Prior lessons:
- Forgiveness
- Hope
- Characteristics of Christ
- Plan of Salvation
Think upon these as you study the following:
Part of the Plan of Salvation is that we're here to learn. Experience teaches us, but also as we gain wisdom with that experience, we can apply it to even greater things.
We are gods in training. We are working to become like our Heavenly Father, to grow up and inherit his kingdom. Our Heavenly Father is omniscient, omnipotent, all-wise, all-knowing.
Now, when do you think he started learning all this? See, we're not just on this earth to do "whatever". We're here to maximise our capacity.
But two of them improved on theirs. They were not instructed precisely what to do with them. Obviously, they were to keep them safe. But two servants went above and beyond. Not only did they keep their talents safe, they increased them.
As the seed of deity, we need to do our best to grow. We're quite amazing beings, us humans. We are smart, we are clever, we can achieve such marvelous things.
So why do some of us sell ourselves short? When we are faced with a quandary, we should say, "Let me apply myself. I can solve this, one way or another." We should not whine, complain, or murmur. These do not avail us one bit. Sometimes life can get us down, but we must choose not to let it, no matter how hard that choice may be. And sometimes, it is hard. Very hard.
Sometimes we must fall to our knees and ask the Lord for help. He won't solve our problem completely. That is for us to do. But he will give us aid, enough to give us the winning edge, then leave the rest up to us. After all, we are clever children.
D&C 58:26-29
26 For behold, it is not meet that I should command in all things; for he that is compelled in all things, the same is a slothful and not a wise servant; wherefore he receiveth no reward.
27 Verily I say, men should be anxiously engaged in a good cause, and do many things of their own free will, and bring to pass much righteousness;
28 For the power is in them, wherein they are agents unto themselves. And inasmuch as men do good they shall in nowise lose their reward.
29 But he that doeth not anything until he is commanded, and receiveth a commandment with doubtful heart, and keepeth it with slothfulness, the same is damned.
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Notes:
"O Be Wise" - M Russell Ballard, October 2006 Conference
Speaks about innovation. We have been given the opportunity to exercise our moral agency and our own God-given intelligence to become greater than we were before.
"Best Time to Plan a Tree" - Dieter F Uchdorf, Ensign, January 2014
Speaks about bringing out the best in ourselves.
"Good, Better, Best" - Dallin H Oaks, Oct 2007 Conference
Speaks about weighing our choices and wisely considering the better/best option over merely "good". We should begin by recognizing the reality that just because something is good is not a sufficient reason for doing it.
