This post is part of the General Conference Odyssey. This week covers the Priesthood session of the October 2013 General Conference.
Please forgive my inconsistency in posting. I didn't think it possible to "burnout" on gospel study. But I did, and took a break to ponder what my goal is and how best to reach it. It is possible to be studying for the wrong reasons.
This past week President Uchtdorf's talk hit me with force and helped me understand what to do.
Of all the principles taught by prophets over the centuries, one that has been emphasized over and over again is the hopeful and heartwarming message that mankind can repent, change course, and get back on the true path of discipleship.
Old age doesn't only bring wisdom (hopefully), but a tiredness that can lead to laziness. I'm finding it difficult to keep going sometimes. I get so weary of the constant pushing against the temptations of Satan. Temptations to just relax, to not care anymore, to give up because really, does it mean anything anymore? It takes so much effort and I'm tired.
Worldly sorrow pulls us down, extinguishes hope, and persuades us to give in to further temptation.
Well, yes, it does, Brother Uchtdorf. Thank you for the loving reminder!
When we make mistakes, when we sin and fall, let us think of what it means to truly repent. It means turning our heart and will to God and giving up sin. True heartfelt repentance brings with it the assurance that "we can do it now."
I have to remind myself that I am yoked, by covenant and choice, to the Savior and that He is strong enough to pull me along when I am weary because He never tires or runs out of strength. I just have to stay yoked and beside Him. My mission president (LeGrand R. Curtis Sr.) taught us that by being where we should be, doing what we should be doing, our spirit would catch up to our body and we would be succesful at staying on the path. I've found that to be true throughout my life. The hard part is being the one to remind and encourage myself.
If we see heathy eating and exercise as something only our doctor expects of us, we will likely fail. If we see these choices as who we are and who we want to become, we have a greater chance of staying the course and succeeding.
This is described as an identity mindset in the book Atomic Habits, and elsewhere. Believing in my mind and heart that I am something (a covenant follower of Jesus Christ) helps me continue when things are hard, rather than being obedient because someone else wants me to be, as when I was a child. I'm grateful for President Uchtdorf's urging to remember.
I love his closing encouragement!
My dear brethren, my dear friends, there will be times when you think you cannot continue on. Trust the Savior and His love. With faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and the power and hope of the restored gospel, you will be able to walk tall and continue on.
It was the shot in the arm I needed this past week.
