Living Up To Our Privileges

Women in the Relief Society are expected to live up to their privileges.

First of all, what are our privileges?  I happened to be in the temple while thinking about this, so it was easy to focus and see clearly.  I began thinking about the privilege of being a daughter of God and what that really means:  Faith.  Value in Godly things, as well as in myself.  The mere idea that I can achieve and receive all that God has, which frankly my mind cannot fully comprehend.

It is a privilege to receive blessings from my Heavenly Father every moment of every day.  Many of the blessings I receive, I am most assuredly not even aware of, yet my Father offers them generously.  Those blessings that I am aware of may or may not receive the full credit they deserve.  And even when I do offer thanks, is it deep enough?

It is a privilege to procreate.  (Yes, the temple makes you think about these things.)  Think what “Satan’s World” has made of this privilege.  Our attitudes of acceptance may need to be raised higher.  It is a privilege to give love and be loved.

It is a privilege to come down on this earth to prove ourselves, that we will indeed hold true to the covenants we made in heaven, as well as the covenants we make here, and return with honor back into the presence of God.  Technically, we really don’t have the right to screw it up, because we have already made promises of commitment.  Our short-sightedness has cut our sight short and we no longer SEE.

It is a privilege to be able to talk to Heavenly Father on a one-on-one basis.  We each have evidence that He is there and He listens.  We know when things are right and when things are wrong.  What a privilege to know that.

It is a privilege to go through life with people around us.  Aren’t you in awe of some of your friends and family?  The strength and abilities we share amongst one another fill our hearts with joy.

It is a privilege to be a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.  I don’t know about you, but it’s not good enough that I have a little knowledge, or even a good portion of it.  I want ALL that my Heavenly Father has offered me, and as His disciple, following His requirements, it is a privilege to have His promise.

It is a privilege to repent.  By repenting, we understand enough to refuse to cause more pain to our Redeemer.  Our desire to change and overcome becomes more important than our selfish desires.

It is a privilege to know, to see, to hear, to feel, to do.

My Heavenly Father has given me the opportunity to work for my own salvation, if I have the faith that it all counts for something.  It is a privilege to show Him of my earnestness, my willingness, my love.