Quote of the Day: 1 Oct 2014

Quote of the Day: 30 Sept 2014

Quote of the Day: 29 Sept 2014

Quote of the Day: 28 Sept 2014

Quote of the Day: 27 Sept 2014

Quote of the Day: 26 Sept 2014

"Brethren, shall we not go on in so great a cause? Go forward and not backward. Courage, brethren; and on, on to the victory!"

 -Prophet Joseph Smith, D&C 128:22

Quote of the Day: 24 Sept 2014

Quote of the Day: 23 Sept 2014

“It's hard to fight an enemy who has outposts in your head.”

 -Sally Kempton

Quote of the Day: 22 Sept 2014

"The Standard of Truth has been erected; no unhallowed hand can stop the work from progressing; persecutions may rage, mobs may combine, armies may assemble, calumny may defame, but the truth of God will go forth boldly, nobly, and independent, till it has penetrated every continent, visited every clime, swept every country, and sounded in every ear, till the purposes of God shall be accomplished, and the Great Jehovah shall say the work is done.”

 -Prophet Joseph Smith, Jr.

Quote of the Day: 21 Sept 2014

"We are made of the stuff of Eternity.  Endings are not our destiny.  Endings in mortality are not endings at all.  In His plan, there are no true endings, only everlasting beginnings."

 -President Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Quote of the Day: 20 Sept 2014

"For God's wisdom is greater than the cunning of the devil."

 -Martin Harris, LDS D&C Seminary Video

Quote of the Day: 19 Sept 2014

"The hand of the diligent shall bear rule: but the slothful shall be under tribute."

 -Proverbs 12:24

Quote of the Day: 18 Sept 2014

"Now they never had fought, yet they did not fear death; and they did think more upon the liberty of their fathers than they did upon their lives; yea, they had been taught by their mothers, that if they did not doubt, God would deliver them."

 -Alma 56:47

Quote of the Day: 17 Sept 2014

"Obedience is a choice. It is a choice between our own limited knowledge and power and God’s unlimited wisdom and omnipotence."

 -Elder L. Tom Perry

Quote of the Day: 16 Sept 2014

"The only tragedy in life is unrepented sin."

 -President Dave Smith

Quote of the Day: 15 Sept 2014

"To innovate does not necessarily mean to expand; very often it means to simplify."

 -Elder M. Russell Ballard

Quote of the Day: 14 Sept 2014

"To the faithful, there is no such thing as coincidence."

 -Brother Eric Stauffer

Quote of the Day: 13 Sept 2014

"If we don’t feel like praying, then we should pray until we feel like praying."

 -President Ezra Taft Benson

Quote of the Day: 12 Sept 2014

"Onward, Christian soldiers!

Marching as to war,

With the cross of Jesus

Going on before.

Christ, the royal Master,

Leads against the foe;

Forward into battle,

See his banners go!

"Onward, Christian soldiers!

Marching as to war,

With the cross of Jesus

Going on before.

"At the sign of triumph

Satan's host doth flee;

On, then, Christian soldiers,

On to victory.

Hell's foundations quiver

At the shout of praise;

Brothers, lift your voices,

Loud your anthems raise.

"Like a mighty army

Moves the Church of God;

Brothers, we are treading

Where the Saints have trod.

We are not divided;

All one body we:

One in hope and doctrine,

One in charity.

"Onward, then, ye people;

Join our happy throng.

Blend with ours your voices

In the triumph song:

Glory, laud, and honor

Unto Christ, the King.

This through countless ages

Men and angels sing.

"Onward, Christian soldiers!

Marching as to war,

With the cross of Jesus

Going on before."

 -Sabine Baring-Gould, Onward, Christian Soldiers, LDS hymn no. 246

Quote of the Day: 11 Sept 2014

"The problem is not the problem.  The problem is your attitude about the problem.  Do you understand?"

 -Captain Jack Sparrow

Quote of the Day: 10 Sept 2014

"Principles are concentrated truth, packaged for application to a wide variety of circumstances.  A true principle makes decisions clear even under the most confusing and compelling circumstances."

 -Elder Richard G. Scott

Quote of the Day: 9 Sept 2014

"Should you be more concerned with what man thinks, or with what God thinks?"

 -Brother Stauffer

Quote of the Day: 8 Sept 2014

"Most folks are as happy as they make up their minds to be."

 -Abraham Lincoln

Quote of the Day: 7 Sept 2014

"Even if people turn us down, it can be a good thing.  We can't be afraid; we can't be reluctant."

 -President Al Burns

Quote of the Day: 6 Sept 2014

"You can be the answer to someone's prayer by sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ."

 -President Al Burns

Quote of the Day: 5 Sept 2014

"Be the change that you wish to see in the world."

 -Mahatma Gandhi

Quote of the Day: 4 Sept 2014

"Be kind.  Everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle."

 -Sister Marjorie Hinckley

Quote of the Day: 3 Sept 2014

"It's not what you look at that matters, it's what you see."

 -Henry David Thoreau

Quote of the Day: 1 Sept 2014

"I like thinking there's a lot of good in the world, you just have to look for it instead of focusing on the dirt covering it."

