Educating Our Righteous Desires | Neil L. Andersen | August 2024
Aug 20, 2024
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Neil L. Andersen, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, shares insights on cultivating righteous desires through education. He emphasizes the vital connection between personal will and divine grace. By aligning our aspirations with God's will, we can experience profound spiritual growth. Andersen highlights the transformative power of the mind and the importance of keeping covenants, drawing inspiration from Jesus Christ's example in Gethsemane to encourage listeners on their spiritual journeys.
Educating righteous desires requires a conscious effort to align personal will with divine principles for spiritual growth.
Honoring sacred covenants acts as a guiding principle, enabling individuals to refine their desires in a spiritual context.
Deep dives
The Importance of Educating Righteous Desires
Educating one's desires is crucial for achieving true happiness and fulfillment in life. Righteous desires, which stem from personal will and agency, must be actively nurtured and refined, as they are the foundation for how individuals choose to live. The speaker emphasizes that these desires are not simply influenced by external circumstances but are a powerful, conscious longing that each person must cultivate themselves. This process involves recognizing and defining what one's deepest desires are in alignment with divine principles, ultimately leading to spiritual growth and personal transformation.
Combining Effort and Divine Grace
The journey of educating desires involves a combination of personal effort and the grace provided by a higher power. Individuals are encouraged to utilize their will, sincerity, and intent while acknowledging the importance of faith and trust in divine guidance. This balanced approach is essential, as one's efforts to align personal desires with divine will can lead to profound changes in character and life direction. As individuals commit to refining their desires, they are empowered to navigate life's challenges with renewed clarity and purpose.
The Role of Covenants in Desire Education
Making and honoring sacred covenants, particularly those established in spiritual settings, significantly contributes to the education of righteous desires. Each covenant, from obedience to the law of chastity, serves as a guiding principle that helps individuals reflect and refine their desires in a spiritual context. In the temple, individuals can receive insight and direction that is free from external pressures, allowing them to better align their desires with divine intentions. This individualized approach fosters a deeper understanding of one's purpose and encourages ongoing growth within the framework of faith.
Educating our righteous desires involves aligning our efforts with God’s desires, receiving God’s gifts and grace, and keeping our covenants. Neil L. Andersen, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, delivered this BYU Education Week address on August 20, 2024. You can access the talk here.