Fear not, friends! This question need not keep you up at night any longer. In the fourth chapter of Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Gordon B. Hinckley, we can read about the reflections of our beloved former prophet on this very subject. He believed that “each of us is a pioneer in his own life, often in his own family.” Basically, honoring and becoming pioneers requires that we actively nurture the following five essential characteristics within ourselves.

Working Together, by Olinda H. Reynolds. Courtesy of the LDS Media Library.

Faith in Jesus Christ

This is the solution to almost every problem that arises in our path from mortality to exaltation, so we’re used to hearing it. However, President Hinckley offered some revealing insights into what it means by recounting the experiences of the pioneers.

He pointed out, “It was through eyes of faith that they saw a city beautiful [Nauvoo] when they first walked across the swamps of Commerce, Illinois.” After persecution and the death of Joseph Smith, he remarked, “Again, it was by faith that they pulled themselves together under the pattern he had previously drawn and organized themselves for another exodus.” President Hinckley further noted that when the pioneers trekked across the American Midwest, it was “with faith [that] they established Winter Quarters on the Missouri [River]” and continued moving west despite the suffering and death that defined their stay. Finally, President Hinckley observed, “It was by faith that Brigham Young looked over [the Salt Lake] valley, then hot and barren, and declared, ‘This is the place.’”

Quoting Paul explaining that “faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1), President Hinckley extolled the pioneers’ ability to bring their faith to reality through hard work and confidence in God. Faith is more than simply acknowledging that the Lord is able to do what He says He can do. Living with eyes of faith means being able to perceive the “evidence of things not seen”—a thriving city in a swamp, new beginnings in death, springtime in a horrible winter, and Zion in a desert. Pioneers have faith to see what can and should be, guided in their optimism by their conviction that if the Lord could create wine out of water, prophets out of common folk, and saints out of sinners, then He can surely make a beacon out of a barren valley and a rolling church out of a few struggling handcart pullers.

The Lord Himself embodied this kind of faith. For example, He was able to see world-changing apostles in lowly men, including humble fishermen. His Atonement attests to the enormous potential He saw in each person for whose sins and afflictions He suffered.

Calling of the Fishermen (Christ Calling Peter and Andrew), by Harry Anderson. Courtesy of the LDS Media Library.

Faith means to see what cannot be seen—and then to act upon it. Pioneers have this kind of faith.

Active Involvement in the Building of Zion

The hardships endured by the pioneers are nearly unimaginable to us. Many of us live in a time and place in which modern conveniences are commonplace, and we rarely feel the stings of plague, starvation, and fatal exhaustion.

Expressing his admiration of Brigham Young and the pioneers, President Hinckley remarked, “They were tired. Their clothes were worn. Their animals were jaded. The weather was hot and dry—the hot weather of July. But here they were, looking down the years and dreaming a millennial dream, a grand dream of Zion.”

Consider everything that you own and enjoy—your job, house, furniture, electricity, plumbing, entertainment center, social prestige, etc. Imagine leaving every single shred of it behind. What would compel you to do that? What could possibly be worth giving all of that up?

If you would do it for a place where people are “pure in heart” (Doctrine and Covenants 97:21) and “of one heart and mind and [dwell] in righteousness” with “no poor among them” (Moses 7:18), then you may be a pioneer. If Zion—the City of Holiness, in which all things are consecrated for the kingdom of God—is your ultimate goal, then you may be a pioneer.

Pushing, Pulling and Praying, Bound for Zion, by E. Kimball Warren. Courtesy of the LDS Media Library.

As President Hinckley observed regarding the pioneers’ westward movement, “It was an arduous and fearsome journey. They had doubts, yes. But their faith rose above those doubts. Their optimism rose above their fears. They had their dream of Zion, and they were on their way to fulfill it.”

Zion represents the pinnacle and the ideal of Latter-Day Saint life. Pioneers dream of and prioritize Zion.

Willingness to Sacrifice

Closely related to the concept of Zion is the principle of sacrifice, especially with regard to your materials, time, and even life, so that you can benefit other people. President Hinckley used the example of the plight of the Willie and Martin handcart companies to illustrate this point.

When they were nearing the Salt Lake Valley but in real danger of perishing, President Hinckley recalled that Brigham Young organized rescue efforts while declaring, “That is my religion; that is the dictation of the Holy Ghost that I possess. It is to save the people… I will tell you all that your faith, religion, and profession of religion, will never save one soul of you in the Celestial Kingdom of our God, unless you carry out just such principles as I am now teaching you. Go and bring in those people now on the plains.”

Helping the Martin Handcart Company across the Sweetwater River, by Clark Kelley Price. Courtesy of the LDS Media Library.

