Elder Lynn G. Robbins: Which Way Do You Face?

Elder Lynn G. Robbins: Which Way Do You Face?

Read or watch the full talk here

Wow. Even the title of this talk is enough to prompt some serious self reflection. 

The speaker, Elder Robbins, came up with this title because of a conversation he had with Brother Packer when he was first called to be a member of the Seventy. Brother Packer told Elder Robbins that he had to remember which way he faced. “A Seventy does not represent the people to the prophet but the prophet to the people.”

If I am perfectly honest, there have been times in my life when I've worried more about what other people would think, than about what my Heavenly Father wanted me to do. The fear of man can be powerful, but we can’t let it stop us from doing Heavenly Father’s work and living His standards.

This idea is especially important in a time when more and more people are asking our leaders to lower the bar, to lower God’s standards to meet the expectations of men.

Even Joseph Smith struggled with this. He repeatedly asked Heavenly Father to give him permission to share the 116 pages of the Book of Lehi with Martin Harris. Eventually Heavenly Father agreed and let Joseph learn from his mistake. The 116 pages were lost, probably stolen, and the book of Lehi did not become part of the published version of The Book of Mormon. 

Elder Robbins had this to say about that event, “Whatever Joseph’s reasons were, or as justified as they may appear, the Lord did not excuse them and sharply rebuked him: ‘How oft you have transgressed ... and have gone on in the persuasions of men. For, behold, you should not have feared man more than God.’ This poignant experience helped Joseph remember, forever after, which way he faced.” 

Brothers and Sisters, we do not have to experience such a loss. Heavenly Father wouldn’t want it, Christ wouldn’t want it. Our Brother Joseph wouldn’t want it. 

We tell our children to learn from the mistakes of others, to not make the same mistakes we made. We have to take our own advice. Be strong and have faith. Heavenly Father may have rebuked Joseph for fearing men, but He forgave him too. 

At the end of his talk, Elder Robbins spoke about courage. He quoted C.S. Lewis, who once said, “courage is ... the form of every virtue at the testing point.” 

Part of the reason we came to this earth was to prove ourselves, to prove that we could be faithful and obedient. We do not have to be perfect, that is impossible, but we have to make an honest attempt. Heavenly Father loves us. He is merciful and forgiving, but we have to keep trying. We have to endure to the end. We can become stronger, we can walk taller, if we rely on His glorious gospel. 

So, I will ask you the same question Elder Robbins asked. 

Which way do you face?

I will strive to face the eternities. I will move forward, walking in faith toward the Celestial Kingdom, toward the home that waits for me, the home Heavenly Father wants to share with me.