The moral decline in the world is atrocious. Seems like nobody stands up for what's right anymore. More and more people seem to be panseric puppets who care more about what the world--or specific people or groups -- thinks of them than what God thinks or in defending truth and standng for what's right. And many of those who once stood for something are dropping like flies. I've seen it firsthand.
Brings to mind a song from a few years back. Remember this classic?
As Aaron Tippin says in the song, "You've got to stand for something or you'll fall for anything, you've got to be your own man, not a puppet on a string. Never compromise what's right and uphold your family name, you've got to stand for something or you'll fall for anything."
Too many people nowadays are compromising what's right and disgracing their family name. Too many people are not their own man but relinquish control of their lives to Satan and become puppets on strings. Too many people are falling -- dropping like flies.
Don't be a panseric puppet. Take control of your life. Stand for something. Defend truth. Do what is right.
That's my two cents.
Thursday, July 30, 2015
Sunday, July 26, 2015
Wonderful Random Quotes
Here are some random quotes I gleaned from daily messages I have received recently. These are a few that stood out to me so I thought I would share them on my blog. Enjoy!
"A father’s duty is to make his home a place of happiness and joy."
—Ezra Taft Benson
"The secret of a happy marriage is to serve God and each other. The goal of marriage is unity and oneness, as well as self-development."
—Ezra Taft Benson
"Happiness doesn't come from external circumstances. It comes from the inside—regardless of what is happening around us."
—Dieter F. Uchtdorf
"As disciples of Jesus Christ we have a responsibility to work together with like-minded believers, to raise our voices for what is right."
—Robert D. Hales
"Enduring to the end requires total commitment to the Savior and to our covenants."
—Kevin W. Pearson
"We should remember that a loving Heavenly Father is aware of our righteous desires and will honor His promises that nothing will be withheld from those who faithfully keep their covenants."
—Bonnie L. Oscarson
"We can receive inspiration for solutions to our problems during sacrament meeting."
—Don R. Clarke
"Yielding to emotions such as anger or hurt or defensiveness will drive away the Holy Ghost."
—Richard G. Scott
"All of us should banish hateful communications and practice civility for differences of opinion."
—Dallin H. Oak
Interestingly I gave the above advice to someone not too long ago -- it didn't go over well. It's nice to know that I gave the same advice an apostle would give. :-) Just thought I would add my two cents to the above quote.
"Logical thinking will not be enough to get answers to the questions that matter most in life. We need revelation from God."
—Henry B. Eyring
"Even as we seek to be meek and to avoid contention, we must not compromise or dilute our commitment to the truths we understand."
—Dallin H. Oak
"For decisions that affect eternity, having a gospel perspective is essential."
—Elder Rafael L. Pino
"To be offended is a choice we make; it is not a condition inflicted or imposed upon us by someone or something else."
—David A. Bednar
"The weakest among us, through God’s grace, can become spiritually strong, because God “is no respecter of persons.”
—President Dieter F. Uchtdorf
"When we follow the Savior of the world, we flourish … despite the many terrible circumstances around us."
—Quentin L. Cook
I guess that's enough for one blog post. I hope you enjoyed these quotes as much as I did. :-)
Thursday, July 23, 2015
22 Years
22 years ago today I caught a plane from Tampa Florida to Salt Lake City at the completion of my full-time mission. You may wonder why I post the anniversary of my mission departure and homecoming on my blog twice a year. It is because I consider it my greatest accomplishment thus far in mortality. And, believe it or not, I've actually accomplished quite a bit in my life.
Pictures of me towards the end of my mission in Largo, Florida (Seminole area) 1993
Monday, July 20, 2015
From the Mouths of Babes
My sister told me a cute story about my nephew that I wanted to share. I hope I get it right.
Last Saturday my sister took her kids to the park to play. My seven year old nephew met a new acquaintance/friend. My nephew was asking his new friend what he was going to do later that day. His friends said he was going to church. My nephew asked him which church he goes to. His friend told him he didn't know. To which my nephew replied, "I go to the true church". :-)
That's my nephew! Just like his aunt -- direct, honest, and straightforward.;-) He'll make a great missionary someday. :-)
Last Saturday my sister took her kids to the park to play. My seven year old nephew met a new acquaintance/friend. My nephew was asking his new friend what he was going to do later that day. His friends said he was going to church. My nephew asked him which church he goes to. His friend told him he didn't know. To which my nephew replied, "I go to the true church". :-)
That's my nephew! Just like his aunt -- direct, honest, and straightforward.;-) He'll make a great missionary someday. :-)
Sunday, July 19, 2015
Thoughts
"I believe reading the scriptures is the best washing machine for unclean or uncontrolled thoughts." -- President James E. Faust (“The Power of Self-Mastery,” April 2000 general conference).
I really liked that quote from an article I read this morning. Here is a story from that same article on LDS.org by Sister Linda S. Reeves of the General Relief Society Presidency:
"On the day my husband, Mel, and I moved into the mission home in Riverside, California, a 30-foot pine tree was uprooted from the front yard by a tree-removal company.
We were told that one week earlier, two other pine trees of similar height had also been removed. The top branches of the trees had become yellowed and diseased. These mighty trees were decades old. What was the cause of their demise? Bark beetles—tiny insects, each about the size of a piece of cooked rice! How could something so small kill something so big? These tiny beetles burrow their way into the bark of the tree, weakening them and eventually killing the tree. I felt drawn to compare the tiny bark beetles to thoughts that we allow into our minds that can infest our spirits, cause spiritual illness and lead to sin."-- Linda S. Reeves
The following quotes are from the same article by Sister Reeves, quoting President Packer from 1973:
“Probably the greatest challenge to people of any age, particularly young people, and the most difficult thing you will face in mortal life is to learn to control your thoughts. As a man ‘thinketh in his heart, so is he’ (Proverbs 23:7). One who can control his thoughts has conquered himself.” -- President Boyd K. Packer
“If you let them, they will devise the most clever persuasions to hold your attention. ... Even convince you that it is innocent—for they are but thoughts.
