Trying To Figure It All Out...

We don't need to know everything...

2009-09-13T18:18:00.000-07:00

1 Nephi 11:17 -- "Ad I said unto him: I know that he loveth his children; nevertheless, I do not know the meaning of all things."

We don't always need to know the meaning of all things, we just need to know that God loves us... Because he loves us, He will provide every opportunity we need to grow and reach our full potential. Knowing that, we must understand that there is no growth when things are easy because then no effort of faith is exercised, no test of true character is given, and no real trust in God is needed.

God chastens us because He loves us. He tries us because HE loves us. He provided a Savior for us for the times we fail, because He loves us.

Be Faithful

2009-09-13T18:12:00.000-07:00

1 Nephi 3-4 -- Nephi continually reminds his brothers to "Let us be faithful in keeping the commandments of the Lord."

As I've read, the thought has come to me that there is a huge difference between keeping the commandments, and being faithful in keeping the commandments of the lord.

Laman and Lemual did return to Jeruselem for the brass plates, thus "keeping the commandments of the Lord," just as Nephi did. But, Nephi was faithful in the process. He had no doubts that the Lord would provide that they accomplish His command. Laman and Lemuel continually murmured, and doubted, and questioned the Lord and the task at hand.

Do I lazily keep the commandments, or am I "faithful in keeping the commandments of God?"

Do I seek to understand, or just complain?

2009-09-13T18:03:00.000-07:00

1 Nephi 2:12 -- "...And they did murmur because they knew not the dealings of that God who had created them."

Laman and Lemuel complained because they didn't have an understanding of God's purposes for sending them into the wilderness. But, did they seek to understand, or fight against the will of God?

1 Nephi 2:16 -- "...And also having great desires to know of the mysteries of God, wherefore, I did cry unto the Lord; and behold, He did visit me, and did soften my heart that I did believe all the words which had been spoken by my father; wherefore, I did not rebel against him like unto my brothers."

Nephi didn't always fully understand the will of God, just like his brothers Laman and Lemuel. But, rather than murmuring, Nephi sought to understand and was visited and taught from on high, receiving power and strength physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually, to move forward in his trials.

Judged according to righteousness

2009-09-13T17:55:00.000-07:00

Mosiah 3:4 -- "For the Lord hath heard thy prayers, and hath judged of thy righteousness..."

This is a simple verse with a lot of meaning. Meaning that can, and has been skipped over a lot. Meaning that can only be taught by the spirit when the reader is in need.

As I read this, I felt as though the Lord always judges us of our righteousness first. The angel in this verse could have said "and the Lord hath judged thee..." But, he said "the Lord hath judged thee of thy righteousness," and the Lord grants us things according to our righteousness. He knows that through The Atonement, all unrighteousness is washed away, and if we are having faith, and striving to do what is right, the Lord will judge us according to our righteousness and righteous desires.

Fortunately, God is an optimist, and will say at that great day "look at all these wonderful things you have done, and where you lacked, my Son has made the difference" rather than "look at all these terrible things you've done, good thing I sent a Savior."

I know God judges us according to our righteousness as I feel His blessings everyday. IF we were judged according to our failures, shortcomings, and faults, we would greatly lack the blessings that we need on a daily basis in order to survive spiritually. Because we are judged according to our righteousness, as the Angel states in his counsel to King Benjamin, the Lord blesses us accordingly. And, as we strive to do what is right and true, the Atonement of Christ makes up the difference.

Caring too much...

2009-07-11T14:17:00.000-07:00

When it comes to the big things in life, I'm so relaxed. It's easy to make a decision, and just go with it. It's easy to say "things will work out. But, it's the daily grind that gets me.

"By small and simple things, great things are brought to pass..."

The scenario is similar with the opposite. Small and simple things can also be very destructive, and painful. At first, it's easy to shrug it off, but after time, it wears you away.

I'm trying to remember this so that my actions can fall under the "...great things are brought to pass" category, rather than the latter, so that I can be more of a blessing than a burden to those around me.

