Trust

Nearly 30-years-ago, I interviewed for a position at BYU to help make the genealogical resources in the Provo campus available to other Church schools and members across the world. This was back in the day of microfiche and before public use of the Internet. What seemed like a massive job then has come to fruition and not only been completed but exceeded in our day. The breadth of what has been accomplished far surpasses the vision that was articulated to me back then. The distribution of the works of God transcends our fondest expectations and will unfailingly continue to do so.

This work will not fail. The success and prosperity of the Kingdom of God on earth will continue to grow and flourish until all the prophesies are fulfilled and the works of God finished. 

Bible videos

Mormon messages

Joseph Smith

General Conference archive since 1971 (text, audio, video)

Youth / For the Strength of Youth / Personal Progress 

Mormon Tabernacle Choir / Pinterest

Online scriptures / Gospel lessons

Preach My Gospel

Missionary Work

And literally hundreds, perhaps thousands more. This is but a sampling of the blessings God has made accessible for your use. These resources are available to you to combat the plagues of mistrust, deception, addiction, and deception in our world today.

Your challenges are unique. The Lord has provided sustenance.

Use them daily to provide strength, guidance, and hope.

That's their very purpose.

The song of redeeming love

Many of you know that I just celebrated my 25-year reunion from graduation at BYU. I know. Wow. Where did the time go? It's surreal to think about.

But one thing this has given me is the perspective of hindsight. Are you interested to know what I would do differently with that enhanced point-of-view?

School...I would do it again. I would stay and get a master's degree. I may go into a different major. The degree is more important than the major. I have learned that your college degree is a launching pad. Like a diving board, it lifts you higher than you can go alone. Where exactly you come down is not as important as the opportunity it gives you to soar.

Family...I wouldn't change a thing. Weird? Perhaps, but your mother is a wonderful spouse. We have been very fortunate to have great children and feel Heavenly Father knows what is in our best interest. I leave family matters to Him. His perspective exceeds ours. I know His plans for us exceed our fondest imaginations.

Love...well you may think I wouldn't change my love life either, but you would be wrong. If I had it to do over again, I would be more kind, more gentle, less volatile, and more patient. I would regularly express appreciation and sincere love every day. Life is so short.

Journal...I would write in my journal consistently starting at a younger age. I am not necessarily an advocate of daily entries, but I see the value in regular contributions. This blesses your life and your family's lives now and over and over again far into the future.

Life...I would set more goals. I would be more friendly. I would exhibit greater confidence and let my fears be consumed by my faith. I see the value of giving my will to God. We can do much more with our Heavenly Father's help. God's will can be done by us and through us.

Sure. I know that I can do and be better. Just like a child, I am still learning, but I know that I am not alone. The Lord has prepared a way for me by trusting in Him. Helaman 3:35

I will always treasure the fact that He gave me honorable parents and a faithful wife and family.

O take and seal my heart; seal it for thy courts above. video text

Alma 5:26

The Glory of God

Precious

There are 146 occurrences of the word precious in Holy Writ.

Thirteen times the words more and precious appear in the same verse.

This includes four instances the words occur in the sequence more precious.

Only once within this quartet does precious refer to something other than a person.

1 Peter 1:7

So what is it that makes this reference so significant?

I have some ideas, but I want you to hear your opinion. What makes that singular reference so meaningful to you? Among many things, I remember Dad telling me his favorite book of scripture (if one can somehow choose a favorite) was James. I don't know why that surprised me at the time, but it did. Now years later, it too has become a favorite of mine, because it reminds me of Dad, and when I read it I ask myself why these verses meant so much to him. Somehow that has made them more precious to me, as well.

Well, this verse in 1 Peter is probably another one of his favorites, because it speaks of hope, of love, of forgiveness, and peace. He freely promises us His comfort, love, and compassion if we will.

Peter captures this sentiment in this verse and those that follow, and the great reward we receive for having faith in Jesus Christ, especially during the trial of our faith:

The salvation of our souls.

Previous Savior, Dear Redeemer

I Feel My Savior's Love

When we are yoked with Christ, we can rely on Him because alone we fall short. Our hardships are valuable and teach us appreciation and gratitude.

Joy and happiness are born of gratitude.

One of Granny's favorite scriptures has significant application here:

3 Listen to him who is the advocate with the Father, who is pleading your cause before him—

 4 Saying: Father, behold the sufferings and death of him who did no sin, in whom thou wast well pleased; behold the blood of thy Son which was shed, the blood of him whom thou gavest that thyself might be glorified;

 5 Wherefore, Father, spare these my brethren that believe on my name, that they may come unto me and have everlasting life. 
Doctrine and Covenants 45:3-5

Jesus Christ is our Advocate, and perhaps this is the most precious knowledge of all.

All that I have

Last week, we discussed the miracle of technology, and how it can change our reach and edify our outlook. The Church has produced hundreds of short videos. Here are perhaps two of my favorite.

I appreciate these depictions because they portray our Father's love and joy for each of his children. The father in the parable runs to greet his son. Truly, I believe that is just how our Heavenly Father anticipates our return.

The real challenges and struggles we face in life are not lost on Him. This is not only a message about a prodigal son. It is a story about a committed father and perhaps an confused sibling. We can make application of these principles in our own lives and too be filled of His joy.

Rejoice with me to know that we all can be winners in the great plan of happiness.

For in reality, these parables are about each one of us.

A Prodigal Son Returns

Luke 15:31

Moving Mountains

I recently had an aha moment.

