Let's Discuss: "Be Ye Therefore Perfect—Eventually" by Jeffrey R. Holland

Be Ye Therefore Perfect—Eventually

By Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
30 September 2017, Saturday Morning Session

Hymn recommendations:
65  Come, All Ye Saints Who Dwell on Earth
277  As I Search the Holy Scriptures

Favorite quote:

...in spite of my imperfections, at least God is perfect—that at least He is, for example, able to love His enemies, because too often, due to the “natural man” and woman in us, you and I are sometimes that enemy. How grateful I am that at least God can bless those who despitefully use Him because, without wanting or intending to do so, we all despitefully use Him sometimes. 

Something to put on the board:

"Our only hope for true perfection is in receiving it as a gift from heaven." Elder Holland

Synopsis:

To be perfect (eventually) is a commandment, while perfectionism may miss the mark.

Other preparation

A talk by Elder Russell M. Nelson was referred to in two footnotes, and reading it was a suggested exercise by Elder Holland, himself.  "Perfection Pending," given October 1995.

Discussion and questions:

We might start by taking a couple minutes sharing our favorite scriptures.  I personally don't have an absolute favorite.  Many have special meaning for me.  Doctrine & Covenants 50:24 is one I like to share when pressed.  :)  Now, Elder Holland:

The scriptures were written to bless and encourage us, and surely they do that. We thank heaven for every chapter and verse we have ever been given. But have you noticed that every now and then a passage will appear that reminds us we are falling a little short?

Are there any scriptures you can think of that make the majesty of God and salvation seem too far a cry from our present state?

For example, the Sermon on the Mount begins with soothing, gentle beatitudes, but in the verses that follow, we are told—among other things—not only not to kill but also not even to be angry. We are told not only not to commit adultery but also not even to have impure thoughts. To those who ask for it, we are to give our coat and then give our cloak also. We are to love our enemies, bless those who curse us, and do good to them who hate us.1 

If that is your morning scripture study, and after reading just that far you are pretty certain you are not going to get good marks on your gospel report card, then the final commandment in the chain is sure to finish the job: “Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father … in heaven is perfect.”2 With that concluding imperative, we want to go back to bed and pull the covers over our head. Such celestial goals seem beyond our reach. Yet surely the Lord would never give us a commandment He knew we could not keep. Let’s see where this quandary takes us.

I like the way he phrased that last sentence.  "Let's see where this quandary takes us."  It made me wonder - when we find a quandary or a seeming paradox, how do we respond?  Do we allow doubt to enter in?  Do we explore it by searching and studying?  Do we pray about it?  Do we place it on a shelf to ignore or think about later?  I also thought of a Joseph Smith quote I came across.  He said, "by proving contraries, truth is made manifest. (HC 6:248)"  Revelation of truth can follow a seeming paradox or "contrary" if we follow it through.  Anyway, that is totally aside.  Back to the sin of perfectionism:

Around the Church I hear many who struggle with this issue: “I am just not good enough.” “I fall so far short.” “I will never measure up.” I hear this from teenagers. I hear it from missionaries. I hear it from new converts. I hear it from lifelong members. One insightful Latter-day Saint, Sister Darla Isackson, has observed that Satan has somehow managed to make covenants and commandments seem like curses and condemnations. For some he has turned the ideals and inspiration of the gospel into self-loathing and misery-making.3

If you are in a place of self-loathing or misery-making - you are in a snare of the adversary!  The good news is that we can break free with the power of Jesus Christ.

What I now say in no way denies or diminishes any commandment God has ever given us. I believe in His perfection, and I know we are His spiritual sons and daughters with divine potential to become as He is. I also know that, as children of God, we should not demean or vilify ourselves, as if beating up on ourselves is somehow going to make us the person God wants us to become. No! With a willingness to repent and a desire for increased righteousness always in our hearts, I would hope we could pursue personal improvement in a way that doesn’t include getting ulcers or anorexia, feeling depressed or demolishing our self-esteem. That is not what the Lord wants for Primary children or anyone else who honestly sings, “I’m trying to be like Jesus.”4  [emphasis added]

How do we humble ourselves and repent without demeaning ourselves?  I know that when I am motivated to repent by the Holy Spirit, I always feel HOPE - I feel optimistic, like I can change, and it will be worth it.

