The 5 P's

So a couple of days ago I was in my Old Testament class and the teacher asked, "Why do you think so many return missionaries go inactive shortly after they return from missions?" This question was in response to a fireside our teacher had been in with Elder Perry a few months earlier. Elder Perry asked the same question and some of the answers that he gave those in attendance were RM's no longer set goals, kept track of their time, and had work ethic (they had more idle time when they got home).

So in response to this fireside our teacher taught us about the 5 P's in Numbers in the Bible. He emphasized that the theme of Numbers was "You can't walk on the straight and narrow if you are looking back to Egypt." Essentially asking "Am I looking back on my past? DON'T DO IT! Look forward! So those 5 P's without getting too detailed are:

1-Keep your eye on the Promised land (Numbers 13).Are each of us looking towards heaven or our eternal goals?

2-Keep your eye on the Pole or Serpent (Numbers 21). Is it hard for us to do the simple tasks we are asked to do by the Lord and the Prophet? The children of Israel just had to look at the serpent and be healed, but they thought it was too simple. Too many people die spiritually because they refuse to look to Christ.

3-Keep your eye on the Pillar (Numbers 9). Wherever the cloud and pillar of fire went (symbolic of Christ and the Holy Ghost) the children of Israel were supposed to follow. We need to strive to be where the Spirit is always.

4-Keep your eye on the Prophet (Numbers 12 & 16). Always listen to the prophet and never speak ill of him or those who serve with him. We need to hang out with the right crowds or good people. Elder Packer said, "Make changes in friends, even if you face loneliness and rejection."

5-Keep your eye on the Priesthood (Numbers 17). The priesthood is a living thing like an almond tree, blossoming and bearing fruits. It is an active thing in our lives and the church and should be used and honored.

These 5 principles opened my eyes to prioritizing in my life. I hope I can keep my focus forward towards eternal things and not look back and remember things of the past either.