justfunsermonsaccountability (MDT ** )

1/ Accountability = answering to God for and taking responsibility for our actions  (see D&C 101:78 and D&C 104:13)

2/ How we view our “accountability” varies greatly.  How we serve in our stewardships is important, but WHY we serve is the true measure of our character (whited sepulchers). 

3/ Some reasons for serving are simply better than others.  Most of us serve for a variety of reasons, but we should strive to serve for the best or highest reasons.

NUMBER ONE — Love of God, charity             Focus:_________  Accountability:_________

• “…a more excellent way” __________________________________________________
• The pure love of Christ (TWO types of love) ___________________________________
• 1 Corinthians 13:1-3 _____________________________________________________
• D&C 4:2 ______________________________________________________________
• It is a gift!  Moroni 7:48 ___________________________________________________
• We submit our will to the will of the Father ____________________________________
• Examples:  Christ (3 Nephi 11:10-11),  Moroni (Ether 12:37-41)

 

NUMBER TWO — Hope of eternal reward       Focus:_________  Accountability:_________

• The expectation of enjoying the fruits of one’s labors ___________________________
• D&C 18:15-16 _________________________________________________________
• It involves faith in God and in His promises __________________________________
• Examples: ____________________________________________________________

 

NUMBER THREE — Sense of duty or loyalty   Focus:_________  Accountability:_________

• Honorable men and women _______________________________________________
• “…good soldiers…”, they are obedient and hardworking _________________________
• Being willingly obedient to God or others is an acceptable offering _________________
• Examples: _____________________________________________________________

 

NUMBER FOUR — Fear of punishment            Focus:_________  Accountability:_________

• Fear is a paralyzing character trait __________________________________________
• A byproduct of selfishness ________________________________________________
• Mosiah 2:38 ___________________________________________________________
• Serving out of fear or coercion is viewed as a “tax” rather than as an “offering” _______
• Examples: ____________________________________________________________

 

NUMBER FIVE — Desire for good companionship   Focus:______  Accountability:______

• D&C 1:16 ____________________________________________________________
• Luke 5:31-32 _________________________________________________________
• Members or friends come and go; service to fellowmen does not ________________
• Examples: ____________________________________________________________

 

NUMBER SIX — Hope for earthly reward      Focus:_________  Accountability:_________

• Prominence or leadership positions ________________________________________
• Wealth or worldly goods _________________________________________________
• Priestcraft = preaching or serving for gain or the praise of the world  (2 Nephi 26:29)
• Outwardly appearing righteous but inwardly full of hypocrisy  (Matthew 23:28)
• Examples: ___________________________________________________________

 

ADDITIONAL SCRIPTURES:

• Matthew 20:27  “…whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant…”
• Matthew 25:40  “…inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me…”
• John 21:16-17  “…lovest thou me?  Feed my sheep.” 
• D&C 58:27  “…anxiously engaged in a good cause,…many things of their own free will,..bring to pass much righteousness…”
• D&C 64:34  “…the Lord requireth the heart and a willing mind…” 
• D&C 81:5  “…succor the weak, lift up the hands which hang down, strengthen the feeble knees…”

 

CONCLUSION

• Alma 5:19