Let's Discuss: "Value beyond Measure" by Joy D. Jones

"Value beyond Measure"

By Joy D. Jones, Primary General President
September 23, 2017 Women's Session

My hymn recommendations:
57  We're Not Ashamed to Own Our Lord
98  I Need Thee Every Hour
113  Our Savior's Love (she quotes a line from this one)
157 Thy Spirit, Lord, Has Stirred Our Souls
279  Thy Holy Word

Favorite quote:

We may seldom, if ever, receive huge spiritual manifestations in our lives; but we can frequently savor the sweet whisperings of the Holy Ghost verifying the truth of our spiritual worth.

Something to put on the board:

If we sin, we are less worthy, but we are never worth less!

Synopsis:

Our worth to God is independent of our worthiness.  Remember your divine worth - combat negative self-talk by savoring and cultivating the sweet whisperings and moments of the Spirit.

Other preparation for a classroom setting:

The pictures of the women she shared during conference are at the conference link above.  You may want to consider printing them out for visual aids.  You may want to provide pencils/pens and paper for your class for taking a moment to ponder your divine worth (described below).

Quotes and Discussion

I love that Sister Jones begins her talk with examples of women/young women from around the world.  Let's begin there:

While visiting the country of Sierra Leone in West Africa, I participated in a meeting conducted by a stake Primary leader. Mariama led with such love, grace, and confidence that it was easy to assume she had long been a member of the Church. Mariama, however, was a fairly recent convert.

Her younger sister joined the Church and invited Mariama to attend a Church class with her. Mariama was deeply impressed by the message. The lesson was on the law of chastity. She asked to have the missionaries teach her more and soon received a testimony of the Prophet Joseph Smith. She was baptized in 2014, and her daughter was baptized last month. Imagine, the two fundamental teachings that led to Mariama’s conversion were the law of chastity and the Prophet Joseph Smith, two points the world often sees as irrelevant, outdated, or inconvenient. ...

I want to interrupt here, because I thought it was interesting that she pointed these doctrines out.  I think Sister Jones may be telling us not to be ashamed of these doctrines - or any doctrines.  How do you defend the law of chastity and Joseph Smith?  Do they need defense?  Do you have a testimony of them?  Do they not matter if you have a testimony of other things, like the Book of Mormon?

But Mariama testified that she was like a moth attracted to the light. She said, “When I found the gospel, I found myself.” She discovered her worth through divine principles. Her value as a daughter of God was revealed to her through the Holy Ghost.

What truths of the Gospel did/do you feel drawn to as a moth to the light?  Comment below.  I love the doctrine of eternal families.  I also love that we can ask questions, study them out, and receive personal revelation.

Now let’s meet the Singh sisters from India. Renu, on the far right, the first of five sisters to join the Church, shared these thoughts: 

“Before I started investigating the Church, I didn’t really feel that I was very special. I was just one of many people, and my society and culture didn’t really teach me that I had any value as an individual. ...

Another interruption ...  Can you think of some wrong messages your culture says about individual worth?  Some of the things I thought of are pressures to be skinny, pretty, fashionable, sexy, "authentic," ...  If you get a lot of feedback from the class, consider asking a followup question like, How can we focus on what matters most?

...When I learned the gospel and learned that I was a daughter of our Heavenly Father, it changed me. Suddenly I felt so special—God had actually created me and had created my soul and my life with value and purpose. 

“Before I had the gospel in my life, I was always trying to prove to others that I was someone special. But when I learned the truth, that I am a daughter of God, I didn’t have to prove anything to anyone. I knew that I was special. … Don’t ever think that you are nothing.”

I love that!  You don't have to prove anything to anyone.  You are special, period.

I was recently blessed to meet another young woman who understands this same truth. Her name is Taiana. I met her at Primary Children’s Hospital in Salt Lake City. Taiana was a junior in high school when she was diagnosed with cancer. She fought a brave battle for 18 months before passing away a few short weeks ago. Taiana was full of light and love. She was known for her contagious smile and her trademark “double thumbs-up.” When others asked, “Why you, Taiana?” her response was, “Why not me?” Taiana sought to become like her Savior, whom she so dearly loved. During our visits, I learned that Taiana understood her divine worth. Knowing she was a daughter of God gave her peace and courage to face her overwhelming trial in the positive way she did.

