A Timely Reminder About the Most Important Things in Life

Of Things That Matter Most
DIETER F. UCHTDORF
SECOND COUNSELOR IN THE FIRST PRESIDENCY

If life and its rushed pace and many stresses have made it difficult for you to feel like rejoicing, then perhaps now is a good time to refocus on what matters most.
It’s remarkable how much we can learn about life by studying nature. For example, scientists can look at the rings of trees and make educated guesses about climate and growing conditions hundreds and even thousands of years ago. One of the things we learn from studying the growth of trees is that during seasons when conditions are ideal, trees grow at a normal rate. However, during seasons when growing conditions are not ideal, trees slow down their growth and devote their energy to the basic elements necessary for survival.

At this point some of you may be thinking, “That’s all very fine and good, but what does it have to do with flying an airplane?” Well, let me tell you.

Have you ever been in an airplane and experienced turbulence? The most common cause of turbulence is a sudden change in air movement causing the aircraft to pitch, yaw, and roll. While planes are built to withstand far greater turbulence than anything you would encounter on a regular flight, it still may be disconcerting to passengers.

What do you suppose pilots do when they encounter turbulence? A student pilot may think that increasing speed is a good strategy because it will get them through the turbulence faster. But that may be the wrong thing to do. Professional pilots understand that there is an optimum turbulence penetration speed that will minimize the negative effects of turbulence. And most of the time that would mean to reduce your speed. The same principle applies also to speed bumps on a road.

Therefore, it is good advice to slow down a little, steady the course, and focus on the essentials when experiencing adverse conditions.

The Pace of Modern Life
This is a simple but critical lesson to learn. It may seem logical when put in terms of trees or turbulence, but it’s surprising how easy it is to ignore this lesson when it comes to applying these principles in our own daily lives. When stress levels rise, when distress appears, when tragedy strikes, too often we attempt to keep up the same frantic pace or even accelerate, thinking somehow that the more rushed our pace, the better off we will be.

One of the characteristics of modern life seems to be that we are moving at an ever-increasing rate, regardless of turbulence or obstacles.

Let’s be honest; it’s rather easy to be busy. We all can think up a list of tasks that will overwhelm our schedules. Some might even think that their self-worth depends on the length of their to-do list. They flood the open spaces in their time with lists of meetings and minutia—even during times of stress and fatigue. Because they unnecessarily complicate their lives, they often feel increased frustration, diminished joy, and too little sense of meaning in their lives.

It is said that any virtue when taken to an extreme can become a vice. Overscheduling our days would certainly qualify for this. There comes a point where milestones can become millstones and ambitions, albatrosses around our necks.

What Is the Solution?
The wise understand and apply the lessons of tree rings and air turbulence. They resist the temptation to get caught up in the frantic rush of everyday life. They follow the advice “There is more to life than increasing its speed.” 1 In short, they focus on the things that matter most.

Elder Dallin H. Oaks, in a recent general conference, taught, “We have to forego some good things in order to choose others that are better or best because they develop faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and strengthen our families.” 2

The search for the best things inevitably leads to the foundational principles of the gospel of Jesus Christ—the simple and beautiful truths revealed to us by a caring, eternal, and all-knowing Father in Heaven. These core doctrines and principles, though simple enough for a child to understand, provide the answers to the most complex questions of life.

There is a beauty and clarity that comes from simplicity that we sometimes do not appreciate in our thirst for intricate solutions.

For example, it wasn’t long after astronauts and cosmonauts orbited the earth that they realized ballpoint pens would not work in space. And so some very smart people went to work solving the problem. It took thousands of hours and millions of dollars, but in the end, they developed a pen that could write anywhere, in any temperature, and on nearly any surface. But how did the astronauts and cosmonauts get along until the problem was solved? They simply used a pencil.

Leonardo da Vinci is quoted as saying that “simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.” 3 When we look at the foundational principles of the plan of happiness, the plan of salvation, we can recognize and appreciate in its plainness and simplicity the elegance and beauty of our Heavenly Father’s wisdom. Then, turning our ways to His ways is the beginning of our wisdom.

