But If Not

Of course, we all want our hopes and dreams to come true. We sincerely want to achieve our goals and attain our greatest desires. At times when we see someone reach that ecstasy when she is sweet, humble and deserving, we are both inspired and touched.

It can be a wonderful moment that changes your life and that of others.

But we live in a broken world and face obstacles that seem to take our breath away and destroy the possibility of reaching all our hopes and dreams. In some cases we deal with challenges that quickly take our eyes off the goal. And instead of waiting on the edge of our seat for a chance to dive into the opportunities before us, we pull back and doubt our possibilities. Perhaps we have to deal with other emotions that sew doubt, fear, or other reactions in our mind and heart. Sentiments like “I can’t do this” or “Good things never happen to people like me” are far too often voiced by regular folks like you and me and especially those in the throes of adversity and hardship. But God didn’t put us on this earth to fail. He provided a plan and a purpose that empowers all men and women to achieve their potentials. And because of the Savior Jesus Christ, all our fondest dreams can come to fruition.

When life’s challenges seem to get us down and threaten to overcome us, we must remember who is on our side. In the middle of the storm, when a battle is raging, we are not alone. Our cast is a team, captained by the supreme Creator himself, and we’re on his side. We are assured victory if we align ourselves with the King. Our role models exemplify divine characteristics, and we come to know and appreciate Him more every day because good leaders guide us and teach us about his true nature.

Camilla wrote and delivered a talk recently, where she asks what would you paint to capture the Atonement. She articulates this point much better than I can, so read her words below:

“Given all that he has already gone through for you, he’s not going to run away from you at your greatest need now — not at the sight of an argument with your spouse or a child gone astray or a bad breakup or a seemingly impossible decision.

“So if you find yourself being negative or doubting that things will work out for you, ask yourself, "What is it that you think Christ can’t do? Or what is it that you think Christ won’t do for you?"

“Whatever it is that you think Christ won’t do for you, remember what he’s already done for you — in Gethsemane and on the cross and in your own life. There’s no distance he won’t travel and no place (no matter how dark or lonely) he won’t go in order to bring you and your family home.

“So when I think about what I would paint to capture the essence of the Atonement, I think about my own family and the work the Savior is doing on the other side to put us in the celestial kingdom with him and with each other for eternity. So I would paint my family in the celestial kingdom, because Christ’s work, the work of his Atonement, is not over until we are safely there.”

When Steven was just a boy, he learned to play the piano at the persistence of mother. Later he took on the percussion and excelled at drums. In high school, he learned to play the guitar. He used his gift to produce a number of songs. His thought-provoking lyrics and catchy tunes still cheer our home with fun and harmony. I am amazed at his talent. This passion continued into college, and his abilities were noticed by others. The gigs where he played let him pursue his passion and have fun doing it. Upon sharing his music with the family, Grandpa would ask for a copy of the lyrics so he could read the words and follow along the verses and chorus lines. I think the words made the songs even that much better, and Grandpa didn’t want to misunderstand any one of them.

Likewise the Lord has been very articulate through his prophets about the times we are entering, which is sometimes referred to as the great and dreadful day of the Lord. Interestingly after giving the term some thought, President Russell M. Nelson considers the term Millennials appropriate for the new generation. “The term Millennial is perfect for you if that term reminds you of who you really are and what your purpose in life really is. A True Millennial is one who was taught and did teach the gospel of Jesus Christ premortally and who made covenants with our Heavenly Father there about courageous things—even morally courageous things—that you would do while here on earth.”

The millennial era could not begin without the widespread destruction of the wicked. Therefore, while the battle of Armageddon is in and of itself a thing horrible to contemplate, it is necessary because of the wickedness of the world, and ultimately it will play an important part in the Lord’s plan for redemption of the world. President Joseph Fielding Smith observed:

“I know these are unpleasant things. It is not a pleasant thing even for me to stand here and tell you that this is written in the Scriptures. If the Lord has a controversy with the nations, He will put them to the sword… Don’t you think the Lord has given us these things that we might know and we might prepare ourselves through humility, through repentance, through faith, that we might escape from these dreadful conditions that are portrayed by these ancient prophets? That is why I am reading them. I feel just as keenly as you do about the condition, and I pray for it to come to an end, but I want it to come to an end right. …

“So I pray every day of my life that the Lord will hasten His work; and while all this has to take place, I hope He will hasten it, that it may soon come to an end, that peace may come; and so I repeat, as I said in one of the talks some time ago, I am praying for the end of the world because I want a better world. I want the coming of Christ. I want the reign of peace. I want the time to come when every man can live in peace and in the spirit of faith, humility and prayer.” (Signs of the Times, pp. 154–55, 175.)

The following are some phrases about you and your potential to make a difference in others’ lives:

You were preserved to come to the earth in this time for a special purpose. Not just a few of you, but all of you. There are things for each of you to do that no one else can do as well as you. If you do not prepare to do them, they will not be done. If you will let Him, I testify that our Father in Heaven will walk with you through the journey of life and inspire you to know your special purpose here.

