The Better Way by William L. Riley

It doesn't take long when you are browsing in the self-help section of a book store. Whoops! That really dates me. As I was saying, as you are looking though the list of self-help books on your electronic reader, it doesn't take long to discover that every expert knows the ‘one and only’ right way to improve the miserable conditions of your life.

For one the solution is to be found by increasing fiber or decreasing sugar.
For another the solution is to be found by increasing exercise and decreasing couch potato time.
Yet another chimes in that only when we increase friends who give us positive feedback and decrease those who give negative feedback will we find our quality of life improving.
Then we read alternating views on oats, carbs, proteins, fruits, veggies and even the fabrics we wear.
We have even returned to the days of yore when cleansing of the dietary system was good and avoidance of such experiences would leave one unfulfilled.
We find books on the edifying effects of drugs, alcohol and whether I should increase my intake of Vitamins A, B, C and D or decrease there intake.
There is a whole section of how to improve your life by eliminating the harmful effects of the life easing inventions which surround us.

I know there has to be a little truth in some of these treatises and I suspect that there are many who have improved their emotional and physical states through the application of these writings. But, and it is a big BUT, I think that most of these efforts fall into that huge area which the apostle Paul referred to as missing the mark.
I realize that being sound of body and mind makes life’s journey healthier and happier. BUT, were we really sent here just to enjoy the trip, or were there greater purposes ordained for our mortality?

Let me suggest that we chose to come to earth to change our natures from Telestial (worldly – selfish – carnal) and move them towards becoming Terrestrial (kind – loving – gentle – good) and maybe even putting on a shade of Celestial (selfless – saving – spiritual – saints).

Less I become numbered among those who have a “one solution for all people at all times and in all places”, let me hasten to share some of my observations of human nature.

There are some who respond more rapidly to clarity and others to subtlety.
There are some who respond to sugary words and others who are moved by salty phrases.
There are some who learn by the mistakes of others and those who must try all things.
There are some who can be beat into submission and others who must be comforted into conformity.
There are some who find being good is just part of who they are and others who find it boring and must constantly fight to put on a little goodness.
There are some who will not move unless there is adventure involved and others who avoid all risk.
There are some who grasp concepts through reading while others are moved more rapidly by other senses.

We are individuals and have so been forever. The remedy to our earth-life adventure doesn't seem to be finding a universal formula, but finding a formula which universally works for each of us individually.

I am aware of the gospel principles which advocate – one faith – one baptism – one way and one truth. However, I don't think this necessarily means that there is but one way to gain that faith or one way to find truth. We, who believe in the efficacy of Temple ordinances for the dead, even accept that there is more than one way to receive the blessings of baptism.

I have found that for every positive in the gospel there is a corresponding negative.

Truth -------------- Error
Right -------------- Wrong
Believe ----------- Question
Light -------------- Darkness
Selfless ----------- Selfishness

I have also found that for some people striving to eliminate the negatives from their lives brings greater movement toward the goal of changing their natures. I have also found that there are some who advance more rapidly by concentrating on putting on the positive attributes of a higher nature. Then there are a multitude of combinations of the two spread throughout those who are attempting to become something better during their sojourn in the mortal state.

It is always interesting that the Savior in his sermon on the mount advocated that we become:

Poor in Spirit - but didn't tell us how to put on that attribute.
Meek - but didn't tell us how to put on that attribute.
Thirst after righteousness - but didn't tell us how to put on that attribute.
Merciful - but didn't tell us how to put on that attribute.
Pure in heart - but didn't tell us how to put on that attribute.
Perfect - but didn't tell us how to put on that attribute.

May I suggest that one of the real keys to our progress during this life, while we strive to gain more insights into what we should be becoming, may be in finding that formula for change which best fits our particular and peculiar nature.