Even well-meaning individuals who draw on the important work of leading psychologists who advocate concepts of grit (Angela Duckworth) and growth mindset (Carol S. In this message I explored how the world often mismeasures human potential. Gilbert, “ The Mismeasure of Man” (BYU–Pathway Worldwide devotional, Jan. As we do, Christ will lift us to a higher place. ![]() Whether we start in abundant or difficult circumstances, let us keep our sights and our slopes pointed heavenward. I know of no other organization that gives its members more opportunities to serve, give back, repent, and become better people. Then consider the impact of being taught that you are an actual son or daughter of God with divine possibility.” He paused, then replied simply, “That’s powerful.”īrothers and sisters, one of the miracles of this, the Lord’s Church, is that each of us can become something more in Christ. Imagine if your whole life, you were told you could never succeed. But I concluded by saying, “These are all good practices, but the real reason our students are progressing is because we teach them their divine potential. I shared with him our retention programs and mentoring efforts. He was bright and his inquiry was sincere, but he clearly wanted a secular response. I recently had a conversation with a nationally prominent educator who was inquiring about the success of BYU–Pathway. Regardless of whether we start in abundant or difficult circumstances, we will realize our ultimate potential only when we make God our partner. 13 Elder D. Todd Christofferson counseled us to “willingly to accept and even seek correction.” 14 Even when things appear to be going well, we must seek out opportunities to improve through prayerful petition. Christensen taught that the most successful people are the humblest because they are confident enough to be corrected by and learn from anyone. Second, focusing on a high starting point can often trap us into feeling that we are thriving when in fact our inner slope may be quite stagnant. Failure to reseed the fields planted by others can be the equivalent of returning a talent without increase. Lee quoted to his students, “We have all drunk from wells we did not dig, and warmed ourselves by fires we did not build.” 12 He then called on his students to give back and replenish the educational wells that earlier pioneers had built. First, can we show some humility for circumstances we may not have created ourselves? As former BYU president Rex E. 6įinally, let me share two areas of counsel for those with elevated starting points. But overfocusing on a difficult starting point can cause it to define you and even constrain your ability to choose. It would be wrong to ignore your circumstances-they are real and need to be addressed. First, focus on where you are headed and not where you began. Let me share two areas of encouragement for those facing difficult starting circumstances. He took “upon him infirmities, that his bowels be filled with mercy, … that he know … how to succor according to infirmities.” 5 4 For any struggling with difficult starting points, please recognize that the Savior knows our struggles. Others face physical challenges, mental health constraints, or strong genetic predispositions. Let me start by addressing individuals with difficult starting circumstances, including poverty, limited access to education, and challenging family situations. This principle should give comfort to those who struggle, and pause to those who seem to have every advantage. In the Lord’s calculus, He will do everything He can to help us turn our slopes toward heaven. 3 While the world focuses on our intercept, God focuses on our slope. No matter where we start, Christ considers what we do with what we are given. He saw it in the fisherman, the tax collector, and even the zealot. He saw it in the beggar, the sinner, and the infirm. Jesus Christ sees divine potential no matter where we start. Our future will be determined far less by our starting point and much more by our slope. 2 We then progress along a slope of personal progress. Others face beginning circumstances that are challenging and seem unfair. ![]() Some are born with high intercepts, full of opportunity. We all have different intercepts in life-we start in different places with different life endowments.
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