Gems-Teachings: We Must Journey to Higher Ground
"How do we know which direction we are headed? When the Savior walked the earth He was asked to name the greatest commandment. Without hesitation He said: 'Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
" 'This is the first and great commandment.
" 'And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
" 'On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets' (Matthew 22:37-40).
"In these verses, the Lord offers a clear way of knowing if we are on the right path. Those who journey to higher ground love the Lord with all their hearts. We see in their lives manifestations of that love. They seek their God in prayer and plead for His Holy Spirit. They humble themselves and open their hearts to the teachings of the prophets. They magnify their callings and seek to serve rather than be served. They stand as witnesses of God. They obey His commandments and grow strong in their testimony of the truth.
"They also love Heavenly Father's children, and their lives manifest that love. They care for their brothers and sisters. They nurture, serve, and sustain their spouses and children. In the spirit of love and kindness, they build up those around them. They give freely of their substance to others. They mourn with those that mourn and comfort those that stand in need of comfort (see Mosiah 18:9).
"This journey to higher ground is the pathway of discipleship to the Lord Jesus Christ. It is a journey that will ultimately lead us to exaltation with our families in the presence of the Father and
the Son."
(Joseph B. Wirthlin, "Journey to Higher Ground," Ensign, Nov. 2005, 19)
" 'This is the first and great commandment.
" 'And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
" 'On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets' (Matthew 22:37-40).
"In these verses, the Lord offers a clear way of knowing if we are on the right path. Those who journey to higher ground love the Lord with all their hearts. We see in their lives manifestations of that love. They seek their God in prayer and plead for His Holy Spirit. They humble themselves and open their hearts to the teachings of the prophets. They magnify their callings and seek to serve rather than be served. They stand as witnesses of God. They obey His commandments and grow strong in their testimony of the truth.
"They also love Heavenly Father's children, and their lives manifest that love. They care for their brothers and sisters. They nurture, serve, and sustain their spouses and children. In the spirit of love and kindness, they build up those around them. They give freely of their substance to others. They mourn with those that mourn and comfort those that stand in need of comfort (see Mosiah 18:9).
"This journey to higher ground is the pathway of discipleship to the Lord Jesus Christ. It is a journey that will ultimately lead us to exaltation with our families in the presence of the Father and
the Son."
(Joseph B. Wirthlin, "Journey to Higher Ground," Ensign, Nov. 2005, 19)