The Why

This weekend was our Stake Conference and we had a visiting authority, Elder Monday.  What a neat man.  I participated in 3 meetings with him; the adult session last night, the Priesthood leadership meeting this morning and then the general session of Stake Conference.  What a treat to listen to this General Authority speak and share his testimony and his witness of the Savior. 

Last night he taught us a number of things.  One of his big points was that we need to teach the why.  All the time we here the youth or children ask why.  Why this, why that, why, why, why.  We have become a people with less patience or something and we tire of hearing why to the point where we may get angry.  Our frustration with the constant questioning may lead us to declare "because I said so".  Because I said so is not a phrase that builds testimony and shapes character.  When we focus on the why however, we take the appropriate amount of time to help others understand why we do something and then we can have a better understanding of what we do. 

An excellent example of this is in the question why do we read the scriptures?  Consider the answer "because I said so".  That doesn't work so well as an answer to this question.  If we understand the why then we are more motivated to live the what or do the what.    Here is the why: 

Doctrine and Covenants 18:33-36

33 And I, Jesus Christ, your Lord and your God, have spoken it.

34 These words are not of men nor of man, but of me; wherefore, you shall testify they are of me and not of man;

35 For it is my voice which speaketh them unto you; for they are given by my Spirit unto you, and by my power you can read them one to another; and save it were by my power you could not have them;

36 Wherefore, you can testfy that you have heard my voice, and know my words.

 

When we understand that we read the scriptures because doing so allows us to hear the voice of the Lord, to know his words, well that makes sense.  Suddenly instead of being armed with "because I said so" we now have a clear understanding as to why we read the scriptures daily. 

 

I quite enjoyed Elder Monday.  He was very real and I think we could easily relate to him because he was so open about his family and the struggles of life.  There was strength found as he shared the same trials and struggles that so many of us do.   Suddenly it was okay, somebody understands what I am going through and his message is to carry on.  To go forth with continued faith.  I am grateful for that. 

 

There was so much more that he shared and I would love to write more but I am not.  Why you ask... well the answer to that is that I am actually falling asleep and continuing to type could get me in some serious trouble.  Is that a good enough why?