Cool Read

I know it's been a while since I posted here...and I do plan to get back on track very soon. In fact, Sunday night I almost wrote a post about home teaching - and plan to act on that prompting in the very near future.

But in the mean time, I thought I would bend the parameters of this blog ever so slightly by posting about a story I read that I quite enjoyed. It's the best melding of science fiction and an LDS setting that I have ever seen.

It's by Eric James Stone...check it out here.

Intelligent Life Named #1 Religion Blog of 2012

Today, this blog was named the #1 religion blog of 2012 by Theology Degrees Online. Thanks! I appreciate the recognition, and continue to hope people find what they are looking for here.

I know I haven't been very diligent lately (that is, not posting much), but I promise to get back to it. I do love sharing my testimony here, and appreciate my readers.

I guess this is one of those cases of quality over quantity, eh?  :)

Home Teaching & Visiting Teaching: Letting Love Change Your Heart

“As I have fulfilled my assignment regarding you, fulfill your assignments regarding one another.”

You’re right – that’s NOT how the hymn goes.  That’s also not how John 13:34 reads – the scripture upon which that hymn is directly based.  Doesn’t quite have the same spirit the way I sung it, does it?

Unfortunately, many of us in the Church regard home and visiting teaching as nothing more than an assignment to be reluctantly fulfilled – another item on our seemingly-endless to-do list that we begrudge doing.  But it’s actually a critical component of our covenant obligation to love one another – a covenant we took upon ourselves at baptism.

When we are baptized, we promise to keep God’s commandments, and God promises to bless us – particularly, He will bless us with His Spirit.  More specifically, the covenant we make is one in which we agree (for our end of the contract), to “bear one another’s burdens, that they may be light…and…mourn with those that mourn…and comfort those that stand in need of comfort, and…stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places that ye may be in, even until death, that ye may be redeemed of God...” (1)

Those things – bearing one another’s burdens, mourning together, comforting one another, and standing as witnesses of God at all times and in all places – those are not mere assignments from earthly leaders.  Those are promises to God that inherently require us to love one another.  They cannot be done effectively without love, and there is not much motivation (beyond a sense of duty) to do those things unless prompted by love.

Elder Dallin H. Oaks taught us about six different motivations for giving service; including selfishly seeking reward, a sense of duty, and fear of punishment.  The highest of the motivations of which he spoke was love. (2)

So, how do we come to love those people who we are asked to home teach and visiting teach?  The kind of love expected of us by the Savior cannot simply spring into existence in our hearts by looking at a list of names on a slip of paper we’ve been handed by our Elders Quorum President or Relief Society President, and then stuck on our refrigerator.  But those names do represent real people – our brothers and sisters in Christ.  Our neighbors.  Why should we value those names – those people?

“Remember the worth of souls is great in the sight of God; for, behold, the Lord your Redeemer suffered death in the flesh; wherefore he suffered the pain of all men, that all men might repent and come unto him.  And he hath risen again from the dead, that he might bring all men unto him, on conditions of repentance.  And how great is his joy in the soul that repenteth! Wherefore, you are called to cry repentance unto this people. And if it so be that you should labor all your days in crying repentance unto this people, and bring, save it be one soul unto me, how great shall be your joy with him in the kingdom of my Father! And now, if your joy will be great with one soul that you have brought unto me into the kingdom of my Father, how great will be your joy if you should bring many souls unto me! Behold, you have my gospel before you, and my rock, and my salvation. Ask the Father in my name, in faith believing that you shall receive, and you shall have the Holy Ghost, which manifesteth all things which are expedient unto the children of men.” (3)

This brings to mind a couple of thoughts.  First, every soul is precious to God, even more than our own children are to us.  I think we all know that, intellectually.  But how can we make each soul precious to us?  How do we come to actually love others?  Think about your own relationships – the people you love.  Certainly, spending some time with those people plays an important role in developing love for them.  You come to get to know them over time and exposure to them – you begin to care about them more and more deeply, and have desires for their welfare.  The same is true when you home teach and visiting teach.

Second, I notice that at the end of that scripture quote, the Lord says that if you ask for help, you’ll get it!  He’ll send the Holy Ghost to help you know how best to proceed.  That’s a priceless promise and a glorious gift.  You need never worry about what to say or how to make your visits “work.”  Bringing the Spirit with you is all you need to concern yourself with.

Now, as with any principle of the gospel, you cannot gain a testimony of home teaching and visiting teaching in any other way but to do it.  You can hear your leaders each week offer the obligatory admonition to “get it done,” but those words alone will never convince you.

What’s required is a change of heart.

It is my hope that the Spirit of the Lord will work in your heart and help make any changes to your heart that may be necessary to instill in you an unwavering testimony of home teaching and visiting teaching.  Or at least stir your heart that you may take those first steps toward gaining a testimony – that is, to go try it for yourself over a period of time, until you do have that testimony.

Alma pointed out that nothing had a more profound effect on influencing people’s behavior than the word of God: “The preaching of the word had a great tendency to lead the people to do that which was just — yea, it had had more powerful effect upon the minds of the people than the sword, or anything else, which had happened unto them — therefore Alma thought it was expedient that they should try the virtue of the word of God.” (4)

So do I – that’s why I love to quote the scriptures.  Here are a few relevant ones:

“Verily I say unto you, inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.” (5)

“Verily I say, men should be anxiously engaged in a good cause, and do many things of their own free will, and bring to pass much righteousness.” (6)

“Master, which is the great commandment in the law?  Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.  This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.” (7)

“When ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God.”  (8)

“If ye love me, keep my commandments.” (9)

“Feed my lambs. … Feed my sheep. … Feed my sheep.”  (10)

“When thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.” (11)

“Behold, the Lord requireth the heart and a willing mind; and the willing and obedient shall eat the good of the land of Zion in these last days.” (12)

“Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.” (13)

“Wherefore, my beloved brethren, pray unto the Father with all the energy of heart, that ye may be filled with this love, which he hath bestowed upon all who are true followers of his Son, Jesus Christ.” (14)

We know that actually living a gospel principle is the most effective way to gain and grow a testimony of that principle, so my object today is to just influence you to “give it a try” for a few months.  No, a single visit will not be sufficient – only a few consistent months of regular, faithful home teaching and visiting teaching experiences will be enough to truly get the testimony of it rooted in your heart.  Going out once just because we’re having a one-off “contest” or other gimmick is great, but it has about the same effect as going on a diet for “one week only” or working out for “one month only” – no lasting change takes place.  Trust me on that one.

