Elder Anthony D. Perkins, General Authority of the Seventy, explored what is involved in becoming a “valued treasure unto the Lord” during the campus devotional on Dec. 3.
Perkins explained that peculiarity can be seen in a couple of different ways. On one hand, some synonyms could include words such as odd, strange, quaint or eccentric. Elder Perkins shared a couple of other meanings through a video where Church President Russell M. Nelson explores the word peculiarity within the context of both Hebrew and Greek translations of the Bible.
“In the Old Testament, the Hebrew term from which 'peculiar' was translated is 'segullah,' which means ‘valued property,’ or ‘treasure,’” President Nelson said. “In the New Testament, the Greek term from which peculiar was translated is 'peripoiesis,' which means ‘possession’ or ‘an obtaining.’”
Elder Perkins said God’s commandments provide several ways through which people can embrace this latter type of peculiarity — a definition that means “peculiar people” can actually refer to a people who belong to God. An example of one such commandment is tithing.
“How can 100 minus 10 equal more than 100? The math works because the Lord has promised to open the windows of heaven to those who live this law,” Elder Perkins said. “Show your love for the Lord by sacrificing to live the peculiar law of tithing and wait patiently for the windows of heaven to open to you.”
Elder Perkins shared that the Sabbath Day is a vital part of keeping the law of the gospel and gives disciples a chance to show their love to Heavenly Father and the Savior.
“A time may come in your future when you will need to decide about your peculiar Sabbath Day sign to God,” Elder Perkins said. “I testify that keeping the Sabbath day holy really can be a delight, a joyful respite from the cares of the world.”
Elder Perkins also discussed the law of consecration, explaining that dedicating skills and time to serving in Church callings and community will allow the Savior to transform souls and help people experience joy. The Lord “uses the unlikely to accomplish the impossible,” he said.
Elder Perkins then spoke about marriage with words of encouragement to those who may have fears about the hardships that can come with it, including divorce.
“You can break the cycle,” Elder Perkins said. “My parents did. Both came from homes of divorce, and they have now been married for 65 years.”
Elder Perkins emphasized that while making God’s commandments a part of daily life and keeping covenants might seem peculiar, students must also ensure that their relationships extend outward beyond the Church.
“We cannot afford to be inwardly focused and Church-exclusive in our relationships,” Elder Perkins said. “We desire to be the type of people those not of our faith want to spend time with and maybe even quietly want to be more like.”
Elder Perkins shared that disciples cannot fully embrace this identity of a treasured people who belong to God without the help of Jesus Christ.
“Peter explained that the price of our redemption was ‘the precious blood of Christ,’” Elder Perkins said. “We are Jesus Christ’s valued treasure because He purchased us at the infinite price of His own blood shed in Gethsemane and again on Calvary.”