Living by Divine Patterns

God instructed Moses to construct the tabernacle and all of its furnishings “after their pattern, which was shewed thee in the mount” (Exodus 25:9, 40; see also Numbers 8:4).

Hundreds of years later, when Solomon built the temple in Jerusalem, he followed a blueprint his father, David, had received from God. (See 1 Chronicles 28:11-12, 18-19.)

And when Nephi and his people built a temple, they “did construct it after the manner of the temple of Solomon” (2 Nephi 5:16).

In August 1833, the Lord instructed Joseph Smith and other church leaders to build temples and other buildings “according to the pattern which I have given unto you” and “according to the pattern which shall be given unto you hereafter” (Doctrine and Covenants 94:2, 5-6, 12; 97:10).

Like temples, we can build our lives on a foundation of divine patterns. The Savior said, “I will give unto you a pattern in all things” (Doctrine and Covenants 52:14). Elder Joseph Sitati observed that the recurring processes in nature can remind us of the need to harmonize our lives with eternal principles:

This timeless constancy of the onset of day and night is one daily reminder of realities that govern our lives that we cannot change. When we respect and align what we do with these eternal realities, we experience internal peace and harmony. When we don’t, we are unsettled, and things do not work as we expect.

“Patterns of Discipleship,” General Conference, October 2022

The beginning of a new school year is a good time to recommit to divine patterns. Here are some patterns which I am currently mindful of:

1. Seek the Lord early. President Henry B. Eyring taught that this counsel applies to our daily schedules. “A morning prayer and an early search in the scriptures to know what we should do for the Lord can set the course of a day. We can know which task, of all those we might choose, matters most to God and therefore to us” (“This Day,” General Conference, April 2007).
2. Report back at night. Elder David A. Bednar explained, “At the end of our day, we kneel again and report back to our Father. We review the events of the day and express heartfelt thanks for the blessings and the help we received. We repent and, with the assistance of the Spirit of the Lord, identify ways we can do and become better tomorrow” (“Pray Always,” General Conference, October 2008).
3. Express love to family members. Heavenly Father has consistently introduced the Savior as “my beloved Son.” Elder Ronald A. Rasband encouraged us to frequently use three phrases: “Thank you,” “I’m sorry,” and “I love you” (“Words Matter,” General Conference, April 2024).

Today, I will recommit to divine patterns in my life. I will particularly focus on improving the quality of my morning and evening prayers and expressing love more frequently to family members.