If you really want to gain a testimony of this vital aspect of discipleship, I encourage you to pray about it with real intent, ask Heavenly Father to touch your heart.  Study the scriptures and seek your answers.  Go to the temple and ponder it while you’re there.  Fast about it.  Prepare your heart to carefully listen for the promptings of the Spirit by living worthily – and you will receive those promptings.  And then you will have the necessary desire to do His will – then you’ll commit to being a 100% home or visiting teacher for the rest of your life.

Sister Julie B. Beck said, “Visiting teaching becomes the Lord’s work when our focus is on people rather than percentages. In reality, visiting teaching is never finished. It is more a way of life than a task.” (15)

I believe the same words can be applied to home teaching.

Now, not to take away anything from visiting teaching, as we all know it is a vital component of the ministering to the needs of the ward members; but I want to focus a moment on home teaching, since it differs in some ways from visiting teaching.  And I’m not just talking about the delicious treats.

One important distinction is that home teaching is a priesthood duty.  We men who have the great privilege of holding the priesthood of God are under a solemn obligation to accept the calling to home teach and then to magnify that calling.  “Wherefore, now let every man learn his duty, and to act in the office in which he is appointed, in all diligence.” (16)

The oath and covenant of the priesthood states that “whoso is faithful unto the obtaining these two priesthoods of which I have spoken, and the magnifying their calling, are sanctified by the Spirit unto the renewing of their bodies.” (17)  That’s a pretty awesome promise.

In the revelation found in D&C 20, we are commanded to “visit the house of each member, and exhort them to pray vocally and in secret and attend to all family duties.”  We’re also instructed to “visit the house of each member, exhorting them to pray vocally and in secret and attend to all family duties.” (18)  Yes, the Lord said it twice – either it was a mistake, or it was very important.  I’m going with option two.

Further, priesthood holders are commanded to “warn, expound, exhort, and teach, and invite all to come unto Christ.” (19)

If someone warned you that a dangerous storm was coming, once your family was sheltered, would you not also warn your neighbors?  A storm is coming – a spiritual storm, from which only the gospel can provide the necessary protection.  The Lord said, “Behold, I sent you out to testify and warn the people, and it becometh every man who hath been warned to warn his neighbor.”  I think it’s safe to say we have all been warned.  We should use our priesthood to warn others. (20)

Elder David A. Bednar spoke on priesthood power in the most recent general conference priesthood session.  He said, “Men who hold the priesthood are not inherently better than other men, but they should act differently. Men who hold the priesthood should not only receive priesthood authority but also become worthy and faithful conduits of God’s power. ... Receiving the authority of the priesthood by the laying on of hands is an important beginning, but it is not enough. Ordination confers authority, but righteousness is required to act with power as we strive to lift souls, to teach and testify, to bless and counsel, and to advance the work of salvation. In this momentous season of the earth’s history, you and I as bearers of the priesthood need to be righteous men and effective instruments in the hands of God. We need to rise up as men of God.” (21)

I testify that one of the most effective and profound ways we can use this power, on a regular and ongoing basis to lift souls, to teach and testify, to bless and counsel, and to advance the work of salvation – right here in our own neighborhood – is by choosing to become 100% home teachers every month.  

As a wise leader once explained to me: since you’ll be a priesthood holder for the rest of your life, it makes sense to commit now to be a 100% home teacher for the rest of your life.  It’s not going away, brethren!  Think how much more pleasant it will be each month when it’s time to report your home teaching, to be able to always confidently report “100 percent” and provide an update on the well-being of your families!

Returning to my opening remarks, I do believe it all comes back to love.

In 1840, the Prophet Joseph Smith sent an epistle to the Twelve wherein he taught that “love is one of the chief characteristics of Deity, and ought to be manifested by those who aspire to be the sons of God. A man filled with the love of God, is not content with blessing his family alone, but ranges through the whole world, anxious to bless the whole human race.” (22)

Well, “ranging through the whole world” can begin right in your own ward – through the inspired program of home teaching. 

As I count my blessings, I am humbled.  That humility drives in me a desire to somehow show my gratitude by doing my Father’s will.  I fall short so often, and in so many ways.  But I figure one easy way to show my gratitude is to try to bring the Spirit to the families I home teach. 

I don’t even like the phrase “do my home teaching.”  It sounds like such an arduous task when put that way!  And it removes important components such as “people” and “souls” and “love” from the equation.  I “do the dishes” or “do the laundry” or “do the yard work.”  Home teaching is different.  If I had my way, we’d never again tell the brethren to “do their home teaching.”  Instead we’d say “go and love the souls the Lord has commanded you to love.”  Put that way, who would shirk?  The power of words is phenomenal.

Elder Wirthlin said, “Love is the beginning, the middle, and the end of the pathway of discipleship. It comforts, counsels, cures, and consoles. It leads us through valleys of darkness and through the veil of death. In the end love leads us to the glory and grandeur of eternal life. For me, the Prophet Joseph Smith has always exemplified the pure love of Christ. Many asked why he gained so many followers and retained them. His answer: ‘It is because I possess the principle of love.’” (23)

If we possess the principle of love, we will have a true, unwavering desire to “do our home and visiting teaching.”  Or, as I prefer to phrase it, we will want to “go and love the souls the Lord has commanded us to love.”

