Am I of the Chosen Generation?

Am I of the Chosen Generation?
There is a legend told of a bat that wanted to be a bird. The bat joined the birds because it had wings and could fly like they did. Despite having the ability to fly, though, the bat didn’t have feathers, nor a beak like all birds have. Instead, it had a mouth full of teeth, and it had hair. Consequently, the birds rejected it.
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The bat decided to join the beasts of the field, and said to them, “I am an animal like you, with my hair and my mouth full of teeth.” After examining the bat however, the animals decided that it didn’t belong with them because they walk on all fours, and they don’t fly. As the bat didn’t have four legs, it couldn’t live with them.

The bat was similar to the birds because it could fly. It was similar to the animals because it had teeth and hair. But that was not enough for it to be a bird or an animal. There were many things it still did not have in order to belong to either group.

As members of the Church, we are counted among the Saints because of our sincere repentance, our baptism and our confirmation. Our bishops and leaders know us; so do the members of our quorums and the various auxiliaries. We have callings at church. We attend meetings and activities organised by the Church. Our neighbours and the people around us know that we belong to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

However, the fundamental question is whether this is sufficient to be a member of God’s chosen generation, to be joint heirs with Christ. For that distinction, our hearts need to be turned away from worldly matters and turned towards principles of righteousness, such as the following:

1 Faith in God and Jesus Christ

1 Faith in God and Jesus Christ

Faith in the Lord is essential for salvation. It is a principle of action and power which should motivate our lives and drive us to act in hope. There is no faith without action. Elder Holland taught: “I’m not asking you to pretend to faith that you do not have. I am asking you to be true to the faith you do have” (Jeffrey R Holland,” Lord, I Believe,” Liahona, May 2013). If ye will have faith in me ye shall have power to do whatsoever thing is expedient in me” (Moroni 7: 33). “By faith one obtains a remission of sins and eventually can stand in the presence of God” (Bible Dictionary, 670).

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2 Humility

2 Humility

The Holy Ghost comes to those who are meek and lowly in heart. “None is acceptable before God, save the meek and lowly in heart” (Moroni 7:44), and without humility we cannot see God, for at the second coming of Christ, the proud and the wicked will be burned as stubble (D&C 29: 9). President Uchtdorf said: “We must put aside our pride, see beyond our vanity, and in humility ask, Lord, is it I?” (Dieter F Uchtdorf, “Lord, Is It I?” Ensign, November 2014).

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3 Love for Others

3 Love for Others

Among those whom we can love and who need our succour are less-active members, widows, and orphans. “A feeling of responsibility for others is at the heart of faithful priesthood service,” said President Henry B. Eyring (Henry B. Eyring “Man Down!” Ensign, May 2009). President Monson said: “There are those who struggle every day with challenges. Let us extend to them our concern, as well as a helping hand (Thomas S. Monson, “Until We Meet Again,” Ensign, November 2014).

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We also need to love our dead ancestors, for “their salvation is necessary and essential to our salvation… neither can we without our dead be made perfect” (D&C 128:15). Elder David A. Bednar said: 'I encourage you to study, to search out your ancestors, and to prepare yourselves to perform proxy baptisms in the house of the Lord for your kindred dead” (David A. Bednar, “The Hearts of the Children Shall Turn,” Ensign, November 2011).

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4 Personal and Family Prayer

Personal and Family Prayer
Rather than merely reciting the usual phrases in our prayers, we must communicate with our Heavenly Father. It is through prayer that we will be victorious. Elder Richard G. Scott taught this: “Choose to converse with your Father in Heaven often. Make time every day to share your thoughts and feelings with Him. Tell Him everything that concerns you.” He also gave this recommendation: “Parents, help safeguard your children by arming them morning and night with the power of family prayer. Family prayer should be a non-negotiable priority in your daily life (Richard G. Scott, “Make the Exercise of Faith Your First Priority ,” Ensign , November 2014).
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5 Scripture Study

5 Scripture Study

One of the best ways to avoid the evils of this world is to nourish our spirit with the truths contained in the scriptures. The scriptures, including the teachings of the prophets, tell us how to be a part of the chosen generation and how to inherit eternal life. “And the scriptures shall be given, even as they are in mine own bosom, to the salvation of mine own elect” (D&C 35:20).

The scriptures teach that when we pay an honest and full tithe, God blesses us. “I will rebuke the devourer....All nations shall call you blessed” (Malachi 3:11-12). By paying fast offerings, we relieve the suffering of the hungry, the sick, and the afflicted. Then “... shall thy light break forth as the morning....The Lord shall be thy rearward” (Isaiah 58: 8).

I conclude with the words of President Monson: “May we resolve to do a little better than we have done in the past” (Thomas S. Monson, “Until We Meet Again,” Ensign, May 2014). I know that if we follow the living prophet, Thomas S. Monson, we can be part of the chosen generation.

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