Christ’s Ideals for Living - LDS Fireside 1 - Balance, Beauty and Brotherhood

1. CHRIST’S
IDEALS FOR
LIVING
Balance
Beauty
Brotherhood

2. Obert C. Tanner
... the word “Ideal” means a
gospel standard. As such, an
ideal becomes “a way to
perfection”, “that which
inspires and directs,”
“something great and
splendid we wish to attain.”
... an ideal is always “the
better beyond the best.”

3. BALANCE
John 10:10
“I am come that they might have life
and that they might have it more abundantly”

4. CHARLES EDWARD JEFFERSON
AMERICAN CONGREGATIONAL CLERGYMAN
“But when we come to Jesus we find ourselves in the presence of
a man without a flaw. He was enthusiastic, blazing with
enthusiasm, but he never became fanatical. He was emotional,
men could feel the throbbing of his heart, but he never became
hysterical. He was imaginative, full of poetry and music, seeing
pictures everywhere, throwing upon everything he touched a
light that was never on land or sea, the inspiration and the poet’s
dream — but he was never flighty. Continued

5. CHARLES EDWARD JEFFERSON
AMERICAN CONGREGATIONAL CLERGYMAN
“He was practical , hard-headed, matter of fact , but he was never
prosaic, never dull. He was courageous but never reckless,
prudent but never a coward, unique but not eccentric,
sympathetic but never sentimental. Great streams of sympathy
flowed from his tender heart toward those who needed sympathy,
but at the same time streams of lava flowed from the same heart
to scorch and overwhelm the workers of iniquity. He was pious,
but there is not a trace about him of sanctimoniousness.”

6. PRESIDENT JAMES E. FAUST
SECOND COUNSELLOR IN THE FIRST PRESIDENCY
“Balance in large measure is knowing the things that can be
changed, putting them in proper perspective, and recognising the
things that will not change. And balance also lies in attitude. May
our attitude be one of achieving balance and wisdom and
understanding in all that we do.”

7. “If any of you lack wisdom, let
him ask of God, that giveth to
all men liberally, and
upbraideth not; and it shall be
given him.”
James 1:5
“Use boldness, but not
overbearance; and also see that
ye bridle all your passions, that
ye may be filled with love; see
that ye refrain from idleness.”
Alma 38:12
THE IDEAL OF BALANCE IN SCRIPTURE

8. “Come unto me, all ye that
labour and are heavy laden, and
I will give you rest.... For my
yolk is easy, and my burden is
light.”
Matthew 11:28,30
“... If any man will come after
me, let him deny himself, and
take up his cross, and follow
me.”
Matthew 16:24
THE IDEAL OF BALANCE IN CHRIST’S LIFE

9. ELDER M. RUSSELL BALLARD
“Sometimes we need a personal crisis to reinforce in our minds
that we really value and cherish. The scriptures are filled with
examples of people facing crises before learning how to better
serve God and others. Perhaps if you, too, search your hearts and
courageously assess the priorities in your life, you may discover, as
I did, that you need a better balance among your priorities.”
“All of us must come to an honest, open self-examination, and
awareness within as to who and what we want to be.”

10. VIDEO CLIP: BECOME - MORMON MESSAGES 2018
Click the link below to play:
https://youtu.be/c96EKdfJvUs
3 minutes 30 seconds

11. ELDER DONALD L. HALLSTROM
GENERAL AUTHORITY SEVENTY
“Leading a balanced life is difficult for many. There is not an
exact pattern for everyone, and even our own blueprint may
change during different phases of our life. However, seeking
balance - giving adequate time and effort to each of those things
that really matter - is vital to our success in mortal probation.
There are certain fundamental responsibilities we cannot neglect
without serious consequence.”

12. THE IDEAL OF BALANCE IN OUR LIFE
What limits or stops our achievement of balance in our life?
There is a two-fold opposition to a well balanced life:
The first is simply our own failure to determine the values we
want in life, and how much effort each should receive.
The second is the social pressure that favours one or more of
these values to the exclusion or neglect of others.