Why are we here in this life, if not to love and serve others, and thereby learn to be more like Jesus Christ?  Laying aside the blessings we can provide others, why would we choose to deprive ourselves of the blessings that come from service and from teaching and testifying of truth, and of magnifying our priesthood – of loving others?  Why would we not do something easy that helps us become more like the Savior?  Alma warned, "Do not let us be slothful because of the easiness of the way." (24)

And visiting a neighbor really is an easy – even a “small” thing, but one that can have miraculous impact.  “By small and simple things are great things brought to pass; and small means in many instances doth confound the wise.  And the Lord God doth work by means to bring about his great and eternal purposes; and by very small means the Lord doth confound the wise and bringeth about the salvation of many souls.” (25)

Now, I could stand here and give you suggestions for how to set up appointments with your families – such as the benefits of establishing a standing monthly appointment . . . or I could explain the best ways to minister to your families, such as praying with your companion before the visits; or using the First Presidency message from the Ensign for some people, or tailoring your message to the specific needs of each family you visit – even contacting the father of the family in advance to find out if there’s a subject he would like addressed – these are all great methods.  But the how won’t really matter if the commitment to do it is not rooted in your heart.  Once that desire is there, and the commitment made, then all the rest of the details will fall into place as you are guided by the Spirit.

So instead of telling you how to do it, I’d like to just share a couple of my own experiences.  I’ve gotten to know and love some great families from home teaching over the years.  There were some families where it was clear they were doing great – strong in the gospel, active members who faithfully magnified their own callings – and from those families I feel I was the one who gained something by visiting them.  Then there were some other families – less active, or just struggling spiritually – for whom I think my monthly visits were (for them) a rare opportunity to feel the spirit in their home – and I felt honored to be the one to bring that spirit to them.  I know I was an instrument to help make a difference. 

I’ve established friendships through home teaching where I feel I was really able to have an impact in people’s lives.  Recently, I reconnected through Facebook with a guy whose family I home taught several years ago.  One of the first things he wrote to me was that he has, as a result of what I taught him through precept and example, maintained his own home teaching record of 100 percent over the past few years.  I found that heartwarming, just because it means that many other families were blessed by his faithfulness, and I had the blessing of playing some small role in his decision to serve. 

And we’ve all heard stories of families reactivated as a result of faithful home teachers – and how it positively affected generations that followed.  Those stories are real, and I believe they are less rare than you may think.  Likewise, a missed opportunity can have negative effects across generations.  President John Taylor warned, “If you do not magnify your callings, God will hold you responsible for those whom you might have saved had you done your duty.” (26) That would be a heavy burden to bear.

When we love others, we are made better people, and become more Christlike.

President Monson said, “Love is the catalyst that causes change.” (27) Home teaching and visiting teaching is an act of love.  I challenge you to commit immediately to becoming a 100 percent home or visiting teacher.  If you don’t feel the desire right now, look into your own heart, pray, fast, go to the temple, ponder the scriptures, receive a prompting and then act upon it and make that commitment.  Imagine what a transformation we could have in our ward, in our community. 

Our stake’s current average sacrament attendance is about 48% of the membership.  Think what a difference you can make by loving your neighbors and making church the place that they want to be on Sundays.  Your efforts may not “pay off” immediately – it could take years, and you may not even get to witness the results for yourself.  But know this: no good deed is ever in vain.  It is always worthwhile to love one another.  The Lord does not give useless commandments.  And as we know from Nephi, “the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them.” (28)

In March, in  my ward, there were 40 families who did not get a home teaching visit.  That’s almost as many families as were in attendance at sacrament today.  

As Ward Mission Leader, I have put an emphasis on home teaching as a part of our missionary responsibility – to bring back the one sheep to the ninety-and-nine in the fold – everyone, even the most faithful member – even our good bishop’s family – needs to have home teachers and visiting teachers visiting regularly. Even if our sacrament attendance were 100% - home teaching would not stop. It can help strengthen us all, and then KEEP us strong.

President Monson said, "I believe the Savior is telling us that unless we lose ourselves in service to others, there is little purpose to our own lives. Those who live only for themselves eventually shrivel up and figuratively lose their lives, while those who lose themselves in service to others grow and flourish — and in effect save their lives." (29)

So, with all that said, I offer two final scriptures: “And now, as I said unto you before, as ye have had so many witnesses, therefore, I beseech of you that ye do not procrastinate the day of your repentance.” (30)

“Choose you this day whom ye will serve...as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” (31) 

I testify that God loves each of us individually, and He will bless us as we go out and love others through our dedicated service of home teaching and visiting teaching. 

“As I have LOVED you . . . LOVE one another.”

In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

(1)      Mosiah18:8-11

(2)      See Elder Dallin H. Oaks, “Why Do We Serve?” October 1984 General Conference

(3)      D&C 18:10-18

(4)      Alma 31:5

(5)      Matthew 25:40

(6)      D&C 58:27

(7)      Matthew 22:36-40

(8)      Mosiah 2:17

(9)      John 14:15

(10)    John 21:15–17

(11)    Luke 22:32

(12)    D&C 64:34

(13)    2Cor. 9:6–7

(14)    Moroni 7:48

(15)    JulieB. Beck, “Relief Society: A Sacred Work”October 2009 General Conference

(16)    D&C 107:99

(17)    D&C 84:33

(18)    D&C 20: 47, 51

(19)    D&C 20:59

(20)   D&C 88:81

(21)    Elder David A. Bednar, “The Powers of Heaven,”April 2012 General Conference

(22)    Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin, “The Great Commandment,” October 2007 General Conference

(23)    ibid.

(24)    Alma 37:46

(25)    Alma 37:6-7

(26)    President John Taylor, Deseret News: Semi-Weekly,6 Aug. 1878, 1.

