This time of years always causes me to reflect on things I need to work on in my life.
I came across this this wonderful article today that had 15 things I could work on.
New Year's Resolutions from the Prophets...
Dave and I are going to post a weekly reminder on
Instagram and Facebook for us and any friends that would like to
participate in these resolutions. Join us!
http://utahvalley360.com/2014/12/30/15-new-years-resolutions-prophets-2015/
15 New Year’s Resolutions from the prophets for 2015
December 30th, 2014
Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve speaks at general conference. (Image courtesy Mormon Newsroom)
As members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from
around the world prepare for the new year, many are setting goals for
their physical, mental, emotional and spiritual development.
While these goals may be inspired by any number of sources, prophets
and other Church leaders mentioned during the October 2014 General
Conference some specific changes people can make to improve their lives
and their spirituality.
In his address, Elder
Elder Quentin L. Cook said, “I
encourage everyone, young and old, to review goals and objectives and
strive to exercise greater discipline. Our daily conduct and choices
should be consistent with our goals. We need to rise above
rationalizations and distractions. It is especially important to make
choices consistent with our covenants to serve Jesus Christ in
righteousness.”
Here are 15 goals from the prophets to help you center your life on Christ during 2015.
1. Avoid contention
Today’s world—especially the online social media world—is fraught
with arguments and differing opinions. Church members can emulate Christ
by being peacemakers even when they disagree with others.
“On the subject of public discourse, we should all follow the gospel teachings to love our neighbor and avoid contention,”
Elder Dallin H. Oaks taught. “Followers
of Christ should be examples of civility. We should love all people, be
good listeners, and show concern for their sincere beliefs. Though we
may disagree, we should not be disagreeable. . . . We should be wise in
explaining and pursuing our positions and in exercising our influence.”
The Gilbert Arizona Temple was dedicated in March 2014. (Photo courtesy LDS Church)
2. Find more meaning in temple service
With
a new temple set for dedication in Utah County during 2015, now is a great time to recommit to meaningful temple worship.
Elder Richard G. Scott taught, “Don’t
let anyone or anything prevent you from being there. While you are in
the temple, listen to the words of the ordinances, ponder them, pray
about them, and seek to understand their meaning. The temple is one of
the best places to come to understand the power of the Atonement of
Jesus Christ. Seek
Him there. Remember that many more blessings come from providing your own family names in the temple.”
3. Take care of your body
Physical well-being is closely connected to mental, emotional and spiritual health.
“Take responsibility for your own physical well-being,” Elder Jörg Klebingat taught. “Feeding
the spirit while neglecting the body, which is a temple, usually leads
to spiritual dissonance and lowered self-esteem. If you are out of
shape, if you are uncomfortable in your own body and can do something
about it, then do it! … [P]lease use good judgment in what and
especially how much you eat, and regularly give your body the exercise
it needs and deserves.
“
4. Learn more about the gospel
Before Church members can fully live the gospel, they must understand it.
Elder M. Russell Ballard taught this important truth:
“In searching the scriptures and the words of past
and current apostles and prophets, we should focus on studying, living,
and loving the doctrine of Christ,” he taught. “In addition to
developing the habit of personal scripture reading, we need to be like
the sons of Mosiah and give ourselves ‘to much prayer, and fasting.’ It
seems that these things which are not easily measured are of great
importance. Stay focused on these simple things, and avoid becoming
distracted.”
5. Be a better parent
Children are the future of our homes, the Church and the world. Therefore, the role of parents is of paramount importance.
“It is my firm conviction that there has never been a period
in my many years of life when our Father in Heaven’s children have
needed the guiding hand of faithful, devoted parents more,”
Elder L. Tom Perry taught.
“… We must find within ourselves that same determined spirit and
overcome the challenges we face with the same spirit of sacrifice. We
must instill in future generations an ever stronger reliance on the
teachings of our Lord and Savior.”
6. Improve personal scripture study
Prophets have repeatedly counseled that scripture study is essential
to gaining a testimony and maintaining the companionship of the Spirit.
“Don’t yield to Satan’s lie that you don’t have time to study the scriptures,”
Elder Richard G. Scott taught. “Choose
to take time to study them. Feasting on the word of God each day is
more important than sleep, school, work, television shows, video games,
or social media. You may need to reorganize your priorities to provide
time for the study of the word of God. If so, do it!”
7. Serve someone every day
The small acts of service we offer may seem insignificant,
but Elder Jeffery R. Holland taught that when we do what we can, our
offering will make a difference.
