7 New Year’s Resolutions Every Latter-day Saint Should Consider!

Every year we set New Year’s resolutions, some of them are wise, and some are foolish, but most only last until mid-January. But why? Well, there are a few reasons: First is that we don’t actually set goals correctly (Click here for how to set goals and achieve them). The second is that we don’t set worthwhile goals. Because I’ve already addressed setting goals, I looked to the Brethren and found 7 worthwhile New Year’s Resolutions every Latter-day Saint should consider setting.

1st. Read the Book of Mormon cover to cover this year.

The thing that shocked me the most as a missionary was how many members had never actually read the Book of Mormon cover to cover! Our mission president told us that the average convert only reads 34 pages of the Book of Mormon before baptism! It does not matter if you are a new convert or if you are like everyone else and working on your ongoing conversion; strengthen it by reading the Book of Mormon cover to cover this year!

• Tip. To reach this goal, strive to read the Book of Mormon every day. You can also listen to it while driving or at the gym!

“I promise that as you prayerfully study the Book of Mormon every day, you will make better decisions—every day.”
Russell M. Nelson

2nd. Fully commit to Home Church and studying Come, Follow Me

Let this be the year you fully commit to studying Come, Follow Me at home. I am not talking about watching podcasts or vlogs/blogs about Come, Follow Me; no matter how good they are, they cannot replace actually reading the Church manual, and most importantly, reading the scriptures! So commit, this year you will actually study Come, Follow Me and get first-hand experiences and insights rather than setting for someone else’s experiences and insights.

• Tip: Use the Come, Follow Me manual to prep FHE lessons each week. I have little kids (4, 3, and 1) and we use the manual to pick a principle or story that is part of that week’s study. We then use a song and try to read at least one verse. Suddenly, you are holding FHE and doing CFM!

3rd. Let go of your sins.

Of all the things we can do during the new year, one of the most important things is letting go. Often, we forget that for everything we want to do, we need to let go of something. If you want to get up early, then you need to let go of going to bed late. The most important things you can let go of are the sins that hold you back from coming unto Christ.

King Lamoni’s Father set the example for us when he prayed and said: “I will give away all my sins to know thee” (Alma 22:18). What sins are holding back your relationship with Christ and others? Is it Prejudice, be it political, racial, economic, or religious? Maybe unchaste thoughts, no matter what the sin that is besetting you, let it go this coming year and come unto Christ.

• Tip. Realize that repentance is a journey; therefore, be patient with yourself and others as relapses are bound to happen.

“The Savior is there, reaching out to each of us, bidding us: ‘Come unto me.’ We can repent. We can!”
Neil L. Andersen

4th. Make it a year of temple preparation.

Only within the Temple can we receive the exalting ordinances that will enable us to qualify for eternal life. It is imperative to our eternal progression that we strive to receive all the blessings the Temple has to offer. One way we can make this year the “year of the temple” is by focusing on the importance of making and keeping temple covenants.

There is no doubt that we live in a time of “wars and rumors of wars.” Yet in the midst of this craziness, we see the Church hastening temple building across the globe. We are at the edge of a golden opportunity to enter into a defining age of temple work for the Church. Let us prepare and be worthy to hold current temple recommends so that we can be ready as the new temples that the Lord has inspired the Prophet to build come into operation.

• Tip. Put a picture of the Temple in every room of your house to motivate you to go! (I love Brent Borup’s temples, click here for his gallery)

“As temples are prepared for the people, the people need to prepare themselves for the temple.”
Russell M. Nelson

5th. Become a member missionary, bring someone in/back to the Church.

We’ve all heard the famed phrase “every member a missionary,” but the less heard part is the commitment that President McKay would often extend, he would ask members to commit to“bring at least one new member into the Church each year.” (Teachings of David O  McKay)

Now is a perfect time to accept this invitation from a Prophet of God and set the goal to bring someone into the Church this year!

• Tip. Pray for chances to share the Gospel, and the courage to act! Then just do it!

“If you’re not a full-time missionary with a missionary badge pinned on your coat, now is the time to paint one on your heart.”
Neil L. Andersen

6th. Judge less and love more.

Whether or not the person has sinned is actually none of your business; our job is simple: love them. Jesus Christ Himself taught, “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.” John 13:25 Let this year be the year we choose to love others; the member who supports the other political party, the missionary who came home early, the YSA struggling with loneliness, the person who was rude to you at church, or even the Young Man/Woman who is struggling with pornography. They don’t need judgment, they need love! Remember, we should seek to reflect the love of God; His love is ALWAYS intertwined with Gospel truths. You can’t sacrifice truth in your attempt to be loving!

• Tip. Next time you are tempted to judge, ask yourself, “How does Heavenly Father see them?”

“Only by suspending judgment do we exhibit real charity.”
N. Eldon Tanner

7th. Take better care of your body.

Everyone’s body is a temple. How do you treat your temple? Don’t buy into the lies about our bodies. There is not a preset weight in heaven to be healthy here on earth, just like Temples have different shapes, colors, and sizes, it is ok to have bodies of different shapes, colors, and sizes. Think of the difference between the humble Monticello, Utah, temple at 11,225 square feet, and the Salt Lake Temple at 253,015 square feet. This is not a matter of weight but of health. Ask yourself: “Am I honoring my body?” “Am I treating it like a Temple? “What am I going to do to honor and respect my body more this year?” Remember, you are being healthy for God, show Him you respect the body He created.

• Tip. Exercise is important, but there is no substitute for healthy eating. Abs are made in the kitchen, and you will never outrun your spoon!

“Feeding the spirit while neglecting the body, which is a temple, usually leads to spiritual dissonance and lowered self-esteem. If you are out of shape, if you are uncomfortable in your own body and can do something about it, then do it!”
Elder Jörg Klebingat

If you liked this article, I recommend this article as a guide on setting and reaching goals: Learning How to Set and Reach Your Goals