“Thoughts mold your features. Thoughts lift your soul heavenward or drag you toward hell… As nothing reveals character like the company we like and keep, so nothing foretells futurity like the thoughts over which we brood. … To have the approval of your conscience when you are alone with your thoughts is like being in the company of true and loving friends. To merit your own self-respect gives strength to character. Conscience is the link that binds your soul to the spirit of God.” –David O. McKay, “Developing Character”, Ensign, Oct. 2001
Studies have shown, and what is more important, Prophets have warned us, how impactful our thoughts are in determining whom we are and what we become. For as it was once stated,
“Sew a thought, reap an Action. Sew an Action, reap a habit. Sew a habit, reap a character. Sew a character and you’ll reap your destiny.” Anthony Robbins
As I have thought about this concept of our thoughts determining our destiny, I realized that never was this truer then at the pivotal time of life called young single adulthood. It is at this time when we are set to make the most important life decisions of what sort of person we will become, and what our future will hold. It is at this time in our life that our strongest habits are formed and our character good or bad is solidified.
This is why we need to be so careful what thoughts, we invite into our minds, by way of what we listen to, read, and watch. However, that sad fact is that even if we are very careful with what influences we choose to invite into our minds, there are always those influences that we do not choose to invite, but still find a way into our minds.
It is that uninvited influence which is becoming more and more of a problem in our world today. In the world we live in today we are constantly bombarded from every direction with words, emotions, and images all created with the purpose to demean, depress, and destroy if we let them find a place inside of us.
Where we cannot always control the thoughts we have, it is within our control how long those thoughts stay. So how do we get rid of those thoughts when they uninvitingly pop into our minds? Elder Boyd K. Packer President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints offered the best counsel on this when he taught,
“I realize that in today’s world it’s often difficult to keep your mind filled with worthy thoughts. This takes careful control. However, it can be done when you make a safe place for your thoughts to go. I’ve found a way to make such a place, and I’d like to share it with you. It has to do with music—worthy music…
Choose a favorite hymn or song… one with words that are uplifting and music that is reverent, one that makes you feel something akin to inspiration. There are many beautiful songs to choose from. Seek the guidance of the Spirit in making your selection. Go over the song in your mind carefully. Memorize it. Even though you have had no musical training, you can think through a simple song. Now use this as the course for your thoughts to follow. Make it your emergency channel.
Whenever you find shady actors slipping from the sidelines of your thinking onto the stage of your mind, put on this CD, as it were. It will change your whole mood. Because the music is uplifting and clean, the baser thoughts will slip shamefully away. For while virtue, by choice, will not associate with filth, evil cannot tolerate the presence of light. In due time you will find yourself humming the music inwardly, almost automatically, to drive out unworthy thoughts. As you young people involve yourselves with righteous and worthwhile things, keep your minds filled with worthy thoughts, for as a man thinketh so is he, and you will have the ability to accomplish those things that will bring fulfillment to your lives.” Boyd K. Packer, “The Message: Worthy Music, Worthy Thoughts,” NewEra, Apr 2008
I know that what President Packer has said is true. We have the ability to control our thoughts, and thus our destiny. Because we have the power to do so, we have the responsibility to do so. I know that as we seek after and focus upon that which is virtuous, lovely, of good report and praiseworthy that our minds will be filled with light, and no unworthy thought will last long in our presence.