The Power of Basics
The story is told that the legendary football coach Vince Lombardi had a ritual he performed on the first day of training. He would hold up a football, show it to the athletes who had been playing the sport for many years, and say, “Gentlemen, … this is a football!” He talked about its size and shape, how it can be kicked, carried, or passed. He took the team out onto the empty field and said, “This is a football field.” He walked them around, describing the dimensions, the shape, the rules, and how the game is played. 4

This coach knew that even these experienced players, and indeed the team, could become great only by mastering the fundamentals. They could spend their time practicing intricate trick plays, but until they mastered the fundamentals of the game, they would never become a championship team.

I think most of us intuitively understand how important the fundamentals are. It is just that we sometimes get distracted by so many things that seem more enticing.

Printed material, wide-ranging media sources, electronic tools and gadgets—all helpful if used properly—can become hurtful diversions or heartless chambers of isolation.

Yet amidst the multitude of voices and choices, the humble Man of Galilee stands with hands outstretched, waiting. His is a simple message: “Come, follow me.” 5 And He does not speak with a powerful megaphone but with a still, small voice. 6 It is so easy for the basic gospel message to get lost amidst the deluge of information that hits us from all sides.

The holy scriptures and the spoken word of the living prophets give emphasis to the fundamental principles and doctrines of the gospel. The reason we return to these foundational principles, to the pure doctrines, is because they are the gateway to truths of profound meaning. They are the door to experiences of sublime importance that would otherwise be beyond our capacity to comprehend. These simple, basic principles are the key to living in harmony with God and man. They are the keys to opening the windows of heaven. They lead us to the peace, joy, and understanding that Heavenly Father has promised to His children who hear and obey Him.

My dear brothers and sisters, we would do well to slow down a little, proceed at the optimum speed for our circumstances, focus on the significant, lift up our eyes, and truly see the things that matter most. Let us be mindful of the foundational precepts our Heavenly Father has given to His children that will establish the basis of a rich and fruitful mortal life with promises of eternal happiness. They will teach us to do “all these things … in wisdom and order; for it is not requisite that [we] should run faster than [we have] strength. [But] it is expedient that [we] should be diligent, [and] thereby … win the prize.” 7

Brothers and sisters, diligently doing the things that matter most will lead us to the Savior of the world. That is why “we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ, … that [we] may know to what source [we] may look for a remission of [our] sins.” 8 In the complexity, confusion, and rush of modern living, this is the “more excellent way.” 9

So What Are the Basics?
As we turn to our Heavenly Father and seek His wisdom regarding the things that matter most, we learn over and over again the importance of four key relationships: with our God, with our families, with our fellowman, and with ourselves. As we evaluate our own lives with a willing mind, we will see where we have drifted from the more excellent way. The eyes of our understanding will be opened, and we will recognize what needs to be done to purify our heart and refocus our life.

First, our relationship with God is most sacred and vital. We are His spirit children. He is our Father. He desires our happiness. As we seek Him, as we learn of His Son, Jesus Christ, as we open our hearts to the influence of the Holy Spirit, our lives become more stable and secure. We experience greater peace, joy, and fulfillment as we give our best to live according to God’s eternal plan and keep His commandments.

We improve our relationship with our Heavenly Father by learning of Him, by communing with Him, by repenting of our sins, and by actively following Jesus Christ, for “no man cometh unto the Father, but by [Christ].” 10 To strengthen our relationship with God, we need some meaningful time alone with Him. Quietly focusing on daily personal prayer and scripture study, always aiming to be worthy of a current temple recommend—these will be some wise investments of our time and efforts to draw closer to our Heavenly Father. Let us heed the invitation in Psalms: “Be still, and know that I am God.” 11


Our second key relationship is with our families. Since “no other success can compensate for failure” 12 here, we must place high priority on our families. We build deep and loving family relationships by doing simple things together, like family dinner and family home evening and by just having fun together. In family relationships love is really spelled t-i-m-e, time. Taking time for each other is the key for harmony at home. We talk with, rather than about, each other. We learn from each other, and we appreciate our differences as well as our commonalities. We establish a divine bond with each other as we approach God together through family prayer, gospel study, and Sunday worship.

The third key relationship we have is with our fellowman. We build this relationship one person at a time—by being sensitive to the needs of others, serving them, and giving of our time and talents. I was deeply impressed by one sister who was burdened with the challenges of age and illness but decided that although she couldn’t do much, she could listen. And so each week she watched for people who looked troubled or discouraged, and she spent time with them, listening. What a blessing she was in the lives of so many people.

