Tag Archive for: zeal

Lit with Fire and Faith

Every six months, I sit down to watch the General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
My expectations were high, as with the passing of President Nelson last week, there was always going to be some unknowns whilst the church enters an apostolic interregnum, wherein the Quorum of the Twelve serves as the presiding body until a new First Presidency is appointed.
Yesterday, Monic, Amilya, Hazel (2 visiting BYU students) and I settled down, to listen to the messages of hope and inspiration for the world.
As we watched Conference together with freshly baked banana bread in hand, slippers on, and a blanket or two making the rounds, I found myself deeply grateful for this opportunity to learn.
There were many inspirational speakers, who shared the feelings of their heart.
But for me there was one who shone brightly.

On Fire

Elder Kevin G. Brown spoke on “The Eternal Gift of Testimony.”
Sustained as a New General Authority Seventy only six months ago, this was his first time speaking in General Conference.
He spoke with a passion, a fire and a zeal that was simply incredible.
He was so animated and enthusiastic about the message he shared.
“If you know, 𝐘𝐎𝐔 𝐊𝐍𝐎𝐖. I know that I know.”
There is no denying his conviction and the unmistakable authority of one who knows.
He knows and it shows.
He went on to say that “it is worth every effort to pursue this path to testimony” and it was clear that in his lifetime, he had pursued the path to a sure testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Storm Amy had swept through Scotland yesterday and left our wee nation a bit battered and bruised.
It was still a little grey and a bit drizzly outside after the storm, but inside our home things were different.
From his Jamaican roots, Elder Brown brought not just the blistering heat of his homeland, but some thunder too, setting the conference centre ablaze (and our home too) with fire and power through his personal testimony and fearless witness of the Saviour.
His passion, power and sincerity were palpable throughout, he certainly shook me and set me on fire once more.
There are still a few sessions to go, and if you haven’t tuned in yet, I’d really encourage you to watch.
There is something powerful about hearing these messages live, wherever you are in the world.
Who or what has stood out to you so far?
And a short postscript – I KNOW TOO!

Diligence!

“𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐝𝐨𝐞𝐬 𝐢𝐭 𝐦𝐞𝐚𝐧 𝐭𝐨 𝐛𝐞 𝐝𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐭?” asked the missionary…
We agreed upon a definition that diligence was someone who was steady, consistent, earnest, had zeal and energetic effort.
We also agreed that diligence implies that we really care about whatever it is we are doing.
To be diligent takes some effort.
I considered the opposites for a moment, negligent, lazy, careless, idle.
The scriptures are filled with references to diligence or being diligent.
One of my favourites is found in Moroni 9:6, when Mormon counselled his son Moroni saying: “Let us labour diligently…. For we have a labour to perform…”
I thought for a moment about the labours I have to perform, and am I diligent in performing them?
What labours do you have to perform?
As a father, as a mother, as a brother, as a sister, as a son, or as a daughter?
As an employer, as an employee, as a volunteer, as a missionary?
At home, in the workplace, in the community or in the mission field?
“He who labours diligently need never despair; for all things are accomplished by diligence and labour.” – Mark Water.
Diligence is a prized possession that I hope we all want to have in our lives.
How does a lazy person transition to being diligent?
In my experience, there is usually some kind of a wake-up call, a painful experience perhaps, that opened their eyes to the trouble their lazy ways have reaped.
I hope that you haven’t had too many wake up calls in life and choose to be diligent!
Are you diligent?