Making goals has been a life-long quest for me. They have also evolved over the years, just as I have. What started out as lists years ago, are now verses taken from the scriptures.
This year's scripture is found in D&C 93:28.
He that keepth God's commandments receiveth truth and light, until he is glorified in truth and knoweth all things.President Monson said, "A knowledge of truth and the answers to our greatest questions come to us as we are obedient to the commandments of God."
Obedience is a hallmark of prophets; it has provided strength and knowledge to them throughout the ages. We, as well, are entitled to this source of strength and knowledge. It is available to each of us as we obey God's commandments."
In the January 2017's First Presidency message by Dieter F. Uchtodorf, he said that too often, as members of the church, we choose our favorite gospel topic, draw a bull's-eye around it, and then make a case that we have identified the center of the gospel.
In the Savior's day, a group of religious scholars asked the Master "which is the great commandment in the law?" And Jesus answered, "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. "This is the first and great commandment. "And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. "On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets." The Savior not only showed us the target, but He also identified the bull's-eye.
"If our primary focus, thoughts, and efforts are centered on increasing our love for Almighty God and extending our hearts to others, we can know that we have found the right target and are aiming at the bulls-eye-becoming true disciples of Jesus Christ."
To me, aiming at the bulls-eye is being obedient. Nephi, a Book of Mormon prophet, was a perfect example of obedience. Read about my post of Nephi here.
I like to make a book mark with my chosen scripture for the year and place it in my day planner which I use every day. That way I can be reminded of of what I am aiming for during the year.
I want to be obedient because I know it always leads to happiness and will lead me home to live with Father In Heaven and Jesus Christ again. And as promised in the scripture, being obedient leads to truth and light. It is my desire to come to know all things.To experience that light. I know I can because He has made that promise to me. Being in the temple and learning in the Lord's way further expounds upon this principle and promise.
I love this verse because I know if I am obedient and love the Lord and live as he lived and taught, that I am aiming for the ultimate prize... that of eternal life. Every day, once a week, and every month, I will be mindful and strive to live obediently to the principles of the gospel of Jesus Christ. It really is that simple. Will I be perfect in my goal? No! But I will be aiming!
It's going to be a good year!