I'm also trying not to care so much about the little things, and be understanding, because I know people aren't out to get me. Life isn't trying to be hard. People don't always mean what they say, especially in a tense moment. It is in our natural ability, being children of God, to love and to serve and to bless. Life is hard enough when you are positive and learn to be understanding, and not worry or care too much about the little things that aren't always so perfect.

Smile, be excited, have an eternal perspective, share a love for God, be positive, laugh.

Another aspect to the topic is remembering the Savior. He suffered even the biggest things in life, and more... But of all the things he suffered, I know he suffered the "daily grind" as well, so that we can be happy every day.

Favorites of the Photo's I've Taken.

2009-06-22T13:44:00.000-07:00

"Nantucket Harbor"

"Boston City Streets"

"Prickly Flowers"

"Sunset At The Cape"

Ben: "Think you can handle it?"
Ethan: "Yeah, I got this..."

"Up and Around"

"Boston Temple"

"My Boston"

"The Fall in Mass"

Talk given June 14th, 2009

2009-06-21T19:56:00.000-07:00

The Topic was "Provident Temporal Providers."

I'll be honest, I don't know much about provident temporal providing, which is the topic assigned for today. So, to better understand the topic, I looked up both provident, and temporal in the dictionary.

Provident: "Having, or showing foresight; providing carefully for the future."

Temporal: "Of, or pertaining to time. Pertaining to or concerned with the present life or this world."

If provident living is providing for the future, then I'm only learning that lesson now. And I seem to have been taken well care of temporally by family so far in my life. I don't have a mortgage, or even a car payment. I'm not married, and I don't have any kids. But, in the last couple years I've been able to observe, and learn about a topic, that if understood, will be the foundation upon which all decisions and preparation for the future will be based upon.
President Boyd K. Packer stated: "True doctrine, understood, changes attitudes and behavior. The study of the doctrine of the gospel will improve behavior quicker than a study of behavior will improve behavior."
God, as recorded in Doctrine and Covenants 29 vs. 31-35, stated to Joseph Smith, "For by the power of my spirit created I them; yea, all things both spiritual and temporal - First spiritual, secondly temporal, which is the beginning of my work; and again first temporal, then spiritual which is the last of my work - speaking unto you that may naturally understand; but unto myself, my works have no end, neither beginning; but it is given unto you that ye may understand, because ye have asked it of me and are agreed. Wherefore, verily I say unto you that all things unto me are spiritual, and not at any time have I given unto you a law which was temporal; neither any man, nor the children of men; neither Adam, your father whom I have created. Behold, I gave unto him that he should be an agent unto himself, and I gave unto him commandment, but no temporal commandment gave I unto him, for my commandments are spiritual; they are not natural nor temporal, neither carnal nor sensual."
I believe and testify that all things are spiritual unto God, and if we understand spiritual matters and keep all commandments on a spiritual level, then we will be given guidance, and all things temporal, that are unavoidable pertaining to this life, will be taken care of.
Going back to President Packer's statement: "True doctrine understood, changes attitudes and behavior. The study of the doctrines of the gospel will improve behavior quicker than a study of behavior will improve behavior."
Let me give a small example of what I am trying to portray. When I was younger, I would come home from church singing songs like "I looked out the window and what did I see? Popcorn popping on the apricot tree!" Or, "head shoulders knees and toes," or "Book of Mormon stories that my teacher tells to me." All of which are good songs for kids. Occasionally I would come back singing something like "I love to see the Temple."
