Be Ye Therefore Perfect—Eventually
Open talk in Gospel LibraryContents
Before Reading
Before reading or listening to the talk, consider the following questions:
- What does Elder Holland say about the seemingly impossible commandment to be perfect?
- How does Elder Holland suggest we approach our imperfections and shortcomings?
- What role does the Atonement of Jesus Christ play in our journey towards perfection?
- How can we balance the pursuit of personal improvement with avoiding toxic perfectionism?
Topics
Understanding the Commandment to Be Perfect
Elder Holland discusses the commandment from the Sermon on the Mount to be perfect as our Heavenly Father is perfect. He acknowledges that this commandment can feel overwhelming and unattainable but emphasizes that the Lord would not give us a commandment we cannot keep. He suggests that the commandment is more about our potential and divine nature than our current state.
Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father ... in heaven is perfect.
Yet surely the Lord would never give us a commandment He knew we could not keep.
- What does Elder Holland say about the purpose of the commandment to be perfect?
- How does Elder Holland suggest we view our efforts to be perfect?
- How do you feel when you read the commandment to be perfect?
- In what ways can you focus on your divine potential rather than your current shortcomings?
Avoiding Toxic Perfectionism
Elder Holland warns against the dangers of toxic perfectionism, which can lead to self-loathing and misery. He emphasizes that the gospel is meant to inspire and uplift us, not to make us feel inadequate. He encourages us to pursue personal improvement without damaging our self-esteem.
Satan has somehow managed to make covenants and commandments seem like curses and condemnations.
That is not what the Lord wants for Primary children or anyone else who honestly sings, "I’m trying to be like Jesus."
- What is toxic perfectionism, according to Elder Holland?
- How does Elder Holland suggest we avoid toxic perfectionism?
- Have you ever experienced feelings of inadequacy in your spiritual journey? How did you handle them?
- What steps can you take to pursue personal improvement without falling into the trap of toxic perfectionism?
The Role of Grace in Perfection
Elder Holland highlights the essential role of the grace of Jesus Christ in our journey towards perfection. He explains that true perfection is a gift from heaven and cannot be earned solely through our efforts. The grace of Christ offers us salvation from our sins and our own self-criticism.
Our only hope for true perfection is in receiving it as a gift from heaven—we can’t "earn" it.
The grace of Christ offers us not only salvation from sorrow and sin and death but also salvation from our own persistent self-criticism.
- What does Elder Holland say about the role of grace in achieving perfection?
- How does the grace of Christ help us in our journey towards perfection?
- How have you experienced the grace of Jesus Christ in your life?
- What can you do to rely more on the grace of Christ rather than your own efforts?
The Importance of Forgiveness
Elder Holland uses the parable of the unforgiving servant to illustrate the importance of forgiveness. He emphasizes that just as the king in the parable forgave an astronomical debt, we too must forgive others. This story serves as a reminder of the immeasurable grace and compassion of our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.
Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee?
Jesus uses an unfathomable measurement here because His Atonement is an unfathomable gift given at an incomprehensible cost.
- What is the significance of the parable of the unforgiving servant?
- How does Elder Holland relate this parable to our need to forgive others?
- Is there someone in your life you need to forgive? How can you take steps towards forgiveness?
- How does understanding the magnitude of Christ's Atonement help you in forgiving others?
Striving for Steady Improvement
Elder Holland encourages us to strive for steady improvement without becoming discouraged by our imperfections. He reassures us that everyone falls short and that the journey towards perfection is a gradual process. He urges us to avoid excessive expectations and to support one another in our efforts to live the gospel.
While in mortality let’s strive for steady improvement without obsessing over what behavioral scientists call "toxic perfectionism."
If we persevere, then somewhere in eternity our refinement will be finished and complete—which is the New Testament meaning of perfection.
- What does Elder Holland mean by "steady improvement"?
- How can we balance the pursuit of improvement with avoiding discouragement?
- What areas of your life do you feel you need steady improvement in?
- How can you support others in their efforts to improve without being overly critical?