 -Kayla Jex

Quote of the Day: 31 Aug 2014

"Our church meetings are not simply to know more facts; that's only a fraction of it.  They are meant to provide meaningful spiritual growth; growth of testimony, and growth of character.  It is meant to reveal to you what you need to change in order to obtain eternal life."

 -Anonymous

Quote of the Day: 30 Aug 2014

"For thou shalt devote all thy service in Zion; and in this thou shalt have strength."

 -Jesus Christ, Doctrine & Covenants 24:7

Quote of the Day: 29 Aug 2014

"Be still, and know that I am God."

 -Psalms 46:10

Quote of the Day: 28 Aug 2014

"And of tenets thou shalt not talk, but thou shalt declare repentance and faith on the Savior, and remission of sins by baptism, and by fire, yea, even the Holy Ghost.  Behold, this is a great and the last commandment which I shall give unto you concerning this matter; for this shall suffice for thy daily walk, even unto the end of thy life."

 -Jesus Christ, Doctrine & Covenants 19:31-32

Quote of the Day: 27 Aug 2014

"And now, behold, I say unto you, that the thing which will be of the most worth unto you will be to declare repentance unto this people, that you may bring souls unto me, that you may rest with them in the kingdom of my Father. Amen."

 -Jesus Christ, Doctrine and Covenants 15:6

Quote of the Day: 26 Aug 2014

"As we strive to be the answer to someone else's prayers, we often find the answers to our own."

-Elder Ashby

Quote of the Day: 25 Aug 2014

"I'm grateful for my imperfections.  They make it so that I always have something to do, and something to work on.  They give me the ability to never be bored."

-Anonymous

Quote of the Day: 24 Aug 2014

"I hated every minute of training, but I said, 'Don't quit. Suffer now and live the rest of your life as a champion.'"

-Muhammad Ali

Quote of the Day: 23 Aug 2014

"The more you steer yourself, the less others try to steer you."

-Paul Wagner

Quote of the Day: 22 Aug 2014

"Great spirits have always encountered violent opposition from mediocre minds."

-Albert Einstein

Quote of the Day: 21 Aug 2014

"What E’er Thou Art, Act Well Thy Part."

-William Shakespeare

Quote of the Day: 20 Aug 2014

"For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth."

-Paul, Romans 1:16

Quote of the Day: 19 Aug 2014

"Doesn't matter what the press says. Doesn't matter what the politicians or the mobs say. Doesn't matter if the whole country decides that something wrong is something right. This nation was founded on one principle above all else: the requirement that we stand up for what we believe, no matter the odds or the consequences. When the mob and the press and the whole world tell you to move, your job is to plant yourself like a tree beside the river of truth, and tell the whole world — 'No, you move.'"

 -Captain America

Quote of the Day: 18 Aug 2014

"There are no traffic jams on the extra mile."

 -Zig Ziglar

Quote of the Day: 17 Aug 2014

"Most people have never learned that one of the main aims of life is to enjoy it."

 -Samuel Butler

Quote of the Day: 16 Aug 2014

"The true sign of intelligence is not knowledge but imagination."

 -Albert Einstein

Quote of the Day: 15 Aug 2014

"Always forgive those who hurt you."

 -Lupe Rivero

Quote of the Day: 14 Aug 2014

"I am the Lord thy God; and I give unto you this commandment—that no man shall come unto the Father but by me or by my word, which is my law, saith the Lord.  And everything that is in the world, whether it be ordained of men, by thrones, or principalities, or powers, or things of name, whatsoever they may be, that are not by me or by my word, saith the Lord, shall be thrown down, and shall not remain after men are dead, neither in nor after the resurrection, saith the Lord your God.  For whatsoever things remain are by me; and whatsoever things are not by me shall be shaken and destroyed."

 -Doctrine and Covenants, 132:12-14

Quote of the Day: 13 Aug 2014

"One person can make a difference, and everyone should try."

-President John F. Kennedy

Quote of the Day: 12 Aug 2014

"Prepare to answer to Christ for every thought, word, and action."

 -Elder D. Todd Christofferson

Quote of the Day: 11 Aug 2014

"One of the most beautiful, comforting doctrines of the Lord—one that brings immense peace, happiness, and unbounded joy—is that principle called eternal marriage. This doctrine means that a man and woman who love each other deeply, who have grown together through the trials, joys, sorrows, and happiness of a shared lifetime, can live beyond the veil together forever with their family who earn that blessing. That is not just an immensely satisfying dream; it is a reality. Any husband and wife who have shared the joys of marriage here on earth would want that blessing. But only those who meet the requirements established by the Lord will receive that supernal gift. I bear witness that all those things that have and will bring me the greatest happiness in life have roots in the temple ordinances. Decide now to receive the ordinances of the temple at the appropriate time. Don’t let anything overcome that resolve."

-Elder Richard G. Scott

Quote of the Day: 10 Aug 2014

"Freedom and liberty are precious gifts that come to us when we are obedient to the laws of God and the whisperings of the Spirit. If we are to avoid destruction, fences or guardrails must be built beyond which we cannot go. The fences which we must stay within are the principles of revealed truth. Obedience to them makes us truly free to reach the potential and the glory which our Heavenly Father has in store for us."