I have never seen popcorn on trees, and obviously head shoulders knees and toes did nothing to prepare me for the future, being that I've torn ligiments in my left knee three times, and my right knee twice, sprained both ankles five times each, fractured wrists, dislocated shoulders, had fallen arches twice in both feet, and have had a few minor concussions. But, I do love the temple so very much, and I still find myself singing "I love to see the Temple," and I try to make it there every week.
Things are changing little by little over the years now, and my youngest brother Ethan now comes home from church singing "How firm a Foundation." True doctrine understood not only changes attitudes and behaviors, but can greatly prevent certain behaviors as well, and help prepare us for the future. Being taught such true and eternally significant doctrines through song, I know, is preparing Ethan for the future.
Elder David A. Bednar of the Twelve Apostles recently spoke to mission presidents in the eastern states about this topic. After quoting President Packer's statement, he then asked the mission presidents to list al of the problems they were having in their respective areas. Many of such problems were "temporal." After listing the issues, he asked the mission presidents: "What doctrine, if understood..." would change these problems.
He spoke of three overlying doctrines: Agency, The Godhead, and The Atonement. Every other doctrine of the church can fit under these three overlying doctrines.
Again, I believe and testify that understanding these true doctrines will prepare us spiritually, so that all things temporal may be handled in the way God would have it.
Understanding the true doctrine of agency, I am more inclined to make a spiritually based decision in looking for a job, to provide for my temporal needs, knowing that using that agency to be and work in a place where God would have me will not only help me provide temporally, but allow spiritual growth to occur.
Understanding the Godhead, and God's true nature and love will help me understand and know that I can face the temporal trials of life because I know that "If God be fore [me], who can be against [me]?" (Romans 8:31)
Understanding the Atonement will not only give me spiritual strength and faith, but I will know it can heal me physically, and emotionally, and I will know that it isn't just a cleansing agent, but a gift to empower us.
These are just a few examples of every day principles that understanding true doctrine will help us through, and such things can be said with any doctrine of the gospel.
These things may not usually be discussed when speaking under the topic of "Provident Temporal Providing," but if provident does mean preparing for the future, and if temporal means things pertaining to thise life... Then understanding true doctrine is the only thing that can really help us understand why we must do, and deal with the temporal things, and ease the stresses that come along with them.
Understanding true doctrine will give us an eternal perspective of why we must do the small things. Paul said to the Corinthians "Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one recieveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now, they (speaking of the world) do it to obtain a corruptable crown; but we (speaking of those who understand true doctrine) an incorruptable. I therefore so run, not as uncertainty; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air."
Such an eternal perspective, given by understanding truth, will open the doors to recieve revelation, which, in turn, will help us to provide providently and temporally.
These things I know are true because of the whitness of the Spirit, and I pray that we can help eachother to understand truth and not shy away from it, that we may al be prepared at the time of his coming. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Mother's Day Talk

