The Latter-day Life

Conference has come and gone, and it’s time to review notes and read through the text and soak it all in.

Each of us have talks that speak to us. Elder Robbins’ “Which Way Do You Face?” really stood out to me. There are so many way to relate this to our lives.

Direction is everything. We use compasses and innumerable technological resources to make sure we are traveling in the right direction.

No matter which direction we are traveling, we can always be focused on the direction we face.

I strive to live my life in a way that always faces toward my Savior and my Heavenly Father. My goals in life are focused on returning to them. When decision time comes, I’m not just considering my options. I consider my family, and the effect the decision’s consequences have on my relationship with not only them, but with my Savior.

The great scriptural heroes always knew which way they faced. One of my favorite examples is during the prophet King Benjamin’s address to his people. Everyone came to hear him, and they came as families.

“And they pitched their tents round about the temple, every man having his tent with the door thereof towards the temple…” – Mosiah 2:6 (Book of Mormon)

The temple is the House of the Lord. It symbolizes the Savior and is a representation of His love for us. As these people faced the temple, they faced Christ.

Which way do you face?

We can travel in any of the cardinal directions we need to, but just because we are traveling one way, doesn’t mean we can’t face another. The world has different goals and faces another way. The ways of the world are not in harmony with the standards of God. When we make mistakes and lose sight of our goal, we can always do an about-face and re-focus.

Living with a focus on God, and facing Him, brings peace and joy in to my life and the life of my family. Following God’s standards keeps the world’s influence away, and provides a greater perspective for our daily lives.