You can read the entire address from Bishop H. Burke Peterson online Your Life Has a Purpose.

This is just the beginning. I am totally convinced that you are not even aware how amazing you are.

What we need now is the greatest generation of young adults in the history of the Church. We need your whole heart and soul. We need vibrant, thinking, passionate young adults who know how to listen and respond to the whisperings of the Holy Spirit as you make your way through the daily trials and temptations of being a young, contemporary Latter-day Saint.

Your fan club is better than anything you have experienced here on earth. You have a cheering section rooting for you on both sides of the veil. Your victory is assured if you will align yourself with Christ.

In other words, it’s time to raise the bar not only for missionaries but also for returned missionaries and for your entire generation.

Living in a world That’s constantly changing All of the lines are blurred Between right and wrong In the middle of a storm A battle is waging But I already know Which side I’m on Pre: I will fight for my king Cause he is fighting for me

Chorus: I want to be . . . Firm as the mountain Stretched to the sky Strong as a fortress Sure as the night I want to be . . . Straight as an arrow Deep as the sea That’s how He lived So that’s how I’ll be

Following the One Who’s leading us onward Right there by His side Wherever He goes Running to the aid Of those who are wounded To lift them off the ground And carry them home Pre: He has given everything So I will give Him all of me

Imprisoned

Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.

All my life, I have read this scripture with the thought of visiting those behind prison walls, and it is certainly appropriate, good, and right. Nevertheless, this was obviously difficult to do when young and perhaps scary or ill-advised. But later in life, I realized people are imprisoned in many ways, behind walls of doubt, fear, insecurity, pain, and loneliness.

Just up our street hardly a block from our house when I was a child lived a kind old woman and her son—right across the road from one of my best friends. She was welcoming and kind to us children. Back in those days, youngsters could visit adults in their homes without fear of abuse, and I visited Mrs. Goble frequently. I enjoyed cheering her up. She was always so happy to see me. She obviously enjoyed having company, and I was 4-5 at the time and filled that need wonderfully. As benevolent as that may sound, I admittedly was there for the treats. Sometime during my visit after introductory pleasantries and probing questions about my family, Mrs. Goble brought out the cookies, and I was allowed to take whatever I wanted. Imagine that—a whole tray of sugar cookies, pecan pralines, lemon drops, and shortbread-like Mexican wedding cakes. Actually, I had no idea the actual names of the variety of delicacies. I just remember savoring every bite. She must have known how much I liked the cookies, because she kept them coming as long as I would sit there and visit. And I expect that she knew I never got such a prize all to myself in a house of eight children, so we kept having regular visits for some time, until my mother found out. Then I was gently rebuked to not solicit treats from poor old Mrs. Goble. You would think I would have been crushed, but truth is I was getting too old for this kind of arrangement, and I didn’t know how I was going to break the news to my elderly friend. So it all worked out in the end, but I will always remember fondly my wonderful visits to Mrs. Goble’s.

Today, I realize there are many elderly people who feel their lives have been reduced to an occasional visit perhaps out of duty. They wait every day for a call, a card, or recognition that their memory and their lives will be viewed as significant and go on to bless others. Sadly, many feel forgotten.

There are others we meet every day that on the outside look healthy, young and vibrant, but inside they are battling tremendous obstacles and perhaps even addictions. These folks feel lonesome and hopeless because their challenge is frequently fought on the lonely battlefields of regret, shame, and fear. Though they try to smile and look normal on the outside, the turmoil within leaves them feeling scared, disconnected, and lonely. Friends may call regularly, but their circumstance frequently worsens without help. It doesn’t feel real, and they can’t escape their ghastly prison.

Another vice perhaps even more insidious than the previous two is discouragement. The reason it is more sinister than those mentioned lies in the fact that it both often accompanies the others and is frequently invisible to bystanders. Gestures to “cheer up” or other well-meaning encouragement fall flat and is neither interpreted nor implemented correctly. The situation is often similar in effect to a person who cannot quench his thirst in an ocean of salt water and ends up dying from dehydration…water everywhere but inaccessible to the one that really needs it.

The Savior discussed like situations in his time when people found themselves in circumstances from which they could not free themselves, and he interestingly also taught all of us how we should respond. Do you remember it? He spoke of a time still to come, when the Son of man shall appear in his glory, and legions of angels with him. The Lord then does something very interesting. He gathers all nations before him and separates them one from another as a shepherd divides the sheep from the goats. And he sets the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left. Let’s read in the Bible from the gospel of Matthew what happens next:

 34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:

 35 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:

 36 Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.

 37 Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?

 38 When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?

 39 Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?

 40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.

Matthew 25:34-40

And this encouragement applies to us today as well. Just when we think things are going pretty well, we get a surprise that stops us in our tracks and nearly knocks us down. It happens when we are sideswiped with devastating news or circumstances we neither prepared for nor imagined. It happens to all of us, so we should have empathy for others who are experiencing the challenges in our very midst. Everything important that we have is a result of his grace for you and me. Because of Jesus Christ we have a wonderful future in store for us despite the hardships of our present circumstances. And gratefully, we are not alone.

