Have you ever visited a foreign land? Did you study in advance to know what to expect and find that it was valuable to know about local currency, language, customs, and gestures? You may not have the opportunity to travel the world that you live in, but one day you will travel to the world to come. You won’t find a tourist’s guide to heaven in your local bookstore, and even my word gives limited descriptions, but if you follow me now you will be ready for your trip.

Do you think you will have a life free from pain if you do the right things and are productive? Consider the Biblical lesson about pruning. Every branch that bears fruit is pruned that it may bring forth more fruit. This is a positive result in comparison to being cut down and cast in the fire, but it is still a painful process that no one looks forward to. Have you ever felt the snip of the pruning shears yourself?

What do you do that makes you better? The first thoughts that come to mind may be activities that you enjoy, but are you a better person after you do them? Studying anything will make you smarter, and this can be helpful, but it doesn’t automatically make you better. Your friends may have a better perspective on this question than you do. Do they see a trajectory of improvement in your life? Deep and enduring changes are difficult to accomplish, but are facilitated by consent. Have you ever seen ‘self-improvement projects’ that had no effect other than solidifying egocentricity?

Are you protective of your children? With your age and stature and strength and experience you are aware of dangers and how to deal with them. Your children do not have these advantages and so you take on the role of their protector and give this task top priority. Do you see the parallel with me? For I am protective of my children as well. I issue strong warnings against anyone who would harm one of my little ones, for their (your) angels always behold the Father. How many times do I say this in different ways?