One Day At A Time
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Delivered in Sacrament meeting, Canton Ward, Akron Stake. March 20, 2011
I have been asked to base my talk on a recent talk given by Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of 12 Apostles entitled, “Give Us This Day Our Daily Bread”. He was speaking to a group of young adults, but his counsel applies to us all.
In reviewing Elder Christofferson’s talk, I found these key points to ponder:
- Small acts can yield big results
- We should face large trials in small bites
- Daily Choices Have Eternal Consequences
- The Lord will help us after we do all we can do
Elder Christofferson begins his talk in this way:
“In what I say tonight, I do not minimize in any way the importance of thinking and planning ahead. Thoughtful planning and preparation are key to a rewarding future, but we do not live in the future—we live in the present. It is day by day that we work out our plans for the future; it is day by day that we achieve our goals. It is one day at a time that we raise and nurture our families. It is one day at a time that we overcome imperfections. We endure in faith to the end one day at a time. It is the accumulation of many days well-lived that adds up to a full life and a saintly person. And so I would like to talk to you about living well day by day.”
In Luke it is recorded that one of His disciples asked Jesus, “Lord, teach us to pray” (Luke 11:1). Jesus then gave a pattern for prayer that has become known as the Lord’s Prayer. Included in the prayer is the petition “Give us this day our daily bread” (Matthew 6:11 We would all readily acknowledge that we have needs each day that we want our Heavenly Father’s help in dealing with. It might be quite literally bread—that is, the food needed to sustain life that day. It could also be spiritual and physical strength to deal with one more day of pain or chronic illness. Or we may need help with things related to our obligations or activities for the day—performing well at work, taking a test, teaching a lesson, or giving a talk, for example.
Jesus is teaching us that we should look to God each day for the bread—the help and sustenance— that we require in that particular day.
The Lord’s invitation to seek our daily bread at our Heavenly Father’s hand speaks of a loving God, aware of even the small, daily needs of His children and anxious to assist them, one by one.
During the great exodus of the tribes of Israel from Egypt and the 40 years of wandering in the wilderness, food was not readily available to this massive group of over one million people. Jehovah solved the challenge by miraculously providing manna. This small edible substance which appeared on the ground each morning was something quite new and unknown. This became their “daily bread”, and it was only good for one day – any that wasn’t eaten would be spoiled by the following day, except on the Sabbath, so they were forced to gather it every day.
By providing a daily sustenance, one day at a time, Jehovah was trying to teach faith to a nation that over a period of some 400 years had lost much of the faith of their fathers. He was teaching them to trust Him, to “look unto [Him] in every thought; doubt not, fear not” (D&C 6:36).
We should note, by the way, that 40 years of manna was not meant to become a dole. As soon as the Israelites were in a position to provide for themselves, they were required to do so. When they finally entered the Promised Land, the scripture records that the manna did cease to fall and the Israelites had to live on “old corn” [that is, the previous year’s harvest]
Likewise, as we plead with God for our daily bread—for help in the moment that we cannot ourselves provide—we must still be active in doing and providing that which is within our power.
[The Lord will help “after all we can do”]
This illustrates a fundamental doctrine in our church. While many other churches teach of salvation by faith alone, as Latter Day Saints, we believe salvation is reached with a combination of faith and good works.
This principle was summed up very well by Nephi when he taught, “for we know that it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do.” (2 Nephi 25:23), meaning that although we are required to do all in our power, we also realize that our own power is insufficient. King Benjamin put it another way, “If ye should serve [the Lord] with all your whole souls yet ye would be unprofitable servants. (Mosiah 2:21) We need to do our best, but we will always need the Lord’s help as well.
Elder Christofferson told of a time when he faced a personal economic challenge that persisted for several years. It did not come about as a consequence of anyone’s wrongdoing or ill will; it was just one of those things that sometimes come into our lives. It ebbed and flowed in seriousness and urgency, but it never went away completely.
