Do not Procrastinate your Day of Repentance and Service

For those of you that do not know me I am Jessie Packer and my husband is Brenton Packer.  We have three little kids Olivia 13, Johnny 10, and Mitchell 9.

The talk I have been asked to focus on is a General Conference talk by President Eying named THIS DAY!

The message is on Procrastination better yet “Not Procrastinating Service and Repentance”. I feel very inadequate to be speaking about this topic.  I hope the spirit will be here and you will be able to feel our Saviors love.  Keep in mind that as a Ward Family we are all in this together including myself and that we have the power to help one another.

This talk has so many facets and can apply to a broad range of ages from the most stalwart of saints to a young teenager learning the principles of the gospel, it just depends on our lives circumstances…..

As imperfect beings we tend to focus on things we do well and we put a lower priority on things we don’t do so well.

President Eyring explains that there is a danger in the word someday when what it means is “not this day.” “Someday I will repent.” “Someday I will forgive him.” “Someday I will speak to my friend about the Church.” “Someday I will start to pay tithing.” “Someday I will return to the temple.” “Someday …”

The thought “Someday I will” can be a thief of the opportunities of time and the blessings of eternity.

Amulek warns that procrastinating your repentance and service can cause the Spirit of the Lord to withdraw from you.

But with the warning he gives this hope: “And this I know, because the Lord hath said he dwelleth not in unholy temples, but in the hearts of the righteous doth he dwell; yea, and he has also said that the righteous shall sit down in his kingdom, to go no more out; but their garments should be made white through the blood of the Lamb.” Alma 34:36

When we hold on to sin we live each day in the darkness.  When we carry the burdens of sin with us we lose out on opportunities to bless ourselves our families and many others.

President Eyring shares that there is solemn warning and counsel in the words recorded in the Book of Mormon:

“And now, as I said unto you before, as ye have had so many witnesses, therefore, I beseech of you that ye do not procrastinate the day of your repentance until the end; for after this day of life, which is given us to prepare for eternity, behold, if we do not improve our time while in this life, then cometh the night of darkness wherein there can be no labor performed.

“Ye cannot say, when ye are brought to that awful crisis that I will repent, that I will return to my God. Nay, ye cannot say this; for that same spirit which doth possess your bodies at the time that ye go out of this life, that same spirit will have power to possess your body in that eternal world.”

Brother’s and Sister’s today is that day “This Day” is the day to repent and make changes.  Trust that God will forgive us and as we seek him out he will be right there to embrace us and strengthen us.  We owe it to ourselves and our beautiful Families.

Just imagine who we could become if we could leave those burdens behind.

Many of us feel that admitting our sins is a weakness.  I promise you it is not a weakness.  I am learning that those of us that struggle with alcohol, drug, porn, even eating disorder addiction is not so much about an evil heart. These things are more about escape, escape from struggles that we cannot bear.  We will never overcome these addictions in isolation.  We need…our Jesus Christ and our Heavenly Father.

Once again it is not a weakness to admit our sins!!

Weakness is the condition of being mortal and lacking ability, strength, or skill. Weakness is a state of being. All people are weak, and it is only by God’s grace that they receive power to do righteous acts (Jacob 4:6–7)

Always remember that:
God gives us weakness so we will be humble. If we humble ourselves, our weakness can be made strong through Jesus Christ. Ether 12:27

If our sins are in different categories then those I have mentioned….still do not delay.  It can be as simple as committing to prepare to take the sacrament weekly, keeping the Sabbath day holy, stop gossiping or envying, forgiving someone, paying a full tithing, or making a small change so that we can feel the light in our lives.

"Each of us has the power to change!!!  We must Bridal our passions and live within the laws that God has set.  We can do anything with God.  He loves us and will always answer our prayers."

I am a witness of the truth of the Scripture in Matthew 11: 28-30

“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

“Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

“For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light” (Matt. 11:28–30).

“This Day!! is a great day to lighten our burdens and allow our hearts to be at rest as we take his yoke upon us.

President Eyring shared that the scriptures are filled with examples of wise servants of God who treasured the day they were in, and chose to do what they could to bring cleansing. Joshua was one: “Choose you this day whom ye will serve … ,” he said, “but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” ³

Serving Him invites the Holy Ghost to be with us. And the Holy Ghost is a cleanser of sin.

Even the Savior, who was without sin, set an example of the need not to procrastinate. He said:

“I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.

“As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” ⁴

As the risen Savior, He is this day and forever the Light of the World. It is He who invites us to come unto Him and serve Him, without delay. His encouragement to you and to me is this: “I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me.”

We should treasure the day we are in!!  Don’t lose another moment….Spend your time doing what matters most.  Search your scriptures, pray and ponder, magnify your callings, show love to your neighbors.  Give your family the best you, you can become.

