Consider the following two statements:

1. Faith is the first principle of the gospel. The second is repentance. The third is baptism by immersion for the remission of sins. The fourth is the laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost.

2. As I was contemplating what to speak on, I decided to focus on the basic principles of the gospel. Faith is the first principle of the gospel. The second is repentance. The third is baptism by immersion for the remission of sins. The fourth is the laying on of hands for the give of the Holy Ghost. These are all really important to me.

What's the difference? You might be prompted to say, not much and blow it off. However, the difference is stark and important.

The first statement is about the gospel. The second statement is about you.

Instead of focusing entirely on the gospel and teaching the gospel, you have injected yourself into it and made it about you INSTEAD of the gospel.

Personal stories and anecdotes can often help illustrate gospel concepts and emphasize how we can incorporate gospel principles into our lives.

Too much of I, me and my though is simply injecting ourselves into things where we really don't belong.


It is never about me, and it is never about you. In fact, anything you or I do as instructors that knowingly and intentionally draws attention to self—in the messages we present, in the methods we use, or in our personal demeanor—is a form of priestcraft that inhibits the teaching effectiveness of the Holy Ghost. “Doth he preach it by the Spirit of truth or some other way? And if it be by some other way it is not of God” (D&C 50:17–18).

This advice was given to Church Educational System (CES) employees. It was later given to missionaries to caution them in their teaching.

We're injecting ourselves into everything whether it is appropriate or not. Much of it is NOT appropriate. It's just talking about ourselves, a me focus and a preoccupation with self.

This is the entire concern behind the Spiritual Vaunting series.

Start being conscious of how often you tend to do this and resolve to stop it, then stop it.

Try and take yourself out of things: the talks you give, the lessons you teach and the comments you make.

Remember to keep yourself on target and on track.

Jesus Christ and His gospel is the focus.

It's not about you.


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