The fourth key relationship is with ourselves. It may seem odd to think of having a relationship with ourselves, but we do. Some people can’t get along with themselves. They criticize and belittle themselves all day long until they begin to hate themselves. May I suggest that you reduce the rush and take a little extra time to get to know yourself better. Walk in nature, watch a sunrise, enjoy God’s creations, ponder the truths of the restored gospel, and find out what they mean for you personally. Learn to see yourself as Heavenly Father sees you—as His precious daughter or son with divine potential.

Rejoice in the Pure Gospel
Brothers and sisters, let us be wise. Let us turn to the pure doctrinal waters of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. Let us joyfully partake of them in their simplicity and plainness. The heavens are open again. The gospel of Jesus Christ is on earth once more, and its simple truths are a plentiful source of joy!

Brothers and sisters, indeed we have great reason to rejoice. If life and its rushed pace and many stresses have made it difficult for you to feel like rejoicing, then perhaps now is a good time to refocus on what matters most.

Strength comes not from frantic activity but from being settled on a firm foundation of truth and light. It comes from placing our attention and efforts on the basics of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. It comes from paying attention to the divine things that matter most.

Let us simplify our lives a little. Let us make the changes necessary to refocus our lives on the sublime beauty of the simple, humble path of Christian discipleship—the path that leads always toward a life of meaning, gladness, and peace. For this I pray, as I leave you my blessing, in the sacred name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Crazy Summer Ahead!!

I sat down last week to put my upcoming events on a calendar--I was literally floored at how busy the next few months will be. It started yesterday, with two Easter Egg Hunts. This week, I have a field trip to New Orleans (with Seth), Easter lunch at school with Adam and Seth, and a Field Trip to LSU (with Noah). I teach the Relief Society lesson next Sunday, which also happens to be Easter Sunday. At least I can look forward to a yummy dinner!!

The week following Easter is our Spring Break. I plan on taking the kids with me and heading to Alabama to visit with my parents. Jeff will drive in that Friday evening (probably with the Gomez's) for Becky McCain's temple wedding to Steve Ennis. We are so happy to be able to share this happy occasion with them! We will attend church with my parents, then drive home that evening.

The next day (May 2nd) is John John's 6th birthday. He is growing up so fast! Mom will come to our house that Wednesday so that I can fly out Thursday to Salt Lake City to attend the LDS Story Maker's Writing Conference. I am so excited about this! i have so much to learn and cannot wait to listen to the speakers, etc.

I'm flying in late Saturday night so that I can be here for Mother's Day on Sunday, May 8th. It will be my last Mother's Day with Adam in Primary. I wanted to be sure to be there to hear him sing a song for me. (little sob!) The following Saturday evening is the Celtic Woman concert in Bossier City, LA. I am SO excited to get to go and hear them--as well as get to meet a couple of them afterwards. What an awesome Mother's Day gift!!!

The following week will be our Cousin's Camp. Tara and her family and my parents will try to come together and let the kids PLAY, PLAY, PLAY! It will be so GREAT to get to visit with them!! The week will end with an adults' trip to Bocage. We've rented out the whole house for a leisurely break for the grown-ups. We will tour it and Houmas House that weekend. Sunday is the extra special day as Noah turns eight and gets baptized. We are so proud of him!!

May 29th will mark Seth's 10th birthday. He has become such a responsible young man. I am so proud of him! Then, on June 2, Jeff and I fly out to Switzerland for his conference. We will be visiting Switzerland and Italy for 11 days. I am really anticipating this! It has really been a lifetime's dream of mine to see Europe. This will be phase 1!!

After Europe, we have Father's Day and Lilah's 3rd Birthday. Then, we move to Alabama!!!! In late July/early August we will head for California to visit family and attend my niece's Cami's wedding...What a Summer!!!

Tax Day :(

Up until two years ago, there was very little positive about April 15th. My sister, however, saved the reputation of this day by having her seventh baby on April 15, 2009. We were so happy to have him join our extended family. He is the silver lining to the dark cloud of tax day.