(27)    President Thomas S. Monson, “A Doorway Called Love,” October 1987 General Conference

(28)    1Nephi 3:7

(29)    President Thomas S. Monson, "What Have I Done for Someone Today," October 2009 General Conference

(30)    Alma 34:33

(31)    Joshua 24:15

A Shout Out to Our New Sponsor

More meaty doctrinal posts are on the way . . . I hope to write some before the year is out.

Meanwhile, I wanted to let you know about my friends at Mormon Market. This great company is doing its best to put out family-friendly LDS-themed products.  They have, for instance, a cute electronic keyboard for kids that helps them learn Primary songs, and cute "I am a Child of God" teddy bears.  Some fun FHE type stuff.  Head over there and check it out and support a company that's striving to make the world a little better.  And when you do . . . use the coupon code Mosiah 2 and get 15% off at the checkout.  Thanks!

Like I said . . . more posts to come . . .

Believing is Doing

Can a person have a testimony of a doctrine and not live it?  Conversely, can a person not live a doctrine and still have a testimony of it?  I suppose the question really comes down to (as so many seem to) a matter of definitions.  That is, is a testimony an all-or-nothing thing?  Is it binary, like a light switch?  Can you only be "a little bit" pregnant?  Only mostly dead?

A testimony is indeed something that can grow, like that mustard seed - so I suppose it is not binary (though it does need to start somewhere).  However, the real crux of my first two questions above is: what is the result (or inevitable destiny) of a testimony which is not "lived"?  We know that it is like a foreign language (or many other skills) - "use it or lose it."

The question originally popped into my head during Elders Quorum today.  The particular subject was that of genealogy (that is, "doing the work" for the dead).  I have a testimony of that sacred duty; however, it has been a while since I actually DID anything about it (that is, set aside time to do the necessary research) that I felt a certain shame in saying to myself that I had a testimony of it.  For, I reasoned, if I really had a testimony of it, I would be acting upon it, would I not?  I act upon all the other things of which I have a testimony, don't I?  Then I got to thinking, and in a cross between honest self-assessment and over-self-criticism, I wondered how I can claim to have a testimony of something like, say, charity - which I feel I don't do a very good job of acting upon.

Maybe it is too harsh to say that a lack of constant and perfect action regarding a particular doctrine is evidence of a lack of testimony of it, but it does bear consideration that failure to act can and does lead to a withering of testimony (which can become a vicious circle).  Don't get me wrong, I have no doubts about the truth of any Gospel principle, only doubts in my own choices from time to time.  I know I need to do better in many areas (don't we all?), but I am reminded that Joseph Smith said (in Lectures on Faith) that faith is a principle of action.  Thus, in order to increase faith (testimony), we must act upon those beliefs we hold.

So, lest I forget the incredibly powerful feelings I experienced when I did the temple work for my family members (I've done the first 9 closest relatives in my family), I really need to prioritize doing more.  I hope I can apply that motivation to all of the areas where I fall short.

The Book of Mormon

I know, I know.

I get an award for my blog, then virtually abandon it.  Sorry.

I have just been crazy busy for the past few . . . months.  But I do intend to get back to this.  Soon.

Meanwhile, I want to provide this awesome link.

And this awesome video.  It speaks for itself quite well.

I add my testimony to the wonderful Elder Holland's: the book is true, the book is of God, the book will change your life (eternally!) if you read it and pray about it with a sincere heart and faith in Jesus Christ.

General Conference - one of my favorite things!

The following is a refreshing of a post from a couple of years ago . . .

I am a HUGE lover of Conference. In fact, I am very particular about making sure not to miss any part of this twice-a-year event.

Each General Conference consists of five two-hour sessions: Saturday morning, Saturday afternoon, Sunday morning, Sunday afternoon, and a special Saturday evening session for the Priesthood holders of the Church. (There is also a special session for the women of the Church the week prior.)

Ten hours of church in one weekend? Yep, and I truly relish every minute of it.

Twice a year, I get the opportunity to listen to the prophets of the Lord present amazing, powerful, important, loving messages to the Church. This is a chance to hear from Apostles of the Lord Jesus Christ; to hear what is needed for the church membership to know for the next six months. And there is always such beautiful, uplifting music provided by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir.

Since I joined the church I have always held these Conferences sacred, and so appreciate the opportunity to be able to watch and listen to them. And I have even been so blessed as to have been able to attend General Conference in person a couple of times over the years.

The month following General Conference, the Church magazine, Ensign, collates all the talks from Conference into one convenient resource. This is great, since it is always edifying to read and re-read the Conference talks, refresh one's memory, or fill in blanks where you may have been distracted or sleepy. It's also a great resource for developing lessons and talks that you give in church during the following few months (or any time thereafter). Of course, all these resources are also available online these days, which is another great blessing.

I love hearing from the living Prophet. I love knowing what the Lord wants me to know in a contemporary setting. Not only can I look to the ancient scriptures for guidance, but I know that the Lord loves me and wants what is best for me here and now, and will not leave me alone without ongoing guidance. General Conference provides that ongoing guidance, and if we listen to the wonderful lessons taught, we can become better people, learning to serve others, make good choices, and prepare ourselves for what is ahead.

As was quoted twice so far in talks this weekend, President Ezra Taft Benson stated in a 1980 talk the following two points (from a list of 14 points) that I think are highly relevant to the importance of paying close attention to General Conference:

1) The living prophet is more vital to us than the standard works.
2) The living prophet is more important to us than a dead prophet.

That is an unequivocal, powerful admonition to "Come Listen to a Prophet's Voice" - if ever there was one.

General Conference has truly been a blessing in my life, and I encourage all to spend time reading, listening to, or watching the excellent talks - now, and over the next six months.

A Hug on the Street

The following is something I wrote in 2006.

It's about charity.

I hope it touches your heart.

_____________________

When I first started my new job in downtown Salt Lake City, along my walk to the bus stop I found myself frequently approached by homeless people asking for money. At first, I would just continue on my hurried way to the bus stop, rationalizing to myself that I could not stop and give cash to every person on the street who asked me. I’d given to folks on the street in the past, but now that I was working downtown, I decided to walk on every time or I’d always be giving out money.

