Making Decisions

This last weekend was stake conference as I mentioned in my post "Your Next Best 2 Years." A member of my stake presidency gave us stages of life we go through. They remind me of Erik Erikson's stages, but definitely different.

From Birth to 8 years old is the Dispensation of Unaccountability.
From 8 to 15 years old is the Dispensation of Development.
From 15 to 35 years old is the Dispensation of Decisions.
From 35 years when their kids are grown up is the Dispensation of Establishment.
From that time to death is the Dispensation to Give Back.

Currently, the majority of the people in my stake are in the 15-35 year range. Each of us making decisions. Some are those are huge decisions like deciding a major, a career, where to live, whom to marry for eternity, etc. It can be extremely stressful to make such a decision that would change your life forever. How do you make such an important decision?


Doctrine and Covenants 9:7-9 reads:

"Behold, you have not understood; you have supposed that I would give it unto you, when you took no thought save it was to ask me.
"But, behold, I say unto you, that you must study it out in your mind; then you must ask me if it be right, and if it is right I will cause that your bosom shall burn within you; therefore, you shall feel that it is right.
"But if it be not right you shall have no such feelings, but you shall have a stupor of thought that shall cause you to forget the thing which is wrong; therefore, you cannot write that which is sacred save it be given you from me."

This is the pattern we should be following in making decisions. We are to study it out in our minds. Ask if it's right. Receive an answer through comfort and peace or forgetfulness and unsettled. The presidency member expanded on these steps.

Study it out in your minds

1. Read any counsel given on the issue you are dealing with. Especially from the brethren, the apostles of the Lord. Good resources are LDS.org and scriptures.byu.edu.
2. Go to the scriptures. Read, study, and ponder. It may not say exactly what to do, but pay attention to the impressions you receive.
3. Use the Handbook 2: Administering the Church. It may have the answer you're looking for.
4. Receive a blessing or counsel from your father, Bishop, or Elder's Quorum President. Both the Bishop and the Elder's quorum president hold keys of the priesthood.
5. Ask: Will it strengthen me or weaken me in the long term or short term? If it weakens you in the long term, your answer is no. If it weakens you in the short term, but long term makes you stronger than possibly yes. If both in the short and long term it strengthens you, then yes.
6. Ask: Will it further the cause of Zion? All we do in life should be judged by this standard.
7. Invite the Lord to guide you on your search and study.
8. Then you make a decision. Be bold, be brave.

Ask if it's right

Once you have made a decision, take it to God. Ask if your decision is the best one. Ask if there is anything you had forgotten. Ask for a confirmation if your decision was right or wrong.

Receiving your answer

You have to be still and living such a life to be receptive of what Heavenly Father's answer is, even if it's not one you really like. Once you have an answer on whether or not your answer is correct, immediately follow through, even if people think you're crazy. If you have the Lord's answer, then follow through; no one else's words matter. You need to have a great amount of faith and trust in Heavenly Father that he wants what is best for you and he won't lead you astray. If you are doing your best, the Lord will warn you of wrong decisions. Trust him to lead and direct your life. It requires us to believe and obey in Him.