We can be of so much service to others in many thou-shalt ways. Of course, the problem is that rendering such service takes time, and we are all so busy. Some situations may call for service that somehow seems to be beneath us. Besides, we have other things to do. The thou shalts are so convenient to put off. Who will notice the procrastination anyway? After all, we are not robbing a bank. Or are there forms of withholding that constitute stealing?

We cannot lead or draw others to Christ unless we stand closer to Him than they do.

Our little pebble of poor performance helps to start, or to sustain, an avalanche.

Each day I see all about me the fruits of commandment-keeping.

Any assessment of where we stand in relationship to Him tells us that we do not stand at all. We kneel.

We tend to think of consecration only as yielding up, when divinely directed, our material possessions. But ultimate consecration is the yielding up of oneself to God. Heart, soul, and mind were the encompassing words of Christ in describing the first commandment, which is constantly, not periodically, operative (see Matt. 22:37). If kept, then our performances will, in turn, be fully consecrated for the lasting welfare of our souls (see 2 Ne. 32:9).

If we spent as much time lifting our children as we do criticizing them, how effectively we could help them to see themselves in a more positive light!