KISS

Mosiah 22:7

"And I will go according to thy command and pay the last tribute of wine to the Lamanites, and they will be drunken; and we will pass through the secret pass on the left of their camp when they are drunken and asleep."

Institute was great as always tonight. I really enjoy the topics we cover this semester, especially since they are what the apostles have been speaking about recently. Tonight we discussed L. Tom Perry's recent talk about simplicity. I really enjoy that topic because I have such a testimony of it. My testimony has been strengthened so much by that principle. There are 4 things we discussed today that are all we need in life (as discovered by Henry David Thoreau years ago).

1. Food

2. Clothing

3. Shelther

4. Fuel

The first 3 don't take explanation, but they can all have both positive and negative influences on our life, in various forms. I won't discuss these too much because they are not what are directly on my mind at the time, but I still want to say something briefly about each of them.

Food is obviously vital for our existence, but we need to make sure we are eating the right foods. This is where the Lord's guidance comes in to play, specifically names the Word of Wisdom. There is a really cool video about that found here. 

Clothing is vital as well, for various reasons. But thanks to the adversary, even this basic need has to be governed as well. Far too many people of this day and age use clothing in inappropriate ways to attract members of the opposite sex. Doing so does nothing but disrespect the fact that our bodies are temples, and should be treated as such.

Shelter is what keeps us safe and protected from much of the world around us. However, even this has become something of an idol in this day and age. Many people view their home as their "status" for others to see, and in turn strive to have as large a house as they can, or have as many nice and expensive things in it despite what might be a subpar income for the standard of living they desire. Living within your means truly is a principle that must be adhered to. Without doing so how can you ever plan for the future or expect to be able to provide for more than just yourself?

Fuel, that is the one that has been on my mind more lately. We know we that are both a body and a spirit, so it stands for reason that both need nourishment (as I have discussed in a previous post.) Returning to our Father in Heaven requires spiritual fuel, and constant and daily attention to that fact.

And that's it. Those are the only 4 things we need. Everything else comes as extra. Now, obviously, the 4th one (being fuel) is pretty all encompassing as it entails pretty much the entirety of our religious practices (church meetings, service, scripture study, etc), but so many people miss the bar here. They fill their lives with things that, eternally, just do not matter. This is something I have been working on in my life for a while now, and as I have gotten better about it, I really have come to enjoy the added peace that I have received due to it.

Computer games, avid sports watching, superfluous music, mindless tv-programs, mindless movies, hobbies that don't benefit any body, loud parties, and so forth. These things (for the most part) do nothing but take time away from you, time which could be spent strengthening your testimony, giving service, spending time with your family, etc. If something can't be classified as Food/Shelther/Clothing/Fuel - then is it really worth your time? Worth the time of a son or daughter of God? Worth the time of someone who will hopefully inherit all that their Father has, and needs to be as spiritually sound as possible to do so?

We are held to such a high standard by our Father in Heaven, should we not hold ourselves to that same standard? Christ led a very simple life. He truly did set the example in all things. In what ways can we simplify our lives and find more time for those things that really do matter?