Diligence (Oct 2020 Conference Themes)

 This post is part of a series reflecting on October 2020 General Conference. Read the intro here. 

The first General Conference theme I focused on is diligence. 

This theme, I feel, came as an answer to a major issue in my life. I hear Elijah’s voice regularly, “How long halt ye between two opinions?” During Conference, I felt like the Lord was gently reminding me - “You have to be constant in your efforts. Choose this day whom you will serve, and do that. Consistent, daily decisions are the path to becoming like Christ. Press forward, push through. Keep going. Doin’t give up.” 

Diligence is basically steady and constant effort and work in the direction of a desired goal. That goal may be something really specific, or as broad as “becoming like Christ.” With anything we want to accomplish, it requires diligence - steady and constant effort and work. This is one meaning of the word faithful - to be faithful is to be committed, constant, and loyal. 

Another key to diligence is persistence - not giving up. We won’t reach our goal with a few days of effort. No, we need to be constant over a long period of time. Press forward, don’t give up. 

Also, I think we can sometimes get overwhelmed by diligence. It seems SO BIG and we have to do it FOREVER?? Well, that’s another piece of good news. The scriptures (and this General Conference) really emphasize that diligence is a marathon not a sprint. We are constant and steady over a long period of time because we rely on “small and simple means.” We know we will not achieve our goal overnight. The Lord says it is not requisite that we run faster than we have strength. And that’s what diligence is about - small, consistent efforts over time. 

One of the most important aspects of diligence (in my opinion), that probably won’t be mentioned in the dictionary, is grace - relying on the Lord’s strengthening power. We will not be able to go on steadily and constantly forever by relying on our own strength. If we want to make it, we need the Lord’s help. 

Here are some synonyms and other keys words associated with diligence: 

Steadfast, Firm, Immovable, Press forward, Endure, Faithful, Patience, Determination, Persistent, Commitment, Continue, Persevere

If you want to learn about diligence, I’d recommend going to the Topical Guide or Index to the Triple Combination and reading verses under those headings. 

The scriptures also promise so many rewards for diligence. Honestly, check them out! 

I think there is one verse that really encapsulates all these aspects of diligence. It’s a classic:

Alright, now that we know what diligence is, what did the speakers at General Conference teach about diligence?

Great question! Here are some quotes about diligence, organized under those five aspects of diligence (Some appear more than once, because they cover multiple categories).

Effort & Work

• “It takes persistent, rigorous spiritual work…It takes consistent, daily effort” (Pres Russell M. Nelson, “Let God Prevail”)
• “Maintaining change takes effort” (Becky Craven, “Keep the Change”)
• “It is always worth the effort to keep trying” (Carlos A. Godoy, “I Believe Angels”)
• “Such adjustment requires a daily and constant personal effort” (Ulisses S. Soares, “Seek Christ in Every Thought”)
• “By their faithful endurance and effort, they became more like the Savior and our Heavenly Father” (Henry B. Eyring, “Tested, Proved, Polished”)
• “Your consistent efforts in this endeavor - even during those moments when you feel that you are not being particularly successful - will change your life, that of your family, and the world” (Jeremy R. Jaggi, “Let Patience Have Her Perfect Work, and Count It All Joy!”)
• "Commit to exerting meaningful effort. These attributes… will come incrementally while endeavoring…You will need to put in sustained effort. Much like climbing a mountain requires preparation before and endurance and perseverance during ascent, so too will this journey require real effort and sacrifice. True Christianity, in which we strive to become like our Master, has always required our best efforts.” (Scott D. Whiting, “Becoming Like Him”)

Steady & Constant (by small & simple means)

• “It takes persistent, rigorous spiritual work…It takes consistent, daily effort” (Pres Russell M. Nelson, “Let God Prevail”)
• "These attributes won’t come cheaply and suddenly, but through His grace they will come incrementally while endeavoring…In order to see real progress, you will need to put in sustained effort. Much like climbing a mountain requires preparation before and endurance and perseverance during ascent, so too will this journey require real effort and sacrifice. True Christianity, in which we strive to become like our Master, has always required our best efforts.” (Scott D. Whiting, “Becoming Like Him”)
• “Additional aspects of a spiritual foundation…include acting ‘in wisdom and order,’ which implies a gradual buildup…over time, as well as embracing “small and simple” means, which is a demonstration of faith that the Lord will magnify our small but consistent efforts” (W. Christopher Waddell, “There Was Bread”)
• “We endure to the end by continuing to apply these principles….Our daily choices will either help or hinder our progress. Small but steady, deliberate changes will help us improve.” (Becky Craven, “Keep the Change”)
• “Your consistent efforts in this endeavor - even during those moments when you feel that you are not being particularly successful - will change your life, that of your family, and the world” (Jeremy R. Jaggi, “Let Patience Have Her Perfect Work, and Count It All Joy!”)
• ““I may not soon make it to the top, but I can do this next step right now.” Over time the daunting task ultimately became achievable—step by step” (Scott D. Whiting, “Becoming Like Him”)
• “Such adjustment requires a daily and constant personal effort” (Ulisses S. Soares, “Seek Christ in Every Thought”)
• “With [God’s] help and our faithfulness and endurance, we will prevail” (Dallin H. Oaks, “Be of Good Cheer”)

