I was reluctant to share this* from Elder Joseph Fielding Smith written when he was an Apostle in the mid 1950’s and 15 years before he became the Lord’s Prophet. That was a time when the world was entirely different than now. It was relatively simple to go with the flow of a church community since many in this nation and the world were ‘people of faith’. It is in that context, I must also remember the counsel of current leaders who speak for our more troubled times. Of many such talks, one given by Elder M. Russell Ballard is called ‘God is at the Helm’ (November 2015) and is very relevant to our time. Elder Joseph Fielding Smith’s message of 60+ years ago is strong in pointing us towards our baptismal covenants. When I do even a part of what he says below, I feel the Lord’s approval regularly and realize the process of living baptismal covenants increases over time… as I fix my spiritual eye on my Master and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Elder Joseph Fielding Smith wrote; “Every person baptized into this Church has made a covenant with the Lord to keep his commandments (see Mosiah 18:8-13). We are to serve the Lord with all the heart, and all the mind, and all the strength that we have, and that too in the name of Jesus Christ. Everything that we do should be done in the name of Jesus Christ.(see D&C 59:5-7, Deuteronomy 6:4-5; 10:12; 30:6; Matthew 22: 37; Luke 10:27). In the waters of baptism, we covenanted that we would keep these commandments; that we would serve the Lord; that we would keep this and greatest of all commandments, and love the Lord our God; that we would keep the next great commandment, we would love our neighbor as ourselves; and with all the might that we have, with all the strength, with all our hearts, we would prove to him that we would “live by every word that proceedeth forth from the mouth of God” (D&C 84:44; see also D&C 98:11; Deuteronomy 8:3; Matthew 4:4); that we would be obedient and humble, diligent in his service, willing to obey, to hearken to the counsels of those who preside over us and do all things with an eye single to the glory of God. We should not forget these things, for this commandment is binding upon us as members of the Church.” ~ Elder Joseph Fielding Smith [From ‘Selections From Doctrines of Salvation 2:328.] — Sermons and Writings of Joseph Fielding Smith, Copyright 2001 by Intellectual Reserve,Inc. President Joseph Fielding Smith became the Lord’s Prophet on January 23, 1970 and passed away on July 2, 1972.
‘I have lots to do!… lots that I need to pay attention to in becoming fully in harmony with my baptismal covenants made 47 years ago. Yes I am disappointed that I am not further along. My Heavenly Father and Redeemer, Jesus Christ increase my resolve to ‘keep on keeping on’ because I know I am closer to them now than last week or a year ago. I am much better off – daily striving to live covenants with the Lord, Jesus Christ, than what any alternative offers. Primarily, I remember too… challenges, disappointments, failure (and good times!) all cause me to talk to Heavenly Father often and fix my spiritual eye upon my Savior.
* Topics come from above through prayer so I resolve not to second guess. At any given post, someone(s) ‘out there’ will appreciate it. Normally, I try to keep my own thoughts brief. kdm