Although he was grateful that many of us don’t have to pass through the same kinds of afflictions that the pioneers did, President Hinckley was quick to remind us that we should not rest comfortably. He said, “There are so many who are hungry and destitute across this world who need help… We have some of our own who cry out in pain and suffering and loneliness and fear… There are so many young people who wander aimlessly… There are widows who long for friendly voices… There are those who were once warm in the faith, but whose faith has grown cold.” Fervently, he encouraged us to be a church where “strong hands and loving hearts will warm them, comfort them, sustain them, and put them on the way of happy and productive lives.”

Like the pioneers who risked their own safety to help their struggling brothers and sisters in the Willie and Martin handcart companies, we are called to make sacrifices to reach out and improve the circumstances of those around us. Dangers must be braved, luxuries must be disregarded, and pride must be extinguished in favor of being a source of light and hope to others.

Sacrifice is the spirit of Zion and the legacy of our Lord. Pioneers exemplify it.

Honor Those Who Came Before You

Imagine working diligently to create something beautifully and passing it on to your posterity as a special heirloom, expecting them to cherish and perhaps improve upon it. Instead, they simply neglect or even destroy it.

No doubt this was a concern for the pioneers. They persevered through persecution, poverty, sickness, and death to preserve the gospel and find a place to live the ways of God peacefully, praying that their descendants would carry on their work. Nevertheless, the church continues to deal with enemies and see precious souls of infinite worth become discouraged and fall away.

The Church has grown miraculously against all odds, but it could still grow much faster and become stronger if we make greater efforts to respect our pioneer heritage. That’s not limited to people who can trace their genealogy to anyone who pushed a handcart across the plains. President Hinckley explained, “Whether you have pioneer ancestry or came into the church only yesterday, you are a part of this whole grand picture of which those men and women dreamed. Theirs was a tremendous undertaking. Ours is a great continuing responsibility. They laid the foundation. Ours is the duty to build on it.”

Handcart Pioneers Arrive in Salt Lake, by Clark Kelley Price. Courtesy of the LDS Media Library.

The pioneers themselves were building on foundations that had preceded them. The Bible and Book of Mormon abound with the teachings of prophets and disciples who passed on their wisdom and knowledge of doctrine to anyone who would listen and take heed. They broke the cycle of apostasy, refusing to dishonor the saints of the ancient past by letting the gospel become lost. Even at the cost of their lives and comfort, they were determined to uphold the cause of the Lord.

Keep building on what has already been built so far. That’s the pioneer way.

Share Your Testimony Through Word and Deed

Of course, the best way to build upon that which came before you is to be a missionary. Those who can serve formal missions are encouraged to do so, but everyone is expected to do something to keep the work of the Lord rolling forward with a growing momentum.

With reverence toward the example of the pioneers, President Hinckley declared, “As great things were expected of them, so are they of us… We have a charge to teach and baptize in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.”  The Lord Himself commanded, “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature” (Mark 16:15).

Their willingness to bear the scorn of the world and the harshness of the elements constituted the bearing of the pioneers’ testimonies to the children of God. If you are to be a pioneer, the question is not whether you will share your testimony with the world, but rather how.

Carrying the gospel to every nation, kindred, tongue, and people is our duty and privilege. Pioneers accept that responsibility with humility and courage.

Tag! You’re It. Courtesy of the LDS Media Library.

Do You Have What It Takes?

Handcarts were heavy. So is the mantle of discipleship. However, when we learn from the early pioneers of this dispensation, we will find our hearts and spirits changed enough to wear that mantle well.

Do you have the faith to see what cannot be seen? Do you dream of Zion above all else? Will you sacrifice everything for that dream and the betterment of your brothers and sisters around the world? Will you honor your predecessors and share the gospel with all who will listen? Can you be a pioneer?

Thanks to President Gordon B. Hinckley and his inspiring direction, we may be able to pass Pioneering 101 and start on our way toward becoming pioneers in our own right.

Pioneers Catching Fish, by Sam Lawlor. Courtesy of the LDS Media Library.

Ashley Morales

Frequently whimsical and overly optimistic about how much time it will take to do things, Ashley Morales is deeply passionate about the gospel and all kinds of creativity. Her hobbies include philosophically analyzing nearly every book, play, video game, and movie that she consumes, writing music and short stories, promising herself that she will finish writing her novels, going to sleep too late, eating foods she’s never tried, putting off cleaning her house, browsing Zillow, spending as much quality time as possible with her wonderful husband, trying to be a good mother to her fantastic children, and never finding the balance between saying too much and too little. One day, she hopes to leave a positive mark on the world and visit every continent (except Antarctica) with her family.

Revelation Beyond Revelation

Scriptures open to Acts 27. Courtesy of the LDS Media Library.

