How Do We Seek for a Better World?

My Come Follow Me studies for this week took me to Doctrine and Covenants 23-26 in a lesson titled “Seek for the Things of a Better World.” The lesson was introduced by the following information. 

For most people, being baptized is a reverent, peaceful experience. The baptism of Emma Smith and others, however, was disrupted by a mob who mocked them, threatened them, and forced them to flee. Later, just as Joseph was about to confirm the new members, he was arrested for upsetting the community with his preaching. In all this opposition, how could Emma find reassurance that she was doing the right thing? The same place we can all find it—through revelation from the Lord. He spoke to Emma about “the things of a better [world]”—His kingdom—and her place in it. He told her not to fear, to “lift up [her] heart and rejoice,” and to “cleave unto the covenants [she had] made.” And these words of encouragement and counsel are His “voice unto all” (Doctrine and Covenants 25:9-10, 13, 16).

Some principles taught in this scripture block include the following: (1) The Savior can lift me “up out of [my] afflictions” (Doctrine and Covenants 24), (2) I have an important role to play in God’s kingdom (Doctrine and Covenants 25), (3) “Continue in the spirit of meekness” (Doctrine and Covenants 25:5, 14), (4) “Lay aside the things of this world, and seek for the things of a better” (Doctrine and Covenants 25: 10, 13), (5) The delights in my “song of the heart” (Doctrine and Covenants 25:11-12), and (6) “All things shall be done by common consent in the church” (Doctrine and Covenants 26:2).

This essay will discuss principle #4 “Lay aside the things of this world, and seek for the things of a better” (Doctrine and Covenants 25: 10, 13). As you ponder this counsel from the Lord, you might consider the “things of this world” that the Lord wants you to “lay aside.” Then you could make a list of “things of a better [world]” that He wants you to seek. You could lay aside one thing from the first list and seek one thing from the second list. Now we will look at the scripture reference itself.

10 And verily I say unto thee that thou shalt lay aside the things of this world, and seek for the things of a better.

13 Wherefore, lift up thy heart and rejoice, and cleave unto the covenants which thou hast made.

President Russell M. Nelson gave the following counsel and promises about “[putting] aside many things of this world” (“Spiritual Treasures,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2019). 

President Nelson spoke of how John the Baptist restored the Aaronic Priesthood, followed by the restoration of the Melchizedek Priesthood by the Apostles Peter, James, and John. All this happened in Harmony, Pennsylvania, where Joseph and Emma Smith lived.

According to President Nelson and this scripture, Joseph received in Harmony a revelation explaining what the Lord would have Emma do. In addition to other instructions, Emma was counseled to “lay aside the things of this world and seek for the things of a better” (verse 10). She was also told to “cleave unto the covenants which thou hast made” (verse 13). The Lord ended the revelation: “This is my voice unto all” (verse 16). How will you follow the counsel of President Nelson?

             Everything that happened in this area has profound implications for your lives. The restoration                 of the priesthood, along with the Lord’s counsel to Emma, can guide and bless each of you….                 Because the Melchizedek Priesthood has been restored, both covenant-keeping women and men             have access to “all the spiritual blessings of the church” or, we might say, to all the spiritual                     treasures the Lord has for His children.

Every woman and every man who makes covenants with God and keeps those covenants, and who participates worthily in priesthood ordinances, has direct access to the power of God. Those who are endowed in the house of the Lord receive a gift of God’s priesthood power by virtue of their covenant, along with a gift of knowledge to know how to draw upon that power….

Now, you might be saying to yourself, “This sounds wonderful, but how do I do it? How do I draw the Savior’s power into my life?”

You won’t find this process spelled out in any manual. The Holy Ghost will be your personal tutor as you seek to understand what the Lord would have you know and do. This process is neither quick nor easy, but it is spiritually invigorating. What could possibly be more exciting than to labor with the Spirit to understand God’s power – priesthood power?

What I can tell you is that accessing the power of God in your life requires the same things that the Lord instructed Emma and each of you to do.

So, I invite you to study prayerfully section 25 of the Doctrine and Covenants and discover what the Holy Ghost will teach you. Your personal spiritual endeavor will bring you joy as you gain, understand, and use the power with which you have been endowed.

Part of this endeavor will require you to put aside many things of this world. Sometimes we speak almost casually about walking away from the world with its contention, pervasive temptations, and false philosophies.

But truly doing so requires you to examine your life meticulously and regularly. As you do so, the Holy Ghost will prompt you about what is no longer needful, what is no longer worthy of your time and energy.

As you shift your focus away from worldly distractions, some things that seem important to you now will recede in priority. You will need to say no to some things, even though they may seem harmless. As you embark upon and continue this lifelong process of consecrating your life to the Lord, the changes in your perspective, feelings, and spiritual strength will amaze you! …

We Latter-day Saints are not of the world; we are of covenant Israel. We are called to prepare a people for the Second Coming of the Lord.