Jason gave a talk in church back at the end of December (after Christmas and right before New Year's). Seeing the time of year that he was giving the talk, the topic was on New Beginnings. December was a pretty crazy month with everything that was going on and I am so impressed that he was able to carve out some time to write a talk and a really great one at that. And he did an awesome job delivering it. Of course, he delivered it in German (thanks for the translation, Ingo!) but it's here in english for everyone.
We sure wish that our family and friends in Canada (and sprinkled throughout some other countries as well) were able to come and give their support in person, but since the logistics of that are a little tough I thought I would post his talk on here (with Jason's permission, of course). And even though you weren't about to be there in person, we sure do appreciate the thoughtful emails, calls, prayers and cards :).
When Jason was up giving his talk, Atticus decided to draw a picture of Jason giving his talk. So between Atticus' picture, and getting to read Jason's talk it is about as real as it gets without having actually been there (short of Jason recording his talk, maybe I should do that next time..).
Without further ado, I introduce Jason (enjoy!!!).....
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As we complete our Christmas celebrations and near the end of this year, many of us look forward to our future in the coming year. What will the year bring? What will I accomplish? Who do I want to become? Whether we seek to improve some specific aspect of our life, or want to completely recreate ourselves, now is a wonderful time to consider where we are, where we want to go, and how we can get there. This is especially applicable to our spiritual selves. As spiritual children of a loving Heavenly Father, we all have the divine potential to become great. Great in how we live, love and bring God’s truth to the rest of his children. Yet we all make mistakes, and, as the apostle Paul wrote “come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). There is wonderful news, however, for anyone who may feel discouraged by the imperfections of their mortal nature. The prophet Jeremiah in the Old Testament taught us an important lesson.
One day, Jeremiah was in his house and heard the Lord saying:
“Arise, and go down to the potter’s house, and there I will cause thee to hear my words.
“Then I went down to the potter’s house, and, behold, he wrought a work on the wheels.
“And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter: so he made it again another vessel, as seemed good to the potter to make it.
“Then the word of the Lord came again to me, saying,
“O house of Israel, cannot I do with you as this potter? … Behold, as the clay is in the potter’s hand, so are ye in mine hand, O house of Israel.” (Jer. 18:2–6.)
Though each us has has flaws, the Lord does not throw us a way. No, he can make us anew. He can make us into something useful, something beautiful, something great! But for that to be possible, we must be moldable in the Master Potter’s hands.
Thirty years ago, in a 1982 general conference, Elder Hugh B. Pinnock of the Seventy gave a talk titled “Beginning Again”. He says that from a spiritual perspective, we may all begin anew, and gives us eight ways that we can do so.
First, Elder Pinnock says that we must eliminate the phrase “if only I had done something differently” from our thinking and vocabulary.
If only David had not gone up on his roof that fateful night, he might not have fallen and committed murder.
If only the Nephites had stayed humble and acknowledged God in their lives, maybe they would have remained a great nation instead of being exterminated by the Lamanites.
If only you had not gone on that date, or taken that trip, or made that investment, or met that person, your life might have been different.
How much time do we waste thinking about what might have been had we done something differently. Our thoughts and our words are precious resources. Continually asking ourselves “What if” is not the question to ask if you want to start again. Instead, we must face today, and accept where and who we are; look forward with faith and optimism to the future, and not waste precious time dwelling on the “what ifs” of yesterday. A better question would be “what may be?”
Second, do not wait for tomorrow to begin again. In Proverbs we read “Boast not thyself of to morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.” (Prov. 27:1.) This is particularly important to me. Too often, I make a resolution or goal...that I will start tomorrow, or the next week. Now -- right this very second -- is the time to resolve to change and become who we want to be.
Third, Elder Pinnock admonishes us to commit to living the gospel of Jesus Christ in its entirety. “For you shall live by every word that proceedeth forth from the mouth of God.” (D&C 84:44.)
Elder Pinnock continues by saying,
“Many people live the gospel according to themselves. That is self-deception. There is only one true gospel. We may alter it or tint it with our own notions. But if we will adhere to the pure teachings of Jesus Christ, we will eliminate many of the rationalizations that lead to problems. The menu has only one entree. To pick and choose which of God’s precepts to live is satanic self-centeredness. Integrity is the foundation of our life-style.”
It is not enough for us to choose which principles, commandments and covenants we will keep if we hope to gain salvation. In his Lectures on Faith, the Prophet Joseph Smith explained that “A religion that does not require the sacrifice of all things, never has power sufficient to produce the faith necessary unto life and salvation.” If we want to be saved, we must strive to obey all that God has instructed us to do.
