The Divine Gift of Gratitude
Pres. Thomas S. Monson
October 2010 General Conference
Sincerely giving thanks not only helps us recognize our blessings, but it also unlocks the doors of heaven and helps us feel God’s love.
“When you walk with gratitude, you do not walk with arrogance and conceit and egotism, you walk with a spirit of thanksgiving that is becoming to you and will bless your lives.” Gordon B. Hinckley
“He is a wise man who does not grieve for the things which he has not, but rejoices for those which he has.” Epictetus
Gratitude is a divine principle.
Regardless of our circumstances, each of us has much for which to be grateful if we will but pause and contemplate our blessings.
If ingratitude be numbered among the serious sins, then gratitude takes its place among the noblest of virtues.
“gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, but the parent of all others.” Cicero
A prayerful life is the key to possessing gratitude.
“Most human beings have an almost infinite capacity for taking things for granted.” Aldous Huxley
“feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it.” William Arthur Ward
To express gratitude is gracious and honorable, to enact gratitude is generous and noble, but to live with gratitude ever in our hearts is to touch heaven.
Let us follow Him. Let us emulate His example. Let us obey His words. By so doing, we give to Him the divine gift of gratitude.
Sunday, December 26, 2010
Saturday, December 25, 2010
Merry Christmas!
May we all remember our Savior, Jesus Christ as we celebrate his birth on this Christmas Day.
Friday, December 17, 2010
2010 College Football Picks Winner
This year's winner of the college football picks championship is me!
1: Tammy came in first place six weeks
2: Dad came in first place four weeks
3: Michael came in first place three weeks
4: Lisa came in first place one week
With six wins I am the winner this year. Michael was our winner last year. And the year before that Dad was the winner. It's always very close between the top three. Everyone else gives a valiant effort and once in a while comes out on top. It's a fun family competition that has become a tradition. Thanks to all who participated. We will be holding our annual end of the season football party/award ceremony during one of the upcoming bowl games. In the meantime, I will go ahead and pat myself on the back for being this year's college football picks champion! Yippee!
1: Tammy came in first place six weeks
2: Dad came in first place four weeks
3: Michael came in first place three weeks
4: Lisa came in first place one week
With six wins I am the winner this year. Michael was our winner last year. And the year before that Dad was the winner. It's always very close between the top three. Everyone else gives a valiant effort and once in a while comes out on top. It's a fun family competition that has become a tradition. Thanks to all who participated. We will be holding our annual end of the season football party/award ceremony during one of the upcoming bowl games. In the meantime, I will go ahead and pat myself on the back for being this year's college football picks champion! Yippee!
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Survival of the Fittest
We live in a weight obsessed society. More specifically, obsession with being thin. There are a lot of people who harm themselves by trying to obtain the thinness they feel society expects of them. From a biological standpoint, thin is not in.
I did a blog post a while ago which I entitled, “Mutant Bulldogs”. In that post I talked about natural selection. It might be helpful to go reread that because I mentioned several examples of natural and artificial selection.
Let me just explain a little bit about what natural selection is. Natural selection is a term coined by Charles Darwin. In a nutshell, natural selection says that individuals with certain genetic characteristics have the advantage over those without those genetic characteristics. And therefore are more easily able to survive and reproduce.
I will give you an example. Prior to the Industrial Revolution in the United Kingdom there was a certain species of moth with approximately half of the population being white in color and half being black. After the Industrial Revolution there was a lot of soot that covered the trees in which the moths lived. It became much easier for predators to see the white colored moths. Therefore, being black in color was naturally selected for in these specific moths. The black moths survived to reproduce much more easily than did the white moths. Therefore the population was skewed to favor black moths. This is natural selection.
Another term for natural selection is survival of the fittest. Biologically speaking, fitness refers to the ability to survive to adulthood and produce offspring. More specifically, fitness is measured by how many offspring you leave behind.
When most people think of fitness they think of big muscles, athletic ability, low body fat percentage, etc. All of those things do play a role in physical fitness and perhaps to a small degree in natural selection. When I speak of fitness, I am speaking in biological terms, not physical fitness as you know it.
In the animal kingdom it is quite evident that, for example, in zebras, lions, antelopes, cheetahs, etc. the ability to run fast would be advantageous. Therefore, the ability to run fast is a trait which would be naturally selected for in the above example.