He says, “At times this challenge threatened the welfare of my family and me, and I thought we might be facing financial ruin. I prayed for some miraculous intervention to deliver us. Although I offered that prayer many times with great sincerity and earnest desire, the answer in the end was “No.” Finally I learned to pray as the Savior did: “Nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done” (Luke 22:42). I sought the Lord’s help with each tiny step along the way to a final resolution.
“There were times when I had exhausted all my resources, when I had nowhere or no one to turn to at that moment, when there was simply no other human being I could call on to help meet the exigency before me. With no other recourse, more than once I fell down before my Heavenly Father begging in tears for His help. And He did help. Sometimes it was nothing more than a sense of peace, a feeling of assurance that things would work out. I might not see how or what the path would be, but He gave me to know that, directly or indirectly, He would open a way. Circumstances might change, a new and helpful idea might come to mind, some unanticipated income or other resource might appear at just the right time. Somehow there was a resolution.”
He continues, “Though I suffered then, as I look back now, I am grateful that there was not a quick solution to my problem. The fact that I was forced to turn to God for help almost daily over an extended period of years taught me truly how to pray and get answers to prayer and taught me in a very practical way to have faith in God. I came to know my Savior and my Heavenly Father in a way and to a degree that might not have happened otherwise or that might have taken me much longer to achieve. I learned that daily bread is a precious commodity. I learned that manna today can be as real as the physical manna of biblical history. I learned to trust in the Lord with all my heart. I learned to walk with Him day by day.”
I can relate to this. It seems like I’ve been from one end of the spectrum to the other financially – and more than once. In the early 90’s we were going through a particularly difficult time. I had a young family to raise, and was having a very hard time finding meaningful employment. In my frustration, I remember feeling that I needed to call on the powers of heaven. This was a righteous desire and need, and as a priesthood holder, and head of my family, I knew I had the right to receive help and guidance. I prayed earnestly and often for help. This went on for about 2 years – longer than I would have thought we could endure, but we somehow always managed without major hardship. We received just enough help from day to day that we were able to keep our home, and put food on the table.
Then one day, while on a home teaching visit, an idea for a business occurred to me which eventually turned into a good living, supporting my family very well for many years. I owe that bit of inspiration to being in the right place at the right time, and in being worthy to receive inspiration and guidance from my Heavenly Father.
We should face large trials in small bites
In this age of instant communication, we can become overwhelmed with what’s happening in the world. When I was young, it likely would have taken weeks for us to learn about things like the fighting that’s going on in Libya or the earthquake and tsunami that recently hit Japan. And even after the news reached us we would only have access to a very limited amount of information, making it seem not so important. Life was simpler then, not because problems weren’t all around us, but because we didn’t have the awareness that we do now. Because of this, I think we may tend to feel overwhelmed and more fearful these days. Prophets have long taught about the great calamites that will occur during the latter days, which we are living in now. Knowing this might make you pessimistic about the future.
But the Lord has also told us we need not fear. Preparation for the future is part of the solution, but perhaps more importantly is taking things one day at a time, rather than getting caught up in worrying about how you’re going to handle all the problems that could potentially happen.
Elder Christofferson quoted from a senior U.S. Navy officer who was speaking to a group of recruits that were being trained for the Navy’s intensive SEAL program: “First of all,” he said, “I do not want you to give in to the pressure of the moment. Whenever you’re hurting bad, just hang in there. Finish the day. Then, if you’re still feeling bad, think about it long and hard before you decide to quit. Second, take it one day at a time. One [phase] at a time.
“Don’t let your thoughts run away with you, don’t start planning to bail out because you’re worried about the future and how much you can take. Don’t look ahead to the pain. Just get through the day, and there’s a wonderful career ahead of you.”
Generally it is good to try to anticipate what is coming and prepare to deal with it. At times, however, this captain’s counsel is wise: “Take it one day at a time. … Don’t look ahead to the pain. Just get through the day.” To worry about what is or may be coming can be debilitating. It can paralyze us and make us quit.
