‘Develop personal relationship’ says Sister Okazak

    92

    By AMY O’KELLY

    At the Honors Program Annual Banquet Thursday evening, Chieko Okazaki, former first counselor in the Relief Society General Presidency, told students and faculty that if they live to the best of their ability and establish a relationship with the Savior, then there is no reason for them to fear.

    “Fear is something that comes from the unknown, but look at how much we do know through the gospel. We know a lot; we should be confident when living the gospel in our daily lives,” Sister Okazaki said.

    Sister Okazaki told guests not to live cautious, passionless lives.

    “We don’t have to be hard on ourselves or beat ourselves up over our weaknesses because we don’t have to be perfect, we just have to be willing,” she said.

    “In the church, we are fed a special diet of warning messages. We are given specific rules to follow and warnings to keep the commandments,” Sister Okazaki said. Every single rule exists to prevent problems and provide safety, she said.

    “The Lord’s commandments have serious promises and breaking them brings serious consequences,”she said.

    The scriptures go into great detail about the problems that result from disobeying the commandments of the Lord. However, the scriptures do not advocate living pale, passionless lives.

    Any talent, any potential is a valuable resource; however they may also be a curse and a burden. Talents do not guarantee security, health, happiness or wisdom unless they are looked at as a stewardship– not as one’s own identity. Talents are gifts that are instructed to individuals, for which they are accountable to use

    “Usually we think that God wants our talents and abilities — the things we’re good at and know the Church can use. But we should offer Him everything: our sins, pride, vanities, fears, and vain ambitions. He’ll take the unattractive parts as quickly and as joyously as He does our talents. This is the good news; He’ll transform it all — including your weaknesses, Sister Okazaki said.

    “The scriptures counsel us to thank the Lord in all things. All things include not only our blessings, but our problems, handicaps, and mistakes. When we can acknowledge our weaknesses, the Lord can transform them for us. Then our gratitude for being shown our imperfections will make it easy and even joyous for us to offer our brokenness to the Lord in the full expectation that he will heal us,” Sister Okazaki said.

    “Don’t be afraid to make mistakes, give yourself to a great cause, or give your heart completely in a friendship. Emerse yourselves deeply in learning during these exciting years at BYU,” she said.

    Print Friendly, PDF & Email