Eternal Significance

"Decide to do something that will have eternal consequences." Richard G. Scott, Redemption: The Harvest of Love, Ensign, Nov 1990, 5.

This is a quote from a talk given by Elder Richard G. Scott. I heard it first years ago, it stuck with me. Elder Scott was speaking specifically about genealogy and family history work, but I think his statement can be applied much broader. I usually begin the semester by encouraging my family history class to make some changes in their lives and spend more time focused on the things that will stay with us and have "eternal significance".

What things have eternal significance? Well I guess we have to think about what things we can take with us when we leave this life. I think generally the categories fall into relationships and knowledge. Many of our relationships can have the possibility of being eternal if bound together by temple ordinances. Relationships and knowledge are the a couple of the things that bring students to college. We can gain knowledge by learning new things. We can develop and nurture relationships as we interact socially and most importantly as families. I think the family is the ideal place to gain knowledge and build relationships. So as we make choices throughout the day think about focusing on relationships and knowledge.