I have frequently pondered on the word "desire." So much so that it is one of three words I seek out to highlight in my scriptures. My mission president often talked about it and how important it is / was in our daily work. Desire, good or bad, can lead to consequences, good or bad.
On Sunday we had some excellent talks, one highlighted Nephi's encounter with an angel. One of the first questions the angel asks is, "What desirest thou?"
Pleasure is the thought of when we feel like giving up and settling for something less because it will make us happy right now.
Joy is waiting on the timing of the Lord with patience because we know it will not be fleeting, but everlasting.
I have pondered this for a while because I watch my students each day fill daily pleasures. They don't want to go to class, so they sluff (pleasure) and eventually loose their attendance credit. Somewhere they end up spending more time in community service and make up homework to redeem their choice. Most of them get so far in the hole that they cannot graduate or do so by the hair of their chinny-chin-chin. They have no sight of the joy that will come from being in class and not having to backtrack to salvage their grade.
We do the same thing every day. Choices are made because they make us happy right now. We are hindered in our ability to step back and take in the big picture to find out what will bring us the most joy.
Perhaps this is the reason why it is so important to keep God in our lives each day. He will never lead us astray, and he will help us to keep perspective. The Master is ever watchful of us and longs to help us fulfill our righteous desires.
So, the question remains, "What desirest thou?"
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