Natural selection is not as important in human populations because, as a species, we tend to care for those who are “not as fit”. For example, people with genetic disorders that cause physical or mental disabilities. Those individuals thus afflicted, are cared for by others. Whereas, in the animal kingdom they wouldn’t survive long.
In times of stress however, you would see natural selection, or survival of the fittest, taking place in human populations. For example, during a famine those individuals with a fat reserve, whose bodies can slow metabolism will have an advantage over those with little or no fat reserve with a high metabolism.
That’s what I want to talk about today. I want to focus on natural selection and specifically the body’s ability to store fat.
One of the traits that would make us less fit, is the inability to store fat. Therefore, those individuals who are extremely thin, who can’t seem to put any weight on regardless of how much food they eat, are less fit, biologically speaking, than those who carry around a few extra pounds. Even though society tells us that thinner is better. Biology tells us otherwise. We need a little “meat on our bones”. Those extremely thin supermodels that you see on magazine covers are less fit than the average person. The other extreme is true as well, those who are morbidly obese, are also less fit.
But I want to focus on our quest for thinness. Biologically, it doesn’t make sense. It might be hard to understand this concept in the world in which we live today, where food is abundant. But, think about times of famine. Who is more likely to survive, a thin person with relatively little fat storage, and a high metabolism, or someone who is carrying around 20 or 30 pounds of excess fat, and has a slower metabolism?
Actually, the ability to slow your metabolism in times of famine is a naturally selected for trait. Have you ever wondered why crash diets don’t work very well? It’s because when you severely restrict your caloric intake, your body slows your metabolism because it thinks there’s a famine. Therefore, making it much more difficult to lose weight. The calories you do eat are stretched farther, and your fat stores are conserved as much as possible.
The most effective and safest way to lose weight is slowly. By slightly modifying your diet; decreasing caloric intake, and increasing your exercise regimen; increasing caloric output. It’s quite a simple formula really. Burn more calories than you consume equals weight loss. Consume more calories than you burn equals weight gain.
Exercise, even a small amount, tends to increase metabolism. That is, if there is enough energy available through daily food intake. This is why you should not restrict caloric intake very much. Because, as I said before, if you restrict daily caloric intake too much, your body actually slows metabolism. You can still lose weight this way, because as mammals we are endothermic (warm blooded) and require a lot of energy to sustain life. But, as soon as the “famine” is over, you’ll much more easily gain weight back. Usually as much or more than you lost. Because your metabolism is much slower than normal and your body is preparing for the next famine.
Since I’m on the subject of diet and nutrition. Let me mention that moderation in all things is always the best policy. A healthy body requires a variety of foods. This is how we acquire the essential amino acids, vitamins, minerals, micronutrients, etc. needed.
As I recall, a healthy diet consists of around 60% carbohydrates of which the majority should be complex carbohydrates obtained through grains in the form of bread, rice, cereals, and pastas. 10% of our diet should consist of proteins, these are usually obtained from meats but can also be obtained through dairy products, eggs, and certain legumes like peanuts and beans. And lastly, 30% or less of our daily caloric intake should be obtained from fats. Let us remember that fats contain 9 kcal per gram. Whereas proteins and carbohydrates contain 4 kcal per gram. So a gram of butter contains more than twice as many calories as the same amount of sugar.
Fats seem to get a bad rap. So, let me take a moment to defend them. Not only do fats produce satiety when eaten, they also help you feel satiated longer. Have you ever noticed people who are on a no fat diet always feel hungry? It’s because they are not eating the fats necessary to be satiated.
Let me give you an example. A person on a no fat diet eats a plain baked potato. They don’t feel full so they eat another one. They rationalize that since they didn’t put butter and sour cream on their potato, they can eat twice as much. Whereas the person who eats the same baked potato with butter and sour cream on it feels full after eating just one.
Now let’s compare caloric intake. A plain baked potato has 280 calories. The same baked potato with butter and sour cream has 455 calories. So, the person on the no fat diet who ate two plain baked potatoes consumed 540 calories. And will still get hungry a lot faster because he ate no fat. While the person who ate one baked potato with butter and sour cream consumed 455 calories and will feel fuller longer because of the fat on his potato.
Let’s see, the person on the low-fat diet consumed almost 100 more calories than his wiser counterpart. But he still feels better about himself because he didn’t eat any fat. In the words of Capt. Woodrow F. Call, “That don’t make no sense at all”.