13. ELDER M. RUSSELL BALLARD
“As most of you know, coping with the complex and diverse challenges of
everyday life, which is not an easy task, can upset the balance and harmony
we seek. Many good people who care a great deal are trying very hard to
maintain balance, but they sometimes feel overwhelmed and defeated.”
“A life that gets out of balance is much like a car tire that is out of balance.
It will make the operation of the car rough and unsafe. Tires in perfect
balance can give a smooth and comfortable ride. So it is with life. The ride
through mortality can be smoother for us when we strive to stay in
balance.”

14. THE IDEAL OF BALANCE IN MY LIFE
As a late teen and early adult, the pressures and reality of life just
seemed stressful and overwhelming. Worried to make a wrong
decision, constantly evaluating my motives and emotions always
seemed to pull me down or consume me. I learnt repeatedly on
and since my mission, that laughter is essential to life, bringing
things into perspective, avoiding developing situations that can tip
us precariously off balance. A person without a sense of humour (as
noted by the American Clergyman, Henry Ward Beecher) “is like a
wagon without springs—jolted by every pebble in the road.”

15. ELDER KENNETH JOHNSON
OF THE SEVENTY
“Our outlook or attitude can sometimes restrict our
ability to enjoy life’s greatest opportunities.”

16. BEAUTY
Matthew 6:28
“Consider the lilies of the field...”

17. JOHN BURROUGHS
AMERICAN NATURALIST
“... I am in love with this world. ... It has been home. It has been
my point of outlook upon the universe. I have not bruised myself
against it nor tried to use it ignobly. I have tilled its soils, I have
gathered its harvests. I have waited upon its seasons, and always
have I reaped what I have sown. While I delved I did not loose
sight of the sky overhead. While I gathered its bread and meat
for my body, I did not neglect to gather its bread and meat for my
soul. Continued

18. JOHN BURROUGHS
AMERICAN NATURALIST
“I have climbed its mountains, roamed its forests, sailed its
waters, crossed its deserts, felt the sting of its frosts, the
oppression of its heats, the drench of its rains, the fury of its
winds, and always have beauty and joy waited upon my goings and
comings.”

19. “... yea the place of Mormon, the
waters of Mormon, the forest of
Mormon; how beautiful are they
to the eyes of them who there
came to the knowledge of their
Redeemer ...”
Mosiah 18:30
“But the fruit of the Spirit is
love, joy, peace, longsuffering,
gentleness, goodness faith.
Meekness, temperance: against
such there is no law.”
Galatians 5:22-23
THE IDEAL OF BEAUTY IN SCRIPTURE

20. THE IDEAL OF BEAUTY IN CHRIST’S LIFE
“To him all life was Beauty. The sun upon the hills. The sweeping shadows,
and the winding lane. Morning he loved, with dewdrops on the flowers;
Evening, with sunset and soft, warm April rain. Friends he found in lepers
stumbling to him, Love in those who hate, grace in sinners’ eyes. Dawn he
saw with all earth’s new-born glory, Twilight and darkness, and hope in
human sighs. Youth was his, and springtime, and music in the trees; Life was
his, and sunshine, and the murmuring of the bees; Joy in healing broken
hearts; manhood’s noble strife; All the wonder and the beauty of a sacred
human life. He walked the common lanes, the city streets he trod, And in
his heart was Beauty ... the Beauty born of God.” A.L.C (Unknown)

21. THE IDEAL OF BEAUTY IN OUR LIFE
The ideal of Beauty has three fundamental expressions:
Beauty in worship
Beauty in character
Beauty as an insight into reality

22. VIDEO CLIP: BEAUTY IN CHARACTER - DEEP BEAUTY
Click the link below to play:
https://youtu.be/iir9HU2-988
2 minutes 30 seconds

23. VIRGINIA PETRUCCI
AMERICAN ACTRESS AND AUTHOR
“It’s my choice to be beautiful. It’s my choice to be ugly. And
it’s my choice to decide what those words actually mean.”

24. THE IDEAL OF BEAUTY IN MY LIFE
They say the appreciation of art is in the eye of the beholder. The
appreciation of beauty does not enter our soul through our eyes; but
grows within and strengthens our hearts. “In the centre of our heart,
is a recording chamber, and so long as it receives messages of beauty,
hope, cheer, courage and faith, so long are we young” (Ensign, Nov.
1983 p.25). Beauty must be more than something that is lovely. Our
hymn book, with 20 hymns that reference beauty, can strengthen our
heart as we learn from and ponder them. Take the time to consider
how we can we find “beauty all around” when there is love at home.