Fascinated by the fact that men have been commanded to keep records of the Church and chronicle words of the prophets for centuries (back when it was really difficult to molten ore, engrave the messages into metal, and lug around plates of brass or gold), members of the church today are asked to do the same thing for our own families. 

Yet rather than engravings on precious metals, we press keys and slide our fingers across screens we hold in the palms of our hands. Libraries of data are literally now at our fingertips.

Twenty-five years ago I applied for a job to help BYU disseminate the resources of its library to other campuses all across the world. This was well before the Internet and seemingly an immense challenge. We all know now that this task has been realized. For example, general conference talks are available online, and technology provides access to scriptures, devotionals, and a myriad of lessons, videos, and other resources. 

In the Oct. 1949 Conference Report, Elder Albert E. Bowen spoke these words:

“When (we) are under the influence of an exalted occasion, (we) make high resolves. (We) firmly determine to avoid past mistakes and to do better.”  full text These are the benefits of scripture study, church and temple attendance.

Today, we are the beneficiaries of those who kept their promises and chronicled the experiences in their lives and recorded stories, testimonies, and incidents that lift and edify. God's work moves forward to bless his children throughout the world.

Ennobling influences of prayer, scripture study, frequent church and temple attendance, and obedience to the laws and ordinances of the gospel can move mountains.

We must simply invite their influence and allow God's work to fulfill its destiny.

He which soweth sparingly shall also reap sparingly, and he which soweth bountifully shall also reap bountifully. 2 Corinthians 9:6 

We are one

Is referring to the 183rd Semiannual General Conference as "possibly the best conference ever" too lofty of praise? I think not.

We all enjoyed hearing from our church leaders, and with the amazing miracle of technology, we can once again review the messages--reading, listening, and watching them at will. Some favorite quotes that struck me follow:

As we draw nearer to him, we realize that mortality is meant to be difficult. Opposition in all things is not a flaw in the Plan of Salvation. Opposition, rather, is the indispensable element of mortality that strengthens our will and refines our choices.

The vicissitudes of life help us fashion an eternal relationship with God and engraves his image upon our countenances as we yield our hearts to him...We are healed by abandoning the habits and lifestyles of hardened hearts and stiffened necks. When we lay down our weapons of rebellion, we become agents unto ourselves no longer blinded by the sophistry of satan or deafened by the discordant noise of the secular world.

Perhaps you did not hear the Music and the spoken word message (begins at 18.04) of hope and optimism conference morning. The great Plan of Salvation is for every man—none are lost unto God.

None.

Every member of the church has the responsibility to be involved in the work of salvation.

I am tremendously interested in your favorite parts of conference. Share your thoughts and feelings below and link to your favorite conference messages.

Please share your thoughts.

Wilt thou be made whole?

I have long believed that appreciation is more for the benefactor than the deliverer. In the recent afternoon session of conference, Elder Timothy J Dyches agreed with me.

He spoke of the healings near the pool at Bethesda, where the impotent believed that after the troubling of the water whosoever first stepped in the pool was made whole of whatsoever ailment he had. The scripture in John 5:2-9 relates this touching moment...

“Now there is at Jerusalem by the sheep market a pool, which is called in the Hebrew tongue Bethesda, having five porches.

“In these lay a great multitude of impotent folk, of blind, halt, withered, waiting for the moving of the water.

“For an angel went down at a certain season into the pool, and troubled the water: whosoever then first after the troubling of the water stepped in was made whole of whatsoever disease he had.

“And a certain man was there, which had an infirmity thirty and eight years.

“When Jesus saw him lie, and knew that he had been now a long time in that case, he saith unto him, Wilt thou be made whole?

“The impotent man answered him, Sir, I have no man, when the water is troubled, to put me into the pool: but while I am coming, another steppeth down before me.

“Jesus saith unto him, Rise, take up thy bed, and walk.

“And immediately the man was made whole, and took up his bed, and walked.” 

We sometimes have so little hope of restitution, as this man who endured his malady for 38 years. He hoped just being near the water would be enough. It was.

When ten lepers were healed of their leprosy...only one returned to thank the Savior and glorify God, and Jesus answered "but where are the nine?" I don't believe this was begrudgingly asked. I don't believe He was reprimanding them. On the contrary, he wanted to heal them

 12 And as he entered into a certain village, there met him ten men that were lepers, which stood afar off:

 13 And they lifted up their voices, and said, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.

 14 And when he saw them, he said unto them, Go shew yourselves unto the priests. And it came to pass, that, as they went, they were cleansed.

 15 And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God,

 16 And fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan.

 17 And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine?

 18 There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger.

When we give thanks and show gratitude our lives improve and appreciation engenders hope. And when we struggle to forgive, we are not alone. We may draw on the power of Christ's Atonement for that's why He remains with us in our struggles and offers to help us bear our burdens.

Corrie ten Boom faced a Nazi guard that had been part of her grievous confinement. When he approached her, she could not smile. "I could not raise my hand to his." Though she had taught forgiveness, she could not of herself give it until she asked for strength through Christ.

Thus he commands us to rise above our own capacity, as he did to the man at the pool of Bethesda; and in so doing, He heals us. Perhaps, we long for "that healing to happen to me?" It can. His words are to us just as inviting as they were to the impotent man near the pool at Bethesda, to the leper along the journey to Jerusalem, and to Corrie ten Boom.

The impotent man at the pool at Bethesda, the grateful leper, and Corrie ten Boom were made whole and complete. "Wilt thou be made whole?" It's your choice.

All that is unfair about life can be made right through the Atonement of Christ.

Wilt Thou Be Made Whole?