The Book of Mormon is full of stories of men and entire nations who obtain power through unrighteous means, then lose it, then battle to regain it. One such story is found in the book of Ether, chapter 8. A man named Omer has a son named Jared who has a family, and eventually rebels against his father who is a king because he wants to have his own kingdom. He obtains it. Omer's other sons are angry and battle Jared to regain the kingdom. Jared loses the battle and is almost killed. However, the other sons who gave him battle spare his life.
There is one simple yet powerful verse that teaches a very important principle. Verse 7 reads: "And now Jared became exceedingly sorrowful because of the loss of the kingdom, for he had set his heart upon the kingdom and upon the glory of the world."
Interesting isn't it? If there is anything I've learned during my life it's this: Be very selective as to what you set out to gain, because you will most likely obtain it. Whether it's goodness or wickedness, we usually obtain what we want. The powerful thing is that sorrow accompanies the search of wordly pleasures and treasures. Especially once they're gone.
The world today is so very materialistic. If we would set our hearts upon that which will bring us real joy like family, friends, God, and other REAL treasures, ourlives would be much more full of joy!
The straight and narrow
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Dev, that is so true...thank you for sharing what you learned. It's easy at times to let ourselves seek after worldly things, more than we seek after the treasures of eternity.
ReplyDeleteBranson has helped me keep that perspective in check a little better...it's still hard, but knowing that he's in Heaven waiting on our return gives me so much motivation to make it back. He truly is my eternal treasure..."where your treasure is there will your heart be also"...Branson has a piece of my heart with him that will always be his.
I love you.
SO TRUE!! Devin, you are amazing and you see so much and are go focused. Keep it up because as you say, the things of the world get confused by so many as counterfits of Satan instead of what is really ETERNALLY important. WE must keep our sights on the things of ETERNITY and then we will be able to focus on what is really important and necessary. May We ALL Do So is My Prayer Each Day, My Love, MOM
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