“A journalist once questioned Mother Teresa of Calcutta about her hopeless task of rescuing the destitute in that city,”
Elder Holland said. “He
said that, statistically speaking, she was accomplishing absolutely
nothing. This remarkable little woman shot back that her work was about
love, not statistics. Notwithstanding the staggering number
beyond her reach, she said she could keep the commandment to love God and her neighbor by serving those
within her reach with whatever resources she had.”
8. Have more meaningful prayer
Improving prayer habits can improve every facet of life.
Elder Richard G. Scott taught, “Choose
to converse with your Father in Heaven often. Make time every day to
share your thoughts and feelings with Him. Tell Him everything that
concerns you. He is interested in the most important as well as the most
mundane facets of your life. Share with Him your full range of feelings
and experiences.”
9. Increase your fast offering
When speaking about caring for the poor,
Elder Jeffrey R. Holland asked Church members to be “as generous as circumstances permit” in their contributions.
“Cherish that sacred privilege [to fast] at least
monthly, and be as generous as circumstances permit in your fast
offering and other humanitarian, educational, and missionary
contributions,” he said. “I promise that God will be generous to you,
and those who find relief at your hand will call your name blessed
forever.”
“Because the Atonement of Jesus Christ is very practical, you should apply it generously 24/7, for it never runs out.” —Elder Jörg Klebingat, Of the Seventy
10. Repent daily
Repentance has some negative connotations, but daily repentance helps disciples of Christ become closer to the Savior.
“Because the Atonement of Jesus Christ is very practical, you should apply it generously 24/7, for it never runs out,”
Elder Jörg Klebingat said.
“Embrace the Atonement of Jesus Christ and repentance as things that
are to be welcomed and applied daily according to the Great Physician’s
orders. Establish an attitude of ongoing, happy, joyful repentance by
making it your lifestyle of choice. … Keeping your eyes on the Savior,
care more about what He thinks of you, and let the consequences follow
.”
11. Have Family Home Evening
As Church members strengthen their own testimonies, teaching
family members gospel truths will increase their understanding and
increase the influence of the Spirit in family members’ lives.
“Be cautious not to make your family home evening just an afterthought of a busy day,”
Elder Richard G. Scott taught. “Decide
that on Monday night your family will be together at home for the
evening. Do not let employment demands, sports, extracurricular
activities, homework, or anything else become more important than that
time you spend together at home with your family. The structure of your
evening is not as important as the time invested.”
12. Forgive quickly
People who forgive others relieve themselves of heavy burdens that
decrease happiness. Immediate forgiveness increases joy and strengthens
relationships.
“Forgive everyone, everything, all the time, or at least strive to do so, thus allowing forgiveness into your own life,”
Elder Jörg Klebingat said. “Don’t
hold grudges, don’t be easily offended, forgive and forget quickly, and
don’t ever think that you are exempt from this commandment.
Spiritual confidence increases when you know that the Lord knows that you bear no ill feelings toward another soul.”
13. Maintain a clear vision
As Church members set new goals and resolve to become better, it’s important to keep the end goal in mind.
Elder Carlos A. Godoy taught this
important principle: “Making decisions that can impact our lives and
those we love without having the broader vision of their consequences
can bring some risks. However, if we project the possible consequences
of these decisions into the future, we can see with greater clarity the
best path to take in the present. Understanding who we are, why we are
here, and what the Lord expects from us in this life will help give us
the broader vision we need. … We have the scriptures, the temple, living
prophets, our patriarchal blessings, inspired leaders, and, above all,
the right to receive personal revelation to guide our decisions.”
14. Evaluate yourself honestly
As people improve their lives and become more committed disciples, constant self-evaluation helps the process continue.
President Dieter F. Uchtdorf gave this helpful formula for self-evaluation:
“[H]ow can we shine the pure light of God’s truth
into our souls and see ourselves as He sees us? May I suggest that the
holy scriptures and the talks given at general conference are an
effective mirror we can hold up for self-examination. As you hear or
read the words of the ancient and modern prophets, refrain from thinking
about how the words apply to someone else and ask the simple question: ‘Lord, is it I?'”
15. Emulate Jesus Christ
The best goals and resolutions lead Church members toward Jesus Christ.
President Thomas S. Monson taught, “As
we strive to place Christ at the center of our lives by learning His
words, by following His teachings, and by walking in His path, He has
promised to share with us the eternal life that He died to gain. There
is no higher end than this, that we should choose to accept His
discipline and become His disciples and do His work throughout our
lives. Nothing else, no other choice we make, can make of us what He
can.”
