![]() 4 But many others failed to look up, and they perished. Those who looked up at the serpent, as admonished by the prophet, were healed. For example, when the children of Israel were bitten by poisonous serpents, Moses was commanded to raise up a brass serpent on a pole. Why is it a challenge to consistently look up in our lives? Perhaps we lack the faith that such a simple act can solve our problems. But we must have the faith to look up and the courage to follow His direction. 3 We will come to realize that most of what we worry about is not of eternal significance-and if it is, the Lord will help us. We will be strengthened, and our lives will be filled with peace and joy. We will not feel incapable of doing what we are called to do or need to do. His attitude is one of “can do” and “will do.” He trusts the Lord and relies on Him for strength, and the Lord blesses him.Įxperience has taught me that if we, like President Monson, exercise our faith and look to God for help, we will not be overwhelmed with the burdens of life. Instead, he exercises great faith and is filled with optimism, wisdom, and love for others. Of all people, he could feel weighed down by his responsibilities. I testify that President Monson is not only a prophet, seer, and revelator he is also a wonderful example of living the principle of looking up. He redirected my focus to look up to God, where I could be healed and strengthened through Christ’s Atonement. Since then I have pondered this experience and the role of prophets. When he bid me farewell, his parting glance spoke again to my heart, “Now, remember, it is better to look up.”Īs we parted, the words of a scripture came to mind: “Believe in God believe that he is … believe that he has all wisdom, and all power, both in heaven and in earth.” 1 As I thought of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ’s power, my heart found the comfort I had sought in vain from the floor of that descending elevator. He smiled and lovingly suggested, while pointing heavenward, “It is better to look up!” As we traveled down one more level, he cheerfully explained that he was on his way to the temple. I quickly looked up and responded, “Oh, nothing.” (I’m sure that clever response inspired confidence in my abilities!)īut he had seen my subdued countenance and my heavy briefcase. As the door closed, I heard someone ask, “What are you looking at down there?” I recognized that voice-it was President Thomas S. The door opened and someone entered, but I didn’t look up. ![]() As the elevator descended, my head was down and I stared blankly at the floor. At the end of a particularly tiring day toward the end of my first week as a General Authority, my briefcase was overloaded and my mind was preoccupied with the question “How can I possibly do this?” I left the office of the Seventy and entered the elevator of the Church Administration Building.
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