After a couple of weeks of these solicitations, a scripture came to my mind as I was on my way to catch my homebound bus. The words of Alma pointedly struck my mind and heart:

“… if ye turn away the needy, and the naked, and visit not the sick and afflicted, and impart of your substance, if ye have, to those who stand in need—I say unto you, if ye do not any of these things, behold, your prayer is vain, and availeth you nothing, and ye are as hypocrites who do deny the faith.” (Alma 34:28)

The thought of my prayers being in vain, due to my selfishness on the city streets, gave me pause. As I continued walking, I thought of another scripture on the same subject, which says:

“And also, ye yourselves will succor those that stand in need of your succor; ye will administer of your substance unto him that standeth in need; and ye will not suffer that the beggar putteth up his petition to you in vain, and turn him out to perish…
And if ye judge the man who putteth up his petition to you for your substance that he perish not, and condemn him, how much more just will be your condemnation for withholding your substance, which doth not belong to you but to God, to whom also your life belongeth; and yet ye put up no petition, nor repent of the thing which thou hast done.” (Mosiah 4:16, 22)

Certainly I had judged these individuals in my heart, as part of my rationalization process. If they want to get out of this situation, they’ll get a job. If I give them money, they’ll probably just spend it on drugs, alcohol, or cigarettes. I don’t want to enable their addictions. In my desire to remain in my comfort zone, and do only what was convenient for me, I was judging and condemning them. They had put up their petition to me in vain—and I would be held accountable for that.

As my heart began to change, my next thought was: How much do I give? To how many do I give? I have a family to support—how much of my income do I reserve for supporting these strangers? The answer came as I discussed the issue with my wife. We decided that a dollar or two to each person who asks was not going to break us. We acknowledged that we waste money on impulsive, unnecessary purchases often enough. To give a small portion of our abundance to those who have so little would not be an imposition on our family. And my wife reminded me that it has been said that we will be blessed for giving to the poor, regardless of how the recipient uses his agency with the money we give.

From that point on, instead of making sure I had no cash in my wallet (a ploy I’d been using so that I could honestly tell beseechers I had nothing to give them), I decided that if I did have some cash, I’d keep it with me, in the form of a few single dollar bills. Whenever asked by someone on the street, I would give a couple of dollars.

A few months went by and it had been a while since I’d been asked for money. One day, as I left my office building and headed toward my bus stop, I looked around at all the people, living their lives, busily going to their own destinations, each with a unique life experience and with their own personal agenda. Each was a stranger to all others, living in his own little world. It struck me that each one is known to our Heavenly Father. He knows every one of his children intimately and perfectly—their hopes, their dreams, their thoughts, their feelings, their trials, their successes, and their failures. As they hurry on their way, our Father knows—better than even they do—where exactly they are headed. The thought suddenly entered my mind that it would be nice if there could be a way that I could help one of these people in some meaningful way. I silently prayed for such an opportunity, for a chance to make a difference in the life of one of these many strangers.

I walked on, and not twenty feet from the point at which my prayer concluded, a man sat on a low cement planter by the edge of the street. He saw me coming, and muttered something to me. I moved toward him, and said, “I’m sorry, I didn’t hear you.” The man repeated his request, a little louder this time, “Do you have a penny, a nickel, or a dime—anything, please?” His petition was so humble. Not a dollar, not “some spare change,” but only the smallest denomination. His quiet voice barely escaped the long, overgrown beard that hid his weatherworn face. The hair of his head was long and shaggy, and he wore a tattered baseball cap. Once I understood what he had said, I responded by pulling out my wallet, and saying to him, “Well, I’ve got a couple of bucks, how about I give you one of them?” As I dug out the dollar bill, the man said, “Yes, please. Jesus loves you.”

I handed him the dollar, and something unusual happened. He slowly rose to his feet, saying, “Can I give you a hug?” Caught off guard, I awkwardly embraced him there on the street for a few moments, and patted him on the back as we separated. As he was shorter than me, his baseball cap hit my shoulder, causing it to fall from his head, but I caught it and replaced it. As this poor soul withdrew from me, he brought his hand to the bridge of his nose to cover his face. He was sobbing.

Feeling a little taken aback by the whole incident, I told him to have a good day, and hurried on my way. As I continued up the hill toward my bus stop, the feelings started to hit me and tears formed in my eyes. I had prayed for an opportunity to help someone, and I was immediately given one. I believe that if our hearts are willing, and we pray for the chance to help someone, and keep our eyes open, the chance will soon arrive.

When I reached my bus stop, I looked due west to a beautiful view of the Salt Lake Temple, the house of the Lord in which I had been sealed to my beautiful bride four years earlier. I wondered to myself: Who is preaching the gospel to the homeless? How can they have a hope to go to the temple when they don’t even have an address? How can their temple work be done when we don’t even know their names?

I considered how blessed I am, with my wife and son, and home and job, and testimony. I got on the bus, and headed back down the street toward where I’d come from. The bus stopped at a light, and I looked out the window to see the homeless man sitting on the street eating some fast food. As the bus moved on, I fought back the tears as I thought of the words to the song, “A Poor Wayfaring Man of Grief.” Another scripture came to mind: “Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.” (Matt. 25: 40). The scriptures are rife with admonitions to give freely to those in need, and the Savior set the perfect example of charity. “Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away.” (Matt. 5:42.)

“For behold, are we not all beggars? Do we not all depend upon the same Being, even God, for all the substance which we have, for both food and raiment, and for gold, and for silver, and for all the riches which we have of every kind? …
“And now, if God, who has created you, on whom you are dependent for your lives and for all that ye have and are, doth grant unto you whatsoever ye ask that is right, … O then, how ye ought to impart of the substance that ye have one to another.” (Mosiah 4:19, 21.)

Sure, it makes you feel uncomfortable to be asked for money - it feels like a violation of your space. And ignoring people just feels wrong. Who wants to be made to feel guilty?
A change of attitude is in order.

