Sabbathought: President Monson: "In the thick of thin things"

This title --- "in the thick of thin things" --- is a phrase we hear often from our Prophet, President Thomas S. Monson as he urges us to take time out from the mundane "thin" things for quiet, prayerful meditation and scripture study .

Some years ago President Packer said it this way to a large group of priesthood leaders in England: "A lot of the things that you do that you think are important are just not important as compared to your learning. . . . You must learn the doctrine of the gospel as leaders."

We have cited Elder Gene R. Cook before: "When your priorities are out of order, you lose power."

In 1970 President Harold B. Lee gave this marvelous counsel to a Single Adults convention in Salt Lake City:

"President [David O.] McKay taught us this in the temple one day in a rather unusual way. He said, 'Brethren, you must take time to meditate.'

"He told us of an experience of one of the General Authorities who had a son working on the railroad that went up Immigration Canyon to the mines in the early days. This boy was found crushed to death under the train. He was working as a switchman.

"His mother had the feeling that someone had pushed him under the train and taken his life. When the services were held, she was not comforted. But after some weeks, the mother said this boy appeared to her. He said, 'Mother, I've been trying to get to Father to tell him it was just an accident. I had thrown the switch and was running to catch on to the handle bars, but my foot tripped against a root at the side of a rail and I was thrown underneath the train. It was a pure accident. I've been trying to get to Father, but he's too busy at the office. I can't reach him.'

"President McKay said, 'Brethren, don't you get so busy at the office that spiritual forces are not able to reach you'. . . .

"Also he said, 'I want to tell you one thing: When the Lord tells you what to do, you've got to have the courage to do it or you had better not ask Him again'."

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We have the Restoration of the gospel anew in our day because a fourteen-year-old farm boy was alert to the quiet promptings: "During this time of great excitement my mind was called up to serious reflection" on religion, not knowing which church was right.

Notice how Joseph said that : " . . . called up . . . " to serious reflection. He was prompted, as a duty, to look up. He listened to, and acted upon, the call to higher things.

"Thinking about Christ will cause us to reflect Him to others. Reflect the character of Christ and you'll become like Christ. . . . Christ is the ultimate expression of virtue. Keep Him on the center stage of your mind" (Dan Workman).

"A noble and God-like character is not a thing of favor or chance, but is the natural result of continued effort in right thinking, the effect of long-cherished association with God-like thoughts. The thought in your mind at this moment is contributing however infinitesimally, almost imperceptibly, to the shaping of your soul, even to the lineaments of your countenance. Even passing and idle thoughts leave their impression. . . .

"He approaches nearest the Christ Spirit who makes God the center of his thoughts" (David O. McKay).

"Forget not to pray, that your mind may become strong" --- the Angel Moroni to Joseph Smith.

"As you learn to control your thoughts, you can overcome habits, even degrading personal habits. You can gain courage, conquer fear, and have a happy life" (Boyd K. Packer).

"When a man works by faith he works by mental exertion instead of physical force" (Lectures on Faith 7:3).

"Pondering is in my feeling a form of prayer" (Marion G. Romney).

"For the mind is naturally active, and if it be not employed about some honest business, it rushes into mischief, or sinks into melancholy" (Lord Burton).

"Concentrate! --- though your coat tails be on fire!" (J. M. Barrie).

As our friend and teacher Brother Bob Matthews said of these days we live in, just before the Second Coming, "The sun has not yet risen over the eastern mountains, but there is light enough to read by at least."

Some good quotes here. Feel free to forward this to others who may not see it otherwise.

God bless.

Steve