First of all, I want to say that I understand that as citizens we need to pay SOME taxes. We do need roads, bridges, and a military. I would prefer the government get out of education, leaving this important topic to families and communities. Healthcare is also an area that government subsidies and regulations have harmed. So although I agree that limited taxes are necessary, I find the reasoning behind the decision of who pays and calculating how much they pay to be unjust and off the mark. I think the Lord designed the perfect fiscal plan. How much does the Lord require of us? He asks us to pay a "tithe" or 10% of our increase. It matters not if we are rich or poor or somewhere in between. All are required to pay the same percentage. This is certainly a remarkable number. Setting aside 10% of our increase causes us to live within our means, sacrifice, and recognize just where we get our "increase" to begin with. Although it is enough to cause us to pause and evaluate ourselves spiritually and financially, it is not a crippling percentage.

The whole idea of a progressive tax is unjust. Why--you may ask? Shoudn't billionaires like Bill Gates and Steve Jobs have to pay a higher percentage of their income than the anonymous welfare mom down the street? In my opinion, NO! Ten percent of Steve Jobs' increase is a tremendous amount. Why should we--who did not conceive of, or develop--the Iphone or Ipad get to confiscate the fruits of his labors? He will already pay a vast amount more than the anonymous woman in the example.

Now, let's consider Mr. Jobs gets to keep his own money. Does he put it in his mattress and guard it like a miser--preventing other people from "sharing in the wealth"? Most likely not. He would more than likely invest in companies, municipalities, and maybe even real estate. This infusion of capital into the system only strengthens and builds it. Jobs are created and people once on unemployment are able to go back to work. Perhaps his wife--I'm assuming he's married, don't know for sure--frequents luxury businesses. You know the kind, those wealthy Ladies-who-lunch patronize. Perhaps she has a massage and a pedicure. Or maybe she has her hair colored and styled. Selfish, selfish behavior in these economic times, right? Totally unfair that she can obtain such luxuries when so many others can't, right? WRONG!!

Mrs. Jobs is giving business to the massage therapist. She is helping the pedicurist pay her rent. The hair stylist depends on her clients patronage so that she can buy groceries, etc.

The economy is far too big and much too complex to be "managed". It is laughable to even believe it is possible. Vigorous exchange within a free market allows the greatest prosperity for the most people. With more people keeping more of their own money, they are able to act on the economy in various and diverse ways. Businesses that provide meaningful products or services at competitive prices flourish; those that don't are allowed to fail. The free market system is truly the most efficient system known. Let's not cripple our own progress by focusing on equality of outcomes. Let us strengthen ourselves with equality of opportunity. This in addition to wise decision making and hard work will lead to greater and greater prosperity for ourselves and our families.

Summer Travels

I have always wanted to travel. By U.S. standards, I have been a few places. I have visited 37 of the 50 states--lacking only the northeast, Oregon, and Alaska. I have been to Mexico several times, visited Canada, stayed a month in Guatemala, and visited Brasil twice for a total time of two and a half months. I have enjoyed meeting new people, eating exotic (to me) food, and seeing the beauty of the earth. I am so excited, now, to be planning our upcoming trip to Europe.

My husband has a work related conference in Switzerland. We will be spending 4 days in that beautiful country, then traveling south to Italy to spend 4/5 days in lovely Italy. I have been wanting to visit Italy for over 15 years. As a high school student, our school took a week and a half long trip to Italy. The cost was $1400 and I did not have the money to attend. I so longed to go and was very sad when I was unable to participate. Now, my time has come! I believe I will actually really enjoy it more now. My culinary senses have expanded, my appreciation for art and architecture has blossomed, and I have my husband to share it all with!

I cannot wait to see the beautiful snow covered Alps, taste the exquisite chocolate, and see the picturesque villages that inspired Heidi. I am anxiously awaiting to taste the bounty of Tuscany, see the lovely old buildings, and see (in person!) Michelangelo's David. Not in an art book, or on a poster--but in the flesh (or stone--:) ).

So much of the enjoyment of traveling is in the anticipation--and I am truly "flying on the wings of anticipation" in preparing for this experience.

Laundry--And Why I Enjoy Doing It!

A Facebook friend of mine recently lamented that he had laundry to do. A group of women at my church were excited about an activity next month that would include learning how to make our own inexpensive and effective laundry soap. The pile of laundry on my "to-do" list seemed to multiply overnight (actually, with a few children who still wet the bed, that did happen)!!!

Laundry seems to have been on many people's minds this week. I began to evaluate how I felt about laundry. Actually, it is one of my favorite chores. That may be surprising to some, but I really enjoy the feeling I receive when dirty clothes go into the washer and come out clean. I'm sure if we did not have the convenience of a washer--and had to depend on the old fashioned washboard--my feelings toward laundry would probably change. But laundry, the modern way, is an enjoyable responsibility.

