Exactness

By Larry Doyle Crenshaw

MeditationInLight.Blogspot.com

Is exactness found in our spiritual lives,

Or casualness in our Godly performances?

Is Christ the source from which our faith derives?

Is obedience joyful labor or painful conformances?

Our meditation ponders the concept contained in the word exactness as it is found in both our secular and spiritual lives. Our reflection is prompted by a story from an ancient text that tells of a legion of 2000 young warriors who chose to fight for liberty and their families in the face of overwhelming odds.  These stripling warriors were invincible, we are told, because they had been taught the principles of invincibility by their mothers and, no doubt, their fathers.  These principles included unshakable faith in God, profound resolve, fearlessness, courage, and obedience with exactness.

As we look about us today, in public and private discourse, and in so called civil society, we ask where to find such exactness.  We long for days-gone-by when handshakes sealed inviolable contracts, a person’s word was their bond, and honesty and honor above all was sacred.  As society becomes more and more secular we must strive ever harder to hold on to the sacred.  The history of the Old and New Testaments are an ongoing saga of God trying to make his children a covenant-driven people – covenanted with exactness.

Covenants in both the secular and sacred sense suggest performance with exactness by those who are a party to the covenant.  As we seek the sacred in our lives, we too make covenants with God to do and be better – more like Him and His Son, Jesus the Christ.  These covenants have the sole purpose of building God-like character in us.  Therefore, we pray:

May we act with precision and exactness

Walking in the low valley - strict in the plain road

There to be filled with joy and gladness

And beyond heaven’s gate - find our final abode

Exactness

Yea, and they did obey and observe to perform every word of command with exactness; yea, and even according to their faith it was done unto them; and I did remember the words which they said unto me that their mothers had taught them….Now this was the faith of these of whom I have spoken; they are young, and their minds are firm, and they do put their trust in God continually.

Book of Mormon   Alma 57:21, 27

God’s stripling warriors observe and obey

To perform every word and act of command

With exactness and care, without delay

 Godly, faithful, and diligent to a man

By faith anything can be done

For hearts are resolute and stout

With faith, all battles can be won

Said their mothers - leaving no doubt

Is exactness found in our spiritual lives,

Or casualness in our Godly performances?

Is Christ the source from which our faith derives?

Is obedience joyful labor or painful conformances?

Those who perform God’s work with exactness

Learn the divinely inspired pattern of work

Where efforts require precision and faithfulness

And duties and callings we dare not shirk

May we act with precision and exactness

Walking in the low valley - strict in the plain road

There to be filled with joy and gladness

And beyond heaven’s gate - find our final abode

Larry Doyle Crenshaw