The Case for Simple Living



This quote has got me thinking about what 'unnecessary things' I need to eliminate so the 'necessary' may speak. I've been looking at all the aspects of my life and trying to evaluate what is truly necessary and what can go. It's a tough exercise, as you have to deal with the selfish part of you and learn to let go. It is sometimes a battle with the world's view when you try to simplify. Our nature as human's beings for acceptance and recognition can get in the way. I learned that it is totally worth it!

I think there is an appeal for some of us to create a simple life, a peaceful life, especially in these chaotic times we are living in. I learned that for me God plays a huge part in my life, and I want to live a life that speaks to that.

I began my journey to a simple life with these verses found in the Book of Mormon:

"Now ye may suppose that this is foolishness in me; but behold I say unto you, that by small and simple things are great things brought to pass; and small means in many instances doth confound the wise. And the Lord God doth work by means to bring about his great and eternal purposes; and by very small means the Lord doth confound the wise and bringeth about the salvation of many souls." (Alma 37:6-7) 

I have read these verses so many times and I never noticed the 'very small' terminology in this verse before. I find it interesting that saying 'small means' was not enough, it needed a 'very' in front of it. Very is defined as: in a high degree; extremely; exceedingly. Also, exact, precise. All good words to use when speaking of God's work. 

This new insight made me want to focus on the small, very small, and simple things in my life that I want to change to let the necessary things speak. There are three questions I asked myself as part of my simplifying process:

What kind of life do I want?
What sacrifices am I willing to make to bring that life to fruition?
Does my goal align with my priorities?

I focused on the small, very small, and simple things I wanted, and those I didn't, in my attempts to answer these questions. For example, this is the process I went through regarding debt:

What kind of life do I want?
Simple: A life of self-reliance, without burdensome debt
Small part: Realize being debt free is one part of becoming self-reliant.
Very small: Realize this is a spiritual matter too.

What sacrifices am I willing to make to bring that life to fruition?
Very small sacrifice - Pray for divine direction in accomplishing this goal. Read the talk Climbing Out of Debt by President Gordon B Hinckley (July 2002). 
Small sacrifice - Follow the advice given in the talk and the promptings received through prayer.
Simple - Don't create any unnecessary debt.

Does my goal align with my priorities?
In the talk from President Hinckley he says, "Self-reliance cannot be obtained when there is serious debt hanging over a household. One has neither independence nor freedom from bondage when he is obligated to others." So being debt free does align with my priority of becoming more self-reliant. By giving up unnecessary debt, I can focus on the more necessary items in my life.

This was such a good exercise for me and led us to control our debt and not let the debt control us. Truly a blessing in these current times.

I am currently using this process to help us find a new home by learning to put our needs before our wants, weeding through the necessary and unnecessary, looking at the small and very small things that will lead to a simpler life.  It has been a challenge and a lesson in patience, but I have faith in the process and its success. If it works for God, it will work for me. 

I really appreciated studying the Savior's life while researching this topic. Jesus lived a simple life. In the scriptures you don't read about him talking about what He is wearing, about His possessions, or about where He lived. Jesus knew that possessions can be very distracting and weigh us down. Jesus spent His life doing His Father's work, that's the 'necessary' stuff we all need in our lives.

Ultimately, simple living isn't just about having less stress or less stuff, or living our best life, but rather to remove distractions from our pursuit of Christ. It makes us available for Him to work with and through. It allows our lives to speak of Him, and that is the best reason I can think of for a simple life.









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