Perpetuity

I like analogies because they increase understanding and heighten usefulness. There are many reasons. Even the Lord taught with parables.

What is something you have used everyday of your life, yet is still going strong? You employ this everyday, and it never wears out. Really. You have used these every single day--but for the most part they are still going strong. Can't be a pair of shoes...we have all seen badly worn soles of a missionary's pair of shoes where the sole is crooked and nearly gone. Not a shovel; even the metal wears out over time. I have shovel that is so worn the steel blade is rounded and ineffective. So what I am talking about is your TEETH. Take care of them, and they last a lifetime. To put it in perspective, what else have you ever owned that you use every day and has lasted 20 years...or 50...or 84 years? The point is things that pass the test of time can have great value.

Something else that through my life I have seen stands the test of time are the scriptures. They are just as relevant today, maybe moreso, as the day they were written. Did I ever tell you what Grandpa told me his favorite book of scripture was? He said it was James, which for some reason surprised me at the time, perhaps because it wasn't in the Book of Mormon or perhaps because I knew so little content of the book. I have come to love the passages there, partly because they are Grandpa's favorite and partly because they are so insightful. 

We face great challenges in our day. Sadness, loss, addictions, and pain are mountains to climb for many of us. I love the following scripture. Though the tempests about us are great, we can have peace and hope through the Gospel of Jesus Christ to overcome our burdens:

   Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth.  James 3:4

Revealed nearly twenty years ago, The Proclamation on the Family was seemingly small at the time but is more relevant today than mortal man could have ever imagined then. The truths taught therein are for our day, essential to our happiness. They stand the test of time.

The word of God is timeless, pertinent, and something you can really sink your teeth into.

Peter seemed to understand that in spades.

I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.  John 14:18

Testimony

You may have pondered the question "If you were brought before a court of law for being a follower of Jesus Christ, would there be enough evidence to convict you?" This has always been an interesting question to me, but perhaps even more so recently.

As we travel through life's challenges, we cross paths with people who we can influence and those that will impact our lives. Though we may separated by years or miles, our influence will continue even though we have not spoken for many years. Frequently, I wonder if I will have a lasting impact for good on those I meet. I wan't to influence others for good just as you do. That's why I pose the question.

This last Fast and Testimony meeting, we heard beautiful experiences that witnessed of God's grace. A couple significant thoughts that struck me that morning follow:

• Murmuring blinds us of Heavenly Father's tender mercies in our behalf. Don't ask "why is this happening to me," but instead consider "what can I learn from this?" 
• Suffering let's us better know, appreciate, and love the Savior for the agony He wrought in our stead to bring about our salvation and the Great Plan of Happiness. 
• Our challenges are blessings in disguise. Did you ever think of Castle Valley as our wilderness? It occurs to me that the similarities are remarkable between the events surrounding Lehi leaving his riches and taking his family into the wilderness and our family following Granny and Grandpa after they received inspiration to take our family to Castle Valley (the wilderness). In both cases, difficult obstacles were overcome and resulted in many blessings (the promised land). 

And so it is with each of you. Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ won't forsake us if we will but follow him.

Grandpa has said so well what is in my heart today: Grandpa's testimony

If I am on trial for this, I pray my life will convict me.

Simple question

I have wondered if I could select the single most important lesson I learned from Grandpa. That's a difficult answer to a simple question. And while the response may change depending on my particular point in life, I could no sooner choose a favorite star in the heavens.

Patience, forgiveness, dedication, hard work, humility, importance of family, appreciation...I could go on and on.

But one principle Grandpa taught me in both word and deed was the value of provident living. At the time, I probably didn't recognize or welcome it like I should, but I see and appreciate the wisdom in that lesson now. I can't tell you how many times I wished as young man that I had a nicer home or car or clothes. Don't misunderstand me. We had it great, but it would be inaccurate for me to say that I didn't envy some others who always had a new car or truck and the latest clothes, plenty of spending money, and whatever else they seemed to want.

