Silly, Silly, Silly

One of the most interesting things talked about in class for me this last week was the simple true of death and hell.  Before the Savior's resurrections death had its reign all who were captured by it, were held in a iron vice by this merciless beast.  And death and the world wanted to keep it that way.

...we remember that that deceiver said, while he was yet alive, After three days I will rise again.  Command therefore that the sepulcher BE MADE SURE until the third day...go your way, make it as sure as ye can.  So they went, and made the sepulchral sure, sealing the stone, and setting a watch.

All death, hell, man, and earth were set to ensure that death held its dominion.  The stone was shut, concrete poured, and earthly guard set.  All hell stood watch at this tomb.

And Then God Showed His Power.

..the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it...

Hell in all its furry and darkness held that door and now an angel sits on it, gaily kicking his legs like a young child on a park bench as the door sits wide.  Silly, Silly, Silly!  How silly deaths and mans power is compared to the infinite power of the Savior.  It was a perfect atonement, everything down to His resurrection was opposed with all hell could offer; yet, nothing held the Savior's way.  No more guarded death will ever exist and yet no more silly guard.  He shattered death and hell's dominion forever!  And because He lives so might we!  He opened the way that all who live will be resurrected just as He, that all might return to God and on conditions of repentance stay forever!

Be A Better Person // Am I ?

(c) Amount of focused effort throughout the project to do more than just fulfill an assignment, but to actually try to be a better person:

I think this is also one of the beauties of my project—if I simply did it there was no way that I could not become a better person.  It has been amazing just reaching out to people and getting to know them.  I still struggle with meeting people and not flinching at first but I am a lot more aware of who is around me.  I have made some true friends.  There are two crazy kids in my Operating Systems class that I would have never taken the time to get to know before.  But now we thoroughly enjoy talking with one another.  Indeed Jeff and Jonathan are just like my friend Bryan and I. They have been so much fun to get to know, I know I have truly made some good friends.  It has also been a real blessing in my life to be able to talk with them about future classes and struggles in our current class.

In addition to this it has really just changed the way I look at life.  Somehow everything is more beautiful, the spirit is stronger and there is more hope and joy in the world.  I don’t know how to explain it other than that.  It’s fun to look for other’s successes and then rejoice in them, rather it bring joy to you!  I think that is one of the most universal truths—if you only look for the successes in your own life, they don’t come that often; however, when we invest in others we get to rejoice and enjoy the successes of others like they are our own and well as our own.  Then we find the more people we meet and know the more success we see and experience and the happier we are!  I have truly loved this project! 

Semester Report

S (Specifics~what did you do for your project and why did you pick it?)

(See Purpose of Blog)  Right Side.  ----->

A (Applicability~How much did your project push you beyond what you would have normally done this semester? Describe the effort you put into this.)
I would have never done this for a class ever! Especially a religion class…stuff like this takes time and a lot of effort, this was way out of the box for me.  When I really struggled with this I would review my motivation talk for this project and post on forgiveness talks or things like that to remember why I was doing this project and then I would go out and just talk to people.

R (Relevance~How relevant and meaningful was the project you picked? What spiritual growth came because of it?)
I think I answered this below…

T (Time~How consistently did you work on your project 1-2 hours weekly throughout the semester?)
I think I answered this below…

S (Scripture-tie-in~How did your project tie in to the scriptures we studied this semester?)
Matthew 22:37–39 -> Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.
Matt 6:12 && 6:15 && 32 -> Forgive.  As we meet people we get hurt.
Blessed are the Peacemakers and Blessed are the Merciful.
Parable of the Good Sameritan-> Stop! And don’t be a Robber.

There are more throughout this blog!

(a) Level of difficulty and meaningfulness of your project:

“Love thy neighbor as thyself” how can one ever love ones neighbor if one never interacts with them.  I some ways I think this had become my philosophy.  I mean if you never talk with anyone or get to know them, they can’t disappoint you and you don’t have to love them—after all you don’t even know them.  This has been a very hard project for me, I am not a social person whatsoever, so just going out of my way to meet people, say “Hi”, and be friendly was WAY out of the ball part!  But it has been one of the best projects. I have really tried to lift my head up and say “HI” to everyone I pass, or at least nod.  Then as I have been in the computer labs, classes, and just as roommates bring their friends over, I have striven to go out of my way to get to know them.  The Gospel is all about people and in many ways I feel that I have been running from them, but this project has truly changed all of that.  After all if you’re running from them how can you succor those in need, strengthen the feeble knees, love your neighbor, love your enemy, and feed His sheep.

(b) Number of weeks where you spent one to two hours working on the project:

I have been blogging on my project every week. There has not been a week that I have not spent one hour on my project since I turned in my project proposal. One of the beauties of this project is I can work on it every minute of every day—and it has blessed my life every minute of every day!  But I have also posted a few of my weekly discussion reports on my blog, so you will see those as well. 

Wine Press

D&C 76: I have ^covercome and have ^dtroddenthe ^ewine-press ^falone, even the wine-press of the fierceness of the wrath of Almighty God.


I hope this is not to sacred to put in writing, so if you read this...take note that you read it in the spirit in which it should be attended.  I have never really stopped to consider the part that both the Father and the Son had to play in the Garden in order for the Atonement to take place.  It took the cup of the Father given to the Son, asked for by the Son, or the press placed upon the Son by the Father, asked for by the Son.  I cannot even comprehend the role of the Father, what sacrifice He had to perform and then the Son to fulfill all that He promised--these actions define the words infinite and eternal.  This was my greatest insight out of my New Testament class today.