“If you can control your thoughts, you can overcome habits, even degrading personal habits. If you can learn to master them you will have a happy life." -- President Boyd K. Packer, October 1973 General Conference
Sister Reeves goes on to mention the tragedy of the story David:
"One of the most tragic and well-known stories in the Bible is that of King David and Bathsheba. The scriptures tell us that “at the time when kings go out to battle,” David “tarried still at Jerusalem.” In other words, David wasn’t out leading his troops, as he should have been, but stayed home at the palace. “At eventide” he got up out of his bed and walked upon the roof. Perhaps he had earlier seen something he should not have seen or looked at and hoped he might see it again. As David looked upon the beautiful Bathsheba bathing, he did not look away as he should have. His unrighteous thoughts and desires eventually led to adultery and a web of deceit that cost him his eternal inheritance." -- Linda S. Reeves
"Remember that YOU are the master of your thoughts. Satan cannot force you to do anything you don’t want to do. Take control of your life!" -- Linda S. Reeves
That's my two cents. -- Actually it's Sister Reeves' two cents but I wholeheartedly agree. :-)
I really liked that quote from an article I read this morning. Here is a story from that same article on LDS.org by Sister Linda S. Reeves of the General Relief Society Presidency:
"On the day my husband, Mel, and I moved into the mission home in Riverside, California, a 30-foot pine tree was uprooted from the front yard by a tree-removal company.
We were told that one week earlier, two other pine trees of similar height had also been removed. The top branches of the trees had become yellowed and diseased. These mighty trees were decades old. What was the cause of their demise? Bark beetles—tiny insects, each about the size of a piece of cooked rice! How could something so small kill something so big? These tiny beetles burrow their way into the bark of the tree, weakening them and eventually killing the tree. I felt drawn to compare the tiny bark beetles to thoughts that we allow into our minds that can infest our spirits, cause spiritual illness and lead to sin."-- Linda S. Reeves
The following quotes are from the same article by Sister Reeves, quoting President Packer from 1973:
“Probably the greatest challenge to people of any age, particularly young people, and the most difficult thing you will face in mortal life is to learn to control your thoughts. As a man ‘thinketh in his heart, so is he’ (Proverbs 23:7). One who can control his thoughts has conquered himself.” -- President Boyd K. Packer
“If you let them, they will devise the most clever persuasions to hold your attention. ... Even convince you that it is innocent—for they are but thoughts.
“If you can control your thoughts, you can overcome habits, even degrading personal habits. If you can learn to master them you will have a happy life." -- President Boyd K. Packer, October 1973 General Conference
Sister Reeves goes on to mention the tragedy of the story David:
"One of the most tragic and well-known stories in the Bible is that of King David and Bathsheba. The scriptures tell us that “at the time when kings go out to battle,” David “tarried still at Jerusalem.” In other words, David wasn’t out leading his troops, as he should have been, but stayed home at the palace. “At eventide” he got up out of his bed and walked upon the roof. Perhaps he had earlier seen something he should not have seen or looked at and hoped he might see it again. As David looked upon the beautiful Bathsheba bathing, he did not look away as he should have. His unrighteous thoughts and desires eventually led to adultery and a web of deceit that cost him his eternal inheritance." -- Linda S. Reeves
"Remember that YOU are the master of your thoughts. Satan cannot force you to do anything you don’t want to do. Take control of your life!" -- Linda S. Reeves
That's my two cents. -- Actually it's Sister Reeves' two cents but I wholeheartedly agree. :-)
Thursday, July 16, 2015
Smooth Sailing
I've been on a TG Sheppard kick lately. Great music from my childhood.
Apparently this song, Smooth Sailing, is the story of my life. :-)
It's too bad I couldn't find a live 80s perm fluff head version. That would've been tight! :-) The song is still awesome regardless. Enjoy!
Tuesday, July 14, 2015
Filled with Life and Energy
I read an article in the Ensign this month that I want to share with you. I'm going to put a few of the quotes here but if you want to read the whole article click on this link.
I have done a blog post before about early to bed and early to rise but this article is much better and there are quotes from apostles and prophets to back up the claims.
There is some pretty powerful evidence that getting up early and going to bed early is good for you. I guess Ben Franklin and Aristotle were both onto something. :-)
That's my two cents.
"As a new General Authority, Elder Marion G. Romney (1897–1988) felt inadequate in fulfilling his important calling, so he sought advice from his friend Elder Harold B. Lee (1899–1973) of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. The counsel offered that day both surprised and motivated Elder Romney. Elder Lee said: “If you are to be successful as a General Authority, you will need to be inspired. You will need to receive revelation. I will give you one piece of advice: Go to bed early and get up early.If you do, your body and mind will become rested and then in the quiet of those early morning hours, you will receive more flashes of inspiration and insight than at any other time of the day.”"The article mentions many scriptural examples of rising early. I won't mention them here but click on the link to read the article.
“Cease to sleep longer than is needful; retire to thy bed early, that ye may not be weary; arise early, that your bodies and your minds may be invigorated” (D&C 88:124) Invigorate means “to fill with life and energy.”
"The ancient philosopher Aristotle suggested other benefits to those who keep an early schedule: “It is well to be up before day-break, for such a habit contributes to health, wealth and wisdom.”2 Early U.S. statesman Benjamin Franklin later put that thought into his well-known maxim: “Early to bed and early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise.”3 Most people put health, wealth, and wisdom toward the top of things most desired in life."
