HIS WORK AND HIS GLORY (part two)

Having briefly expressed my experiences and opinions which are the result of a life spent in classrooms, writing on wallboards, I will now venture into an area, which like Paul, I as yet but see through a glass darkly.

How does a loving Eternal Father judge and help His children to become ‘all that they can become?’

For behold this is my work and my glory – to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man. (Moses 1:39)

How extensively can we apply our Heavenly Father’s methods to our earthly relationships as we attempt to encourage the progression of one another?

I tell you these things that ye may learn that when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God. (Mosiah 2:17)

As only deity can do, our Father in Heaven will hold each child accountable for their individual opportunities, abilities and availability to knowledge during their mortal days of probation.

For the Lord God giveth light unto the understanding; for he speaketh unto men according to their language, unto their understanding. (2 Nephi 31:3)

Our Heavenly Father directs individuals and nations according to their capacities and opportunities.

For behold the Lord doth grant unto all nations, of their own nation and tongue, to teach his word, yea, in wisdom, all that he seeth fit that they should have; therefore we see that the Lord doth council in wisdom, according to that which is just and true. (Alma 29:8)

Besides our limited ability to see through the glass darkly, we must never forget the vastness of the gulf which exists between the meagerness of the mortal mind and the Omniscient Immortal mind of our Heavenly Father.

Although this gulf exists I also believe that it is part of my assignment while I sojourn on this probationary planet to do all I can to help myself and others rise toward our potential.

I truly believe it is a major part of our earthly calling to be about our Father’s business, by going about with all our heart, might, mind and soul to:

Build – Edify – Strengthen others in all our interactions

Reinforce their self-worth with positive loving comments

Eliminate criticism and increase constructive advice when it is petitioned

Lead and admonish only in circumstances where my stewardship is well defined

Teach correct principles and then stand aside while others exercise their agency

As I attempt to do all I can to maximize my mortal potential I believe it is also part of my earthly responsibility to try too:

Continually strive to increase my testimony that I am the spiritual offspring of Heavenly Parents

Keep in remembrance that I was not sent to mortality with a propensity to fail

Do all I can to use my agency in accordance with my Father’s will

Retain a positive attitude while trying to diminish negative moments

Understand that I am of value while minimizing selfishness

Although these lists are short and incomplete they at least can start me on the quest to becoming the stepping stone for myself and others I was sent to earth to be.

Wherefore you are called to cry repentance unto this people. And if it so be that you should labor all your days in crying repentance unto this people, and bring, save it be one soul unto me, how great shall be your joy with him in the kingdom of my Father. (Doctrine and Covenants 18:14, 15)