“Our road to becoming is more than a marathon; it is the journey of a lifetime … and beyond,” taught Elder Neil L. Andersen of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. In his Tuesday morning devotional at the Marriott Center, Elder Andersen spoke on the importance of committing to and educating our righteous desires.
“The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints values education,” he said.
Education is not just a means to enhance work opportunities but a vital process that deepens our understanding of the world and fulfills our divine potential. President Russell M. Nelson emphasized the religious importance of education, linking it to the glory of God and our divine potential.
This particular kind of education goes beyond acquiring skills or knowledge; it involves shaping our deep, personal longings that influence our actions and choices. Our desires, influenced initially by family or culture, evolve into private, conscious longings.
“The process of refining, purifying and educating our righteous desires requires time and it requires patience,” Elder Andersen taught. “Then step by step, year by year, through His grace and our will, our desires become one with His.”
Educating our desires means aligning them with our righteous goals, allowing us to grow in ways that mirror the meek and merciful attributes taught by Christ. Jesus Christ is our ultimate example of righteous desires and seeking to align our desires with God’s.
From the beginning the Savior committed to the will of the Father being done, and in His final moments of mortal life, He reaffirmed His desire to complete the will of the One who sent Him.
“The daunting details of Gethsemane reveal the Savior’s absolute and complete willingness to submit His desires to those of the Father,” Elder Andersen said. “We seek to think as He thinks, love as He loves and desire as He desires, that one day, we might live with Him.”
Educating our desires and becoming more like our Savior Jesus Christ requires a combination of our determined effort and the grace of God. Together, these work to guide us through the lifelong process of becoming, helping us shape our lives in a way that our righteous desires can come to fruition.
Personal revelation is crucial in the process of becoming. The temple offers a sacred environment where we can receive divine direction without outside influences. It is in the temple that hearts can be opened to the Lord and educated righteous desires can be aligned with His.
“Our Heavenly Father knows your heart and your spirit. He knows your strengths and weaknesses. He understands your anxieties and your hopes, your longings and your fears. He knows your private struggles and He knows your faith,” Elder Andersen assured.
Elder Andersen promised that if you thoughtfully prepare to enter the Lord's house with a willing and open heart to His guidance, you will receive the uplifting power needed to educate your desires and strengthen your journey toward becoming who you are meant to be.