I realized after pondering this section that I haven't asked, "Why me?" in a long time.  Not in at least 15 years, maybe 20.  I have come to know that our trials are hand-picked for us, to teach us and to stretch us - to mold us and help us be more like Christ.  What is a faith-filled way you like to respond to trials?  Comment below.  Sometimes, I look for the things to learn - in other words, I might ask myself:  What can I learn from ___? - I like to believe that having this attitude might even shorten the length of the trial - if I learn the lesson the trial can be over, right?  (Of course it always depends on the will of the Lord).  Sometimes, I think about my specific gifts - and see if they can help me overcome.  Sometimes, I ponder the sufferings of Christ, and endure to understand Him better.  Sometimes, I imagine that Christ is there with me, and I take comfort in Him.  There is much we can endure, with Christ by our side.  Our joy in Him is independent of our circumstances.

Mariama, Renu, and Taiana teach us that the Spirit will confirm to each of us individually our divine worth. Truly knowing that you are a daughter of God will affect every aspect of your life and guide you in the service you render each day. ...

Has the Spirit confirmed to you your divine worth?  If you have time, take a sheet of paper (or a journal), and sit still for a moment, contemplating your divine worth.  Write down the impressions you receive.  Remember that the Holy Spirit is always accompanied by the fruits of the Spirit (love, joy, peace, etc.).

President Spencer W. Kimball explained in these glorious words: 

“God is your Father. He loves you. He and your mother in heaven value you beyond any measure. … You are unique. One of a kind, made of the eternal intelligence which gives you claim upon eternal life. 

“Let there be no question in your mind about your value as an individual. The whole intent of the gospel plan is to provide an opportunity for each of you to reach your fullest potential, which is eternal progression and the possibility of godhood.”2

I love first that in this quote, President Kimball mentions Heavenly Mother specifically.  If you look for Her, you find Her in the writings of the prophets (and elsewhere).  Second, this quote is the inspiration for the title of this talk.  We are valued beyond any measure ... by our heavenly parents!  We can't get more fundamental value than that.  Have you ever doubted your worth?  I don't want to dredge up those feelings - but to shine this light of truth on them - you are valued beyond any measure by Heavenly Father and Mother.

Next Sister Jones takes some time to tell us the difference between worth and worthiness.  Why do you think this is important?

Let me point out the need to differentiate between two critical words: worth and worthiness. They are not the same. Spiritual worth means to value ourselves the way Heavenly Father values us, not as the world values us. Our worth was determined before we ever came to this earth. “God’s love is infinite and it will endure forever.”3 

On the other hand, worthiness is achieved through obedience. If we sin, we are less worthy, but we are never worth less! We continue to repent and strive to be like Jesus with our worth intact. As President Brigham Young taught: “The least, the most inferior spirit now upon the earth … is worth worlds.”4 No matter what, we always have worth in the eyes of our Heavenly Father.

Have you internalized that your worth is independent of your worthiness?  (rhetorical)  "The least, the most inferior spirit ... is worth worlds."  That is so profound.  I kept thinking of an apple seed, or a tomato seed.  Even just one apple seed has the potential to grow into a tree that produces many more apples, that may produce more trees of their own, and on and on.  Each soul on earth is like that seed - we have the potential for eternal lives.

Despite this marvelous truth, how many of us struggle, from time to time, with negative thoughts or feelings about ourselves? I do. It’s an easy trap. Satan is the father of all lies, especially when it comes to misrepresentations about our own divine nature and purpose. Thinking small about ourselves does not serve us well. Instead it holds us back. As we’ve often been taught, “No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.”5 We can stop comparing our worst to someone else’s best. “Comparison is the thief of joy.”6

Negative thoughts and feelings about ourselves are a TRAP from Satan!  I love that Sister Jones exposes this truth.  How can we escape this trap?  Comment below with your ideas.  If you haven't already, let's start today in recognizing these negativities for what they are - and unroot and cast those thoughts out from you!  When we wallow in self-pity, or "beat ourselves up" emotionally, we are in a snare.  We must remember our divine nature, our heavenly parents, our Savior's love, ...

Next, Sister Jones gives us a key to confidence.  She suggests confidence as the remedy to the negative self-talk:

In contrast, the Lord assures us that when we have virtuous thoughts, He will bless us with confidence, even the confidence to know who we really are. There’s never been a more crucial time to heed His words. “Let virtue garnish thy thoughts unceasingly,” He said. “Then shall thy confidence wax strong in the presence of God; and … the Holy Ghost shall be thy constant companion.”

What does it mean to you to "let virtue garnish thy thoughts unceasingly?"  What is virtue?  I believe it is power (Christ noticed virtue/power gone from Him when the woman touched His hem) - we might say positive power, the benefit of the doubt, the measuring of a thought to divine truth.

After the key to confidence, Sister Jones gives us a technique to help us turn to righteous self-talk:

The Lord revealed this additional truth to the Prophet Joseph Smith: “He that receiveth of God, let him account it of God; and let him rejoice that he is accounted of God worthy to receive.”8 When we feel the Spirit, as this verse explains, we recognize that what we feel comes from our Heavenly Father. We acknowledge Him and praise Him for blessing us. We then rejoice that we are counted worthy to receive.

