|
Over the last several decades, LDS Church leaders have spoken out frequently about the many demands on our time, and how they can turn our attention away from the most essential things. With increasing frequency, they have offered counsel on how to simplify our lives, preserving time and energy for essential relationships and activities that can sustain us in a busy, ever-more demanding world.
Favorite Articles:
 |
Richard G. Scott, “First Things First,” Ensign, May 2001, 6 ("Satan has a powerful tool to use against good people. It is distraction. He would have good people fill life with "good things" so there is no room for the essential ones. Have you unconsciously been caught in that trap?....
"Are there so many fascinating, exciting things to do or so many challenges pressing down upon you that it is hard to keep focused on that which is essential? When things of the world crowd in, all too often the wrong things take highest priority. Then it is easy to forget the fundamental purpose of life.")
|
 |
Dallin H. Oaks, “Good, Better, Best” Ensign, November 2007, 104-108 ("Most of us have more things expected of us than we can possibly do. As breadwinners, as parents, as Church workers and members, we face many choices on what we will do with our time and other resources."
"...We have to forgo some good things in order to choose others that are better or best because they develop faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and strengthen our families."
|
 |
Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “Of Things That Matter Most,” Ensign, October 2010, 19-22. "If life and its rushed pace and many stresses have made it difficult for you to feel like rejoicing, then perhaps now is a good time to refocus on what matters most..."
"As we turn to our Heavenly Father and seek His wisdom regarding the things that matter most, we learn over and over again the importance of four key relationships: with our God, with our families, with our fellowman, and with ourselves."
|
 |
M. Russell Ballard, “Keeping Life's Demands in Balance,” Ensign, May 1987, 13 "First, think about your life and set your priorities... Second, set short-term goals that you can reach... Third, through wise budgeting control your real needs and measure them carefully against your many wants in life... Fourth, stay close to your spouse, children, relatives, and friends... Fifth, study the scriptures... Sixth, schedule time for sufficient rest, exercise, and relaxation... Seventh, [as] families, teach one another the gospel, preferably in a weekly family home evening... Finally, pray often as individuals and as families."
"... Church leaders must be sure they do not require so much from members that they have no time to accomplish their personal and family goals."
|
 |
William R. Bradford, “Unclutter Your Life,” Ensign, May 1992. "Those words 'I WANT MY LIFE BACK' have stuck in my mind, and the more I have thought about them the more concerned I have become. This concern has persuaded me to say something about uncluttering our lives and getting back to basics."
“A cluttered life is a life that you do not have control of. It is a life in which the things you have surrounded yourself with and allow to use up your time, are controlling you and negatively influencing your happiness and eternal progress.
“We give our lives to that which we give our time.”
“I have learned that it is very difficult, if not impossible, to unclutter one’s life by starting at the top of the pile with the idea that the solution is just to get things sorted and better organized. It is nice to get better organized, but that is not enough. Much actually has to be discarded. We must actually get rid of it."
|
|
