From the book: IF THOU ENDURE IT WELL - Page 26
This life's temporal lens distorts. The things of the moment are grossly magnified, and the things of eternity are blurred or diminished. No wonder God asks us mortals to trust His perfect love and His perfect knowledge.
From the book: A TIME TO CHOOSE - Page 22
Being in the world and not of it can be a special challenge. We see the world and the people in it differently because the Gospel is like the lens of a cosmic kaleidoscope which enables us to see the patterns, designs, beauty, and purpose in our lives. It is this particularized vision which can give us a special sense of proportion about the things in life that matter most. Yet many may be unaware of the full implications of our different outlook. Jesus pointed out that it is better to pluck out an offending, lustful eye than to suffer eternal consequences, because what we do on this sliver of time skews all of eternity.
Looking out of the lens of gospel perspective, we see more clearly what life is really all about. In considering, for instance, the great reconciliation of Jacob and Esau with their caravans in the desert, none of us would be much interested in reviewing the invoices of the gifts offered or exchanged. It was their reconciliation that mattered.
Our perspective does affect our behavior and our view of our fellowmen.
In fact, when men and women look at life through the lens of the gospel they will see not only more clearly, but also more broadly, the realities, obligations, and opportunities around them.
Life, or any particular situation, if viewed only through the peephole of pessimism, presents a puzzling or discouraging picture indeed. Instead of wonder, awe, and pattern, which the Christian sees, the disciples of despair disclaim any knowledge of a "bigger picture" of life in which "all things denote there is a God."
The degree of divine disclosure -
from peephole to a picture window view of things - is up to us.
from peephole to a picture window view of things - is up to us.
From the book: WE WILL PROVE THEM HEREWITH - Page 76
Because looking at life and others through the lens of the gospel provides eternal perspective, if we look long enough, as well as often enough, we can see much more clearly and also measure the size of things. Such things as a mess of pottage and thirty pieces of silver and moments of sensual pleasure totally disappear from view; so does an improved golf swing or tennis serve when compared with progress toward patience. So does redecorating the front room when placed alongside listening and teaching one's children.
From the book: THAT MY FAMILY SHOULD PARTAKE - Page 1
Parents who have, through gospel living, partaken of the fruit of the tree (which is the love of God) and who know the sweet sense of surrender in the kingdom of God will also be stirred, as Nephi has, for they too will be anxious, exceedingly anxious, that their families should partake also. Those who have known the sweetness of service in the kingdom and who have looked at life through the LENS OF THE GOSPEL will ever be restless with a divine discontent until their families do partake of that precious fruit and thereby witness for themselves.
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