"Former Brigham Young University president Ernest L. Wilkinson suggested that keeping an early schedule is associated with health benefits. Referring to President David O. McKay (1873–1970), President of the Church at the time, he said: “One of the great reasons, I am sure, why President McKay has lived to such a good, ripe, and vigorous old age has been the fact that as a young man he developed habits of retiring to bed early, arising early, generally before sun up, when his mind was clear and his body vigorous, to do the day’s work.”5"
"Connections have also been made between keeping an early schedule and mental and emotional health. Elder Russell M. Nelson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles has said, “To those who feel defeated and downtrodden, look to the early hours of the day for your rescue.”6"
"The connection between sleep patterns and wisdom is not just a theory. A study conducted by researchers at Brigham Young University looked at the effect of several variables—such as exercise, nutrition, and sleep habits—on students’ grade point average (GPA). The researchers found that of all the variables, “weekday and weekend wake-up times had the largest relative effects on semester GPA. For each hour of delay in reported average weekday wake-up time, the predicted GPA decreased by 0.132 on a standard 0.00 to 4.00 grading scale. … Each hour of delay in average weekend wake-up time corresponded to a decrease in predicted GPA of 0.115.”7"
"Have we become like the children of Israel, who refused to follow the Lord’s antidote for snakebites “because of the simpleness of the way”? (1 Nephi 17:41; see alsoHelaman 8:14–15)."
"Consider the counsel President Boyd K. Packer, President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, gave related to gaining wisdom: “I counsel our children to do their critical studying in the early hours of the morning when they’re fresh and alert, rather than to fight physical weariness and mental exhaustion at night. I’ve learned the power of the dictum, ‘Early to bed, early to rise.’”8"Interesting sidenote -- at President Packer's funeral Elder Ballard mentioned Sister Packer encouraging her husband not to call the brethren before 5 AM. He said for that he was grateful to her. :-)
"During a fireside address at Brigham Young University, Elder Christensen further stated: “Some of you are not getting the rest that you need. Some are habituated to going to bed late and sleeping much longer than your system really needs, thus missing out on some of the personal inspiration you could be receiving.”10"
"President Hinckley added another promise to the obedient: “If you go to bed at 10:00 and get up by 6:00 a.m., things will work out for you.”11"Quotes taken from the following article: Filled with Life and Energy, Randal A.Wright, Ensign, July 2015
There is some pretty powerful evidence that getting up early and going to bed early is good for you. I guess Ben Franklin and Aristotle were both onto something. :-)
That's my two cents.
Sunday, July 12, 2015
Religious Liberty
I was reading the Ensign the other day and since religious liberty is being attacked and has been in the news lately this quote by Elder Hales really stood out to me.
 |
| Elder Robert D. Hales Quorun of the 12 Apostles |
“As we walk the path of spiritual liberty in these last days, we must understand that the faithful use of our agency depends upon our having religious freedom. …
“There are four cornerstones of religious freedom that we as Latter-day Saints must rely upon and protect.
“The first is freedom to believe. No one should be criticized, persecuted, or attacked by individuals, or governments either, for what he or she believes about God. …
“The second … is the freedom to share our faith and our beliefs with others. …
“The third … is the freedom to form a religious organization, a church, to worship peacefully with others. …
“The fourth … is the freedom to live our faith—free exercise of faith not just in the home and chapel but also in public places.”
Elder Robert D. Hales of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, “Preserving Agency, Protecting Religious Freedom,” Ensign, May 2015, 112.
Taken from: April 2015 Conference Notebook, July 2015 Ensign
Saturday, July 11, 2015
Real Men
I stole this from my sister's blog because I liked it so much that I wanted to post it on my blog.
Johnny Cash is right, real men live for God. Men who choose to follow God's commandments are much more attractive and masculine than pansies who choose to follow Satan.
Following God requires effort, conviction, and a lot of work to serve Him. Any pansy/sissy can take the path of least resistance and "live for the devil".
Being a Christian isn't for sissies -- it's for real men.
Thanks for the reminder, Johnny.
That's my two cents.
Friday, July 10, 2015
President Boyd K. Packer Quotes
Since today is President Packer's funeral and in light of his recent passing, I want to honor him with some of his quotes from his many years of teaching the gospel. I read that he didn't want people talking about him at his funeral he just wanted the gospel preached. So here's my contribution (With a little help from the Deseret News) -- in his own words. :-)
"There is no end to his power to bless and direct the lives of those who seek truth and righteousness."
"Learn to pray. Pray often. Pray in your mind, in your heart. Pray on your knees. Prayer is your personal key to heaven."
"You are never far from the sight of your loving Heavenly Father."
"We have every reason to rejoice and little reason to fear. If we follow the promptings of the Spirit, we will be safe, whatever the future holds. We will be shown what to do."
"Reverence invites revelation."
"A testimony is a testimony, and it should be respected, whether it is small or large."
"We are not obedient because we are blind, we are obedient because we can see."
"Forgiveness is powerful spiritual medicine. To extend forgiveness, that soothing balm, to those who have offended you is to heal. And, more difficult yet, when the need is there, forgive yourself!"
“Keep the fire of your testimony of the restored gospel and your witness of our Redeemer burning so brightly that our children can warm their hands by the fire of your faith.”
"If you stumble, rise up, go on."
"(Christ) is the anchor that holds us and protects us and our families through the storms of life."
"We must choose whom to follow. Our protection is as simple as deciding individually to follow the Savior, making certain that we faithfully will remain on his side."