Elder Christofferson spoke about his mother, who, in the 1950s, survived radical cancer surgery. The surgery was followed with dozens of painful radiation treatments in what would now be considered rather primitive medical conditions. She recalled that her mother taught her something during that time that has helped her ever since: “I was so sick and weak, and I said to her one day, ‘Oh, Mother, I can’t stand having 16 more of those treatments.’ She said, ‘Can you go today?’ ‘Yes.’ ‘Well, honey, that’s all you have to do today.’ It has helped me many times when I remember to take one day or one thing at a time.
My own mother has often said over the years, when presented with a challenge, “Just take it one day at a time.” She should know. When my father had an accident in 1974, little did she know that he would end up bedridden and unable to even speak for the next 28 plus years until his death in 2003. Nor did she know that she would have to take care of him at home during that entire time. If she had known what she was facing at the time of his accident, she likely would have felt overwhelmed. I think it’s a blessing that we can’t see too far into the future. The Lord knows what we can handle. He doesn’t expect us to cope with every potential problem all at once. When we take things one day at time – or one moment at time, we can end up accomplishing tasks that we never would have thought possible.
Small acts can yield big results
Alma, in speaking to his son, Helaman said, “behold I say unto you, that by small and simple things are great things brought to pass” Alma 37:6
BYU’s Honor Code has been a topic of discussion in recent weeks and it applies here. Kim B. Clark, President of BYU-Idaho had this to say about BYU’s honor code:
“The Honor Code includes many things that we might describe as great: honesty and integrity, avoiding pornography, living the law of chastity, and the Word of Wisdom, indeed, the gospel of Jesus Christ. But it also contains many rules against things that we might describe as small: flip-flops; curfew; torn or ragged jeans; long sideburns; shorts and capris; form-fitting tops and pants and other immodest styles; beards; ? styles of clothing; and much else.
Some of you may wonder why we have such small things in the Honor Code. It is true that flip-flops and an unshaven face are not big things. But it is just like the stories of pride and greed in the Book of Mormon: failure to do the small things can, in a short period of time, lead to failure on the big things. The principle is so very clear: obedience to the small things creates a spirit of obedience in all things, and thus protects against evil and invites the blessings of heaven.
Following the rules about the small things establishes a great spirit of obedience on the campus. It creates a context of respect for learning and for the university that encourages a spirit of order and reverence. In that context of obedience and reverence and order, the Holy Ghost can minister on this campus. These blessings come to you individually and to us as a community.
This is why we have such seemingly small things in the Honor Code. This is why such a small thing like wearing flip-flops on campus or going to class with a little beard or breaking curfew is so deadly. This is why if you are on campus and discover that you have on flip- flops, or realize you have not shaved, the images of the great destruction in the Book of Mormon should come to mind. You should immediately think to yourself: my small act of disobedience is opening a crack in the great protective power of the Honor Code. I am personally in great danger; and if everyone behaved like me, the community would be in peril. And then you should immediately turn around, go back to your apartment, repenting as you go, and change your shoes, or shave, and come back living both the letter and the spirit of the Honor Code.” President Kim B. Clark Brigham Young University–Idaho Devotional January 10, 2006
Speaking about small acts that produce large results, President James E. Faust told this story once in general conference:
For years William R. Wagstaff, who served in the North Central States Mission from 1928 to 1930, felt disappointed he had not baptized more people. In the summer of 1929 he and his companion visited a farm family about 180 miles west of Winnipeg.
“Brother Wagstaff remembered giving a copy of the Book of Mormon to the mother and discussing the gospel with her during numerous visits through that and the following summer.
“He recalled that during each visit ‘she’d take off her apron and we’d sit down and discuss the gospel. She’d read and have lots of questions.’
“But at the close of his mission, she still had not been baptized, and he lost touch with her.”
Brother Wagstaff went home, married, and raised a family. Then in October 1969 he and his wife attended his missionary reunion. “A lady approached him and asked, ‘Aren’t you Elder Wagstaff?’
“. . . She introduced herself as the woman he had taught on the farm outside Winnipeg. In her hand was a worn copy of the Book of Mormon–the one he had given her 40 years earlier.
“‘She showed me the book,’ he related. ‘I turned over the front and there was my name and address.’