I guess my point in writing this blog post is to say that moderation in all things is the best policy. Don’t deprive yourself of a variety of foods you enjoy. Go ahead and put butter and sour cream on your potato, eat the chocolate cake, enjoy the works on your pizza, enjoy all the goodies during the holidays. And if you put on a few pounds, just be happy that you are more fit, biologically speaking, than the skinny supermodels on the magazines.
That’s my two cents.
I did a blog post a while ago which I entitled, “Mutant Bulldogs”. In that post I talked about natural selection. It might be helpful to go reread that because I mentioned several examples of natural and artificial selection.
Let me just explain a little bit about what natural selection is. Natural selection is a term coined by Charles Darwin. In a nutshell, natural selection says that individuals with certain genetic characteristics have the advantage over those without those genetic characteristics. And therefore are more easily able to survive and reproduce.
I will give you an example. Prior to the Industrial Revolution in the United Kingdom there was a certain species of moth with approximately half of the population being white in color and half being black. After the Industrial Revolution there was a lot of soot that covered the trees in which the moths lived. It became much easier for predators to see the white colored moths. Therefore, being black in color was naturally selected for in these specific moths. The black moths survived to reproduce much more easily than did the white moths. Therefore the population was skewed to favor black moths. This is natural selection.
Another term for natural selection is survival of the fittest. Biologically speaking, fitness refers to the ability to survive to adulthood and produce offspring. More specifically, fitness is measured by how many offspring you leave behind.
When most people think of fitness they think of big muscles, athletic ability, low body fat percentage, etc. All of those things do play a role in physical fitness and perhaps to a small degree in natural selection. When I speak of fitness, I am speaking in biological terms, not physical fitness as you know it.
In the animal kingdom it is quite evident that, for example, in zebras, lions, antelopes, cheetahs, etc. the ability to run fast would be advantageous. Therefore, the ability to run fast is a trait which would be naturally selected for in the above example.
Natural selection is not as important in human populations because, as a species, we tend to care for those who are “not as fit”. For example, people with genetic disorders that cause physical or mental disabilities. Those individuals thus afflicted, are cared for by others. Whereas, in the animal kingdom they wouldn’t survive long.
In times of stress however, you would see natural selection, or survival of the fittest, taking place in human populations. For example, during a famine those individuals with a fat reserve, whose bodies can slow metabolism will have an advantage over those with little or no fat reserve with a high metabolism.
That’s what I want to talk about today. I want to focus on natural selection and specifically the body’s ability to store fat.
One of the traits that would make us less fit, is the inability to store fat. Therefore, those individuals who are extremely thin, who can’t seem to put any weight on regardless of how much food they eat, are less fit, biologically speaking, than those who carry around a few extra pounds. Even though society tells us that thinner is better. Biology tells us otherwise. We need a little “meat on our bones”. Those extremely thin supermodels that you see on magazine covers are less fit than the average person. The other extreme is true as well, those who are morbidly obese, are also less fit.
But I want to focus on our quest for thinness. Biologically, it doesn’t make sense. It might be hard to understand this concept in the world in which we live today, where food is abundant. But, think about times of famine. Who is more likely to survive, a thin person with relatively little fat storage, and a high metabolism, or someone who is carrying around 20 or 30 pounds of excess fat, and has a slower metabolism?
Actually, the ability to slow your metabolism in times of famine is a naturally selected for trait. Have you ever wondered why crash diets don’t work very well? It’s because when you severely restrict your caloric intake, your body slows your metabolism because it thinks there’s a famine. Therefore, making it much more difficult to lose weight. The calories you do eat are stretched farther, and your fat stores are conserved as much as possible.
The most effective and safest way to lose weight is slowly. By slightly modifying your diet; decreasing caloric intake, and increasing your exercise regimen; increasing caloric output. It’s quite a simple formula really. Burn more calories than you consume equals weight loss. Consume more calories than you burn equals weight gain.
Exercise, even a small amount, tends to increase metabolism. That is, if there is enough energy available through daily food intake. This is why you should not restrict caloric intake very much. Because, as I said before, if you restrict daily caloric intake too much, your body actually slows metabolism. You can still lose weight this way, because as mammals we are endothermic (warm blooded) and require a lot of energy to sustain life. But, as soon as the “famine” is over, you’ll much more easily gain weight back. Usually as much or more than you lost. Because your metabolism is much slower than normal and your body is preparing for the next famine.
