Gospel Gears

I made the mistake of shipping a single-speed bicycle to Tennessee for use over the course of my mission. Y'all here in Fairview have probably had some good laughs as you've passed me on the side of the road, struggling to make it up these gigantic hills. My companion, Elder Dallof, had to get used to waiting at various peaks and valleys along Fairview Blvd. for me to catch up.

Those days are over. Allow me to introduce my new bike!

My new bike, the Trek 4300, and also my lifesaver

This is Trek 4300, my best friend at the moment and a new arrival as of yesterday. I haven't even had time to name it. But I've been indescribably grateful for everything about this bike—from its 24 gears and cushioned seat to the shock absorbers and even the kickstand. Compared to the old single speed, this is sheer perfection.

There's an important lesson to be learned here. Let us compare a generic bicycle to the gospel of Jesus Christ. We all find ourselves in the different peaks and valleys of life. The bicycle—or the gospel—helps us move through life with ease. But there is a big difference between a generic, single-speed bicycle and a 24-gear bicycle.

A single-speed bike is comparable to a casual attitude toward the gospel. We have the truth, and that comforts us in times of sorrow and strengthens us in times of tribulation, but because we haven't taken time to develop Christlike attributes, it takes more energy and more time to make it over life's hills. We often do not enjoy the ride (especially when it's hot and humid outside and you're going on mile 23!).

A 24-gear bicycle is comparable to strict devotion to and love for the gospel. Because we trust in the Savior, we take time to develop patience, charity, honesty, gratitude, discipline, humility, etc. Each of these Christlike attributes—these "gospel gears"—help us make it over imposing hills and through lengthy valleys. Different gears are used in different situations, but all work together to make the bike—and our experience, or ride, through life—wonderful.

A single-speed bike is good, but in Tennessee it is just not good enough. And in our world, a casual attitude toward the gospel may be better than nothing at all, but it is not enough to get us through life and to our destination—eternal life. Elder Dallin H. Oaks taught this principle well:

As we consider various choices, we should remember that it is not enough that something is good. Other choices are better, and still others are best. Even though a particular choice is more costly, its far greater value may make it the best choice of all.

The best and perhaps most difficult choice we will make in this life is to follow Jesus Christ. We have to make that choice every day, even multiple times within a day. But if we'll continue to follow Him in all situations, we'll find that, over time, our single-speed bicycle has been transformed into a 24-gear masterpiece. It is then that we find joy in the journey; it is then that our ride through life becomes truly wonderful.