The Abundant Life

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Posted by Connor on October 15th, 2006

The theme of our sacrament meeting today was “The Abundant Life”. The following are some of my notes and tangential ideas and thoughts.

The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. (John 10:10)

The Lord has made us stewards of this earth, wherein he has placed all manner of materials to support and sustain life. The righteous are promised to be prospered in the land, wherein the Lord has placed enough, and to spare.

Those who don’t understand the scriptures would probably define “abundance” as an accumulation of wealth, toys, possessions, and material goods. However, “the abundant life” goes beyond such a temporal limitation. Elder Hugh B. Brown explains:

“No man wants life to be flat and tasteless. If one’s life is to be abundant rather than barren, he must be eternally becoming. Life’s dividends are determined by the nature of man’s daily investments. A full and rich life is where there is ‘a sound mind in a sound body, controlled by a God-filled soul.’”

Eternally becoming. The abundant life is a quest, then, and not a destination. Like enduring to the end, the abundant life will only be granted at the judgment day, when we are allowed to rest from our labors.

It is only when we have our sights set on God that we can live such an abundant life. We must not be lovers of pleasure, but of God.

As President Kimball testified, “Eternal vigilance is the price of victory.” Additionally, he added that “if any of us wish to have more precise prescriptions for ourselves in terms of what we can do to have more abundant lives, all we usually need to do is to consult our conscience.”

What in your life is preventing you from having more of an abundance? Are you praying with sincerety and depth? Have you heeded the counsel of modern prophets? Are your priorities where the Lord would have them? I testify that the abundant life is not one just of material prosperity and success, but requires seeking and obtaining a peace of conscience that comes as a result of being doers of His word.

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A Pervasive Disregard for Life

One courageous individual has opined already. Care to pontificate as well?

i believe that faith greatly increases the quality of our lives. For me, I find prayer and meditation useful coping mechanisms. Our spiritual being needs to be nourished as well as our physical being. I have had to undergo horrific family tragedies, and without my belief in God, I don’t think I could have made it. I believe that all things come from God, therefore i thank Him for any blessings or material goods.

I agree it’s hard to keep our priorities straight in a world that is so unsure. Basically, we have to remind ourselves that God is ultimately in charge. Can we ever be too busy for God? I think we see miserable people all the time who have only consumerism and worldly things as priorities. Peace only comes from God,.

#1 Robert | October 15th, 2006 9:04 PM