Since I’m on the subject of diet and nutrition. Let me mention that moderation in all things is always the best policy. A healthy body requires a variety of foods. This is how we acquire the essential amino acids, vitamins, minerals, micronutrients, etc. needed.
As I recall, a healthy diet consists of around 60% carbohydrates of which the majority should be complex carbohydrates obtained through grains in the form of bread, rice, cereals, and pastas. 10% of our diet should consist of proteins, these are usually obtained from meats but can also be obtained through dairy products, eggs, and certain legumes like peanuts and beans. And lastly, 30% or less of our daily caloric intake should be obtained from fats. Let us remember that fats contain 9 kcal per gram. Whereas proteins and carbohydrates contain 4 kcal per gram. So a gram of butter contains more than twice as many calories as the same amount of sugar.
Fats seem to get a bad rap. So, let me take a moment to defend them. Not only do fats produce satiety when eaten, they also help you feel satiated longer. Have you ever noticed people who are on a no fat diet always feel hungry? It’s because they are not eating the fats necessary to be satiated.
Let me give you an example. A person on a no fat diet eats a plain baked potato. They don’t feel full so they eat another one. They rationalize that since they didn’t put butter and sour cream on their potato, they can eat twice as much. Whereas the person who eats the same baked potato with butter and sour cream on it feels full after eating just one.
Now let’s compare caloric intake. A plain baked potato has 280 calories. The same baked potato with butter and sour cream has 455 calories. So, the person on the no fat diet who ate two plain baked potatoes consumed 540 calories. And will still get hungry a lot faster because he ate no fat. While the person who ate one baked potato with butter and sour cream consumed 455 calories and will feel fuller longer because of the fat on his potato.
Let’s see, the person on the low-fat diet consumed almost 100 more calories than his wiser counterpart. But he still feels better about himself because he didn’t eat any fat. In the words of Capt. Woodrow F. Call, “That don’t make no sense at all”.
I guess my point in writing this blog post is to say that moderation in all things is the best policy. Don’t deprive yourself of a variety of foods you enjoy. Go ahead and put butter and sour cream on your potato, eat the chocolate cake, enjoy the works on your pizza, enjoy all the goodies during the holidays. And if you put on a few pounds, just be happy that you are more fit, biologically speaking, than the skinny supermodels on the magazines.
That’s my two cents.
Friday, December 10, 2010
Birthday Surprise
I call Jason my plastic brother. He is my brother's best friend and was always around while we were growing up. And even after we were grown. Michael and Jason would come visit me in college, in Logan. And in San Francisco.
It is always fun when Michael and Jason get together. They are hilarious. Suffice it to say that many laughs were shared last night. Thanks Jason, for flying in for my big day. You made it extra special. And thanks to everyone for the wonderful decorations (I think the napkins were special ordered, they fit me to a T. :-)), dinner, cake, cards and gifts. It was a wonderful milestone birthday.
I have more pictures but it's taken me several hours to put these on so I guess that's all I'm going to do right now.
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Happy Birthday!
It's hard for me to believe but twoscore years ago today, I was born. I never thought I would reach this milestone. The funny thing is, I don't feel any older than I did when I hit the one score mark. Perhaps a little wiser, but not older.
So, I guess I will go ahead and wish myself a happy birthday. :-)
Thanks to everyone who sent me birthday wishes today.
So, I guess I will go ahead and wish myself a happy birthday. :-)
Thanks to everyone who sent me birthday wishes today.
Monday, December 6, 2010
College Football Picks Results Week 14
1. Dad -5
2. Derrinda -6
3. Tammy -8
4. Michael -9
5. Mom -10 tiebreaker 63 actual 73
6. Lisa -10 tiebreaker 43 actual 73
2. Derrinda -6
3. Tammy -8
4. Michael -9
5. Mom -10 tiebreaker 63 actual 73
6. Lisa -10 tiebreaker 43 actual 73
Sunday, December 5, 2010
Principles from Prophets - Thomas S. Monson
This morning, I watched a BYU devotional given by Thomas S. Monson. He talked about some qualities and interesting facts about the Prophets since he was born. So, I decided to take some excerpts from his talk and post them on my blog. I did not include most of the stories which were very interesting. So I would encourage you to read the entire transcript. I will post a link for you. Principles from Prophets transcript link
Principles from Prophets
Thomas S. Monson
Thomas S. Monson was President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints when this BYU Devotional was given in the Marriot Center on September 15, 2009.
