Over-zealous?

What is it that gets me up in the mornings?  What is it that drives me?

Joseph Smith said that faith is the motivator for all of our actions:

Were this class to go back and reflect upon the history of their lives, from the period of their first recollection, and ask themselves, what principle excited them to action, or what gave them energy and activity, in all their lawful avocations, callings and pursuits, what would be the answer? Would it not be that it was the assurance which we had of the existance of things which we had not seen, as yet? Was it not the hope which you had, in consequence of your belief in the existence of unseen things, which stimulated you to action and exertion, in order to obtain them? Are you not dependant on your faith, or belief, for the acquisition of all knowledge, wisdom and intelligence? Would you exert yourselves to obtain wisdom and intelligence, unless you did believe that you could obtain them? Would you have ever sown if you had not believed that you would reap? Would you have ever planted if you had not believed that you would gather? Would you have ever asked unless you had believed that you would receive? Would you have ever sought unless you had believed that you would have found? Or would you have ever knocked unless you had believed that it would have been opened unto you? In a word, is there any thing that you would have done, either physical or mental, if you had not previously believed? Are not all your exertions, of every kind, dependant on your faith? Or may we not ask, what have you, or what do you possess, which you have not obtained by reason of your faith? Your food, your raiment, your lodgings, are they not all by reason of your faith? Reflect, and ask yourselves, if these things are not so. Turn your thoughts on your own minds, and see if faith is not the moving cause of all action in yourselves; and if the moving cause in you, it it not in all other intelligent beings? (from Lectures on Faith #1)

W.W. Phelps mentioned that he was astounded by the energy of Joseph Smith.  He was a man who knew he had a mission and was driven to do his best.  This faith gave him the energy and zeal to accomplish his many tasks.

I think of Gordon B. Hinkley at the age of 97 - still traveling and getting up every morning with a pace that would have tired out many men younger than he.  He had faith in the importance of his work and mission and he was filled with the energy to go and do.

Do I have as much faith in my mission?  Do I understand it's importance?  Do I truly see the great work that I am undertaking?

I know that being a mother in today's world is a daunting, critical calling.  I know the forces against me are great.  I know my work is just as important as the prophet's work (yes, I really do).  It may not have as much public notice, but it is the work of saving souls and each and every soul is so precious to our Heavenly Father.  I work with them one-on-one, everyday.  I influence their thoughts, their actions, their priorities, their testimony, and their relationship to their Heavenly Father.  I know they, in turn, will influence many others.  This is a serious work.  Do I go at it everyday with the zeal that such a knowledge would warrant? (The answer is "no", by the way, which is one reason this has been on my mind lately and why I've recognized my need for more faith).

Zeal is often looked down on in our culture.  The word "zealous" leaves us with a negative image, I think.  For example, when I tell people (if they ask) that we only allow the children 2 hours of screen time per week (that includes all screens - TV, movies, video games, camcorders, computers, etc) (and most of the time they forget about it), some people say that maybe we are being "extreme" or "over-zealous".  Isn't that interesting?  I've wondered if they were right and pondered on these things.

It is interesting that in the scriptures that "zeal" is looked on in a positive way.  Just yesterday I read Paul's words in which he said, "[Christ] gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works." - Titus 2:14

There is a danger in being zealous for the wrong reasons - for the sake of looking good, or even for the sake of rules and laws.  I don't think there is any danger, however, in being zealous to become more like Christ.

Can one have too much love?  Can one keep the Spirit in his heart too much?  Can one follow the promptings of the Holy Ghost too often?  Can one be too much like Jesus?

I think sometimes Satan uses the words "balance" and "moderation" as a tool to destroy our zeal for the right.  He knows in destroying our zeal, he destroys our energy and motivations - or in other words - our faith.  I think if we are sincerely trying to follow Jesus, truly examining our hearts and making sure we are doing the right things for the right reasons (namely love of God and His children), and recognizing the Spirit as we do so - we have no need to fear.

I should add that one of the Savior's attributes that I am working on developing is patience and that includes patience with myself - with my very slow progress at times and with my weaknesses and sins.  We need to see ourselves, not just others, as Heavenly Father sees us and then be happy with our sincere efforts.

Verily I say, men should be anxiously engaged in a good cause, and do many things of their own free will, and bring to pass much righteousness;

For the power is in them, wherein they are agents unto themselves. And inasmuch as men do good they shall in nowise lose their reward.

But he that doeth not anything until he is commanded, and receiveth a commandment with doubtful heart, and keepeth it with slothfulness, the same is damned. -D&C 58:27-29

And one more scripture, just for fun:

"But it is good to be zealously affected always in a good thing..."-Galatians 4:18