There are many examples of faithful men and women who followed the example of the Savior and gave their lives and effort toward furthering his plan. These people recognized the important role of the Savior and acknowledged his part in the Great Plan of Happiness. From numerous possibilities, I have selected the beloved King Benjamin as an example to illustrate my point.

King Benjamin discusses this very idea comprising chapters 2-5 of Mosiah. The prophet Mosiah sends a proclamation to all the people of the land to assemble so they could hear from their beloved leader. King Benjamin is becoming old and wants to talk to his people and tell them that his son Mosiah would be their next king. When he addressed his people, he recounts the equity, fairness, and spirituality of his reign, and he counsels them to serve their Heavenly King. Then he teaches them a lesson that I believe he felt was most important for his people to hear. He teaches them humility, service, and appreciation for God. In the book of Mosiah 2:19-24, we can read the following which is only an excerpt:

 23 And now, in the first place, he hath created you, and granted unto you your lives, for which ye are indebted unto him.

 24 And secondly, he doth require that ye should do as he hath commanded you; for which if ye do, he doth immediately bless you; and therefore he hath paid you. And ye are still indebted unto him, and are, and will be, forever and ever; therefore, of what have ye to boast?

So what is it I am supposed to do?  What does he ask of me? To follow him, so that he can bless me. Examples are abundant in the Church; family history work, home teaching, rearing families, and service. This of course is just a small sample of the means through which the Lord blesses us. I would like to use an example occurring in my surroundings now. We just so happen to have missionaries serving from our family. You know others. These young men and women often experience difficult circumstances preaching the good news of the Gospel of Jesus Christ to help, lift, and inspire people all across the world. They interrupt education, work, and leave their families for 18-24 months at a time in the prime of their lives and do it all on their own dime. And they have never been happier.

The gospel of Jesus Christ is all about freedom and happiness. The scriptures are filled with examples of people and nations that do not believe this claim and have experienced tragic circumstances from selfish decisions. The world today is largely suffering the same consequence—whether as a group or in the lonely battlegrounds of self-reproach.

However, the answers to these challenges of the past are the same today.

The gospel of Jesus Christ is the remedy to life’s hardships.

Let it free you and change your life for good.

And behold, I tell you these things that ye may learn wisdom; that ye may learn that when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God.

Mosiah 2:17

The Plan

​I was recently exposed to a philosophy that I love. The more I hear it, the more I like it and want to make it part of my life. I think you will, too. I came across this by happenstance one day while browsing Facebook. A good friend shared a link to another post which goes something like this:

I deeply believe that feeling connected and loved by your tribe is one of the greatest healing forces for good in this life. So grateful for my big crazy tribe and the passionate way our family loves and rallies. Feeling blessed ♡

Too often we are competing with our brothers and sisters to outdo, outperform, or covet another’s performance.

Way back in 1972, our tribe posed for a beautiful family photo. A lot has happened since those days. I can look back at that time and think I really had no idea what life was holding for me or my tribe. But we were together, united, and strong. 

That is the only picture I still remember in which I was taller than my little brother … or I should really say younger. I only have one younger brother, so there should be no question who I am talking about. Life takes us contrasting ways, and we face obstacles and challenges starkly different from one another. But we are still brothers and the unity and accord that held us together as a young struggling family can still bond us together in our later years.  Too often unfortunately we let pride and jealousy influence our actions, philosophy, and attitudes. Instead of harmony, we may allow emotions to pull us apart and compare, judge, and criticize one another. That’s one of the things I love about my father. In the midst of comparisons, criticisms, and cupidity, he pursues acceptance, support, and harmony with everyone. He follows the example of the Savior.

Some years ago one of our nationally known radio commentators was asked the question, “What message could be broadcast to the world that would be considered of greater importance than any other message?” And he said, after giving the matter careful thought and deliberation, “To be able to say that a man who had lived here upon this earth had returned again with a message from God would be the greatest message that could be broadcast to the world.”

And that being true, we have the greatest message, not only that prophets like Moroni,  John the Baptist, and Peter, James, and John have visited this earth, but God the Father and his Son Jesus Christ.

Thanks Jeffrey. Time and again, we have been edified by your words of faith sharing that very message. The melody of your inspiration will play on for years to come. We still have so much in common.

We come from very good stock. Our father and mother together combined their talents and goodness to create a family and home, which is the envy of many—not unlike the kingdom prepared for us, I imagine. I try every day to live up to the great example they set for us. I know you do, too. Our children are the source of our happiness now and for many years to come. In fact, they will rise to a level of accomplishment that you and I will likely never attain. But that’s OK. Being a father gives us a different perspective than we once held. Our joy comes from helping make our families happy. Which for me is very interesting since that is exactly where Dad and Mom derive their happiness and how God increases his.

Family is obviously very important to us both. Thanks for sharing the family pictures of yesteryear, the great times and the great memories. I am fortunate to be your brother now…I always have.

And because of the Savior Jesus Christ, we will all be our finest and a together forever as a family.  Even the tough times will have value in our lives.

Lucky to have you as part of our family and really grateful for you.

I love you brother.