My recollection is that my companion and I came together
on Sundays to plan for the coming week. We scheduled every 15 minutes of each
day during the coming week. With the Lord’s help, we got things done every 15
minutes. Imagine being that productive.
I learned something then that has stayed with me all these
many years later.
Could it be that there is a theme that runs through our
lives connecting generations and families together forever? Absolutely. Every
experience has purpose, and all our efforts have meaning, even when they feel
pointless. Life is not supposed to be easy. Worthwhile
things never are.
The inspiring story of John Rowe Moyle
tells about a Mormon pioneer famous for walking the 22 miles from Alpine to
Salt Lake City every week to help build the Salt Lake Temple. Now, a group of
his descendants gather at Moyle Park in Alpine, Utah regularly to share in his
legacy.
Temple dedications are really an opportunity for the
saints to rededicate themselves to the work of the Lord and service in the
temple.
This also helps me recognize the benefits of following the
commandments and heeding the Spirit's promptings, which affects the rest of our
lives and that of our posterity. As my own experience as a youth turned out and
the lessons learned in my own hometown so long ago, I am reminded of God's
ability to turn all things to the good of them that love and serve Him. Romans 8:28
Writing about experiences in our lives will strengthen, help,
and bless us now and our families for ions to come. Is that hard to believe? I
have no doubt, because I have seen and experienced this already. We live in faith during this life,
but we also come to know things through personal experience. For example, there
was a time that perhaps living the Word of Wisdom took a great deal of trust,
but I know of its many benefits now.
I don’t just believe this principle. I have experienced its promises in my
life. The medical profession finally confirms what we have known for decades.
16 For behold, the Spirit of Christ is given to every man, that he may know good from evil; wherefore, I show unto you the way to judge; for everything which inviteth to do good, and to persuade to believe in Christ, is sent forth by the power and gift of Christ; wherefore ye may know with a perfect knowledge it is of God. Moroni 7:15-17
Furthermore, Alma discusses faith being like unto a seed. He
suggests that just as we see a seed grow, in the same way we can nourish faith
until it grows into knowledge. The whole chapter is fantastic.
33 And now, behold, because ye have tried the
experiment, and planted the seed, and it swelleth and sprouteth, and beginneth
to grow, ye must needs know that the seed is good.
34 And now, behold, is your knowledge perfect? Yea, your
knowledge is perfect in that thing, and your faith is dormant; and this because
you know, for ye know that the word hath swelled your souls, and ye also know
that it hath sprouted up, that your understanding doth begin to be enlightened,
and your mind doth begin to expand. Alma
32:33-34
That is the very reason temples are erected and countless
serve within their walls to unite families on earth and in heaven for eternity.
Seeds if you will are planted now so that we can see their growth and full
realization of blessings in a future day. Nobody questions that.
The Great Plan of Happiness instigated by the Savior
himself fulfills his work and glory to bring to pass the immortality
and eternal life of man. The temple is part of that plan.
President Monson shared three steps regarding taking full
advantage of the blessings of the temple:
- Love the temple and commune with God to receive instruction and
come to know Him better
- Appreciate the blessings that come to us and our families through
the temple and feel its joy
- Attend the temple to partake of these blessings and unite our
families for eternity
When I need a lift to confront obstacles in my path or
direction in life, I often find the balm of Gilead in the temple. In our day, dozens of temples bring happiness in fulfillment of the prophesied blessings.
Our Heavenly Father’s works are endless. His magnanimous
influence for good penetrates every realm and touches all his creations.
Today is a special day. I am writing these lines the occasion
that we celebrate the life of Thomas S Monson. 30,000+ will attend his funeral
services in the Conference Center. Thousands more will watch and listen to the
proceedings through mass media. Dozens have honored him with books, articles,
video programs, and shared memories of his life and example. Millions have been
influenced for good. Once again he has lead the way and prepared the route for
us to follow to return to our heavenly home. He does not take honor unto
himself but always directs the praise to the Savior for whom President Monson
was a special witness. We know the nature of God the Father because of His Son.
I was getting a haircut a few years ago, when I had an
experience that I have never forgotten. As I was sitting in the waiting room
prior to my appointment, I noticed on a table a number of periodicals provided
for the clients. But what caught my eye was the Life magazine, which showed a picture of Christ with the caption
“Who was he?” That topic spurred my interest, so I began to read the article.
The author had asked representatives from many different religions around the
world to provide their opinions of Jesus Christ. They were all good. As I
remember, the point of view gleaned from The Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-day Saints came from a BYU professor, I believe.
It was only a few years later that the Church released The Living Christ, so no one would question our true understanding and perspective of the Savior Jesus Christ.
It was only a few years later that the Church released The Living Christ, so no one would question our true understanding and perspective of the Savior Jesus Christ.
Let's just say that I love the gospel of Jesus Christ. Some might ask "Why?"
Without
sugar-coating it, the teachings and plan provided to us include the full range of blessings available in one's life. Like all the
keys on a piano, every chord, stanza, and concert or performance lies within the
scope of our lives. Though the extent of my possibilities may not be initially
realized in me alone or in my life at this very moment, I can see my
ultimate potential in the gospel of Jesus Christ. I know if I follow him, it is
only a matter of time until the full range of joy he has promised is a part of my
life. If your life's melody is not yet the piece you had hoped for and the scope
of blessings has not been realized, chin up, it is coming. The symphony of
eternal happiness has been reserved for the hereafter.
Maybe that is one
of the reasons we like listening to piano recitals so much, because we enjoy
experiencing the accomplishments of others, and in the back of our mind we
acknowledge that over time and with God’s help, we too can attain that level of
competence. But for the time being, we can just enjoy the skills and talents of
others knowing we have an eternity to develop ourselves. And that goes for
being a better son or daughter, a better father or mother, and a better husband
or wife as well. In fact, we have the full range of keys available to us to
achieve our fondest dreams and realize the piece we are destined to become. And
to the piano are added strings and woodwinds and still that is only the
beginning until the melody of our lives is a symphony, because we have an eternity
to rehearse. The sky is the limit actually sounds too reticent. For with divine help, our real potential has no limits.
That is the Jesus Christ we believe
in. Hallelujah!