Some Christians believe that Revelation 22:18 is proof enough that no other scripture could ever exist. However, it’s unlikely that the word “book” in that verse is referring to the Bible, since it hadn’t been compiled as we currently know it. Another translation for the word could have been “scroll,” which means that the verse was about Revelation itself. Since prophets have specific authority given to them to reveal doctrine about God and His gospel, the verse makes sense in such context; the revelations of the book were John’s to disclose. (Besides, if every such scripture were taken so literally, there would have been nothing after Deuteronomy 4:2.)

In truth, councils of men—not unlike the famous Nicene Council—usually decided what could be considered scripture and what could not, bereft of the guidance of prophets. Various versions of the Bible existed, and some did not include the book of Revelation at all. The King James version is now the one most widely used, and it was not compiled until 1611. According to Jewish tradition, the Old Testament books are organized first by those considered to be written by Moses and then in order of those regarded as most important to least important. Christian versions of the Bible often order the Old Testament books first by historical significance, then sacred poetry, and finally, ancient prophecies. The New Testament begins with the four gospels, followed by the letters of the prophets to the Church in order of size (biggest to smallest), with Revelation tacked on at the end. In fact, the Apostle John wrote his epistle to church members of his time period sometime after writing Revelation. Also, he is believed to have died earlier than most of the other Apostles. Clearly, chronological order was not a concern for those who created the Bible as we know it. For all these reasons, Revelation—nor any other part of the Bible—cannot reasonably be upheld as the final word of God.

Moses and the Tablets, by Jerry Harston. Moses was among the many prophets who contributed scriptural writings that were later compiled into the Bible familiar to us today. Courtesy of the LDS Media Library.

Furthermore, there are several mentions of scriptures that have been lost throughout both the Bible and Book of Mormon. If it’s possible for scriptures to be unknown to the world, then it stands to reason that they may one day be discovered, as the Mormon Church believes the Book of Mormon was.

He Continues to Speak

We know that God will always work with prophets to ensure that we have guidance, and we also know that He will continue enlightening us with knowledge and power as we become capable of comprehending it, little by little. Considering the Mormon belief in eternal progression on top of all this, it’s only natural to believe that the Bible is not the only authority on gospel truths, and we may yet be blessed with more books of scripture beyond the Bible, Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, and Pearl of Great Price. It is a testament of God’s love that He speaks to everyone and will continue to speak.

Woman reading the Book of Mormon. Courtesy of the LDS Media Library.

Ashley Morales

Frequently whimsical and overly optimistic about how much time it will take to do things, Ashley Morales is deeply passionate about the gospel and all kinds of creativity. Her hobbies include philosophically analyzing nearly every book, play, video game, and movie that she consumes, writing music and short stories, promising herself that she will finish writing her novels, going to sleep too late, eating foods she’s never tried, putting off cleaning her house, browsing Zillow, spending as much quality time as possible with her wonderful husband, trying to be a good mother to her fantastic children, and never finding the balance between saying too much and too little. One day, she hopes to leave a positive mark on the world and visit every continent (except Antarctica) with her family.

Of course, if The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is correct in claiming that it has the fullest, truest gospel available on Earth, excommunication is deeply saddening because it bars people from receiving eternal blessings that cannot be found anywhere else. However, we don’t have to think of it as a black mark, but rather an opportunity to repent or begin anew.

The Marriage Analogy

Bride and Groom. A depiction of a New Testament–era bride and groom, by Lyle Beddes. Courtesy of the LDS Media Library.

Throughout the scriptures, the Lord has likened His relationship with the Church to a marriage. Hence, we can consider our personal baptismal and temple covenants to be similar to a marriage relationship with the Church. All marriages have their unique problems, but when both parties work to overcome them and progress together, the relationship can be valid, rewarding, and mutually beneficial. Similarly, Latter-day Saints may make mistakes and endure challenges but still be considered to have good standing with the Church, and the Church can also correct its errors and adapt to the needs of its members without losing the integrity of its core doctrine or its status as the true kingdom of God.

However, just as with earthly marriages, there are times when it’s better to be “separated” or “divorced” from the Church. People who are guilty of serious sins that cause significant physical, emotional, and/or spiritual harm to others and are unrepentant prove that they cannot be trusted with covenants that demand better of them. Also, those who make it clear that they intend to commit to making choices that violate the core teachings of the Church demonstrate incompatibility with its mission. In these cases, excommunication is prudent because it nullifies the responsibilities that the member is expected to fulfill, just as divorce negates marriage vows so that the individuals may take their lives in new directions without being obligated to each other.

Basically, it’s better for a person who will not honor their most sacred covenants to end the relationship rather than continue to be morally bound to it despite not intending to honor the stipulations on which it was founded. If you’re in a marriage and will no longer keep the promises that you made to your spouse, it’s best to cut ties rather than cheat or continue abusing the bond. For the same reason, if you’re a member of the Church but consciously, willingly, and egregiously disregard its core doctrine without any remorse or intention of changing, excommunication provides a means for you and the Church to go your separate ways without the greater condemnation being laid upon you.

