My Talk

(I made a lot of red-inked-pen changes ten minutes before the actual talk... so much of this has changed. I gave away the typed/amended thing to a girl who asked for a copy of it... so the actual original is not really copy-able... but here's what I printed out:)

"Bear with patience thine afflictions, and I will give unto you success." (Alma 26:27)

Life is full of difficulties. Some are more trying than others, but all require patience if we want to become as Jesus is.

A few semesters ago, I had just finished writing a paper that was due in a few days. Neither I nor my roommates had a printer so I'd have to walk to the library. I decided that since it cold and dark outside, I would wait until tomorrow or the next day to print off the paper. I made a mental note to remember to print it off, and went to sleep. A few days later, I woke up with only an hour to spare before class, and to my dismay, I realized that the paper I had not remembered to print out was due that morning. The professor had made it very clear that the papers would not be accepted if they were turned in after the first five minutes of class. I jumped out of bed, tripped over my backpack, angrily kicked it aside, and made a B-line for the closet. I got dressed and was about ready to walk out the door when my roommate mentioned that my pants were on backwards and my shirt was inside-out. I glared at her, ran back into my room, frantically re-dressed and rushed out the door. I started to sprint across the snow-covered parking-lot, and slipped on a patch of black ice. I tried to regain my balance, but my ankle bent the wrong way and I collapsed onto the ground. My backpack was heavy and full of textbooks. I fell twice more before managing to get back onto my feet. When I had finally limped my way up to the library, there were only fifteen minutes until class would start. Ten minutes of computer trouble and two broken staples later, I was on my way to class. Seething, I pushed through the crowds, glared at some, and ignored the rest. I may have gotten my paper in on time, but I hate to think of who I might have hurt with my impatience.

President Uchtdorf has said that "impatience is a symptom of selfishness. It is a trait of the self-absorbed. It arises from the all-too-prevalent condition called 'center of the universe" syndrome, which leads people to believe that the world revolves around them and that all others are just supporting cast in the grand theater of mortality in which only they have the starring role. How different this is, my dear brothers and sisters, from the standard the Lord as set for us as his children."

As representatives of the Lord Jesus Christ, we must serve others in a manner consistent with His example, with faith, hope, and charity.

The greatest scriptural examples of patience are found in the life of Jesus Christ. His long-suffering and endurance are best demonstrated on that excruciating night in Gethsemane as He uttered, in His atoning agony, "O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt". He truly suffered and endured all things.

While nailed to the cross on Calvary, Christ continued in His perfect example of patience as He uttered the singular words, "Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do."

Christ's examples of patience have much greater meaning for us when we consider 3 Nephi 27:27: "Therefore, what manner of men ought ye to be? Verily I say unto you, even as I am."

Patience is an important and worthy virtue for our diligent pursuit.

Elder Neal A. Maxwell taught that "patience is tied very closely to faith in our Heavenly Father. Actually, when we are unduly impatient, we are suggesting that we know what is best--better than does God. Or, at least, we are asserting that our timetable is better than His."

I have been blessed with faithfully patient parents who understand this principle.

Months ago, my parents received an impression that it was time for our family to relocate. We went through a period of not knowing whether or not anything was going to happen, and I started to amend all of my plans for the future with, "if we move to this place or that or if we stay right where we are." It was difficult for me to think about getting our house ready to sell when there wasn't even a job offer yet. But my mom knew better and had been working on house-betterment-projects during the entire period of uncertainty. Her diligence and patient waiting certainly has decreased the amount of anxiety we might have had to experience with such a quick relocation. We are moving to Salt Lake City in the next couple of weeks.

President Uchtdorf has taught that waiting is hard, but that patience isn't merely waiting. "Patience requires actively working toward worthwhile goals and not getting discouraged when results don't appear instantly or without effort. Patience is not passive resignation, nor is it failing to act because of our fears or uncertainty. Patience means active waiting and enduring. It means staying with something and doing all that we can--working, hoping, and exercising faith; bearing hardship with fortitude, even when the desires of our hearts are delayed. Patience is not simply enduring; it is enduring well."

Since impatience is so natural, how do we develop the divine virtue of patience? How do we move our behavior toward that of our perfect example, Jesus Christ?

In his talk titled The Power of Patience, Elder Robert C. Oaks of the Seventy outlines five steps that can help us develop our patience.

The first step is to recognize and understand that to develop such patience is necessary if we desire to fully enjoy the blessings of the restored gospel.

The second is to read the scriptures and ponder Christ's patient examples. The Topical Guide is a good place to start.

The third step is to evaluate ourselves to determine where we stand on the patience continuum. How much more patience do we need to become more Christlike? This self-assessment is difficult. We might ask a close friend or family member to help us.

The fourth is to become sensitive to the examples of patience and of impatience that occur around us every day. We should strive to emulate those individuals we consider to be patient.

The last step that Elder Oaks outlined is to recommit each day to become more Christlike in our patience. We should enlist that close friend or family member to help us along the way.

(Testimony)