“O, remember, my son, and learn wisdom in thy youth; yea, learn in thy youth to keep the commandments of God.” Alma 37:35-37
When we find Jesus Christ early, even early youth, there will be less of our past to deal with. Later, long held bad habits, especially addictions, are difficult to change. I taught young men (14-15 year olds) that the years they currently experienced were forming them into the adults they would become. If they chose a life of ‘anything goes’ a course of least resistance or no discipline, they would easily default into bad habits, even additions that could haunt them throughout life. Lazy, bad or destructive habits accumulated over years or decades will cause heartache and disappointment to self and loved ones. When, on the other hand, they make comparatively little extra effort now to create productive worthwhile habits, such will serve them, their families and others for the rest of their lives. In starting now, they become like youthful Nephi of old whose faith had him say, “I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded, for I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them.” (1 Nephi 3:7) In Nephi’s example we find a young man rare amongst men who received his unwavering discipline to always do his Heavenly Father’s will. He was the focus of much verbal and physical abuse from elder brothers and brothers-in-law, but because of his faith and following the teachings of his parents, his trials brought him closer to God. (see 1 Nephi 15:6-11, 21-25)
We who are older can take on a youthful attitude, become vulnerable to upward change, impressionable to thinking that takes us there, and start with simple disciplines that increase faith in Christ (prayer, scripture study, reading soul building books/media, living correct uplifting principles). It’s never too late to start and with the right approach, anything can change when we are patient with self and step by small step learn how to do it. God and those who love Him are part of this equation. It may also mean changing friends, finding a new job, moving to a new location–doing whatever it takes. Once we are on the upward path we must never look back or revisit old friends (still in bondage) or those circumstances that could reverse our new and growing convictions. kdm
( recommended reading; “The Slight Edge by Jeff Olson”)