-President James E. Faust

Quote of the Day: 9 Aug 2014

"God does not begin by asking us about our ability, but only about our availability, and if we then prove our dependability, he will increase our capability."

-Elder Neal A. Maxwell 

Quote of the Day: 8 Aug 2014

"Agency is the weapon of pride and the tool of charity."

-Kelly Merrill

Quote of the Day: 7 Aug 2014

"Never give up what you want most for what you want today."

-Elder Neal A. Maxwell

Quote of the Day: 4 Aug 2014

"We can repent.  We can be forgiven.  I think that's a really neat thing, because we all need a Savior."

-Brother Dan Kent

Quote of the Day: 3 Aug 2014

"Don't be upset by the results you didn't get with the work you didn't do."

-Unknown

Quote of the Day: 2 Aug 2014

"There are a myriad of people that are watching your example."

-Frank Stewart

Quote of the Day: 1 Aug 2014

"Please, never make any excuses."

-Isaac Parkinson

Quote of the Day: 31 Jul 2014

"If you testify with the Spirit, that's all you can do."

-President David Anderson

Quote of the Day: 30 Jul 2014

"Take the leap of faith, and that's where the Lord picks you up and makes you fly."

-Carston Christensen

Quote of the Day: 29 Jul 2014

"We won't be tempted above what we can bear, but the catch is that we need to have Christ in our lives to rely on His strength."

-Andrew Hopkins

Quote of the Day: 28 Jul 2014

"It's really hard to be prideful and move on with your life."

-Jared Higham

Quote of the Day: 27 Jul 2014

"You won't have a time when you're are humble and feel bad about it."

-Jared Higham

Quote of the Day: 26 Jul 2014

"If you have anything really valuable to contribute to the world it will come through the expression of your own personality, that single spark of divinity that sets you off and makes you different from every other living creature."

-Bruce Barton

Quote of the Day: 25 Jul 2014

"I do not worry about the youth of the Church that will pray twice a day."

-President Harold B. Lee

Quote of the Day: 24 Jul 2014

"If you think, even for a second, that you should bear your testimony, then that's what Heavenly Father wants you to do."

-Matthew Fife

Quote of the Day: 22 Jul 2014

"You need to talk to people like they'll die tomorrow."

-Brother Conner Belnap

Quote of the Day: 21 Jul 2014

"Death does not change our personality or our desires for good or evil."

 -Preach My Gospel

Ether 3:5

"Behold, O Lord, thou canst do this.  We know that thou art able to show forth great power, which looks small unto the understanding of men." 

 This scripture, found in Ether 3:5, should really be the title scripture of this whole blog.  "Wisdom from the little things."  I try to emphasize that as much as I can.  There are so many scriptures that illustrate this as well.

"Now ye may suppose that this is foolishness in me; but behold I say unto you, that by small and simple things are great things brought to pass; and small means in many instances doth confound the wise." (Alma 37:6)

"Wherefore, be not weary in well-doing, for ye are laying the foundation of a great work.  And out of small thing proceedeth that which is great." (D&C 64:33)

How great is that thought?  Many people think that they need one big event, one large activity for stuff to happen.  No, it's a whole bunch of small things.  How do you build muscle?  Working out continually, slowly and constantly.  How was the Restored Church started?  On the back of a 14 year-old boy.  How was the world redeemed from its sin?  By a baby, sent to Earth.  Even the Only Begotten Son of the Father.

Do you ever feel like your small thoughts and deeds are going unnoticed?  Well, join the club.  So many of us feel that way sometimes.  But I can testify to you that they don't.  Sometimes the most powerful testimony builders, for me, have come from a small word someone has said, or a simple action that someone did for me.  Which truly showed that they had enough care to go out of their way to do that for me.

How does your loving Heavenly Father express His love for you?  Through small revelations, given here and there.  Through beautiful sunrises and sunsets.  Through the beautiful gift of a body that has been sculpted and shaped just for your Spirit.  Through a small butterfly gliding past on painted wings.

There doesn't have to be a big huge experience to make something happen.  The most effective ways, the ways that "confound the wise," happen in those small and simple things.  I know that this Gospel is true.  I know that every deed, great or small, are counted in Heaven.  I know that God loves me.  He loves you.  I know that if we look for the good in others, as simple as that action may be, it will bring so many blessings.  Blessings which you can have and hold through the entirety of your life.  I know that He lives.  I say these things in His sacred name, even the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Quote of the Day: 20 Jul 2014

"You can argue all day, but you can't get someone to believe if you don't feel the Spirit."

-Landon Thurston

Quote of the Day: 19 Jul 2014

"Every time we don't open our mouths and bear our testimonies, Satan is winning."

-Brother Jimmy Stephens

Quote of the Day: 18 Jul 2014

"We've been planting seeds for 6,000 years.  Now is the time to harvest."

-Brother Conner Belnap

Quote of the Day: 17 Jul 2014

"Today's trial is tomorrow's testimony."

