In the Long Run

In President Oaks’ recent talk in general conference, he said this about the Church’s doctrine on marriage and the family: “The restored Church’s positions on these fundamentals frequently provoke opposition. We understand that. Our Heavenly Father’s plan allows for ‘opposition in all things,’ and Satan’s most strenuous opposition is directed at whatever is most important to that plan. Consequently, he seeks to oppose progress toward exaltation by distorting marriage, discouraging childbearing, or confusing gender. However, we know that in the long run, the divine purpose and plan of our loving Heavenly Father will not be changed. Personal circumstances may change, and God’s plan assures that in the long run, the faithful who keep their covenants will have the opportunity to qualify for every promised blessing.” I think that this idea of focusing on “the long run” is key for us as disciples of Jesus Christ in making decisions and understanding God’s laws here on earth. We often are narrowly focused on the immediate and the pleasures and enjoyment that we can obtain unto here and now. But God wants our eternal happiness in the long run, and that may mean sacrifice and even suffering now to obtain it. I love this promise from Isaiah which is repeated in both the New Testament and Doctrine and Covenants: “For since the beginning of the world men have not heard, nor perceived by the ear, neither hath the eye seen, O God, beside thee, what he hath prepared for him that waiteth for him” (Isaiah 64:4). We do not understand the full design of God or that which He has prepared for those who can wait on Him, patiently keeping His commandments even when the world would seek to turn us from them.

                One of my favorite verses in the Old Testament is the well-known statement in Proverbs 29:18 which says, “Where there is no vision, the people perish.” Not as well-known is the second half of this verse: “But he that keepeth the law, happy is he.” While this phrase about vision could rightly be applied to many aspects of our lives, the context suggests that the original intent was regarding obedience to the commandments. We need a vision of where we are headed in the long run to understand why we should keep the commandments today. That is what President Oaks was trying to help us see: “The purpose of the doctrine and policies of this restored Church is to prepare God’s children for salvation in the celestial glory and, more particularly, for exaltation in its highest degree…. We are all children of a loving Heavenly Father. For all of us, He has destined life after death and, ultimately, a kingdom of glory. God desires all of us to strive for His highest possible blessings by keeping His highest commandments, covenants, and ordinances.” As we consider commandments today that may be hard to accept or keep we should look what the plan is of the Father in the future for our eternal destiny. As he questioned in another conference talk, we should ask ourselves as we consider choices in the present, “Where will this lead?” He further stated, “Take the long view. What is the effect on our future of the decisions we make in the present?” Elder Hales similarly said, “Heavenly Father does His work in the long term.” He then quoted this from Joseph’s letter in Liberty Jail: “There is much which lieth in futurity…. Therefore, dearly beloved brethren, let us cheerfully do all things that lie in our power; and then may we stand still, with the utmost assurance, to see the salvation of God, and for his arm to be revealed” (Doctrine and Covenants 123:15, 17). There is indeed much which lieth in the future for us, and we should seek to diligently do now that which, in the long run, will lead to those greatest blessings which our Father in Heaven has in store for us. As Elder Scott said, “Making decisions based upon eternal truth, is the pattern of the Lord. It will always lead you to make decisions guided by His plan of happiness. Such decisions are centered in doing what is right, not in first deciding the result desired. Choosing to do what the Lord has defined as right will, in the long run, always lead to the best outcomes.”