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Because of Jesus Christ (Video)
During my later teen years, my brother and I would go to Idaho to work on my Uncle Rex’s farm in the summer. One of the fun things about this was that we got to ride motorcycles. We loved riding the dirt roads and often when the work was done we would just ride for fun in the canyons and mountains. Toward the end of one summer, my cousin, Bruce, purchased a brand new racing motorcycle. This machine was much faster and more powerful than any of the other motorcycles we rode. One evening, Bruce invited my brother, me, and his brother to give his new “bike” a try.
We went to a rugged area near their home and Bruce demonstrated how well the motorcycle could climb a very steep trail up the side of a hill. My brother and my other cousin each took their turns riding up this trail and they raved about how great it was. Out of the four of us, I was the least experienced but when my turn finally came, I hopped on and took off. This was fun!
I went faster and faster to make sure I would have enough momentum to make the steep climb.
As I neared the hill, I noticed that directly in my path was a 3-foot-deep ditch, right at the base. In a split-second decision, I hit the brakes hard to navigate this previously unseen obstacle.
Why hadn’t they told me about this?
I slowed down enough to ride through the ditch, but when I began to climb the hill I had lost so much momentum that I was only able to climb part of the way up the hill. The engine died and I was stuck trying to balance a 200 lb motorcycle on the steep slope.
I wasn’t strong enough.
Both the bike and I came down the hill with a thud.
Fortunately, the only damage done was to my teenage ego, which suffered some significant bruising after such an “epic fail” in front of my brother and cousins.
As we talked about what had gone wrong, my cousin and my brother explained that, yes, all of them had had to cross the ditch at the base of the hill, but rather than slow down and try to drive through the ditch, all of them had taken advantage of their momentum and simply jumped over it.
With a smile on his face, my cousin said, “with this bike, when you come to an obstacle like that, just turn the throttle and let the momentum lift you right over it.”
I was reminded of this experience and the words of my cousin as I listened to President Nelson’s recent general conference talk entitled, “The Power of Spiritual Momentum”. He listed five specific actions we can all take to “help us maintain positive spiritual momentum.”
First: Get on the covenant path and stay there.
“...we enter the covenant path by being baptized and making our first covenant with God. Each time we partake of the sacrament, we promise again to take the name of the Savior upon us, to remember Him, and to keep His commandments. In return, God assures us that we may always have the Spirit of the Lord to be with us.”
Second: Discover the joy of daily repentance.
“Repenting is the key to progress. Pure faith keeps us moving forward on the covenant path. Please do not fear or delay repenting. Satan delights in your misery. Cut it short. Cast his influence out of your life!”
“Returning to the covenant path does not mean that life will be easy. This path is rigorous and at times will feel like a steep climb. This ascent, however, is designed to test and teach us, refine our natures, and help us to become saints. It is the only path that leads to exaltation.”
“Walking the covenant path, coupled with daily repentance, fuels positive spiritual momentum.”
Third: Learn about God and how He works.
“One of our greatest challenges today is distinguishing between the truths of God and the counterfeits of Satan. That is why the Lord warned us to “pray always, … that [we] may conquer Satan, and … escape the hands of the servants of Satan that do uphold his work.”
“…we need daily experiences worshipping the Lord and studying His gospel. I plead with you to let God prevail in your life. …As you do, notice what happens to your positive spiritual momentum.”
Fourth: Seek and expect miracles.
“Moroni assured us that “God has not ceased to be a God of miracles.” Every book of scripture demonstrates how willing the Lord is to intervene in the lives of those who believe in Him.”
“…the Lord will bless you with miracles if you believe in Him, “doubting nothing.” Do the spiritual work to seek miracles. Prayerfully ask God to help you exercise that kind of faith. I promise that you can experience for yourself that Jesus Christ “giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength.”
Fifth: End conflict in your personal life.
“I repeat my call to end the conflicts in your life. Exercise the humility, courage, and strength required both to forgive and to seek forgiveness. The Savior has promised that “if [we] forgive men their trespasses, [our] heavenly Father will also forgive [us].”
“If forgiveness presently seems impossible, plead for power through the atoning blood of Jesus Christ to help you. As you do so, I promise personal peace and a burst of spiritual momentum.”
President Nelson concluded his message with a prophetic promise…
“As you act on these pursuits, I promise you the ability to move forward on the covenant path with increased momentum, despite whatever obstacles you face. And I promise you greater strength to resist temptation, more peace of mind, freedom from fear, and greater unity in your families.”
I hope we will each take President Nelson’s counsel to heart. If you feel you have lost momentum or need a boost, I hope you will reach out to your ministering sister or brother or Quorum or organization leader…or to me.
Let’s work together to maintain and increase our spiritual momentum.
We were not meant to do it alone.
All my love,
President Gardner
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