 -Unknown

Rebukement

Now, everyone's favorite topic of the day. ;-)

I would like to begin by posing a question.  How would we make any progress when we don't know where our faults are?

Sometimes, it's not enough to self-evaluate ourselves.  We can't see everything.  That is why it is so valuable to receive feedback from our peers and those we associate with.  We can get the entire story, and not just our limited perspective.

I feel that the highest level of relationship that two individuals can obtain is one that has so much love and respect and honour, that you can criticize them, and vice versa, and you still appreciate each other.  John Bytheway put it best when he said, talking of his friend, "he's such a good friend, that he can rip me to shreds and I knew he loved me."

That is the highest relationship I believe that we can obtain.  To know that our friend doesn't mean us harm by criticizing us, but that they want to help us by criticizing us.

In the April 2014 General Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Elder Jeffrey R. Holland said these words; "Sadly enough, my young friends, it is a characteristic of our age that if people want any gods at all, they want them to be gods who do not demand much, comfortable gods, smooth gods who not only don’t rock the boat but don’t even row it, gods who pat us on the head, make us giggle, then tell us to run along and pick marigolds.  

"Talk about man creating God in his own image! Sometimes—and this seems the greatest irony of all—these folks invoke the name of Jesus as one who was this kind of “comfortable” God. Really? He who said not only should we not break commandments, but we should not even think about breaking them. And if we do think about breaking them, we have already broken them in our heart. Does that sound like “comfortable” doctrine, easy on the ear and popular down at the village love-in?

"And what of those who just want to look at sin or touch it from a distance? Jesus said with a flash, if your eye offends you, pluck it out. If your hand offends you, cut it off. “I came not to [bring] peace, but a sword,” He warned those who thought He spoke only soothing platitudes. No wonder that, sermon after sermon, the local communities “pray[ed] him to depart out of their coasts.” No wonder, miracle after miracle, His power was attributed not to God but to the devil. It is obvious that the bumper sticker question “What would Jesus do?” will not always bring a popular response."  (The Cost - and Blessings - of Discipleship, Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, April 2014 General Conference.)

Jacob put it very well when he said "Do not say that I have spoken hard things against you; for if ye do, ye will revile against thetruth; for I have spoken the words of your Maker. I know that the words of truth are hard against all uncleanness; but the righteousfear them not, for they love the truth and are not shaken." (2 Nephi 9:40).  He is essentially just stating the obvious; none of us are perfect, so therefore we need instruction.  Jacob then continues, in verse 48, "Behold, if ye were holy I would speak unto you of holiness; but as ye are not holy, and ye look upon me as a teacher, it must needs be expedient that I teach you the consequences of sin."

In Ether 2:14, it reads "And it came to pass at the end of four years that the Lord came again unto the brother of Jared, and stood in a cloud and talked with him. And for the space of three hours did the Lord talk with the brother of Jared, and chastened him because he remembered not to call upon the name of the Lord." (Emphasis added.)

Three hours did the Lord chasten the Brother of Jared.  Can you imagine?

Another instance, within the life of Jesus Christ.  In John 2:15-16, he describes the experience that Jesus had in cleansing the temple.  He writes "And when he had made a scourge of small cords¹, he drove them all out of the temple, and the sheep, and the oxen; and poured out the changers’ money, and overthrew the tables; and said unto them that sold doves, Take these things hence; make not my Father’s house an house of merchandise."

Christ had to stand up for what he knew to be right.  Sometimes, that's what we need to do.  Stand up for what we believe in, and be harsh.  That is completely in the realm of possibilities of what needs to happen.

My personal thoughts and experiences?  Well, I honestly feel the closest to my Father and my Lord when They give me things I should work on.  When I become humbled.  When They list through all of my imperfections.  Why do I feel closest to Them in those sweet moments?  Because I know that They love me enough to tell me what I need to know to get better.  I notice that They love me enough to tell me what else I need to do to live with Them again.  Truthfully, it can be discouraging sometimes, just being bombarded with criticisms.  But, one scripture that helps is Hebrews 12:7-8.  "If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?  But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons."  That's really comforting to know, that when He gives you stuff to work on, then that means that He is dealing with you as His son or daughter.  A child of the Most High.  How wonderful!  What love!

And still, through all that, we can still know that "God loveth his children," no matter what (1 Nephi 11:17.)

Now, we come to the other side of the coin.  Sometimes, people get offended really easily.  They are too sensitive, too fragile.

I hate to be so harsh (hehe, in a post about rebukement, eh?)  But I have to say, just grow a skin.  This is not a time for "political correctness" and smooth sailing, even thought the world would have you believe that.  These are the final days.  This is the time where Satan's forces are on full assault.  We simply can't afford to be as soft and tender as we have been.  We have to stand up for what we believe in, even though it may be hard.  We can't be offended as easily.  Another Seminary teacher of mine gave a lesson on being offended.  He taught that when someone says something, that we have the choice to either learn from that, or we can be offended.  It's our choice.

John Lennon once said "Being honest may not get you a lot of friends but it’ll always get you the right ones."

