Let’s Get Full — 3 Nephi 20–26

Come, Follow Me: Book of Mormon 2024 (October 14–20)

I recently gave a talk titled, “Fill Your Bucket with What Matters Most.” The key objective was to encourage participants to know what matters most to them and provide specific methods to remember and act in alignment with their life priorities.  When we are powered by a clear purpose, daily decisions become simpler and our capacity to be “filled” with wholeness and peace is increased. Frederick Nietzsche once said, ‘He who has a why can endure any how.”

When Jesus administered the sacrament to the people in 3 Nephi 20: 8, 9, they were filled with the Spirit, “And he said unto them: He that eateth this bread eateth of my body to his soul; and he that drinketh of this wine drinketh of my blood to his soul; and his soul shall never hunger nor thirst, but shall be filled. Now, when the multitude had all eaten and drunk, behold they were filled with the Spirit; and they did cry with one voice, and gave glory to Jesus, whom they both saw and heard.”

Elder Karl D. Hirst spoke on the theme of being full in conference, “Being filled with God’s love shields us in life’s storms but also makes the happy moments happier—our joyful days, when there is sunshine in the sky, are made even brighter by the sunshine in our souls.

Let’s become ‘rooted and grounded’ in our Jesus and in His love. Let’s look for and treasure experiences of feeling His love and power in our lives. The joy of the gospel is available to all: not just the happy, not just the downcast. Joy is our purpose, not the gift of our circumstances. We have every good reason to ‘rejoice and be filled with love towards God and all men.’ Let’s get full.”

If you’re bucket is depleted or even dry to the bone, consider refocusing on your life purpose, filling up with the Spirit as you partake of the sacrament, and allowing God’s love to pour into your heart. 

Do Hard Divinely Better #39: Recognize when your bucket is getting low and know specific ways you can fill it full.