Elder Ian S. Ardern, First Quorum of the Seventy and Second Counselor in the Philippines Area Presidency, warned against mediocrity in his Devotional address on Tuesday, September 25, 2012. Reminding students how blessed they are to be here, Elder Ardern echoed the scripture, “unto whom much is given much is required” (D&C 82:3).
“You cannot be satisfied with an average performance; average does not allow you to achieve your best,” he said. “I speak of more than your best effort in your classes; there is also the personal progress to be made in developing Christlike attributes such as kindness, service, honesty, obedience, and virtue.” Understanding the importance of refining characteristics such as virtue, honesty, and benevolence, students “will be the best ‘exports’ of this university.”
Shifting his attention to the necessity of “living our vision,” Elder Arden cautioned, “Accepting average or mediocrity is a tool of the devil, for it will take more than an average performance to accomplish what God has planned for us.” This not only applies to students in their coursework, but to all aspects of life for “We must be active participants in achieving our own success.”
Elder Ardern warned the audience against being almost worthy. “A continued disregard for the teachings of the prophets is one sure way to a decline in personal revelation. In this world of increasing turmoil, surely keeping ourselves worthy of receiving revelation would be of utmost importance.” He continued to say, “Being almost worthy will almost get us needed revelation so we need to be doing more than almost; logically, there is a diminished reward for those who almost remain faithful and worthy.”
Near the close of his address, Elder Ardern listed seven ways to overcome temptation:
1. Recognize that the source of temptation to do wrong is from Satan
2. Immediately dismiss temptation
3. Use scripture you have memorized as a means of dismissing temptation
4. Do not court temptation
5. Fortify yourself at your weakest point against temptation
6. Determine to be obedient in all things BEFORE temptation comes
7. Be on your guard against temptation
By overcoming temptation, it becomes easier to live one’s vision. As we draw closer to Heavenly Father and engage ourselves in the learning process, He will bless us with the capacity to achieve what we desire to do.
See the complete Devotional address from September 25, 2012.
University Devotionals are held each Tuesday at 11 AM in the Cannon Activities Center. Previous Devotionals can be viewed or read at devotionals.byuh.edu.