To put this issue in context, may I remind all of us that we live in a fallen world and for now we are a fallen people. We are in the telestial kingdom; that is spelled with a t, not a c. ...

We are in a fallen world.  That means there is evil around us (which also gives us opportunity for growth).  This is another aside, but I like that he states outright that we are in the telestial kingdom.  That is something I did not understand ... well, I won't say that I fully understand it still... but it puts a lot of our life and ordinances of salvation into perspective.

...As President Russell M. Nelson has taught, here in mortality perfection is still “pending.”5

What does it mean to you that perfection is still pending?  To me, it means I need to forgive myself when I make mistakes.  I need to continue to repent at every chance, and keep my eyes on the Savior until He finishes my faith.

So I believe that Jesus did not intend His sermon on this subject to be a verbal hammer for battering us about our shortcomings. No, I believe He intended it to be a tribute to who and what God the Eternal Father is and what we can achieve with Him in eternity. In any case, I am grateful to know that in spite of my imperfections, at least God is perfect—that at least He is, for example, able to love His enemies, because too often, due to the “natural man”6 and woman in us, you and I are sometimes that enemy. How grateful I am that at least God can bless those who despitefully use Him because, without wanting or intending to do so, we all despitefully use Him sometimes. I am grateful that God is merciful and a peacemaker because I need mercy and the world needs peace. Of course, all we say of the Father’s virtues we also say of His Only Begotten Son, who lived and died unto the same perfection.

How are we God's enemy?  How do we despitefully use Him?  Most importantly, how do we repent of these things?  Mosiah 3:19, which is footnote 6, offers great insight - putting off the natural man and becoming a saint by yielding to the enticings of the Holy Spirit, etc.

I also love that Elder Holland mentions that God loves His enemies.  I never really thought about that - but He obeys His laws, and that is one of them.  He does not ask us to do things He is unwilling or unable to do.  And if He loves His enemies, we never need fear that we have removed ourselves from God's perfect love!

I hasten to say that focusing on the Father’s and the Son’s achievements rather than our failures does not give us one ounce of justification for undisciplined lives or dumbing down our standards. No, from the beginning the gospel has been “for the perfecting of the saints, … till we … come … unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ.”7 I am simply suggesting that at least one purpose of a scripture or a commandment can be to remind us just how magnificent “the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ”8 really is, inspiring in us greater love and admiration for Him and a greater desire to be like Him.

So Elder Holland says that the scriptures have another purpose to remind us how He is greater than all - so we know our standard - our ideal - our goal.  These scriptures aren't to beat us down, but to show Him in His righteous, elevated place.

“Yea, come unto Christ, and be perfected in him … ,” Moroni pleads. “Love God with all your might, mind and strength, then … by his grace ye may be perfect in Christ.”9 Our only hope for true perfection is in receiving it as a gift from heaven—we can’t “earn” it. Thus, the grace of Christ offers us not only salvation from sorrow and sin and death but also salvation from our own persistent self-criticism.

So profound.  We cannot earn our way to heaven.  Perfectionism may therefore even be a lack of faith.

Let me use one of the Savior’s parables to say this in a little different way. A servant was in debt to his king for the amount of 10,000 talents. Hearing the servant’s plea for patience and mercy, “the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and … forgave … the debt.” But then that same servant would not forgive a fellow servant who owed him 100 pence. On hearing this, the king lamented to the one he had forgiven, “Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee?”10

There is some difference of opinion among scholars regarding the monetary values mentioned here—and forgive the U.S. monetary reference—but to make the math easy, if the smaller, unforgiven 100-pence debt were, say, $100 in current times, then the 10,000-talent debt so freely forgiven would have approached $1 billion—or more!

