Life's lessons

There are times in life when lessons come, whether hard or easy. You may bring them on yourself, or they may come as a surprise.

The lessons learned are interesting and oftentimes wonderful (if you look at it the right way). They teach us much about who we are and the people we associate ourselves with.

It is so intriguing how the Lord chooses to teach us. We are all unique and feel and learn in different ways. He knows that and is able to help us individually. I think this is one of the many things that amazes me about the gospel and about our Heavenly Father. He not only knows each of us individually, but he knows how to teach and guide us.

Recognizing how He does so will be ever so important in our future. President James E. Faust said in the January Ensign, "In the future the opposition will be more subtle and more open... We will need greater spirituality to perceive all of the forms of evil and greater strength to resist it."

While I was re-reading his talk there was something that stuck out to me. He said, "Satan became the devil by seeking glory, power, and dominion by force."

In thinking about this phrase, I think about the way we teach, especially our children. Are we teaching them? or are we trying to force them to do something?

This is the great difference between the plan of Jesus Christ and Satan's. Christ sought to teach us, Satan sought to force us. What are we doing in our lives?

Elder Jeffery R. Holland said, "For each of us to "come unto Christ," to keep His commandments and follow His example back to the Father is surely the highest and holiest purpose of human existence. To help others do that as well - to teach, persuade, and prayerfully lead them to walk that path of redemption also - surely that must be the second most significant task in our lives. Perhaps that is why President David O. McKay once said, "No greater responsibility can rest upon any man [or woman] than to be a teacher of God's children.""

We need each other to strengthen and teach.

Tonight I ran into an acquaintance. He was recently called to be a Gospel Doctrine Teacher. In the process of the conversation, he said he was intimidated because it was a class full of RM's and people who have roamed the earth lots longer than he has. I told him not to fret because it would be great preparation for his mission.

In that time, it came to me how sometimes we get comfortable in the gospel and stop remembering the basics. On the mission there are many people who think they know all the answers, and it is good for them to be taught by someone who may not be as versed. This helps us as members to remember the simple links that lead to the greater knowledge and the windows of heaven opening to us.

President Gordon B. Hinckley said, "Effective teaching is the very essence of leadership in the Church."

How important it is to allow us to be taught the important lessons in life, then in turn becoming as Nicodemus said to the Savior early in his ministry, "Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God."