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!
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