"Faith is a real power, not just an expression of belief."
"The Lord has a way of pouring pure intelligence into our minds to prompt us, to guide us, to teach us, to warn us."
"Life moves all too fast. When you feel weak, discouraged, depressed, or afraid, open the Book of Mormon and read."
"True doctrine, understood, changes attitudes and behavior."
"Your secret yearnings and tearful pleadings will touch the heart of both the Father and the Son."
"Our lives are made up of thousands of everyday choices. Over the years these little choices will be bundled together and show clearly what we value."
Well said President Packer! Your sage advice and wise teachings will be missed. RIP!
"There is no end to his power to bless and direct the lives of those who seek truth and righteousness."
"Learn to pray. Pray often. Pray in your mind, in your heart. Pray on your knees. Prayer is your personal key to heaven."
"You are never far from the sight of your loving Heavenly Father."
"We have every reason to rejoice and little reason to fear. If we follow the promptings of the Spirit, we will be safe, whatever the future holds. We will be shown what to do."
"Reverence invites revelation."
"A testimony is a testimony, and it should be respected, whether it is small or large."
"We are not obedient because we are blind, we are obedient because we can see."
"Forgiveness is powerful spiritual medicine. To extend forgiveness, that soothing balm, to those who have offended you is to heal. And, more difficult yet, when the need is there, forgive yourself!"
“Keep the fire of your testimony of the restored gospel and your witness of our Redeemer burning so brightly that our children can warm their hands by the fire of your faith.”
"If you stumble, rise up, go on."
"(Christ) is the anchor that holds us and protects us and our families through the storms of life."
"We must choose whom to follow. Our protection is as simple as deciding individually to follow the Savior, making certain that we faithfully will remain on his side."
"Faith is a real power, not just an expression of belief."
"The Lord has a way of pouring pure intelligence into our minds to prompt us, to guide us, to teach us, to warn us."
"Life moves all too fast. When you feel weak, discouraged, depressed, or afraid, open the Book of Mormon and read."
"True doctrine, understood, changes attitudes and behavior."
"Your secret yearnings and tearful pleadings will touch the heart of both the Father and the Son."
"Our lives are made up of thousands of everyday choices. Over the years these little choices will be bundled together and show clearly what we value."
Well said President Packer! Your sage advice and wise teachings will be missed. RIP!
Thursday, July 9, 2015
Illogical Logic
I found out a few things about myself during a conversation I had last night. Let me list a few of them for you.
1 -- Because I extend invitations to family gatherings to people who have always attended and have always been welcome in my home, I am somehow taking sides.
2 -- Because I don't ostracize and alienate certain people I am a horrible family member.
3 -- When someone says to me, "It's on now, it's about to get real ugly" and I reply with, "Why can't you both just be Christlike and be civil with each other?" then I'm called a religious zealot. For which I kindly thanked the person for their compliment. It's nice to know that people see that I'm trying to live my religion. Although I hardly think that encouraging people to be kind and civil to each other qualifies.
4 -- Here's the kicker. I learned that I have never been through anything in my life... (short pause) except my accident. That is so laughable it doesn't even dignify a response.
5 -- For someone who claims to not care about my thoughts and opinions -- my calmly stated thoughts and opinions sure did bring out the anger and unhappiness of this individual. Most people who don't care about things don't waste energy on them.
6 -- One thing I learned long ago is when people are in the wrong and they can't manipulate you into seeing things their way and embracing their distorted ideas, they become livid. And it makes them even more angry when you remain calm and don't get angry yourself.
Unless you embrace them and their distorted ideas full heartedly, you are the enemy and must be destroyed. This is how evil people function. They are not happy until everyone is miserable like unto themselves. And they will attack you, your religion, your religious doctrine, your ideas and opinions, they will relentlessly persecute you and manipulate you until you embrace them and their distorted ideas. And if you don't, their anger will escalate.
It really is amazing and even unfathomable that such illogical ideas can seem so logical to those who are blinded by the craftiness of men/Satan. Sin really does make you stupid.
That's my two cents.
1 -- Because I extend invitations to family gatherings to people who have always attended and have always been welcome in my home, I am somehow taking sides.
2 -- Because I don't ostracize and alienate certain people I am a horrible family member.
3 -- When someone says to me, "It's on now, it's about to get real ugly" and I reply with, "Why can't you both just be Christlike and be civil with each other?" then I'm called a religious zealot. For which I kindly thanked the person for their compliment. It's nice to know that people see that I'm trying to live my religion. Although I hardly think that encouraging people to be kind and civil to each other qualifies.
4 -- Here's the kicker. I learned that I have never been through anything in my life... (short pause) except my accident. That is so laughable it doesn't even dignify a response.
5 -- For someone who claims to not care about my thoughts and opinions -- my calmly stated thoughts and opinions sure did bring out the anger and unhappiness of this individual. Most people who don't care about things don't waste energy on them.
6 -- One thing I learned long ago is when people are in the wrong and they can't manipulate you into seeing things their way and embracing their distorted ideas, they become livid. And it makes them even more angry when you remain calm and don't get angry yourself.
"And it came to pass that I said unto them that I knew that I had spoken hard things against the wicked, according to the truth; and the righteous have I justified, and testified that they should be lifted up at the last day; wherefore, the guilty taketh the truth to be hard, for it cutteth them to the very center."-- 1 Nephi 16:2I find it interesting that people in the wrong such as liberal, socialist, totalitarians are angry even when they win. This is something I learned from Rush Limbaugh. Take for instance the recent United States Supreme Court ruling that homosexual marriage is now legal in all 50 States. You would think they would all be jumping for joy, turning cartwheels. After all, they won, they got what they wanted didn't they? And they may have for a few minutes but then they returned to their angry agenda because the totalitarian in them will never be satisfied until every human soul is miserable like themselves and is manipulated into being in full agreement with their twisted ideas and completely embrace them.