What kind of person are you?  Are you the one who gets offended by every single little thing anyone says, or do you take their thoughts and words and use them to better yourself?  Which person do you want to be?

This Gospel isn't easy.  No one ever said it was.  Job lost everything he had.  Joseph Smith got shot for telling the truth.  Jesus suffered in Gethsemane and hung on the cross to save us.  We will all have to go through the trial of our faith, and it will be hard.  But I promise that it is worth it.  If we keep the commandments, I know that we will be compensated for our sacrifices.  We will even be compensated tenfold, no, a thousandfold.  There is no end to the blessings that we will receive for enduring to the end.  I know that it will work out.  I know that there is no other way that we can be saved but by this path.  I love my Father and my Lord, and I say these things in His name, Jesus Christ, amen. 

---

1 My wonderful Seminary teacher made a very thoughtful insight on this part. When it reads "a scourge of small cords," probably a whip, he observed that making a whip would probably take a long time. Don't be hasty in your rebukements. Take time to think through and make sure that it is a good idea. Choose the course that would be the most effective. Just take time to think it through.^↩

Forgiveness

While I sit in Sunday School, or seminary, or any Gospel-learning setting, I often hear the commandment Christ gave to His disciples, to forgive others.

“Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him?  till seven times?

"Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.”

-Matthew 18:21-22

We hear accounts like this all throughout the scriptures.  Another oft repeated one is the “why do you notice the splinter in your brother’s eye, and beholdest not the beam in your own eye,”  etc. (paraphrased version of Matthew 7:3-5, see also Luke 6:41-42.)

If you’re like me, when you hear something repeated over and over again, you really get bored of it.  I always think “Okay, I’ve heard this a million times before, let’s get on with something new.”  Well, that’s never good if you say that.  If you keep hearing something, that’s probably God trying to tell you that you need to do something.  Yet, it seems like the more we’re told to do something, the more we refrain from doing it.  Really, that’s the opposite of what it should be.  What we really need to do is do what we’re told when we’re asked the first time, and take it even more seriously when we’re told for a second time.

Anyway, forgiveness.  I never really took that concept too seriously until I got to thinking.  I was sitting in history class one day, faced with the often-debated dilema of creating a perfect society.  There are many differing opinions on how this can be achieved.  Through all the thought, I came to this conclusion; the key, essential characteristic that a perfect society needs is really charity.  More specifically, sharing your wealth and forgiveness.  Really, that’s truly all there is to it.

Let me explain a bit more on the forgiveness aspect.  Since we are all imperfect human beings, it’s a given that we’re going to make mistakes.  We all know that.  So, the perfect society here on Earth shouldn’t, and absolutely can’t, come from eliminating those imperfections.  Why?  Because we aren’t perfect, and we will never be perfect until we are exalted in Heaven, even within the Celestial Kingdom.  So we can’t do that.  Instead, we need to accept and deal with those imperfections, and help others work through it.  We need to forgive others of their shortcomings, and only then can we really be unified.

Have you ever seen a group of people cooperate well when everyone is holding grudges with each other for a few mistakes each of them have made?  Yeah, neither have I.

We all really want to see everyone to just get along.  I believe that’s what we all desire.  Heavenly Father wants to see that too.  Jesus wants to see that.  God showed Enoch the entire universe, from beginning to end.  Then, while watching the vision, Enoch notices that God started to weep.  Enoch was confused, because the infinite God of Heaven and Earth was just crying. So, Enoch then proceeded to ask Him why He was crying.  God then explained, “Behold these thy brethren; they are the workmanship of mine own hands, and I gave unto them their knowledge, in the day I created them; and in the Garden of Eden, Gave I unto man his agency; and unto thy brethren have I said, and also given commandment, that they should love one another, and that they should choose me, their Father; but behold, they are without affection, and they hate their own blood.” (Moses 7:28-33)

That scripture never fails to touch me.  It really puts it all into perspective; about how small we are, and how much more we need to do.

I know that God loves us.  I know He is there.  I look forward to the day when everyone will be able to live in peace and harmony.  I know that if we love our neighbors, and forgive everyone of their trespasses, then God will also have mercy on us.  I love this Gospel, and I love my Lord.  I would like to say these things in the holy name of Jesus Christ, my Redeemer, amen.

Going Back to the Basics

I sit in the middle of my piano lesson.  I finish the last chord in my song, still nervous about how my piano teacher will feel about the piece I have been practicing for the past week.  I'm on the tip of my toes as I play, for I came without sufficient practice for this particular song.  Too many things to focus on.

I finish, and my teacher congratulates me.  She still acknowledges the multitudes of mistakes I made, and offers a few suggestions in correcting them.  Then, she repeats the sentence, "go back to the basics."

I often go back and reflect on that sentence, "go back to the basics."  It's so simple, yet it holds so much truth.  In pondering that idea, I have come to realize just how important the basics are.  Picture this: thousands of years of one subject/topic being taught to people.  The most important, solid things are normally taught first, right?  Well, through the thousands of years, with the process of trial and error, the teachers try to decide what elements to teach first.  Well, what is being taught now is the result, thus far, of that trial and error.  Millions of peoples' minds have gone into the decision of what to teach first.  They know that those first elements are the ones that need to be drilled into the minds of the students.  Those are the things that the pupil needs to have learned rock solid.

