Build on past but move on, Elder Holland urges at Y.
"Keep your eyes on your dreams, however distant, and live to see the miracles of repentance and forgiveness, trust and divine love transform your life today, tomorrow and forever," he said.
Elder Holland spoke at Tuesday's devotional at Brigham Young University, where he served as president from 1980 to 1989.
He referenced the biblical story from Genesis, where Lot and his family fled at daybreak from the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. Lot's wife ignored God's command to "look not behind thee" and upon looking back turned into a pillar of salt.
"It isn't just that she looked back she looked back longingly," he said. "In short, her attachment to the past outweighed her confidence in the future. That, apparently, was at least part of her sin."
Counseling his audience to not dwell on days now gone or yearn vainly for yesterday, Elder Holland reminded "the past is to be learned from but not lived in," drawing upon experiences as one looks ahead.
Mindful individuals are sometimes hardest on themselves than with others, Elder Holland asked that in all situations including relationships, marriages and personal lives ancient wounds not be reopened, the same wounds the Savior died trying to heal.
"Let people repent. Let people grow. Believe that people can change and improve," he said. "It that faith? Yes! It is hope? Yes! Is it charity? Yes! Above all it is charity, the pure love of Christ."
Elder Holland encouraged listeners to forgive and then do that which is harder to do forget. And to forget again when it comes to mind again, remembered just enough to avoid repeating the mistake.
"Dismiss the destructive and keep dismissing it, until the beauty of the atonement of Christ has revealed to you your bright future, and the bright future of your family and your friends and your neighbors," he said.
"God doesn't care nearly as much about where you have been as he does about where you are, and with his help, where you are willing to go."
E-mail: taylor@desnews.com
Recent comments
I absolutely agree with this message -- the past is to be learned...
Chuck | Jan. 18, 2009 at 7:46 p.m.
Sounds like you could do a little forgetting yourself
HeyAnonymous | Jan. 17, 2009 at 7:37 p.m.
To: 'Great Speaker...best out of the G.A's at speaking?":
Oh I...
EZ Does it! | Jan. 16, 2009 at 5:59 p.m.
- Man trapped in Nutty Putty cave dies 4:37 p.m.
- Boy shoots mom with arrow 3:48 p.m.
- Haiti bans party from election 3:21 p.m.
- Marines see end of deployment 2:59 p.m.
- Colo. gov's lawn draped in toilet paper 2:42 p.m.
- Packers beat Lions 34-12 2:12 p.m.
- Dad locked kids in trunk 1:46 p.m.
- Korver's return hits snag 12:59 p.m.
- Salt Lake City woman shot 12:53 p.m.
- Woman suffers critical injury 12:50 p.m.
- Man trapped in Nutty Putty cave dies
- Cave rescuers committed to free man
- Rivalry has had some 'turkeys'
- Holiday television program listings
- Highland players make special friend
- Temple Square to use LEDs
- Missions teach players perseverance
- Matt Reynolds vs. Koa Misi
- Provo star leads Bulldogs to win
- Jazz part of new holiday tradition?
- BYU would like friendlier rivalry
261 - Glenn Beck to enter politics?
228 - Protests against Phoenix LDS temple
210 - RSL wins MLS Cup on penalty kicks
202 - Bronco, Kyle rubber match
139 - BYU records with win
133 - Letters: Rushing to judge Palin
131 - Thunder rolls by Jazz
129 - Boys basketball rankings
116 - Editorial: Poor welcome for Palin
112
BYU is afraid to play in front of the media public every year and that is why...
Will one, just one of you AGW believers prove that the earth is warming!...
Wondered what 1 would do if given and oppurtunity to play a professional...
Like most people I am progressively sicker with the way congresses are...
I have explored Nutty Putty before as well as other caves around the State....
Ywa Zionz has it share of deaths but the difference is that Zions National...
Actually a lot of conservatives did NOT want this war and still don't....
All these Ute fans are setting themselves up to be humiliated. Oh, and by...
this is a senseless death that didn't have to happen. my heart goes out to...
The band was awesome!! Thank you, Caleb, for allowing a member of the Little...



