“This last year is one for the record books.”
“Lessons I had learned before have been written on my heart anew.”
As I have watched workers removing things as part of the Salt Lake Temple renovation I have thought about the need for each of us to remove past debris, with the Savior’s help, from our lives.
This last year has been one for the record books. No doubt we have each learned things we did not know previously. Some lessons that I knew before have been written on my heart in new and instructive ways.
For example, I know for sure that the Lord directs the affairs of His Church. He said, “I will show [you] that I am able to do mine own work.”
Often, my counselors and I have watched through tear-brimmed eyes as He has interceded in extremely challenging circumstances after we had done our best and could do no more. We do indeed stand all amazed.
We should never forget that it is not the prophet who is omniscient when he does things that seem so.
My dear brothers and sisters, the strength of the Church lies in the efforts and ever-growing testimonies of its members. Testimonies are best cultivated in the home. During this past year, many of you have dramatically increased the study of the gospel in your homes. I thank you, and your children will thank you.
Some of us are seeking to dramatically increase gospel study in our homes now. We hope or children will come to thank us later.
The huge project to renovate the Salt Lake Temple continues. From my office I have a front-row seat to watch the work taking place on the temple plaza.
As I have watched workers dig out old tree roots, plumbing, wiring, and a leaky fountain, I have thought about the need for each of us to remove, with the Savior’s help, the old debris in our lives.
I need to remove anger and frustration with others – especially my children. Unfortunately, like holly bushes, even if I have once cleared the ground there will be roots continuing to grow in the ground which can shoot up a new bush because my children will continue to do frustrating things and I must be ever vigilant to end the cycle rather than acting out of frustration and accelerating the cycle.
The gospel of Jesus Christ is a gospel of repentance. Because of the Savior’s Atonement, His gospel provides an invitation to keep changing, growing, and becoming more pure. It is a gospel of hope, of healing, and of progress. Thus, the gospel is a message of joy! Our spirits rejoice with every small step forward we take.
I like the emphasis on “more pure” because it is not a binary switch but a graduated process of degrees.
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