Take piano lessons for example.  The basic building blocks that my teacher has drilled into my mind are these; finger technique (lifting, curving, and pushing in), counting evenly, and just being strict with yourself while playing.  This parts have become a part of my practicing as I work to get better at the piano.

Just as there are in piano, there are also basics within our religion, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.  The basics are found in the 4th Article of Faith, in Preach My Gospel, and in many other places.  The basics of our worship are:

1. Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ
2. Repentance
3. Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins
4. Laying on of Hands for the Gift of the Holy Ghost
5. Enduring to the End

These basic principles and ordinances of the Gospel are our basics that we need to live by.  These are the things that have been drilled in our minds, so that we can focus on them and keep them in mind.

However, this idea of going back to the basics, can apply to anything.  Even in life.  Often, as humans, we tend to complicate ordinarily simple things.  If we're ever faced with a situation where we don't know where to go, often the simple explanation and location of the solution is this; "Go back to the basics!"  I have experienced this countless times.  When faced with a decision, if I step outside of my normal life, and look at things how they really are, the correct choice is a no-brainer (That is a good talk by John Bytheway, by the way.  No Brainers by John Bytheway.)

I know that if we just focus on what's really important, then a lot of our lives will simply fall into place.  I know that God lives, and that he loves us.  He loves me.  He loves you.  More than anyone of us can ever imagine.  I know that this is the true Church on this earth today.  I love my Lord, and I love my Father.  I would like to say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Words

"There is a lie—a vicious lie—circulating among the Latter-day Saints and taking its toll among the young. And it is that a “balanced man” is one who deliberately guards against becoming too righteous. This lie would have you believe that it is possible to live successfully and happily as a “double-minded man” with one foot in Babylon and one foot in Zion."

-Carlos E. Asay

Matthew 25:40

A little while back, I was sitting and pondering the words of this scripture, Matthew 25:40.

"And the King shall answer and say unto them, 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."

I was thinking about this verse around Easter time, so the stories of Gethsemane, the Crucifixion, and the Resurrection were fresh on my mind.  I knew that this verse was Jesus speaking to His disciples.  When we think of this verse and this doctrine that is taught, we normally think of the good things we can do.  I think this is expected, since this verse is surrounded by examples of people visiting others in prison, and helping people when they're sick.  However, I don't know about many of you, but I never really considered the reverse.  The thought just hit me like a bolt of lightening.  Whatever we do to the "least" of our brethren, we do it unto Him.  How do we treat the least of our brethren?  Do we just ignore them, and move on?  Do we tease them, do we think that we're better than them?  Do we despise them, and think that they're somehow less deserving than we are?  Or do we befriend them, listen to them, and help them with whatever they're going through?

When I realized that, it really made me think about my life differently.  I've always thought "oh, if I talk to them here and there, that's enough."  No, I was wrong.  Every little thing we do, the Heavens record.  How would you treat Jesus?  Would you ignore Him, and move on?  Would you think that you're somehow more deserving than He is?  Would you think that you're better than Him?  Would you kick Him out, and make him an outcast?  Would you insult Him?

I want to testify to you that every single person on this Earth matters.  Yes, all 7 billion people matter.  Each one has a story just as complex as yours.  How do you treat them?  I know that God loves each one of us, specifically and individually.  I know if we show others that same love that He shows, then we will be so happy.  Winston Churchill once said "We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give."  I know the Book of Mormon is true.  I know this Gospel is true.  I know Heavenly Father is there, and I want to make it back to live with Him.  I would like to say these things in the Holy name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Heaven

"Could you gaze into heaven five minutes, you would know more than you would by reading all that ever was written on the subject."

                                                     -Joseph Smith

Parable of the Refiner's Fire

I'm pretty sure that we've all gone through a hard time in our lives, right?  For some, it may have gone on longer than others, or is still going on.  Well, I was going through that a few years back.  And my friend, Keith, said some inspired words.  Keith is absolutely wonderful.  He is such a strong Spirit, and he is so in-tune with the Spirit.  Anyway, he uttered these words, or something along these lines.  I can't remember the exact quote, but here's my paraphrase-ment: "Just remember that a silversmith, to get the metal into its purest form, has to put the metal into the hottest part of the fire."

Naturally, my brain tried to figure out what he just said, and what in the world it had to do with me.  I came to the conclusion that we, as humans, are the metal.  The silversmith is God, and the fire is life.  Sometimes, we may look around, and think "why am I the only one who's going through this?  My life is so hard, and a lot of other people's lives are so easy!  Why is God doing this to me?"  Well, through that hard part in your life, just remember that your imperfections and weaknesses are being burned right out of you, leaving a pure, more perfect Son or Daughter of God.

Keep it up.  You are absolutely amazing.  God loves you so much, I promise you that.  There is so much for you to do in this life, just keep going.  You are able to bless so many people.  God has given you the instruments to do so (through talents, circumstances, etc.)  Your job, now, is to figure out how you can accomplish that.

