Our Highest Priorities

Family and Friends,

There is a feeling of realignment after spiritual experiences that we have that helps us to reflect upon what we, as the young rich ruler, "..lack yet". I am grateful for these opportunities as it keeps me in a balance and check spiritually in my life. General Conference this past weekend was one of those expereinces. Here ar my thoughts that I had in regards to what I may take away from this spiritual bombarding and how we may apply it in our lives.

Life is driven by our daily choices. President Brigham Young said that: “Our lives are made up of little, simple circumstances that amount to a great deal when they are brought together, and sum up the whole life of the man or woman.” This past weekend God's prophets instructed us which things we should choose when speaking of these daily decisions. Sister Sharon Eubank said "Ask Heavenly Father what you can let go of". This principle spiritually and temporarly speaking, is called Prioritizing. President Nelson mentioned some things that we should put as our highest priorities when speaking about what He put as his when talking to his late daughter Wendy. Some of those include Covenants, Obedience, Ordinances, Faith, Family, Fidelity, Love, and Eternal Life. We then too may (and should) ask ourselves on occasion, "Are my daily thoughts, desires, and actions centered and focused on these things? If not, what can I let go of? What can I pick up? What lack I yet?"

For those familiar with Hurricane High School football, you may remember that when breaking the huddle, the team in unison chants: "Let's WIN". Our coaches explained that in focusing on that certain planned gameplay, this acronym represents "What's Important Now". How many times do we, when breaking our daily huddles of Prayer, Study, Work, and Recreational time ask "What is Important Now?" The method has been made simple and clear to us. Everything that we must do daily should be focused in aumenting our Faith in Jesus Christ and Repenting, being worthy of making covenants through ordinances with our family, a heart set on fidelity and love, so that we may have eternal life. These must be Our Highest Priorities.

We too may be realigned and "act in the office in which (we are) appointed, in all diligence" (D&C 107:99) We must act. As the apostle James wrote: "But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves." (James 1:22) and as Francis Quarel states: "Today only is thine. If thou procrastinate, thou loseth. Which lost, is lost forever."

My prayer is that we may not procrastinate in doing and remembering what our highest priorities are, but act upon the words of the Prophets, seers, and revelators given this conference, doing so now, for as stated by President Nelson: "Time is running out"

With all my Love for each of you,

-Elder Matthew Arscott