"The seventh President of the Church, Heber J. Grant. He was ordained and set apart as President on November 23, 1918, at the age of 62.
President Grant’s favorite song was “Do What Is Right.” And let me add the words “let the consequence follow.” Think of that: Do what is right. President Grant lived by the words of that song. His favorite food was bread and milk—very common, simple fare.
A favorite quotation of his is attributed to Ralph Waldo Emerson: “That which we persist in doing becomes easier to do; not that the nature of the thing has changed, but that our capacity to do has increased.”
What would be the trait of President Heber J. Grant that he would probably have you remember and incorporate in your life? I feel it would be persistence. Persist in all those things which are good and noble.
After 27 years as President of the Church, President Grant passed away on May 14, 1945, at the age of 88.
I move next to President George Albert Smith, the eighth President of the Church, ordained and set apart as President on May 21, 1945, at the age of 75.
President George Albert Smith’s favorite song was “Let Us Oft Speak Kind Words,” which he personified.
His favorite food was apple pie with a little warm milk on it.
What was one of his favorite statements? He always taught, “There is a great tug‐of‐war going on between the Lord and the adversary. Stay safely on the Lord’s side of the line.” Oh, how applicable it is today in our lives! A trait of President Smith’s which he would no doubt encourage us to incorporate in our lives would be compassion. This great leader had a compassionate heart.
President George Albert Smith served as President of the Church for six years, passing away on his 81st birthday, April 4, 1951.
Now we move to David O. McKay, the ninth President of the Church. He was sustained as President on April 9, 1951.
President McKay’s favorite song was “Oh Say, What Is Truth?” His favorite food: Cummings chocolates.
What would be an expression of his? From his own heart and soul he said, “True Christianity is love in action.”
Again, the noble principle from President McKay that I would share with you today is consideration. May we ever be considerate.
President McKay served nineteen years as President, until his death January 18, 1970, at the age of 96.
Next I mention Joseph Fielding Smith, tenth President of the Church. He was ordained and set apart on January 23, 1970, at the age of 93.
His favorite song was “Prayer Is the Soul’s Sincere Desire.” And I’ll add the next thought: “uttered or unexpressed.”
And as for his favorite food, I observed him at our luncheon table in the temple on Thursdays, and he seemed to love sweet pickles. I hate them! I would see to it that he got the sweet pickles, and I’d take the dill pickles.
What would be a favorite quotation from President Smith? From the book of Alma in the Book of Mormon he emphasized the scripture “Wickedness never was happiness.” I’ll repeat it: “Wickedness never was happiness.”
What would be his guiding principle for us? It would be gospel scholarship. He was truly a scholar. I believe we could say that he would leave for you and for me this advice: Be studious. I say that to you as student body members too: be studious. When it is test week, you’ll be grateful you were studious!
President Joseph Fielding Smith served as President of the Church for two and a half years, until his death on July 2, 1972, at the age of 95.
Harold B. Lee, eleventh President of the Church, was ordained and set apart as President on July 7, 1972, at the age of 73.
One of President Lee’s favorite songs was “Praise to the Man”—“who communed with Jehovah!” I’ll pause for a moment and say that when I was first called to the Twelve, I noted that Brother Lee was playing the organ. And he said, “Brother Monson, as our newest apostle, would you choose the song you’d like for us to sing today?” And I chose his favorite, and we all sang it with gusto.
A favorite food of his was bread and milk, and a favorite quotation of his was “Stand ye in holy places, and be not moved.” Remember this. I will repeat it: “Stand ye in holy places, and be not moved.”
What would be a guiding principle from him? I would say he would encourage us to be in tune with and to be responsive to the whisperings of the Holy Spirit.
Harold B. Lee served just one and a half years as President of the Church. He passed away on December 26, 1973, at the age of 74.
After President Lee came President Spencer W. Kimball, twelfth President of the Church, ordained and set apart as President on December 30, 1973, at the age of 78.
For President Kimball, obstacles became his opportunities. He was totally dedicated, a worker such as one seldom sees. He cared not at all about personal aggrandizement.
President Kimball was totally, completely, unequivocally dedicated to the Lord. He was dedicated to living the gospel.
