A Return to Reverence Part III-Restoring Reverence to our Lives

Restoring Reverence by Setting an Example—and Staying the Course

In preparation for the return of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, we as a people need to restore an attitude of reverence in our lives.  With the world in uproar, we see that we are in the last moments of the last dispensation. We must do all we can to refocus on the important and eternal aspects of our lives.

Many in the world have lost the attitude of reverence and respect for not only this beautiful creation on which we live, but for themselves, others and all other creations with which we share our existence.

We have forgotten to respect and reverence the gifts of God.

We see chaos, war, calamity, rampant sexual misconduct of all kinds, profanity, selfishness, destruction of property, self and others.  These are the times the ancient prophets of the Lord foresaw.  If we want to survive the destruction’s yet to come, we must rely on the Holy Spirit’s guidance and restore reverence in our own lives and teach our families.

How do we do that?

By becoming re-converted to Christ   Putting Him first and the love of the things of this world aside.  We must re-learn respect for the Lord, His teachings and His ways.

We need to ask ourselves—Am I ready to meet the Lord, should He knock on my front door?

1.  For Self and Others

Our Bodies:

Reverence and respect for our bodies means taking a hard look at ourselves in the mirror and answering the following:

• Do we take care of our bodies presently?
• Are we careful what we do with and put into them as we should be?
• Are we preoccupied with how we look, ignoring things of a spiritual nature in lieu of maintaining our outward appearances?
• Do we ignore our bodies needs altogether?
• Do we maintain good health through exercise, diet and rest?
• Are we reliant on fads and formulas, fast food and false promises of advertisers?
• Do we take the opportunity to fast once a month?
• What messages are we sending our children and youth?
• What kind of example do we set?

To return to reverence we need to take a serious look at where we spend our time and energies; examining priorities and circumstances.

Ask yourself: Could I kneel before the Lord and kiss His feet in gratitude for the gift of my body, and the physical pleasures I enjoy through His grace and blessings?  Have I taught my children to take joy in using their senses to experience all of His wonders?

Can I partake of the promise found in Doctrine and Covenants 89:18-21?

And all saints who remember to keep and do these sayings, walking in obedience to the commandments, shall receive health in their navel and marrow to their bones;  And shall find wisdom and great treasures of knowledge, even hidden treasures; And shall run and not be weary, and shall walk and not faint.  And I, the Lord, give unto them a promise, that the destroying angel shall pass by them, as the children of Israel, and not slay them. Amen.

It’s time to implement the changes we need to make, regain testimonies and show reverence and respect for our bodies.

Our Minds:

As mature adults our minds should be as active as when we were younger; give some thought to the following:

• How do we see and treat others?  As equals, strangers, or our brothers and sisters?
• How do we treat our spouses and other family members?
• Do we place our energies and emphasis on what we consume, buy, use or play with?
• Are we concerned for the welfare of the needy around us and share our bounty?
• Do we seek out the best in literature, music and other arts, or do we seek only for fleeting pleasures?
• Are we as concerned for our mental health, as for our physical and spiritual health?
• Are we developing our talents and learning?
• What pursuits do our children see us spending our time with, and are we truly helping them to develop their own?

If we respect the complexities and the incredible blessings of technology which have been invented through the talents and intelligence of others, would we change how we spend our time, and continue in mindless pursuits of no value?

Ask yourself: If the Lord were a guest in my Home, how would I choose to entertain Him?  What could I tell or show Him about my good works and accomplishments?

Can I access the blessings of peace, knowledge and joy because I follow the admonishment found in Doctrine and Covenants 88:118-121?

And as all have not faith, seek ye diligently and teach one another words of wisdom; yea, seek ye out of the best books words of wisdom; seek learning, even by study and also by faith.  Organize yourselves; prepare every needful thing; and establish a house, even a house of of prayer, a house of fasting, a house of faith, a house of learning, a house of glory, a house of order, a house of God.  That your incomings may be in the name of the Lord; that your outgoings may be in the name of the Lord; that all your salutations may be in the name of the Lord, with uplifted hands unto the Most High.  Therefore, cease from all your light speeches, from all laughter, from all your pride ad light-mindedness, and from all your wicked doings.

