We should be careful about the things we desire the most, Bishop David H. Burton said.

Although it is desirable to acquire more virtue, many find it also desirable to acquire more and more of the things that the world around has to offer, he said.

“The current conventional wisdom is that more is better and less is usually undesirable,” Bishop Burton said.

He explained how some people become obsessed with worldly possession whereas others view the acquisition of more wealth as necessary to sustain their living standards.

Referring to a study that found that American children see more than 40,000 commercials a year, he explained how we are incited to acquire more and more.

Bishop Burton warned parents about providing their children with everything they want without expecting much effort from their children.

“It’s hard to say no to more when you can afford to say yes,” he said.

However, he explained that these children run the risk of not learning important values, such as hard work or delayed gratification.

“The meaning of more and less isn’t always crystal clear,” Bishop Burton said. “There are times when less is in reality more; times when more can be less.”

To become like the Savior, members need to have the meekness to acquire and develop more virtues, Bishop Burton said.

“More meekness doesn’t translate into weakness,” Bishop Burton said. “It is the presentation of self in a posture of kindness and gentleness reflecting strength, serenity and a healthy self-esteem and self-composure.”

He referred to the virtues expressed in the hymn “More Holiness Give Me,” saying members should seek after them.

“More of these virtues is better; less is not desirable,” Bishop Burton said.

Bishop Burton also talked about the efforts of the church and of church members to help and relieve people in the United States and the Caribbean nations affected by the four major hurricanes of the last eight weeks.

“Most nations of the Caribbean have experienced extensive devastation,” he said.

During a travel in Tallahassee, Fla., he said he heard many people expressions of appreciation for the aid provided by the church after the hurricanes.

He explained how 2,000 volunteers from the southeastern states gathered in Pensacola, Fla., and responded to thousands of work orders to assist wherever they were needed.

“I’m not suggesting we adopt scrooge as a role-model for good parenting,” Bishop Burton said. “I am suggesting that it is important for families and individuals to aggressively seek more of the virtues that go beyond this mortal life.”



Copyright Brigham Young University 4 Oct 2004