In Mormon belief, spirituality is an important part of life. Elder Dallin H. Oaks, a leader in the Mormon Church, stated, “as we draw farther from worldliness, we feel closer to our Father in Heaven and more able to be guided by his Spirit. We call this quality of life spirituality. To the faithful, spirituality is a lens through which we view life and a gauge by which we evaluate it” (“Spirituality,” Ensign, Nov. 1985, 61).Elder Joe J. Christensen of the Quorum of the Seventy said, “Regardless of our age or stage in life, one of the genuine needs we all have in order to live happier and to be more successful is to increase our own spirituality.” Elder Christensen then gave ten ways that spirituality can be increased:
- Read the scriptures daily.President Spencer W. Kimball said, “I find that when I get casual in my relationships with divinity and when it seems that no divine ear is listening and no divine voice is speaking, that I am far, far away. If I immerse myself in the scriptures the distance narrows and the spirituality returns.”
- Offer genuine prayers.There is a difference between saying a prayer and really praying. Sincere prayer opens the communication lines between God and us. Through prayer, the Spirit can better guide us.
- Fast with a purpose.“Meaningful fasting is one sure method of cultivating spirituality in our lives. Here is a practical suggestion: Make the first Sunday of next month a very meaningful day of fasting. Choose something very specific—maybe one of your personal challenges or a condition afflicting someone in your family or someone else. Focus, fast, and pray. It seems that every time the scriptures refer to fasting, prayer is also mentioned. They go together.”
- Go to bed early and get up early.Doctrine and Covenants 88:124 says, “Cease to sleep longer than is needful; retire to thy bed early, that ye may not be weary; arise early, that your bodies and your minds may be invigorated.”
- Work on being an essentially happy person.The scriptures are full of commands to “be of good cheer,” and to “lift up your heart and rejoice.” When we are happy we can recognize God’s hand in our lives. Establish an attitude of gratitude.
- Work hard.“Laziness and spirituality don’t go together. The most spiritual people I know are also some of the hardest-working people I have ever met.”So if you want to increase your level of spirituality, work hard. Magnify your callings within the Mormon Church.
- Be more concerned about how you serve, than where.Don’t be concerned with position or status, simply do the best that you can.
- Love everyone, even enemies.Love is one of the single great commandments from God. If we learn to love others it will be easier to be spiritual.
- Strive to be like Jesus Christ.
- Share your testimony with others.Even if others do not benefit from our testimony, our own spirituality does. Through testimonies, we feel the Holy Ghost bear witness of the truths we are speaking and strengthen our spirits.
Adapted from Joe J. Christensen’s “Toward Greater Spirituality: Ten Important Steps,” Tambuli, Aug. 1983, 23.