By Jennifer Davis
After Randal Wright?s fourth grade teacher grabbed from his desk the secret love song he had been composing during class for a girl, and started reading it aloud to everyone, he decided school has a way of battering people. But the world and the church have two different ways of building up self-worth.
?The world says to have self-esteem (not self-worth) by having a bigger house, a nicer car, winning a beauty queen contest, having a tummy tuck ? and then all of the sudden you?ll have self-esteem,? said Wright, CES coordinator in Austin, Texas.
Wright did not focus on how the world builds self-esteem, but 5 gospel teachings that help build self-worth.
Developing talents helps one learn difficult tasks and will help build self worth. However, discovering what those talents are may be difficult.
?Maybe if we didn?t know what our talents are, we?ll turn to the Lord a little bit more,? Wright said.
A good way to discovery of talents is to start trusting good things people say about oneself.
?When we talk about talents, we often think of playing the piano ad those sort of things, but all of us have gifts and talents, but they mean nothing if they?re not developed,? he said.
A recent study done by the McDonald foundation shows that 90% of CEOs and politicians played musical instruments. The study explained how the talent helped them to develop character, leadership skills and self-discipline.
?They went from a couple of talents to more talents,? he said. ?If you work on the talent, you will be blessed with other gifts and talents.?
Although everyone is born with different talents, it is important not to compare or worry about it. Some have more talents than others, but if the talents are developed?the reward is the same for all.
Serving others is the next natural step after developing talents because once a talent is developed; it can be used to help others.
?When you are in the service of others, you are in the service of the Lord, and when you are serving?you are going to expand your talents, and you?re going to feel better about yourself,? Wright said.
Gratitude is one thing, but expressing gratitude is another.
?It is important to give praise and gratitude for everything and everyone,? he said.
After watching seminary teachers and parents not receive the proper expression of gratitude, it makes the one leper who expressed gratitude to the Savior (for being healed) seem like a high percentage?10 percent, he said.
Achieving things also helps builds a healthy self-worth, if the achievements are for oneself and for the Lord and not for anyone else.
?There?s something about doing what I said I would do that makes me feel better about myself,? he said.
Finally, in obedience there is joy. Wright quoted W. Don Ladd who said that when there is a close relationship with the Lord, one can be comfortable with themselves.
