Signs

I once watched a portion of the Tonight show, when Jay Leno shared pictures of newspaper articles that included bizarre or hilarious signs. I laughed at how a “typo” beneath one picture changed the entire message, how another picture did not seem to communicate the intended thought in any way, and the clever and inventive manner in which another sign was presented. It is amazing how signs can stick in our minds.

One thing about most signs is that they do communicate — through a few words or a picture — a clear idea. Because we become familiar with the signs, we know what to expect up ahead. We are better prepared. Think of road signs: When we see the common red sign, we know we need to prepare to stop. A squiggly line with an arrow means we are coming upon a curved road. Speed limits are posted to regulate the drivers in different areas of a town.

Well conceived advertising/marketing signs eventually lead us to know, instantly, the store or product being advertised. Simply by seeing a logo or picture, we may desire to buy a certain kind of food or remember a specific store in which to shop. Clearly, our minds are impressed by the signs around us.

Have there been any other kinds of signs that have left lasting impressions in your minds?

Because our minds are the “crowning creation of God” (President Gordon B. Hinckley, Ensign, May 1968), they are fertile ground for all kinds of thoughts. President Hinckley has taught us that the development of the mind is a companion responsibility to the cultivation of the spirit. If we are interested in good spiritual development, there is little room for signs that may be mis-marked, misinterpreted, or ignored.

I wonder if Joseph — who ran from Potiphar’s wife — had constructed mind signs in his youth? Did Mary, mother of Jesus, quietly assemble certain signposts in her mind, to strengthen herself and the family she would one day have? Did Captain Moroni use such a system to remind himself of promises and covenants in order to keep the faith and lead his charges victoriously? Certainly, they had developed their minds righteously, growing in mind and in spirit as they traveled life’s mortal roads.

One simple and effective way to keep ourselves on the strait and narrow path is to assemble and set up signs in our own minds. These signs will alert us and fortify us when the need arises. Maybe a sign as simple as “GO!”, if we find ourselves in a situation that uncomfortably pushes the boundaries of what we know is acceptable, may allow us to run away from danger. A sign in our mind may read, “Smile!” as a reminder to be more cheerful. We may need a mental picture of the scriptures, as a reminder to read daily from good works (and to stay away from vile and detracting words or pictures.)

President Boyd K. Packer shared these beautiful words of insight at October 1977 General Conference:

Obviously, President Packer’s signs were effective in helping to mold him into the fine man he is today. Those signs allowed him to clear his mind of darkness or ugliness and focus on good things. On righteous things. On constructive things.

By choosing some pertinent signs to put up in our own minds, we set the course for our travels. No one else need know about them. Just create them, and pay attention to them.

If we are each a work in progress, laboring to ‘construct’ our best selves, setting up and following some good mental signs will help in that construction process. Eventually, our efforts will grant us enough access to the Lord that, through our trust in Him, we may come to know “perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee” (Isaiah 26:3.)

How much easier we might make it to cultivate our best selves — follow the signs!