Living a Horizontal vs. Vertical Life
Living A Horizontal vs. Vertical Life
President Quinn’s Weekly Message
California Santa Rosa Mission
May 18th, 2023
Sister Quinn and I enjoyed meeting with each of you over the last two weeks in interviews. We came away inspired by the Spirit we felt during our visits and the growth of discipleship we witnessed in your service. Thank you for coming to meet with us and for your loving service as emissaries of Jesus Christ.
I was once taught an important lesson for establishing and maintaining the priorities and standards of my life. This lesson contrasted the difference between living a horizontal vs. vertical life. I was taught that Those who live a horizontal life look at life sideways, taking counsel and direction from the standards they see practiced in the world around them. Their standards become those of the world. In contrast, those who live a vertical life look up to God for their standards and direction. This direction from the Lord comes to through ancient and living prophets.
The scriptures are full of examples and admonitions for us to look to God. Alma gave the following wise counsel to his son Helaman:
“Counsel with the Lord in all thy doings, and he will direct thee for good…” (Alma 37:37)
I testify that the Lord knows what is best for you. He desires to counsel with you as you make important decisions. As you look up to Him, He will give you the guidance, wisdom, and assurance you desire.
The following two verses in Jacob 3 define what it looks like to live a vertical life:
“But behold, I, Jacob, would speak unto you that are pure in heart. Look unto God with firmness of mind, and pray unto him with exceeding faith, and he will console you in your afflictions, and he will plead your cause…
“O all ye that are pure in heart, lift up your heads and receive the pleasing word of God, and feast upon his love; for ye may, if your minds are firm, forever.” (Jacob 3:1-2)
Did you see the keys for living a vertical life in these verses? 1) Look to God with firmness of mind; 2) Pray to him with exceeding faith; 3) Lift up your head; 4) Receive the pleasing word of God; and 5) Feast on God’s love. If we live a vertical life, we are promised succor from the Lord in our afflictions and His pleading on our behalf to our Father in Heaven. Can there be a greater promise or blessing!?!
Remember also the important lesson of living a horizontal vs. vertical life we learn from Lehi’s dream in 1 Nephi 8. In this dream, Lehi saw the Tree of Life – a representation of Jesus Christ and His Atonement. Those who arrived at the Tree of Life and kept their focus vertical, “they came forth and fell down and partook of the fruit of the tree.” These people remained faithful and strong to enjoy the fruit from the tree. Sadly, we read of others, also worshipping at the tree, who shifted their focus horizontally, away from the Tree of Life towards the mocking of the people in the “great and spacious building.” These people became “ashamed, because of those that were scoffing at them; and they fell away into forbidden paths and were lost.” One of the lessons from these verses is that we can feel the joy of the gospel and still lose our way if we care more about the approval of the world than the truths of God.
I testify that the greatest joy in life is found by following the counsel given to us from vertical sources of truth – our inspired leaders and the Spirit. My prayer is that each of you accept the invitation from the Savior, “Look unto me in every thought; doubt not, fear not” (D&C 6:36). My hope is that each of you will live a vertical life, looking to the wisdom and love of the Lord in establishing and maintaining the priorities and standards of your life. He loves each of you perfectly. He knows what is best for you. Always engage Him in the big and small details of your life. Never cease seeking His guidance and wisdom for you.
Thank you for your goodness. Sister Quinn and I love you!
Love,
President Quinn
(630) 881-4030
