Journal Entry ~ Week 11

In this weeks studies I enjoyed learning more about how each of us can contribute to the greater good and that it is a commandment from God.

The first message is a video by Elder Gay Called, “Entrepreneurship and Consecration”

Understanding why we are here and understanding our purpose are messages Elder Gay conveys.  My favorite quotes says, “God left the world unfinished to develop our skill.”  God wants man to enjoy and understand the blessings of creation.  I had never really thought about this aspect of our mortal life.  This brought great peace and understanding to my soul this week.  There is such joy in creation, and we would miss a large part of life and joy if we were always provided for and had everything easy. 

 I also like how Elder gay teaches that Heavenly Father uses "Adversity as a pathway to accomplishment."

 

Elder Gay also taught that there are two purposes of business.

1. Provide for our needs

2. Rescue others from poverty

The scriptures also teach us this in 2Nephi 30-31 “Behold, the Lord hath forbidden this thing; wherefore, the Lord God hath given a commandment that all men should have charity, which charity is love. And except they should have charity they were nothing. Wherefore, if they should have charity they would not suffer the laborer in Zion to perish.”31 But the laborer in Zion shall labor for Zion; for if they labor for money they shall perish.

As I read “Constant Truths for Changing Lives” by President Thomas S. Monson I was impressed with the aids he provides to stand up to the dangers of being complacent.  

 First we need to have FHE.  President Gordon B. Hinckley and his predecessors have stated, “The home is the basis of a righteous life, and no other instrumentality can take its place nor fulfill its essential functions.”  

 Second we need to avoid debt.  “Yesterday’s luxuries are today’s necessities.”  I find this to be so true.  Our standard of living has increased that we now expect so much more.  If we could learn to live with less and have less I believe we would be so much happier.  

 Third is to be a good listener.  

 Fourth is to teach by example, by taking time with our family members and by sharing responsibilities. 

  Fifth is search our heritage.  Doing genealogy helps us understand where we came from, showing us strength in family.  And, sixth is we should follow the Savior’s example.  “Remember that ofttimes the wisdom of God appears as foolishness to men, but the greatest single lesson we can learn in mortality is that when God speaks and a man obeys, that man will always be right.” 

 

Favorite quotes and scriptures this week~

“Live only for tomorrow, and you will have a lot of empty yesterday’s today.”

2 Nephi 28:20-21 “At that day shall [the devil] … lull them away into carnal security that they will say: All is well in Zion; yea, Zion prospereth, all is well—and thus the devil cheateth their souls.”

I was also able to watch a few videos by successful entrepreneurs.

The first was called,

 "Make it personal and make it work"  by Sheryl Sandberg (Facebook COO)

She talks about why companies succeed…they have a vision that is mission based.  Somehow they are going to make the world a better place.  Leadership needs to include these visions and motivate others to action.  It is hard to work when there is no purpose or mission behind the work.  Value is added when we have a purpose.  Some of the projects she has worked on that gave her purpose were web bases.  She liked the idea of providing information  to all instead of just the elite.

Connecting community and making information accessible are the two overarching threads that run through some of the most successful companies of the last century. Sheryl's own personal career path  began in the non-profit sector and evolved into technology, and numerous companies with a purpose, drive, and vision.  She worked for Google, Apple, Nike, and Starbucks. 

A New Breed of Entrepreneur by Larry Brilliant (Google Org. Executive)

Larry reinforces the concept that global unity is the key to overcoming world problems. He uses the example of small pox and how it is now eradicated from our society because of global unity for a common purpose.  His statistic of 99.4 of all genetic material is the same, made me really think about how the human race should focus on this fact instead of our differences.