1. “What do I do when I don’t know what to do?”* Presentation by Elder David B. Goates Professional Placement Program May 17, 2010 *p.s. you know more than you think you do
2. I’m unemployed. . . Why, why, why? Change the question, it’s not your fault It’s not because you are unworthy (well, OK, you are – we all are) It’s not because you lack talents and skills (you’ve got ‘em) It’s not because the universe has singled you out (you’re dust) It’s not because Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, Barack Obama or the Congress screwed things up (OK, maybe they did) It’s not because bankers on Wall Street were greedy (they were) It’s not because God is punishing his children It’s not because the end of the world is near “It happened because the dam broke” – President Boyd K. Packer
3. My personal journey. . . I had a front row seat to the worldwide economic meltdown in 2008 – 2009, but now it’s 2010! The past is history. . . The future, a mystery. . . Today is a gift. . . That’s why it’s called THE PRESENT! This may be YOUR Winter Quarters. . . You can remain behind mourning. . . Or, you can bury the past and move on toward Zion Once you decide to move on, the journey becomes possible
4. Elder Jeffrey R. Holland “As a new year begins and we try to benefit from a proper view of what has gone before, I plead with you not to dwell on days now gone nor to yearn vainly for yesterdays, however good those yesterdays may have been. . . remember that faith is always pointed toward the future. Faith always has to do with blessings and truths and events that will yet be efficacious in our lives.” (Ensign, January 2010, 22-27).
5. Abrahamic tests. . . Everyone who achieves exaltation must successfully pass through an Abrahamictest "You will have all kinds of trials to pass through. And it is quite as necessary for you to be tried as it was for Abraham and other men of God. . . . God will feel after you, and he will take hold of you and wrench your very heart strings, and if you cannot stand it you will not be fit for an inheritance in the Celestial Kingdom of God.“ – Joseph Smith to the Twelve “Abraham needed to learn something about Abraham."
6. It was time to “re-invent” myself Don’t continue looking for the job you lost That’s why it’s called the “lost job” Take the Professional Career Workshop Assess your strengths, skills, be introspective Learn how to search the unadvertised job market Network using every means available to you – SOCIAL MEDIA Your “found job” will probably come to you through someone you know in your network – grow your network OPEN YOUR MOUTH!!
7. Talk to your wife and children Remember, they are looking to you for faith Do not be fearful Be positive about the future, we’re building ZION! Laugh at yourself, invite others to mock your stupidity Do something every day you’ve never done before (YOU’RE FREENOW – it’s liberating!) Get out of your comfort zones, whatever they are Repent if you need to (you need to) Attend the temple Serve others
8. Write in a journal “The two most important books in your life are the one you are reading and the one you are writing.” -- Robert Louis Stevenson (Treasure Island, Kidnapped, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde) What is my new purpose? Is God in the details? How do I record promptings? Your “web presence” – “brand yourself” “The Goates Notes” was born – “where religion and politics are not taboo topics. . .” “Find your voice,” then use it!