Unless you embrace them and their distorted ideas full heartedly, you are the enemy and must be destroyed. This is how evil people function. They are not happy until everyone is miserable like unto themselves. And they will attack you, your religion, your religious doctrine, your ideas and opinions, they will relentlessly persecute you and manipulate you until you embrace them and their distorted ideas. And if you don't, their anger will escalate.
"Wherefore, men are free according to the flesh; and all things are given them which are expedient unto man. And they are free to choose liberty and eternal life, through the great Mediator of all men, or to choose captivity and death, according to the captivity and power of the devil; for he seeketh that all men might be miserable like unto himself."--2 Nephi 2:27I find it extremely sad that people choose the captivity of Satan and allow him to control their minds and life. It's especially hard to see it happen to someone you love so much. Life is too short to live it so angrily and unhappily. I really wish people would have the courage to seek the help they need to get back to the truth they once embraced. Our Savior's atonement was not in vain. Repentance is real. But, an important part of mortality is agency and people have to choose for themselves which side of the fence they are on. Unfortunately, Satan and his minions are very persuasive and deceptive and many -- even great followers of God -- have fallen prey to their cunning lies.
It really is amazing and even unfathomable that such illogical ideas can seem so logical to those who are blinded by the craftiness of men/Satan. Sin really does make you stupid.
That's my two cents.
Wednesday, July 8, 2015
Example of Good Parenting
I read this article about President Packer in the Deseret News today. The following paragraph stuck out to me as a model for good parenting.
One article I read about him stated that he would allow his children to paint with him on his canvas and then spend hours painting over it to fix it. An excellent example of a father who cared more about his kids than his stuff.
"He also used art to build relationships with his family. At one point, he worked with his children and grandchildren on carving and painting a wooden model of Noah's ark, complete with animal figurines.To President Packer, a teacher by trade, it was more important for the kids to learn and have fun rather than worry about his artwork or material things.
"The grandchildren can come and play and touch and feel," President Packer wrote. "It is just part of the entertainment while they are at Grandma and Grandpa's house. Sometimes they break the pieces, but we glue them back together."" -- Deseret News, July 8, 2015
One article I read about him stated that he would allow his children to paint with him on his canvas and then spend hours painting over it to fix it. An excellent example of a father who cared more about his kids than his stuff.
Tuesday, July 7, 2015
Timing Is Everything
I have been thinking a lot about timing recently. It has been said that timing is everything. It may not be everything but it certainly is important.
For example, you wouldn't feed a newborn baby a steak. There is a certain progression from milk to puréed fruits and vegetables and cereals to eventually full meals including meat. There is a general time frame for such progression.
The Scriptures even mention the importance of timing. "To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:" -- Ecclesiastes 3:1
In fact the very next verse in the third chapter of Ecclesiastes says that there is a time to be born and a time to die amongst a myriad of other things. I find it interesting how crucial timing can be in our lives.
For instance we are told that we were born at this specific time in the history of the world because of our valience or lack thereof in the preexistence. Similarly, each of us has an appointed time to spend on earth to prove ourselves worthy to our Father in Heaven and to learn and grow. Although none of us knows the length or time frame of our mortal probation.
"nevertheless there was a space granted unto man in which he might repent; therefore this life became a probationary state; a time to prepare to meet God; a time to prepare for that endless state which has been spoken of by us, which is after the resurrection of the dead." -- Alma 12:24
How we spend our appointed time here in mortality is crucial to our destiny in the eternities. The timing of our opportunities granted and subsequent choices can make a huge difference in the outcome of our lives.
For instance, there are specific time frames for different opportunities in our life. The window of opportunity to serve a full-time mission is limited to certain age restrictions. I'm not sure what the upper limit is but males must be 18 and females must be 19 years old to qualify to serve. The upper limit is probably somewhere in the mid-20s. Obviously there are other requirements to qualify but for this post I'm just focusing on age.
That is certainly a small window of opportunity which if not taken during that time frame, is lost. The gravity of such a loss may not be fully realized until later in life or until the next life. But the loss of such opportunity is devastating. A young man or woman who does not take the opportunity to serve a full-time mission during the timeframe when the opportunity is available -- especially when commanded -- loses out on many promised blessings and forever alters their future.
I'm grateful I was smart enough to take the opportunity to serve full-time mission when I was 21. It's like an accelerated learning course. My life is much richer because I took the opportunity.
Just like my example of the progression of foods a baby can eat -- there is a natural progression of life experiences and expectations.
Those who are privileged to be born into the Church progress from nursery to Priesthood/Relief Society. Each organization has an age range. Secular schooling also has age progression from kindergarten through high school graduation. And on to higher education.
Ideally as members of the Church we progress from baptism at age 8 through the various auxiliaries including primary young men/women, for the boys they progress through various priesthood offices which also have age restrictions, at least on the lower end. The natural progression would be from serving a full-time mission to Temple marriage to bearing and raising children.
Why is there such an organized age-related progression in the Church? Because the Lord in His wisdom has designed it that way because we build upon foundations previously laid. Line upon line precept upon precept. "For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little:" -- Isaiah 28:10
So the Lord wants us to continuously built upon the foundations we lay as we progress through life.
To be baptized we must have a simple knowledge of the gospel. To serve a mission we should have progressed through those 10 or so years since baptism and have a larger foundation from which to preach the Gospel. As we serve during those 18 months to two years we are continually learning and growing not only in the gospel but in life experiences. Which then provides a better foundation on which to build a family, which would be the next step in the progression of life.
