The Daily - 2019

None of us is perfect. We shouldn’t expect it of ourselves or of others. But we can always try a little harder to be a little better. I hope that even when we feel alone or like misfits, especially in church, we can remember he who “is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief,” and echo the apostle Paul by saying, “Lord, to whom shall we go? Thou has the words of eternal life.”

Many New Year's traditions have one thing in common: They represent sending out the old and welcoming the new. They represent hope for good things to come. We should always be looking ahead, not dwelling on the past. As we approach this new year, let’s look forward with faith, learn from the past, and look to the future.

Our bodies and their abilities are testaments to God's existence and power. When we understand our divine nature, we will use our bodies to focus on divine things, and we will grow both physically and spiritually as we progress toward eternal life.

It’s important to remember that all of Heavenly Father’s directions are for our good. He knows best how we can be healthy and happy. The Lord promises that if we keep the Word of Wisdom, we will have health, wisdom, knowledge, energy, and strength.

We need to get to and stay on spiritual high ground. As we remain strong in our covenants and close to the promptings of the Lord, we will be prepared to resist Satan's “flaxen cords,” as the prophet Nephi called them, and we will never be ensnared by his “strong cords.”

All ten virgins represent believers, members of Christ’s church. Their lamps represent spiritual preparedness, from faith and testimonies to good works. So how can we make sure we have enough oil in our own lamps, when we don’t know when Christ will come again?

God will always handle justice, and he will do so perfectly, but of us it is required to forgive all men. As Mother Theresa said, “If you judge people, you have no time to love them.” Our job is not to condemn, correct, and control. Our job is to love.

If not for Pahoran’s graciousness and Christlike example, there might have been large rift between the Nephites’ two top leaders. Let’s remember to emulate Pahoran’s attitude whenever we may hear things that could flare our tempers, and assume the good, and doubt the bad about those we love.

When we face struggles and trials, we often visit counselors. And getting the help we need is always a good choice. But Jesus Christ is the ultimate counselor. He knows how to succor his people.

There is no justification in sacrificing our integrity just because we think that everyone else is doing the same things we are. God expects us to live according to his standards, and his commandments, not the world’s.

We always have the option to return to what we were taught is right. It may take time. Loved ones may not change in this life. But the opportunity is always there.

Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in California created a life-size replica of the ancient Tabernacle of Moses. Everything about the structure helped ancient Israelites orient their lives toward the Messiah. Touring the tabernacle was an eye-opening and faith-strengthening experience, but we don't have to see a replica to have faith and gain understanding from the Spirit.

Paying tithing is an expression of love and gratitude to a generous and merciful Heavenly Father. We need to remember that really, we’re not giving him 10%. He’s giving us 90%.

Are we making use of today's ever-expanding knowledge? Are we learning out of the best books? Are we seeking after the things of God? As we do these things, we will be more prepared to learn line upon line and precept upon precept.

How can we learn to "sleep when the wind blows?" How can we withstand the mighty winds and storm? We must build our lives on the foundation that is Jesus Christ, our Redeemer.

Life can be hard. But when we keep an eternal perspective, we can choose to remember that opposition in all things is part of Heavenly Father’s plan for us. It allows us to grow toward what he wants us to become. The ability to taste the bitter is also the ability to taste the sweet.

It’s easy to look at changes and wonder how God could be unchangeable. But these changes reflect our understanding and preparedness for a higher law, not a change in God or his doctrines and principles.

As we examine our lives, we can choose to find gratitude for the goodness and the blessings that come with difficulty and disappointment.

We are not imposters. We need to remember our loving Heavenly Father. He knows everything about us, from our best to our worst, and he loves us anyway.

When we do seemingly small things on a regular basis, we are building up the brushstrokes of a beautiful masterpiece. Our homes will be strengthened as our faith grows. As Alma taught, “by small and simple things are great things brought to pass.”

Many times in our lives, we are asked to do hard things. But when we turn to Christ, we will be given strength to bear these burdens, just as he strengthened the people of Alma that their burdens became light.

How often do we let negative experiences color our perceptions? Are we giving others who have offended us the same allowance we would want in their place? We must reach out to those who have been forgotten, allow others to make up for bad experiences of our own, and resolve to judge things for what they are instead of for the situations that may surround them.

As we liken the scriptures to ourselves, we can find comfort and peace in our troubles and trials. We cannot choose which of these we face; only how we respond to them.

As Elder Holland reminded us, "Let us not burden our remembrance with a heaviness that's gone."