Grace (relying on the Lord’s strength and power)

• “Humbling ourselves and seeking heaven’s inspiration to endure or conquer what is before us will be our safest and surest way to move confidently forward” (M. Russell Ballard, “Watch Ye Therefore, and Pray Always”)
• “We are never alone in our efforts” (Sharon Eubank, “By Union of Feeling We Obtain Power With God”)
• “The Lord is ready to assist us in our personal efforts” (Ulisses S. Soares, “Seek Christ in Every Thought”)
• “The Lord will magnify our small but consistent efforts” (W. Christopher Waddell, “There Was Bread”)
• “He will send angels to help you” (Carlos A. Godoy, “I Believe Angels”)
• “Combining our efforts with the Savior’s ability to change us, we become new creatures….In addition to the transforming power of our Savior’s Atonement, the Holy Ghost will support and guide us as we put forth our effort” (Becky Craven, “Keep the Change”)
• "These attributes won’t come cheaply and suddenly, but through His grace they will come” (Scott D. Whiting, “Becoming Like Him”)
• “With [God’s] help and our faithfulness and endurance, we will prevail”(Dallin H. Oaks, “Be of Good Cheer”)

At All Times & Unto the End

• “Such adjustment…takes a lifetime of diligence and faithfulness” (Ulisses S. Soares, “Seek Christ in Every Thought”)
• “We endure to the end by continuing to apply these principles throughout our lives…Do not become discouraged. Change is a lifelong process” (Becky Craven, “Keep the Change”)

Rewards & Promises

• “The Lord…promises remarkable blessings if we endure to the end” (Ulisses S. Soares, “Seek Christ in Every Thought”)
• “Your consistent efforts in this endeavor - even during those moments when you feel that you are not being particularly successful - will change your life, that of your family, and the world” (Jeremy R. Jaggi, “Let Patience Have Her Perfect Work, and Count It All Joy!”)
• “Our faith will grow as we experiment on the word of God with hope and diligence” (Lisa Harkness, “Peace, Be Still”)
• “By their faithful endurance and effort, they became more like the Savior and our Heavenly Father” (Henry B. Eyring, “Tested, Proved, Polished”)
• “With [God’s] help and our faithfulness and endurance, we will prevail” (Dallin H. Oaks, “Be of Good Cheer”)

Find all the General Conference addresses here. 

October 2020 General Conference

 This October, I went into General Conference with one major life problem, two questions, and the prayerful intention to notice themes. We often re-read General Conference talks after they’re given, but rarely do we experience the messages as a whole. So, during Conference weekend, my goal was to keep my eyes, ears, and spirit open to themes - What words or phrases did I notice repeatedly? What is the Lord trying to teach me with that? 

I also prayed to hear promptings and guidance - what do I need to study and do after Conference? 

I don’t have children yet, so my home is pretty chill. I took LOTS of notes during each session, writing down phrases or ideas that stood out to me - from the speaker’s mouth and from the Holy Ghost. 

At the end of each session, I went through my notes:

• I marked invitations to study certain topics or materials (like the promises to covenant Israel or manual on financial self-reliance)
• I marked promptings of things to DO (like get a temple recommend, do more family history, etc)
• I marked words of phrases that appeared in my notes multiple times, and made a list of that session’s themes. 

I did this after every session. So on Sunday afternoon, I had five lists of things to study and do, and themes. I combined all this into a big chart. This chart is my focus board for the next six months - what to study, how to learn, what to do. 

I felt, as I watched Conference, that it was just so rich. I felt like there was so much information and inspiration and guidance, and so much that I missed just listening to talks once! So my hope is to work through each of the themes I noticed, studying them in the General Conference talks and scriptures. 

