The scriptures warn us about the challenges that will surely come in the last days. So did Grandpa. Sometimes when you are doing the best you can, but things aren't happening the way you want them to, remember Granny and Grandpa are still praying for you.
"I still haven't put it all together yet...but you can take as much time as you need." I echo these words from Stacy Miles.
Comfort, tranquility, peace; these may be the terms we would use to define the composure and confidence of serenity. "We cannot predict all of the struggles and storms of life...but as persons of faith and hope, we know that the gospel of Jesus Christ is true, and the best is yet to come."
And for me, that's real serenity.
5 Verily I say unto you all: Arise and shine forth, that thy light may be a standard for the nations;
6 And that the gathering together upon the land of Zion, and upon her stakes, may be for a defense, and for a refuge from the storm, and from wrath when it shall be poured out without mixture upon the whole earth. Doctrine and Covenants 115:5,6
All my life I have been taught to read and ponder the scriptures, so I could apply their insights and guidance to bless my life. Honestly, as a young man, I didn't really understand the concept of pondering scriptures. I would read a few verses and then wait to see what insights filled my mind and heart. The intent was good; the results rewarding. But I still didn't really see the benefit…at least not immediately. And then I got older, and somehow during that process I realized that pondering is a lifelong activity. Pondering the scriptures and life and the tender mercies of God doesn't happen all at once. It is a process. And the answers don’t necessarily come immediately. The application to life does not happen all-at-once. But bit-by-bit life lessons are taught line-upon-line and precept-upon-precept until the concepts become clear and the experiences take on greater and greater meaning throughout one’s life. It’s amazing how forgettable stories and seemingly mundane experiences take on renewed meaning and value later in life when we take time to reminisce and draw conclusions that were meant for our benefit. My journal contains hundreds of examples of this marvelous manifestation of God’s love and patience. He takes all the time necessary to build and fashion us if we will but let the Master Potter influence, shape, and frame our lives.
So often in life we are concerned with the present, and often we need to be. Selecting a major, finding the money to pay regular mortgage or rent payments, pursuing our education and career amid unexpected disturbances, preparing and planning for vacations, family and home life, and a million more legitimate concerns that every family on earth has. And I realize these matters are not small. For some, they are wondering where their next meal will come from, or how they will get through next month’s slough of bills. Anxieties, fears, and numerous trepidations influence every life on earth at some time or another. They have occurred in my life—they've occurred in yours.
But in the midst of these frustrations, consider for a moment that they are simply diversions from what is really important. And the Master Teacher’s lesson will not be rendered vain. All His works will be fulfilled—all of them.
I could not have fashioned the beautiful family I have on my own. The sustenance, wonder, and beauty of my life would have crumbled many times if I alone was in charge of the outcome. But I am not alone, and neither are you. This life is but a short time wherein we receive many opportunities for both joy and pain. Here, we are prepared for a sure outcome of eternal joy if we but do our best to follow the Master.
This I know.
18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from thelaw, till all befulfilled. Matthew 5:18
3 Remember, remember that it is not the work of God that is frustrated, but the work of men. Doctrine and Covenants 3:3
28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28
"A daughter is one of the most beautiful gifts this world has to give."
What are your most memorable moments with your family? Often, it is not what we would have expected. Remember the joy is in the journey, and it only gets better from here.
I have learned a few lessons in my life, and I want to share a nugget with you so you can profit now and won't have to wait until you're my age before benefiting. These are my conclusions. There are no exceptions to the rule. I have learned this principle to be true and worthwhile. So let me introduce it with a true story:
When I went to my dad as a young man for advice as I was about to buy my first car, he reminded me about my most important objectives and warned me that I needed to honestly assess my financial ability to achieve my goals if I put money into a car.
I was 16-years-old at the time and knew a lot more than I do now--at least I thought I did--so I responded that I had considered this concern and figured I could benefit from the extra cash when I sell the car. Dad raised his his hand to his chin and rubbed it as he thought. "Well you could wreck your car, and then you wouldn't have anything left." I had the perfect comeback. "But I will have insurance!" I clamored, probably a little more desperate than confident. "Well. You may not..." I didn't even let him finish the sentence. "Of course, I will have insurance. It's the law, and I would never drive without it." I was incredulous but respectful. Of course, my dad consented. I knew he would. A couple years later, I was having some serious engine trouble, and while my car was in the shop I pulled the expensive insurance off the vehicle until it was repaired. Needless to say, I started driving before I put the insurance back on my car and had an accident in the mean time. Everything dad said could happen did. The point is we can benefit from the wisdom of our elders. That's the whole premise behind AskGramps. Following good advice has an immediate impact for the better.
So now for the nugget...we are encouraged to read the Book of Mormon daily. The benefit is in the reading, not just finishing. Another example, getting my home teaching done is great, but doing it is even better. That's where I witness the change and experience the impact of the gospel in other people's lives. Similarly, the blessings of family history come in completing it, not just having it all done. The connection I have formed with ancestors and their stories of hardship, determination, and unwavering resolve are inspiring. Obedience is the first law of heaven, because it's fundamental to all others.
This means that you are the reason all this exists in the first place. You are the miracle at work here, and their purpose is to help you get better every day.
As a young man, just a boy really, I loved it when Granny would make a batch of homemade bread. The whole house smelled sweet and warm. We were happy children on these days, and it happened frequently.
Also around that general time frame there was a tendency in schools to teach that mankind came from apes, otherwise known as the theory of evolution. This was strongly contested by some and generally opposed by the Church and many others. Still, there were good people on both sides of the fence.
Even today, numerous discussions and opinions fill the Internet regarding this subject and statements made by people inside-and-out of the Church regarding the validity or error of this theory. Natural selection and the evolution of plants and animals are used as evidences to perpetuate of this theory, some claiming a connection and others refusing any truth to the matter.
As recently as 2002 in the Ensign, the Church referred to statements made by The First Presidency regarding this subject in the early 1900s and has not veered from this position.
Similarly, today there are numerous discussions regarding the same sex attraction and the gender of man. The First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles issued the proclamation back in 1995, which has stood as a standard in defense of the family.
It occurs to me that the message regarding both of these issues has been clearly and concisely addressed with sensitivity relative to the destiny of man.
We are given the true bread of heaven. "I am the Bread of Life. He that cometh to me shall never hunger. He that believeth on me shall never thirst." John 6:35
