First, we discussed the many fears we have which include fears regarding our children, the political climate, safety, the unknown and our own inadequacies.
People often use fear tactics to get others to comply with their wishes, and advertising professionals have long known hot to use fear and our desire to be happy to sell their message. Elder Uchdorf encourages us to "contemplate how we use fear to motivate others- including ourselves."
He teaches: "It is true that fear can have a powerful influence over our actions and behavior. But that influence tends to be temporary and shallow. Fear rarely has the power to change our hearts, and it will never transform us into people who love what is right and who want to obey Heavenly Father.
People who are fearful may say and do the right things, but they do not feel the right things. They often feel helpless and resentful, even angry. Over time these feelings lead to mistrust, defiance, even rebellion...
Often, people may condemn bullying in others, yet they cannot see it in themselves. They demand compliance with their own arbitrary rules, but when others don’t follow these random rules, they chasten them verbally, emotionally, and sometimes even physically."
Elder Uchdorf then introduces a BETTER WAY.
Question: What does it mean to say, "Perfect love casteth out all fear?"
- -Perfect love of Christ can center and ground us. Scary things may happen but the Lord will be with us, even in terrifying times
- -When we go through a trial we can know there can be strength in these experiences from God's love
- -We live in a world where we are "in a lion's den" and we can be protected through prayer just as Daniel was
- - A sister shared an anecdote someone once shared with her that stuck with her- "when you are not permanently doing the "right things" in your life nothing can permanently go right. When you do the "right things" nothing can permanently go wrong"
How Does Heavenly Father Father motivate us?
- He doesn't use fear.
- Gentleness, meekness, love unfeigned
Elder Uchdorf: "He wants to change more than just our behaviors. He wants to change our very natures. He wants to change our hearts. He wants us to reach out and take firm hold of the iron rod, confront our fears, and bravely step forward and upward along the strait and narrow path. He wants this for us because He loves us and because this is the way to happiness."
"He sent His son, Jesus Christ, to show us the right way."
"God motivates through persuasion, long-suffering, gentleness, meekness, and love unfeigned. God is on our side. He loves us, and when we stumble, He wants us to rise up, try again, and become stronger."
"He is our mentor.
He is our great and cherished hope.
He desires to stimulate us with faith.
He trusts us to learn from our missteps and make correct choices.
This is the better way!"
Elder Uchdorf reminds us that the Lord will help us fight our battles.
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