• Grandpa worked as vice president of a multi-million dollar business in Salt Lake City. We had five or six stores scattered across the Wasatch Front and a central distribution center that provided a location to keep the inventory and supply the individual stores. Yet I never once heard him complain about becoming a bus driver once we moved to Castle Valley. On the contrary, he often responded that there couldn't be a more beautiful place on earth or better, more delicious food than the menu Mom regularly prepared for us.
• Using up short little pencils, writing notes on scraps of paper destined for the trash bin, calculating pennies saved on items at the grocery store (this was before calculators and long before per ounce pricing signage), these are all fond memories and classic examples of my dad.
• Eating all the leftovers before they turned too bad for consumption, which to this day remains debatable. Grandpa often ate things the rest of us would have tossed. He often did that and enjoyed it.
• Grandpa wore and rewore hand-me-downs until there was nothing left. Again, don't misunderstand me. Grandpa dressed well and looked great. His style was impeccable when needed. But during an irrigation session or when milking the cow or completing some other trivial task on the farm, he was never too proud to sport old Sunday shoes that still had a little wear left or slacks that were too short. I loved that about him. Grandpa was not defined by his wardrobe. I admired his confidence. I wasn't that brave.
• Again, I could go on and on. Grandpa's life was full of lessons about thrift, gratitude, priorities, and gleaning the most important things from life and its fulness.

The value of provident living should not be lost in a story of former times when pickens were slim. It applies just as much today, perhaps now more than ever.

I read a fantastic article recently, which referred to Elder Hales general conference address. Listen to Elder Hale's comments here.

Provident living touches absolutely everything that we do. That's one reason it is so critical to our happiness.

So it's a difficult question to answer, that is picking just one lesson learned from Grandpa above all others.

But living happily within our means is certainly a serious contender.

http://mathewstucki.blogspot.com/2011/11/fam-with-great-deal-of-interest-i-read.html

Evidently

My parents used to say things that made me do a double take. "Oh Lands!" was common fodder for Granny. And in strenuous circumstances, Grandpa would succumb to "Nuts!" Another favorite word of theirs during my early years was "evidently." We don't hear that one used too much nowadays, but it went something like this "Evidently, Mable won't be singing in tonight's program."

Synonymns include obviously, clearly, unmistakably, and other declarations.

This last Fast and Testimony meeting, we heard beautiful witnesses that demonstrated God's grace. A couple significant thoughts which struck me that morning follow:

• Murmuring blinds us of Heavenly Father's tender mercies in our behalf. Don't say "why is this happening to me," but instead ask "what can I learn from this?"
• Suffering let's us better know, appreciate, and love the Savior for the suffering He wrought in our stead to bring about our salvation in the Great Plan of Happiness
• Our challenges are blessings in disguise. Did you ever think of Castle Valley as our wilderness? It occurred to me that the similarities are remarkable between the events surrounding Lehi leaving his riches and leading his family into the wilderness and our family following Mom and Dad after they received inspiration to take our family to Castle Valley (the wilderness). In both cases, difficult obstacles were overcome and resulted in many, many blessings (the promised land). 

I treasure the memory of our experience there. And so it is in each of you. Your trials and obstacles will refine and mold you.

Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ won't forsake us. He is anxious to bless us if we will but follow him. 

Grandpa has said so well what is in my heart today: Grandpa's testimony

Evidently, that's a sentiment we both share.

You Can

Have you ever wanted to be one of those people that could donate millions to charity? I expect you have. Me too. And someday, we may be able to do just that I expect. But in the meantime, there is a lot we have to offer nonetheless.

I think about the story of the widow's mite. The rationale is pretty simple. Though our contributions are not as immense or influential as another's, they are significant and meaningful to us. One reason that gives me hope is that even the small things that I can do now are recognized and appreciated. And together, the little things that we each contribute are collectively significant. Many people doing a little makes a world of difference. And sometimes, even our small decisions have enormous impact. I think of the choices of ancestors and advocates all around us. Their lives now and then must have seemed small and simple and perhaps insignificant at times and their decisions inconsequential. But we know now the magnitude of their influence and good, generous choices, which directly impact our lives and the lives of our family, friends, and extended family today. Thousands upon thousands will be impacted for good. I have always loved the story of the starfish.

You can't do everything. That's ok. You need only do what you can. That's the beauty of goodwill.

Edward Everett Hale said “I am only one, but I am one. I cannot do everything, but I can do something. And because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do the something that I can do.”

This famous quote has been an inspiration to millions. One person can make a difference.

You have much to offer. Your contributions will benefit many others all around the world--not to mention you. Generations untold will call your name blessed for your influence and generosity.

For that, I sincerely thank you.