Organization

[JudoMinja]

I am certain that most have heard the phrase “cleanliness is next to Godliness.” How many truly understand its meaning? How many can bear testimony of the ways in which the principle of organization and cleanliness has blessed their lives? I can testify to you that if you can take the time to be clean and orderly, your lives will be blessed for your efforts.

To be organized is to follow God’s example. His house is a house of order. Everything has a place, a direction, and a time for its action. His work cannot be accomplished except by following this order. All His requirements must be fulfilled and in the manner that he has set forth. We cannot repent without first having faith in Christ. We cannot be baptized until we come before Him with a purified and repentant heart. We cannot receive the gift of the Holy Ghost without first being baptized. The knowledge, wisdom, and understanding of His truths will not come upon us without relying on the guidance of the Holy Ghost.

The order of the Priesthood is organized in a likewise manner. Each power is granted in a particular order, each building upon one another, received line upon line, precept upon precept. The Priesthood is the power to act in His name with His authority, and He grants portions of that power to individuals in the best way to maximize their understanding of the gift they have been given. Deacons, at twelve, can help pass the sacrament. Teachers, at fourteen, aid in the preparation of that sacrament. Then Priests, at sixteen, may bless the sacrament and perform baptisms. Those found worthy and ready to receive the Melchezidek Priesthood step into this higher order and are granted further powers and authority.

The church itself is organized to help the members obtain the greatest benefit from their meetings. Sacrament meeting is led by a Bishop with the help of his counselors. The meeting is opened with song and prayer. The members attuned to their purpose in being their through another song before the administering of the sacrament. Following this, speakers give talks or lessons directed by the spirit to teach the members of the ward in a manner specific to their needs. Everyone then splits into age specific groups for further instruction directed to their group. They are then split once more into men and women to receive even more specific instruction. This organization maximizes the learning of all.

Direction for the church is given to those with the authority to receive it and put it into action. The prophet receives revelation for the entire church, giving all members and even the entire world much needed guidance. This is broad and all encompassing, as one man would have difficulty meeting all the specific needs of every individual. To give this more specific direction, the authority to direct and lead has been split and delegated. The twelve apostles offer added instruction and visit members in all parts of the world. The quorum of the seventy and general area authorities receive revelation to guide more specific areas. These are further split into stakes, wards, and branches. And finally, on the most intimate level, our home and visiting teachers are given revelation to help specific families.

Without this wonderful organization, it would be impossible for the church to progress. Without order, there can be no direction. Without guidance, everything would scatter helter-skelter. Leaving everything to random chance and happen-stance would result in all things eventually being dissipated and disappearing. Chaos- the stark opposite of organization. Chaos leads only to utter confusion and destruction.

How many of us are living lives drowning in chaos? The world is flooded with the chaos of misdirection and misperception. People are rushing to and fro, always in a hurry, never knowing what they should be doing or where they should be going until moments before. Important papers and documents are lost in chaotic homes. Stress levels build among piles of clutter and mess. Instead of taking time to clean and organize, many prefer the “easy” route of letting things go, obtaining meals that require little to no preparation, buying new products to replace their ruined ones rather than give them the care that will make them last. While the conveniences of the modern world can be a great help, living in this way will strain even the strongest individuals.

Cleanliness and organization takes time and effort, but it is worth it. A clean and organized home brings peace and calm to the family. People feel happier and more relaxed when everything has a place and can always be found in its place. Our physical, mental, and spiritual health are all heightened when time is taken to keep things orderly. Belongings, space, time, and talents should all be kept neat and orderly.

Children find themselves calmer and more at ease when their lives follow a schedule. Take a high-schooler for example: The student is expected to rise early so they may attend seminary at six in the morning, returns home to prepare for school at eight-thirty. While in school, they attend the same classes which always start and end at the same times. If they participate in after-school activities, they know where and when they are expected to be there. When they return home, they have a few moments to relax before they are expected to do their chores. The family eats dinner together at the table. Then homework is completed before going to bed to rest for the new day.

Such a schedule puts the student at ease, for they know what is expected of them and they know what to expect of their schedule. Busy and having little time to spare, the student is fully occupied with good things- building their spiritual understanding through extra-curricular activities, helping in the home with family chores, connecting with parents and siblings through a shared meal and conversation, acting responsibly in completing the work expected of them, and getting much needed rest to prepare their bodies for another stimulating day.

Summer vacation is quite different by comparison. Without any schedule or expectations; children run rampant until they can think of nothing more to do and then promptly become bored. Given no direction, they give their lives up to chaotic living and soon find themselves unhappy.

It is more than simple happiness at stake, however. We must take cleanliness and organization seriously. Our life here on earth has been compared to a battlefield, for that is exactly what it is. Our time on earth is a war for our souls. Satan is ever vigilant, ever seeking to thrust the world into chaos. To do so would make his task easier, his task being to bring about utter grief and misery, binding the souls of men in the chains of sin. It is the organized army which comes out conqueror.

