Yesterday I got back from a young single-adult convention, and the truth is I’m not feeling very well spiritually. I haven’t gone to church in the past six months, since my sister left on her mission. I managed to get a job, and I’m about to graduate from the University, but I feel like I’m not happy because I haven’t been going to church, and I haven’t been doing the right things. Perhaps you can give me some good advice.
At this convention I talked to a beautiful girl who said she wants to marry a returned missionary. I feel bad because I’m inactive and my spirituality is at an all-time low. I’m not sure I’ll go on a mission. I’m only one semester away from graduating and I’m 21 years old. I need some good advice because I feel lost.
Hi brother. Questions like yours are very easy to answer, because you obviously already know what to do. You're correct in recognizing that you feel unsettled because you're not going to church and are not doing the things that you should do. The solution to this problem is not to feel sad. That's not productive in and of itself. The solution is to start going to church again.
Stop it.
When you're doing something that makes you feel bad spiritually, and you know what that thing is, you should stop doing that thing.
You're life already has many of the important pieces in place, brother. That you're about to graduate from the university is a true accomplishment. Make sure your spiritual life is also in order. If you need help going back to church, talk with your bishop right away. Perhaps the missionaries could also help. I'm also happy to answer any further questions you might have. Best of luck.
Grandpa Chet
2014-12-01 06:15:27
Bruno Paz has given, with one simple sentence, the best advice I've heard from a mortal being:
"When you're doing something that makes you feel bad spiritually, and you know what that thing is, you should stop doing that thing."
It's so universally true for each of us - and each of us has or will do self-defeating things - that I'm immediately swiping it, putting it on my Facebook page, and using it for my email signature.
Mr. E. S. G. - I apologize for this incident of intellectual theft, and ask retroactive permission. Because if I don't do it now, I'll forget.
Bruno Paz: You made my day, Grandpa Chet, with this kind comment. Sometimes the most direct answer is the best one. :) I certainly authorize your intellectual theft. All I did was apply the philosophy laid out in this SNL skit to the gospel:
You're life already has many of the important pieces in place, brother. That you're about to graduate from the university is a true accomplishment. Make sure your spiritual life is also in order. If you need help going back to church, talk with your bishop right away. Perhaps the missionaries could also help. I'm also happy to answer any further questions you might have. Best of luck.
"When you're doing something that makes you feel bad spiritually, and you know what that thing is, you should stop doing that thing."
It's so universally true for each of us - and each of us has or will do self-defeating things - that I'm immediately swiping it, putting it on my Facebook page, and using it for my email signature.
Mr. E. S. G. - I apologize for this incident of intellectual theft, and ask retroactive permission. Because if I don't do it now, I'll forget.
Bruno Paz: You made my day, Grandpa Chet, with this kind comment. Sometimes the most direct answer is the best one. :) I certainly authorize your intellectual theft. All I did was apply the philosophy laid out in this SNL skit to the gospel: