I.
Alexander the Great raised his desire to the gods by saying, "I would rather live a short life of glory than a long one of obscurity."[1] "The gods" listened to him. Alexander was the youngest conqueror, with the greatest number of conquests at that time, in an empire that encompassed the whole of the Mediterranean. He died at age 33.
Perhaps in your life there will be no opportunities to discover new lands or to conquer countries and kingdoms and have a short and glorious life that will be remembered for centuries upon centuries. However, we aspire to another kind of glory. The kingdoms and worlds to rule are framed in the heavens. Open your eyes to the horizon, and you will see. The battle that is in front of you is real and has a commander in chief: you. You are the captain of your ship, the discoverer of new lands, the general of your army, the conqueror of your kingdom. The glory that we aspire to and that we will receive for the victory of that battle is in front of us, in front of you. How can we overcome this great battle and obtain the desired and promised reward to the victors?
Without diminishing the merit of Alexander the Great, whose place in the history of the world is indisputable, let us consider another conqueror who lived before Alexander and whose story was written in the book of the earth and the heavens.
Of his life one could write, "Long life with glory."
II.
Joshua was chosen by God to succeed Moses as leader of the Israelites during the conquest of Canaan. Joshua conquered most of the territory of the promised land and distributed it among the twelve tribes of Israel. This took place possibly around 1230-1210 b.c. He is revered by Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. He died at age 110.
Joshua, the son of Nun of the tribe of Ephraim, was first called Hosea, meaning "saved," "a rescuer," or "savior." Subsequently, Moses, guided by the Spirit, named him Joshua, meaning "he saves" or the "salvation of Jehovah," referring to the role he would play. At the end of his life he brought the people together to give them a blessing, as well as final advice and a warning: "Choose you this day whom ye will serve; ... as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord."[2]
How did Joshua reach that level of commitment? Obviously, they were not words spoken lightly. His life had been in the service of God, and his statement was a declaration of his conduct for many years. How can we reach that level of commitment to also say, "Today, I and my house will serve the Lord"?
III.
Let us first speak of one of the intrinsic components of this statement: knowledge. Knowledge has its origin in the Greek word gnosis. That means personal or spiritual knowledge or specific knowledge of the divine. Knowledge is the act or effect of knowing. It is the capacity of man to understand, through reason, the nature, qualities, and relationships of things.
You are in one of the meccas of knowledge. It is called the temple of learning. Nowadays, the power to obtain knowledge is within the reach of everyone more than at any time in history. The university will guide you to obtain it and teach you how to apply it; in turn, you must form discipline to increase your knowledge through a diligent personal search. However, the application of this knowledge has its roots in the land of desire, and its fruits bloom in the branches of action. That desire for greater knowledge led the ancient and modern prophets and others to increase their level of information and understanding.
Abraham expressed: "And, finding there was greater happiness and peace and rest for me, I sought the blessings of the fathers, ... having been myself a follower of righteousness, desiring also to be one who possessed great knowledge, and to be a greater follower of righteousness, and to possess a greater knowledge, and to be a father of many nations, a prince of peace, and desiring to receive instructions, and to keep the commandments of God."[3]
Abraham passed from great knowledge to greater knowledge, from follower to a more faithful follower, because of his desire, search, learning, and action.
Joseph Smith had the desire to obtain wisdom: "I was one day reading the Epistle of James, first chapter and fifth verse, which reads: If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him....
"I reflected on it again and again, knowing that if any person needed wisdom from God, I did."[4]
And the resultant act initiated the First Vision. Desire, curiosity, faith, knowledge, more faith, more knowledge, action, fruit. Knowledge without action will not provide development.
A clear example of this is the following artifact, a children's toy, from the Mayan culture. We can see, in that toy, that the knowledge of the wheel was there, but they did not use it for other purposes.
We have other examples outside of the scriptures regarding the sincere quest for knowledge, and we might cite some as:
1. Marie Curie (1867-1934), possibly the most well-known female scientist in the world, which is supported by her two Nobel Prizes in physics and chemistry.[5]
2. Albert Einstein (1879-1955), the world's best-known scientist, making great contributions to physics and mathematics. [6]
3. Philo Taylor Farnsworth (1906-1971), an American Mormon inventor known for creating the first fully electronic television.[7]
4. Russell M. Nelson (1924-), a cardiovascular surgeon who performed surgical work on people's hearts rather than replacing them with an artificial alternative.[8]
Even though these people made a difference, their search for knowledge was not limited to just getting information; it was followed by action.
