It’s
remarkable how much we can learn about life by studying nature. For
example, scientists can look at the rings of trees and make educated
guesses about climate and growing conditions hundreds and even thousands
of years ago. One of the things we learn from studying the growth of
trees is that during seasons when conditions are ideal, trees grow at a
normal rate. However, during seasons when growing conditions are not
ideal, trees slow down their growth and devote their energy to the basic
elements necessary for survival.
At
this point some of you may be thinking, “That’s all very fine and good,
but what does it have to do with flying an airplane?” Well, let me tell
you.
Have
you ever been in an airplane and experienced turbulence? The most
common cause of turbulence is a sudden change in air movement causing
the aircraft to pitch, yaw, and roll. While planes are built to
withstand far greater turbulence than anything you would encounter on a
regular flight, it still may be disconcerting to passengers.
What
do you suppose pilots do when they encounter turbulence? A student
pilot may think that increasing speed is a good strategy because it will
get them through the turbulence faster. But that may be the wrong thing
to do. Professional pilots understand that there is an optimum
turbulence penetration speed that will minimize the negative effects of
turbulence. And most of the time that would mean to reduce your speed.
The same principle applies also to speed bumps on a road.
Therefore,
it is good advice to slow down a little, steady the course, and focus
on the essentials when experiencing adverse conditions.
The Pace of Modern Life
This
is a simple but critical lesson to learn. It may seem logical when put
in terms of trees or turbulence, but it’s surprising how easy it is to
ignore this lesson when it comes to applying these principles in our own
daily lives. When stress levels rise, when distress appears, when
tragedy strikes, too often we attempt to keep up the same frantic pace
or even accelerate, thinking somehow that the more rushed our pace, the
better off we will be.
One
of the characteristics of modern life seems to be that we are moving at
an ever-increasing rate, regardless of turbulence or obstacles.
Let’s
be honest; it’s rather easy to be busy. We all can think up a list of
tasks that will overwhelm our schedules. Some might even think that
their self-worth depends on the length of their to-do list. They flood
the open spaces in their time with lists of meetings and minutia—even
during times of stress and fatigue. Because they unnecessarily
complicate their lives, they often feel increased frustration,
diminished joy, and too little sense of meaning in their lives.
It
is said that any virtue when taken to an extreme can become a vice.
Overscheduling our days would certainly qualify for this. There comes a
point where milestones can become millstones and ambitions, albatrosses
around our necks.
What Is the Solution?
The
wise understand and apply the lessons of tree rings and air turbulence.
They resist the temptation to get caught up in the frantic rush of
everyday life. They follow the advice “There is more to life than
increasing its speed.”
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In short, they focus on the things that matter most.
Elder
Dallin H. Oaks, in a recent general conference, taught, “We have to
forego some good things in order to choose others that are better or
best because they develop faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and strengthen
our families.”
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The
search for the best things inevitably leads to the foundational
principles of the gospel of Jesus Christ—the simple and beautiful truths
revealed to us by a caring, eternal, and all-knowing Father in Heaven.
These core doctrines and principles, though simple enough for a child to
understand, provide the answers to the most complex questions of life.
There
is a beauty and clarity that comes from simplicity that we sometimes do
not appreciate in our thirst for intricate solutions.
For
example, it wasn’t long after astronauts and cosmonauts orbited the
earth that they realized ballpoint pens would not work in space. And so
some very smart people went to work solving the problem. It took
thousands of hours and millions of dollars, but in the end, they
developed a pen that could write anywhere, in any temperature, and on
nearly any surface. But how did the astronauts and cosmonauts get along
until the problem was solved? They simply used a pencil.
Leonardo da Vinci is quoted as saying that “simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.”
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When we look at the foundational principles of the plan of
happiness, the plan of salvation, we can recognize and appreciate in its
plainness and simplicity the elegance and beauty of our Heavenly
Father’s wisdom. Then, turning our ways to His ways is the beginning of
our wisdom.
The Power of Basics
The
story is told that the legendary football coach Vince Lombardi had a
ritual he performed on the first day of training. He would hold up a
football, show it to the athletes who had been playing the sport for
many years, and say, “Gentlemen, … this is a football!” He talked
about its size and shape, how it can be kicked, carried, or passed. He
took the team out onto the empty field and said, “This is a football
field.” He walked them around, describing the dimensions, the shape, the
rules, and how the game is played.
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This
coach knew that even these experienced players, and indeed the team,
could become great only by mastering the fundamentals. They could spend
their time practicing intricate trick plays, but until they mastered the
fundamentals of the game, they would never become a championship team.
I
think most of us intuitively understand how important the fundamentals
are. It is just that we sometimes get distracted by so many things that
seem more enticing.
Printed
material, wide-ranging media sources, electronic tools and gadgets—all
helpful if used properly—can become hurtful diversions or heartless
chambers of isolation.
Yet
amidst the multitude of voices and choices, the humble Man of Galilee
stands with hands outstretched, waiting. His is a simple message: “Come,
follow me.”
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And He does not speak with a powerful megaphone but with a still, small voice.
