Developing Our Potential – Sunday, April 28, 1985
The potential of each human being is usually greater than the product of our lives. It is generally accepted that most of us go through our lives only partially aware of the full range of our abilities. Why? Well, it may be that we lack the courage to take risks—the courage to change failure.
A successful businessman once told a group of young scholars that the reason for his success was that he wasn’t afraid to fail; in fact, did many times.1
A primary virtue of formal education is that it requires us to test ourselves in a variety of activities that may not be of our own choosing—at which time we might fall. Education is a lifelong endeavor; but, when we’re on our own, we tend to confine ourselves to the things we do well and to avoid challenges we once failed…or never tried.
We also need to free ourselves from the web of social pressure which makes us spend so much time asking ourselves, “What will people say?”…or social situations which make as compromise our principles and beliefs because “everybody’s doing it.”
One of life’s paradoxes is that nearly everyone wants to improve his or her circumstances, but hardly anyone wants to improve himself or herself, or at least take the risk to do so.
Self-improvement, increased self-discipline, the establishment of strong values and standards in our lives are all essential and should be lifelong pursuits.
In trying to expand our abilities, we should not overlook the spiritual strength and potential that lies within us. A careful nurturing of our spiritual nature will help unfold many dormant talents.
The scriptures tell us of the need to make the Savior and things of the spirit our cornerstone in order to deal effectively with the inevitable stresses and trials of life. We are told, “…it is upon the Rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that (we) must build (our) foundation…a foundation whereon if men build, they cannot fail.”2
How plain and direct…a guaranteed, risk-free prescription for success. Yet many have “not prosper(ed),” but have been “afflicted and smitten” because of the “boastings in their own strength…”3
Yes, the Lord will help us in all our endeavors—both spiritual and temporal, and He will help us become more aware of the untapped resources within us if we will only call upon His holy name and make Him an integral part of our lives
1 Ted J Balestreri, speaking at The American Academy of Achievement, New Orleans, LA, June 1982
2 Book of Mormon, Helaman 5:12
3 Book of Mormon, Helaman 4:13
April 28, 1985
Broadcast Number 2,906