July 25, 2010

Tonight I read an article in the June 2010 Ensign by David A. Bednar. It is from a CES fireside at BYU Idaho in 2009 called Things As They Really Are. I loved this talk a lot. In fact, I first heard reference to it at a BYU women's conference back in April and I went home and read it then. This time reading it, there were a couple of things that really stood out to me in a new light. The first is this quote: "When any of Heavenly Father's children misuse their physical tabernacles by violating the law of chastity, by using drugs and addictive substances, by disfiguring or defacing themselves, or by worshipping the false idol of body image, whether their own or that of others, Satan is delighted." (in italics is the part that stood out to me.) I felt moved by the Spirit to stop and ponder that statement. In that time, I looked up the word "worship" and I thought about the term "body image." I realized I had uncovered one of Satan's deceptions that had been planted in me. I have found myself saying lately, "I know how to appreciate beauty," as a justification for indulging in inappropriate "worship of body image" when I see a man or woman who appears beautiful by the world's standards. This act minimizes the importance of our physical bodies because I believe it is objectifying the body and seeing an object rather than a person... a truly beautiful child of God. I am very grateful for the opportunity to uncover this deception within myself so I can correct my thoughts and perceptions.

I also really appreciated the two questions he suggests pondering and prayerfully studying: "1- Does the use of various technologies and media invite or impede the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost in your life? 2- Does the time you spend using various technologies and media enlarge or restrict your capacity to live, to love, and to serve in meaningful ways?" Those are really great questions that will help me to manage my use of and time with technology and media so that I am inviting the constant companionship of the Spirit and I am enlarging my capacity to live, love and serve. This is always a good thing to think about and evaluate because it can be so easy to justify enjoyable and entertaining media and technology that in reality impedes the Spirit and restricts my capacity to live, love and serve. Great, great questions. Thank you Elder Bednar!

The last thing that really stood out to me was what he shared about the qualities of the rising generation and in particular, our capacity for obedience. I have really had my testimony strengthened about the principle and importance of obedience. Elder Bednar says, "Obedience is the principle weapon upon which the rising generation must rely in the latter-day battle between good and evil." I love that concept of seeing obedience as a weapon against evil. He also says that "Obedience opens the door to the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost." What a fantastic tool and weapon obedience is. I loved at the end of his talk where he affirms that "righteousness will prevail. No unhallowed hand can stop this work from progressing." It fills my heart and soul with excitement, energy, joy and purpose those words and be reminded that my choice to live righteously and obediently places me on the winning team!