“We somehow need to realize the vital importance of feeling the blessings of the gospel and the peace of the Lord in our lives individually. That is much more significant than how well the mechanics of a program may be working in our wards and stakes.”
I have long heard phrases like “the spirit of the law, not the letter” or “its the people that are important, not the programs”. And I guess I get frustrated because at times I feel that the speakers of these phrases are using mental shortcuts or trying to rationalize their own behavior.
I believe we can mentally and emotionally get disconnected from what the gospel is about. But, as in most things, swinging back the other way would probably be an error too. (Although in saying that, could you be too helping or loving towards other people? Probably not.)
I guess at the heart of it is my deeply held notion that most people are trying to be good most of the time. And any mistakes or errors that happen are just a result of human frailties rather than out of some hidden or disguised malice. As such, when someone uses those phrases, I really think they are just talking without really thinking, they speak in haste rather than with deliberation.
Added on 03 Sept 2009 -
Wow, how plainly said. I think it can bring into focus what I have done, and not done, so far in my calling. The real evaluation then of my work is, how well do the men and families in the branch feel the blessings and peace that the Lord can give?
A second question would have to be, how do we help people feel those blessings? How do we really help them find that peace?
