Hebrews 10:24-25

"And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:
Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching."
Hebrews 10:24-25


I like this.  My visiting teachers came over yesterday and we had a great talk about applying the gospel to our lives.  It didn't really start out as that topic, but that's what it turned into. :)  So often we see the gospel and our lives as separate things, when they are actually one and the same.  The gospel is how to live... not just what to do on Sunday.  This scripture talks about how we should be interacting with other people.  We should be inspiring each other to do great things... to love each other, to exercise God's power for the benefit of all humanity.  Cain asked "Am I my brother's keeper?" and he thought it was rhetorical.  But in fact, we are keepers of each other... we need to keep each other in righteousness and happiness.  We need to challenge and exhort each other to good and eternally focused choices.  The scriptures tell us to speak one to another concerning the welfare of our souls.  We should think about it, and talk to each other about it... make the gospel part of your daily conversation and thought, not just something you get a dose of once a week.  Neal A Maxwell tells us that we are each other's clinical experience... that our interactions and decisions regarding other people are part of our test.  We are in this together, and need to help each other succeed.  It’s not cheating, it's teamwork. :)
I also want to make it very clear that I am not talking about judging.  Helping each other succeed is not at all about condemnation or self-righteousness.  It’s not about silly distinctions about how *exactly* you should keep the sabbath day holy... or how you should pay 'extra' tithing for 'extra' blessings... it's about helping each other towards happiness and peace... and excitement and interest... and everything that God stands for.  It's allowing people to make their own decisions, and loving them no matter what... and being honest with them about how YOUR soul is doing.  We're all in the same boat.  Instead of arguing over who is rowing more, let's row *together* and stop going around in circles.