When a force enters the battlefield, the enemy can easily overcome and conquer one that spreads itself chaotically in every direction. Each man for himself will eventually lead to the fall of every individual. An organized force is stronger. Following the direction of a good leader, strategically placed to see the entire field, even a small force can conquer the enemy.

Keeping ourselves organized will bring peace to our minds and ease to our hearts. We will be better prepared to face the trials of the world when we are organized. Scouts are taught to be prepared. We are counseled to be prepared. How can we be prepared if we are not organized? Many problems, errors, illnesses, and stresses can be averted through good organization. This is why cleanliness is next to godliness. Time and effort is better spent on things that will build, uplift, and bring us closer to God when we are not drowned in chaos.

[Traveler]

......

How many of us are living lives drowning in chaos?

......

Time and effort is better spent on things that will build, uplift, and bring us closer to God when we are not drowned in chaos.

My current ward is much different now than when our family moved in. The membership is much smaller as many families have become empty nesters. We are starting to turn over with new families but our primary is currently less than 25 children – half of which are sunbeams and the nursery.

Our meetings are rather quiet – for the most part without much chaos. Last Sunday one of the new families set behind me and my wife with their 5 children, oldest is nine and their youngest twins that are two. I was impressed with the efforts of the parents and made a comment of appreciation. They were shocked and said that church was difficult for them and that on more than one occasion those around them have moved to avoid their chaos. We are currently on the early schedule and I did observe that a couple of their children could have prepared better. I am sure that their morning was not void of chaos – but then I am not sure that should be a high priority.

I remember well sitting with our children through many meetings realizing that we were not getting anything from the speakers than our children and many thought our family was a model Mormon family. I remember that our 5 children were “spread out” in age so that we had very small children mixed with our teenagers and having a meaningful family home evening was impossible without alienating ether the older or younger children.

In general it is my observation that members without chaos are also without a significant number of small children in their care and Jesus said they (the children) are the prototype of the kingdom of heaven. I believe his recommendation was to “suffer” the small children.

The Traveler

[havejoy]

I believe cleanliness is next to impossible.

[JudoMinja]

I do not think that the energy of children is the same type of chaos as that which results from a lack of organization. Perhaps, if the parents are not organized in the care and teaching of their children it can become so, but I think that when we can keep ourselves and our families neat, tidy, and orderly- putting things where they belong and following a schedule, such chaos can be avoided.

It is definitely difficult to keep children focused on productive activities. They can get into all kinds of mishceif is we aren't prepared with things for them to do. That's why parenting is a full-time job .

[talisyn]

I know I need a personal time-out when I notice more clutter than normal in my house. My living space is a direct reflection of my mental state. However, other people in the household have a responsibility to step up as well. It cannot be the responsibility of one person to keep a household on the straight and narrow. And the definition of chaos can be different for every family. In my family order is most stuff off the floor and dishes done within a few hours. Some families might rely on military cleanliness. Each to their own

[Elgama]

I agree with all of the above lol its perfectly possible to be a fantastic parent without much of a routine (I'm not a bad parent and 9 times out of 10 our routine sucks lol) our kids are happy, bright and probably the biggest disruption in a sacrament meeting, my son is probably autistic and my daughter has problems with staying quiet because of noises she hears before a seizure, her behaviour alters then and more than once I have taken my child out screaming and kicking whilst she has a meltdown, sacrament is her biggest challenge, because of the moments of quiet, those moments before seizure can be scary to her

, if she doesn't grow out of her condition she is never going to find reverence easy. We now know this about our children we didn't always, my daughter's seizures are easy to miss (not of the shaking type), only real obvious sign my son might be autistic is the fact that at 3 he has a very limited vocab, Despite this my kids are doing great - for children with their challenges they are doing brilliantly I am majorly proud of them. I also have a baby lol

However I do agree that when a home is ordered it is better - you have more time for them and yourself. However right now my house is a tip lol. but its better than it used to be.... we are all at different stages in our journey back to Heavenly Father

[lydlou]

I've herd that saying often, but i distinctly remeber Jesus telling martha differnt. to parapharse "somethings are more important than housework"

[talisyn]

I've herd that saying often, but i distinctly remeber Jesus telling martha differnt. to parapharse "somethings are more important than housework"

Luke 10

38 ¶ Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house.

39 And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus’ feet, and heard his word.

40 But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me.

41 And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things:

42 But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.

It's always been one of my favorite lessons

[JudoMinja]

Of course there are things more important than housework. :) We shouldn't be spending all our time cleaning. No home can ever be spotless. There is always more to do. But having a clean and organized home can contribute to the level of happiness. Cleanliness reduces stress.

Every home will have its disorderly areas, moments, etc. I believe a home should look lived in and not like a museum.

When it comes time to focus on the more important things, that is what we should be doing. If we are excessively and obsessively cleaning, we will not be focused on really caring for our families our building ourselves spiritually. The whole point is to be clean enough that we can focus our time on the more important things, not always cleaning and sacrificing those things to clean.