What Comes After Excommunication?

The Bishop. Courtesy of the LDS Media Library.

Excommunication is always followed by the hope that repentance will begin and that eventually the person excommunicated will be re-baptized. Church leaders work with those who are humble and repentant toward this end. There is no institutionalized “shunning” in Mormonism, as there is in some other Christian churches. Members are supposed to be nurturing aids in a return to full fellowship.

In the Mormon Church, excommunications are private. If you have seen publicity about someone who has been excommunicated, it is because the person has made it public in an attempt to put the Church in a bad light.

Excommunicated Mormons are welcome in all regular church meetings, although they cannot fill “callings,” take the sacrament, attend the temple, or pay tithing.

Heavenly Father always wants His children to choose Him and His gospel above all else, but when it cannot or will not happen, He still provides an opportunity for us to make our choices freely. We also have the great benefit of knowing that there is always a road back to Him.

The Prodigal Son, by Clark Kelley Price. Courtesy of the LDS Media Library.

Ashley Morales

Frequently whimsical and overly optimistic about how much time it will take to do things, Ashley Morales is deeply passionate about the gospel and all kinds of creativity. Her hobbies include philosophically analyzing nearly every book, play, video game, and movie that she consumes, writing music and short stories, promising herself that she will finish writing her novels, going to sleep too late, eating foods she’s never tried, putting off cleaning her house, browsing Zillow, spending as much quality time as possible with her wonderful husband, trying to be a good mother to her fantastic children, and never finding the balance between saying too much and too little. One day, she hopes to leave a positive mark on the world and visit every continent (except Antarctica) with her family.

A father reading to his children. Courtesy of the LDS Media Library.

In modern days, raising children is increasingly seen as little more than a hobby that some people like and others do not. Some have also promoted the notion that having children should be made into competition in which the prize is racial, cultural, or religious dominance, reducing the souls of God’s children to trophies, to the detriment of the children themselves and the societies in which they live.

Treating children as anything other than precious individuals whose spiritual journeys we are privileged to facilitate is not only contrary to gospel doctrine but constitutes serious sexual transgression, as it insults the powers of creation and distorts the true purpose of parenthood and life itself. Church members are discouraged from entertaining such selfish and prideful motivations for forming families.

Family Prayer, by Hyun-Gyu Lee. Courtesy of the LDS Media Library.

Procreation and parenthood must be acts of love above all else, and violators of such doctrine risk great offense against God and destruction upon their spiritual brothers and sisters. True growth of God’s kingdom will be found in strengthening the spirits of Church members and not in merely adding to our numbers.

Ashley Morales

Frequently whimsical and overly optimistic about how much time it will take to do things, Ashley Morales is deeply passionate about the gospel and all kinds of creativity. Her hobbies include philosophically analyzing nearly every book, play, video game, and movie that she consumes, writing music and short stories, promising herself that she will finish writing her novels, going to sleep too late, eating foods she’s never tried, putting off cleaning her house, browsing Zillow, spending as much quality time as possible with her wonderful husband, trying to be a good mother to her fantastic children, and never finding the balance between saying too much and too little. One day, she hopes to leave a positive mark on the world and visit every continent (except Antarctica) with her family.

He Doth Grant His Word Unto All Nations

In the Book of Mormon, Alma joyfully exclaimed that he wanted to spread the gospel around the world, noting that “the Lord doth grant unto all nations, of their own nation and tongue, to teach his word, yea, in wisdom, all that he seeth fit that they should have.” With the spirit of discernment, any disciple of Christ may see the light of truth in every culture and nation.

Middle Eastern regions have served as the homes of many of the earliest known scripture stories, and, of course, Jewish culture was the first context for both Mosaic and Christian law. The current dispensation of the gospel was established in the United States, in which European culture has been dominant, although it has been strongly influenced by African, Latin American, and Asian cultures as well. Since then, the gospel has spread throughout the world and found a place within many nations that abide by a wide variety of customs. The Book of Mormon says that the full gospel has thrived in its fullness among Latin American and Native American people, and the book’s very existence suggests that the gospel may have been present in other ancient civilizations, too. In every religion and culture—many of which have influenced and been influenced by other religions and cultures—something of God’s truth may be found in a unique and instructive form.

The diverse family of God. Courtesy of the LDS Media Library.

Within such an intricate tapestry of races, ethnicities, and ways of life woven together, it’s remarkable and a testament to the veracity of the gospel that its simple, beautiful truths have resonated everywhere around the globe. It also points to the fact that, truly, no culture is superior to another, and all have equal value in the eyes of God. Consequently, the Church has urged its members to defy racism of all kinds and celebrate diversity. It has also denounced the racist actions of its past and recently encouraged members to welcome political refugees into their midst.

