Measure of Spirituality

[Hemidakota]

In 1937, John A. Widtsoe presented the following test as a measure of spirituality.

Spirituality in man or woman may be recognized by simple tests, of which the three following are of major importance:

The spiritual person renders intelligent obedience to the requirements of the Gospel. There is no quibbling about this principle or resistance to that practice. Whatever has been revealed to and accepted by the Church becomes binding upon the person. The spiritually-minded person chooses to render obedience because he understands the principle or practice involved. True obedience is never blind. Such obedience is a direct approach to the Lord’s favor.

Spirituality rests upon surrender to the divine purpose. Therefore, another test, closely akin to the first, is the willingness to sacrifice for the cause of the Lord. Does a man when called upon to do so give of his time, strength, talents and means, for the advancement of the Gospel cause? Readiness to render such service, unpaid and unrewarded in material ways, is a fine test of spirituality.

There is yet another test, the greatest one. Spirituality begets love. The spiritual man loves the latter-day cause of the Lord; he loves the Gospel; he loves the Church, which is the conservator of the Gospel; he loves those who are called into any office to serve the cause; he loves his fellow men. His love is expressed in the good words he speaks of the cause and men, in his steady support of them, in service for them. True love does not dwell on externals, on faults; it looks into the heart of the loved one, and sees goodness and virtue there. He who loves, is not and can not be a faultfinder. Spirituality leads to love and loving words. (John A. Widtsoe, Program of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints [salt Lake City: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1937], 64 - 65.)

[Guest tomk]

Thank you for sharing this.

[tree]

that was awesome. the only thing left for me is my service, i am waiting for a calling in which i know will be soon , i am mentally challenged and i just want to serve and please my Heavenly father . i am so afraid of failing ,. but at the same time i am excited because Heavenly Father will give me something i can do even if it takes some learning and making a few mistakes, i know he will see me through. as far as love , and obedience i am not perfect but those i am doing pretty well on. i guess no matter how good we get there is always room for improvement.

[skalenfehl]

Very insightful!

[Moksha]

If I were to think of spirituality as a connectedness with the Divine, I suspect I would be hard pressed to find a test. Obedience and surrender? Sounds like the German and French armies, except for the the third part regarding love.

However, it is by our fruits that we shall be known, so I guess everytime we help to lighten another's load or bolster their spirit, we help the fruit to blossom. Love? Yes, that is the task we have been charged with. No doubt its fruits will be remarkable.

[WANDERER]

Hi Hemi...I've been thinking about this: what is the measure of spirituality?

I came across something I think you will recognise but i've forgotten the name of the person: it was a teaching on 'the difference between doing and becoming'. Anyway from there I went to people who blogged on what that meant to them and whether you could 'become' through doing. And even some responses to the whole 'being' thingy as get out there and do God's will and you'll get more out of it than just being aka what is the point of meditation when you could be helping someone type thingy. I understand that for some people faking it until you make it works and for others it just doesn't, but it was interesting to see that in action through people's comments.

Anyway after reading and prayer my thoughts on Widstoe are: surrender and obedience really come down: trust and faith. The difference between doing and becoming I think is love.

It is interesting that it is third on his list. But there's no doubt that being disobedient to God's will can have some sour consequences for your life and for those around you. Not understanding God's will because it is a 'doing thing' rather than a 'becoming' thing also has an effect.

Other people's thoughts and further reading recommendations?

[Hemidakota]

Great comments...