President Packer famously said, “The study of the gospel changes
behavior quicker than a study of behavior changes behavior.”
How could that be?
How could that be?
If a smoker wants to quit smoking but continuously obsesses about
how he needs to quit and how he’s addicted, chances are he’ll keep smoking
because he is only thinking about his behavior. Instead, Packer suggests studying
the gospel to affect change. The disgruntled smoker can study the doctrine of the
body as a temple. He can analyze the promise of vitality found in the Word of
Wisdom. He can discover how Christ’s power will give him power beyond his own.
Packer’s quote implies that acquiring an understanding of the gospel of Jesus
Christ switches our focus to the solutions found in the doctrine which motivate us to make the changes we strive for.
It makes sense that what we focus on, what we spend time
thinking about, we become.
Although unwittingly, many new age teachers, from Wayne Dyer
to Ester Hicks, agree with the essence of Packer’s quote. They say we must
practice occupying the vibration or energy of what we want to be. For example,
if we want to change our unhealthy lifestyle, these gurus suggest that we should practice occupying
the energy of what we imagine a healthy person’s mindset would be. Just as Packer does, they suggest living in the solution rather than the problem. Channeling the energy of a healthy lifestyle changes behavior quicker than
trying to deconstruct all the psychological reasons why one is choosing an unhealthy
way of life.
Dr. Shauna Shapiro explains how science has proven that what we practice grows. It becomes part of who
we are and how we perceive ourselves. This means if we say to ourselves
each day, “I’m lazy and it’s hard for me to get anything done,” we are
practicing a negative mindset wherein we understand ourselves to be lazy, or, in other words, we get better at being lazy. This is why it is extremely important for us to analyze what we tell ourselves about ourselves.
While science has only recently discovered why what we focus on expands, prophets of God have always taught this principle. Using a tree as a metaphor for true principles, Book of Mormon prophet Alma taught that, "if ye nourish it with much care it will get root, and grow up, and bring forth fruit. But if ye neglect the tree, and take no thought for its nourishment, behold it will not get any root" (Alma 32:37-38). If we spend time practicing, praying and meditating about a true principle, it grows within us and becomes part of who we are.
If we are immersed in study of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, we
practice aligning our energy with the eternal energy of the following life-changing truths. If practiced and understood, these principles help us discover our true worth and potential:
- My spirit is divine-I am a daughter of Heavenly Parents who love me!
- Being divine, my potential is limitless.
- Because I have loving Heavenly Parents, they will provide everything that I need for my growth and progression.
- The eternal principle of gratitude helps me recognize there is an infinite abundance of blessings to go around. I have no need to act from a place of scarcity or feel threatened by others’ successes.
- I have a Savior who will help me, show me the way, and provide that which I cannot for myself.
- The Spirit of Truth or the Holy Ghost, will resonate with my divine spirit when what I am doing or hearing is in alignment with my divine path.
- Because those around me are also divine, I must love and care for them.