IV.
"Seek learning, even by study and also by faith."[9]
Regarding this subject, Elder Orson F. Whitney said the following in 1888: "Faith points to futurity, to things that will be; study pertains more to the past, to things that have been. History is temporal; prophecy is spiritual. The past is great, but the future will be greater. The dead letter may be precious, but the living oracle is beyond all price."[10]
The pursuit of knowledge is something that pleases our Father, and yet, what is the knowledge that He desires us to obtain and put in first place in our education? Which is the one that makes the true difference?
"Whatever principle of intelligence we attain unto in this life, it will rise with us in the resurrection.
"And if a person gains more knowledge and intelligence in this life through his diligence and obedience than another, he will have so much the advantage in the world to come."[11]
To what knowledge is he referring? It is not to secular knowledge, which is undoubtedly of great importance and is described within our responsibilities as children of God; however, this scripture refers to the knowledge of doctrine and, especially, the plan of salvation and the doctrine of Christ. The purpose of this plan is summarized in this expression of the Father: "For behold, this is my work and my glory--to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man."[12] With this in mind:
- Put this goal in front of you and work for it. (Moses 1:39)
- Discipline yourself in the pursuit of that goal.
Knowledge of the laws of the gospel and its application will motivate us to act differently. You will be able to make a difference in your life and in the lives of those around you.
V.
Edmund Burke, an eighteenth-century Irish politician and writer, said, "The only thing evil needs to succeed is for good men (and women) to do nothing."[13] It is the time to not only be passive spectators with knowledge but to be active participants with the knowledge of the truth.
Let's see a couple of examples of people who were not mere spectators:
Queen Esther could have remained silent and perhaps been justified by her position and by the customs of the court. She took the right attitude, and her courage allowed her to save her people. She overcame the fear and was not only a good woman but a woman of courage who put well-being of others before her safety.
Oskar Schindler was a German businessman, and a member of the Nazi party, who saved the lives of 1,200 Jews during the Holocaust by employing them as workers in his factories. He made the decision to do right beyond his own interests. The Schindler list--the group of people whom he saved--is a modern example of love and sacrifice. There were names to be added. One by one people were taken in. One by one they were saved. Today, more than 7,000 descendants come from that act. He made the difference by acting.
VI.
Now I would like to tell you, the heroes and heroines of the present are here. And they are you. I am sure that the fiber, the drive needed to make a difference and generate what is called the power of one, the power to act, the power to speak up, based on the knowledge of the gospel, and thus generate a change, is here; it is within you.
Are not we all heroes of our premortal life? We all opposed Lucifer and his plan. We were born winners, and we are on the team that will win the battle. Now, with the knowledge we have, we must make the decision to rise above our own weaknesses and move forward with our eyes on the One who saves us.
Alexander the Great expressed, "In the end, when everything is over, the only thing that matters is what you have done."[14] And Joshua: "Only rebel not ye against the Lord, neither fear ye the people of the land; for they are bread for us . . . and the Lord is with us."[15] At the end of the day, we can say that what we have done truly has value because we have relied on the Lord of Hosts. You can make that difference. "Let us onward, then, and upward, keeping the goal in view; living not in the dead past, nor for the dying present. The future is our field. Eternity is before us."[16]
VII.
And now, where to start? Start for yourself.
- Know who you are and ask earnestly to.
- Get a testimony of the plan of salvation and your active and effective participation in pre-earthly councils.
- Focus your attention and efforts on the path of that plan.
- Then, with that knowledge, discard extra baggage, that which will not allow you to advance.
It becomes necessary not only to know the plan. After you have studied, and after you have understood, you must entrust your faith in the Savior, through whom the plan is set forth. Put in front of you the reward that you will gain in the end by coming out victorious in your personal battle: "Ye shall come forth in the first resurrection; and if it be after the first resurrection, in the next resurrection; and shall inherit thrones, kingdoms, principalities, and powers, dominions."[17]
The knowledge of all the "clauses" of the plan--which includes not only general knowledge but also obligations, responsibilities, as well as the inherent blessings of applying it--will allow you to walk amidst the challenges, temptations, and doctrines of the world, with the assurance of one who walks on a dark path with a powerful light. Remember that He is the light.