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It is so easy for the basic gospel message to get lost amidst the deluge of information that hits us from all sides.
The
holy scriptures and the spoken word of the living prophets give
emphasis to the fundamental principles and doctrines of the gospel. The
reason we return to these foundational principles, to the pure
doctrines, is because they are the gateway to truths of profound
meaning. They are the door to experiences of sublime importance that
would otherwise be beyond our capacity to comprehend. These simple,
basic principles are the key to living in harmony with God and man. They
are the keys to opening the windows of heaven. They lead us to the
peace, joy, and understanding that Heavenly Father has promised to His
children who hear and obey Him.
My
dear brothers and sisters, we would do well to slow down a little,
proceed at the optimum speed for our circumstances, focus on the
significant, lift up our eyes, and truly see the things that matter
most. Let us be mindful of the foundational precepts our Heavenly Father
has given to His children that will establish the basis of a rich and
fruitful mortal life with promises of eternal happiness. They will teach
us to do “all these things … in wisdom and order; for it is not
requisite that [we] should run faster than [we have] strength. [But] it
is expedient that [we] should be diligent, [and] thereby … win the
prize.”
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Brothers
and sisters, diligently doing the things that matter most will lead us
to the Savior of the world. That is why “we talk of Christ, we rejoice
in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ, … that [we] may
know to what source [we] may look for a remission of [our] sins.”
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In the complexity, confusion, and rush of modern living, this is the “more excellent way.”
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So What Are the Basics?
As
we turn to our Heavenly Father and seek His wisdom regarding the things
that matter most, we learn over and over again the importance of four
key relationships: with our God, with our families, with our fellowman,
and with ourselves. As we evaluate our own lives with a willing mind, we
will see where we have drifted from the more excellent way. The eyes of
our understanding will be opened, and we will recognize what needs to
be done to purify our heart and refocus our life.
First,
our relationship with God is most sacred and vital. We are His spirit
children. He is our Father. He desires our happiness. As we seek Him, as
we learn of His Son, Jesus Christ, as we open our hearts to the
influence of the Holy Spirit, our lives become more stable and secure.
We experience greater peace, joy, and fulfillment as we give our best to
live according to God’s eternal plan and keep His commandments.
We
improve our relationship with our Heavenly Father by learning of Him,
by communing with Him, by repenting of our sins, and by actively
following Jesus Christ, for “no man cometh unto the Father, but by
[Christ].”
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To strengthen our relationship with God, we need some
meaningful time alone with Him. Quietly focusing on daily personal
prayer and scripture study, always aiming to be worthy of a current
temple recommend—these will be some wise investments of our time and
efforts to draw closer to our Heavenly Father. Let us heed the
invitation in Psalms: “Be still, and know that I am God.”
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Our second key relationship is with our families. Since “no other success can compensate for failure”
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here, we must place high priority on our families. We build
deep and loving family relationships by doing simple things together,
like family dinner and family home evening and by just having fun
together. In family relationships love is really spelled t-i-m-e,
time. Taking time for each other is the key for harmony at home. We
talk with, rather than about, each other. We learn from each other, and
we appreciate our differences as well as our commonalities. We establish
a divine bond with each other as we approach God together through
family prayer, gospel study, and Sunday worship.
The
third key relationship we have is with our fellowman. We build this
relationship one person at a time—by being sensitive to the needs of
others, serving them, and giving of our time and talents. I was deeply
impressed by one sister who was burdened with the challenges of age and
illness but decided that although she couldn’t do much, she could
listen. And so each week she watched for people who looked troubled or
discouraged, and she spent time with them, listening. What a blessing
she was in the lives of so many people.
The
fourth key relationship is with ourselves. It may seem odd to think of
having a relationship with ourselves, but we do. Some people can’t get
along with themselves. They criticize and belittle themselves all day
long until they begin to hate themselves. May I suggest that you reduce
the rush and take a little extra time to get to know yourself better.
Walk in nature, watch a sunrise, enjoy God’s creations, ponder the
truths of the restored gospel, and find out what they mean for you
personally. Learn to see yourself as Heavenly Father sees you—as His
precious daughter or son with divine potential.
Rejoice in the Pure Gospel
Brothers
and sisters, let us be wise. Let us turn to the pure doctrinal waters
of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. Let us joyfully partake of them
in their simplicity and plainness. The heavens are open again. The
gospel of Jesus Christ is on earth once more, and its simple truths are a
plentiful source of joy!
Brothers
and sisters, indeed we have great reason to rejoice. If life and its
rushed pace and many stresses have made it difficult for you to feel
like rejoicing, then perhaps now is a good time to refocus on what
matters most.
Strength
comes not from frantic activity but from being settled on a firm
foundation of truth and light. It comes from placing our attention and
efforts on the basics of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. It comes
from paying attention to the divine things that matter most.
Let
us simplify our lives a little. Let us make the changes necessary to
refocus our lives on the sublime beauty of the simple, humble path of
Christian discipleship—the path that leads always toward a life of
meaning, gladness, and peace. For this I pray, as I leave you my
blessing, in the sacred name of Jesus Christ, amen.
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