Some of the themes I noticed were:

• Become like Christ, be transformed
• Press forward, be diligent, by small and simple means
• Unity (many references to Enoch and 4 Nephi)
• Christ as the source of peace, joy, and hope
• Benefit of afflictions and trials (blessings, increased faith, exaltation)

So over the next 6 months, I’ll be studying and compiling quotes and insights and (hopefully) sharing here! 

Prayer of Confession for Rosh Hashanah & Tashlich

Holy and merciful Creator, we confess to you and to one another, and to the whole communions of saints in heaven and on earth, that we have sinned by our own fault in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done and what we have failed to do.


I have failed to loved God with my whole heart, might, mind, and strength. I have failed to love my neighbor.

I have gone after false gods and worshipped idols; I have failed to trust in God’s sovereignty. I have been prideful, believing the lie that I alone am responsible for and capable of saving myself. I have failed to do all things with an eye single to the glory of God; I have been more concerned about self-preservation than the will and power of God. I have failed to trust in Jesus. I have failed to acknowledge God’s proper and true lordship over my life and our world, putting a variety of false gods on the throne instead.

I have failed to rely on the Atonement, accept the forgiveness that Christ offers, put my whole trust in Christ’s grace, and serve Christ as Lord in union with the church universal.

I have taken the Lord’s name in vain by entering a covenant and failing to follow the teachings and example of Christ in all things, in public and in private. I have failed to forgive others as Christ has forgiven me. I have failed to mourn with those that mourn, comfort those who stand in need of comfort, and stand as a witness of God at all times and in all things and in all places. I have failed to always remember Christ and keep Christ’s commandments.

I have failed to keep the sabbath day holy and make it a delight. I have neglected rest, allowing myself to become so exhausted by the demands of my own life and the pain of the world that I am unable to do anything to relieve it. I have neglected prayer and worship. I have gone to church, but been distracted by homework, family drama, the news, social media, and more.

I have failed to honor my father and mother and other relationships. I have ignored a phone call I could have answered and neglected reaching out. I have failed to be fully present during our conversations, allowing myself to be distracted by lesser things.

I have allowed others to be killed by remaining silent in the face of injustice, oppression, and misinformation. I have not spoken up enough about racial injustice, about the border crisis, about climate change, about inadequate healthcare. I have allowed myself to shrink and be paralyzed by the enormity of the world’s grief. Often, I have closed my eyes in the face of it.

I have been dishonest with my family and friends. I have said I’m fine when I’m not. I have failed to accept compassion and support from people who would be more than willing to offer it, if they only knew what I needed.

I have coveted the property, health, experiences, and bodies of others. I have allowed envy and jealousy to rob my joy. I have been unwise with my money in pursuit of worldly goods.

I have neglected God’s command to love and serve others. I have not given a full tithe with time and money. I have sat at home instead of spending my time serving others.

I have not obeyed the Word of Wisdom. I have not acted in loving and responsible ways towards my body. I have not acted in loving and responsible ways towards my soul, my heart, my mind. I have used harsh words with myself and withheld compassion.

I have not been faithful in reading scripture.

I have neglected temple attendance and family history.

I have allowed fear to rule my life - fear of the unknown, fear of the future, fear of vulnerability, fear of being honest, fear of being seen, fear of change, fear of happiness, fear of failure, fear of disappointment.

I have betrayed myself. I have not respected myself. I have remained silent when I should have spoken up for myself.

I have cowered in hopelessness and let it control me.

I have forgotten who I am - who God made me to be and who Christ enables me to be.

I have numbed and avoided the heartbreak and the beauty of my life and this world.

I have failed to accept the freedom and power God gives me to resist evil, injustice, and oppression in whatever forms they present themselves. I have chosen single-use plastics, when more sustainable alternatives were available. I have purchased products that rely on the exploitation of other people. I have been blind to human suffering and indifferent in the face of injustice and oppression. I have failed to adequately address the racism and prejudice in my own heart.

I have wasted time and numbed my mind on social media. I have commented rashly in anger. I have used harsh words. I have failed to see others’ perspectives. I have commented in self-righteousness, in judgment, in ignorance and error.

I have failed to work for the redemption of the world and establish the Kingdom of Heaven on earth.

I have failed to express gratitude for God’s bounty. I have failed to find joy, despite the myriad gifts God has bestowed.


Lord, in your mercy, hear and answer us. Restore us and let your anger depart, for your mercy is great. Accomplish in us the good work of your salvation, that your glory may be established in the world.

For the kingdom and the power and the glory are yours forever.

In the Name of Jesus Christ,

Amen. So be it.

