I was watching Gladiator this week for the first time in years. (I recommend watching it on TV since it'll have been edited for content: it has some rather graphic battle scenes.) Watching the movie more for background activity while I was alone with only my thoughts and busy work, I could not help but be consumed by it. Lines were catching my attention as profound, yet unintentional gospel truths. "What we do in life," General Maximus explains to his centurions before battle, "echos in eternity."
How true that is! Our every action has consequences far reaching- literally echoing- through eternity, through our resulting choices, our children's actions and behaviors, and the individual lives we touch. So, then, shouldn't we aim to have the best of actions? If their effects span so greatly, shouldn't our actions have meaning? Should they not have worth and- more importantly- be worthy? Maximus, as General and thereby leader in action and attitude, lives, fights, and speaks worthily. He pointedly says, "Strength and honor," when parting with soldiers, to remind them of how they should be and the virtues they should cultivate within themselves.
Honor is defined as 'honesty, fairness, or integrity in one's beliefs and actions'. Strength can be defined as 'moral power, firmness, courage, or vigor.' Strength and honor- be strong enough to do that which is right. Be brave and speak and act honestly. We have been blessed to have been born in these times- we have a living prophet on the Earth, the gospel is restored, we are not being driven from our homes by violent mobs, and we don't have to worship in secret. Through the gospel, we know where we've come from and that we can get back. Most importantly, we know how to get back.
The above quote ["Which path should I choose?" ] is from Lewis Carroll's Alice in Wonderland. Where we are going determines a great deal about the paths we choose. Yet, if we are reluctant in 'going the right way', it determines a great deal about the paths of our hearts. Just because you are physically in a church building on Sunday does not mean that you are worshiping the Lord or keeping the Sabbath holy. We must not only choose the correct path, but do so with strength and honor. Only then can we draw closer to our goals, only then will we have the fortitude to be truly happy. To follow the ways of selfishness, laziness, and pride offers no happiness, but temporary numbness perceived as 'happiness' simply because it isn't pain. We then become lost within ourselves and our own desires. If you indulge only yourself and achieve only that which will make you 'content,' in the end all you will have is you. That's it. There is no family nor love strengthened by selfishness, dishonesty, and unwillingness to work. To be infirm in purpose or hypocritical is just as destructive, though with poisonously slower speed. Love- most beautiful and desirous love- only grows where it is shown and fostered. Repentance, humility, personal integrity, and happiness are extensions of love- of love from and for our Savior, our families, and ourselves. True happiness is the joy of life eternal with family and loved ones, earned and qualified by living life with- yes- Strength and Honor.
The above quote ["Which path should I choose?" ] is from Lewis Carroll's Alice in Wonderland. Where we are going determines a great deal about the paths we choose. Yet, if we are reluctant in 'going the right way', it determines a great deal about the paths of our hearts. Just because you are physically in a church building on Sunday does not mean that you are worshiping the Lord or keeping the Sabbath holy. We must not only choose the correct path, but do so with strength and honor. Only then can we draw closer to our goals, only then will we have the fortitude to be truly happy. To follow the ways of selfishness, laziness, and pride offers no happiness, but temporary numbness perceived as 'happiness' simply because it isn't pain. We then become lost within ourselves and our own desires. If you indulge only yourself and achieve only that which will make you 'content,' in the end all you will have is you. That's it. There is no family nor love strengthened by selfishness, dishonesty, and unwillingness to work. To be infirm in purpose or hypocritical is just as destructive, though with poisonously slower speed. Love- most beautiful and desirous love- only grows where it is shown and fostered. Repentance, humility, personal integrity, and happiness are extensions of love- of love from and for our Savior, our families, and ourselves. True happiness is the joy of life eternal with family and loved ones, earned and qualified by living life with- yes- Strength and Honor.
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