March 17, 2013
Becoming Perfect
Before the Lord: “A Little Better Day by Day”
President Lorenzo
Snow
Lesson 6
By Michelle
“A little better every day” became the theme of President
Snow’s life. That goal was always before
him.
We read in Matthew, “Be ye therefore, perfect….”.
How are we doing? It cannot
happen overnight. This goal can apply
by learning something beneficial each day and applying it to our lives. It will not happen all at once and it will
not happen at all without the Lord’s help each day.
“My young friends, there is an opportunity for you to become
great – just as great as you wish to be.
In starting out in life you may set your hearts upon things very
difficult to attain to, but possibly within your reach. In your first efforts to gratify your desires
you may fail, and your continued efforts may not prove what may be termed a
success. But inasmuch as your efforts
were honest efforts, and inasmuch as your desires were founded in
righteousness, the experience you obtain while pursing your hearts’ desire must
necessarily be profitable to you, and even your mistakes, if mistakes you make,
will be turned to your advantage.”
Pres.
Snow
This goal of perfection requires time, patience and
discipline to happen.
One Sister said the goal is not to be “OK” or “pretty good”,
the goal is perfection! And that, through
the atonement of Jesus Christ and our own best efforts, can come to pass.
Another Sister reminded us that we need to become perfect
before the Lord, not before the ward.
We need not compare ourselves to others.
Another Sister noted that through your morning prayers, the
Lord will direct your day.
One can be perfect already in many ways: you can be a
perfect tithe payer, you can be a perfect visiting teacher etc. Remember that the Lord gives us weaknesses
that we may be humble. Then, with His
help, we may build those weaknesses into great strengths. (Ether12:27)
One Sister described her Grandfather’s opinion of her
Grandmother (his wife) as the “perfect optimist”. What a great thing to be perfect in!
Michelle likened out efforts to filling a large bowl with an
eye-dropper. Our success will come
little by little by little over time.
Our guide is the Sermon on the Mount. (Matt. 5:3-11) It is the blueprint for perfection and our
guide to lead us to heaven.
Note the phrases of advice in our hymn: “Have I Done Any
Good in the World Today”
Have I
helped anyone in need?
Have I
cheered up the sad?
Has
anyone’s burdens been lighter today
because I was willing to share?
Then wake
up! And do something more
Doing good
is a pleasure
Only he who
does something helps others to live.
Michelle gave the example of Stephen Robinson’s wife, who
was R.S. president, had several children to care for, sick sisters to visit,
genealogy to do, missionary letters to write, the temple to attend, PTA
meetings etc. etc. etc. She simply could
not lift her burdens and soon became withdrawn and silent. At one point, she finally told Stephen that
he and their children could go on to the celestial kingdom but she could not
make it.
He explained to her that she was trying to save herself and
she simply could not. She knew why Jesus is an example, the head of
the Church, the Elder Brother or even God.
She knew all of that, but she did not understand why he is called the Savior. She was trying to save herself by all of her
efforts, and none of us can do that.
We simply cannot do it alone. No one is perfect, even the brethren. We need to rely on the atonement of Jesus
Christ to make the goal. This we do,
through prayer, service, and by the many ways we can improve ourselves each
day. Day by day.
Michelle shared a chart she and a friend had compiled to
help them be consistent in their efforts to develop good habits. It runs for 12 weeks and is attached here if
you would like to copy it and enter the subjects that are your particular
challenges.
Day by day, little by little, we can improve ourselves with
the grace and help of our Savior.