“She then told Brother Wagstaff about 60 members of her family were members of the Church, including a branch president.”7
Elder Wagstaff planted the seed during his mission but went home while it was still in the ground. Forty years later he learned of the rich harvest that eventually had come to pass and that “whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.”8 President James E. Faust
Daily Choices Have Eternal Consequences
Elder Christofferson explained that when we think about our daily bread, it helps us become aware of how significant some of the small things in our lives are. He said “Experience teaches that in a marriage, for example, a steady stream of simple kindnesses, help, and attention do much more to keep love alive and nurture the relationship than an occasional grand or expensive gesture.” That is not to say that gifts or other surprises should be avoided, it’s just that a constant, daily expression of affection, in both words and actions, is far more meaningful in the long run.
Consistent effort in seemingly small, daily steps is a key principle in achieving any great work, including progress in the pathway of discipleship.
Elder David A. Bednar in speaking about consistency in simple daily practices such as family prayer and scripture study, compared daily acts to individual brushstrokes in a painting that together, over time, produce a work of art. He said:
“In my office is a beautiful painting of a wheat field. The painting is a vast collection of individual brushstrokes—none of which in isolation is very interesting or impressive. In fact, if you stand close to the canvas, all you can see is a mass of seemingly unrelated and unattractive streaks of yellow and gold and brown paint. However, as you gradually move away from the canvas, all of the individual brushstrokes combine together and produce a magnificent landscape of a wheat field. Many ordinary, individual brushstrokes work together to create a captivating and beautiful painting.”
“Each family prayer, each episode of family scripture study, and each family home evening is a brushstroke on the canvas of our souls. No one event may appear to be very impressive or memorable. But just as the yellow and gold and brown strokes of paint complement each other and produce an impressive masterpiece, so our consistency in doing seemingly small things can lead to significant spiritual results. “Wherefore, be not weary in well-doing, for ye are laying the foundation of a great work. And out of small things proceedeth that which is great” (D&C 64:33). Consistency is a key principle as we lay the foundation of a great work in our individual lives and as we become more diligent and concerned in our own homes.” David A. Bednar, “More Diligent and Concerned at Home”, Ensign, Nov. 2009,
Likewise, in daily choices, we can prevent insidious influences from entering our lives and becoming part of what we are. Some temptations are easy to avoid, but others aren’t. We may inadvertently find ourselves in a tempting situation that we hadn’t planned or anticipated. Of situations like this Elder Maxwell has observed, “[we] can immediately reject [the temptation]. [We don’t] have to invite it to come in and offer it a chair to sit down.”
So with all bad influences and habits—slovenly appearance, carelessness in conduct, abusive and profane language, unkind criticism, procrastination, and so on—our attention each day to avoiding the very beginnings of such things can protect us from awakening some future day to the realization that because of inattentiveness, some evil or weakness has taken root in our soul.
In reality, there aren’t very many things in a day that are totally without significance. Even the mundane and repetitious tasks we perform can be tiny but significant building blocks that in time establish the discipline and character and order needed to realize our plans and dreams.
Elder Christofferson concluded his talk with this advice:
“Therefore, as you ask in prayer for your daily bread, consider thoughtfully your needs—both what you may lack and what you must protect against. As you retire to bed, think about the successes and failures of the day and what will make the next day a little better. And thank your Heavenly Father for the manna He has placed along your path that sustained you through the day.
Above all, remember that we have Him of whom manna was a type and symbol, the very Bread of Life, the Redeemer.”
“And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.” (John 6:35).
Repeating the points I made in the beginning,
- Small acts can yield big results
- We should face large trials in small bites
- Daily Choices Have Eternal Consequences
- The Lord will help us after we do all we can do
May we all remember and act upon these things is my prayer in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
What is the purpose of our trials?
In considering the challenges we each face, it can lead to a discussion of why we are given certain challenges, why some people are given greater challenges than others. We have no clear answer to this. Some challenges we are given are the result of our own actions. Others are completely beyond our control.