I am learning that early morning scripture study and a humble prayer can lead me and my family to what God would have us do.  Over the past few years I have seen many miracles happen within the walls of our home and I am excited about the things we have learned together as a family.

It is not always easy and my kids can be the most trying part of my mornings, however, President Eyring reminds us that it is not supposed to be easy.  God’s purpose in creation was to let us prove ourselves. 

As valiant Brother’s and Sister’s that plan was explained to us.  We rejoiced to know the test would be one of faithful obedience even when it would not be easy.  As hard as we knew the test would be, we felt joy because we had confidence that we could pass it.  Our confidence came from knowing that Jesus Christ would come into the world as our Savior.  He would overcome death.  He would make it possible for us to be cleansed of our sins by qualifying for the effects of His Atonement.

President Erying shares that We knew that to qualify we would need to be—baptized by authority, receive the Holy Ghost under the hands of authorized priesthood bearers, remember Him and therefore have His Spirit to be with us, and then keep His commandments—all would be possible for the humblest of us. It would not take superior intellect, nor would it take wealth, nor long life. And we knew that the Savior would draw us to Him and would have the power to help us when the test would be hard and the temptation to procrastinate great. Alma, the great prophet, described how Christ gained that ability:

“And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people.

“And he will take upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities.” ⁷

After sharing all that President Eyring has spoken of.  Why would we choose to procrastinate even one more day?

Maybe, complacency or discouragement. President Eyring shares that Complacency can affect even the seasoned adult. The better and the longer you serve, the more likely that the tempter can place this lie in your mind: “You have earned a rest.

This last weekend Olivia and I flew to DFW Texas.  One of my Sister’s oldest girls was getting married and my Sister had mentioned the term Bridezilla a few times.  I have 7 brothers and sisters and we all planned to fly out and meet and help my Sister put together a wedding that would impress any Bride.  She rented a huge piece of property that had a two-story barn and a small cottage with a kitchen.  The entire location needed to be decorated to the Brides satisfaction and the food needed to be prepared and hauled to the top level of the barn.  All this needed to be done in a severely humid climate.  We worked so hard and followed the directions of a young bridezilla, in hopes to make her happy.  By the night of the wedding we were all exhausted and I couldn’t wait for my head to hit the pillow.  Our flight left early that morning and we needed to get up at 4:30 a.m.

As I returned home to my regular routine still in place I went forward doing all that is required of a mother during the Month of May.  Tuesday morning I felt discouraged I dropped my kids off at school and put in a quick run.   As I was running my mind was clear and I thought “I really need a rest”.  I imagined myself crashing on the couch and taking a long nap before they all started knocking again.  I dismissed that thought knowing that once I checked my phone my day would begin.  More than likely there would be several messages and I would need to keep going.

I wasn’t surprised when I returned home to find two messages on the phone.  One from my 13 year old daughter requiring I pick up things for her and drop them at Clarke N Johnson Jr High and the other was Brother Dowdle requesting that I speak this Sunday.

Instead of taking what I thought I needed which was a long nap.  I began reading this talk and studying the scriptures.  It renewed my spirit and gave me drive that I didn’t think I had.

President Eyring gives this advice.   In the hardest trials, as long as you have the power to pray, you can ask a loving God: “Please let me serve, this day. It doesn’t matter to me how few things I may be able to do. Just let me know what I can do. I will obey this day. I know that I can, with Thy help.”

The Lord will help us day to day “This Day” if we ask for his help.

He also can help us see the danger in taking a rest because we feel we have done enough. 

I know that many of you have served diligently in all sorts of capacities, and some days it seems so difficult.  I know that without a shadow of a doubt that God has a plan for us…..He knows each one of us and he knows how we can uplift and help each other.  We have been placed near the individuals in our life to strengthen and support them.  If we pray for opportunities they will come and many great things will come because of our obedience.

In my life God has blessed me to come in contact with many wise spirits.  I know that God placed me here so I could be uplifted by my incredible neighbor who humbly reaches out and takes me to the Temple so that my spirit can be renewed.  She serves quietly and humbly and her testimony has strengthened mine.  She has followed Jesus Christ’s command “When thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.” (Luke 22:32.)

I am grateful for my neighbors example in keeping the greatest of all the commandments.

Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets." Matt. 22: 37-40

President Eyring reminds us…..By serving Him this day, you will come to know Him better. You will feel His love and appreciation. You would not want to delay receiving that blessing. And feeling His love will draw you back to His service, wiping away both complacency and discouragement.

I personally am so grateful for the Atonement and it’s healing power. I have been blessed to see the effects of true repentance and the blessing that comes because of Change.  I am thankful for the opportunity we all have to change.  I know that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ live and that they love us and want us to drawn near to them.  I say these things humbly in the name of Jesus Christ Amen.