As I watched General Conference earlier this month, I listened for particular teachings that might address the kinds of issues and challenges that might benefit us perfectionists. Here are gems from three of my favorites:
Sister Neill F. Marriott and her family chose this family motto: “It will all work out.” She says, “Our family motto doesn’t say, ‘It will all work out now.’ It speaks of our hope in the eternal outcome—not necessarily of present results. Scripture says, “Search diligently, pray always, and be believing, and all things shall work together for your good.” This doesn’t mean all things are good, but for the meek and faithful, things—both positive and negative—work together for good, and the timing is the Lord’s.”
She also taught: “Some may think they have failed too many times and feel too weak to change . . . However, as covenant Israel, we don’t just try and try on our own to change. If we earnestly appeal to God, He takes us as we are—and makes us more than we ever imagined. Noted theologian Robert L. Millet writes of ‘a healthy longing to improve,’ balanced with the spiritual ‘assurance that in and through Jesus Christ we are going to make it.’”
Elder Larry R. Lawrence quoted President Harold B. Lee: “Every one of us, if we would reach perfection, must [at] one time ask ourselves this question, ‘What lack I yet?’”
“The Holy Ghost doesn’t tell us to improve everything at once. If He did, we would become discouraged and give up. The Spirit works with us at our own speed, one step at a time, or as the Lord has taught, ‘line upon line, precept upon precept.’”
“The Spirit can show us our weaknesses, but He is also able to show us our strengths. Sometimes we need to ask what we are doing right so that the Lord can lift and encourage us. . . . Our Heavenly Father knows our divine potential. He rejoices every time we take a step forward. To Him, our direction is ever more important than our speed.
“Be persistent, brothers and sisters, but never be discouraged. We will have to go beyond the grave before we actually reach perfection, but here in mortality we can lay the foundation. ‘It is our duty to be better today than we were yesterday, and better tomorrow than we are today.’”
Elder Dale G. Renlund spoke several things that resonated with me. Because I have experienced the numbing of my emotions, I related to his description that “I developed a kind of emotional distance when things went poorly. That way, feelings of sadness and disappointment were tempered.”
“I now realize that in the Church, to effectively serve others we must see them through a parent’s eyes, through Heavenly Father’s eyes. Only then can we begin to comprehend the true worth of a soul. Only then can we sense the love that Heavenly Father has for all of His children. Only then can we sense the Savior’s caring concern for them. We cannot completely fulfill our covenant obligation to mourn with those who mourn and comfort those who stand in need of comfort unless we see them through God’s eyes.”
I guess the reason I like these teachings is because they give me hope—hope that I don’t need to do it all . . . right now . . . on my own. I love to hear God’s servants. Their words encourage and uplift me. They strengthen my faith. I testify that they speak light and truth.
To be continued . . . with Part 9.
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