Thursday, March 6, 2014

God Knows Our Potential

                We can bring the greatest of all liberties into our individual lives by living true and correct principles.  This liberty comes to us as we learn to live as though Jesus Christ were walking beside us.  We gain this freedom as we invite the Holy Ghost into our lives.

                  The liberty principle for today is the last of a series of true principles suggested by Elder Richard G. Scott in his book
21 Principles – Divine Truths to Help You Live by the Spirit.  I will merely introduce the principle and suggest that you obtain Elder Scott’s book in order to truly understand this principle.  Elder Scott explained that principles “are concentrated truth, packaged for application to a wide variety of circumstances.  A true principle makes decisions clear even under the most confusing and challenging circumstances.”  You can see principle #1 “True Principles of Freedom” here.  

                  Principle #21 is the simple fact that we should put our trust in God and not judge ourselves because we simply do not have all the facts yet.  Heavenly Father knows our potential; He knows what we can become with His assistance.  He knows our weaknesses and strengths and how to turn our weaknesses into more strengths.  He also knows what it is that He would have us accomplish while we are on earth.  He knows the mission He gave to each of His children, and He will help us accomplish it if we will trust Him and rely on His guidance.

                Elder Scott stated, “Most of us think we know our own limits, but much of what we `know’ isn’t knowledge at all, but belief:  erroneous, self-limiting belief.  When we live righteously, study conscientiously, striving to do what is right because we want to, because it is our personal choice to do so, we release the power of the Lord in our lives.  This exercise of moral agency permits inspiration to flow into our minds and hearts, and we are strengthened and supported from on high.  As members of the Church, we have the gift of the Holy Ghost, which can give us a tremendous assist over others of equivalent background and native capacity….

                “With all my capacity I encourage you to discover who you really are.  I invite you to look beyond the daily routine of life.  I urge you to discern through the Spirit your divinely given capacities.  I exhort you to prayerfully make worthy choices that will lead you to realize your full potential.  When you push against the boundaries of experience into the twilight of the unknown, the Lord will strengthen you.  The beauty of your eternal soul will begin to unfold….

                “Your goals may be noble, but you decide by the choices you make each day whether they will be realized or not.  A knowledge of truth is of little value unless lived in full measure.

                “The foundation of happiness is to work hard and to obey willingly the principles of truth, confident that the Lord will open doors of help when needed.  Our Father in Heaven will not violate His plan.  He will note give eternal blessings to those who want them but have not paid the price in repentance (when needed) and consistent obedience.  All of the richest blessings Father in Heaven has in store are within the reach of every individual who submits to the will of the Father and consistently lives His commandments and receives all of the ordinances and covenants he or she is able to have in this life” (pp. 99-102).


                I know that Heavenly Father and His Son, even Jesus Christ, stand ready to assist us as we struggle through this life.  They know that agency is important to our growth.  They will assist us when we ask for help, but They will not disrespect our agency by forcing us to do things.  They know that our decisions will determine our destinies, but They allow us to choose for ourselves.  I know beyond doubt that we have a Heavenly Father who loves each one of us.  I know that He knows each of us by name.  I know that He desires each of us to return to His presence.  I know that He send the Savior to prepare the way for us that we may all walk back into Their presence and enjoy eternal life with Them.

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