On Sunday we had this really great Relief Society lesson about being one among the crowd. Our teacher also incorporated this great talk from Elder Boyd K. Packer entitled Lehi's Dream and You. The talk tells about how most of the people in the great and spacious building got there after they partook of the fruit - meaning that they were members of the church who had fallen away. It also reminded me of the parable of the Ten Virgins. The five that fell away were supposed to be at the wedding, they were members who were not prepared. It made me think a lot about where I am and what I need to be doing to make sure I am ready. In Boyd K. Packer's talk he had a really interesting quote that really made me think.
"Largely because of television, instead of looking over into that spacious building, we are, in effect, living inside of it. That is your fate in this generation. You are living in that great and spacious building."
The teacher told an example of how the sitcom Sex and the City made women feel old, poor, unattractive, etc. Just like the people in the great and spacious building were mocking those who had taken the fruit, we can also be mocked by what we are watching on television. Lately I have been watching way too much TV - mainly because there isn't much else to do until we move into our new apartment in August. But I have resolved to not watch as much. I have plenty of great books (boxed up in a storage unit) that are just waiting to be read. When I was living at home we couldn't watch TV during the week and to tell you the truth I never missed it. I found plenty of other things to occupy my time. I think the lesson on Sunday just really helped me see where I am at right now. It is hard where we are so unsettled right now, but I can do a lot better. It was a good reminder.
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"May the Lord bless each of you that you will have a powerful influence on those you come in contact with. The power of words is incredible. Let your voice be heard in this great cause of the gospel of Jesus Christ." -Elder Ballard, Ensign July 2008-
Quote of the Week
"Now, if you have made mistakes, make today the beginning of a change of your lives. Turn from the thing that you have been doing that is wrong. The most important of all the commandments of God is that one that you are having the most difficulty keeping today. If it is one of dishonesty, if it is one of unchastity, if it is one of falsfying, not telling the truth, today is the day for you to work on that until you have been able to conquer that weakness. Put that aright and then you start on the next one that is most difficult for you to keep. That's the way to sanctify yourself by keeping the commandments of God."
-The Teachings of Harold B. Lee, ed. Clyde J. Williams [1996], 82
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4 comments:
That's so true Melanie. I'm so glad that we don't have cable or satellite or anything, because it helps me not watch. We should probably limit too the movies we watch but I completely agree. It's so hard sometimes to not get caught up in what the world wants you to feel. I'm glad you shared that, it really made me think!
In Logan Beau and I did not have cable, but here in Florida it comes with the place. I watch more T.V. then I should during the day.
So after reading your blog, I am reading more. And Beau and I decided that we cannot watch t.v. until after nine. But by that time we are too tired to, so it has worked out great.
I remember that talk. Isn't it amazing how powerful the apostles can be and help us in our quest to become better? I'm so grateful for their courage and foresight.
Due to all the traveling and moving we have been doing (as well as the fact that the only shows on are reality shows) I haven't been watching nearly as much TV and find it much easier to turn it off when there isn't anything on. It is actually quite liberating to free yourself from the tube track in the evening.
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