Continued Issues

Despite this, minority Church members throughout predominantly white regions—especially the United States—have expressed frustration over feeling marginalized or even degraded within congregations where their perspectives are not understood or respected or where issues pertaining to their well-being are not addressed. These matters need not be political. Our baptismal covenants include comforting and supporting those who are in pain or enduring misfortunes, so when any members of our worldwide Church community are suffering physically, emotionally, mentally, or spiritually, it is our duty and privilege to offer them refuge in a Church whose doctrine teaches that they are loved as deeply as any other subgroup. When our fellow Church members are concerned—especially in large numbers—we are obliged to listen and heed, then make improvements where necessary.

Alma Baptizes in the Waters of Mormon, by Arnold Friberg. Courtesy of the LDS Media Library. This illustration of the prophet Alma baptizing people in the waters of Mormon should serve as a reminder to all Latter-day Saints that we must keep the baptismal covenants that we made, which include supporting our minority brothers and sisters.

Avoid False Doctrine

Anyone who promotes the idea that one culture should be dominant over others and/or fails to value all races and ethnicities equally spreads several ideas that are contrary to Church doctrine, including, but not limited to:

• God is a respecter of persons: Despite expecting Church members to be united in seeking to keep a certain moral standard consistent with Church doctrine, to believe that God values one culture over another is to perceive Him as a respecter of persons, which several prophets have insisted He is not. We are encouraged to follow our countries’ laws, love our ancestors, and have pride in our cultures, but we should do these things without trying to assert dominance or a sense of superiority over others. It is impossible to love the children of God as He has commanded if we seek to place them in a social caste, and it insults our Heavenly Father to demean anyone who was created in His own image. If God is not a respecter of persons, we should not be, either.
• Pride is morally permissible: Again, we can and should have pride in our cultures, but this is different from the sort of pride that destroys humility. Blindly seeing only the good aspects of your own culture, race, or ethnicity while degrading other cultures, races, and ethnicities indicates the type of pride that causes spiritual death, for it requires becoming “puffed up” and convinced of your own superior righteousness. It’s a condition that is not conducive to the Spirit, which Church doctrine dictates all members should possess in order to live according to God’s will.
• Stagnancy is consistent with life’s purpose: In a religion that teaches the virtues of continuously progressing and improving our surroundings—indeed, that our destiny is to become gods ourselves, inheriting the privilege of creating life, intelligence, and beauty throughout the universe—stagnancy has no place. Trying to force the Church to become homogeneous stunts the spiritual and intellectual growth of Church members, thus impeding our journeys toward godhood by dismissing other perspectives, customs, and experiences that could hold truth, beauty, and value that we would otherwise miss.
• Denial of prophetic counsel: Prophets are fallible, and all Church members are encouraged to seek personal confirmation of their teachings before following them. However, Church leadership—which is itself composed of diverse peoples around the world—have consistently held that all children of God are equal in His eyes. Priesthood and temple blessings are available to all worthy men and women, a clear denial of the notion that any group of humans is “less” than another. To ignore the teachings of prophets in this matter is to engage in “cafeteria-style obedience” and/or disrespect their authority. It requires assuming that you know better than those called to be God’s spokespeople, which can only lead to egregious distortion of doctrine and loss of the Spirit. It’s the very attitude that initiated the Great Apostasy following the ascension of Christ.

Scriptures, by Grant Heaton. Courtesy of the LDS Media Library.

All Church members are imperfect, but teaching these false doctrines could bring serious physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual harm upon minority members, not to mention they are extremely detrimental to the spiritual growth of their adherents, and they should thus be addressed with special urgency. Those who engage in spreading such false doctrines should repent immediately, for their own sakes and for the sakes of those who are affected by their words and actions. While they may not believe they are being hateful or acting contrary to the Spirit, all doctrinal evidence indicates otherwise. To continue in their ways is to risk destruction upon themselves and others.

Here are some ideas for how to improve race relations with black members within the Church. Feel free to offer other suggestions for helping all minority races feel welcome in our congregations.

Ashley Morales

Frequently whimsical and overly optimistic about how much time it will take to do things, Ashley Morales is deeply passionate about the gospel and all kinds of creativity. Her hobbies include philosophically analyzing nearly every book, play, video game, and movie that she consumes, writing music and short stories, promising herself that she will finish writing her novels, going to sleep too late, eating foods she’s never tried, putting off cleaning her house, browsing Zillow, spending as much quality time as possible with her wonderful husband, trying to be a good mother to her fantastic children, and never finding the balance between saying too much and too little. One day, she hopes to leave a positive mark on the world and visit every continent (except Antarctica) with her family.

