what do i do when i dont know what to do ii

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Presentation by Elder David B. Goates Professional Placement Program May 17, 2010 *p.s. you know more than you think you do “What do I do when I don’t know what to do?”*

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What to do when you lose your job, and how to find the direction you seek.

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Page 1: What Do I Do When I Dont Know What To Do Ii

Presentation by Elder David B. Goates Professional Placement Program

May 17, 2010

*p.s. you know more than you think you do

“What do I do when I don’t know what to do?”*

Page 2: What Do I Do When I Dont Know What To Do Ii

I’m unemployed. . . Why, why, why?

Change the question, it’s not your faultIt’s not because you are unworthy (well, OK, you are – we all

are)It’s not because you lack talents and skills (you’ve got ‘em)It’s not because the universe has singled you out (you’re dust)It’s not because Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, Barack Obama

or the Congress screwed things up (OK, maybe they did)It’s not because bankers on Wall Street were greedy (they

were)It’s not because God is punishing his childrenIt’s not because the end of the world is near

“It happened because the dam broke” – President Boyd K. Packer

Page 3: What Do I Do When I Dont Know What To Do Ii

My personal journey. . .I had a front row seat to the worldwide economic

meltdown in 2008 – 2009, but now it’s 2010!The past is history. . .The future, a mystery. . .Today is a gift. . .That’s why it’s called THE PRESENT!

This may be YOUR Winter Quarters. . .You can remain behind mourning. . .Or, you can bury the past and move on toward

ZionOnce you decide to move on, the journey

becomes possible

Page 4: What Do I Do When I Dont Know What To Do Ii

Abrahamic tests. . .Everyone who achieves exaltation must

successfully pass through an Abrahamic test"You will have all kinds of trials to pass through.

And it is quite as necessary for you to be tried as it was for Abraham and other men of God. . . . God will feel after you, and he will take hold of you and wrench your very heart strings, and if you cannot stand it you will not be fit for an inheritance in the Celestial Kingdom of God.“ – Joseph Smith to the Twelve

“Abraham needed to learn something about Abraham."

Page 5: What Do I Do When I Dont Know What To Do Ii

It was time to “re-invent” myself

Don’t continue looking for the job you lostThat’s why it’s called the “lost job” Take the Professional Career WorkshopAssess your strengths, skills, be introspectiveLearn how to search the unadvertised job marketNetwork using every means available to you –

SOCIAL MEDIAYour “found job” will probably come to you

through someone you know in your network – grow your network

OPEN YOUR MOUTH!!

Page 6: What Do I Do When I Dont Know What To Do Ii

Talk to your wife and childrenRemember, they are looking to you for faithDo not be fearfulBe positive about the future, we’re building

ZION!Laugh at yourself, invite others to mock your

stupidityDo something every day you’ve never done before (YOU’RE FREE NOW – it’s liberating!)Get out of your comfort zones, whatever they areRepent if you need to (you need to) Attend the templeServe others

Page 7: What Do I Do When I Dont Know What To Do Ii

Write in a journal“The two most important books in your life are

the one you are reading and the one you are writing.” -- Robert Louis Stevenson (Treasure Island, Kidnapped, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde)

What is my new purpose?Is God in the details?How do I record promptings? Your “web presence” – “brand yourself”“The Goates Notes” was born – “where

religion and politics are not taboo topics. . .”“Find your voice,” then use it!

Page 8: What Do I Do When I Dont Know What To Do Ii

Go to the temple

It’s FREE!There is a power that comes from going once a

weekAnswers – not usually a blinding flash of lightThe Holy Ghost, “a still, small voice”Practice listening skillsAct upon the promptingsAs you do things that are hard, you will receive moreIf you don’t seek God in your search, it will be longer

Page 9: What Do I Do When I Dont Know What To Do Ii

The spirit of peace

D&C 11:13-14 – “I will impart unto you of my Spirit which shall enlighten your mind, which shall fill your soul with joy; and then shall you know all things whatsoever you desire of me, which are pertaining unto things of righteousness, in faith believing in me that you shall receive.”

