Gospel Ironies or how to have more time in your day

I have more to do in a day than I can possibly get done. Mormons or members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have no freedom because of all their rules and restrictions. The last thing I want to do when I'm depressed is help someone else. These are three ideas of men that have the same solution. When we follow Christ, we are able to do more, be more, have more. In Matthew 16:25 Jesus taught, "For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it."

Let's apply losing our life for Christ's sake to the three ideas of men.

I have more to do in a day than I can possibly get done. That's true. In a typical day I need to say my personal prayers, read my scriptures, participate in a family scripture study, prepare meals, do dishes, listen to my 2nd grader read for at least 10 minutes, encourage my children to practice the piano, exercise, clean the house... Then often but not necessarily on a daily basis I need to work on my novel, do family history research, share the gospel with a friend, write this blog, organize family pictures, deep clean the house, preserve food (can), visit the sisters I'm assigned to visit, keep in touch with extended family members, attend the temple, plan a birthday party for a child, do my church calling, work on the annual literature conference for which I'm the coordinator, help with the high school marching band, attend cross country meets and band performances... The list could go on forever. It's too much for one person. But as President Kiehl, our Stake President, said this Sunday at stake conference, we need to have faith that the Lord will take us by the hand and help us up our figurative mountains. We need to pray each day for what we should do that day and then with courage let the Lord guide us to do the essential, knowing that he will make us more than we can be on our own. Two weeks ago I scheduled to attend the temple with two of my friends. As the time approached I thought of all the things I could be doing at home instead. But I went anyway. It helped that I volunteered to drive my friends. Even though my trip to the temple took three hours, my day seemed to expand when I got home. I was able to accomplish the essential.

Mormons do have a lot of rules or commandments to follow. Don't drink. Don't break the Sabbath day holy. Don't date until you're sixteen. Don't have sex until you're married. Don't forget to say your prayers. One of the gifts we were given when we came to this earth was agency. We have the ability to make choices. But we cannot choose the consequences of those choices. To help us, God gave us commandments, or rules that if followed will give us more freedom. If you don't drink you won't become addicted to alcohol. Addictions take away your agency. When you are controlled by a drug, you have less freedom. If you choose to attend church on Sunday and learn and grow spiritually, you will be stronger and able to accomplish more throughout the week. And God will bless you for your faithfulness. When you wait until you're sixteen to date, you are more likely to associate with young people who respect you. You are more mature and able to make better decisions about relationships and able to focus on developing as a person and not just as half of a couple. Waiting to date also helps with the not having sex until you're married. If you wait, then you can get to know the person without the physical pressure. You will have more trust as a couple. You are less likely to contract a sexually transmitted disease. You won't have children until you can be the parent your child deserves. And your self esteem won't be based on your sexual performance, but on your worth as a person. So, do eat healthy. Do keep the Sabbath day holy. Do have fun dating. Do commit to a person who respects and trusts you. Pray.

As a teenager I would often get depressed. I wanted my mom to be sympathetic and take my side. Instead she said, "When you're depressed, Docena, serve someone else." It seemed to me that crawling into bed, crying, and eating all the pecan praline ice cream would solve my depression. But that wasn't what worked. Forgetting myself and serving someone else always made me feel better. And it still does.

Experiment on the word. Get up in the morning and ask God to direct you to do the essential. Have faith that He will. Then get to work. You will find that you have gained your life through service to Him.