What did you learn from the parable of the squirrel and the setter?
As we see threats creeping up on persons or things we love, we have the choice of speaking or acting or remaining silent. It is well to ask ourselves, “Where will this lead?” Where the consequences are immediate and serious, we cannot afford to do nothing. We must sound appropriate warnings or support appropriate preventive efforts while there is still time.
What sorts of threats might we see creeping up as parents, ministers, or friends?
Why do we sometimes hesitate to warn others of dangerous choices?
How can we sound appropriate warnings?
Some time ago I gave a talk titled “Good, Better, Best.” In that talk I said that “just because something is good is not a sufficient reason for doing it. The number of good things we can do far exceeds the time available to accomplish them. Some things are better than good, and these are the things that should command priority attention in our lives. … We have to forego some good things in order to choose others that are better or best.
How can we choose between all of the good things that we can spend our time on?
What does President Oaks mean when he talks about ‘opportunity cost’? Can you think of any examples?
“Where will this lead?” is also important in choosing how we label or think of ourselves. Most important, each of us is a child of God with a potential destiny of eternal life. Every other label, even including occupation, race, physical characteristics, or honors, is temporary or trivial in eternal terms. Don’t choose to label yourselves or think of yourselves in terms that put a limit on a goal for which you might strive.
What sorts of labels do we put on ourselves that limit us?
Where do those labels lead?
If we truly thought of ourselves as a child of God where might that lead?
How might it change us?
If we recognised that all our children of God and have the potential of eternal life, how might it change our attitude to others?
Brethren, we make countless choices in life, some large and some seemingly small. Looking back, we can see what a great difference some of our choices made in our lives. We make better choices and decisions if we look at the alternatives and ponder where they will lead.
What seemingly small decisions have you made that have made a great difference in your life?
Are there any decisions that, if you had a time machine, you would go back and change?
Joseph Smith said: “All persons are entitled to their agency, for God has so ordained it. He has constituted mankind moral agents, and given them power to choose good or evil; to seek after that which is good, by pursuing the pathway of holiness in this life, which brings peace of mind, and joy in the Holy Ghost here, and a fulness of joy and happiness at His right hand hereafter; or to pursue an evil course, going on in sin and rebellion against God, thereby bringing condemnation to their souls in this world, and an eternal loss in the world to come.” The Prophet also noted: “Satan cannot seduce us by his enticements unless we in our hearts consent and yield. Our organization is such that we can resist the devil; if we were not organized so, we would not be free agents” (Teachings: Joseph Smith, 213).]
If today’s choices impact the eternities, how can we make sure that we make the best choices?
(Excerpts from President Oaks’ address are in italics)
Latter-day Bloke 