FIRST PRESIDENCY MESSAGE
Aiming
at the Center
Second Counselor in the First Presidency
Photograph by Myshkovsky/Et/Getty Images
Recently, I watched a group of people
practicing the art of archery. Just by watching, it became clear to me that if
you really want to master the bow and arrow, it takes time and practice.
I don’t think you can develop a
reputation for being an accomplished archer by shooting at an empty wall and
then drawing targets around the arrows. You have to learn the art of finding
the target and hitting the bull’s-eye.
Painting Targets
Shooting first and drawing the target
afterward may seem a little absurd, but sometimes we ourselves mirror that very
behavior in other circumstances of life.
As Church members, we sometimes have a
tendency to attach ourselves to gospel programs, issues, and even doctrines
that seem interesting, important, or enjoyable to us. We are tempted to draw
targets around them, making us believe we are aiming at the center of the
gospel.
This is easy to do.
Throughout the ages we have received
excellent counsel and inspiration from prophets of God. We also receive
direction and clarification from various publications, handbooks, and manuals
of the Church. How easy it would be to select our favorite gospel topic, draw a
bull’s-eye around it, and then make a case that we have identified the center
of the gospel.
The Savior Clarifies
This is not a problem unique to our
day. Anciently, religious leaders spent a great deal of time cataloging,
ranking, and debating which of the hundreds of commandments was the most
important.
One day a group of religious scholars
attempted to draw the Savior into the controversy. They asked Him to weigh in
on an issue upon which few could agree.
“Master,” they asked Him, “which is the great
commandment in the
law?”
We all know how Jesus answered: “Thou
shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with
all thy mind.
“This is the first and great
commandment.
“And the second is like unto it, Thou
shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
Please note the last sentence: “On these two commandments hang all the
law and the prophets.”
The Savior not only showed us the
target, but He also identified the bull’s-eye.
Hitting the Target
As members of the Church, we covenant to take upon ourselves the
name of Jesus
Christ. Implicit in that covenant is the understanding that we will
strive to learn about God, love Him, increase our faith in Him, honor Him, walk
in His way, and stand steadfastly as witnesses of Him.
The more we learn about God and feel His love for us, the more
we realize that the infinite sacrifice of Jesus Christ is a divine gift of God.
And God’s love inspires us to use the path of true repentance, which will lead
to the miracle of forgiveness.
This process enables us to have greater love and compassion for those around
us. We will learn to see beyond labels. We will resist the temptation to accuse
or judge others by their sins, shortcomings, flaws, political leanings,
religious convictions, nationalities, or skin color.
We will see every one we meet as a
child of our Heavenly Father—our brother or our sister.
We will reach out to others in understanding and love—even those
who may not be particularly easy to love. We will mourn with those who mourn
and comfort those who stand in need of comfort.2
And we will realize that there is no
need for us to agonize about the correct gospel target.
The two great commandments are the target. On these two
commandments hang all the law and the prophets.3 As we accept this, all other good
things will fall into place.
If our primary focus, thoughts, and
efforts are centered on increasing our love for Almighty God and extending our
hearts to others, we can know that we have found the right target and are
aiming at the bull’s-eye—becoming true disciples of Jesus Christ.
Teaching from This Message
Before sharing this message, you could
sing “Our Savior’s Love” (Hymns, no. 113). Then consider encouraging
those you visit to reflect on the “targets” in their own lives. You could
discuss ways to ensure that the two great commandments—to “love the Lord thy
God” and to “love thy neighbour as thyself” (see Matthew 22:37, 39)—are
always guiding their actions. You might also share specific ways in which you
have focused your own life on Christ and share testimony of how that has
blessed you.
Youth
A Smile Can Make the Difference
President Uchtdorf identifies two goals we should have for our
actions: love God and love our fellowmen. But sometimes it just isn’t that easy
to love others. Throughout your life, there may be times when you find it
difficult to interact with others—perhaps someone has hurt you or you have a
hard time communicating or getting along with someone. In these moments, try to
remember the love you’ve felt from friends, family,
Heavenly Father, and Jesus
Christ. Remember the joy you felt in those situations and try to
imagine if everyone had the opportunity to feel such love. Remember that
everyone is a daughter or son of God and is deserving of both His and your
love.
Think of a specific person in your life
whom you’ve had difficulty getting along with. Include them in your prayers and
ask Heavenly Father to open your heart to them. You’ll soon start to see them
how He does: as one of His children who deserves love.
After you’ve prayed, do something nice
for them! Maybe invite them to a Mutual activity or an outing with friends.
Offer to help with a homework assignment. Even just say “hello” and smile at
them. The little things can make a big difference … in both of your lives!
Children
Bull’s-Eye!
President Uchtdorf says the gospel is
like target practice. We need to aim for the most important things. The most
important commandments are to love God and to love others. If we focus on these
two things, we can hit the bull’s-eye every time!
Draw an arrow in the targets that help
us show love for God and others. Draw an X over the targets that are not good
things to do.
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