Now, we have been given numerous commandments, many of which require prerequisites or have specific time frames. The one I just mentioned, serving a full-time mission is one of them. Another is,the commandment to multiply and replenish the earth which is obviously bound by the law of chastity. According to God's laws, marriage must come before the bearing of children. And missions must come before marriage. If you marry before serving a full-time mission, you have lost the opportunity and must wait many years to be granted the opportunity again. And by then all of your children will be raised and you will have missed all those blessings that could have helped you in raising a family.
Obviously those who make the mistake of bearing children before marriage are well aware of the severe consequences associated with the wrong timing and their bad choices.
President Kimball said the most important decision you will ever make is to marry the right person in the right place at the right time. If any one of those variables is wrong, there will be consequences. Life will be more difficult. You may marry the right person in the right place but if the timing is wrong, i.e. before serving missions, you will have missed that wonderful learning opportunity and chance to grow. You will be less mature and less able to face the stresses of marriage and kids. And let's not forget, serving a mission is a commandment for all young men. Therefore there will be consequences for breaking that commandment.
The window of opportunity for marriage and child rearing is also somewhat limited. The experiences gained from the first two decades or so of life determine how well we are prepared for marriage and raising children.
Education is another example of how timing can be used to your advantage. It is much easier to obtain your education while young. Not only are you physically better able to learn but you are also better able to focus on your education and not other stresses in life that come as you grow older.
And of course as we reach the twilight years of life, we must continue to endure to the end and never give up on learning and progressing through mortality. Don't allow the windows of opportunity that the Lord grants us to learn and grow and progress through mortality to slip by you. If you do, you will miss out on many blessings and much happiness. Timing is everything.
"To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:" -- Ecclesiastes 3:1
That's my two cents.
For example, you wouldn't feed a newborn baby a steak. There is a certain progression from milk to puréed fruits and vegetables and cereals to eventually full meals including meat. There is a general time frame for such progression.
The Scriptures even mention the importance of timing. "To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:" -- Ecclesiastes 3:1
In fact the very next verse in the third chapter of Ecclesiastes says that there is a time to be born and a time to die amongst a myriad of other things. I find it interesting how crucial timing can be in our lives.
For instance we are told that we were born at this specific time in the history of the world because of our valience or lack thereof in the preexistence. Similarly, each of us has an appointed time to spend on earth to prove ourselves worthy to our Father in Heaven and to learn and grow. Although none of us knows the length or time frame of our mortal probation.
"nevertheless there was a space granted unto man in which he might repent; therefore this life became a probationary state; a time to prepare to meet God; a time to prepare for that endless state which has been spoken of by us, which is after the resurrection of the dead." -- Alma 12:24
How we spend our appointed time here in mortality is crucial to our destiny in the eternities. The timing of our opportunities granted and subsequent choices can make a huge difference in the outcome of our lives.
For instance, there are specific time frames for different opportunities in our life. The window of opportunity to serve a full-time mission is limited to certain age restrictions. I'm not sure what the upper limit is but males must be 18 and females must be 19 years old to qualify to serve. The upper limit is probably somewhere in the mid-20s. Obviously there are other requirements to qualify but for this post I'm just focusing on age.
That is certainly a small window of opportunity which if not taken during that time frame, is lost. The gravity of such a loss may not be fully realized until later in life or until the next life. But the loss of such opportunity is devastating. A young man or woman who does not take the opportunity to serve a full-time mission during the timeframe when the opportunity is available -- especially when commanded -- loses out on many promised blessings and forever alters their future.
I'm grateful I was smart enough to take the opportunity to serve full-time mission when I was 21. It's like an accelerated learning course. My life is much richer because I took the opportunity.
Just like my example of the progression of foods a baby can eat -- there is a natural progression of life experiences and expectations.
Those who are privileged to be born into the Church progress from nursery to Priesthood/Relief Society. Each organization has an age range. Secular schooling also has age progression from kindergarten through high school graduation. And on to higher education.
Ideally as members of the Church we progress from baptism at age 8 through the various auxiliaries including primary young men/women, for the boys they progress through various priesthood offices which also have age restrictions, at least on the lower end. The natural progression would be from serving a full-time mission to Temple marriage to bearing and raising children.
Why is there such an organized age-related progression in the Church? Because the Lord in His wisdom has designed it that way because we build upon foundations previously laid. Line upon line precept upon precept. "For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little:" -- Isaiah 28:10
So the Lord wants us to continuously built upon the foundations we lay as we progress through life.
To be baptized we must have a simple knowledge of the gospel. To serve a mission we should have progressed through those 10 or so years since baptism and have a larger foundation from which to preach the Gospel. As we serve during those 18 months to two years we are continually learning and growing not only in the gospel but in life experiences. Which then provides a better foundation on which to build a family, which would be the next step in the progression of life.
Now, we have been given numerous commandments, many of which require prerequisites or have specific time frames. The one I just mentioned, serving a full-time mission is one of them. Another is,the commandment to multiply and replenish the earth which is obviously bound by the law of chastity. According to God's laws, marriage must come before the bearing of children. And missions must come before marriage. If you marry before serving a full-time mission, you have lost the opportunity and must wait many years to be granted the opportunity again. And by then all of your children will be raised and you will have missed all those blessings that could have helped you in raising a family.
Obviously those who make the mistake of bearing children before marriage are well aware of the severe consequences associated with the wrong timing and their bad choices.
