Good, Better, or Best?

by J.D. Shaeffer

We had stake conference over the weekend. For those of you unfamiliar with what that might be, it’s a large meeting where many members of the Church that live in close proximity of each other come together to hear from their leaders. It’s always a time filled with immense learning and I appreciate it dearly.

One of the men asked us to reflect on an old talk by Elder Dallin H. Oaks of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, titled, “Good, Better, Best.” His talk explains a principle that there is something better we can do with our time once we avoid the bland good ones, not just the bad. This couldn’t have been more relevant for me. I’m always concerned about living the best life, always appreciating the moment, and never wasting time.

An Example

Take Acts 20:35 for a good example:

“I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.” (underlining added)

Receiving service is good of course, and giving it is better.

This led me to reflect on how I may improve my life – it led to amazing insights and effective prayer during the weekend.
I hold myself to a cautionary statement though. I won’t always be able to do the best thing, or even the better thing all the time. Being a perfectionist doesn’t help anyone or anything, apart from your own anxiety.

May we hustle and work hard at getting to the better and best things in place of the good, and may we be careful not to go to the extreme and demand them 100% of the time.