"...to be spiritually minded is life eternal" (2 Nephi 9:39)

As I drove my son to school the other morning I must have cut a man off or something because when we stopped at the light the man just glared at me and did not smile. He appeared to be extremely angry, or at least that is what his look told me. I looked back at him and smiled a big smile, like this (I was in these clothes, and wearing my sunglasses, took this photo shortly after for full effect): 

My smile then melted into a genuine smile: 

The man then relaxed and actually smiled back. My son commented to me that the man must have been pretty angry. He asked me what I had done to tick him off. I said I didn't know, and I hadn't done it on purpose. It's not like I try and go around making people angry; that doesn't feel good. If anything, I prefer peace and definitely a smile back.

As I drove home I pondered the smile and what a difference it made. In 2 Nephi 9:39 it states: "Remember, to be carnally-minded is death, and to be spiritually minded is life eternal". Spiritually Minded Is Life Eternal- there is your S.M.I.L.E. When we focus on "the things that matter most" (Pres. Dieter F. Uchtdorf), the things that can be felt with the heart, then we are being spiritually minded. This may mean that "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"(Elder Dallin H. Oaks). Spiritually minded things develop our faith and strengthen our families. Letting go of anger, forgiving, being patient, just to name a few things, can be felt with the heart and help develop faith and strengthen our families.

The Romans were reminded the importance of being spiritually minded, "For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is peace" (Romans 8:6). There is peace in our busy lives when we "seek this Jesus of whom the apostles and prophets have written" (Ether 12:41) in all we do and say. It can be a challenge to do this in a world filled with tight schedules, stress, and so many choices of how to spend our time, let alone our money. As we look back over our lives, the things that last the longest are the memories we create, our relationships we have with others, and our testimony of Jesus Christ, "The Prince of Peace" (Isaiah 9:6; 2 Nephi 19:6). Pres Dieter F. Uchtdorf taught: "Diligently doing the things that matter most will lead us to the Savior of the world" (Of Things That Matter Most) and thus we will S.M.I.L.E.


Enjoy a short video: "Moments That Matter Most"

"...It is according to faith that miracles are wrought..." (Moroni 7:37)

There are a lot of things that people fear: fear of heights, fear of death, fear of the dark, just to name a few. When I was little I would have a reoccurring dream of the world being on fire and my family could fly and I couldn't. It was a terrible nightmare that I would have a lot. I feared having it. Fear is an interesting thing that effects our body. It is a natural response that takes place when we feel threatened or when we are put in a stressful situation. Fear isn't all bad. It helps to protect us from danger and helps that natural response kick in to run when we need to get out of somewhere. Fear can protect us from danger, but fear is a reaction to things that are around us or sometimes in us, such as our thoughts and not true protection. We need to learn how to control our fear and rely upon something more powerful and stronger than fear for protection. Something so powerful when developed and used properly it can move mountains ( see Ether 12:30), if needed we could have children when told it isn't possible (see Hebrews 11:11) , and or even be translated (see Hebrews 11:5). The power of faith is more powerful than fear.

But in our world where the impossible is made to seem possible, like in the movies when the not so great guy is able to don stretchy pants, a cape, and get some super powers (miraculously) and fly around the world, or skip around the city and save every one by beating them up, all the while he can drink all the alcohol he wants and sleep with all the women he wants. And he has all the money he could want by breaking every commandment including, but not limited to: lying, cheating, getting even, stealing. This isn't power at all. This is fake. This is what we should fear, but we look at it as entertainment and think nothing of it as our children watch, believing (or perhaps wishing) that life should be handed to them on a platter with no consequences...kind of hard to swallow even as I type this.

Real power comes from faith in Jesus Christ and must be based "upon correct knowledge or it cannot produce the desired results. Faith in Jesus Christ is the first principle of the gospel and is more than belief, since true faith always moves its possessor to some kind of physical and mental action; it carries an assurance of the fulfillment of the things hoped for. A lack of faith (or fear) leads one to despair, which comes because of iniquity (sin or unrighteousness)" (Bible Dictionary). This is real power! If we want to have the kind of power that will change our life, we must go to the real source of All Power. And this is Jesus Christ.

Okay, if faith is more powerful than fear, why is it that we seem to fall back on fear so much? We have "fears" that creep into our lives or things happen and we react out of fear. But, we don't have to react out of fear. It is getting to the point that we don't react out of fear, but act in faith that the Lord wants to bring us to. It is a process of growing and learning. He says: "Look unto me in every thought; doubt not, fear not" (D&C 6:36). Having the Savior be a part of every thought...that is really what He wants for us. He wants us to be one with Him (John 17:21). That is why He comfortingly tells us, "Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness" (Isaiah 41:10). That's powerful stuff. If we want this power, then we need to believe in Him, and we need to start somewhere, we must have "faith to believe" and He will start working in our lives and miracles will take place (see Alma 37:40).

In today's world we are always wanting miracles to happen. And "it is according to faith that miracles are wrought" (Moroni 7:37). Miracles cease "if there be no faith among the children of God" (Ether 12:12). There are miracles of healing, protection, and powers greater than man. But the "greater miracle is a mighty change of heart by a son or daughter of God (see Mosiah 5:2). A change of heart, including new attitudes, priorities, and desires, is greater and more important than any miracle involving the body." (Elder Dallin H. Oaks). The miracle of a changed heart, a person whose "heart is changed through faith on [Christ]; therefore, [they] have been "born of  him"(Mosiah 5:7) is a miracle that effects eternity. Faith in Christ is more powerful than fear. This miracle, a changed heart and being born of Christ, can take place every day as "tender mercies...because of [our] faith, to make [us] mighty even unto the power of deliverance" (1 Nephi 1:20). 

Christ is with us as we exercise our faith in Him and we have nothing to fear. He says: "Fear not, little children, for you are mine, and I have overcome the world." (D&C 50:41). We get to choose faith over fear. This I testify has the power to work miracles in our lives. This will change eternity.

 "Choose faith over doubt, 

choose faith over fear, 

choose faith over the unknown and the unseen, 

and choose faith over pessimism."

~Elder Richard C. Edgley