Do What Mattereth Most

Understanding the Importance of Action in Spiritual Growth

Rebecca L. Craven emphasizes the importance of taking action in our spiritual journey. She uses the example of a friend who acted on a prompting to visit a woman in her ward, leading to a meaningful conversation and support for the woman's challenges. Sister Craven also shares a conversation with a young woman questioning her faith, emphasizing that to gain a testimony, we must "do something" such as praying, studying, serving others, and trusting in the Lord.

Being a disciple of Jesus Christ involves more than just hoping or believing. It calls for effort, movement, and commitment. It requires that we do something, being "doers of the word, and not hearers only."

My response to her was simple: "If you want to know anything, you will have to do something."

Conversion won’t come while doing nothing. It comes through the power of the Holy Ghost as we intentionally make an effort to know by asking, seeking, and knocking. It comes by doing.

• What does it mean to be a "doer of the word"?
• How does action contribute to our spiritual growth and conversion?
• How can we intentionally make an effort to know by asking, seeking, and knocking?
• What actions can you take today to strengthen your testimony?
• Can you recall a time when "doing something" led to a spiritual experience or growth?
• How can you better align your actions with the teachings of the gospel?

Identifying What Matters Most

Sister Craven discusses the importance of identifying what truly matters most in our lives. She challenges us to question the values promoted by society and to focus on the eternal values taught in the gospel. She emphasizes the need to stay focused on truly essential things for lasting joy and warns against the distractions that can lead us away from what matters most.

If some things matter not, or matter less, there must be things that matter most. In our efforts to do something or do anything, we might ask ourselves, "What mattereth most?"

It takes effort to stay focused on what is truly essential for lasting joy. Satan would love nothing more than for us to misplace our eternal values, leading us to waste precious time, talents, or spiritual strength on things that matter not.

I invite each of us to prayerfully consider those things that distract us from doing what mattereth most.

• What does it mean to focus on what matters most?
• How can distractions lead us away from what matters most?
• How can we discern between what truly matters and what does not?
• What are some distractions in your life that might be leading you away from what matters most?
• How can you better focus on what truly matters in your life?
• What changes might you need to make to align your priorities with what matters most?

Living the Commandments and Upholding our Covenants

Sister Craven underscores the importance of living the commandments and upholding our covenants. She warns against the trend of disregarding commandments with a plan to repent later, emphasizing the joy that comes from obedience. She also stresses the importance of staying close to the prophet, who guides us to do what matters most.

We know the parable of the one lost sheep. Of course, a shepherd will leave the other 99 sheep to find the one who has strayed. But can you imagine the joy that those who choose to be the 99 bring to the Good Shepherd?

As he is the Lord’s mouthpiece, we can trust that what he urges, counsels, and pleads with us to do are things that matter most.

• Why is it important to live the commandments and uphold our covenants?
• How does obedience bring joy to us and to the Lord?
• Why is it important to stay close to the prophet?
• How can you better live the commandments and uphold your covenants?
• Can you recall a time when obedience brought you joy?
• How can you better follow the counsel of the prophet?

Strengthening our Covenant Relationship with God

Sister Craven discusses the importance of strengthening our covenant relationship with God. She outlines the process of growing faith in Jesus Christ, desiring to repent more, and strengthening our covenant relationship with God. She emphasizes that keeping temple covenants is how we endure to the end.

The more we do to stay firmly on the covenant path, the more our faith in Jesus Christ will grow. The more our faith grows, the more we will desire to repent. And the more we repent, the more we will strengthen our covenant relationship with God. That covenant relationship draws us to the temple because keeping temple covenants is how we endure to the end.

• How does staying on the covenant path contribute to our faith growth?
• How does repentance strengthen our covenant relationship with God?
• Why is keeping temple covenants essential for enduring to the end?
• What actions can you take to stay firmly on the covenant path?
• How can you strengthen your covenant relationship with God?
• What role does the temple play in your efforts to endure to the end?

Centering our Lives on Jesus Christ

Sister Craven emphasizes the importance of centering our lives on Jesus Christ. She explains that as we focus on Christ, we will be guided to do what matters most and will be blessed with spiritual strength, contentment, and joy. She encourages us to trust in the Lord, believing He will guide us even when we don’t have all the answers.

As we center our lives on Jesus Christ, we will be guided to do what mattereth most. And we will be blessed with spiritual strength, contentment, and with joy!

• Why is it important to center our lives on Jesus Christ?
• How does centering our lives on Christ guide us to do what matters most?
• How can we trust in the Lord even when we don’t have all the answers?
• How can you better center your life on Jesus Christ?
• Can you recall a time when focusing on Christ guided you to do what mattered most?
• How can you trust in the Lord more fully in your life?