each one, by itself, might be helpful and appropriate for a certain time and circumstance, but when they are laid on top of each other, they can create a mountain of sediment that becomes so thick and heavy that we risk losing sight of that precious flower we once loved so dearly. . .Therefore, as leaders we must strictly protect the Church and the gospel in its purity and plainness and avoid putting unnecessary burdens on our members."
"Brothers and sisters, if you ever think that the gospel isn’t working so well for you, I invite you to step back, look at your life from a higher plane, and simplify your approach to discipleship. Focus on the basic doctrines, principles, and applications of the gospel. I promise that God will guide and bless you on your path to a fulfilling life, and the gospel will definitely work better for you."
START WHERE YOU ARE
"Sometimes we feel discouraged because we are not “more” of something—more spiritual, respected, intelligent, healthy, rich, friendly, or capable. Naturally, there is nothing wrong with wanting to improve. God created us to grow and progress. But remember, our weaknesses can help us to be humble and turn us to Christ, who will “make weak things become strong.” Satan, on the other hand, uses our weaknesses to the point that we are discouraged from even trying.
"I learned in my life that we don’t need to be “more” of anything to start to become the person God intended us to become.
"God will take you as you are at this very moment and begin to work with you. All you need is a willing heart, a desire to believe, and trust in the Lord."
". . .if we look at ourselves only through our mortal eyes, we may not see ourselves as good enough. But our Heavenly Father sees us as who we truly are and who we can become."
"As you exercise a little faith and begin your walk as a peaceable follower of our Lord Jesus Christ, your heart will change. Your whole being will be filled with light."
IT WORKS!
"God will help you become something greater than you ever thought possible. And you will discover that the gospel of Jesus Christ is indeed working in your life. It works."
". . .if we look at ourselves only through our mortal eyes, we may not see ourselves as good enough. But our Heavenly Father sees us as who we truly are and who we can become."
"As you exercise a little faith and begin your walk as a peaceable follower of our Lord Jesus Christ, your heart will change. Your whole being will be filled with light."
IT WORKS!
"God will help you become something greater than you ever thought possible. And you will discover that the gospel of Jesus Christ is indeed working in your life. It works."