One of President Kimball’s favorite songs was “I Need Thee Every Hour.” Let’s remember that one particularly. That choice demonstrates his humility.
Concerning his favorite food, I watched him for all the years I was in the Twelve while he was living. He would fill a glass with milk and take some date nut bread and crumble it into the glass until it was thick. Then he would take a spoon and eat it! I did not follow his example.
What was a favorite quotation or a lesson from him? “Lengthen your stride.” We had to lengthen our stride in order to keep up with him! I asked President Kimball what would be a guiding principle from his life. And then I answered it: I believe it would be dedication.
Spencer W. Kimball served as President of the Church for twelve years until his death on November 5, 1985, at the age of 90.
Now I come to Ezra Taft Benson, thirteenth President of the Church. He was ordained and set apart as President on November 10, 1985. I had the privilege of serving as his second counselor during the years he was President.
President Benson was a generous leader.
President Benson’s favorite song was “How Great Thou Art.”
His favorite food was fresh raspberries, and we had them as often as possible at our temple luncheons when he was President of the Church.
His favorite quotation was from the Book of Mormon, words spoken by the Lord. It’s in the form of a question, and I pose it to you: “What manner of men ought ye to be? Verily I say unto you, even as I am.” That would apply to every man and woman here today: “Even as I am,” said the Lord.
What is a guiding principle from President Benson? I’d have to say it is love. The manner in which he treated his sweet companion and, indeed, all with whom he came in contact provides an example for all of us. Let us love one another.
Ezra Taft Benson served as President of the Church for eight and a half years until his death on May 30, 1994, at the age of 94.
We come now to Howard W. Hunter, fourteenth President of the Church, who was ordained and set apart on June 5, 1994, at the age of 86.
One of President Hunter’s hallmarks was that of courtesy. Whether in a moment of pleasant conversation or in times of constant pain, he was ever courteous.
President Hunter loved all the hymns, but one of his favorites was “Have I Done Any Good in the World Today?”
One of his favorite foods was Alaskan crab.
What would be one of his favorite quotations? He loved the scripture found in Proverbs, chapter 27, verse 2: “Let another man praise thee . . . and not thine own lips.” Modesty, modesty, modesty.
What would be a guiding principle from President Hunter’s life? I believe it would be his ability always to look for the best in people— such an important quality to emulate.
President Hunter died March 3, 1995, at the age of 87.
Finally, brothers and sisters, I come to Gordon B. Hinckley, fifteenth President of the Church, ordained and set apart on March 12, 1995, at the age of 84.
He was a kind man who taught and who lived tolerance,never disparaging another person’s beliefs.
President Hinckley was a wordsmith. I will repeat the word: wordsmith. He was well read and a scholar, and he could put words and phrases together in such a way that it was a pleasure to listen to his messages.
One of President Hinckley’s favorite hymns has words written by Rudyard Kipling— that’s the British in him. The hymn is “God of Our Fathers, Known of Old.”
One of his favorite desserts was pie and ice cream.
He loved the Prophet Joseph Smith; he loved the Savior. A favorite quotation was taken from the words of the Prophet Joseph concerning the Savior: And now, after the many testimonies which have been given of him, this is the testimony, last of all, which we give of him: That he lives! For we saw him, even on the right hand of God; and we heard the voice bearing record that he is the Only Begotten of the Father.
What would be a guiding principle from President Hinckley’s life? It is one which we would all do well to follow: Do your best.
Gordon B. Hinckley served as President of the Church for nearly thirteen years until his death on January 27, 2008, at the age of 97.
What can we learn from the prophets whom I have known and about whom I have visited with you today? We can learn that they never wavered, never faltered, never failed; that they are men of God."
I hope you enjoyed these excerpts from Pres. Monson's talk. It would be well worth your time and effort to read the entire transcript. There are many stories about the Prophets that I'm sure you would find enjoyable and uplifting. We would all do well to try to emulate some of the wonderful qualities of these men of God mentioned by Pres. Monson.
That's my two cents.
Principles from Prophets
Thomas S. Monson
Thomas S. Monson was President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints when this BYU Devotional was given in the Marriot Center on September 15, 2009.
"The seventh President of the Church, Heber J. Grant. He was ordained and set apart as President on November 23, 1918, at the age of 62.
President Grant’s favorite song was “Do What Is Right.” And let me add the words “let the consequence follow.” Think of that: Do what is right. President Grant lived by the words of that song. His favorite food was bread and milk—very common, simple fare.
