Called & Chosen

I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. For a number of years the leaders of our church have referred to the rising generation as a chosen generation. Chosen by our Heavenly Father to come to earth at this time when there is great moral depravity.

I can remember when I first heard that term "chosen generation". I believe I was around the age of 12, or maybe 13, and the title was used in reference to me and my peers. At first I was a little taken aback by the thought that we were a chosen generation; that each of us had been saved to come to earth at this time because we were individually special. Now, don't get me wrong. The world is in quite a sorry state right now as societal views shift away from values of modesty, integrity, and obedience. Day after day the media highlights advertisements rampant with sexual innuendos, little white lies, and examples of bending the rules to get through life. But as a young man I really didn't see it that way.

At first, as I stated, I thought the leaders of the church had finally missed something. They were actually wrong this time, I was sure of it. I really didn't see there being all that much wrong with life back then, it all looked fine to me. I thought they were over exaggerating the threat and were therefore over exaggerating our strengths. Then I heard the term again, and again. I began to believe them and became rather proud of who I was. In my mind I began to think that we certainly were special and that only we could make it through what lay ahead. I thought we were something else, something greater than any generation that had come before, or will even come after. We were chosen.

As I look back at that perception I can't help but laugh at myself. Are we chosen, of course we are, but who isn't. As I've reflected on the term "chosen generation" I've realized that it's a term that applies to every generation of mankind who ever have, or ever will be upon the face of this earth. Each of us have certain capabilities and strengths, along with the corresponding weaknesses. Just as a loving father knows his children, and what they're able to do, so does our Heavenly Father know exactly what we're able to do. With this knowledge He has chosen to send each of us to earth at a very specific time, and in a very specific place. He knows that you are best suited to face the obstacles that have and will come during your lifetime in the place that you are. You are chosen.

Each of us are chosen, and indeed called to stand forth with our might and do all we can to make the world a better place. That may mean that we're meant to do something extraordinary, but more likely than not it doesn't. But that doesn't mean that we are any less important. Think about the effects one individual can have while just going about ordinary life. I mean, think of Einstein's first grade teacher. We have no idea who that person was, but he/she started young Albert on a path to intellectual greatness. Think of Donovan Bailey's boyhood friend who challenged him to a race for the last swing. We have no idea who that friend was, but it's him/her that opened the way for young Donovan to begin sprinting faster than anyone else. Think of Michelangelo's mother who would cherish the small sketches he would do. We have no idea who that woman was or what she was like, but her faith and encouragement began Michelangelo on a path of artistic genius.

No matter how small our acts may be, the effect they can have are immense. We may think that another could do better, but no one else is you. You are the one with the strengths and weaknesses that define who you are and make you prepared for what you will face. Our Heavenly Father has chosen us because He knows that we are capable, now let's go prove that to ourselves!