25. ELDER LYNN G. ROBBINS
OF THE SEVENTY
True beauty “isn’t about cosmetics or clothing.
What makes [us] truly attractive comes from [our]
heart.”

26. BROTHERHOOD
2 Peter 1:5-7
“Add to your faith ... brotherly kindness.”

27. PRESIDENT DAVID O. MCKAY
“The spirit of brotherhood prompts service, not conquest;
cooperation not exploitation; it involves fair dealing, not fraud or
chicanery. It increases in man a greater appreciation of Christ’s
value of the individual soul. In short, it makes for a better
world...”

28. “Finally, be ye all of one mind,
having compassion one of
another, love as brethren, be
pitiful, be courteous.”
1 Peter 3:8
“And remember in all things
the poor and the needy, the
sick and the afflicted, for he
that doeth not these things,
the same is not my disciple.”
Doctrine and Covenants 52:40
THE IDEAL OF BROTHERHOOD IN SCRIPTURE

29. “And I say unto you, That
many shall come from the east
and west, and shall sit down
with Abraham, and Isaac, and
Jacob, in the kingdom of
heaven.”
Matthew 8:11
“And this gospel of the kingdom
shall be preached in all the
world. ... Go ye therefore, and
teach all nations, baptising them
in the name of the Father, and of
the Son, and of the Holy
Ghost.”
Matthew 24:14; 28:19
THE IDEAL OF BROTHERHOOD IN CHRIST’S LIFE

30. THE IDEAL OF BROTHERHOOD IN OUR LIFE
Section 4 of the Doctrine and Covenants reminds us that “the
field is white already to harvest”. The field is not a measurable
place, it is the whole world. In Matthew 5, Christ taught, “ye are
the light of the world” which “cannot be hid.” A single light
produces some illumination, but collectively our light floods the
earth, expelling darkness and fear. Our light is one of brotherhood,
of purpose, of peace. Brotherhood is not instant, it takes time to
cultivate, to grow in the spiritual greenhouse before being
transferred to a rigorous climate - our town, county or the world.

31. VIDEO CLIP: WE COME TOGETHER & UNITE AS ONE
Click the link below to play:
https://youtu.be/_d1nT9BUgfs
2 minutes 38 seconds (edited)

32. THE IDEAL OF BROTHERHOOD IN MY LIFE
I had moved to a new ward. Started a new career whilst still at
university studying. My life was on a new path, in turmoil, nothing was
stable in my life. I felt so lost and alone. I didn’t fit in at church, I felt
overwhelmed by my new job. I felt inadequate. My foster parents were
serving a mission abroad in Salt Lake City and yet I craved my mums
crispy (burnt) roast potatoes. As the sacrament was being passed, I
sobbed so quietly as I had for the last few weeks. I composed myself
to offer the closing prayer. After the prayer, a brother commented on
my prayer and a friendship and close bond was formed.

33. IN SUMMARY: BALANCE, BEAUTY, BROTHERHOOD
“The tragedy of life is what dies inside a man while he lives.”
Albert Schweitzer
“I had slept and dreamed that life was duty, but waked to find
that life was beauty.” Author Unknown
“Of course, the key to a unified church is a unified soul—one
that is at peace with itself and not given to inner conflicts and
tensions. So much in our world is calculated to destroy that
personal peace…” Howard W. Hunter

34. VIDEO CLIP: ELDER JEFFREY R. HOLLAND
Click the link below to play:
https://youtu.be/aZgZjo_YKPA
1 minutes 48 seconds

35. President David O. McKay
“Happiness consists not
of having, but of being;
not of possessing, but of
enjoying. It is a warm glow
of the heart at peace with
itself. ... Man is the creator
of his own happiness. It is
the aroma of life, lived in
harmony with high ideals.”

36. CHRIST’S
IDEALS FOR
LIVING
Magnanimity
Friendship
Steadfastness
Sunday 27th May at 7:00pm