I know that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is the true church of God.  I love the Gospel.  I love my Lord.  I love my Father.  I know that Jesus Christ lives.  I know, with all my heart, that He died for us so that we can repent and come back to Him.  I know my family loves me.  I know that this life is placed here for us to polish ourselves, and become better.  And I think it does a pretty good job of that.  I would like to say these things in the sacred name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Prayer

As we progress through our lives, continuing performing our church duties, we sometimes tend to fall into the rhythm of things.  We start to just go through the motions.  I am probably one of the people who is most guilty of this.  When we go through the motions, we completely forget the whole point of it all.  We start to "look beyond the mark," as Jacob said in Jacob 4:14.  We miss the most important part of it all, we miss the entire reason we are here.  Yes, we are here to get a body, and to obey the commandments.  But, above all, we are here to continue to develop our personal relationship with our Heavenly Father, and Jesus Christ.

Developing and maintaining those relationships with God the Father and Christ can bring us so much joy.  Whenever I'm just going through the motions, and forgetting the basis of the whole Gospel (Jesus), I always feel like there's something missing.  In those instances, I have never been able to attain that perfect, everlasting happiness.  I feel alone, and slightly cold.  I mean, it is so great that you're keeping the Commandments, but without that personal relationship, it's truthfully not going to avail you too much.  Like, who wants to dwell eternally with a God with whom they don't know very well?

Now, the question is this: "how can we develop this relationship with God?"  Well, how do you develop a relationship with a classmate, or with a family member?  You talk with them.  You confide in them.  And overall, you learn to trust them, even trust them with your life.  The more you talk to them, the stronger the bond becomes.  And the way in which we talk with our Heavenly Father is prayer.  When we get down on our knees, and sincerely pour our heart out to Him, that is talking to the Almighty.  That is where the bond forms.

However, communication is a two-way street.  We can talk to Him through prayer.  Then, how does He talk to us?  He accomplishes this in a few ways.  First, we can listen.  After we finish a prayer, we should sit and ponder for a moment, and give Him a chance to respond to what we just told Him.  Another way that He can communicate to us is through the Holy Scriptures.  God has placed little hidden gems within the scriptures, that He knew that you would need, with His infinite foreknowledge.  We can receive personal messages directly from our Father by reading the scriptures.

Brothers and Sisters, I pray that we can receive that relationship with our God.  I know that through that, we can have eternal and everlasting happiness.  I love my Lord, and I love my Father.  I know that this is the true church here on this Earth today.  I know that God loves us, each individually and specifically.  I would like to say these things in the sacred name of Jesus Christ, my Redeemer, amen.

Because of Him

I absolutely love this video.  This really brings into perspective all that He did, and it just makes it so much more real for me.  Happy Easter everyone. :-)

Parable of the Painting

As many of you might know, I am very fond of parables and analogies.  They make my journey in understanding the world much easier, and I hope they can help you as well.

One idea that I have been pondering recently, is the idea that our lives are similar to a painting; a work of art (contributed to a few EFY songs, including Masterpiece by Julie De Azevedo and While We’re Young by April Meservy and JB Ahfua.)

In thinking about this, I have envisioned myself before a white canvas, painting.  Meanwhile, my mentors and tutors, the Holy Spirit and Jesus Christ, occasionally come over to me to give me suggestions on how to make a beautiful painting.  Well, they’re not suggestions.  They’re commandments.  He knows our desires to make beautiful paintings, and he has given us instructions and guides to help us to accomplish that.

However, let me point out one thing: He has only given us guides. The test of mortality is to obey what the Father has commanded us to do, but we still need to fill in the gaps between the guides, and still make our painting beautiful. In Doctrine and Covenants section 58 verse 26, the Lord explain to Joseph Smith "For behold, it is not meet that I should command in all things; for he that is compelled in all things, the same is a slothful and not a wise servant; wherefore he receiveth no reward." In other words, if the Lord has to paint our picture for us, it's all kind of pointless, right? He only sets the qualifications, and we use our Agency to make the rest of it beautiful.

I pray that we all make our works of art in the Highest standard, and that we may all live with Him once again. I know that He lives. I know that He has paid the price for my sins, and I will be forever grateful to Him for that. I love my Lord. I love my Father. I say these things in the eternally sacred name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Alma 37:6

As Jesus spoke before the multitudes, one of the most memorable aspects of his teachings was the simplicity of what he proclaimed.  For example, in His Sermon on the Mount, Jesus instructed "And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloak also.  And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain.  Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not though away."

Pretty simple, right?

Well, a few things.  I've noticed that amongst this simplicity and straight-forwardness, we (or at least I) wish for something a little more hard and complicated than this.  I start to think "Okay, Heavenly Father, I understand that.  Now, show me the real, hard stuff."  I really need to learn my lesson.  The Chosen People of the Old Testament also started to feel this way.  They noticed how easy it was to understand it, and they began to ask Heavenly Father for harder things.  They wanted a challenge.  Heavenly Father knew that that wasn't the correct way to go, but He gave them what they asked for, anyway.  In response to their prayers, God sent the prophet Isaiah, and along with that, he gave many dreams and visions to His chosen Prophet.  Now, I'm fairly sure that most of us have had experience with these visions that Isaiah was blessed with (see the latter half of 2nd Nephi in the Book of Mormon, and also the Book of Isaiah in the Old Testament of the Bible.)  They are extremely confusing, and at least for me, I sometimes understand a little part here and there, but the majority of things taught and spoken are just way over my head.  It seems like we have now come to dread reading those passages.

