I have had a HUGE reminder this week about the concept of good, better, best. I spent some time reading some of the posts at The Misfit Cygnet and immediately thought of a portion of the 13th Article of Faith that says:
"If there is anything virtuous, lovely or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things."
I don't think that is too high of a standard to determine what we experience in our lives. I think the first requirement, anything virtuous, would actually weed out a lot of things we may consider. At the 2010 TJEd forum, the keynote speaker talked a bit about virtue. He defined virtue as,"... being that what you were created to do or be." Once we decide if something is virtuous, we can then use the other requirements mentioned, lovely, of good report, or praiseworthy, to help decide. This is were it can get a little tricky. Just as Elder Dallin H. Oaks said:
" 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."
I have decided that I am not ok with "good enough", "it's alright", "it's not that bad", or "there's worse". I want to know that what I am exposing my family and myself to is the best that is out there and that it is, "virtuous, lovely, of good report, or praiseworthy." I am not ok with just enough, good or better. I want the best for my family and that means not being afraid to go against the "norms" of the world.
Will I come off as a little strange? Some might think so. Will we miss out on some of the things kids these days are into? Sure. Will this help give my children a giant step towards gaining the testimony necessary to make it through this world? I know it will.
So, through our devotionals and scripture studies, I am seeking. I am seeking those things that can help my family live in the world but not of it. I am seeking for those things that magnify the gospel principles and help me be a better mother and wife. I am also going to always be asking myself, is this the best?
I have decided that I am not ok with "good enough", "it's alright", "it's not that bad", or "there's worse". I want to know that what I am exposing my family and myself to is the best that is out there and that it is, "virtuous, lovely, of good report, or praiseworthy." I am not ok with just enough, good or better. I want the best for my family and that means not being afraid to go against the "norms" of the world.
Will I come off as a little strange? Some might think so. Will we miss out on some of the things kids these days are into? Sure. Will this help give my children a giant step towards gaining the testimony necessary to make it through this world? I know it will.
So, through our devotionals and scripture studies, I am seeking. I am seeking those things that can help my family live in the world but not of it. I am seeking for those things that magnify the gospel principles and help me be a better mother and wife. I am also going to always be asking myself, is this the best?
3 comments:
ooohhhhh. inspiring! beautiful!
Thanks.
Nicely put Googs. It is hard living just the best. It requires us to totally change how we live our lives. I'm trying also to find those best things.
Best wishes as you discover!
Right on! The questions is, why those of us which seek after those righteous virtuous things are considered strange instead of right? Why can't people get it?
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