Of Most Worth

It is only a matter of time until a new First Presidency is reorganized, and it is expected that President Dallin H. Oaks will become the next president of the Church. He became an apostle at the same time as President Nelson, and over the years he has given many profound talks in general conference. I have always loved listening to his straightforward teachings. One of the most well-known talks he gave is Good, Better, Best. He related this experience from his childhood: “I lived for two years on a farm. We rarely went to town. Our Christmas shopping was done in the Sears, Roebuck catalog. I spent hours poring over its pages. For the rural families of that day, catalog pages were like the shopping mall or the Internet of our time. Something about some displays of merchandise in the catalog fixed itself in my mind. There were three degrees of quality: good, better, and best. For example, some men’s shoes were labeled good ($1.84), some better ($2.98), and some best ($3.45).” From this memory he taught, “As we consider various choices, we should remember that it is not enough that something is good. Other choices are better, and still others are best. Even though a particular choice is more costly, its far greater value may make it the best choice of all. Consider how we use our time in the choices we make in viewing television, playing video games, surfing the Internet, or reading books or magazines. Of course it is good to view wholesome entertainment or to obtain interesting information. But not everything of that sort is worth the portion of our life we give to obtain it. Some things are better, and others are best. When the Lord told us to seek learning, He said, ‘Seek ye out of the best books words of wisdom’ (D&C 88:118; emphasis added). I love this simple yet profound teaching. Just because something is good or “not bad” is not a reason to give a significant portion of our time to it. As we determine how to use our time or means, we should ask ourselves whether it is the best way we could spend that. In economics this is the principle of “opportunity cost” which highlights that there is a cost to whatever we do because we have to give up other things to do it. For example, when you are in school you will pick classes to be in, and you will have to choose between different options. Picking one might preclude the opportunity of doing another; you can’t do them all. And if you spend your money to buy one item, that may prevent you from buying another. And so, President Oaks encouraged us to consider what is best or most important. That’s the challenge.

               In another revelation the Lord gave an indication of what is most important which I think helps us to measure our own activities by. He said this to John Whitmer, “And now, behold, I say unto you, that the thing which will be of the most worth unto you will be to declare repentance unto this people, that you may bring souls unto me, that you may rest with them in the kingdom of my Father” (Doctrine and Covenants 15:6). And in case we think that was a unique message just for John Whitmer, the Lord said the exact same thing to Peter Whitmer Jr. (see Doctrine and Covenants 16:6). So that which will be of most worth unto us will be to bring souls unto Jesus Christ. I think that we can think broadly about this so that it includes ourselves, our family members, and our friends. He is not saying that our only activity in this life should be missionary work with a name badge—though that is certainly important for our youth as a part of their service to the Lord—but the activities we choose to participate in should be done with an ultimate goal of using them to help ourselves and others come unto the Savior. For the rich young man the Savior’s counsel was this: “Yet lackest thou one thing: sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me” (Luke 18:22). This was a way for the young man to both show love to those in need—certainly an activity that helps bring people to the Lord—and to connect himself more closely with the Savior. That was what was most important for him. To Peter the Savior said this, “Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me?” When Peter affirmed that he did, the Savior replied, “Feed my lambs” (John 21:15). He repeated this two more times, emphasizing that what was most important for Peter was to help others—to bring them to the Savior. After this Peter spent the rest of his life preaching the gospel and serving the Saints. We may not be able to help people in the same way as Peter or this rich young man or John Whitmer, but we can find ways to use the talents the Savior has given us personally to bring souls to Him, including our own. We each must find out what is most important for us given the opportunities we have, and surely the Savior will guide each of us as we let Him to develop the “best gifts” in order to bless those around us (Doctrine and Covenants 46:8).