“There are times when you might feel aimless
You can't see the places where you belong
But you will find that there is a purpose
It's been there within you all along and when you're near it
You can almost hear it.
It's like a symphony just keep listening
And pretty soon you'll start to figure out your part
Everyone plays a piece and there are melodies
In each one of us, oh, it's glorious
You will know how to let it ring out as you discover who you are
Others around you will start to wake up
To the sounds that are in their hearts
It's so amazing what we're all creating”
- Glorious (Sung by David Archuleta)
Our theme in stake conference was “hastening the work of salvation”. Through all the talks and words that were expressed it really made me think about how we all have a contribution to make. It can be hard sometimes, feeling the pressure mount and people placing expectations on you to do certain things. In this case we need to seek vertical validation (approval from our Heavenly Father) and not horizontal validation (the approval of people). As long as you know that the choice you are making is a righteous choice and as long as your Heavenly Father approves and trusts you with the choice you are making, then it doesn’t matter what other people think, when you wholly have your Heavenly Father’s approval, you’re bullet proof and the opinions and judgements of others don’t matter so much.
That being said, I know that everyone has something great to contribute to the kingdom of God. We are all blessed with divine talents and abilities. The stake president’s wife, Sister Simmons said last night: “The Lord knows the desires of our hearts, he will bless us accordingly.” She went on to say “Missions come in all different shapes, sizes, forms and places. There is no ‘one size’ fits all.” What is right for one person may not be the right thing for another, but if we all are in tune with the Spirit and do our part, we will receive the personal revelation and guidance we need to discover what it is we need to do. In Alma 1:26 it says; “And when the priests left their labor to impart the word of God unto the people, the people also left their labors to hear the word of God. And when the priest had imparted unto them the word of God they all returned again diligently unto their labors; and the priest, not esteeming himself above his hearers, for the preacher was no better than the hearer, neither was the teacher any better than the learner; and thus they were all equal, and they did all labor, every man according to his strength.” I love this scripture! No one is better or higher up than another. We are all equal, in this scripture they all worked hard and did their best according to their strengths and abilities. I love that concept! No calling is too small as long as you strive to do your very best and fulfill your calling to the best of your abilities. As the song lyrics go, “Everyone plays a piece and there are melodies in each of us…” The Lord needs each of us in our abilities. Our call to build up the kingdom may not be as recognizable as some, it may be behind the scenes or a small contribution, but it is not worth any more or less than someone else’s. As long as we give it our all and trust in the Lord, we can make a difference. The Lord has an assignment for each of us to build up his Kingdom. It is our task to be in tune enough to figure it out and follow through with it.
As members, we are all missionaries. We all know someone who could use the blessing of the Gospel in our lives. We all know someone we can serve. Everyone, everyone has a contribution to make. A scripture that illustrates this is Mark 12:41-44 “And Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much. And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing. And he called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury: For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living.” If we give Him all our heart and willingness to serve Him in our capacities, and stay in tune with the promptings of the Spirit, He will recognize our efforts and we will be blessed.
A member of the Logan Temple presidency, President Luthey came and spoke to us, he said “I know the potential of this generation, I hope that you will live for it.” Wow! We have such a great potential as sons and daughters of our Heavenly Father, who loves us even more than we can comprehend. We need to do our part and live up to the great potential that is within us. Each of us has a light to share, everyday we have something to give. We need to recognize that everyone’s call is unique and divine, intended just for them. Isn’t that a great thought? Knowing that we, personally have the capabilities to serve our Heavenly Father and he will guide us to know just how we can do that and live up to our eternal potential.
I included a video we watched in stake conference that really illustrates that everyone has the potential to serve in their everyday lives. :)
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