The Lift of Life
Lifting weights is kind of a funny concept. You pick up something heavy, move it up and down
repeatedly, straining and struggling under the load, lactic acid builds up and your muscles begin
to burn, rep after rep the weight seems to get heavier and heavier and eventually, if you’re doing
things right you can no longer lift the weight under your own power. At this point hopefully you have
a spotter who gives you just the right amount of help, enough help to keep you from complete failure
and getting pinned by the weight you no longer can lift on your own, but allowing you to still strain and
push with all of your might and slowly continue to creep the weight to the top. After the exercise you
are sore, the ache may last a few days as your muscles recover. If you’re like me, there are long gaps
of time where you don’t exercise, and then when you start again, the soreness can last over a week.
Eventually though, if you are discipline in the dosage of pain, you will get stronger. You will begin
sculpting your body, muscles start to bulge, fat starts to recede, and you’ll even feel better throughout
each day.
repeatedly, straining and struggling under the load, lactic acid builds up and your muscles begin
to burn, rep after rep the weight seems to get heavier and heavier and eventually, if you’re doing
things right you can no longer lift the weight under your own power. At this point hopefully you have
a spotter who gives you just the right amount of help, enough help to keep you from complete failure
and getting pinned by the weight you no longer can lift on your own, but allowing you to still strain and
push with all of your might and slowly continue to creep the weight to the top. After the exercise you
are sore, the ache may last a few days as your muscles recover. If you’re like me, there are long gaps
of time where you don’t exercise, and then when you start again, the soreness can last over a week.
Eventually though, if you are discipline in the dosage of pain, you will get stronger. You will begin
sculpting your body, muscles start to bulge, fat starts to recede, and you’ll even feel better throughout
each day.
Working out can be a difficult habit to form, yet we can all clearly see the benefits. Health, clearness
of mind, discipline, body image, endorphins, increased capacity are just a few of the benefits that
come to mind. Knowing all of this, it can still be hard to gain the habit. Clearly there are people that
are better at this than others, and often times it's pretty easy to tell who’s got their workout game on.
Dallin for example, he’s huge. He didn’t get that way by watching TV and eating cheetos. To get in the
type of shape Dallin is in takes a lot of work and a lot of eating right, which for some of us is the
hardest part.
of mind, discipline, body image, endorphins, increased capacity are just a few of the benefits that
come to mind. Knowing all of this, it can still be hard to gain the habit. Clearly there are people that
are better at this than others, and often times it's pretty easy to tell who’s got their workout game on.
Dallin for example, he’s huge. He didn’t get that way by watching TV and eating cheetos. To get in the
type of shape Dallin is in takes a lot of work and a lot of eating right, which for some of us is the
hardest part.
Now, I didn’t come to lecture on exercise science, or to motivate us all to hit the gym and get ripped,
although I do believe there are a ton of benefits to creating a regular habit of working out. I came to
talk about habits that are even more important, and are ultimately what we came to this earth for. I
came to talk about the exercise of life, becoming spiritually fit, and even spiritual giants. I came to
talk about learning to master our own souls, and to control our own destiny. I believe all of us can
agree that it’s as easy to spot the spiritual body builder, as it is to spot the physical one. Those who
are spiritually fit radiate light and attract others to their being. The muscles groups are different, faith,
knowledge, charity, humility, diligence, virtue; the exercises are limitless, lovingly helping a lonely
neighbor, faithfully studying scriptures daily, diligently serving a family member.
although I do believe there are a ton of benefits to creating a regular habit of working out. I came to
talk about habits that are even more important, and are ultimately what we came to this earth for. I
came to talk about the exercise of life, becoming spiritually fit, and even spiritual giants. I came to
talk about learning to master our own souls, and to control our own destiny. I believe all of us can
agree that it’s as easy to spot the spiritual body builder, as it is to spot the physical one. Those who
are spiritually fit radiate light and attract others to their being. The muscles groups are different, faith,
knowledge, charity, humility, diligence, virtue; the exercises are limitless, lovingly helping a lonely
neighbor, faithfully studying scriptures daily, diligently serving a family member.
Learning to exercise these muscle groups is far more important than any physical workout we could
do, and as we build our spiritual muscles, becoming more charitable, more faithful, more humble, the
countenance of Christ will become our own. We are to become like him, that is why we came to this
earth. None of us were under the allusion when choosing to come here that it would be an easy task.