A clothesline--to me, that is the laundress's dream! I enjoyed one is Alabama, but they are pretty useless here in humid Louisiana. There is something so relaxing about hanging sweet-smelling, freshly laundered clothes on a line. The methodical process of hanging the clothes gives plenty of time to let thoughts wander. Sometimes I plan my upcoming days; other times I use this time outdoors to say a quiet prayer in my heart. I might think of an interesting book I've read, or hum a favorite song. It really is the kind of required responsibility that leaves the mind open to many possibilities. Then, there is the secret pleasure of seeing those clean clothes swaying in the breeze. Yes, I definitely believe it to be my favorite chore.

Too much of anything, though, can be overwhelming. At this point in my life, with 6 small children contributing to the laundry load (and not yet old enough to significantly help--at age 12 they will take over responsibility for the vast majority of their personal wash), I can sometimes feel defeated. There is so little time when all the laundry is washed, dried, folded, and put away. Last year I was able to help the situation greatly by purchasing two washers and two dryers. This has been a great blessing to my life. Not only does the laundry room stay neater, but the entire process has literally been halved. Definitely one of the better purchases we have made!

I love the scent of Gain Laundry Soap and April Fresh Downy Fabric Softener. They have been my personal standbys for over twelve years. I am excited, though, about learning to make my own. I can imagine a small burst of pride at using my own homemade laundry soap (perhaps scented with a lovely lavender essential oil). I will definitely give it a try and see if cleans as well and smells as good as what I use now. I will post later on this subject once I have more information.

Belly Dance!!!

Yesterday I began to learn the art of belly dance! I am so happy to be learning this beautiful style of dance. Our instructor, Margo, is fantastic. She teaches a fun, feminine, wholesome dance style. As a student of Lebanese Folk Dance, she expressed her dismay at how many Western peoples view belly dance. It was not designed to be an entertainment for men (as many in our culture mistakenly believe); but a celebration of the female form primarily practiced with and for other women.

The biggest difference between the dancing we are accustomed to and Belly Dance is the isolation of body parts. When we dance we often move many parts of our body at once. Not so with belly dance. Margo compared it with wearing a black top and white pants--the contrast allows focus on individual parts as opposed to the whole. So, when the hips are moving the upper body is held still. When the upper body is moving the lower body is held still. And, hardest of all, when the rib cage is in motion the shoulders as well as the hips are held still. This is much harder to do than it sounds!

I have found my ability to isolate leaves a lot to be desired. But, I also know as I practice and continue to devote time and energy to this endeavor I will be able to master it.

What's For DInner?

Part of the reason I started this blog was to use it as a journal. Because it is MY journal, I can write about whatever subject pleases me at the time. Well, the subject that pleases me at this time is WHAT WE HAD FOR DINNER!!!

My husband teases me if I put our culinary experiences on Facebook--so, I am going to use this forum to express this very important part of my day. After all, as the homemaker in the family, planning, preparing, and serving delicious meals falls under my jurisdiction. It is an important part of my "job".

For dinner tonight, we had barbeque chicken, mashed potatoes, green beans, and Easter cookies (sugar and chocolate chip) for dessert!

It is Monday night, which means it's FHE. This stands for Family Home Evening.

In 1915, Joseph Fielding Smith, then Prophet of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, with his counselors, instituted Family Home Evening (FHE). He urged families to get together once a week, and for parents to instruct their children in the word of God. He said that it was a time for families to "spend an hour or more together in a devotional way—in the singing of hymns, songs, prayer, reading of the Scriptures and other good books, instrumental music, family topics, and specific instructions on the principles of the Gospel and on the ethical problems of life, as well as the duties and obligations of children to parents, the home, the Church, society and the nation." Chapter 39: Strengthening Families in Family Home Evenings," Teachings of Presidents of the Church: JosephF. Smith, (1998)

This is a most cherished family tradition. Most FHE's involve a lesson. Some are just "fun nights" like playing games or going to see a movie. I have a testimony that the regular practice of Family Home Evening helps strengthen family bonds, as well as aid in increasing our faith in God. It is a wonderful program that I benefitted from as I was growing up. I am so happy to be able to share this blessing with our children.