(October 2, 2015)
Time
and time again, through the scriptures, we are given commandments and examples
that seem perfectly crafted to test what we really prioritize. Do we love money or God? Do we crave pleasure or association with God?
Do we want popularity or a close relationship to God? So many times, our willingness to keep the
commandments is a good indication of what we truly want – we may tell ourselves
we want what is good and right but if our decisions demonstrate otherwise it is
illuminating. To paraphrase Bill
Parcels, you ultimately are what your record says you are – the you want the decisions
you actually make rather than what you say you want.
I was
thinking about that as I read through the times the Lord reiterated the
instruction to “open your mouths.” If
our priority is the Lord, then we testify – it really is that easy. We may be shy, but we have the most important
truth that ever existed so we find a way past our shyness and we testify. We may feel inadequate, but we have the most
important truth that ever existed and so we study and put for the effort to
share the message with power. We may
feel unworthy, but we have the most important truth that ever existed so we get
our lives in order so that we can share the message with the Spirit. We may not want to offend, but we have the
most important truth that ever existed and so we recognize that an offense now
from an inartful presentation is nothing compared to an eternal damnation.
In all
such cases, though, if our priority truly is God then we open our mouths. If we are not opening our mouths, our problem
is not with our mouths but with our hearts.
We need to look at our hearts and find out what about our priorities are
out of line and ask for the Lord’s help through the Atonement to bring our
hearts back into alignment with Him.
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