Four things the Salt Lake Temple reconstruction can teach you about personal growth
Self-improvement can be a balancing act between changing for the better while still recognizing the good in yourself. It may be difficult, but it is possible! Consider following these four tips to help you start your personal renovation.
1. Evaluate your foundation
After looking at the 128-year-old temple’s foundation, President Nelson said in the
Your personal foundation should be grounded in
2. Acknowledge debris
Strengthening your foundation starts with identifying the old debris in your life, but in a healthy and constructive way. Debris is anything that limits your ability to become who you want to be — and who God needs you to be.
Consider taking some time to think about your thoughts, words, and actions. Are they helping you come closer to or pulling you away from your goals? You might write the things you want to change and the things you are doing well. Once you acknowledge the “debris” in your life, you’ll be able to make plans for how you want to improve in a positive and realistic way.
3. Take action
After you see what you need to fix, the next step is to take action. It isn’t enough to stop bad behavior; you have to replace it with something good! Try to pick one thing that will help counteract a personal flaw and do it consistently. The key is to start small and stay consistent.
Given time, these small actions will clear away the old debris in your life, helping you become “happier, more productive, and less burned out”4. Preserve the good
Through personal efforts to renovate, don’t forget that you have many magnificent qualities too! Just because the Salt Lake Temple has cracks and flaws during construction doesn’t make it less valuable or sacred — and the same goes for you. Despite shortcomings, your infinite value to God never changes.
President Nelson said, “Please believe me when I say that when your spiritual foundation is built solidly upon Jesus Christ, you have no need to fear. As you are true to your covenants made in the temple, you will be strengthened by His power. Then, when spiritual earthquakes occur, you will be able to stand strong because your spiritual foundation is solid and immovable.”