VIII.
Do not choose the path of mediocrity, which comes with complacency and apathy. Be determined to be different; exercise the power that is in you, and make a difference.
You were a winner from the beginning. By participating positively in the premortal council, you and I obtained the "ticket" to come to earth and have the possibility to continue advancing. However, our brothers and sisters there who made the decision to follow a false leader, due to their impulse, uncertainty, and negligence in listening (and obeying), lost the opportunity to come to earth and to have a body. Nevertheless, the knowledge of the plan indicates to us that the test continues, and we cannot simply sit idly by and wait.
Just as Joshua became one of Israel's great lawmakers and an example to follow, so too can you become an example by making a difference in your life by applying the same principles. Edmund Burke's words can help us to be attentive not only to be "good" people but to be of those who choose and mark the way, who establish the difference, who use the knowledge of the gospel and the secular to establish a difference in themselves and in the environment.
President Thomas S. Monson said, "You can't be right by doing wrong; you can't be wrong by doing right."[18] Choosing whom to serve and where to make a difference begins with the desire to follow Jesus Christ, and this means obeying His commandments.
Heavenly Father loves all His children, from the purest and most just to the vilest sinner. He loves us all, but He says: "I the Lord cannot look upon sin with the least degree of allowance; Nevertheless, he that repents and does the commandments of the Lord shall be forgiven."[19]
IX.
Through the acquisition of knowledge of the commandments, we will know what is right and what is not, and thus we will be inwardly prepared to actively participate in favor of the freedom from deception, from false doctrines, from the adversary's influence, and thus be an active contributor in the process of happiness, because according to the plan, "men [and women] are, that they might have joy."[20]
However, the scriptures warn us against the adversary's plan, which says: "Eat, drink, and be merry, for tomorrow we die; and it shall be well with us....
"Yea, lie a little, take the advantage of one because of his words ... there is no harm in this; and do all these things, for tomorrow we die."[21]
The world says that "it is well," that "we are in a new age." Who is the author of all these doctrines and deviations? "Behold Satan hath come among the children of men, and tempteth them to worship him; and men have become carnal, sensual, and devilish, and are shut out from the presence of God."[22]
The warning and the antidote are in the scriptures: "Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body" (1 Corinthians 6:18).
We can find a very clear warning against homosexuality (Romans 1:26-27 and 1 Corinthians 6:9).
"Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ" (Colossians 2:8).
"The Family: A Proclamation to the World" represents the true message that comes from the Father to prevent us against the false doctrines regarding marriage and gender.
Do not be carried away by social movements whose messages or activities are contrary to the Father's plan. Remember that there is no double standard for the Father. Treat all with kindness, but be direct and clear, and preach by example and by word about the values ??that Christ taught us. Do not plead for causes contrary to the plan; rather raise your voice against sin, whatever it may be. "Ye are an example to the world: follow not after them"[23] Mark the difference, raise your voice, decide to act as a true disciple of the truth.
X.
We can develop the character of Moroni, of whom it was said, "Yea, verily, verily, I say unto you, if all men [and women] had been, and were, and ever would be, like unto Moroni, behold, the very powers of hell would have been shaken forever; yea, the devil would never have power over the hearts of the children of men."[24] Is that not wonderful? If we feed each day our being with these words, our confidence and inner power will increase.
And now what? What will you do today with the knowledge you already have of the gospel? Do you go deeper looking for a firm base to move forward? Look at Him; focus on Him; remember that "there are two ways of spreading light: to be the candle or the mirror that reflects it."[25] Think and remember the following as strengths to move on:
- He is the Light.
- With and through Him all is possible (Joshua 24:15).
- He is the great generator of inner change.
- He is love because He is the source of love.
XI.
Today I invite you to make a difference in your life by saying:
- Today I will study the scriptures, and I will feel joy in doing it.