Ours is the opportunity to relieve a little human suffering here and there. Be sure to do so with love in your heart, not a grudging sense of obligation. It could change your life.

I will never forget my “homeless hug.” I have pondered on how lonely that man must have been, and wondered when the last time he’d been hugged by anyone was. I wondered how many people, content in their lives, had passed by and ignored him that day - that week - that year. That afternoon, he gave me the only thing he felt he had to offer, and it was far more than the dollar I had given him.

I only wish I had asked the man his name, and told him that Jesus loves him, too.

Award

I just want to say "THANKS" to whoever it was who nominated this blog for an award (see badge, right).

Info on the award and judging process can be found here.

This makes me want to bring this baby back out of dormancy and start posting again! :)

Scouting - the Missing Piece of My Testimony

. . . And how I FOUND IT.

For about 15 years, I thought I had a complete testimony of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and all of its doctrines and programs.

I was wrong.

I actually knew I didn't have a testimony of scouting, but I was kind of in denial about it. I figured it just wasn't that big of a deal - which was part of maintaining the state of denial.

I've been working with the Young Men for about three years now. And the whole time, I had really not been "into" scouting. I had my excuses: I was never involved in scouting before (my parents never got me into it), it wasn't really a program of the Church, I would eventually be released from Young Men and not have to worry about it any more, it was too much work, etc.

I used to work with the Teachers where we used to live. Shortly before we moved, I was released. Then we moved in September and in our new ward I was called to work with the Deacons. I am Second Counselor in the Young Men Presidency, Deacons Quorum Adviser, and Assistant Scout Master. Still, I had no testimony of scouting, and it was starting to concern me a little.

Then, the Scout Master told me about an upcoming scouting training meeting. It was called "Little Philmont" and it was going to be on a Saturday morning from 7AM to NOON. I was reluctant to go, but knew that I should.

So, the night before, and the morning of, I prayed sincerely that I would get something important out of Little Philmont - I prayed that I would gain a testimony of scouting.

I arrived at the meeting hopeful. There was an opening session of talks and presentations, then a couple of breakout sessions, and a closing session with talks, including one from Larry M. Gibson from the Young Men General Presidency.

I was really touched several times - I felt the Spirit testify to me, and I had tears fill my eyes.

It was spoken to my mind, via facts, figures, statistics and logical presentations. It was spoken to my heart by sweet personal stories and by the testimonies of others. By the end of that five hours, I WAS CONVERTED.

The Church endorses the Boy Scouts of America. The prophet is fully behind scouting. The program is inspired, and it goes hand-in-hand with the Aaronic Priesthood in preparing boys and young men to obtain their Duty to God Award, attend and graduate from Seminary, serve a mission, marry in the temple, and endure to the end.

I want my son to be an Eagle Scout and earn and receive all the above-mentioned blessings. That will not happen if his dad is not fully on board with the program.

And now I am.

I have gained a testimony of scouting. It's an amazing feeling. It made me feel what I felt so long ago when I gained a testimony of all the rest of the Church. That feeling that you can't imagine how you could have ever not believed. I feel invigorated!

Next, I will be getting a scout uniform shirt (what President Monson calls "the working clothes of the Aaronic Priesthood") and a scout book. It feels good to know that I will now be fully magnifying my calling, and giving those boys who I love the full measure of my devotion that they need and deserve.

And my sweet son will also benefit from it one day, when he is older and becomes a scout.

The next weekend, we went on the Klondike Derby winter campout in the snow. It was lots of fun. I am certain that I would not have enjoyed it (that I would've done it grudgingly) had I not gained my testimony of scouting beforehand.

It's hard to admit that I was lacking in my testimony. It is humbling that I had to repent. But I have, and I am now reaping the great blessings of doing so. And I know that I must continue to nurture that testimony to maintain it and make it grow (just like with any aspect of your testimony - you can never be complacent).

I testify that the scouting program in the Church is critical to the success of our young men. Only three out of ten boys in primary will go on a mission. Nine out of ten Eagle Scouts go on a mission. Most return missionaries marry in the temple. Scouting prepares boys for their role as righteous family men, and helps them to learn important real-world skills and principles.

It's hard to understand why I didn't see it clearly before, but I do now.

And I hope that every parent of a boy who is of scouting age will be supportive of the program and encourage their young men to get involved and help them as they work toward earning their Eagle.

One larger point I would like to make: if you ever want to gain a testimony about any aspect of the Church, if you need any help in strengthening your belief in something, if you need any help at all - ASK AND YOU SHALL RECEIVE.

Actually, you should:

1) Ask humbly and sincerely, praying with faith that you will receive
2) Go and DO something about it so Heavenly Father can help you

He will help you. He will be there for you and assist you as you make the effort to improve.

This experience has been a wonderful confirmation of the words of Jesus Christ, quoted by Moroni and found in Ether 12:27:

"And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them."

And I say this in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Another Perspective on Christmas

Sitting in sacrament today, I thought of something that inspired this. I call it, "Joseph Delivered." It considers the most celebrated private moment in history, and the figure we don't often focus on:

Joseph was told in a sacred dream
Of the Life entrusted to his care
He stood beside Mary and took care of her
An outstanding man, and his wife so fair

Joseph delivered the Deliverer
Into his calloused young hands came He
Joseph helped raise that little Boy
Who was raised after three days for you and for me

Joseph witnessed the sacred event
The Babe as He entered this mortal realm
Present at the start of the new dispensation
Receiving the ultimate Present to o'erwhelm

Joseph delivered the Deliverer
And protected his new family
Joseph, the greatest step-father of all
Held such a sacred responsibility


This is for all the step-fathers out there, and folks in non-traditional families, people in poor and humbling circumstances; and those who may think that their role in life is small, insignificant, unglamorous, or little noticed - just remember: Joseph delivered the Deliverer.

And MERRY CHRISTMAS to you!

