CH3 - The Greatest Revelation: Sustaining our stride

[Erudite]

My other "jump out at me" thought was in Elder Maxwell's quote: "Obviously this supernal spiritual style of leadership as thus set forth could not be sustained for long by anyone who was casual in his commitment or who was not making significant spiritual strides in developing the attributes of Jesus."

I guess this may jump out at me because I know it to be true. Not in the leadership sense, but I think you could replace that idea with "Obviously reaching for your best self could not be sustained..." This maybe should have been a blog rather than a discussion, but I wish that I could help everyone understand what I've come to understand in the "commitment and strides" departments.

Today in RS we had the lesson on scripture study and they kept saying stuff like "if you can't find time to read the scriptures, you could get them on CD" and "if you're too busy to read every day try printing and framing a favorite scripture so that you can at least look at it". I did raise my hand and point out that it has to be a priority. It has to be the first thing you do in a day. I feel strongly about this because I know when my commitment changed, my baby steps forward became strides and leaps and bounds. It doesn't happen until we put in the effort over time.

So I guess, one question that might go with these thoughts is how do we "sustain our stride"? 5D's thread called "Metamorphosis" answers some of this, but as we think about upping our commitment to the gospel through making changes in the way we interact with others, we also need to think about making the changes permanent.

[5ft Diva]

The beauty is that we're at different places of understanding and so because of that we can all help each other. I appreciate the depth that you can show me. I'll have to give this some thought.

[Joanie]

I agree with you. The gospel requires effort. Joseph Smith taught that if you don't put in effort it will not change you and why are we here? To be changed!!! So many of us think that a little bit is enough, as long as we're thinking about trying that will do it. I would have felt very frustrated in your RS. We talk about being pointed in the right direction but if a ship is pointed in the right direction but doesn't move it eventually isn't in the right direction any more...we drift. You have to make it a priority. It isn't easy but you have to do it. I feel like I am preaching and I'm sorry but I feel very passionately about this.
I had a neighbor that told me that she didn't read her scriptures because she was so busy raising her kids. She said that God would understand because she was so busy. I wanted to just scream and say God is trying to help you!!!! but you're too busy to let him! She felt like later would be fine.
Anyway, I'd best get off my soap box.

[Erudite]

Ah Joanie...we are so on the same page. My original post was considerably more acerbic and I felt bad that I was so critical of my sisters and re-wrote it to tone it down...since the whole point of this book discussion is to learn not to be critical. It's hard though when something has helped you and others are only "thinking" about it. I was very frustrated in my RS but I didn't want to jump down their throats with the scriptures in hand. I was as strong as I could be in my suggestion that it has to be a priority.

I'm discovering that what 5D said is the truth...we're each at a different spot. I find it frustrating sometimes to see where my RS sisters are and I'm working to not be frustrated, but to give them a "carrot" in my testimony that there is something wonderful ahead when we apply ourselves. SOOO much ahead. When I look at what is behind me, I'm continually amazed at what might be ahead. I'm pretty sure it only gets better!

[Joanie]

Thank you for the reminder about giving encouragement instead of criticism. Boy this is harder than it first would seem, isn't it? I am learning a lot through this forum. Thank you to everyone for contributing.