We push on through the April 1972 General Conference, and discover another quote, this time in Elder Gordon B. Hinckley's talk, "What Will the Church Do For You, A Man?"
What indeed?
This talk was specifically for men, given in the priesthood session of this conference. Back then, there would be a session for men, and a session for women. So different now.
It's very brief - a little bit of wisdom - and honestly, just as applicable to women as men. But perhaps the challenge of it might mean a little bit more to a man.
The Quote
Robert Browning said, “A man’s reach should exceed his grasp.”
It's a quote about the importance of human growth and progress, and comes from one of his poems, entitled Andrea Del Sarto.
It's a very very VERY long blank verse poem that reads more like a dramatic monologue than a poem. It's about a painter who makes perfect paintings, but laments that technical perfection alone does not produce great work. His paintings are beautiful, but spiritually empty.
What's most interesting about the quote itself is the full line:
Robert Browning didn't have an answer to that question, but I feel like I do.
Heaven is our home.
We came from there, to here, for a purpose, and it's within all of us to feel to reach back to there.
Heaven is all about growing and reaching beyond where we are not. We feel it here - we thrive in circumstances where we can grow and progress, and shrivel in circumstances where we feel we can't.
The Lord is all about wanting us to grow and change - to become like Him one day. Certainly, that's a long path to walk on, but if we can learn to enjoy the journey, it's a happy and satisfying path.
Some may find that a frustrating idea - continually reaching for a goal beyond your reach. I get that.
But living the gospel was never meant to be a sprint - where we perfect ourselves on an expected schedule. It's a lifelong-and-beyond marathon that unfolds in greater beauty and greater vistas as we take on that challenge, with Jesus Christ by our side.
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