Gratitude in Adversity

I'm BACK! :)

My wife and I were asked to speak in Sacrament meeting today. We were both asked to speak on the subject of gratitude.

So, as an easy way to get back into the blog, I thought I'd just post the text of my talk. So, here it is (with minor adaptations for the internet).

Gratitude in Adversity – Giving Thanks in ALL Things

Although Thanksgiving is over, and the turkey has moved to “leftover” status, it’s still appropriate to speak of gratitude – which is certainly not a “leftover.” The Thanksgiving holiday is timed nicely, as it leads in perfectly to the Christmas season, in which our focus SHOULD be a feeling of deep personal gratitude and thanksgiving for the birth of Jesus Christ.

Alma 34:38 states that we should “live in thanksgiving daily,” – and that means not just on the fourth Thursday in November.

And living in thanksgiving daily means being grateful even on bad days – which leads me to my angle on the topic of gratitude: gratitude in adversity.

One of the first hymns I ever learned in the LDS church, back in 1993, was “Count Your Blessings.”

WHEN UPON LIFE’S BILLOWS YOU ARE TEMPEST TOSSED,
WHEN YOU ARE DISCOURAGED THINKING ALL IS LOST,
COUNT YOUR MANY BLESSINGS...

Gratitude in adversity. It’s not just a good idea – it will actually help you through that adversity and turn the adversity into a blessing. Hopefully my message today will explain how and why.

Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin said, “[Gratitude] is a quality I have found in every happy person I know. It is a quality that instantly makes a person more likable and more at peace. Where there is an abundance of this virtue, there is happiness. Where there is an absence of this virtue, there is often sadness, resentment, and futility. … Gratitude is a mark of a noble soul and a refined character. We like to be around those who are grateful. They tend to brighten all around them. They make others feel better about themselves. They tend to be more humble, more joyful, more likable.”

Elder Wirthlin also said: “One thing I can tell you with certainty is this: You cannot predict happiness by the amount of money, fame, or power a person has. External conditions do not necessarily make a person happy. The Brethren who have had assignments in poorer countries report that despite the abject poverty, the people are very happy. The fact is that the external things so valued by the world are often the cause of a great deal of misery in the world. Those who live in thanksgiving daily, however, are usually among the world’s happiest people. And they make others happy as well. … Gratitude turns a meal into a feast and drudgery into delight. It softens our grief and heightens our pleasure. It turns the simple and common into the memorable and transcendent.”

D&C 78:19 says, “And he who receiveth all things with thankfulness shall be made glorious; and the things of this earth shall be added unto him, even an hundred fold, yea, more.”

That word “ALL” means “ALL.” Receiving ALL things with thankfulness means even being glad of heart when things go badly. In the simplest of examples, it means smiling and wondering what you can learn from this – when you stub your toe. Imagine having your heart in such a place that you could do that!

President James E. Faust said, “The Lord has said, ‘And in nothing doth man offend God, or against none is his wrath kindled, save those who confess not his hand in all things, and obey not his commandments.’ It is clear to me from this scripture that to ‘thank the Lord thy God in all things’ is more than a social courtesy; it is a binding commandment.”

Again, ALL THINGS. Not just the stuff we like. When I give thanks for my meals, I don’t just mean the meat and potatoes, I am also thankful for the vegetables. (Though I am especially thankful for the gravy.)

Ezra Taft Benson said, “The Prophet Joseph is reported to have said at one time that one of the greatest sins for which the Latter-day Saints would be guilty would be the sin of ingratitude. I presume most of us have not thought of that as a serious sin. There’s a great tendency for us in our prayers — in our pleadings with the Lord — to ask for additional blessings. Sometimes I feel we need to devote more of our prayers to expressions of gratitude and thanksgiving for blessings already received. Of course we need the daily blessings of the Lord. But if we sin in the matter of prayer, I think it is in our lack of the expressions of thanksgiving for daily blessings. President Brigham Young uttered very much the same warning as the Prophet Joseph — that this would be one of our great sins as Latter-day Saints. I do not think this is because we’re less grateful than other people — but we have so much more to be grateful for.”

Again, that does include our adversity. You need only listen to the words of the pioneer hymn “Come, Come Ye Saints” for a moving example of gratitude in adversity.

Elder David B. Haight said, “It’s so easy in life for us to receive blessings, many of them almost uncounted, and have things happen in our lives that can help change our lives, improve our lives, and bring the Spirit into our lives. But we sometimes take them for granted. How grateful we should be for the blessings that the gospel of Jesus Christ brings into our hearts and souls. I would remind all of you that if we’re ever going to show gratitude properly to our Heavenly Father, we should do it with all of our heart, might, mind, and strength — because it was He who gave us life and breath.”

And that means at all times and in all places – all circumstances, good or bad. Even if we can’t figure out how something can be for our benefit at the time, we can at least be grateful to be alive and to know that one day we WILL understand how the bad situation in question will benefit us. I know that many times I’ve not seen until much later how a hardship was a blessing in disguise. (Just one of the tricky things about being mortal and subject to that pesky phenomenon called “TIME.”)

President Brigham Young said, “The worst fear that I have about this
people is that they will get rich [and] forget God. … This people will
stand mobbing, robbing, poverty, and all manner of persecution, and
be true. But my greater fear for them is that they cannot stand wealth.”


Sometimes we just need to be taken down a peg for our own good, lest we forget God, glorying in our own strength, getting prideful because of our bounteous blessings. We can be grateful for our challenges because, if we approach them properly – with gratitude instead of resentment - they help keep us humble and prevent us from having a “Nephite pride cycle.”

Elder David A. Bednar said, “Let me recommend that periodically
you and I offer a prayer in which we only give thanks and express gratitude.
Ask for nothing; simply let our souls rejoice and strive to communicate
appreciation with all the energy of our hearts.”


This is something we can try, even in hard times, when we very much want to ask for stuff in our prayers. In fact, that may be the best time to try that kind of prayer.