A favorite quotation of his is attributed to Ralph Waldo Emerson: “That which we persist in doing becomes easier to do; not that the nature of the thing has changed, but that our capacity to do has increased.”
What would be the trait of President Heber J. Grant that he would probably have you remember and incorporate in your life? I feel it would be persistence. Persist in all those things which are good and noble.
After 27 years as President of the Church, President Grant passed away on May 14, 1945, at the age of 88.
I move next to President George Albert Smith, the eighth President of the Church, ordained and set apart as President on May 21, 1945, at the age of 75.
President George Albert Smith’s favorite song was “Let Us Oft Speak Kind Words,” which he personified.
His favorite food was apple pie with a little warm milk on it.
What was one of his favorite statements? He always taught, “There is a great tug‐of‐war going on between the Lord and the adversary. Stay safely on the Lord’s side of the line.” Oh, how applicable it is today in our lives! A trait of President Smith’s which he would no doubt encourage us to incorporate in our lives would be compassion. This great leader had a compassionate heart.
President George Albert Smith served as President of the Church for six years, passing away on his 81st birthday, April 4, 1951.
Now we move to David O. McKay, the ninth President of the Church. He was sustained as President on April 9, 1951.
President McKay’s favorite song was “Oh Say, What Is Truth?” His favorite food: Cummings chocolates.
What would be an expression of his? From his own heart and soul he said, “True Christianity is love in action.”
Again, the noble principle from President McKay that I would share with you today is consideration. May we ever be considerate.
President McKay served nineteen years as President, until his death January 18, 1970, at the age of 96.
Next I mention Joseph Fielding Smith, tenth President of the Church. He was ordained and set apart on January 23, 1970, at the age of 93.
His favorite song was “Prayer Is the Soul’s Sincere Desire.” And I’ll add the next thought: “uttered or unexpressed.”
And as for his favorite food, I observed him at our luncheon table in the temple on Thursdays, and he seemed to love sweet pickles. I hate them! I would see to it that he got the sweet pickles, and I’d take the dill pickles.
What would be a favorite quotation from President Smith? From the book of Alma in the Book of Mormon he emphasized the scripture “Wickedness never was happiness.” I’ll repeat it: “Wickedness never was happiness.”
What would be his guiding principle for us? It would be gospel scholarship. He was truly a scholar. I believe we could say that he would leave for you and for me this advice: Be studious. I say that to you as student body members too: be studious. When it is test week, you’ll be grateful you were studious!
President Joseph Fielding Smith served as President of the Church for two and a half years, until his death on July 2, 1972, at the age of 95.
Harold B. Lee, eleventh President of the Church, was ordained and set apart as President on July 7, 1972, at the age of 73.
One of President Lee’s favorite songs was “Praise to the Man”—“who communed with Jehovah!” I’ll pause for a moment and say that when I was first called to the Twelve, I noted that Brother Lee was playing the organ. And he said, “Brother Monson, as our newest apostle, would you choose the song you’d like for us to sing today?” And I chose his favorite, and we all sang it with gusto.
A favorite food of his was bread and milk, and a favorite quotation of his was “Stand ye in holy places, and be not moved.” Remember this. I will repeat it: “Stand ye in holy places, and be not moved.”
What would be a guiding principle from him? I would say he would encourage us to be in tune with and to be responsive to the whisperings of the Holy Spirit.
Harold B. Lee served just one and a half years as President of the Church. He passed away on December 26, 1973, at the age of 74.
After President Lee came President Spencer W. Kimball, twelfth President of the Church, ordained and set apart as President on December 30, 1973, at the age of 78.
For President Kimball, obstacles became his opportunities. He was totally dedicated, a worker such as one seldom sees. He cared not at all about personal aggrandizement.
President Kimball was totally, completely, unequivocally dedicated to the Lord. He was dedicated to living the gospel.
One of President Kimball’s favorite songs was “I Need Thee Every Hour.” Let’s remember that one particularly. That choice demonstrates his humility.
Concerning his favorite food, I watched him for all the years I was in the Twelve while he was living. He would fill a glass with milk and take some date nut bread and crumble it into the glass until it was thick. Then he would take a spoon and eat it! I did not follow his example.
