Layne's Lunch

President Thomas S. Monson said, "When performance is measured, performance improves. When performance is measured and reported, the rate of improvement accelerates." (see Thomas S. Monson, in Conference Report, Oct. 1970, 107) What are we trying to achieve? What are we trying to become? What performance are we seeking?  I would like to submit that the most important thing we do during our mortal life is to seek to become like our Father in Heaven or in other words, to become his disciple.   Peter Drucker is credited with saying: "If you can't measure it, you can't improve it."  So, if I want to increase my discipleship, how do I measure it?   Many of the important elements of discipleship cannot be measured. For example, Christ-like attributes, personal and family devotion, covenant keeping, and service to others.  The process of becoming a disciple of Christ is a process that focuses on the heart, and not necessarily on the the hands (do...

I'm not a crier.  However, there seems to be an de facto standard that says those who shed the most tears during their testimony are the most spiritual. Because I rarely shed tears during my testimony, does that mean I don’t have a strong testimony? Do I have to cry as proof that I feel the spirit? Richard G. Scott helps us understand this relationship between testimony and emotion. A testimony is fortified by spiritual impressions that confirm the validity of a teaching, of a righteous act, or of a warning of pending danger. Often such guidance is accompanied by powerful emotions that make it difficult to speak and bring tears to the eyes. But a testimony is not emotion. It is the very essence of character woven from threads born of countless correct decisions.  (Richard G. Scott, "The Power of a Strong Testimony", LDS General Conference October 2001) Perhaps this statement by President Howard W. Hunter will shed some additional light on this topic: “I get concer...

I came across this phrase as I was reading Doctrine and Covenants section 89. 13 And it is pleasing unto me . . .  (D&C 89:13) As I pondered this phrase, I asked myself if I really understood what it means. When was the last time I asked myself, "Is what I am doing pleasing to the Lord?” 1 Nephi 6:3-6 helps us understand that there are things that are pleasing to God and things that are pleasing to the world. 3 And it mattereth not to me that I am particular to give a full account of all the things of my father, for they cannot be written upon these plates, for I desire the room that I may write of the things of God. 4 For the fulness of mine intent is that I may persuade men to come unto the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, and be saved. 5 Wherefore, the things which are pleasing unto the world I do not write, but the things which are pleasing unto God and unto those who are not of the world. 6 Wherefore, I shall give comma...

How can you lead as a counselor in a bishopric, quorum presidency, or auxiliary presidency?   There doesn't seem to be very much information in Handbook 2 about how to be a counselor.   From Handbook 2: section 4.2  "The bishop’s decisions are better informed and implemented when made after discussions with his counselors."   Most of the rest of the handbook just lists what the bishop can delegate to his counselors.  So, how do we learn to be an excellent counselor?   We can look to the Old Testament for an example.  Remember the occasion when Moses was leading the children of Israel in their battle against the Amalekites. Moses took the rod of God in his hands and went to the top of a sacred mount, where he held up his hands to God over the battle; and as long as Moses held up his hands, Israel prevailed. But when he let his hands down, the Amalekites prevailed. And as Moses’ arms became heavy with weariness, Aaron and Hur stood on eith...