To Have Agency, We Need Control

In Genesis, Adam and Eve were charged with taking care of the planet and everything on it. The specific word used was “dominion.” It implies control. As Latter-day Saints, we can debate about the extent of our involvement in climate change and how our actions will continue affecting it, but if we were truly incapable of changing our world, there would have been no point in God implying that we had any sort of authority over it.

Creation—Living Creatures, by Stanley Galli. Courtesy of the LDS Media Library.

Furthermore, expecting God to solve all our problems for us is directly contrary to Mormon theology regarding our purpose on Earth. We fought fiercely in a premortal war for the right to make mistakes and learn from them so that we could reach our full divine potential. This is one of the scary but necessary consequences of winning that war—we are absolutely capable of destroying ourselves. If we can’t ruin our planet, then we fought for nothing. By the same token, if we can’t save it, we have no reason to be here.

Taking Responsibility

Allow me to use a brilliant example taught to me by a faithful member of the Church I met as a missionary. He told my companion and me about a Christian man who warned him that he would not be saved during the chaos of the Second Coming because of his commitment to food storage. We were initially surprised, but this man’s reasoning was that God had told us to trust Him to take care of us, and food storage signals a lack of faith in that promise; therefore, anyone who has food storage would not be saved.

The Church member responded by bringing up the story of Joseph of Egypt. According to scripture, the pharaoh was having disturbing dreams that Joseph (through the gift bestowed upon him by God) interpreted to mean that there would be seven years of plenty followed by seven years of famine. Armed with this knowledge and authority granted to him by the pharaoh, Joseph directed an effort to set aside some of the food from the years of plenty to help carry Egyptian citizens through the years of famine. So successful was this program that they were even able to feed people outside of Egypt, saving many lives.

Joseph of Egypt, by Michael T. Malm. Courtesy of the LDS Media Library.

Consider, too, the Book of Mormon tale of the brother of Jared. Faced with a long journey across the ocean in closed boats, the brother of Jared was concerned about how he and his fellow travelers would have light. The Lord encouraged him to think of a solution on his own, and when he did, the Lord helped him bring it to pass.

Brother of Jared Sees the Finger of the Lord, by Robert T. Barrett. Courtesy of the LDS Media Library.

Wise and Not Slothful Servants

We do have control. We have the capacity to learn, work, and change our surroundings. God expects us to use these gifts. Through Joseph Smith, God affirmed that He will not direct every aspect of our lives and that we should not expect it.

God can help inspire solutions and provide support for anyone with a desire to do good. However, He will also let us suffer the consequences of our actions. We can look to Him for guidance, and He will never abandon us, but if there’s a problem, we must be willing to acknowledge it, then actively roll up our sleeves and fix it.

The Atonement of Christ can allow us to overcome our sins and mistakes, bringing us closer to godhood rather than distancing ourselves further from it. However, as we know, the Atonement requires our willing participation, for “faith without works is dead” and “cannot save you.”

As we engage in political debate over matters involving the environment, we must keep these truths in mind.

Ashley Morales

Frequently whimsical and overly optimistic about how much time it will take to do things, Ashley Morales is deeply passionate about the gospel and all kinds of creativity. Her hobbies include philosophically analyzing nearly every book, play, video game, and movie that she consumes, writing music and short stories, promising herself that she will finish writing her novels, going to sleep too late, eating foods she’s never tried, putting off cleaning her house, browsing Zillow, spending as much quality time as possible with her wonderful husband, trying to be a good mother to her fantastic children, and never finding the balance between saying too much and too little. One day, she hopes to leave a positive mark on the world and visit every continent (except Antarctica) with her family.

It’s no secret that music has been a vital part of worshiping God for as long as history can remember. Hymns and reverent gospel-themed original music have been used to precede, enhance, and conclude the meetings in the weekly three-hour church block, as well as activities, seminars, conferences, and classes like seminary and Institute. The reason why is well understood—music has the ability to bring the Spirit and help convert us to gospel truths. By the same token, we have been counseled to make sure that we listen to appropriate music at all times, regardless of whether we’re in a Church-related situation, because music can influence our minds without us even completely realizing it. This is because music is a powerful manner of expressing sentiments and ideas in a way that stirs the heart. But it’s not only a tool for shaping our personalities and moral philosophies. It’s also the way that we decorate that time.

A family singing together. Courtesy of the LDS Media Library.

Time on Earth is a Gift

Many cultures around the world are obsessed with the passage of time. We encourage fast-paced environments and filling every minute possible with something meaningful or productive, to the point where relaxation and leisure are often erroneously equated with laziness or apathy. While it’s important not to be extreme in our endeavors to make the most of our time, the scriptures are filled with references to how precious time is, especially our time here on Earth. The passage of time is described poetically in Doctrine and Covenants 88:42-45: “And again, verily, I say unto you, he hath given a law unto all things, by which they move in their times and seasons; And their courses are fixed, even the courses of the heaven and the earth, which comprehend the earth and all the planets. And they give light to each other in their times and in their seasons, in their minutes, in their hours, in their days, in their weeks, in their months, in their years—all these are one year with God, but not with man. The earth rolls upon her wings, and the sun giveth his light by day, and the moon giveth her light by night, and the stars also give their light, as they roll upon their wings in their glory, in the midst of the power of God.”