I don't mean to put words in God's mouth, but I believe that those verses are two-fold.  First, I believe they were a form of rebukement for those early Saints.  I think that God's thoughts were along the lines of "okay, you prayed for harder things.  Here you go.  Now you are going to be held accountable for knowing the doctrines and principles within those chapters.  Good luck."  And that brings me to the second part of that decision.  Those doctrines and principles that I mentioned, the ones that are hidden deep within the visions of Isaiah, are so sweet and pure and wonderful.  If we honestly, and diligently seek for those gold flecks of understanding, I know that we will be blessed.  In the small instances where I've had a flash of understanding, though brief, I have glimpsed the glory of such wonderful teachings.  I know that there's more to those accounts than just "Oh, he had a weird dream."  They are absolutely filled to the brim with such amazing truths, I know they are.  I know with all my heart that if we want to know what's in there, and we actually try to understand, then the Lord will grant us that understanding.

Lessons to learn from this story?  First, don't wish for something that you don't have.  Heavenly Father knows exactly how to take care of His Children, just trust Him.  He knows exactly what He is doing.  Second lesson?  Some things are worth working for.  Those things, if we work for them, we will treasure them more than anything else, because we know how hard it was to get them.  We will hold them in such high esteem, and hold them so dear to our hearts.

I know with all my heart that this church, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is the true church here on the Earth today.  I know that God lives, and I know that He loves me.  He loves you, more than anything.  I love the Lord my God, and I love my dear Father who dwells in Heaven.  I love this Gospel with all my heart, and I say these things in the sacred name of our Redeemer, Jesus Christ, amen.

Words by Michelangelo

"And still, I am learning."

Michelangelo

More words

This made me want to cry when I first saw this.  I know that this is true with all my heart; He has always been there for me, and I'm positive He will be right next to me forever more.  I know that this can be true for everybody else, and that it is true.  Just think about it. :-)

Significance

This is very  interesting to think about.  In case the print is too small, it reads as follows:
"You are 1 person, out of 7 billion people.
On 1 planet, out of 8 planets
In 1 star system, out of 100 billion star systems
In 1 galaxy, out of 100 billion galaxies
and you are enormously insignificant.
Out of 100 billion galaxies, existing in 100 billion star systems, out of 7 billion people,
You have your own unique genetic makeup
Your thumbprint is yours alone
You can create art
And write a song
And are depended upon by others that love you.
You are enormously significant."

Just remember how many people you affect.  You're worth it. :-)

Happiness

I would like to testify to the truth of this.  If you're waiting for the perfect conditions do to something, then prepare to wait forever.  Because perfect conditions will never come, at least not in this life. :-)

What are you doing with your time?

Good, Better, Best

Among the many struggles of human life, many people are faced with the predicament of how to fill their schedules, and what to do with their lives everyday.  There are an infinite amount of things that we could do at every moment, and sometimes it's hard to choose what to do.  I have recently been faced with this challenge, and truthfully, it's difficult to figure out.  However, the words of Elder Oaks echoes in my ears; "Good, Better, Best."  In our limited amount of time on this Earth, we need to utilize every single moment, and make the best out of everything.  There's no time for anything else.  Every second we have is a gracious gift from God, and how are we using it?  It seems like the majority of our time is spent in some sort of time-waster, whether it be a video game or otherwise.

While I have been preparing my mind and my knowledge for my mission (both full-time and in my normal life), I have realized what I have missed out on.  Throughout most of late-elementary school and through middle school, I spent a lot of my time reading many books, some were good, and some were great.  I loved to read, and I would read whatever I could get my hands on.  But now, when I am faced with so many things in this life, and having so many trials of my knowledge, I regret not having utilized my time better.  I regret not learning as much as I could when I had so much free time.  In Doctrine and Covenants 88:118, it says "Seek ye out of the best books words of wisdom." (emphasis added).  I realized that if I'm going to read anything, that I should be reading the best books.  The books that I learn the most from.  I realized that if I'm going to live my life, I should be living it in the best way possible.

Brothers and Sisters, we only have so long here in mortality.  We only have so many years.  I know, a year sounds like a long time, but it's really not.  How do you want to spend your time?  Do you want to change other's lives for the better?  Or do you want to spend your time doing things that avail little, if anything?  In this day and age, with so many things available to us, Satan's greatest tool is not simply getting a good man (or woman) to do something bad.  He only needs to convince a good person to do nothing.  He argues for the "good" things over the "best" things.

I know that if we will spend our times doing the "best" things, we will be greatly rewarded.  It will be hard, no one ever said it wouldn't be.  But if we keep pushing through, I promise that the blessings will greatly outweigh the price.  I have witnessed this time and time again in my own life.  I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.