Mosiah 26:39 says that we are commanded of God to “pray without ceasing” and to “give thanks in all things.” And this was said at time when the church members were “suffering all manner of afflictions.”

I think this is very significant. It reminds me of a thought I had recently: that I'm thankful when I don't get the things I want, because it means there's something even better waiting for me, and gives me an opportunity to learn patience, perspective, and humility.

As Elder Dallin H. Oaks put it, “The revelations… show that we should even give thanks for our afflictions because they turn our hearts to God and give us opportunities to prepare for what God would have us become … When we give thanks in all things, we see hardships and adversities in the context of the purpose of life. We are sent here to be tested. There must be opposition in all things. We are meant to learn and grow through that opposition, through meeting our challenges, and through teaching others to do the same.”

Making a conscious effort to remember this can really make a difference in our day to day lives.
When things don’t go as we had hoped, we must remember that it’s an opportunity to grow – to become more patient, to become more resourceful, to become more humble, to develop determination, resilience, and even new talents. If life were too easy, we’d become complacent. Unchallenged, we’d become spiritually flabby. (For some reason, the folks on that spaceship in the movie WALL-E come to mind. If you haven’t seen it, you won’t get the reference, but that’s okay.) The point is, as muscles need resistance to be strengthened, souls need opposition to be perfected. (Yep, I made that up myself!)

Hebrews 12:6 states that “whom the Lord loveth He chasteneth.” Makes more sense when you look at it in this context.

D&C 98:3 states that even our afflictions shall work together for our good. Is this not a grand key to happiness in this life? You never need to worry if you just realize that every part of life is for our good, if only we would stand back and realize it, and be grateful for the experience, and recognize the positive in all things, even if it seems impossible to do so in our limited mortal perspective.

President Henry B. Eyring said, “The disciple who accepts a trial
as an invitation to grow and therefore qualify for eternal life can
find peace in the midst of the struggle.”



In other words, if you are grateful for hardship, you’ll have peace. It’s a perfect recipe for making it through the difficulties of life.

It’s no wonder that back in 54 B.C., the Roman orator Cicero claimed gratitude is “not only the greatest of virtues, but the parent of all the others.”

We must have gratitude for all aspects of life.

Tough experiences are a great educational opportunity. We rarely look at it that way at the time of the trial, but later we look back and realize we gained something invaluable from the experience – something we likely could not have learned any other way. Keeping an eternal perspective is key.

I went through some very difficult times in the 90s. I won’t go into details, but suffice it to say I went through some stuff that very nearly broke me. But now I am grateful for it, because it taught me so much, made me a stronger person, a more humble person, a less judgmental person, and drew me closer to God. I wouldn’t trade the misery I went through for an easier path - if it would mean losing those lessons.

Never beat yourself up when things go badly for you. Don’t think that it’s because you aren’t worthy of the blessings you desire. No one is exempt from adversity, not even the General Authorities. And look at what the Savior went through – and He was perfect.

Heavenly Father has a specific plan for you, and He can see the big picture that you can’t. All you can do is pray, be grateful, try your very best, be patient and diligent, and strive to learn something from the difficulties you face. And always remember that He loves you and wants what is best for you. If you are doing your best to be faithful and keep the commandments, then anything that befalls you is for your benefit and should be seen in that context.

It’s easier said than done, but a grateful heart will keep you happy in any situation.

President Faust said, “Let us not presume that because the way is at times difficult and challenging, our Heavenly Father is not mindful of us … may each of us follow the Lord’s comforting counsel: ‘Be patient in afflictions, for thou shalt have many; but endure them, for, lo, I am with thee, even unto the end of thy days.’”

In a great talk called “Come What May, and Love It,” from the October 2008 General Conference, Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin said, “I know why there must be opposition in all things. Adversity, if handled correctly, can be a blessing in our lives. We can learn to love it.”

Loving adversity may seem an odd goal, but it’s a sure way to never be truly unhappy in this life. Sure, we may feel disappointment from time to time, but if we maintain our perspective, the sadness will never last long – the darkness will inevitably be dispelled by the light that comes from choosing a Christ-like attitude.

Strange how we can take for granted our blessings and focus on the adversity. We must learn to view the obvious blessings and the hardships as things to be thankful for.

I am so thankful for my wife and son, for the rest of my family and extended family, for a home and a job and food and clothing and cars that run.

I am thankful for having the Gospel of Jesus Christ in my life, for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, for the Holy Temple, for being sealed to my family forever, and for holding the priesthood of God. I am thankful for my calling – to be able to help build up His kingdom.

I am thankful for the scriptures, for a living prophet, Thomas S. Monson, for good leaders in the Church, for the gift of the Holy Ghost. I’m thankful for the Atonement of Jesus Christ and its cleansing and saving power.

I am thankful for the Ensign magazine, for good books, and beautiful music. I am thankful for the mountains and all the beauty of the Earth.

I am thankful for my talents, for a healthy body and mind, and for the many opportunities that I have. I am thankful to live in this great land, the United States of America, and to be alive at this great time in history.

I am thankful for good friends, for my safety, for my faith and knowledge of the glorious eternal future, and for a million other things.

And I owe them all, and so much more, to God.

But to that list of obvious blessings I add that I am thankful for adversity.

I’m thankful that I don’t always get what I want, or don’t always get what I want when I want it. Just think how spoiled I would be! How incapable of handling any kind of disappointment I would be if I were not so well-practiced at it!

In 1 Thessalonians 5:18, the Apostle Paul wrote,
“In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of
God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”


It takes great strength and faith to give thanks in all things. But doing so will make you stronger and more faithful.

Keeping a sense of humor, counting your blessings, and reaching out to help and serve others are great ways to enhance your ability to be grateful in adversity.

And I testify that being thankful in all things will bring you great and lasting joy, as all of life’s lemons are turned into lemonade by this shift in attitude to one of gratitude.

I say this in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.