Amulek expanded upon the purpose of time in Alma 34:33—“I beseech of you that ye do not procrastinate the day of your repentance until the end; for after this day of life, which is given us to prepare for eternity, behold, if we do not improve our time in this life, then cometh the night of darkness wherein there can be no labor performed.”

Later, in Alma 42:4, Alma explains, “And thus we see, that there was a time granted unto men to repent, yea, a probationary time, a time to repent and serve God.” The word “probationary” refers to an environment of testing, implying that our time on earth is meant to determine whether we are willing to do what it takes to receive eternal life.

Perhaps Job’s short sermon on man’s relationship with time is the most poignant; in Job 7:1, he said simply, “Is there not an appointed time to man on earth?” Yes, although time itself is eternal, our mortal use of time is very limited. Just as the way that we choose to utilize and beautify space can tell much about our personalities and values, the way that we choose to utilize and beautify—to decorate—our time is also indicative of how we feel about our probation.

Young men singing. Courtesy of the LDS Media Library.

Time Can Transform Us

Music can build bridges between people, reaching into our hearts and crossing language barriers of every kind. It can instill gospel truths by calling upon the Spirit to testify of what it expresses. Literally, it can change your mind.

Just as we cannot use all our space for art, we cannot use all our time for music. But just as art can create a certain atmosphere for an entire space, music is truly the soundtrack setting the tone for our lives, influencing the way that our hearts and minds evolve, and therefore the way that we use our time when we’re not decorating it. Nobody expects you to listen to nothing but hymns or gospel-themed songs. However, music is not to be taken for granted and should be used responsibly.

Your time is precious and limited, just as your space is. Decorate it with music that will allow you to keep the Spirit with you always so that you can have the support that you need when your probation gets particularly difficult.

Ashley Morales

Frequently whimsical and overly optimistic about how much time it will take to do things, Ashley Morales is deeply passionate about the gospel and all kinds of creativity. Her hobbies include philosophically analyzing nearly every book, play, video game, and movie that she consumes, writing music and short stories, promising herself that she will finish writing her novels, going to sleep too late, eating foods she’s never tried, putting off cleaning her house, browsing Zillow, spending as much quality time as possible with her wonderful husband, trying to be a good mother to her fantastic children, and never finding the balance between saying too much and too little. One day, she hopes to leave a positive mark on the world and visit every continent (except Antarctica) with her family.

A Greater Responsibility

Specializing in authorizing teachers, administrators, and leaders to bless and strengthen the human spirit and prepare them for higher covenants, the Melchizedek priesthood is a natural requirement for formal missionary work. Obviously, it’s possible to serve without holding the Melchizedek priesthood—after all, women are increasingly encouraged to serve—but it is used to place the mantle of missionary upon those who would spread the gospel.

Elders at a zone conference. Courtesy of LDS Media Library.

It’s All About Forgetting Yourself

A common misconception among young people as they try to decide whether or not to serve missions is believing it is enough to know that they can be good, temple-worthy people without them. This is true. However, the point of the Melchizedek priesthood and the missionary work it facilitates is to think not of what we can gain from service, but to be devoted to service for its own sake because we love God and His children. Bettering yourself is an inevitable consequence of faithful service (and there is always some way that we can be better, no matter how good we are), but it’s not the reason for it. This is the first and most crucial lesson of the Melchizedek priesthood and all those who receive blessings and callings from it—and it is certainly the singular driving force behind missionary work of every kind, but especially the kind that requires the use of nametags.

Sister missionaries at work. Courtesy of the LDS Media Library.

Knowing what we risk from misunderstanding these crucial points of the gospel, it’s prudent—individually and collectively—to internalize the purpose of the Melchizedek priesthood and its vital role in missionary work. Otherwise, we must answer for allowing the growth of the kingdom of God to be stunted.

Ashley Morales

Frequently whimsical and overly optimistic about how much time it will take to do things, Ashley Morales is deeply passionate about the gospel and all kinds of creativity. Her hobbies include philosophically analyzing nearly every book, play, video game, and movie that she consumes, writing music and short stories, promising herself that she will finish writing her novels, going to sleep too late, eating foods she’s never tried, putting off cleaning her house, browsing Zillow, spending as much quality time as possible with her wonderful husband, trying to be a good mother to her fantastic children, and never finding the balance between saying too much and too little. One day, she hopes to leave a positive mark on the world and visit every continent (except Antarctica) with her family.

