Values

Alma 34: 29

If ye do not remember to be charitable,

ye are as dross,

which the refiners do cast out,

(it being of no worth)

 and is trodden under foot of men.

My value to the Refiner is the value that I place on others. When I value others at some finite level, I am also valuing God, their Creator and the One who loved them first (1 Jn. 4: 19), at that level. That is what makes setting someone “at naught” so terribly debasing.

“There are no ordinary people. You have never talked to a mere mortal. [It] is immortals whom we joke with, work with, marry, snub, and exploit--immortal horrors or everlasting splendours.” –C.S. Lewis

Similarly, if I value God at a finite level (i.e. if my devotion to Him can be sold or de-prioritized), then I value all His children and creations at or below that level, including ironically, myself. To increase my value, I must increase the value that I place on others and on God.

I am commanded to love God (i.e. recognize God's infinite value) by loving (valuing at infinite) others, and to love myself as I love others. Acting in accordance with the infinite value of self, others, and God is the essence of the Gospel (Matt. 22: 37-40).

Do what you know.

My doctrine is not mine,

but his that sent me.

 If any man will do his will,

he shall know of the doctrine,

whether it be of God,

or whether I speak of myself.(John 7: 16-17) 

This missionary message neither requires that the listener change her beliefs nor her actions: there is no need to accept another’s authority or doctrine before receiving testimony from God.

It asks instead that she withhold judgment while immersing herself in doing what the Lord has already taught her. Testimony is obtained by living the principles that God has already confirmed.