President Kimball said the most important decision you will ever make is to marry the right person in the right place at the right time. If any one of those variables is wrong, there will be consequences. Life will be more difficult. You may marry the right person in the right place but if the timing is wrong, i.e. before serving missions, you will have missed that wonderful learning opportunity and chance to grow. You will be less mature and less able to face the stresses of marriage and kids. And let's not forget, serving a mission is a commandment for all young men. Therefore there will be consequences for breaking that commandment.
The window of opportunity for marriage and child rearing is also somewhat limited. The experiences gained from the first two decades or so of life determine how well we are prepared for marriage and raising children.
Education is another example of how timing can be used to your advantage. It is much easier to obtain your education while young. Not only are you physically better able to learn but you are also better able to focus on your education and not other stresses in life that come as you grow older.
And of course as we reach the twilight years of life, we must continue to endure to the end and never give up on learning and progressing through mortality. Don't allow the windows of opportunity that the Lord grants us to learn and grow and progress through mortality to slip by you. If you do, you will miss out on many blessings and much happiness. Timing is everything.
"To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:" -- Ecclesiastes 3:1
That's my two cents.
Sunday, July 5, 2015
RIP President Packer
In light of President Packer's recent death, I thought I would post this quote from him. President Packer was a stalwart servant of the Lord who was never ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ and told it like it was and didn't mince words.
Well done thou good and faithful servant... RIP President Packer.
This is a quote I read in the June Liahona a few days before President Packer's death. I really like it.
"Obedience is powerful spiritual medicine. It comes close to being a cure-all."-- President Boyd K. Packer, Leave It Alone, June 2015 Liahona
Well done thou good and faithful servant... RIP President Packer.
This is a quote I read in the June Liahona a few days before President Packer's death. I really like it.
"Obedience is powerful spiritual medicine. It comes close to being a cure-all."-- President Boyd K. Packer, Leave It Alone, June 2015 Liahona
Thursday, July 2, 2015
The Great Anesthetist
I have a handful of blog post ideas floating around in my head -- some of them for months. I've either been too lazy or too sick to put forth the effort. Hopefully I'll get around to at least two or three of them before I forget about them.
One that is fresh in my mind is from something I read on another blog yesterday. I actually got the link from LDS living. Anyway I will paraphrase in my own words the gist of what the blog post was about. I'm sure the original is much better than my take on it. I think it was from middle-aged Mormon man blog if you want to go find it.
Anyway it kind of hit home because I recently had major surgery and was under anesthesia. The idea proposed on the blog was that Jesus is known as the great physician. And then this man's friend compared Satan to the great anesthetist. The idea being that Satan lulls you to sleep so that you miss living your life. You miss out on the mortal experience. There is a scripture to back up the claim.
"And others will he pacify, and lull them away into carnal security, that they will say: All is well in Zion; yea, Zion prospereth, all is well—and thus the devil cheateth their souls, and leadeth them away carefully down to hell." --2 Nephi 28:21
President Uchtdorf recently spoke on the subject in a talk entitled "Are You Sleeping through the Restoration?" In his talk President Uchtdorf suggests three reasons why people would sleep through the restoration. Selfishness, addictions, and competing priorities. It's a wonderful talk. Click on the link to read or watch it.
I'm not going to elaborate but suffice it to say that many people in the church and out are anesthetized by Satan's cunning lies and are lulled away into carnal security thinking that all is well. When in reality they are sleeping through/wasting their mortality and the devil is cheating their souls and leading them away carefully down to hell.
I was thinking about this yesterday because I've been focused on healing my femur and recovering from surgery. So comparing my surgery to mortality I thinking was about how my surgeon put my leg back together but that was just the beginning. Yes, he made it possible for my leg to heal but, my body must do all the work to heal itself. Kind of the same way that Christ made it possible, as the great physician, for eternal life/exaltation to even be a possibility through His atonement. But there is still much work that we must do ourselves to reach it.
But just like my leg, without my surgeon's efforts to repair my leg, it never would have healed. There is no guarantee that it will heal now but at least it's possible now. Just like without Christ's atonement, eternal life/exaltation would not be possible. But just like my leg is not guaranteed to heal even with surgical repair, exaltation is not guaranteed without effort on our part, but it is possible now because of Christ's atonement.
Then I was thinking about how I went into surgery early in the morning. I remember everything until the anesthesiologist gave me a bolus of Versed in my IV. Apparently I had a conversation with a scrub nurse afterwards but I don't remember any of it. Versed is also an amnesiac. The only reason I know I had a conversation with the scrub nurse was because my sister told me I did. She said I was answering very slowly. The anesthesiologist told me right before he gave me the Versed that it would make me feel drunk. Having never been drunk, I wasn't familiar with what that felt like. But looking back, I don't know why anyone would ever want to do that to themselves intentionally. Why would you want to impair yourself to the point where you don't remember part of your life? But I digress.
After receiving the Versed the next thing I remember is waking up in the recovery room six hours later. I missed the entire surgery! -- Thankfully.
Comparing my surgery to mortality, Satan being the great anesthetist numbs our spirits and makes us forget that which we know to be true. The same way that my anesthesiologist numbed my body and made me forget the entire surgery. If we are not careful, and deliberately working towards building the Kingdom of God on earth and doing what is right, we can easily fall into Satan's anesthetic trap and sleep through our mortal probation. And lose the opportunity to prove ourselves to our Heavenly Father. After all, that's the whole purpose of our being here on earth. This is the privilege we've been given by choosing God's plan in the pre-mortal existence. We've been given the opportunity to come to earth and receive a body and prove ourselves. "And we will prove them herewith, to see if they will do all things whatsoever the Lord their God shall command them;" -- Abraham 3:25
Don't fall into Satan's anesthetic trap. Life is too short and too precious to waste. Our time here in mortality is a precious gift. Don't squander it. Make a concerted effort to follow God's commandments daily. Read your scriptures and pray daily. Work hard to stay on the straight and narrow path and hold tight to the iron rod. Don't allow yourself to be lulled into carnal security. Christ's atonement made eternal life possible. Do your best to accept this precious gift which requires daily energy and effort.