When we feel a prompting, an answer to a question, joy, or even a brief feeling of hope or peace, we have been counted worthy to receive.  Sister Jones continues with some examples of what she's talking about:

Imagine that you are reading the scriptures one morning and the Spirit softly whispers to you that what you are reading is true. Can you recognize the Spirit and be happy that you felt His love and were worthy to receive?

Mothers, you might be kneeling next to your four-year-old as he says his bedtime prayer. A feeling flows over you as you listen. You feel warmth and peace. The feeling is brief, but you recognize that you, at that moment, are counted worthy to receive. We may seldom, if ever, receive huge spiritual manifestations in our lives; but we can frequently savor the sweet whisperings of the Holy Ghost verifying the truth of our spiritual worth. [emphasis added]

We don't need to wait for a huge spiritual manifestation.  We can fill our lives with the sweet whisperings of the Holy Ghost.  This is in part why studying our scriptures and other Gospel basics (going to church, saying prayers, ...) are so important.  We can learn to recognize and rejoice when we receive even the little, brief feelings of peace or testimony of the Spirit of truth during a speaker's talk.  These are like little miracles in our lives.  They may be personal - often we may even be the only person who receives them, but they are real, and they mean we have been counted worthy to receive.

Next Sister Jones brings in the connection to He who makes this all possible - our Savior, Jesus Christ.

The Lord explained the relationship between our worth and His great atoning sacrifice when He said:

“Remember the worth of souls is great in the sight of God;

“For, behold, the Lord your Redeemer suffered death in the flesh; wherefore he suffered the pain of all men, that all men might repent and come unto him.”9

Sisters, because of what He did for us, “we are bound to him by loving ties.”10 He said, “My Father sent me that I might be lifted up upon the cross; and after that I had been lifted up upon the cross, that I might draw all men unto me.”11

Whether we acknowledge it or not, we ARE connected to Jesus Christ.  He earned that right when He paid our ransoms.  Continuing:

King Benjamin also explained this binding connection with our Savior: “And lo, he shall suffer temptations, and pain of body, hunger, thirst, and fatigue, even more than man can suffer, except it be unto death; for behold, blood cometh from every pore, so great shall be his anguish for the wickedness and the abominations of his people.”12 That suffering and the results of that suffering fill our hearts with love and gratitude. ...

Jesus Christ is our Savior.  Take a moment to reflect on what He did for you, personally, and express love and gratitude in your heart to Him.  Share any insights you feel inspired to share.

...Elder Paul E. Koelliker taught, “As we remove the distractions that pull us toward the world and exercise our agency to seek Him, we open our hearts to a celestial force which draws us toward Him.”13 If the love we feel for the Savior and what He did for us is greater than the energy we give to weaknesses, self-doubts, or bad habits, then He will help us overcome the things which cause suffering in our lives. He saves us from ourselves. [emphasis added]

I love this concept of a celestial force which draws us toward Him.  I think President Uchtdorf spoke of it also, in the Saturday morning session of this same conference, an inner guidance system that draws us to our heavenly home, "a heavenly stirring."  I think Sister Jones here is teaching us that we may have to remove the "world" from ourselves in order to align ourselves closer to Him.  Continuing, she says:

Let me reemphasize: if the pull of the world is stronger than the faith and trust we have in the Savior, then the pull of the world will prevail every time. If we choose to focus on our negative thoughts and doubt our worth instead of clinging to the Savior, it becomes more difficult to feel the impressions of the Holy Ghost.

So we have that choice when feelings of negativity attack us.  We can choose to focus on the negativity or focus on the Savior.  Can you think of a time when you chose to focus on the Savior and were able to dispel negative thinking?

Sisters, let’s not be confused about who we are! While it is often easier to be spiritually passive than it is to put forth the spiritual effort to remember and embrace our divine identity, we cannot afford that indulgence in these latter days. [emphasis added]

What effort can we put forth to remind ourselves of our divine identity?  Some ideas might be reciting positive affirmations like "I am a beloved child of God; My value is beyond any measure" or setting a daily reminder on our phone to turn our mind to Christ, or ???  There are as many ideas as individuals.  Comment below with your ideas!

I'm going to conclude my discussion with her concluding words:

May we, as sisters, “be faithful in Christ; … may Christ lift [us] up, and may his sufferings and death, … and his mercy and long-suffering, and the hope of his glory and of eternal life, rest in [our minds] forever.”14 As the Savior lifts us to higher ground, we can see more clearly not only who we are but also that we are closer to Him than we ever imagined. In the sacred name of Jesus Christ, amen.