This Sunday is my turn to teach. Since I have the chance to choose whatever topic I feel will benefit the quorum, I decided to choose President Dieter F. Uchtdorf’s talk from last April’s conference entitled A Matter of a Few Degrees. In his talk, he recounted a story of a large passenger jet that left New Zealand for a sightseeing flight to Antarctica. An error of two degrees in the flight coordinates placed the aircraft directly in the path of an active volcano. Unfortunately, by the time the pilots received the warning from the plane’s instruments, it was too late. The plane crashed into the side of the volcano, killing the pilots and all 257 passengers.
President Uchtdorf said: “The difference between happiness and misery … often comes down to an error of only a few degrees”. He also promised that the Lord will help us recognize and avoid these evils. He reminded us that we have the responsibility and the power of self-direction. And if we drift off-course, there is always a way back that is “certain and clear” and that is the Savior Jesus Christ.
So fill in the blank: what word, phrase, or thought would you replace “degree” with? Here’s what I have:
- A matter of a few clicks
- A matter of a few promptings
- A matter of a few channels
- A matter of a few thoughts
And on the positive side:
- A matter of a few minutes reading the words of the Prophets
- A matter of a few minutes making the Internet safer for me and my home
So what would you fill in the blank? How can you apply this in your life?
Gilbert Lee is a guest blogger and works as an interaction designer for the LDS Church. He is married to a wonderful woman and has three princesses for daughters.
RSS
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
I think the “a matter of a few clicks” is probably the best one. However, a few others ones might be a matter of a few bad movies, curse/swear words, broken curfews, etc.
On the positive side, what about a matter of a few extra prayers, home teaching visits, increased fast offerings…
Those are great ideas, Graham. One of the elders in my lesson today mentioned that it’s also a matter of a few degrees when it comes to correction. The positive side on this is definitely worth thinking about more.
Gilbert,
Thank you for your ideas….I found this to be very helpful this morning as I read it and will use it in a family home evening lesson.
A matter of just a few more minutes laughing with our children
A matter of taking a quick moment to say something nice to someone and brighten someone’s day
A matter of smiling at those we pass instead forgetting to notice them.