21-11-18: Our Spiritual Partnership

Hello sisters and brothers,

What causes people to make a change in their life...try something DIFFERENT?

• New information?

• A life-changing experience?

• An invitation or challenge?

• A promise of a reward?

From a gospel perspective, that question might be re-framed...

What causes people to REPENT?

Underlying ALL change, especially spiritual change, I believe, is an inborn hope for something better?

When we study the plan of Salvation, also known as the Plan of Happiness, we see that our Father’s goal in creating us was to, “... bring to pass [OUR] immortality and eternal life…”. (Moses 1:39)

Through Jesus Christ, our Father created this earth as a place to, “...prove [US]...to see if [WE] will do all things whatsoever [He] commands [US]. (Abraham 3:25)

His promise to all who would strive to keep His commandments was that we would have “glory added upon [OUR] heads for ever and ever”. (Abraham 3:26)

If I had to characterize President Nelson’s ministry as the living prophet, I would describe it as an invitation to prepare for the coming of the Lord...by living “higher and holier” lives.

In a talk entitled, “We Can Do Better and Be Better”, Espanol President Nelson taught what I will call a “higher and holier” approach to repentance.

“...when Jesus asks you and me to “repent,” He is inviting us to change our mind, our knowledge, our spirit—even the way we breathe. He is asking us to change the way we love, think, serve, spend our time, treat our wives, teach our children, and even care for our bodies.

Nothing is more liberating, more ennobling, or more crucial to our individual progression than is a regular, daily focus on repentance. Repentance is not an event; it is a process. It is the key to happiness and peace of mind. When coupled with faith, repentance opens our access to the power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ.”

As we reflect on President Nelson‘s expansive description of the meaning and importance of repentance, we realize it is more than just a plea to stop sinning. Rather, it is the formula and refining process for BECOMING like the Savior.

What might that process look like in OUR lives?

To accomplish what I believe, President Nelson is teaching, we may need to do more than simply ask for help to be a "better person". I think President Nelson was describing a more deliberate and intentional process of exchanging old (even life-long) habits for new patterns of discipleship that can bring the Savior’s full light in our lives. While this process is directly dependent on us, we are not expected, nor is it possible to do it alone. All three members of the godhead are walking with us on our journey; ready to engage with us in a spiritual partnership we call a covenant. They will guide our steps, help us avoid pitfalls, and dust us off and forgive us when we rise after a fall.

I believe there are some fundamental keys to create a spiritual partnership in our repentance.

Key #1: Ask Heavenly Father to show us our weakness(es)...show us WHAT we should improve TODAY. (Ether 12:27)

Key #2: Ask Him to help us know HOW to overcome our weakness(es). (John 14:26)

Key #3: Ask Him to give us the STRENGTH (sustained willpower) to make the change(s). (Phillipians 4:13)

Key #4: Act on the direction revealed to us. (D&C 19:23)

I hope we can see how important it is to have daily, substantive prayers in order to live in this kind of spiritual partnership with our Father, His Son, and the Holy Ghost.

As we choose to cultivate and deepen our prayers, seek His will for overcoming weakness and act on revelation we will be on an upward spiral President Nelson referred to as a “beautiful virtuous cycle”

There we find true peace and the joy of our Savior with “glory added upon [OUR] heads forever and ever”.

We have His promise!

I love you all.

President Gardner