4 days ago6 min read

What Works for Thee, Works for Me

Written By April T Giauque

Elder Ulisses Soares Oct 2024

Parable: Pearl of Great Price

On a certain occasion, the Savior spoke of a merchantman searching for “goodly pearls.” During the merchantman’s search, he found one “of great price.” However, to acquire the magnificent pearl, this man had to sell all his possessions, which he promptly and joyfully did. I love the thought that he did this promptly and joyfully.

The confidence that he expresses in this story is powerful. I have “gut checks” at times, and there is NO hesitation at other times. That is what my covenants are helping me to do. Gain more confidence in Christ so that I, too, can sell all I have and buy the Pearl of Great Price!

Having the Mind of Christ

If I truly allow my will to be swallowed up in the Saviors, then I will turn away from myself and face God to know what He would have me do. Elder Soares said, “The Savior achieved a perfect and divine level of submission to the Father by allowing His will to be swallowed up in the Father’s will.”

Think about that image of you being swallowed up in God. Do you see a fish or a whale, or do you see light engulfing you? Wouldn’t it be better to trust God always and just follow it? Jesus once said, “And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him.”

These people or the stories make it so easy to do. Maybe it really is. Maybe we just need to humble ourselves and try it out. But fear and doubt can get in the way. Satan latches onto that whenever those are displayed and has a field day with us. We must fight to turn from Satan but to the focus of our lives —back to Jesus!

Elder Soares said, “We set aside all self-centered pursuits and abandon any entanglement that holds us back from full commitment to the Lord and His higher and holier ways. The Apostle Paul refers to these sanctifying pursuits as “hav[ing] the mind of Christ.” As exemplified by Jesus Christ, this means “[doing] always those things that please [the Lord].”

Savior’s Atonement is the Ultimate Alignment to the Father’s Will

To see this example perfectly, we can turn to the scriptures:

“For behold, I, God, have suffered these things for all, that they might not suffer if they would repent; …

“Which suffering caused myself, even God, the greatest of all, to tremble because of pain, and to bleed at every pore, and to suffer both body and spirit—and would that I might not drink the bitter cup, and shrink—

“Nevertheless, glory be to the Father, and I partook and finished my preparations unto the children of men.”

Jesus was prepared from the beginning, but we were all there, and we heard him tell us that he would do this for all of us. We rejoiced! We chose to follow Him. All we need to do is keep ourselves faced in God's direction, take the steps (baby for me) towards Him, and keep going in that direction even as we make mistakes. I’m in his light and love. I have sold all I have, and I have bought the Pearl of Great Price!

Men Shall Be Lovers of Their Own Selves

“This know also, that in the last days … men shall be lovers of their own selves, … lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God.”

When selfishness reigns in the hearts of the children of men, we no longer follow the two great commandments. We no longer care or help one another. This is Satan’s big WIN.

Don’t allow it to happen to you! Fight selfishness. Serve others today!

Christlike VS Authentic. It’s Tricky! Know the Difference

The word “authentic” is a huge buzzword today. Other phrases like “follow your truth” seem ok on the surface, but really it's like you are a stone being skipped along the surface of the water—never diving supping into the depths of the Gospel of Christ. It is Satan’s trick to make you think that you are in charge. That your way is the right way. NO! God’s way is the only way.

Elder Soares said, “One sign that indicates fulfillment of this prophecy is the current growing trend in the world, adopted by so many, of people becoming consumed with themselves and constantly proclaiming, “No matter what, I live my ‘own truth’ or I do what works for me.” DANGER!! DANGER!! Don’t follow others like this. They mean well but don’t know the way and will lead you to an end you never desired.

As Paul the Apostle said, they “seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ’s.” This way of thinking is often justified as being “authentic” by those who indulge in self-centered pursuits and justify behavior that doesn’t match God’s loving plan.

I love Elder Quentin L. Cook's statement that “being sincerely Christlike is an even more important goal than being authentic.” When you hear the word Chirstlike you are pointed directly toward Him! Again, that direction will lead you to that Pearl!

What Works for Thee, Works for Me.

Elder Soares goes on to say,

“My dear friends, when we choose to let God be the most powerful influence in our life over our self-serving pursuits, we can make progress in our discipleship and increase our capacity to unite our minds and hearts with the Savior. On the other hand, when we don’t allow God’s way to prevail in our lives, we are left to ourselves.

Acting on these mental gymnastics of ‘what works for me’ versus doing ‘what always pleases the Lord’ is not a new trend that is unique to our day.

The ultimate test of our discipleship is our willingness to give up and lose our old selves and submit our hearts and whole souls to God so that His will becomes ours.”

One of the most glorious moments of mortality occurs when we discover the joy that comes when always doing those things that “work for and please the Lord” and “what works for us” become the same! That is that Pearl again!

Follow God’s Will Stories:

Elder Soares shares two stories about following God’s will. A Missionary was unsure about serving a Mission, decided to listen with faith to an apostle of the Lord, and felt he should go even though he didn’t know all the answers.

“As I listened to the testimony of an Apostle of the Savior Jesus Christ, I could feel God’s love for me, and I desired to share that love with others. At that moment, I knew I should serve a mission despite my fears, doubts, and concerns.”

The second story is about a young woman who decided not to compromise her standards when asked to dress immodestly to fit into the business division of the fashion company where she worked. “She was moved to live by a standard higher than the world’s. She not only gained the confidence of those who saw her living by the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ but also preserved her job, which for a moment was in jeopardy. Her willingness to do what was pleasing in the sight of the Lord, rather than what worked for the world gave her covenant confidence amidst difficult choices.”

Again, it all goes back to selling all we have for that Pearl of Great Price. Having the faith and confidence to trust God and do His will in our lives!

Elder Soares Testimony

I testify to you that following the Lord’s will in our life will enable us to find the most precious pearl in the world—the kingdom of heaven.

At that sublime moment, we become consecrated to the Lord, and we totally yield our wills to Him. Such spiritual submissiveness, so to speak, is beautiful, powerful, and transformational.