We Value People (part 1)

My family has a family motto.  You might say that is kind of lame, and you might be right.  Though I didn't realize it when I was younger, it has had a big impact on me in my life.  The name of the Smith Family Motto is "We Value PEOPLE."  "PEOPLE" is an acronym that explains our values and goals as a family.  Each letter has 3 statements associated with it.

The underlying principle behind the first "P" in my family's motto is agency.  Agency is the ability to choose.  Elder Russell M. Nelson just recently taught in General Conference that:

"Each day is a day of decision. President Thomas S. Monson has taught us that 'decisions determine destiny.' The wise use of your freedom to make your own decisions is crucial to your spiritual growth, now and for eternity. ...Each day brings opportunity for decisions for eternity."

Because the choices we make everyday are so important, my family motto helps me to more carefully consider the decisions I make.

Our relationships with our family members and friends are the source of the greatest happiness and joy we will experience in this life and the life to come.  Because these relationships are so important, we need to diligently and purposefully make decisions that will strengthen these valuable relationships.

The Lord has said, "Verily I say, men should be anxiously engaged in a good cause, and do many things of their own free will, and bring to pass much righteousness." (D&C 58:27)  There is so much we each have to offer this world.  There are countless opportunities to contribue through community service, humanitarian aid, and just by small, everyday acts of helping others.

All throughout the scriptures we are admonished to "Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you." (Matthew 7:7)  God truly is our Heavenly Father and He wants to help us.  He will answer us, direct us, help us, support us, and warn us as we seek His guidance through prayer. 

As we are proactively strengthen relationships, productively contribute to society, and prayerfully seek our Heavenly Father's help, we are making decisions that will determine our destiny.