“Is there not wisdom in his giving us trials that we might rise above them, responsibilities that we might achieve, work to harden our muscles, sorrows to try our souls? Are we not exposed to temptations to test our strength, sickness that we might learn patience, death that we might be immortalized and glorified?
Should all prayers be immediately answered according to our selfish desires and our limited understanding, then there would be little or no suffering, sorrow, disappointment, or even death, and if these were not, there would also be no joy, success, resurrection, nor eternal life and godhood” (Spencer W. Kimball, Faith Proceeds the Miracle, [1972], 97).
The future duties to be given to some of us in the worlds to come by an omniscient God will require of us an earned sense of esteem as well as proof of our competency. Thus the tests given to us here are given not because God is in doubt as to the outcome, but because we need to grow in order to be able to serve with full effectiveness in the eternity to come” (Neal A. Maxwell, All These Things Shall Give Thee Experience, [1980], 26
“We are here that we may be educated in a school of suffering and of fiery trials, which school was necessary for Jesus, our Elder Brother, who, the scriptures tell us, ‘was made perfect through suffering.’ It is necessary that we suffer in all things, that we may be qualified and worthy to rule, and govern all things, even as our Father in Heaven and His eldest son, Jesus” (Snow, Teachings of Lorenzo Snow,
“No pain that we suffer, no trial that we experience is wasted. It ministers to our education, to the development of such qualities as patience, faith, fortitude and humility. All that we suffer and all that we endure, especially when we endure it patiently, builds up our characters, purifies our hearts, expands our souls, and makes us more tender and charitable, more worthy to be called the children of God . . . and it is through sorrow and suffering, toil and tribulation, that we gain the education that we come here to acquire and which will make us more like our Father and Mother in heaven” (Orson F. Whitney, in Kimball, Faith Precedes the Miracle, 98)
“the greatest trials of life are reserved for the saints. They are the ones whom the world hates ( Matt. 10:22 ), and they must overcome the world, if they are to gain the Lord’s approval. They face all that the world faces in the way of mortal difficulties—sickness, disease, calamities, famine, pain, sorrow, death—and in addition their faith in Christ and his work is tested to see if they will serve the Lord at all hazards.” (McConkie, DNTC, 3:318.)
Enduring to the end
Speaking of the early days in Kirtland,
“It was a period of unparalleled spiritual growth. Indeed, the Spirit of God like a fire was burning. Moses, Elijah, and many other heavenly beings appeared during this time, including our Heavenly Father and His Son, the Savior of the world, Jesus Christ.
But, of course, great spiritual experiences do not make us exempt from opposition and trials. Just a few months after the temple dedication, a widespread economic crisis shook the United States, and Kirtland felt the effects deeply. Banks failed, leaving many in difficult financial straits. To make matters worse, many of the Saints who were immigrating to Kirtland came with very few material possessions, not knowing what they would do once they arrived or how they would survive.
Before long, persecutions arose and mobs formed against the Saints. Members of the Church—even some of those closest to the Prophet, many of whom were present at the dedication of the temple—apostatized and condemned Joseph as a fallen prophet.
As I walked near the Kirtland Temple with my wife and grandsons, I pondered how tragic it was that some could not remain faithful even after the spiritual manifestations they had witnessed. How sorrowful it was that they could not endure the ridicule and criticism of disbelievers. How sad that, when faced with financial trial or other struggles, they could not have reached inside themselves and found the strength to remain faithful. How unfortunate it was that they somehow lost sight of the miraculous spiritual harvest at the dedication of the temple.
If ever you are tempted to become discouraged or to lose faith, remember those faithful Saints who remained true in Kirtland. Hold on a little longer. You can do this! You are part of a special generation. You were prepared and preserved to live at this important time in the existence of our beautiful planet earth. You have a celestial pedigree and therefore have all the necessary talents to make your life an eternal success story. Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “Hold on a Little Longer”, Ensign, Jan. 2010, 4–8
The scriptures teach us that once we have received the ordinances of baptism and confirmation, our task then is to “endure to the end” (2 Nephi 31:20).