"Living Waters," Linda Curley Christiensen (click for source)

Rosh Hashanah, Feast of Trumpets

"Angel Moroni" by Jorge Cocco (click to purchase)  

What is Rosh Hashanah?

Rosh Hashanah (in scripture, the Day of Remembrance or the Feast of Trumpets), welcomes God as Sovereign King/Master of the universe and Judge, invites Israel to repentance, and initiates the gathering of the fall harvest and Israel. The shofar is blown three times on Rosh Hashanah, affirming God’s kingship, God’s covenant, and God’s Messiah. 

This year, Rosh Hashanah begins at sundown on September 18.

Themes

• God’s Kingship: Trumpets & God as Sovereign King/Master of the Universe

• Shofar heralds arrival of the king

• “We are not the ones in charge of the world…no matter how free and powerful we may be, the world is not ours to control, exploit, or dominate” (Kushner, To Life!, 109)

• Humility 

• Kindness to God’s creations

• Let go of perfectionism and social justice fatigue

• God’s Covenant: God as Judge

• Invitation to repentance, “return to God”

• “ The gates of repentance remain open until the Day of Atonement“ (Kolatch, Jewish Book of Why, 222)

• God judges past year: Our deeds count, God cares about what we do

• Punishment AND reward, it’s not only about mistakes

• God judges/writes year ahead: Faith can arm us against and through the uncertainties of life

• God’s promise of mercy

• New year:

• Examine our lives during the past year

• Hopes, prayers, and intentions for the year ahead  

• God’s Messiah: God as Lord of the Harvest & Gathering

• Beginning of fall harvest - thanksgiving

• Looks forward to Messiah and gathering of Israel

(For Latter-day Saints, consider the parallels between these themes - trumpets, covenant/judgment, and gathering - and the Restoration, especially the Book of Mormon, which is announced by Moroni's trumpet and prophecies both of the gathering and judgment of God's people. Further, the golden plates were given to Joseph Smith on Rosh Hashanah!)

Symbols

• Shofar (ram’s horn)

• welcomes God as King

• sound of celebration and victory

• remembers near-sacrifice of Isaac and God’s providence of a ram

• Apples & honey - hope for sweet new year

• Pomegranate - many seeds, symbolize hope that new year will be filled with many good deeds 

• Round challah (bread) - circle of the year, crown for God

• White clothing, curtains, tablecloths, flowers

• Bird

• “As hovering birds, so will the Lord protect Jerusalem“ Isaiah 31:5

• “reflects the hope that man’s prayers will be carried heavenward“ (Kolatch, Jewish Book of Why, 234)

Scripture

• Lev 23:24-25

Rituals

• Rosh Hashanah Seder meal

• Tashlich - cast off sins (crumbs in moving body of water)

• Sins: mistakes, sorrows, evil/wickedness committed by and against us

Traditional Food

“New fruit” (something never tried before)

Round challah (bread)

Apples

Honey 

Pomegranate

Fish

Dates

Head (lettuce, fish cookie/cracker)

Rubia (Green string beans or sesame seeds)

Karti (leeks or scallions)

Silka (beets)

Gezer (carrots)

Kara (pumpkin or gourd)

Resources (Clickable Links)

• To Life! A Celebration of Jewish Being and Thinking, Harold Kushner (1993)
• Jewish Book of Why, Alfred J. Kolatch (1981)
• "Symbols of Rosh Hashanah," MyJewishLearning
• "Rosh Hashanah Customs: How to Celebrate the Jewish New Year at Home," MyJewishLearning
• "Tashlich Alternatives to Try with Kids this Rosh Hashanah," 18Doors
• "Rosh Hashanah: What will you do better this year?" Hillel
• Jew Belong's High Holidays Booklet (free download), Digital Rituals, and more 
• "Personal Reflection Place Settings for Rosh Hashanah," Rebekah Lowin (28 Aug 2020)

For Latter-day Saints:

• "The Golden Plates and the Feast of Trumpets," Lenet Hadley Read (Ensign, Jan 2000)
• "The Relationship Between Rosh Hashanah and Mormon Temples," Christopher Kirkland (Mormon Open Blog, 21 Sep 2015)
• "Why did Joseph Smith Receive the Gold Plates at the Feast of Trumpets?" Gale Boyd (Third Hour, 26 Sept 2016)

"Who do you say I am?": A Testimony

 

God is difficult. God is unseen. God can be hard to find sometimes.

God is a symbol, a metaphor. God represents our deepest aspirations for ourselves and the cosmos. God is a vision of what could be, and the strength to make that vision a reality. 

