LOOK UP

Elder Carl B. Cook gave an interesting talk in 2011 which asked each of us to spend more time looking upward to God in our lives.
He spoke of a time when he had had a particularly difficult day as a new General Authority in the church.  He was on an elevator starring blankly at the floor when the door opened and someone entered.  He didn't look up.  As the door closed he heard someone ask, "What are you looking at down there?"  He recognized the voice as President Thomas S. Monson.
(Sisters Lamb, Smith, Smith, Elders Bingham, Naylor, Pierson, Leany)

He quickly looked up and responded, "Oh, nothing."  President Monson smiled and lovingly suggested, while pointing heavenward, "It's better to look up!"  As they parted ways President Monson said again, "Now, remember, it is better to look up."

(Sisters Smith & Lamb, Roger, Elder Dearing, Ryan, Elder Ramdhanie)

Elder Cook said: "Since then I have pondered this experience and the role of prophets.  I was burdened and my head was down.  As the prophet spoke, I looked to him.  He redirected my focus to look up to God, where I could be healed and strengthened through Christ's Atonement.  That is what prophets do for us.  They lead us to God."

(Elders Ramdhanie and Dearing)

Of all people, President Monson could feel weighed down by his responsibilities.  Instead, he exercises great faith and is filled with optimism, wisdom, and love for others.  He trusts the Lord and relies on Him for strength, and the Lord blesses him.

(Elders Pierson, Bingham, Naylor, Leany) 

Why is it a challenge to consistently look up in our lives?  Perhaps we lack the faith that such a simple act can solve our problems.  For example, when the children of Israel were bitten by poisonous serpents, Moses was commanded to raise up a brass serpent on a pole.  The brass serpent represented Christ.  Those who looked up at the serpent, as admonished by the prophet, were healed.  But many others failed to look up, and they perished.

(We found a serpent in a tree this week)

Alma agreed that the reason the Israelites did not look to the serpent was that they did not believe doing so would heal them.  Alma's words are relevant to us today:

(Matthew Charles' birthday celebration with Elders Dearing and Ramdhanie & Sisters Lamb and Smith)

"O my brethren, if ye could be healed by merely casting about your eyes that ye might be healed, would ye not behold quickly, or would ye rather harden your hearts in unbelief, and be slothful....?"

(Our most recent convert, Matthew Charles)

"If so, wo shall come upon you; but if not so, then cast about your eyes and begin to believe in the Son of God, that He will come to redeem His people, and that He shall suffer and die to atone for our sins; and that He shall rise again from the dead."

(Akim, Ryan, Matthew)

President Monson's encouragement to look up is a metaphor for remembering Christ.

Elders Bingham, Ramdhanie, Naylor)

As we remember Him and trust in His power, we receive strength through His Atonement.  It is the means whereby we can be relieved of our anxieties, our burdens, and our suffering.  It is the means whereby we can be forgiven and healed from the pain of our sins.  It is the means whereby we can receive the faith and strength to endure all things.

Elder Ramdhanie, Roger, Elder Dearing, Ryan, Sisters Smith and Lamb)

When the children of Israel were wandering in the wilderness, the Lord guided their journey each day as they looked to Him for direction.  In Exodus we read, "And the Lord went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them the way; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light."  His leading was constant.  The Lord can do the same for us.

(Matthew, Kiesha Sanderson, Elder Dearing)

So how will He lead us today?  Through prophets, apostles, and priesthood leaders and through feelings that come after we pour out our hearts and souls to Heavenly Father in prayer.  He leads us as we forsake the things of the world, repent, and change.  He leads us as we keep His commandments and try to be more like Him.  And He leads us through the Holy Ghost.

(Elders Leany, Pierson and Ramdhanie)

In order to be guided in life's journey and have the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost, we must have a "hearing ear" and a "seeing eye", both directed upward.  We must act on the direction we receive.  We must LOOK UP and step up.  And as we do, we will cheer up, for God wants us to be happy.