Author Truman G. Madsen, quotes Joseph Smith in saying:
"Now one of the strongest and wisest statements I have ever heard on the subject of egoism. The question was put to him, 'Joseph, is the principle of self-aggrandizement wrong? Should we seek our own good?' Listen to his answer. 'It is a correct principle and may be indulged upon only one rule or plan--and that is to elevate, benefit, and bless others first. If you will elevate others, the very work itself will exalt you. Upon no other plan can a man justly and permanently aggrandize himself.' That is another way of saying with the New Testament, "Whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel's, the same shall save it.' To paraphrase: He that seeketh to save his life has mere physical survival. He that is against me, or indifferent to me, will lose it. 'What shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?' Nothing.
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So I agree and am familiar with this idea that elevating others elevates you, but as I reflect on this, a statement which counters it immediately comes to mind: "You cannot lift others any higher than you yourself are and it is foolish to think that you or anybody else can." Can both be right? Or must obe be wrong? Can you only elevate those below you? And is this where one must commence their own eternal progression - with those below them? Is it not hypocritical to try and elevate those above you? It's like the statement "you can only lift your actions as high as you lift your thoughts, and no higher."
ReplyDeleteThoughts and answers are welcome.
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DeleteSter, I don’t think the areas contradict each other. The only Ones who can elevate us to perfection are those who are already perfect, yet we will never be higher than they. Conversely, each of us here on earth has different strengths and weaknesses and can thus assist each other in the appropriate areas. I, for example, could aggrandize my wife in mathematics while she aggrandizes me in English literature. The fact that our strengths lie in different areas is not indicative of one being better than the other full stop.
DeleteI've heard Alvin R. Deyer say when speaking to a Canadian mission "the Celestial Kingdom is the kingdom of administration. This is why it must be peopled FIRST." By those who come forth on the morning of the FIRST ressurection. A 1,000 year head start before the telestial kingdom and outer darkness are populated. The point I make is that there is always ORDER in the Lord's work. And heiarchy or so it seems... I belive this applies just as much to the principle of self-aggrandizement spoken of by Joseph Smith.
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