- Today I pray and fast to strengthen my desire to apply, to believe, to follow, and to obey to the point of being able to say that I "have no more disposition to do evil, but to do good continually."[26]
- Today I will make the decision to put my life in harmony with the principles of the gospel.
- Today I will go to the temple with the name of an ancestor to help him advance.
- Today I will stop being just a good person, and I will say, "I and my house will serve Jehovah." After Joshua expressed his desire to follow the Lord and invited the people to choose whom to serve, they answered him, "The Lord our God will we serve, and his voice will we obey."[27]
And Joshua made a covenant with the people that day. "[He] wrote these words in the book of the law of God, and took a great stone ... and ... said unto all the people, Behold, this stone shall be a witness unto us; for it hath heard all the words of the Lord which he spake unto us: it shall be therefore a witness unto you, lest ye deny your God."[28]
XII.
We can raise our voice and say, "We will serve Jehovah," and symbolically place a stone in our room that reminds us of the covenant we have made with Him. Better than that, we can keep our "stone" with us: our temple recommend, which will remind us of our covenants to obey Him.
"Ye are an example to the world: follow not after them."[29]
Obtain knowledge and testimony of the plan, apply it, and teach it. Do not be distracted by social movements that are contrary to the truth. Be kind but firm. There are many noble causes to fight for. Be one of those who paves the road and makes a difference. Remember, you are a winner, born a winner. You really can make a big difference.
Choose a noble cause for the Lord by which to fight, and apply your energy. There are people to help, hands to lift, weakened knees to strengthen, prisoners to visit and rescue, hungry to feed, naked to clothe, and sick to heal. Raise your voice. Be true to yourselves and loyal to your mission.
"Ye are the 'hope of Israel.' The heavens are watching you, and the earth is waiting for you."[30]
Mark the difference. Establish your personal covenant with Him, our Savior, and say, "For me and my house, we will serve the Lord." And doing so, others also will be blessed.
In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, amen.
Notes
[1] "Political Spin Meisters Back in the Day: Alexander the Great," http://people.southwestern.edu/~stallark/FYShaskell.html
[2] Joshua 24:15; emphasis added
[3] Abraham 1:2
[4] Joseph Smith--History 1:11-12
[5] Marie Curie, Wikipedia, last modified May 16, 2017, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marie_Curie
[6] Albert Einstein, Wikipedia, last modified May 14, 2017, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Albert_Einstein
[7] Philo Farnsworth, Wikipedia, last modified May 12, 2017, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philo_Farnsworth
[8] Russell M. Nelson, Wikipedia, last modified May 5, 2017, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russell_M._Nelson
[9] D&C 88:118
[10] First delivered as a speech by Bishop Orson F. Whitney, at the YMMIA Conference, June 3, 1888, and subsequently published July 1888 in The Contributor
[11] D&C 130:18-19
[12] Moses 1:39
[13] Edmund Burke, in George Seldes, comp., The Great Thoughts, 1985, 60
[14] "Political Spin Meisters Back in the Day: Alexander the Great," http://people.southwestern.edu/~stallark/FYShaskell.html
[15] Numbers 14:9
[16] First delivered as a speech by Bishop Orson F. Whitney, at the YMMIA Conference, June 3, 1888, and subsequently published July 1888 in The Contributor
[17] D&C 132:19
[18] Thomas S. Monson, "Pathways to Perfection," Liahona, July 2002
[19] D&C 1:31-32
[20] 2 Nephi 2:25
[21] 2 Nephi 28:7-8
[22] Moses 6:49
[23] First delivered as a speech by Bishop Orson F. Whitney, at the YMMIA Conference, June 3, 1888, and subsequently published July 1888 in The Contributor
[24] Alma 48:17
[25] Edith Wharton, "Vesalius in Zante. (1564)" North American Review, Nov. 1902, 625-31
[26] Mosiah 5:2
[27] Joshua 24:24
[28] Joshua 24:26-27
[29] First delivered as a speech by Bishop Orson F. Whitney, at the YMMIA Conference, June 3, 1888, and subsequently published July 1888 in The Contributor
[30] First delivered as a speech by Bishop Orson F. Whitney, at the YMMIA Conference, June 3, 1888, and subsequently published July 1888 in The Contributor