The healing process whether it be a leg or a spirit, requires a lot of energy and effort. The body's ability to heal itself is miraculous. As is spiritual healing through Christ's atonement.
As thankful as I am for being anesthetized through my surgery, I still think it would've been cool if I could have scrubbed into my own surgery. That is a part of my life that I missed and will never get back. Just like people who allow Satan to anesthetize their spirits and miss out on part or all of their life.
I have always said that sleep is the biggest waste of time. Although obviously it's a necessary part of life, don't sleep through more of life than is necessary. Spend your short time here in mortality productively. Live life fully awake physically and spiritually.
Don't sleep through life like I slept through my surgery.
That's my two cents.
One that is fresh in my mind is from something I read on another blog yesterday. I actually got the link from LDS living. Anyway I will paraphrase in my own words the gist of what the blog post was about. I'm sure the original is much better than my take on it. I think it was from middle-aged Mormon man blog if you want to go find it.
Anyway it kind of hit home because I recently had major surgery and was under anesthesia. The idea proposed on the blog was that Jesus is known as the great physician. And then this man's friend compared Satan to the great anesthetist. The idea being that Satan lulls you to sleep so that you miss living your life. You miss out on the mortal experience. There is a scripture to back up the claim.
"And others will he pacify, and lull them away into carnal security, that they will say: All is well in Zion; yea, Zion prospereth, all is well—and thus the devil cheateth their souls, and leadeth them away carefully down to hell." --2 Nephi 28:21
President Uchtdorf recently spoke on the subject in a talk entitled "Are You Sleeping through the Restoration?" In his talk President Uchtdorf suggests three reasons why people would sleep through the restoration. Selfishness, addictions, and competing priorities. It's a wonderful talk. Click on the link to read or watch it.
I'm not going to elaborate but suffice it to say that many people in the church and out are anesthetized by Satan's cunning lies and are lulled away into carnal security thinking that all is well. When in reality they are sleeping through/wasting their mortality and the devil is cheating their souls and leading them away carefully down to hell.
I was thinking about this yesterday because I've been focused on healing my femur and recovering from surgery. So comparing my surgery to mortality I thinking was about how my surgeon put my leg back together but that was just the beginning. Yes, he made it possible for my leg to heal but, my body must do all the work to heal itself. Kind of the same way that Christ made it possible, as the great physician, for eternal life/exaltation to even be a possibility through His atonement. But there is still much work that we must do ourselves to reach it.
But just like my leg, without my surgeon's efforts to repair my leg, it never would have healed. There is no guarantee that it will heal now but at least it's possible now. Just like without Christ's atonement, eternal life/exaltation would not be possible. But just like my leg is not guaranteed to heal even with surgical repair, exaltation is not guaranteed without effort on our part, but it is possible now because of Christ's atonement.
Then I was thinking about how I went into surgery early in the morning. I remember everything until the anesthesiologist gave me a bolus of Versed in my IV. Apparently I had a conversation with a scrub nurse afterwards but I don't remember any of it. Versed is also an amnesiac. The only reason I know I had a conversation with the scrub nurse was because my sister told me I did. She said I was answering very slowly. The anesthesiologist told me right before he gave me the Versed that it would make me feel drunk. Having never been drunk, I wasn't familiar with what that felt like. But looking back, I don't know why anyone would ever want to do that to themselves intentionally. Why would you want to impair yourself to the point where you don't remember part of your life? But I digress.
After receiving the Versed the next thing I remember is waking up in the recovery room six hours later. I missed the entire surgery! -- Thankfully.
Comparing my surgery to mortality, Satan being the great anesthetist numbs our spirits and makes us forget that which we know to be true. The same way that my anesthesiologist numbed my body and made me forget the entire surgery. If we are not careful, and deliberately working towards building the Kingdom of God on earth and doing what is right, we can easily fall into Satan's anesthetic trap and sleep through our mortal probation. And lose the opportunity to prove ourselves to our Heavenly Father. After all, that's the whole purpose of our being here on earth. This is the privilege we've been given by choosing God's plan in the pre-mortal existence. We've been given the opportunity to come to earth and receive a body and prove ourselves. "And we will prove them herewith, to see if they will do all things whatsoever the Lord their God shall command them;" -- Abraham 3:25
Don't fall into Satan's anesthetic trap. Life is too short and too precious to waste. Our time here in mortality is a precious gift. Don't squander it. Make a concerted effort to follow God's commandments daily. Read your scriptures and pray daily. Work hard to stay on the straight and narrow path and hold tight to the iron rod. Don't allow yourself to be lulled into carnal security. Christ's atonement made eternal life possible. Do your best to accept this precious gift which requires daily energy and effort.
The healing process whether it be a leg or a spirit, requires a lot of energy and effort. The body's ability to heal itself is miraculous. As is spiritual healing through Christ's atonement.
As thankful as I am for being anesthetized through my surgery, I still think it would've been cool if I could have scrubbed into my own surgery. That is a part of my life that I missed and will never get back. Just like people who allow Satan to anesthetize their spirits and miss out on part or all of their life.
I have always said that sleep is the biggest waste of time. Although obviously it's a necessary part of life, don't sleep through more of life than is necessary. Spend your short time here in mortality productively. Live life fully awake physically and spiritually.
Don't sleep through life like I slept through my surgery.
That's my two cents.
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