Priorities...

As I near graduation... and think about what that means for me and what I thought I ought to have accomplished, I find myself coming up a little short. (Here I'd like to point out that I am not talking about my lack of marital bliss.) I see that I am not the person I could be, the person I ought to be. With the experiences I have had, good and bad, and the testimony I claim to possess, I ought to be better. 


So at this point, I have determined that I have exactly two months to improve myself so that I can be satisfied with the progress I've made. 


In pondering these things and what I can do to be better, I thought of several quotes from President Ezra Taft Benson. I remember very little about President Benson from my childhood. I know he was the prophet from 1985 to 1995 (the majority of my early life). And I remember very clearly when he died. but beyond that everything I know has been because of study and other exposure. So... lately here are some of his quotes that have impacted me, and what I'm going to do about it...


"some of the greatest battles will be fought within the silent chambers of your own soul." 


"While you are going through your trial, you can recall your past victories and count the blessings that you do have with a sure hope of greater ones to allow if you are faithful."


"Men and women who turn their lives over to God will discover that He can make a lot more out of their lives than they can. He can deepen their joys, expand their vision, quicken their minds, strengthen their muscles, lift their spirits, multiply their blessings, increase their opportunities, comfort their souls, and pour out peace." 


"There are times when you simply have to righteously hang on and outlast the devil."


"Our Heavenly Father is always near. … Thank God we can reach out and tap that
unseen power, without which no man can do his best." 

"It is not just that the Book of Mormon teaches us truth, though it indeed does that. It is not just that the Book of Mormon bears testimony of Christ, though it indeed does that, too. But there is something more. There is a power in the book which will begin to flow into your lives the moment you begin a serious study of the book. You will find greater power to resist temptation. You will find the power to avoid deception. You will find the power to stay on the strait and narrow path. The scriptures are called ‘the words of life’ (see D&C 84:85 ), and nowhere is that more true than it is of the Book of Mormon. When you begin to hunger and thirst after those words, you will find life in greater and greater abundance....Brethren and sisters, I implore you with all my heart that you consider with great solemnity the importance of the Book of Mormon to you personally and to the Church collectively."

"When we put God first, all other things fall into their proper place or drop out of our lives. Our love of the Lord will govern the claims for our affection, the demands on our time, the interests we pursue, and the order of our priorities. We should put God ahead of everyone else in our lives."

So what is there for me to do? 

Yesterday I finished the Book of Mormon. Then I decided in the two months I have before Graduation I am going to read the entirety of the book. You see: if there is a power, and I know there is, I need that power at this turning point of my life. This amounts to 9 pages a day which isn't too bad...  especially if I split it up, 5 ish pages in the morning and 5 ish at night.

I remember once hearing Sister Shari Dew speak, I think it was at the MTC in October of 2007. She said that we need to seek the Lord early.  She further explained that we ought to seek the Lord early in our lives, and early in our days. Too often I put off scripture reading till the end of the day and then I am exhausted or the light is already off because my roommate has gone to bed, or I just ignore it. No more! Scripture reading is not happening in the morning as natural light flows into my window :)

So that is that... I am going to be a better person more fit for the Kingdom.