LIVING WITH PURPOSE

PURPOSE is an interesting word that suggest action. I can visualize someone walking
quickly down the street, their stride punctuated with an urgency as he hurries to his destination. I can visualize someone with a book in one hand and a pen in the other with furrowed brow as he studies some project out in his mind. I can visualize someone with a tool in his hand and an object he is working on...with sweaty brow as he works to accomplish a task. I can visualize athletes working hard in practice so they can perform well when the contest is at hand. I can visualize a mother or father tenderly guiding their children, teaching them correct principles so they can face lifes challenges. When there is a goal in mind and we focus on that goal we are driven to accomplish its purpose.

The meaning of the word purpose is to plan, aim, intend, design, resolve, or determine. It is an action word calling on mental and/or physical energy to complete a task. A young man in our ward, Emmett Clayton, gave a talk on purpose a few weeks ago and during the talk I thought what a great idea for a newsletter. He told how powerful the word is and how it guides us in our lives as we have goals...to focus on the purpose of our lives and never give up.

Regardless of our purpose there are tools we need in order to accomplish the goals. In another Sacrament meeting talk a few years ago I heard and quickly wrote down the formula a man gave for three tools we need to navigate this life with purpose. He said we need: (1) a shield to protect us from evil influences, (2) a sword to fight for the right, (3) and a shovel so we can pitch in and work for the good of the Kingdom of God. He elaborated on each tool and concluded with the fact that we can enjoy the use of each of these tools if we are actively engaged in the Church of Jesus Christ. By adhering to the principles of the gospel we can put on the whole armor of God. We can add to that a sword so we can be armed and useful in the army of those who are standing for truth and righteousness. Then, of course, there's always a shovel available when there is work to be done to further the kingdom.

Computers are awesome in helping us with our purposes. Recently I signed up for Facebook on the computer network for that program at the urging of my daughters. I was and am amazed at the way we can contact and be contacted with everyone who we ever knew who has signed up for the same program. It has been of great interest to connect with sisters who served on Temple Square with us who we have not had contact with for several years. I was shocked one day when I saw that a man who came to Temple Square was asking to be my friend on the internet program. Years ago two of our dear sisters took Andrey Sidorin on a tour and he asked to learn more about the church. They called in the Salt Lake missionaried and they taught him the lessons, he was baptized and we attended that wonderful meeting. He went back to his home in Tajikistan and we didn't hear any more about him. The story of that event in in the book "Angels on Temple Square" on page 132-34. I was thrilled to converse with him over the internet. What a great tool the computer is for companies and for individuals. Of course, Satan has made it available for his dark side programs and we have to use our shield and sword to protect us against those programs. We even need our shovel at times to throw out things that may hinder us in our purpose in this life.

My brother has a grandson, Porter Ellett, who is a wonderful example of working to accomplish his purposes. When he was four years old he had an accident that caused his right arm to be useless. It didn't grow properly and later in life he had it amputated. Not having the use of his right arm didn't slow him down. He wanted to do all the things other kids did, so he worked hard all of his life to be able to do those things. He loved sports and worked hard to participate in them. As a result he played in high school and was a star athlete in basketball and baseball. He talked to a group of students in our area and told them he figures there are three places in reaching our goals. First you experience failure, you don't want to accept that so you move to the second step. You work, work, and work so you can move to the third step. There you experience success...but success is fleeting, so often you have to go back to step two and work more. There are some things he has conquered. He has learned some difficult things like how to tie his shoes and tie a tie. He is now serving a mission in Los Angeles, California and Im sure his ideas of living with purpose is touching many lives. He is a great young man.

I believe that every part and program of the Church of Jesus Christ is to aid us in living the gospel in our lives. We all need to take part in the great plan of salvation which will aid us in our quest of returning to live with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ forever, which is the grand purpose for and of this life.
With love to each of you....Maurine Winters