Living a Horizontal vs. Vertical Life
Living A Horizontal vs. Vertical Life
President Quinn’s Weekly Message
California Santa Rosa Mission
July 31st, 2023
Hello! I hope this letter finds you healthy and happy. Sister Quinn and I enjoyed a fun P-day with the Ukiah Zone last Monday. Thank you for inviting us.
I was once taught the difference between living a horizontal vs. vertical life. Those who live a horizontal life look at life sideways, taking counsel and direction from those they associate with. Their standards become those of the world. In contrast, those who live a vertical life look up to God for their standards and direction. 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. 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 characteristics of 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 sobering lesson of living a horizontal vs. vertical life we learn from Lehi’s dream in 1 Nephi 8. 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”, remained faithful and strong. However, those who shifted their focus horizontally to the mocking of the people in the “great and spacious building” were “ashamed, because of those that were scoffing at them; and they fell away into forbidden paths and were lost.”
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). I pray that you will always look vertical, to the wisdom and love of the Lord, in establishing and maintaining the priorities and standards of our 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! Please let us know if there is anything we can do for you.
Love,
President Quinn
(707) 758-6380