Fourth, face reality. And I would add - accept it! If we wish to journey somewhere in life, we must first know from where we begin; otherwise, the directions are of little value. Often, it seems like it would be so much easier if we could simply run away from our difficulties. King David was someone who thought this way. He had been a good man, even a chosen and elect individual. But he buried himself under his own lies, until they spiritually crushed him. We can understand a little of what he felt from Psalms where he cried, “Oh that I had wings like a dove! for then would I fly away, and be at rest.” (Ps. 55:6.) Do we try to escape our problems by running away physically or emotionally in some way? I believe most would agree, however, that this cannot solve any problem. It is only when we accept personal responsibility for our lives that we can begin to escape the weight of guilt or trial that weighs us down. Remember, the Savior said, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” (Matt. 11:28.) He invited us to learn of him and to take his yoke (a much easier yoke) upon us. (See Matt. 11:29.)
Fifth, approach our challenges positively! Look up! Take charge! Sound the battle cry!
A poet wrote:
Never give up! If adversity presses,
Providence wisely has mingled the cup,
And the best counsel, in all your distresses,
Is the stout watchword of “Never give up!”
(Martin F. Tupper, “Never Give Up,” in Poems of Inspiration, sel. Joseph Morris and St. Clair Adams, New York: Halcyon House, p. II-77.)
If we do not know how to begin making the changes we want to see in our lives, recall what the Savior said:“Seek ye first to build up the kingdom of God, and to establish his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” (JST, Matt. 6:38.) Just a few verses later, the Savior tells us, “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.” (Matt. 7:7.) The Lord has the answers we seek for, if we will but ask him.
Sixth, don’t begin again partially. We must be thorough and complete. Have any of you tried to patch an old piece of clothing with a new patch? The patch will not hold. I love how the Lord puts it: “No man putteth a piece of new cloth unto an old garment, for … the rent is made worse.” (Matt. 9:16.) Don’t patch. Begin a completely new life.
The wealthy young man described in the New Testament missed an opportunity to follow the Master because he was unwilling to give all he had. Instead, “he went away sorrowful” (Matt. 19:22), and is never mentioned again.
Seventh, be open and candid in your relationships with others. I cannot agree with Elder Pinnock more on this point, and yet, I admit, for myself, that expressing my feelings frankly and honestly is a huge challenge. Elder Pinnock said, “So many of life’s difficulties are brought about by being double-minded. Let us learn to say it as it is. Think of Peter’s extreme discomfort when the Master addressed him after Peter had been teaching a false concept: “Thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of man.” (Matt. 16:23.) From that moment, Peter was a greater disciple. The person who is open and honest will be vindicated. Time is his friend. Trust is his reward.”
Last, but perhaps the hardest of all; forgive. Paul said, “To whom ye forgive any thing, I forgive also.” (2 Cor. 2:10.) In order to begin again, we must be willing to “love [our] enemies, do good to them which hate [us], Bless them that curse [us], and pray for them which despitefully use [us].” (Luke 6:27–28.) When we harbor resentment, hate, anger, or envy towards any man or woman, the only person that we hurt in the end is ourselves. We cannot move forward spiritually while we carry the chains of the unforgiving. I love the example that Elder Pinnock shares in the story of young Joseph in Egypt. Here was a man who had initially been left for dead by his brothers and subsequently sold into slavery. If ever there was someone who had reason to want revenge or to carry a grudge, it was Joseph. Nevertheless, he chose not to. Joseph said to his brethren when they encountered him in Egypt as Pharaoh’s deputy, “But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, … to save much people.” (Gen. 50:20.) Because he chose to forgive his brothers, the Lord blessed Joseph immensely and made him an instrument in helping his family.
I would like to finish by quoting Elder Pinnock once more:
“Yes, so much of heartache and grief eventually become blessings, our earthly instructions, and condition us spiritually. Even if we cannot understand the “whys” of our tribulations, we can still turn to God and rededicate our lives to his safekeeping. Yes, “he who doeth the works of righteousness shall receive his reward, even peace in this world, and eternal life in the world to come.” (D&C 59:23.)”
I challenge each of us this day, to commit to beginning again. Become the person we want to be, and who our Heavenly Father knows we are capable of becoming. If we want to know better what that potential is, we need only ask him. Remember that we are literally his children, and as such we carry within us the seeds of divinity. Each of his children born on this Earth were born to greatness, but it is for us to decide whether we will accept that role, that potential. In the words of Eleanor Powell, “What we are is a gift from God. What we become is our gift back to him.” Through the atonement of our Savior, even Jesus Christ, we can accomplish all things and bless the lives of our families and those within our reach. Begin again, my brothers and sisters, and not just today, but every day.
I testify of the truthfulness of this gospel and its power to save all who abide by its precepts. Jesus Christ is the only begotten Son of God. He has given us the power to begin again. It is why we partake of the sacrament each week, and attend the temple as often as possible. They are opportunities to rededicate ourselves to a higher purpose and better self.
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