God is the energy of electrons vibrating. God is the constant expansion of the universe, and God will be its collapse. God is photons. God is whatever magic that turns sunlight into food. God is breath, God is the mechanism that turns glucose into movement. God is the energetic connection between people. God is love.

God is healer and God is healing. God is our immune system and herbs and doctors.

God is justice. God is listening to the marginalized and oppressed. God speaks in their voices. God's righteous indignation pours out upon the oppressor and the unrepentant. 

God is Black Lives Matter. God is a dead black body, shot in the back 7 times. God is the tears of a bereaved mother. God is the child whose parent lies in a grave. God is the signs held high, God is the sweat that falls for hours in the hot sun, God is the water and powerade donated buy strangers. God is the fire that demands we see and hear the enslaved, just as God was the fire on Mt. Sinai. 

God is reconciliation, repentance, forgiveness. God is a new path through the wilderness. God is a shadow by day and pillar by night. God is the Rock that gives Living Water. God is our food, our drink, our strength. God is our refuge, our shelter, our very present help in time of trouble. God is our comfort, our peace, our joy. God is the smile of a friend. 

God is the sovereign king over all the earth, whose we welcome with trumpets. God calls us to repentance, to change, to transformation into the image of Christ. God gathers us in as we gather the fall harvest. God is judge, attentive to our deeds and sealing us in the Book of Life. God is atonement - the opportunity to change, make things right, start anew. 

God is near, within every cell. God is every song I sing and every tear I cry. God is life itself. 

Maundy Thursday: The Gospel Story is Our Story

A week that began with praises grows more difficult. 

One day, at the home of a friend, a woman anoints Jesus’ head with oil, preparing him for burial. 

Like Jesus, we have been prepared by loving companions for the difficult road ahead of us. 

Let us not turn our eyes away from the difficulty. 

Jesus tells his disciples to prepare a place to celebrate Passover. 

Like the disciples, we have been given commands from Jesus. How will we prepare for Him?

At evening, Jesus gathers with his friends to celebrate the Passover meal. 

A meal rich with symbolism, a meal that begins in the darkness of slavery and rejoices in God’s light of liberation. 

A meal that recognizes our own darkness, and hopes for God to bring light again. 

Jesus eats this meal with his friends. 

We eat this meal with Jesus. We, too, hope for God to turn our darkness into light. 

Jesus knows what his future holds. His heart is heavy. 

He takes the bread, thanks God for it, breaks it, and shares it - the Bread of Life.

He takes the cup, thanks God for it, and shares it - Living Water, the cup of Salvation. 

After the meal, Jesus and his friends sing a song of praise to God.

They go out to the Mount of Olives, to the garden called Gethsemane. 

Jesus says to his disciples, “Wait here, while I pray. I’m very sad - as if I’m dying.”

Like Jesus, we have felt grief so heavy it felt like we were dying.

Like the disciples, we have been asked to witness the heavy grief of our friends. 

Like Jesus, we retreat to pray. 

“Father, for you, all things are possible. Let this cup pass! Nevertheless, not my will but thine.”

An angel appears to strengthen Jesus. 

Like Jesus, we have received divine help in our time of need.

Like the angel, we have been a blessing and provided strength to those around us. 

Jesus returns to find his friends sleeping, overcome with grief. They have let him down.

Like the disciples, we have been overcome with grief, grief so heavy we feel we cannot move. 

Like Jesus, we have been disappointed by our friends. 

Like the disciples, we have disappointed our friends and our God. 

Judas arrives with a crowd carrying swords and clubs. 

Judas betrays his friend, and Jesus is arrested.

Like Jesus, we have been betrayed by those we called friends. 

Like Judas, we have betrayed our friends and our God.

Like this crowd, we have captured Jesus and taken him to be judged. 

All the disciples leave Jesus and run away. 

Like Jesus, we have been abandoned. 

Like the disciples, we have abandoned our friends and our God. 

Jesus is led to Caiaphas, the high priest. A crowd bears false witness, telling lies, and spits in Jesus’ face.

Like Jesus, we have been victim to lying foes.

Like the crowd, we have told lies. 

Like Jesus, we have been mocked and scorned.

Like the crowd, we have mocked and scorned the image of God in those around us. 

Meanwhile, Peter denies Jesus three times - just as Jesus predicted.

Like Jesus, we have been denied and left alone by those whose we thought would stay with us. 

Like Peter, we have denied our friends and our God. 

Like Peter, we have realized our mistake and cried uncontrollably. 

What will tomorrow hold?

Can it get worse than this?