In April 1998, my wife and I had a serious conversation about how to simplify our life. We made a number of difficult decisions, including agreeing that I would stop teaching an Institute class at Boston University (a religion class for college students). Just a few weeks later, I was called to serve as a leader in a newly organized congregation. We didn’t realize that we were simplifying to prepare for new opportunities to serve, but that turned out to be the case.
In April 1838, Joseph Smith received a revelation in which the Lord instructed David Patten, one of the apostles, to “he settle up all his business as soon as he possibly can, and make a disposition of his merchandise, that he may perform a mission unto me next spring” (Doctrine and Covenants 114:1). David never ended up serving that mission due to his untimely death in October of that year, but the principle taught in this revelation is universally applicable: To fulfill a new assignment effectively, you may need to streamline your schedule and give up some activities and responsibilities.
Alma served for eight years as both high priest of the church and the first chief judge over the land of Zarahemla. But when he saw growing inequality among his people, he realized he could no longer do both jobs effectively. So, he resigned as chief judge “and confined himself wholly to the high priesthood of the holy order of God, to the testimony of the word, according to the spirit of revelation and prophecy” (Alma 4:20). His great grandson Nephi made a similar decision about 53 years later: “He yielded up the judgment-seat, and took it upon him to preach the word of God all the remainder of his days” (Helaman 5:4).
This principle applies not only to big changes in our lives but also to smaller ones. Any time we set a new goal or assume a new responsibility, we would be wise to “count the cost” (Luke 14:28) and eliminate other commitments which might prevent us from dedicating sufficient time and energy to the new endeavor.
Today, I will review my time allocations and look for ways to simplify my schedule. I will ensure that I have sufficient resources to dedicate to the most important things by setting aside things of lesser value.
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