Given our limited state, the further things are the harder they are to manage. Adam Smith credited the success of Great Britain's North American colonies to the "liberty to manage their own affairs their own way."
Countries that imposed policies that were both outdated and not fit to local circumstances saw less success in their colonies.
On a personal level, we see that we typically know our individual circumstances better than any other mortal. "Every individual, it is evident, can, in his local situation, judge much better than any statesman or lawgiver can do for him."
IV.2.10
Of course, large organizations have their purpose, but it can be easy to forget the importance knowing our immediate circumstances.
Like many, I find change and decisions to be more difficult than a completely preset plan. But since individuals and situations vary, we sometimes need more specific guidance from God than what we find in the ten commandments, as wonderful as they are. "The personal line [of communication with the Lord] is of paramount importance in personal decisions and in the governance of the family" (
Elder Dallin H. Oaks).
Once I was deciding who to become friends with. There were some people that didn't share my standards. Of course, we should choose our friends carefully since they have a large effect on us, but also not be overly exclusive. So I needed some guidance for my personal circumstances. I sought revelation from God through prayer, study, and talking to people who wanted the best for me and decided to keep on being friends with these people while also choosing to be in good places. I was then blessed to learn a lot with my friends.
We have the Book of Mormon because the Lord sent prophets to the Americas, even though the Lord already had prophets in Jerusalem. "For I command all men, both in the east and in the west. . . and in the islands of the sea, that they shall write the words which I speak unto them" (
2 Nephi 29:11).
Similar to how it was difficult for European countries to run the economies of their colonies, I imagine it would be difficult for one man to run God's entire kingdom on Earth by himself; this is what Moses learned when his father-in-law counseled him to delegate (
Exodus 18), or split up some duties. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints follows that principle today.
One last example of our need for customized direction is that "the living prophet is more important to us than a dead prophet" (
President Ezra Taft Benson). The living prophet is a "watchman upon the tower" (
Ezekiel 33) that warns us of nearby dangers like drugs and pornography before most people have realized how harmful they are. The Lord has called President Thomas S. Monson and other Apostles to guide the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints today. I love all of the Apostles of Jesus Christ and am grateful for them!
I am also grateful for the personal revelation that I can receive by praying to Heavenly Father. When I do so, I can feel that I truly am His child (
Romans 8:16).
I am also very grateful for counsel that is tailored to fit my circumstances. I remember being frustrated in school when there were policies that did not help with the real issues students were grappling with, simply because people were uninformed about the needs others had. I am grateful that our Heavenly Father always has a perfect understanding of us and will inform His prophets to help us in the most relevant ways.
ReplyDeleteYeah, it's nice when an organization can tailor to everyone's needs, and even when organizations can't, I'm also happy that Heavenly Father can!
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