Dallin doesn’t go to the gym, expecting get stronger by sitting in a jacuzi and getting a massage.
When you go to the gym, you know it’s going to hurt a little bit, you’re going to have to force your
body to do a few things it doesn’t really want to. You’ve got to overcome the natural, lazy man
inside of you, and force your body to submit to your mind.
do, and as we build our spiritual muscles, becoming more charitable, more faithful, more humble, the
countenance of Christ will become our own. We are to become like him, that is why we came to this
earth. None of us were under the allusion when choosing to come here that it would be an easy task.
Dallin doesn’t go to the gym, expecting get stronger by sitting in a jacuzi and getting a massage.
When you go to the gym, you know it’s going to hurt a little bit, you’re going to have to force your
body to do a few things it doesn’t really want to. You’ve got to overcome the natural, lazy man
inside of you, and force your body to submit to your mind.
Spiritually we must do the same thing. Sometimes its not easy show love, humility or to faith. “It is a
fearful thing to fall into the hands of the Living God” (Hebrews 10:31) The challenges that we face in
life are given to us for a reason. God, knowing all things, gave to us a very tailored lot, to teach us to
become like him. They are to help Mold our spiritual man. Just as lifting weights hurts, and is meant
to hurt, we are meant to have some pain in this mortal life.
fearful thing to fall into the hands of the Living God” (Hebrews 10:31) The challenges that we face in
life are given to us for a reason. God, knowing all things, gave to us a very tailored lot, to teach us to
become like him. They are to help Mold our spiritual man. Just as lifting weights hurts, and is meant
to hurt, we are meant to have some pain in this mortal life.
Brothers and Sisters, for those that are having a hard time, wondering why things are turning out this
way? Wondering if God is hearing your prayers. Know that he is. I have seen countless miracles in
my own life. Prayers that have been answered, that could not have been fulfilled by anyway other
way. I promise that he answers. He is the best spotter in the universe, and the way we grow is by
working through things and learning for ourselves. When lifting, you can’t even feel a good spotter
lift the weight when he comes into help. It feels as if you’re still lifting it all on your own. At this point
you’re giving it all that you have, your muscles are screaming and it feels as if you’re about to collapse,
and if you didn’t know any better you’d think the spotter was just letting you do everything on your own.
He’s helping though. He’s letting us grown.
way? Wondering if God is hearing your prayers. Know that he is. I have seen countless miracles in
my own life. Prayers that have been answered, that could not have been fulfilled by anyway other
way. I promise that he answers. He is the best spotter in the universe, and the way we grow is by
working through things and learning for ourselves. When lifting, you can’t even feel a good spotter
lift the weight when he comes into help. It feels as if you’re still lifting it all on your own. At this point
you’re giving it all that you have, your muscles are screaming and it feels as if you’re about to collapse,
and if you didn’t know any better you’d think the spotter was just letting you do everything on your own.
He’s helping though. He’s letting us grown.
Also know, that we signed up for this. We wanted to grow, and there is no growth without strain. I
loved the title of Elder Stanley G. Ellis’s Talk this last conference “Do we trust him? Hard is good.”
No matter what struggle we are going through. If we trust him we can have peace. My favorite
verse in the New Testament is John 14:27 “My peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you, not
as the world give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled. Neither Let it be afraid.”
loved the title of Elder Stanley G. Ellis’s Talk this last conference “Do we trust him? Hard is good.”
No matter what struggle we are going through. If we trust him we can have peace. My favorite
verse in the New Testament is John 14:27 “My peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you, not
as the world give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled. Neither Let it be afraid.”
Part of this struggle is overcoming sin, and that is okay. We should not get down on ourselves
because we messed up. In fact, God knew that we would. That sin that is eating you up, that you
just can’t get over, he knew that you would do that. In reference to the fall of Adam and Eve Lehi
taught “ all things have been done in the wisdom of him who knoweth all things.” (2 Nephi 2:24) God
didn’t give us the commandments so that when we messsed up we’d feel guilty. He gave us the
commandments to help to become like him, and all he wants is for us to be able to overcome them.
These series of verse are just a few that show that God sent his son to help us overcome.
John 3:16- “Christ came not to condemn, but to save.” John 8:11- In reference to the woman
taken in Adulterey “hath no man condemned thee?... Neither do I condemn thee.”
Mosiah 26:30- “Yeah and as often as my people repent will I forgive them their
trespasses against me.” 1 Chronicles 16:34- “for His mercy endureth forever.” Sins aren’t sins
because God is a controlling God, who commands based on a few random predispositions.
No they are commandments to help us avoid pitfalls and traps of addiction, and malice, enmity and
vice. He is helping us shed the yoke of the natural man, and become Gods and Goddesses. God is
not swayed by natural appetites, and eventually if we want to be like him, we must not be too.
Overcoming sin can be excrutiating, but it’s in the struggle that Godhood is reavelled. So try, and try
again.Sometimes we may want to scream out in pain, and may even wonder where the help is. My
point is, rather than questioning God’s involvement in this process, embrace the cleansing, changing
nature of it.
because we messed up. In fact, God knew that we would. That sin that is eating you up, that you
just can’t get over, he knew that you would do that. In reference to the fall of Adam and Eve Lehi
taught “ all things have been done in the wisdom of him who knoweth all things.” (2 Nephi 2:24) God
didn’t give us the commandments so that when we messsed up we’d feel guilty. He gave us the
commandments to help to become like him, and all he wants is for us to be able to overcome them.
These series of verse are just a few that show that God sent his son to help us overcome.
John 3:16- “Christ came not to condemn, but to save.” John 8:11- In reference to the woman
taken in Adulterey “hath no man condemned thee?... Neither do I condemn thee.”
Mosiah 26:30- “Yeah and as often as my people repent will I forgive them their
trespasses against me.” 1 Chronicles 16:34- “for His mercy endureth forever.” Sins aren’t sins
because God is a controlling God, who commands based on a few random predispositions.
No they are commandments to help us avoid pitfalls and traps of addiction, and malice, enmity and
vice. He is helping us shed the yoke of the natural man, and become Gods and Goddesses. God is
not swayed by natural appetites, and eventually if we want to be like him, we must not be too.
Overcoming sin can be excrutiating, but it’s in the struggle that Godhood is reavelled. So try, and try
again.Sometimes we may want to scream out in pain, and may even wonder where the help is. My
point is, rather than questioning God’s involvement in this process, embrace the cleansing, changing
nature of it.
The reason for my talk is two fold. First, is embracing the challenge of repentance and overcoming
sin, recognizing that the struggle is good, planned, and necessary. The second point is that
repentance is not just overcoming sin. Repentance is doing good things as well, it's becoming more
like Christ. I had a bishop that taught this principle, and it changed my life forever.
sin, recognizing that the struggle is good, planned, and necessary. The second point is that
repentance is not just overcoming sin. Repentance is doing good things as well, it's becoming more
like Christ. I had a bishop that taught this principle, and it changed my life forever.
We should be 100% engaged in filling our life with light. This is a part of repentance. As we do so it
will be easier to reject sin, and we will truly understand repentance. Repentance is not just not doing
bad things. When we fully embrace this, it is life changing. Take keeping the sabbath day holy for
example. If we just refrain from doing things that distract us from dedicating the day to the Lord, it can
be empty and difficult, but as we proactively dedicate the day to the Lord we are filled with the true
spirit of the sabbath and take on more of his countenance. This same principle applies to every
commandment, and as we grow and mature in the gospel, in order to progress, we must focus on
these things. Christ taught the higher law and we must embrace it.
will be easier to reject sin, and we will truly understand repentance. Repentance is not just not doing
bad things. When we fully embrace this, it is life changing. Take keeping the sabbath day holy for
example. If we just refrain from doing things that distract us from dedicating the day to the Lord, it can
be empty and difficult, but as we proactively dedicate the day to the Lord we are filled with the true
spirit of the sabbath and take on more of his countenance. This same principle applies to every
commandment, and as we grow and mature in the gospel, in order to progress, we must focus on
these things. Christ taught the higher law and we must embrace it.
The scripture that my bishop used to teach this principle is Isaiah 1:18 “Come now and let us reason
together saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they
be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.” This is one of the most well known scriptures about
repentance and forgiveness in the church, but the verses that come beforehand I believe are very
insightful. Verse 11 says “To what purpose is this multitude of your sacrifices unto me? Saith the Lord:
I am full of burnt offerings of rams, and the fat of fed besats; and I delight not in the blood of bullocks,
or of lams, or of he goats.” 13 “Bring no more vain oblations.” And finally right
before 18, 16 and 17: “Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doing from before mine
eyes; cease to do evil; Learn to do well; seek judgement, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless,
plead for the widow.” Over half of the list, right before we are told our scarlet sins can be turnd white,
are doing good things. They are being engaged in positive activity.
together saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they
be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.” This is one of the most well known scriptures about
repentance and forgiveness in the church, but the verses that come beforehand I believe are very
insightful. Verse 11 says “To what purpose is this multitude of your sacrifices unto me? Saith the Lord:
I am full of burnt offerings of rams, and the fat of fed besats; and I delight not in the blood of bullocks,
or of lams, or of he goats.” 13 “Bring no more vain oblations.” And finally right
before 18, 16 and 17: “Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doing from before mine
eyes; cease to do evil; Learn to do well; seek judgement, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless,
plead for the widow.” Over half of the list, right before we are told our scarlet sins can be turnd white,
are doing good things. They are being engaged in positive activity.
Repentance by one definition is: having a fresh view of God and ourselves. Another scripture that has
stood out lately is D&C 50:24 “That which is of God is light and he that receiveth light, and continueth
inGod, receiveth more light; and that light groweth brighter and brighter until the perfect day.”
stood out lately is D&C 50:24 “That which is of God is light and he that receiveth light, and continueth
inGod, receiveth more light; and that light groweth brighter and brighter until the perfect day.”
The purpose of my talk is to not coast. Many of us have had deep gospel experiences, so much so that it
is easy to coast and rely on those testimony building experiences of the past.. It’s easy to do that, at
least for a time... 2 Nephi 28:21 warns “And others will [the devil] pacify, and lull away into carnal
security, that they will say: all is well in Zion; yea, Zion prospereth, all is well-- and thus the devil cheated
their souls, and leadeth them away carefully down to hell.” Another scripture that drives home this point
is James 4:18 “Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.” If we allow
ourselves to coast and become complacent, we allow ourselves to experience spiritual atrophy, we are
not accomplishing what we came here to do, and we are not partaking fully of the gospel.
is easy to coast and rely on those testimony building experiences of the past.. It’s easy to do that, at
least for a time... 2 Nephi 28:21 warns “And others will [the devil] pacify, and lull away into carnal
security, that they will say: all is well in Zion; yea, Zion prospereth, all is well-- and thus the devil cheated
their souls, and leadeth them away carefully down to hell.” Another scripture that drives home this point
is James 4:18 “Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.” If we allow
ourselves to coast and become complacent, we allow ourselves to experience spiritual atrophy, we are
not accomplishing what we came here to do, and we are not partaking fully of the gospel.
In conclusion, my hope would be that we each review our lives and think about where we could improve.
Grapple with it. Embrace the challenge... Most likely it will be two fold, overcoming sin, and becoming
more like Christ through positive action.
Grapple with it. Embrace the challenge... Most likely it will be two fold, overcoming sin, and becoming
more like Christ through positive action.
Christ came to show us the way. I testify of the reality of his matchless life. He was born to a virgin
mother just over 2000 years ago. He was %100 percent dedicated to his father’s plan and his father’s
children. He walked the roads of palestine, healing the sick, causing the blind to see, and raising the
dead. “He went about doing good.” (Acts 10:38) Everyone he met felt his love. Everyone he met saw
his perfect integrity. His character was perfect. His faith was like iron. His will to do what it took
undaunted. He was perfect, so much so that his apostles were willing to die with him. I rejoice to one
day to be reunited with him, and hopefully, to one day be like him. I testify of his life, his death, and his
resurrection.
mother just over 2000 years ago. He was %100 percent dedicated to his father’s plan and his father’s
children. He walked the roads of palestine, healing the sick, causing the blind to see, and raising the
dead. “He went about doing good.” (Acts 10:38) Everyone he met felt his love. Everyone he met saw
his perfect integrity. His character was perfect. His faith was like iron. His will to do what it took
undaunted. He was perfect, so much so that his apostles were willing to die with him. I rejoice to one
day to be reunited with him, and hopefully, to one day be like him. I testify of his life, his death, and his
resurrection.
One final scripture from Moroni 7:48- “Pray unto the father with all the energy of heart, that ye may be
filled with this love, which he hath bestowed upon all who are true followers of his Son, Jesus Christ;
that ye may become the sons of God; that when he shall appear we shall be like him, for we shall see
him as he is.”
filled with this love, which he hath bestowed upon all who are true followers of his Son, Jesus Christ;
that ye may become the sons of God; that when he shall appear we shall be like him, for we shall see
him as he is.”
May we each make our priority, even above all others, to become like him is my prayer,
in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
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