True Desire

I came across this inspirational story by Elder Dallin H. Oaks about the importance of desire. "How do we develop desires? Few will have the kind of crisis that motivated Aron Ralston, but his experience provides a valuable lesson about developing desires."


-While Aron Ralston was hiking in a remote canyon in southern Utah, an 800-pound (360 kg) rock shifted suddenly and trapped his right arm. For five lonely days he struggled to free himself. When he was about to give up and accept death, he had a vision of a three-year-old boy running toward him and being scooped up with his left arm. Understanding this as a vision of his future son and an assurance that he could still live, Ralston summoned the courage and took drastic action to save his life before his strength ran out. He broke the two bones in his trapped right arm and then used the knife in his multi-tool to cut off that arm. He then summoned the strength to hike five miles (8 km) for help.

A great example of an overwhelming desire! Keep this in mind while I share some of my feelings and thoughts about this specific topic. I have been thinking a lot about the important things in my life and the things I desire that really doesn't matter. Elder Dallin H. Oaks gave a profound message this last General Conference on this particular topic. First let us define the word, desire. According to the web dictionary it means, 'A strong feeling of wanting to have something or wishing for something to happen.' Elder Oaks stated, "As mortal beings we have some basic physical needs. Desires to satisfy these needs compel our choices and determine our actions." He goes on by giving us three examples that can sometimes override those true and important desires that we may have with those desires that are more important. One example and one I can relate to the most is food. I love food in any way, shape, or form! I will eat whatever I can get. "We have a basic need for food, but for a time that desire can be overriden by a stronger desire to fast." That desire to fast with a spiritual motivation will give us the strength that we need instead of discomfort and irritability. When we have a vision of what we can become, our desire and our power to act increase enormously. "Most of us will never face such an extreme crisis like Aron Ralston's, but all of us face potential traps that will prevent progress toward our eternal destiny. If our righteous desires are sufficiently intense, they will motivate us to cut and carve ourselves free from addictions and other sinful pressures and priorities that prevent our eternal progress."

I know that by putting the important desires first, my progression towards eternity is pure and unwavering. To achieve my eternal destiny, I will desire and work for the qualities required to become an eternal being. Elder Richard G. Scott once said, "We become what we want to be by consistently being what we want to become each day." But it all starts with a willing heart and a willing mind. Therefore, what we insistently desire, over time, is what we will eventually become and what we will receive in eternity. And sometimes we don't even know what our true desires are, but Heavenly Father does! And He will let us know if we come unto him and just ask with a sincere heart through prayer. God knows our true desire and even the thoughts of our minds. "Let us remember that desires dictate our priorities, priorities shape our choices, and choices determine our actions. In addition, it is our actions and our desires that cause us to become something, whether a true friend, a gifted teacher, or one who has qualified for eternal life." Having a vision and a burning desire is the starting point of all accomplishments!