W14 Child & Family Advocacy
When checking your desires or motives for preparing the talk you might ask yourself some of the following questions:
- Is your preparation driven by fear looking incompetent?
- Are you hoping to be seen as a good speaker?
- Will the success of your talk be determined by the number positive comments you receive afterward?
If you answered "yes" to any of the questions above then perhaps there is too much focus on self in your motives and not enough focus on God and others' needs.
Compare those questions with the following three questions:
- Have you prayed to know what message the Lord would have you deliver?
- Are you thinking about the individual needs and struggles of the Saints in your ward or branch?
- How concerned are you about having the Spirit with you in both your preparation and delivery?
- Do you personally feel that time is more valuable than money, education, or health? Why or why not?
- What are you personally spending too much time on that does not satisfy (see Isaiah 55:1–2)? The more we are engaged in the work of the Lord, the less time we have for useless cares.
- In other words, what pigs are you carrying around that you need to let go of? (see p. 6 of Why Time Matters)
- What do you want out of life? How can you make your time matter? What is the right use of your time? (see p. 8 of Why Time Matters)
A profound quote from these readings: “These questions about time are in fact questions about the meaning of life, and to answer them for yourself, you may need a Bible, Torah, Koran, or a quiet mountain stream.” (see p. 9)
D. Todd Christofferson: Ironically, it sometimes takes hard work to find wholesome leisure. When entertainment turns from virtue to vice, it becomes a destroyer of the consecrated life.
...One who lives a consecrated life does not seek to take advantage of another but, if anything, will turn the other cheek and, if required to deliver a coat, will give the cloak also (see Matthew 5:39–40). The Savior’s sternest rebukes were to hypocrites. Hypocrisy is terribly destructive, not only to the hypocrite but also to those who observe or know of his or her conduct, especially children. It is faith destroying, whereas honor is the rich soil in which the seed of faith thrives.
Optional Videos
Bringing America—and the World—Together
If the 2020 Presidential election in the United States and the COVID-19 pandemic tells us anything, it is that there is substantial polarization of values and beliefs. Unfortunately, it appears that many throughout the world today struggle practicing love and civility when discussing masks, vaccines, and especially political candidates. Dr. Arthur Brooks is the author of several books, a Harvard professor and former President of the American Enterprise Institute. He considers himself a conservative that grew up in a very liberal household. In his presentation below, he emphasizes the importance of finding balance and wisdom in approaching solving societal issues. As you watch Dr. Brooks, reflect on all that you have learned in this lesson, especially the relationship between your heart and your actions while understanding others perspectives.
(34:50 mins, "Arthur Brooks" Transcript)
Loving My LGBT Neighbor
To thicken the plot even more, watch this speech by author Glen Stanton (an evangelical Christian) on how Christians can and should love their LGBT neighbor.
(16:59 mins, "Loving My LGBT Neighbor" Transcript)
Note how Mr. Stanton offers his own version of God's love and God's law, or in his words God's grace and God's truth. He emphasizes that Christ is full of both grace and truth, or as we have been calling it, both love and law. One of the important declarations this evangelical Christian offers is: "Truth by itself is abusive. Grace by itself is mushy sentimentalism" or rather, indulgence. Mr. Stanton's ideas appear to be in line with what we studied in our last page, but you will need to decide for yourself if that is a correct assumption.
Comments
Post a Comment