Happy Are Ye If Ye Do Them

October 31, 2010

Finding Love that Lasts

Respect Trust

Love

Without the foundation of respect and trust, love cannot

grow.

Respect does not require agreement, but it does require

patience, kindness and boundaries.

Trust in relationships is impossible without respect.

“It is better to be trusted than to be loved.” —David O. McKay

Lasting, romantic love is impossible without the

foundation ofrespect and trust.

“Love one another as I have loved you.” —John 13:34

Respect honors sacred boundaries, both before and

after marriage.

“And that which doth not edify is not of God, and is darkness.”

—D&C 50:23

Respect is always both affirming and validating. It always builds

up.

The Fortress thatProtects Love

Chastity is the fortress that protects love—love of God, love

of others and of self.

Too often, our first impulse is to pleasure not purity.

Keeping the law of chastity is critically important to the

stability of all our relationships.

Chastity is first secured within the boundaries of thought and

intent.

Inappropriate images, real or virtual, most often tempt men.

Inappropriate words, spoken or written, most often tempt

women.

High personal standards protectus from temptation.

Those standards also encourage us to keep the commandments.

Keeping the commandments protects love and chastity.

Modesty in thought, word, action and dress also protects chastity.

Chastity:The Fortress

Modesty

Commandments

Standards

Pride

“Pride is a deadly cancer.It is a gateway sin.”—Dieter F. Uchtdorf

The night of sin is always preceded by the dusk of pride.

Pride is the fruit of disdain–disdain for others and for God.

Pride is self-deception and the first treason against self.

Gratitude is the solvent that dissolves pride.

You cannot feel grateful without also feeling humble.

Humility opens the doorthat pride closes.

Guilt

Guilt often triggers pride.

Guilt can provoke us to blame others for our troubles and to blame our behavior on others.

Guilt offers us two choices:blame or personal responsibility.

Guilt is a call to positive action,a call to positive change.

Two Paths

We have a choice between two paths in our communication.

Those paths start with eitherself-awareness and self-betrayal.

Self-betrayalPrideJudgmentBlameAngerDivisionDissolutionHatredWar

Self-awarenessHumilityPatience

ResponsibilityJoy

UnityResolution

LovePeace

What path are you on inyour communication?

Unmet Needs

“Jesus saw sin as wrong but also was able to see sin as springing

from deep and unmet needson the part of the sinner.”

—Spencer W. Kimball

Nothing speaks louder to a person than their unmet needs.

Unmet needs speak louder than laws, rules, commandments,

those who love us, the appeal of reason

or common sense.

We each must patiently discover how to meet those genuine

needs, either for others and for ourselves.

In Malice Be Ye Children

Children bring us joy justby being themselves.

“Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little

child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” —Matthew

18:4

“Be not children in understanding: howbeit in

malice be ye children, but in understanding be men.”—1 Corinthians 14:20

Sin is despair, and despair is not being willing to one’s true self.

—Kierkegaard

We cannot be completely at peace without being our true

selves.

Testimony

Doubt is the servant of neglect.

Testimony is always the fruit offaith in action.

“And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.” —Jeremiah

29:13

Recovering from a Personal Drought

We know what to do, but don’t always know how to do it.

Observing our devotions to God with real intent makes

all the difference.

Elder Yoshihiko Kikuchi’scounsel to the Carey

IdahoStake (Ensign, May

2007).

1. Faithfully pay an honest tithe, both young and old.

2. Humbly hold regular individual and family prayers.

3. Devotedly have daily personal and family scripture study.

4. Thankfully keep the Sabbath day holy.

5. Gratefully go to the temple often, there offering

thanksgiving.

6. Willingly sustain and follow…leaders.

7. Hold a…fast, including everyone …who would like to

participate.

The Master’s great successformula from HartmanRector, Jr. (Ensign, May 1979).

First, believe you can do it.

Second, look to the Lord for your blessings.

Third, make the sacrifice.

Fourth, expect a miracle.

And fifth, receive the miracle with great humility.

In Conclusion

Respect, trust, and loveone another.

Overcome pride throughgratitude and humility.

Guilt is a gift to help us overcome sin and weakness.

Follow the path to peacein all your communication.

Be your true, best self.

Strengthen your testimony by putting your faith into action.

Overcome personal drought by yielding your heart to God.

“If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.” —John

13:17

God bless you all!