Home Teaching

I believe the real need is not more push on the priesthood holders - and current encouragement makes a difference and the benefits, in the context of the following, will grow tremendously under its influence. Here is the point: the training of the families is the most critical area at this point. "Receive the Holy Ghost." "Let Earth receive her King." D&C 84:36 (35-40 really) is essential. For all of our inconsequential (as Benjamin observed) giving, the real job is to receive. We need help receiving. Families have no idea how unique having a Home Teacher is. There is so much home teachers do now. There is so much more they can do. Not necessarily in more time (though it would be interesting to understand how much time is spent on average). Like the Atonement, families need to learn how to use the resources they've been given - including the price paid to make it available to them.

Influence

There is no quiet. God and Satan are always active. They are on the move now. They are filled with desires. Each wants us. What do we want? Ours is the power to answer that question. Yet our only power to achieve what we want is in our choice in who we follow. We get what we want by following the one that is headed in that direction. To whom are we listening right now? Who are we following - right now? Right now.

Commandments

God gives us commandments to give us structure in which we can learn. The Atonement is central to this architecture.

Gifts to God

Could it be that, of all thing we could give up to God, He appreciates our sins the most? Given His love for us, could there be anything sweeter to Him? We love our sins - at least portions of them. That we give them up adds power and depth to our relationship with God.