What Matters Most to You?

Wise parents will teach their children three important matters: (1) agency is given to each mortal before they are born, is part of God’s plan for the eternal happiness of His children, and is essential to making correct choices. (2) Each person needs to choose what is most important to them, and wise people choose Christ every day. (3) No one, besides Christ, can save themselves, and only Christ can perfect us. Such teachings will strengthen families, and strong families strengthen communities, states, and nations.

In her article published in the Deseret News, Amy Ortiz shared her notes from a talk given by Elder Alexander Dushku at a BYU Devotional. Elder Dushku is a General Authority Seventy and General Counsel of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. 

When Julius Caesar made the fateful decision to cross the Rubicon River with one of his legions in January 49 B.C., he knew exactly what the act meant.

The crossing was an act of treason that would incite civil war against Rome. Nevertheless, Caesar marched forward, reportedly declaring, “Alez iacta est,” or “the die is cast.”

He clarified that Caesar was no role model, but said that his actions indicate Caesar understood a powerful truth: “The time comes when you and I must choose what matters most to us.”

In a time of great opportunities and great challenges, “now is the time to cross the Rubicon of faith and never look back,” Elder Dushku said. “now is the time to decide to be all in for the Lord.” …

He listed several ways individuals can choose to center their lives around Christ, including:

·       Praying with real intent.

·       Feasting upon Christ’s words in the scriptures.

·       Choosing to repent of sin and return to Christ.

·       Choosing to keep covenants and obey God’s commandments out of love and loyalty.

·       Partaking of the sacrament with a broken heart and a contrite spirit.

·       Choosing to always remember Christ.

·       Choosing to love and serve others in Christ’s name.

Christ’s loving invitations are constant and always personal, Elder Dushku said. The “fundamental choice” each has to face is between Christ and the world.

“When the adversary presses in and temptations come,” he said, “we must remember that we are choosing in that moment what we love most.”

“Choose Christ” daily and in those moments, Elder Dushku pleaded. Choose Christ “because He loved you first, and because you love Him most.”