Comments on: Lesser Things

By: Richard K Miller

Richard K Miller — Thu, 08 Nov 2007 02:07:27 +0000

Nice quote, Kat. That was a good find.

By: Kat Gille

Kat Gille — Mon, 29 Oct 2007 20:33:18 +0000

Can I post a comment on something that you wrote a while ago? I don’t know, but I’m going to try anyway.

First, here’s my favorite quote on the subject:

“Sometimes we feel that the busier we are, the more important we are—as though our busyness defines our worth. . . .

“That we do a lot may not be so important. That we focus the energy of our minds, our hearts, and our souls on those things of eternal significance—that is essential.” (Joseph B. Wirthlin, “‘Follow Me’,” Ensign, May 2002, 16)

As for Gary’s comment, it makes me really nervous to quote someone without knowing the source, so I searched. This is the closest quote I could find from Ardeth G. Kapp:

“We live in a time when we can do more, have more, see more, accumulate more, and want more than in any time ever known. The adversary would keep us busily engaged in a multitude of trivial things in an effort to keep us distracted from the few vital things that make all of the difference.” (“What Will You Make Room for in Your Wagon?” BYU Devotional Address, 13 November 1990)

Sister Kapp’s ideas from this devotional were later published in the July 1991 New Era and in her book The Joy of the Journey, but still without that first sentence and those last few words added on. Might the first and last parts of Gary’s quote have been added by a different speaker quoting Ardeth Kapp? Whatever the actual story, they’re definitely good insights and in line with what she was teaching.

By: Richard K Miller

Richard K Miller — Fri, 27 Jul 2007 05:26:44 +0000

Brian & Connor: I hadn’t even though about the M word.

Gary, I like that quote. Thanks for pointing that out.

Dad, good thoughts.

By: Kevin Miller

Kevin Miller — Thu, 26 Jul 2007 20:20:13 +0000

Richard, these are very wise observations, lessons I wish we could all learn at your age. In today’s age of unlimited access to information and opportunities, we have a great responsibility to be selective. Also, I think our need to be busy is a cop out at times. As you say, it allows us to be lazy. It excuses us from focusing on the most important issues. One of the great challenges for those who are striving to do good is to choose better over good. Thank you for the ideas.

By: Gary

Gary — Thu, 26 Jul 2007 19:48:28 +0000

Following my dad’s example, I’ve carried around a quote for several years that fits in well with this idea.

“We may be doing a lot of things right, but not getting the right things done. I believe the adversary would keep us busily engaged in doing things that make little difference, rather than focusing on the things that matter most — eternal principles and values.” — Ardeth G. Kapp, then General Young Women’s President, in General Conference (but I can’t find which Conference)

By: Connor

Connor — Thu, 26 Jul 2007 16:01:27 +0000

Brian’s right.

I’ve always equated the phrase with the new meaning you’ve discovered, especially given its use in the hymn “Rise Up O Men of God.” We’re counseled to focus on what’s important, striving to align our will with God’s so that we’re on His errand, not our own.

By: Brian Stucki

Brian Stucki — Thu, 26 Jul 2007 14:46:08 +0000

Rich, you be careful or you might read yourself right into getting married.