It’s time to return to a mindset of respect and reverence for learning and communication with our families and friends.  We need to testify that there is a better way of living to the rest of the world; with the gift and attitude of reverence.

Our Spirits:

Our spirits are sensitive and when we live as we ought to, we will return untarnished to our heavenly home.  We should ask ourselves:

• What condition is our spirit in?
• Are we strong in the knowledge and laws of God by reading and hearing His words from latter-day prophets?
• Do we follow that counsel and honor local leaders?
• Do we live so that we may enter the Lords’s Temple worthily?
• Are we preparing to go if we have not yet made and received those covenants and blessings?
• Do our children know we have a testimony, considering our family relationships to be eternal?
• Do we put our spouse before self?
• If we love the Lord with all our hearts, how might we change?
• Could we spend more time in scripture study, meditating and prayer; or preparations as a Sunday School or Primary teacher?
• Should we be more consistent in holding Family Prayer and Family Home Evening?

Are we in tune enough to know, if we were in the presence of the Lord?  If not, we need to return to reverence.

Ask yourself:  Could I show the Lord my family history, genealogy and temple ordinance work that has been done for my ancestors?  Would I bathe His feet with tears in gratitude for the opportunity to enter His Holy House, sit at His feet and listen to His Words, because I was worthy?  Can I say I have experienced a mighty change, so I can dwell in His presence?

Can I answer all of the questions found in Alma chapter 5?  Am I pure and clean?  Do I possess charity—the pure love of Christ?

Verse 19: I say unto you,can ye look up to God at that day with a pure heart and clean hands:  I say unto you, can you look up, having the image of God engraven upon our countenances?

Verse 26: And now behold, I say unto you my brethren, if ye have experienced a change of heart ad if ye have felt to sing the song of redeeming love, I would ask, can ye feel so now?

It’s time to develop a spirit of respect and reverence for the sacred; to prepare and teach our children about our Savior, and receive the eternal blessings of being together.

2.  At Home, at Work, at Play

Home as our Haven:

Adopting an attitude of reverence and respect should first become evident within our own homes.  It’s here we teach the principles of the Gospel and put them into practice with daily living. The Temple and our homes should be the two most Holy places found in the world.  Places where family members and others find peace, happiness, contentment, security and an abundance of love.

If we bring the evils of the world through the front door, the spirit of the Lord will retreat, and we will be left in the dark; spiritually.  The Holy Spirits’s light cannot dwell in places of chaos, uncleanliness, discontent, perversion, sin and corruption.

A return to reverence begins with a change of heart, mind and atmosphere in which we live; then we reflect the principles we believe in.

When our homes are filled with the light and presence of the spirit, we don’t need to preach, but simply teach by example.  It can be seen and felt by all who enter.  By filling our homes with a spirit of reverence, we know the Savior would feel comfortable should we have the opportunity to open our front door to welcome Him.

Is my home a comfortable and pleasant place to be?  Do I have an excess of stuff that consumes my time with meaningless activity?  Would I feel comfortable inviting the Savior to dine and stay to teach me and mine?

In the Workplace:

It’s difficult to carry and retain a spirit of reverence  in the hustle and bustle of the workplace.

However, we can begin our days’ effort to do so, and close it with prayer.  Prayer allows us to carry a portion of that spirit with us throughout the day, no matter what situations and circumstances we encounter.

Then, if and when faced with difficult issues, we’ll have the personal strength, fortitude and presence of mind to get through any challenge holding onto our self-respect, and respect for others.  We’ll be able to leave work behind and replace it with reverence as we return home and close the door on the world.

If we can hold onto and exhibit a spirit of reverence and respect, it will affect others.  One person can make a difference.  Others notice when we carry the Holy Spirit’s presence with us.  It shows in our demeanor, our faces and attitudes toward co-workers, clients, and general public.  When we have a spirit of reverence we’ll bring others to Christ by our examples.  We won’t need to preach.

In a quiet moments of reflection we should evaluate how we interact with others daily.  If we could see ourselves as other do, we might make some changes.  Respect begins with self and then others.

Ask yourself:  If the Savior were to show up where I work, would I treat Him as I do anyone else?  Would He see that I am honest in my dealings?  Could I converse with Him and not worry about my appearance, language or conduct?

