Stay with me

"Imagine yourself as a living house. God comes in to rebuild that house. At first, perhaps, you understand what He is doing. He is getting the drains right, and stopping the leaks in the roof, and so on: you knew that those jobs needed doing and you are not surprised. But presently He starts knocking the house about in a way that hurts abominably, and does not seem to make sense. What on earth is He up to?

"The explanation is that He is building quite a different house from the one you thought of– throwing out a new wing here, putting on an extra floor there, running up towers, making courtyards. You thought you were going to be made into a decent little cottage: but He is building a palace."

This is one of my favorite quotes. I like it because it has application to our lives and in many ways details some of the inexplicable events of life. Today's message is a little different. It's something I have wanted to share with you for sometime, but I won't do it all at once. So I am revealing it in stages.

It's the story of my childhood and the miracle of Castle Valley. This will take some time, so hang on with me one week-at-a-time.

Follow this link to begin reading the story of my life

What really matters

Recently I read a fantastic article in the Ensign recently. It so inspired me that figuratively speaking, I leapt to my feet to applaud those involved and the reaction from the community. 

When a woman stood to introduce herself among a throng of scholastic powerhouses listing their many academic degrees and professional accomplishments, she wondered "What can I possibly say?" She felt inferior to these ambassadors, professionals, and world leaders. "I've got to think of something to say. No. I've got to find an excuse to leave." But she prayed for strength and in that moment a thought came into her mind with perfect clarity. "Who in this room has achieved more amazing things than you? You are a mother in Zion. You have brought eight children into this world. Get up and tell these people what you have done." 

At that moment, the microphone was passed to her table. Now I quote from the article:

"She confidently stood, and with elegance difficult to describe, she said, "A few years ago I accompanied my husband here to the Harvard Kennedy School. And my most important achievement is that I am the mother of 8 children and 18 grandchildren." 

With that statement, spontaneous applause erupted in the room. It was the only applause of the entire night...why? I don't presume to know why exactly, but I feel that I have a pretty good idea.

People know where happiness comes from. They can feel in their hearts that is true. But it's a hard choice without the influence of the Spirit to guide your footsteps--one often avoided by many in our day. When they see someone who has overcome the odds and had the courage to make home and family a priority, we applaud their tenacity and endurance doing something that many times has escaped us in our pursuit of self improvement and personal fulfillment, because happiness doesn't reside in self-actualization. Quite the contrary, we find ourselves, our dreams, by losing ourselves in the pursuit of making others happy and better. It lifts and succors the needy, while it inspires those that witness the very miracle in action.

When I read this article, I wanted to leap to my feet and applaud this woman, because I knew the reaction from the community was right and well-deserved. That's what happened in Castle Valley with Granny and Grandpa and my siblings: The proper focus on what really matters in life. That's the miracle happening in our family today.

And like those in this story, legions will rise and applaud your wise choices to raise families in righteousness and rear the leaders of tomorrow. 

May I be the first to take my hat off to applaud your grand accomplishment.

Widow's Mite

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 our ancestors. Their lives were difficult and must have seemed small and simple and perhaps insignificant. Their decisions, inconsequential as they may have appeared, now have impacted dozens for good. Now we can look back and see the magnitude of their good choices, which have directly influenced my life and the lives of my family and extended family for good today. Thousands upon thousands will be blessed. 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 beautiful truth of the widow's mite.

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.”

What you have to offer is significant and of value to you, more so than the millions donated to charity. Generations untold will call your name blessed for your contributions and good choices.

My favorite part of the video above, "her faith overcame her fear and her hope overcame her despair."

That applies to each one of us. We are not alone.

Best

Whatever I achieve in this life will pale in comparison to the joy and happiness I receive from my family, including my decision to marry mother in the temple and have all you children. This blessing brings me great joy everyday of my life and will continue to be the source of eternal happiness in the world to come.

I found a cassette tape recording of my dad today which was somewhat of a surprise. I didn't even know that I had it, which he made for I suppose a priesthood lesson he delivered. His teachings were familiar and consistent. "I have found that the spiritual gifts spoken of in scripture can most assuredly be ours when our lives are in harmony with the Savior’s teachings and commandments." Like always, his words comforted me and gave me renewed hope.

His comments, his careful, methodical and comforting mannerisms were apparent. Though I had not heard his voice for nearly five years now, it was familiar, welcoming, and warm. I imagine it will be like that with all our ancestors when we thrill to introduce our children and spouse to them with pride and delight.

But for now, we relish the memories and look forward with hope to that marvelous reunion.

“Verily, verily, I say unto you, ye are little children, and ye have not as yet understood how great blessings the Father hath in his own hands and prepared for you; … nevertheless, be of good cheer, for I will lead you along. The kingdom is yours and the blessings thereof are yours, and the riches of eternity are yours.”
D&C 78:17,18

Jumpstart

You are no doubt familiar with the quote "The only problem with life is that there is no background music." The author is unknown.

When I first heard this idea, I was intrigued. Any message can be even more influential when set to the right music. We have all experienced the power that can come from tactfully tantalizing tunes or meticulously moving melodies or a positively pristine piece of work. 

Now with Youtube and iPods, background music in life is not only possible, it's a reality.

My first year of college, I was shooting for an A in my Fitness for Life class. We ran a mile-and-a-half three times and received a grade based on our progress. I exercised and practiced all semester long. I improved but still had to have a great time in my final attempt. I listened to Eye of the Tiger all morning the day of the test as motivation and to help boost my chances.

So what does this have to do with you? 

The same principle applies to success in life. It's easier with a good strategy and lots of good advice and help when needed.

.

But of course, we know the Author of our good fortune.

Daily sustenance

Today we had a delightful church meeting wherein was discussed principles of the gospel that I know and understand, yet I learned they are even more encompassing than perhaps I ever realized.

The Israelites traveled for 40 years in the wilderness and faced many hardships so the Lord could teach them His will. He provided manna to sustain them, one day at-a-time and only as much as they needed. If these men and women gathered more than they could eat, it went bad. They were taught complete reliance on God by having to do this every day. What they collected would remain good for the time at hand, so they had to repeat this daily. They learned the Source of their blessings and God promised to help them day-by-day.

For some reason in this context, I understood that, like them, we are totally dependent on Heavenly Father for everything we have and that we need sustenance from Him regularly to overcome the challenges we face in our lives today. He will help us along day-by-day if we will let Him, but we must be humble and have faith that He will indeed lead and rescue us, especially in the midst of hardship.



Watch the three short videos above. This will take less than ten minutes.

Consider the small and simple things He refers to as daily prayer, scripture study, and the relatively simple acts we are encouraged to do regularly (fhe, temple attendance, service, tithing...)

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

Perhaps the greatest blessing of all is to walk through our challenges with Him.

They Came by Handcart

Come Unto Me

Divine enlightenment

I have always liked the following scripture but asked myself why?

And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.
1 Cor 13:13

Faith in Jesus Christ enables Hope. And hope gives way to joy.

I am the Light of the World. he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall
have the light of life. John 8:12

Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again:

But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.
John 4:14

And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst. John 6:35

Finding Faith in Christ

Charity is the demonstration of the Love of God.

Travail

Job suffered afflictions of every kind...do you remember the story?

His property and riches were lost. His family killed. His friends betrayed him and health deteriorated; boils covered his body, enemies infiltrated his home, and all his vast wealth was lost.

Even when Joseph Smith suffered terribly in Liberty Jail and pleaded with God for deliverance, the Lord reminded Joseph that he was not yet as Job. D&C 121:10

The book of Job is a profoundly provocative and rewarding book. It refuses to provide us with ready-made answers about why any of us, individually, suffers. It acknowledges how inexplicably cruel life can be. At the same time, it points to a way of enduring adversity. As Samuel Terrien observes, the Book of Job offers “not a speculative answer … but a way of consecrated living.” 

Like facing rejection on a mission, when we suffer for a greater cause, it makes all the difference because our suffering is not in vain. In fact, the most significant act in the history of the world and heaven involved immense suffering.

Yet because it had meaning, we have hope of deliverance. 

Has Thou Considered My Servant Job?