Choices

In the book of Matthew, Jesus taught, “Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.” Here we learn a powerful lesson—that it is impossible to orient ourselves towards Christ without having an unselfish attitude toward others.

How can we develop this attitude of unselfishness? It has to start with the simple choices that we make every day. It has been said that the gate of history turns on small hinges and so do people’s lives. The choices we make determine our destiny.

Joshua of old declared, “Choose you this day whom ye will serve; … but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”

Some choices may seem more important than others but no choice is insignificant. We can choose to walk right on past that person at the grocery store struggling with her groceries or we can choose right then and there to stop and offer help (my wife is a great example here). A simple smile can make a huge difference in the life of someone struggling—I know it has to me.

The scriptures are replete with examples of choices, both good and bad, that shaped not only the lives of those making the decision, but the lives of those around them as well. Consider all of the choices made by David and the impact they had on those around him.

Don’t get me wrong, I think we are doing pretty well in our little town here. I see, pretty much on a daily basis, countless acts of selflessness. We truly live in a wonderful place.

As you ponder your simple choices, may I share a simple formula recently given to help guide our choices.

“Fill your minds with truth.

Fill your hearts with love.

Fill your lives with service.”

(Thomas S. Monson)

By doing so, may we one day hear the plaudit from our Lord and Savior, ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.’