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What Are You Doing, and Why?

I remember coming home to visit during college and spending a little time with my youngest brother. I remember he asked me a question, which I answered. Then, he asked the question every parent or older sibling knows is coming: “Why?”

Since I’d been away for a while, I hadn’t been asked why like that in a few months and kind of forgot how the whole process works with little ones. I answered his question, but my answer was met with another why. I think he asked why about four times before being satisfied with what I was able to explain to him. But an interesting thing happened during our conversation—I learned a lot about my priorities and the thoughts behind what I was originally trying to tell him.

Life gets busy, and too often we get caught up with doing things either out of habit or just because we think they need to be done. It’s during those times that we get lost in the details without knowing where we’re headed spiritually. Is doing the dishes right now really more important than listening to someone in need? Is it really worth dragging the whole family together to read scriptures together? The answer to those questions (and most other questions you may find yourself asking) can be found with just a few minutes of solidarity and pondering “why?”

When we apply the magical question “Why?” to our spirituality, we can gain insight into some of the most important questions life holds. When I get frustrated or tired, “Why” helps me carry on with a cheerful attitude or at least with a better understanding of what I’m doing. “Why” helps you gain more from the Sunday school lesson you volunteered to teach. “Why” helps make cleaning the church on a precious Saturday morning seem like a blessing instead of a duty. “Why” makes mutual activities worth the preparation when girls’ faces light up.

Next time you find yourself questioning what you’re doing, stop and ask yourself, “Why?” You might be surprised at what you learn and how it directs what you do next.