Living Earnestly and with Sincerity - Chelsey Porter

Living earnestly and with sincerity is exactly the way the Lord wants us to live, by living an earnest and sincere life we set an example for those around us and can bring others to the fullness of the gospel, “when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God” (Mosiah 2:17). By serving and helping others to come to the gospel we are serving our Lord and how great is his joy when we are doing his work and striving to be like him. Also by living an earnest and sincere life we are open to receive the promptings of the spirit and be closer with our Heavenly Father. When our lives are centered on the Lord and his teachings making the right decisions and living according to his will, will be very easy for us and set us up for success. Success is what the Lord wants for us and always gives us a plan to achieve success. Living earnestly and with sincerity we are standing for truth and righteousness in a sober way.

To achieve a life of truth and soberness we must hold strong to the iron rod and follow the path to the tree of life. President Gordon B. Hinckley has said,” The course of our lives is seldom determined by great, life altering decisions. Our direction is often by small, day to day choices that chart the track on which we run. This is the substance of our lives … making choices”. I really like this quote because it makes me feel like if I am trying my hardest and making an effort the Lord is happy with me. He doesn’t expect us to be perfect. If we are making small decisions that conform to his will then we are just preparing ourselves for the bigger decisions and we will be able to make those decisions with ease because we have been building up towards them. By simple means are great things brought to pass.

Two words that go right along with truth and soberness are steadfast and immovable. “There, I would that ye be steadfast and immovable in, always abounding in “good works , that Christ, the Lord God Omnipotent, may seal you his, that you may be brought to heaven, that ye may have everlasting salvation and eternal life, through the wisdom, and power, and justice, and mercy of him who created all things, in heaven and in earth, who is God above all” (Mosiah 5:15). A person who is steadfast and immovable is solid, firm, resolute, firmly secured, and incapable of being diverted from a primary purpose or mission. If we plant our roots deep in the gospel it makes it much harder for the adversary to uproot us. When you stand steadfast and immovable the Lord is on your side and with the Lord on your side you will not fail. There are many examples in the scriptures of people who were steadfast and immovable; one such example is the 2000 Stripling Warriors. They were all young men who were exceedingly valiant and courageous. They were also “men who were true at all times in whatsoever thing they were entrusted. Yea, they were men of truth and soberness” (Alma 53:20–21). If we stand steadfast and immovable we will be able to stand up against the adversary and make the right decisions that please the Lord. (David A. Bednar, “Steadfast and Immovable, Always Abounding in Good Works”, New Era January 2008)

Personally living a life of truth and soberness is very important to me because I can remember times when I have strayed from the path and was lost in the dark, and needed the help that comes along with living a life of truth and soberness. “Courage is required to think right, choose right, and do right, for such a course will rarely, if ever, be the easiest to follow”, (President Thomas S. Monson). It is never easy to make the right decision but we still have to do it. And it will pay off, the reason it’s so hard is because the rewards are so great. The Lord has promised us if we follow the commandments then great will be our rewards. It is not worth it to make wrong decisions and try to fix the mess later. It may be hard in the moment to do what is right but how blessed will you be when you do make the right decision.

I know that living a life of truth and righteousness is essential for future generations. We need to be living a life of truth and righteousness to continue on the faith. We need to set an example that our posterity can look back on. I know that I look back to many previous prophets and examples in my life for guidance. Joseph Smith set a perfect example that everyone of our religion can look up to. When I think about passing on knowledge and lifestyle I think of the hymn “True to the Faith”. The chorus is the part that I remember the most. “True to the faith that our parents have cherished, true to the truth for which martyrs have perished, To God’s command, Soul, heart, and hand, Faithful and true we will ever stand”. Whenever we are struggling with our own faith or with living a life of truth and soberness we can always look to our parents for guidance or to previous prophet and teachings. There are so many resources and example of those who have come before us that we can learn from. We can follow their example of truth and soberness. I pray that I will always have the faith, courage, and obedience to make good choices and live a life of truth and soberness. I know that if I do these things the Lord will bless me beyond my comprehension.

Works Cited

Mosiah 2:17
Gordon B. Hinckley – Quote
Mosiah 5:15
Alma 53:20-21
David A. Bednar, “Steadfast and Immovable, Abounding in Good Works”, New Era January 2008
President Thomas S. Monson – Quote
“True to the Faith” LDS Hymn Book #254