In Social and Educational Situations:

Social situations are similar to workplace situations.  If we are continuing our education in some manner, the same thing applies.  We can still carry a spirit of reverence with us no matter where we are.

Social situations vary because we lead different lives.  Some have families and activities are centered around them. Those who are single or retired lead differing social lives.  Where we live and what our interests are, become factors that play a part in the activities and places we frequent.

Many social events by their very nature can cause us to lose our attitudes of respect and reverence.  Loud, chaotic, action and emotion driven, and those with climactic moments may find us losing our reverence and respect, leaving us deprived, empty, negative, and devoid of all positive feeling.   It may be time to change our activities, if we lose our sense of reverence and self-respect.

When educational endeavors open us to beliefs and attitudes of a worldly nature, as well as times and people with whom we disagree, we can still maintain a spirit of respect by simply ‘agreeing to disagree’.  We need not give up our beliefs in this contradictory world.

We can hold onto the spirit of reverence for the ideals we know to be true and allow others to hold onto their dignity.   Respect always works both ways.

Is my conduct such, that if the Savior were seated beside me I would feel completely comfortable with Him?  Are my attitudes and actions in line with His teachings?  Do I show respect for others in all social settings?

Can I look myself in the mirror the following morning, after attending a social event and know I am still worthy to attend the Temple?

3.  Sacred Settings

For Church Meetings, our Callings and our Testimonies:

By attending our church meetings with an attitude of reverence, the Holy Spirit teaches us more effectively.   When we prepare and fulfill callings with respect for those we influence and show reverence by example, we testify we know the Gospel to be true.

When we bear our testimonies we show reverence and gratitude to the Lord and to others becoming stronger in our faith.  We reverence the Gospel we hold sacred when we live as we believe.

Our examples will be more effective with children and youth than anything we say.  They watch us closely and learn by doing so. Take a look at yourself and your example:

1. What do we want our youth to learn from us?
2. Which of our attitudes do we want them to adopt?
3. Do I share my testimony vocally and in action?
4. Are my actions in church the same as what they see outside of it?
5. Does my demeanor change as I enter sacred places showing my reverence and respect?

For the Sacrament  and Sacrament Meeting:

If we attend Sacrament meeting for the purpose of being seen socially in the right time and place, or out of habit, or for any other reason than participation in worship of our Savior—by partaking of His Spirit through the Sacrament, Hymns, Prayers, Messages and Testimonies—we are there for naught.

Answering the following questions may lead us to think twice about how we show reverence in sacred meetings and for the Sacrament.

• What are we teaching our children and youth by the attitudes we show?
• Are we dressed appropriately?
• Are our actions, demeanor and voices appropriate for learning and absorbing the spirit?
• Do we pay attention to speakers and to the message of the Hymns by singing?
• Do we quietly play with electronic devices in a manner un-befitting our spirits?
• What kind of example do we show our children, do we let them wander, behave disrespectfully or noisily in the chapel and elsewhere?
• Do they behave just like we do?

Practicing reverence and respect for and during the Sacrament Services each week prepares us for living in the world during the remainder of the week.  It helps us keep the spirit with us each day.  Through our attendance and show of reverence for the Sabbath, the Sacrament and the Services, we prepare ourselves and our families to enter the most Holy of places; His Temple.

The simplest question we can ask is this: Why am I here and what do I hope to gain by attending Sacrament Meeting today?

Pay attention to your own answer.

In Temple Worship and Eternal Relationships:

Temples are the most Holy and Sacred places on earth.  Our families are the most important relationships we can cultivate.  Our relationship with Christ should be at the top of the list in thought and deed.

Are we striving to implement a Return to Reverence in our lives so that we can enter worthily into His most Holy House and take our families with us? Are we working to build eternal relationships with all our family members?  Are our hearts, minds and spirits turned to them?

Are we in tune with the Spirit enough to recognize where we need improvement?  Do we attend the Temple often, so we can retain the Spirit of Reverence we feel there and share it?

Can we ask ourselves if we are returning to reverence by putting into our lives the words of the apostle Paul found in Titus 2:11-14?

For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

It’s time to Return to Reverence individually and as followers of Christ.