Understanding why we do what we do in church and in our lives can help us find a more meaningful path.
There’s no getting around it: life is busy. It’s easy to get caught up in a never-ending list of things that demand our attention. When was the last time you asked yourself, “Why do I do what I do?” “Why do I believe what I believe?” And, most importantly, “How can I improve?”
In a leadership broadcast address, “Acting on the Truths of the Gospel of Jesus Christ,” President Dieter F. Uchtdorf says that it’s easier to know what to do when we remember why we do it or why we believe it.
“Too often,” President Uchtdorf says, “we complicate the beauty and simplicity of the gospel of Jesus Christ with endless lists of meticulous expectations. However, when we focus on the ‘why’ of the gospel, much of the confusion fades away.” Asking ourselves the right questions will lead us to the right answers—and ultimately, to the right decisions: decisions based on principle and purpose.
As we refocus our lives, we are more able to devote ourselves to what truly matters: loving Heavenly Father and loving others. We may be surprised to discover that the Lord will magnify our efforts to help us reach our goals. “If you are focused on the ‘why’ of the gospel,” President Uchtdorf promises, “the Spirit will direct your humble efforts.” There is no better guide through life than the Spirit of God.
Read “Acting on the Truths of the Gospel.”
Source: lds.org
—Erin Steenblik Tanner, Mormon Insights
Find more insights
Watch or read more from President Dieter F. Uchtdorf about the “why” of the gospel in “Forget Me Not.”
Watch or read talks given in the October 2015 general conference to find out how you can refocus your life on the simple truths of the gospel today.
I love this article! Especially because I feel like the times where I am the most unhappy with my life or with how I’m trying to live the gospel are also the times where I’ve lost that focus on the why. I think it’s important to have a purpose in everything we do, especially when it comes to something as important as the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Thanks for the reminder!
Focusing on the “why” of our daily actions and especially our faith will definitely make our lives more meaningful. I’ve found that when I’m not motivated or when I’m cynical of something, it’s because I don’t understand, appreciate, or believe in the “why” behind why I’m doing it. So slowing down to think about things definitely helps keep a better perspective and will make our actions more meaningful.