As a personal debt, that is an astronomical number—totally beyond our comprehension. (Nobody can shop that much!) Well, for the purposes of this parable, it is supposed to be incomprehensible; it is supposed to be beyond our ability to grasp, to say nothing of beyond our ability to repay. That is because this isn’t a story about two servants arguing in the New Testament. It is a story about us, the fallen human family—mortal debtors, transgressors, and prisoners all. Every one of us is a debtor, and the verdict was imprisonment for every one of us. And there we would all have remained were it not for the grace of a King who sets us free because He loves us and is “moved with compassion toward us.”11

Jesus uses an unfathomable measurement here because His Atonement is an unfathomable gift given at an incomprehensible cost. That, it seems to me, is at least part of the meaning behind Jesus’s charge to be perfect. We may not be able to demonstrate yet the 10,000-talent perfection the Father and the Son have achieved, but it is not too much for Them to ask us to be a little more godlike in little things, that we speak and act, love and forgive, repent and improve at least at the 100-pence level of perfection, which it is clearly within our ability to do.  [emphasis added]

Here is the point!  Even while we cannot be perfect, we can become a little more godlike at the 100-pence level.  Can you think of an experience or example in your life where you developed more of a Christlike character?  Comment below.  That is repentance.  That is faith in action.  That is receiving grace for grace, line upon line.

My brothers and sisters, except for Jesus, there have been no flawless performances on this earthly journey we are pursuing, so while in mortality let’s strive for steady improvement without obsessing over what behavioral scientists call “toxic perfectionism.”12 We should avoid that latter excessive expectation of ourselves and of others and, I might add, of those who are called to serve in the Church—which for Latter-day Saints means everyone, for we are all called to serve somewhere.

There is rampant criticism of political leaders currently, and it is easy for this spirit of criticism to extend to our spiritual leaders.  But they are like us.  We are not perfect, and it's not fair to expect them to be.  I love this next story, and you probably do, too:

In that regard, Leo Tolstoy wrote once of a priest who was criticized by one of his congregants for not living as resolutely as he should, the critic concluding that the principles the erring preacher taught must therefore also be erroneous. 

In response to that criticism, the priest says: “Look at my life now and compare it to my former life. You will see that I am trying to live out the truth I proclaim.” Unable to live up to the high ideals he taught, the priest admits he has failed. But he cries: 

“Attack me, [if you wish,] I do this myself, but [don’t] attack … the path I follow. … If I know the way home [but] am walking along it drunkenly, is it any less the right way simply because I am staggering from side to side?

“… Do not gleefully shout, ‘Look at him! … There he is crawling into a bog!’ No, do not gloat, but give … your help [to anyone trying to walk the road back to God.]”13

Brothers and sisters, every one of us aspires to a more Christlike life than we often succeed in living. If we admit that honestly and are trying to improve, we are not hypocrites; we are human. May we refuse to let our own mortal follies, and the inevitable shortcomings of even the best men and women around us, make us cynical about the truths of the gospel, the truthfulness of the Church, our hope for our future, or the possibility of godliness. If we persevere, then somewhere in eternity our refinement will be finished and complete—which is the New Testament meaning of perfection.14  [emphasis added]

If there is time in class, I might take a minute for us to reflect on our life now versus our former life, and look for improvement.  Even if it's "I don't put my foot in my mouth near as much as I used to," that is improvement in a Christlike manner.

I don't want to be a hypocrite.  But I can't help but be human.  Let us be easier on ourselves.

I want to reiterate the last of the quote above:  "...somewhere in eternity our refinement will be finished and complete—which is the New Testament meaning of perfection."  Here's where Elder Nelson's talk from 1995 comes back into the footnotes, too.  Here is a sampling of what I liked from Elder Nelson's talk:  "men are that they might have joy—not guilt trips!" Also:

In Matt. 5:48, the term perfect was translated from the Greek teleios, which means “complete.” Teleios is an adjective derived from the noun telos, which means “end.” The infinitive form of the verb is teleiono, which means “to reach a distant end, to be fully developed, to consummate, or to finish.” Please note that the word does not imply “freedom from error”; it implies “achieving a distant objective.”

Now closing with Elder Holland:

I testify of that grand destiny, made available to us by the Atonement of the Lord Jesus Christ, who Himself continued “from grace to grace”15 until in His immortality16 He received a perfect fulness of celestial glory.17 I testify that in this and every hour He is, with nail-scarred hands, extending to us that same grace, holding on to us and encouraging us, refusing to let us go until we are safely home in the embrace of Heavenly Parents. For such a perfect moment, I continue to strive, however clumsily. For such a perfect gift, I continue to give thanks, however inadequately. I do so in the very name of Perfection itself, of Him who has never been clumsy or inadequate but who loves all of us who are, even the Lord Jesus Christ, amen.  [emphasis added]

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.