Adam and Eve didn’t get Social Security cardsLooking back, I was being gently nudged away It was not so obvious looking ahead“Take the next step into the dark, then the light will appear” – faith is not knowing beforehand“I just wanted to see if you would do what I asked”

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Involve your priesthood leadersThere is a reason why Heavenly Father has

called and sent us authorized priesthood leaders

They will provide safety and guidanceThey will give priesthood blessings whenever

you askThey will speak to you as though they are

Heavenly FatherEven if you think you’re smarter than they

are, you need the inspiration of heaven to assist you

Never doubt that God loves you enough to inspire them

Page 11: What Do I Do When I Dont Know What To Do Ii

My thoughts and my ways are higher

Root word of “chastening?”CHASTE, or pure, or holy, or righteous, or

sanctifiedIsaiah 55:8 – “For my thoughts are not your

thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” andMatthew 7:11 – “If ye then, being evil, know

how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?”

But how can a “good gift” be so painful?Why is he chastening me?“Gold was never refined in an air-conditioned

chamber”

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President Harold B. Lee

That condition in life which gives the greatest experience and opportunity for development is the one to be most desired and any one so privileged is most favored of God. It has been said that "a smooth sea never made a skillful mariner, neither do uninterrupted prosperity and success qualify for usefulness and happiness. The storms of adversity, like those of the ocean, rouse the faculties and excite the invention, prudence, skill and fortitude of the voyager. The mariners of ancient times, in bracing their minds to outward calamities, acquired a loftiness of purpose and a moral heroism worth a lifetime of softness and security."

– In 1945, THBL, 23

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President Spencer W. Kimball

Quoting President Marion G. Romney: “In this modern world plagued with counterfeits for the Lord’s plan, we must not be misled into supposing that we can discharge our obligations to the poor and the needy by shifting the responsibility to some governmental or other public agency. Only by voluntarily giving out of an abundant love for our neighbors can we develop that charity characterized by Mormon as ‘the pure love of Christ.’ (Moroni 7:47). This we must develop if we would obtain eternal life.” (Conference Report, Oct. 1972, p. 115.)

No “ism” should confuse our thinking in these matters. As a reminder of Church policy regarding individuals receiving government or other forms of charity, may I emphasize the following declaration of principle:

The responsibility for each member’s spiritual, social, emotional, physical, or economic well-being rests first upon himself, second, upon his family, and third, upon the Church. Members of the Church are commanded by the Lord to be self-reliant and independent to the extent of their ability. (See D&C 78:13-14.) – “Becoming the Pure in Heart,” Ensign, May 1978, 79

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Compare and contrast. . .President Barack Obama

President Thomas S. Monson

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Government?

President Barack Obama

President Thomas S. Monson

“I think that one of the things that we all agree to is that the touchstone for economic policy is, does it allow the average American to find good employment and see their incomes rise; that we can’t just look at things in the aggregate, we do want to grow the pie, but we want to make sure that prosperity is spread across the spectrum of regions and occupations and genders and races; and that economic policy should focus on growing the pie, but it also has to make sure that everybody has got opportunity in that system.”

New York Times, April 28, 2009

“I believe the Savior is telling us that unless we lose ourselves in service to others, there is little purpose to our own lives. Those who live only for themselves eventually shrivel up and figuratively lose their lives, while those who lose themselves in service to others grow and flourish — and in effect save their lives.”

Ensign, November 2009, 85

Or. . . Zion?

WE KNOW HOW THIS ALL ENDS

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ZION – God’s Design for the Future

Location: Independence, Jackson County, MissouriDate: Sunday, August 1, 1831“Ye cannot behold with your natural eyes, for the present time, the design

of your God concerning those things which shall come hereafter, and the glory which shall follow after much tribulation.

“For after much tribulation come the blessings. Wherefore the day cometh that ye shall be crowned with much glory; the hour is not yet, but is nigh at hand. …  

“Behold, verily I say unto you, for this cause I have sent you — that you might be obedient, and that your hearts might be prepared to bear testimony of the things which are to come;

“And also that you might be honored in laying the foundation, and in bearing record of the land upon which the Zion of God shall stand; …  

“And after that cometh the day of my power; then shall the poor, the lame, and the blind, and the deaf, come in unto the marriage of the Lamb, and partake of the supper of the Lord, prepared for the great day to come.

“Behold, I, the Lord, have spoken it.” (D&C 58:3-12)

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Unseen network helping

you

Network you can

see helping

you

“NETWORKING 2010” IS ZION

“I will go before your face, I will be on your right hand and on your left, and my Spirit shall be in your hearts, and mine angels round about you, to bear you up.” (D&C 84:88)

“If ye will enter in by the way, and receive the Holy Ghost, it will show unto you all things what ye should do.” (2 Nephi 32:5).