Maybe you’ve noticed yourself, but researchers say that generation Y (born from 1980-2000) has some problems–problems that are growing ever more prevalent in today’s youngest generation.
And while science can track challenges in school, social ineptitude, and a lack of concentration, these become insignificant in comparison to the root of the problem, a mindset that cripples personal advancement toward eternal life.
Because as the old saying goes,
“How you do one thing is how you do everything”
The ‘Poof’ Bandwagon
Bruce R McConkie stated that,
“Obedience is the first law of heaven”
and it follows that the connecting principle is,
“There is a law, irrevocably decreed in heaven…(and)…when we obtain any blessing from God, it is by obedience to that law upon which it is predicated.” (D&C 130:20-21)
We often call this principle ‘The Law of the Harvest’.
It is eternally true that we reap what we sow and we receive back what we have put in.
It is only in the movies that some twist of fate, a little gamma radiation, or some magic incantations lead to superpowers, unearthly knowledge, and a dream castle. The movies portray this idea of a ‘POOF’ that somehow instantaneously sets the world right and grants us our wildest dreams with no more effort than a coincidental brush with fate.
The sad thing is that generation Y has jumped on the ‘POOF’ bandwagon and seems determined to ride it all the way to the pearly gates.
Sad Reality
Did you know that 33% of BYU-Idaho freshman drop-out after their first semester? (statistic given by Reed Stoddard, Director of Counseling at BYU-Idaho)
And that problem stretches right into the workplace.
“I’ve interviewed 60 people for stylist jobs since December, but only two made the cut. One of them quit yesterday.
She told me that when she started, she only had to do two haircuts a day and she really enjoyed it. But now that she’s really busy, she doesn’t like it anymore.
It seems impossible to find good hires from the generation of 18-to-25-year-olds today” – Alanna Peterkin, Salon Owner, Reported on CBSMoneyWatch
An unwillingness to push through hardship and finish a task appears to be only a symptom of a generational mindset–a mindset of expecting instant gratification.
As a matter of fact, some have labeled Generation Y ‘The Gratification Generation’ because they want the newest, the fastest, the best, and they want it all now!!!
Others have chosen another label that is possibly more telling,
‘The Entitlement Generation’.
Expecting the world at the click of a mouse or the swipe of a finger seems to have left a generation that gets angry over a buffering delay and is ready to run at the first glimpse of a challenge that doesn’t include a ‘re-spawn and try again’ button.
As A Man Thinketh, So Is He
While the mindset of expecting something for nothing will almost certainly have a frightening and extensive effect on the workforce, politics, and economics, there can be no doubt that, when viewed with an eternal perspective, the outcome of greatest import is individual growth and development.
Eternal law dictates that there can be no shortcuts. God truly is perfect in every possible way and He accomplished such a goal only through incredible effort–effort that is beyond our mortal scope of understanding. Individual progression is impossible without an offering of our very best efforts plus the atonement of Christ. Progression comes with a price.
“The price you have to pay is the price that all righteous men and women pay – a life totally dedicated to Christ and His cause. A life of keeping the commandments every day and enduring to the end.” (Elder Alexander B. Morrison, Friend, Nov. 1997
Only those willing to pay the price will become,
“new creatures; and unless they do this, they can in nowise inherit the kingdom of God.” (Mosiah 27:26
Consider some of the aspects of our mortal existence where it truly is impossible to receive something for nothing.
“Profound spiritual truth cannot simply be poured from one mind and heart to another. It takes faith and diligent effort. Precious truth comes a small piece at a time through faith, with great exertion, and at times wrenching struggles. The Lord intends it be that way so that we can mature and progress.” (Richard G. Scott, Ensign, November 1993, p. 88.)
“There are those who have made a casual, even an insincere effort to test the scriptures and have come away having received nothing, which is precisely what they have earned and what they deserve. If you think it will yield to casual inquiry, to idle curiosity, or even to well-intentioned but temporary searching, you are mistaken.” (Boyd K. Packer, Ensign, May 1974, p. 95.)
“The treasures of both secular and spiritual knowledge are hidden ones–but hidden from those who do not properly search and strive to find them . . . Spiritual knowledge is not available merely for the asking; even prayers are not enough. It takes persistence and dedication of one’s life . . . Of all knowledge, the most vital is the knowledge of God.” (Teachings of Spencer W. Kimball, pp. 389-90).
Note that President Kimball stresses the knowledge of God as the most important truth we can learn. Bruce R. McConkie expounded on the process of coming to know God in these words.
“To know God in that full sense which will enable us to gain eternal salvation means that we must know what he knows, enjoy what he enjoys, experience what he experiences. In New Testament language, we must “be like him” (1 Jn. 3:2)
But before we can become like him, we must obey those laws that will enable us to acquire the character, perfections, and attributes that he possesses.
And before we can obey these laws, we must learn what they are…
Joseph Smith taught that ‘a man is saved no faster than he gets knowledge‘ of God and his saving truths (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 217) and that ‘it is impossible for a man to be saved in ignorance‘.”
The process of becoming like God requires diligent study, intentional learning, and finally sincere implementation. Such a level of personal change will not allow for, “casual inquiry…idle curiosity…or even well-intentioned but temporary searching”, instead it requires, “persistence and dedication of one’s life.”
There is no ‘POOF’, no quick click of the mouse, and no interactive digital version available for the lifelong process of seeking out the truths of God and implementing them in our lives.
This process is well named, “enduring to the end”
And Generation Y?
Eternal success and joy requires finding the perseverance and the diligence to,
“run with patience the race that is set before us?” (Hebrews 12:1)
The future may find only an ever increasing percentage of humanity attempting to google-search the answers to life’s problems and then quick-ship overnight solutions.
Such a drifting and purposeless world is unwilling to pay the price for, “treasures in heaven.”
Everything of real, eternal worth is subject to the law of the harvest.
When it comes to gaining exalting knowledge and wisdom–to developing the character of God–it is eternally impossible to receive something for nothing.
Generation Y is waiting on a ‘POOF’ that will never happen.
Reaching our dreams now–and for eternity–requires
planting,
watering,
waiting,
and harvesting.
Some hard work.
All The Difference 