Today’s Reading: 2 Nephi 9:49-10:17
51 Wherefore, do not spend money for that which is of no worth, nor your labor for that which cannot satisfy. Hearken diligently unto me, and remember the words which I have spoken; and come unto the Holy One of Israel, and feast upon that which perisheth not, neither can be corrupted, and let your soul delight in fatness.
Recently I have been working on a photography project that has caused me to reflect on the world’s values versus God’s. The world would have us obsess over our Pinterest boards and every cute thing out there, ultimately causing us to expect materialistic perfection from ourselves. On the flip side, all the Lord asks of us is to come unto Him and to be like Him — to love others, to do good, to find joy in the every day. We all know how easy it is to lose focus and to get caught up in comparing ourselves to the world’s standards that we see in the media, but in the end, the things that matter are those that “perisheth not.”
I find it important to check myself from time to time and to reflect on my personal priorities. What do I care most about — the world and the things of materialism? Or, God and the things of eternity?
President Dieter F. Uchtdorf taught the following:
“Our Heavenly Father sees our real potential. He knows things about us that we do not know ourselves. He prompts us during our lifetime to fulfill the measure of our creation, to live a good life, and to return to His presence.
“Why, then, do we devote so much of our time and energy to things that are so fleeting, so inconsequential, and so superficial? Do we refuse to see the folly in the pursuit of the trivial and transient?” (“Of Regrets and Resolutions”)
His words echo the words of the Savior, as He said, “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also” (Matthew 6:21).
As we strive to set our hearts on what matters most, we won’t only be happier, we will find ourselves drawing nearer to the Savior and becoming more and more like Him each day. And that’s all He asks of us.
I recently returned from serving a mission in Hawaii and am now at BYU studying Technology and Engineering Education with an emphasis in multimedia. I enjoy coloring and Japanese cabbage pancake-making and if you need me you’ll find me staring up at the stars, clouds, or trees, sometimes all at once.