Being vs. Doing: Creating Proactive and Reactive Strategies, and an Analysis of Christlike Attributes that Grant us Our Inheritance

I start this post with a classic dichotomy that will ever be in question until the end of time, and then apply its precepts to ideas related to the Gospel, as well as behavioral science. The classic dichotomy pits being against doing, nature against nurture. Now, much controversy has sprung up around this theme in recent years, but I would like to focus on this dichotomy as applied to the Great Plan of Salvation.

We know that we were foreordained, before we were born, to come to this Earth to obtain bodies and gain experience. Our nature is divine; we are children of God. Our potential is infinite; we may become even as God is. On the 'doing' side of things, we must use our mortal timetable (i.e., the time we have alive on Earth) to work out our salvation, ever repenting and serving all around us. In this case, being and doing work hand in hand, seamlessly proving that "improvement and progression are one eternal round." (Hymns, #184).

What do improvement and progression feel like? In my experience, they are two brothers who like to inflict immediate pain on the unprepared. They are the impetus to the refiner's fire (3 Nephi 24:2; Malachi 3:2), which eventually converts us into "new creatures." (Mosiah 27:25-26). And make no mistake--the fuel to this fire is repentance. As we do so, we become more aware of our surroundings, and are better able to discern between truth and error. The Spirit works through us to plan and prepare for the future onslaught of the adversary, and if we are humble, meek, and submissive (Mosiah 3:19), we may weather the storm.

In thinking about how we plan to weather the storm, I noticed a corollary with modern behavioral science, which may help us with the "doing." Recently, I have had the opportunity to perform functional behavior assessments for the "problem behaviors" of certain clients whom I serve. The idea of the assessment is to find the underlying causes or "functions" of what the client is doing wrong (e.g., concluding that a certain client is aggressive because he/she is seeking attention). After finding out the functions of behavior, strategies are created and implemented to help the target behavior from occurring, as well as helping douse it when it does occur. Both the "proactive strategies" and "reactive strategies" are connected back to the core function, and therefore are effective in their implementation. As we strive to improve, I hope we can think of what really is behind our sins. Why, really, are we acting in such a way? Yes, it is understandable that we are all imperfect, but I believe that Heavenly Father has given us the capacity to think and grow by the Spirit; I believe that finding the functions of our behavior, and creating strategies to ameliorate them is within that capacity.

As far as "being," I think the simplest explanation is the best: it lies in our Savior Jesus Christ! I implore us all to study the life of the Savior, to see how we can become more Christlike. Some of these include faith, hope, charity and love, virtue, knowledge, patience, humility, diligence, and obedience. And in putting these into practice, we can employ the same strategies that we use to ameliorate our "problem behaviors." For example, in Preach My Gospel, Chapter 6 (aptly named "Christlike Attributes") we find useful steps to implementation:

• Identify the attribute you wish to develop
• Write a definition and description of the attribute
• Record questions to answer as you study
• List and study thoroughly passages of scripture that teach about the attribute
• Record your feelings and impressions
• Set goals and make plans to apply the attribute in your life
• Pray for the Lord to help you develop the attribute
• Evaluate your progress periodically in developing each attribute (p. 123)
  

I feel that these steps are inspired by God, and can be applied to any of us as we choose to enter the refiner's fire. It is my prayer that we may make this choice. It is likely the most difficult choice to make. But hope springs eternal, as all we need to start the smoothing process is to have a desire to believe in Christ, and His complete redeeming power (see Alma 32:27). May we all strive one more day, one more week, one more year, until the time for us to leave this mortal sphere is passed. If we do so, I know that we will receive our inheritance, and I know that it will be sweet. We have divine natures, and eternal potentials. Let us act like it. Moreover, let us take the actions necessary that put us in a position to act this way. That is the crux of the issue!

Have a great week!