It has been said that if we fail to plan, we plan to fail.
We all want to be ready for future storms and difficulties in life, but we can’t always predict what’s coming and what we need to do to prepare. Sometimes it feels as if we’re playing chess, doing our best to think two or three moves ahead.
To prepare for financial or natural disasters, we all know it’s wise to store food, water, medicine, and so on. But what about the spiritual challenges we might face? What can we do today so that we can find peace and contentment tomorrow, come what may?
In a university commencement speech, President Russell M. Nelson said to graduates who had worked hard planning what to do in their future, “Instead of concentrating on what you are to do, now is the time to zero in on who you are to be.”[1]
It’s always good to have a to-do list. But when it comes to spiritual preparedness, a to-be list may be even more important. What kind of person do you want to be? What are the character traits that will bring the greatest measure of joy to you and your loved ones, regardless of the challenges you may face?
A young father recently pondered these kinds of questions. He often went on golfing trips with friends, but he was starting to see that he was hindering his personal growth and family time. He decided it was time to work on becoming the husband and father he wanted his family to have, so he reorganized his priorities and began to set goals for the future.
A woman with a prestigious career made a similar life-defining decision. She chose to use her wealth to build orphanages around the world, rather than spending it on lavish living. She decided that long-term, this is what she wanted to give to the world.
When we ponder and pray about our path and listen to the Lord’s guidance, we often feel prompted to pivot, prioritize, and prepare for a future that might be different than what we expected. These moments may surprise us, and they may be difficult. But if we trust the Lord, who sees what we cannot, He will help us succeed in our plans and plan to succeed.
[1] Russell M. Nelson, “Disciples of Jesus Christ—Defenders of Marriage” (Brigham Young University commencement, Aug. 14, 2014), 2, speeches.byu.edu.
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February 05, 2023
Broadcast Number 4,873
The Tabernacle Choir
Orchestra at Temple Square
Conductors
Mack Wilberg
Ryan Murphy
Organist
Richard Elliott
Host
Lloyd Newell
Glory To God On High
Felice de Giardini Arr. Mack Wilberg
If the Savior Stood Beside Me
Sally DeFord Arr. Sam Cardon
I Sing the Mighty Power of God
English Melody; Arr. Mack Wilberg
Sinfonia to Cantata 29, We Thank Thee, God
Johann Sebastian Bach; Arr. Robert Hebble
Thanks Be to God, from Elijah
Felix Mendelssohn
I Will Follow God’s Plan
Vanja Y. Watkins; Arr. Nathan Hofheins
Music Everywhere
Ryan Murphy
Climb Ev’ry Mountain, from The Sound of Music
Richard Rodgers: arr. Arthur Harris