What was a favorite quotation or a lesson from him? “Lengthen your stride.” We had to lengthen our stride in order to keep up with him! I asked President Kimball what would be a guiding principle from his life. And then I answered it: I believe it would be dedication.
Spencer W. Kimball served as President of the Church for twelve years until his death on November 5, 1985, at the age of 90.
Now I come to Ezra Taft Benson, thirteenth President of the Church. He was ordained and set apart as President on November 10, 1985. I had the privilege of serving as his second counselor during the years he was President.
President Benson was a generous leader.
President Benson’s favorite song was “How Great Thou Art.”
His favorite food was fresh raspberries, and we had them as often as possible at our temple luncheons when he was President of the Church.
His favorite quotation was from the Book of Mormon, words spoken by the Lord. It’s in the form of a question, and I pose it to you: “What manner of men ought ye to be? Verily I say unto you, even as I am.” That would apply to every man and woman here today: “Even as I am,” said the Lord.
What is a guiding principle from President Benson? I’d have to say it is love. The manner in which he treated his sweet companion and, indeed, all with whom he came in contact provides an example for all of us. Let us love one another.
Ezra Taft Benson served as President of the Church for eight and a half years until his death on May 30, 1994, at the age of 94.
We come now to Howard W. Hunter, fourteenth President of the Church, who was ordained and set apart on June 5, 1994, at the age of 86.
One of President Hunter’s hallmarks was that of courtesy. Whether in a moment of pleasant conversation or in times of constant pain, he was ever courteous.
President Hunter loved all the hymns, but one of his favorites was “Have I Done Any Good in the World Today?”
One of his favorite foods was Alaskan crab.
What would be one of his favorite quotations? He loved the scripture found in Proverbs, chapter 27, verse 2: “Let another man praise thee . . . and not thine own lips.” Modesty, modesty, modesty.
What would be a guiding principle from President Hunter’s life? I believe it would be his ability always to look for the best in people— such an important quality to emulate.
President Hunter died March 3, 1995, at the age of 87.
Finally, brothers and sisters, I come to Gordon B. Hinckley, fifteenth President of the Church, ordained and set apart on March 12, 1995, at the age of 84.
He was a kind man who taught and who lived tolerance,never disparaging another person’s beliefs.
President Hinckley was a wordsmith. I will repeat the word: wordsmith. He was well read and a scholar, and he could put words and phrases together in such a way that it was a pleasure to listen to his messages.
One of President Hinckley’s favorite hymns has words written by Rudyard Kipling— that’s the British in him. The hymn is “God of Our Fathers, Known of Old.”
One of his favorite desserts was pie and ice cream.
He loved the Prophet Joseph Smith; he loved the Savior. A favorite quotation was taken from the words of the Prophet Joseph concerning the Savior: And now, after the many testimonies which have been given of him, this is the testimony, last of all, which we give of him: That he lives! For we saw him, even on the right hand of God; and we heard the voice bearing record that he is the Only Begotten of the Father.
What would be a guiding principle from President Hinckley’s life? It is one which we would all do well to follow: Do your best.
Gordon B. Hinckley served as President of the Church for nearly thirteen years until his death on January 27, 2008, at the age of 97.
What can we learn from the prophets whom I have known and about whom I have visited with you today? We can learn that they never wavered, never faltered, never failed; that they are men of God."
I hope you enjoyed these excerpts from Pres. Monson's talk. It would be well worth your time and effort to read the entire transcript. There are many stories about the Prophets that I'm sure you would find enjoyable and uplifting. We would all do well to try to emulate some of the wonderful qualities of these men of God mentioned by Pres. Monson.
That's my two cents.
Friday, December 3, 2010
"Dr. Lou" Quote of the Day
I did a post a week or so ago entitled "Dr. Lou". I would like to add another quote from Lou Holtz. This is a quote I heard yesterday on the Dr. Lou segment on ESPN's College football halftime show. It goes something like this:
Promises are like snowballs. They are easy to make, but hard to keep.
Sadly, college football season is coming to a close. So, the days of Dr. Lou quotes are numbered. On the bright side, we still have all of the bowl games to look forward to. And then only nine more months until next season!
That's my two cents.
Promises are like snowballs. They are easy to make, but hard to keep.
Sadly, college football season is coming to a close. So, the days of Dr. Lou quotes are numbered. On the bright side, we still have all of the bowl games to look forward to. And then only nine more months until next season!
That's my two cents.
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