2009-06-21T18:46:00.000-07:00

Today is an especially wonderful mother's day because my grandmother, whom we call "Grami," at 8:04 this morning was taken home to that God who gave her life, to preliminary judgment, to be sent to Spirit Paradise, to rest from all her cares and sorrows, until the resurrection. Ha, maybe now she can be one of my angels that records my actions in Heaven. That would be particularly great for me, because she's always given me a little leeway throughout my life.
I remember a time when I was younger, we were staying with Grami and Grandpa JAck in their cabin in Pine Valley, UT. There was a big pile of rocks and dirt clauds, that, for some reason, I felt needed to be broken up. So, I took my Grandpa's garden hoe and commenced my work on the pile. When I was finished, I left the hoe there and went on to another project. A few minutes later, Grandpa Jack came walking over to me, fairly upset, and in a ver frustrated tone, asked me why I had broken and bent his hoe. Everyone knew it was me because they had been watching out the window the whole time. But then, Grami came out, put her arm around me and pointed her finger at Grandpa and said very sternly, "It wasn't him Jack! He didn't do anything!"
Grami seemed to be able to get whatever she watned. I remember a fairly recent story where she parked in a place she shouldn't have and got a ticket. She went to court and batted her eyes a little and smiled, and the judge looked at the police officer and said, "If this beautiful woman wants to park there, she can park there!" And dismissed her ticket.
So, I'm glad she's on my side. And, I'm glad she's resting in paradise for a time.
Jacob describes, in his rebuke to the wicked Nephite men, the character of women, when he says: "And it also grieveth me that I must use so much boldness of speach concerning you, before you wives and your children, many of whose feelings are exceedingly tender and chaste and delicate before God, which thing is pleasing unto God." (Jacob 2:7)
In reading this, the word "tender" particularly stands out in my mind, and helps me reflect on the talk, given by Elder David A. Bednar, entitled: "The Tender Merchies of the Lord." It's been a while since I've read it, but I always walk away from it feeling that the tener mercies of the Lord are those individuals placed on our path of life, to bring us closer to Christ.
1 Nephi 1:20 says "...The tender mercies of the Lord are over all those whom He hat hchosen..."
Jacob's description has further enlightened me to understand, and believe, and I feel Elder Bednar would agree, that the "Tender Mercies" in our lives are the beautiful, tender, chaste, and delicate women in our lives that touch our lives for good.
Joseph Smith stated, "It is natural for females to have feelings of charity and benevolence. You are now placed in a situation in which you can act according to those sympathies which God has planted in your bosoms."
One thing unique to mothers is they are constantly serving, 24/7. There is never a moment when they are not thinking of, taking care of, or blessing the lives of their children, except maybe when they're sleeping. But, even then, they are alert for any prompting of the Spirity concerning someone in their families.
One of my favorite scriptures, Mosiah 5, vs. 13 states: "How knoweth a man the Master whom he has not served and who is far from the thoughts and intents of his heart?" We learn here, that in order for one to know, not just know about, but know the master, you must be in the service of God. Mothers, who constantly serve God by serving His children, know God, and are closer to Him then I will ever understand.
Knowing God empowers them to be the Tender Mercies that they are in our lives, and bring us closer to God.
I would like to share the words of a hymn that can be somewhat depressing, but its message is true and important doctrine. Hymn 293 - "Each Life That Touches Ours for Good."

Each life that touches ours for good
Reflects thine own great mercy Lord
Thou sendest blessings from above
Through words and deeds of those who love

What greater gift doest thou bestow
What greater goodness can we know
Than Christlike friends who's gentle ways
Strengthen our faith, enrich our days

When such a friend from us departs
We hold forever in our hearts
A sweet and hallowed memory
Bringing us nearer, Lord, to thee

For worthy friends who's lives proclaim
Devotion to the Savior's name
Who bless our days with peace and love
We praise thy goodness, Lord, above.

I testify of the role of womanhood, and most especially motherhood, and its importance in the lives of all of God's children. The love I have for my mother is unspeakable, and it does not suffice to say I love her, but I have no other words.
I am so grateful for all the women in my life whose tender, chaste, and delicate lives touch mine for good and reflect the love of the Savior.
I testify that He lives and will continue to pour out tender mercies upon us if we will be grateful, and seek after truth. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Understanding

2009-05-23T17:03:00.000-07:00

"... for the Lord God giveth light unto the understanding..." (2 Nephi 31:3)

That one liner kinda needs to be taken out of context for it to mean what I understand it to mean. I read this one morning during personal study on my mission, and these thoughts came to me:

The Lord gives further light and knowledge unto those who are understanding.

Often times it's very easy for us to make a judgment based upon what we can see, or what is very obvious. But, seeking to understand, or be understanding toward someone will often allow us to see past the surface and see the other elements that come into play in a person's joy, happiness, and well being: the emotional, spiritual, mental, and social.

It's easy to put on a smile, we all do it, all the time, despite what we may be thinking, or feeling emotionally, or spiritually. The outside then says "I'm happy! See! I'm smiling!" While it's possible to, at the same time, be saying on the inside "I'm unhappy!..." etc.

Back to the "understanding." I feel that if we are constantly seeking to understand God, and His plan, and His doctrine, and His purpose, then the Lord can enlighten our understanding of truth. Understanding truth then gives us an understanding of who we are, which in turn allows us to have charity and love toward one another. Having such characteristics allows us to feel what others feel, and see them as God does... We then have the opportunity to be one who is understanding of others, and bless their lives... In small and large ways.