Thinking and Living “Celestial” in the New Year:
> Think through decisions in advance, or at least in the moment: ZOOM IN mentally.
> Identify the LOW ROAD, the MIDDLE ROAD, and the HIGH ROAD.
> Align choices with the three Kingdoms of God: ZOOM OUT spiritually.
> We ACT on our choices with our thoughts, emotions, and spirit.
> LEARN from the results.
The “Fulcrum” or Pressure Point of Choice Pointing to Three Kingdoms of Glory. See the full graphic HERE, linked from my website, starting with this diagram:
The Rummy Game that taught me the importance of strict honesty, even in something as inconsequential as a card game. I discarded a Jack that I thought couldn’t be played on the board, and only after my opponent threw down his cards in defeat did I see the Jack did play on my opponent’s Jacks. I didn’t have a legal discard and couldn’t “go out.” It was one of those moments when your choices become crystal clear in a nano-second. Trust and honesty was paramount in our relationship and game playing. I said, “Pick up your cards, my Jack does play.” As competitive as that game was, neither of us remember who won the final hand. But I knew I had won a moral victory that would fuel and strengthen future hard choices.
Who Would Know? Why Not Take the Win? GOD Would Know.
D&C 1:31-32:
For I the Lord cannot look upon sin with the least degree of allowance;
Nevertheless, he that repents and does the commandments of the Lord shall be forgiven;
Personal consequences:
I would repent and need to confess to my son as part of required restitution.
That would DAMAGE THE TRUST between us—totally unacceptable as we are fanatic rule-keepers! “It’s not a WIN unless it’s an HONEST WIN.”
When It’s Life and Death—Pres. Oaks Facing a Mugger:
On a warm summer night in 1970, Dallin H. Oaks, a law professor and member of a Chicago-area stake presidency, had a frightening encounter with an armed robber on the city’s south side as he returned to where his wife was waiting in their parked car. “Give me your money,” the mugger demanded.
“I don’t have any,” Brother Oaks replied, showing him his empty wallet. “Give me your car keys,” he ordered. The keys were locked in the car with Sister Oaks. “Tell her to open the car,” the robber insisted. Brother Oaks said no. The robber threatened, “Do it, or I’ll kill you.”
“I won’t do it,” Brother Oaks said firmly. While the robber repeated his demands and threats, Brother Oaks saw an opportunity to wrestle the gun away from the young man.
“Just as I was about to make my move, I had a unique experience. I did not see anything or hear anything, but I knew something. I knew what would happen if I grabbed that gun. We would struggle, and I would turn the gun into that young man’s chest. It would fire, and he would die.
I also understood that I must not have the blood of that young man on my conscience for the rest of my life.” The threat was made again, but Brother Oaks’ courage and steadfast refusal to comply unnerved the young man and he fled.
Within a year of the experience, Dallin Oaks was chosen as president of BYU, and fourteen years later he became an apostle of the Lord, who had inspired and protected him that summer night.
(SOURCES: This Summary is from Lawrence R. Flake, Prophets and Apostles of the Last Dispensation, Religious Studies Center, Brigham Young University, 2001, pp. 535–38; Original Full Source: Dallin H. Oaks, Oct 1992 Conf Talk, Bible Stories and Personal Protection.)
What’s Our Source of Help?
Stephen Robinson (Believing Christ, pp. 25-26):
Taken together, Christ and I make up a new creature. The old creature, the imperfect me, ceases to exist, and a glorious new creature, a perfect partnership, takes its place.
Taken together as a single entity, the two of us, Christ and I, are perfect. . . .
True, this is not individual perfection, which will indeed come later (much later), rather it is perfection-in-Christ (see Moroni 10:32-33), through which we receive the benefits of our partner’s merits. Nevertheless, from this moment the kingdom is ours, provided that we maintain the partnership by abiding in the gospel covenant.
Todd McLauchlin (YouTube, Spiritual Survival, Do Veils of Unbelief Keep You from the Power of God?, early 2025): Indicative of that partnership:
How closely is your will aligned with God’s will?
Some Final Thoughts:
My daughter years ago: Mom, when you hurry, you lose the joy!
2 Nephi 2:25: . . . . men are, that they might have joy.
Mosiah 4:27: And see that all these things are done in wisdom and order; for it is not requisite that a man should run faster than he has strength. And again, it is expedient that he should be diligent, that thereby he might win the prize; therefore, all things must be done in order.
Take one day at a time. Conquer those challenges and you’re better prepared for the challenges of tomorrow. Then the day after that . . . .
From A Wise Woman in my Youth: ENJOY, ENJOY, ENJOY! God pays first in JOY and second in eternal life!