9. Go to the temple It’s FREE! There is a power that comes from going once a week Answers – not usually a blinding flash of light The Holy Ghost, “a still, small voice” Practice listening skills Act upon the promptings As you do things that are hard, you will receive more If you don’t seek God in your search, it will be longer
10. The spirit of peace D&C 11:13-14 – “I will impart unto you of my Spirit which shall enlighten your mind, which shall fill your soul with joy; and then shall you know all things whatsoever you desire of me, which are pertaining unto things of righteousness, in faith believing in me that you shall receive.” Adam and Eve didn’t get Social Security cards Looking back, I was being gently nudged away It was not so obvious looking ahead “Take the next step into the dark, then the light will appear” – faith is not knowing beforehand “I just wanted to see if you would do what I asked”
11. Involve your priesthood leaders There is a reason why Heavenly Father has called and sent us authorized priesthood leaders They will provide safety and guidance They will give priesthood blessings whenever you ask They will speak to you as though they are Heavenly Father Even if you think you’re smarter than they are, you need the inspiration of heaven to assist you Never doubt that God loves you enough to inspire them
12. My thoughts and my ways are higher Root word of “chastening?” CHASTE, or pure, or holy, or righteous, or sanctified Isaiah 55:8 – “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” and Matthew 7:11 – “If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?” But how can a “good gift” be so painful? Why is he chastening me? “Gold was never refined in an air-conditioned chamber”
13. President Harold B. Lee That condition in life which gives the greatest experience and opportunity for development is the one to be most desired and any one so privileged is most favored of God. It has been said that "a smooth sea never made a skillful mariner, neither do uninterrupted prosperity and success qualify for usefulness and happiness. The storms of adversity, like those of the ocean, rouse the faculties and excite the invention, prudence, skill and fortitude of the voyager. The mariners of ancient times, in bracing their minds to outward calamities, acquired a loftiness of purpose and a moral heroism worth a lifetime of softness and security." – In 1945, THBL, 23
14. President Spencer W. Kimball Quoting President Marion G. Romney: “In this modern world plagued with counterfeits for the Lord’s plan, we must not be misled into supposing that we can discharge our obligations to the poor and the needy by shifting the responsibility to some governmental or other public agency. Only by voluntarily giving out of an abundant love for our neighbors can we develop that charity characterized by Mormon as ‘the pure love of Christ.’ (Moroni 7:47). This we must develop if we would obtain eternal life.” (Conference Report, Oct. 1972, p. 115.) No “ism” should confuse our thinking in these matters. As a reminder of Church policy regarding individuals receiving government or other forms of charity, may I emphasize the following declaration of principle: The responsibility for each member’s spiritual, social, emotional, physical, or economic well-being rests first upon himself, second, upon his family, and third, upon the Church. Members of the Church are commanded by the Lord to be self-reliant and independent to the extent of their ability. (See D&C 78:13-14.) – “Becoming the Pure in Heart,” Ensign, May 1978, 79
16. Or. . . Zion? Government? President Barack Obama President Thomas S. Monson “I think that one of the things that we all agree to is that the touchstone for economic policy is, does it allow the average American to find good employment and see their incomes rise; that we can’t just look at things in the aggregate, we do want to grow the pie, but we want to make sure that prosperity is spread across the spectrum of regions and occupations and genders and races; and that economic policy should focus on growing the pie, but it also has to make sure that everybody has got opportunity in that system.” New York Times, April 28, 2009 “I believe the Savior is telling us that unless we lose ourselves in service to others, there is little purpose to our own lives. Those who live only for themselves eventually shrivel up and figuratively lose their lives, while those who lose themselves in service to others grow and flourish — and in effect save their lives.” Ensign, November 2009, 85 WE KNOW HOW THIS ALL ENDS
17. ZION – God’s Design for the Future Location: Independence, Jackson County, Missouri Date: Sunday, August 1, 1831 “Ye cannot behold with your natural eyes, for the present time, the design of your God concerning those things which shall come hereafter, and the glory which shall follow after much tribulation. “For after much tribulation come the blessings. Wherefore the day cometh that ye shall be crowned with much glory; the hour is not yet, but is nigh at hand. … “Behold, verily I say unto you, for this cause I have sent you — that you might be obedient, and that your hearts might be prepared to bear testimony of the things which are to come; “And also that you might be honored in laying the foundation, and in bearing record of the land upon which the Zion of God shall stand; … “And after that cometh the day of my power; then shall the poor, the lame, and the blind, and the deaf, come in unto the marriage of the Lamb, and partake of the supper of the Lord, prepared for the great day to come. “Behold, I, the Lord, have spoken it.” (D&C 58:3-12)
18. “NETWORKING 2010” ISZION Unseen network helping you “I will go before your face, I will be on your right hand and on your left, and my Spirit shall be in your hearts, and mine angels round about you, to bear you up.” (D&C 84:88) “If ye will enter in by the way, and receive the Holy Ghost, it will show unto you all things what ye should do.” (2 Nephi 32:5). Network you can see helping you