Melchizedek Priesthood Restoration (The Restoration of the Melchizedek Priesthood) © Kenneth Riley, Courtesy of LDS Media Library

It would have been impossible to bring to pass the fullness of the gospel without this event. While the Aaronic priesthood provides a foundation for faith by using special rituals to explain gospel principles and form covenants, the Melchizedek priesthood adds new portals of divine access as well as layers of responsibility by authorizing teachers and administrators.

Taking Things to the Next Level

With this priesthood, the sick can be healed, people can receive blessings of guidance and comfort and hold general leadership positions, graves can be dedicated, and many other ordinances are possible as well. Perhaps the most important one, however, is the bestowal of the gift of the Holy Ghost. Although anyone can feel the influence of the Holy Ghost at any given time, the Melchizedek priesthood has the ability to grant it to someone as a constant companion, provided baptismal covenants have been made and the recipient is living worthily.

Additionally, the Melchizedek priesthood allows men and women to receive temple endowments, act as stand-ins for deceased persons who must receive their endowments as well, and prepare for missions. Basically, this priesthood gives all members of the Church an opportunity to bring the blessings of the gospel to both the dead and the living, and it brings us beyond salvation to achieve exaltation, the highest state of being to which we could possibly aspire.

London, England Temple. Courtesy of the LDS Media Library.

The Priesthood of the Spirit

If the Aaronic priesthood specializes in outward, physical demonstrations of gospel principles and commitment, the Melchizedek priesthood focuses more on internal matters of faith. It corresponds to the higher law as taught by Christ, who made it clear that rituals and going through the motions will matter little if our hearts are not pure. Teaching, administering, giving blessings, following promptings—these are all things of the spirit, and their promotion is the purpose of the Melchizedek priesthood.

Body and spirit are both necessary to live. Similarly, the Aaronic and Melchizedek priesthoods make our salvation and exaltation possible. The fact that God entrusted us with them after losing them two thousand years ago is a great testament to our divine potential.

Ashley Morales

Frequently whimsical and overly optimistic about how much time it will take to do things, Ashley Morales is deeply passionate about the gospel and all kinds of creativity. Her hobbies include philosophically analyzing nearly every book, play, video game, and movie that she consumes, writing music and short stories, promising herself that she will finish writing her novels, going to sleep too late, eating foods she’s never tried, putting off cleaning her house, browsing Zillow, spending as much quality time as possible with her wonderful husband, trying to be a good mother to her fantastic children, and never finding the balance between saying too much and too little. One day, she hopes to leave a positive mark on the world and visit every continent (except Antarctica) with her family.

The Sacred Weekly Ritual

Although we are no longer living strictly under the law of Moses, it should be noted that the law was never removed so much as simply improved upon, and we must still rely on some rituals to access the power of God because of what they represent. The Aaronic priesthood—called the “lesser” priesthood because it pertains to the “lesser” law—specializes in rituals.

This includes the sacrament. It is not a saving ordinance in and of itself, but to say that it’s unnecessary would be like saying that a house isn’t necessary. That is, you can technically survive without a house, but the quality of life would be severely compromised. So it is with the sacrament. Only baptism conducted in a specific manner by the proper authority is necessary for salvation, but the sacrament allows us to renew our baptismal covenants on a regular basis, essentially providing infinite chances to perfect our discipleship.

Jesus Institutes the Sacrament © Gary E. Smith, Courtesy of LDS Media Library

Typically consisting of bread and water in modern times, the sacrament represents the broken body and spilled blood of the Son of God. Baptism emulates death and resurrection; the sacrament symbolizes the atoning death of Christ, which gives us new life. While Mosaic law accomplished this symbolism by requiring sacrifices of unblemished lambs, the sacrament now stands in for the lamb.

Bringing Us Nearer to God

The Aaronic priesthood, the authority to act in the name of God according to the Plan of Salvation, enables the sacrament to be administered. It gives us the power of symbolism to participate in ordinances that bring us closer to our Father and Brother by using our natural tendency to relate abstract ideas to things that can be experienced with our senses. Thanks to the Aaronic priesthood, the Atonement can go beyond being a nice idea; it can feel real.

Ashley Morales

Frequently whimsical and overly optimistic about how much time it will take to do things, Ashley Morales is deeply passionate about the gospel and all kinds of creativity. Her hobbies include philosophically analyzing nearly every book, play, video game, and movie that she consumes, writing music and short stories, promising herself that she will finish writing her novels, going to sleep too late, eating foods she’s never tried, putting off cleaning her house, browsing Zillow, spending as much quality time as possible with her wonderful husband, trying to be a good mother to her fantastic children, and never finding the balance between saying too much and too little. One day, she hopes to leave a positive mark on the world and visit every continent (except Antarctica) with her family.