John 8:23 -- On Different Worlds

"And he said unto them, Ye are from beneath; I am from above: ye are of this world; I am not of this world."
John 8:23


The idea here of being "not of this world" is echoed in other scriptures, which tell us, for instance, to "hope for a better world" (Ether 12:4), and to "lay aside the things of this world, and seek for the things of a better" (D&C 25:10). I think that this whole idea of knowing that we are from above, that we are separate, is important to the way that we approach life.

We have to live here, in this world, of course, and learn about it. But if we are too focused on this world we become short-sighted, thinking that this is what really matters, that our stuff, our money, our physical desires, our physical selves... that is what drives us. But that is exactly what could make us "from beneath" by choice. What truly matters about us is the immortal part, the part that is going to continue on after all the rest of this is dust. We'll be resurrected, we'll get immortal, perfect bodies. Not saying we shouldn't be healthy or go to the doctor when needed, but those things are much less important than our spiritual well being, and that's the idea here... not to throw away our bodies, but to unify with them in support of those things that are above... those eternal lives and that better world that we are headed for, if we follow the Lord's directions on how to get there.

Today, let's remember that we too are not of this world. Let's get our priorites straight and work to prioritize seeking for the better world that God promises us as we follow him. Let's lift and help and strengthen, letting go of the things that drag us away from God, and embracing the things that help us, and the people around us, to draw closer and to reach for something much better than this.