When I was a young boy, “endure to the end” meant to me mainly that I had to try harder to stay awake until the end of our Church meetings. Later as a teenager I progressed only slightly in my understanding of this scriptural phrase. I linked it with youthful empathy to the efforts of our dear elderly members to hang in there until the end of their lives.
Enduring to the end, or remaining faithful to the laws and ordinances of the gospel of Jesus Christ throughout our life, is a fundamental requirement for salvation in the kingdom of God. This belief distinguishes Latter-day Saints from many other Christian denominations that teach that salvation is given to all who simply believe and confess that Jesus is the Christ. The Lord clearly declared, “If you keep my commandments and endure to the end you shall have eternal life, which gift is the greatest of all the gifts of God” (D&C 14:7).
Therefore, enduring to the end is not just a matter of passively tolerating life’s difficult circumstances or “hanging in there.” Ours is an active religion, helping God’s children along the strait and narrow path to develop their full potential during this life and return to Him one day. Viewed from this perspective, enduring to the end is exalting and glorious, not grim and gloomy. This is a joyful religion, one of hope, strength, and deliverance. “Adam fell that men might be; and men are, that they might have joy” (2 Nephi 2:25).
Enduring to the end is a process filling every minute of our life, every hour, every day, from sunrise to sunrise. It is accomplished through personal discipline following the commandments of God.
The restored gospel of Jesus Christ is a way of life. It is not for Sunday only. It is not something we can do only as a habit or a tradition if we expect to harvest all of its promised blessings. “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap” (Galatians 6:7).
Enduring to the end implies “patient continuance in well doing” (Romans 2:7), striving to keep the commandments (see 2 Nephi 31:10), and doing the works of righteousness (see D&C 59:23). It requires sacrifice and hard work. To endure to the end, we need to trust our Father in Heaven and make wise choices, including paying our tithes and offerings, honoring our temple covenants, and serving the Lord and one another willingly and faithfully in our Church callings and responsibilities. It means strength of character, selflessness, and humility; it means integrity and honesty to the Lord and our fellowmen. It means making our homes strong places of defense and a refuge against worldly evils; it means loving and honoring our spouses and children.
By doing our best to endure to the end, a beautiful refinement will come into our lives. We will learn to “do good to them that hate [us], and pray for them which despitefully use [us]” (Matthew 5:44). The blessings that come to us from enduring to the end in this life are real and very significant, and for the life to come they are beyond our comprehension.
Jesus Christ Wants You to Succeed
My dear brothers and sisters, there will be days and nights when you feel overwhelmed, when your hearts are heavy and your heads hang down. Then, please remember, Jesus Christ, the Redeemer, is the Head of this Church. It is His gospel. He wants you to succeed. He gave His life for just this purpose. Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “Have We Not Reason to Rejoice?”, Liahona, Nov. 2007, 18–21
Enduring to the end is definitely not a do-it-yourself project. First, it requires the Savior’s redemptive power. We cannot return to our Heavenly Father’s presence unless we are clean, and so we must continue to repent. Ideally, we repent moment by moment, but we also attend sacrament meeting each week to partake of the sacrament and renew our baptismal covenants. Second, enduring to the end requires the Holy Ghost, who will both guide and sanctify us. Third, we must be an integral part of a community of Saints, serving and receiving service from our brothers and sisters in the gospel. With baptism we become part of the body of Christ (see 1 Corinthians 12:11–13); each of us has a role to play, each of us is important, but in order to succeed we must be unified in our Savior. Fourth, we must share the gospel with others. The promises of bringing even one soul unto the Lord are profound and eternal (see D&C 18:15). Moreover, the gospel takes deeper root in those who share it frequently. Finally, we must always maintain faith and hope in Christ to endure to the end, and among the many ways we do this are praying, fasting, and reading the scriptures. These practices will fortify us against the subtle schemes and fiery darts of the adversary. L. Tom Perry, “The Gospel of Jesus Christ”, Liahona, May 2008, 44–46
Life is to be enjoyed, not just endured. Gordon B. Hinckley, “Stand True and Faithful”, Ensign, May 1996, 91