To think that the Savior was not only cut off from the presence of His Father but that He too suffered the wrath of Almighty God.  How deep and great the Atonement is I will never know.  A price was paid beyond my mortal comprehension.  I must repent.  


He offers a gift to me, my prayer now is to accept that gift in spirit He would intend it to be received.  I thought in class today the gift has already been offered, the question is not in the gift giver but in the gift receiver. The question is in me.  How do i receive the gift He has already given? -- This question is not how is it received but how do i use/see/accept His infinite and personal gift.


I pray to be a little better, a little faster and than that little change will last forever!  The Gospel is beautiful and sure!

Murder by Design

Last night i ventured from the usual routine to visit with one of my roommates guests.

The conversation revealed itself to be with one of natures most fascinating playwrites.  She is a premed, BYU play write.  One of her most recent works involves a foiled hist reenactment that ends up as vengeful man's orchestrated murder.

The most fascinating part of the conversation the fact that she felt guilty for being in our apartment because of all the homework that she currently had to do.  It was the same feeling that i was have for leaving my homework to be social.  My how interesting the world is!  It was wonderful to be able to relate to someone so purely insanse as myself.  The word is full of fools, what flavor are you?

Ia Ora Na

From Tahiti, ia ora na, literally mean 

Life to You!

We are either giving life or taking life from each other as we move forward on our way!

Raise our sights a little higher, to forget our own problems and reach out to others.

As i went to religion class yesterday i met a awesome young woman! She is from Utah and her family own a cabin in Island Park, which is not too far from where i live!  It was fun talk with her for a moment about her family and her semester.  She told me that her semester is actually a fairly easy one and that she was enjoying it!

Unfortunately class began at that point and we had to start paying attention but it was so refreshing to meet a friendly face and get to know one more person a little bit better.  It is so true the more we interact with others and learn of them the richer our own life becomes!  She made my day!

Refocus

Meeting new people can enrich our lives in miraculous ways!
Love is one of the most powerful positive forces in existence.
Be willing to step outside yourself for a minute to lift others--Just say Hi.
Have a real conversation with each new person you meet.
Being friendly is a great thing, because it's the only way we can move from acquaintance to lasting friendship.

Goal: TWE, Have a Real Conversation, Just Meet People

Washing of the Apostles' Feet

How often are we like Peter?  As I went to my New Testament class today, this was one thought that really impressed me about the Savior's Apostle Peter.  How often do I turn from the Savior when he attempts to clean the blackest part of me?

Why do I turn?

Is it because He is so clean and so pure that I feel my dark sins are past His help, in that He will not clean them because I have gone too far?

Is it because I don't feel I need Him to clean them, there is a appointed time, He can't clean them now, it will done later at night when I’m home, but not now.

Is it because I feel embarrassed for Him to help me I such a way?

Is it because I’m comfortable right now, I don't feel that I need to be washed?

In all these cases I think I have been there at one time or another, I think all of has.  I love this thought that one has to let the Savior do the dirty work.  Let Him!  We all are unclean and are in need of his help and I think like Peter when we get a true glimpse of what He will and is going to do for us, we'd shout also...wash my head and body also.  O how sweet and glorious the Gospel is, the more I learn about the Savior the more I love Him, the more I trust Him.

  

He knew the better Road

How many times!   I took my computer pulled up a world map and charted a course.  I wanted to be here, put on this concert, attend school there, transfer here, and then get a job with them.  I took that map printed it out stuck it in my pocket and packed up what little i owned into my bag and hammered a sign on the door saying, "Found my Way, Not coming Back."

My hope and my map last about a week and then they're both outdated.  I end up on a park bench somewhere with nothing but a bag of heavy past experiences, all of which seem worthless at the moment!

Then when dumbfounded, without even the capacity the ask the right question the Savior takes a seat at my side.  He has found that which was lost, rather to Him it was never lost, but now it's ready to listen!  There is something about too good of a time and too hard of a time that leave us senseless and inattentive to the Savior.  Either one will wind us up on a park bench somewhere.

Then with nothing but a bag, He has to remind us and tell us the proper questions.  Just like the Apostles after hearing of the troubles around the 2nd coming.  We like them are left in life with a glimpse of what is to come and yet know we understand none of it, we are left without word nor knowing where to turn next.  Our sure map has failed and we're afraid to make a new one.  It's then the Savior comes in and reminds us Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season?  


Once we see what needs answering He answers the question!

I have made such a map and i have followed such a course and indeed it left me on a bench with all that i have worked to obtain stuffed in a worthless bag; me feeling as if the contents thereof were completely worthless.  My map was in pieces! I had prayed--i'm not perfect, i sin--yet i felt like it was right and not wrong.  How could it then turn out this way.  The stick i had devised to measure my progress and left me beaten and utterly alone!

Then in the darkness the very day of my distress, He was found on my bench!  Feeling and words came into my mind as i knelt in prayer.  I received an email concerning a different opportunity that very night and a feeling this one is right!  As i looked back i realized God's inspiration in writing my application letter, it was perfect.  That very night i was also offered an interview for this new alternative.  Later that week i arrived for that interview.  I went up in a glorious, majestic building overlook a beautiful court yard with water fountains and huge bay windows. There as i sat waiting for my interview, unsolicited, the spirit came strong and peaceful, with three words--this is right!  Upon entering the interview i was complemented on my application letter and asked a question that i new would come...for i had felt that would be it.  I knew how to answer with an experience the Lord had given me.

~ On Sunday i met an amazing young women, my roommate had just invited her over.  I knew nothing about her.  Then it came to my attention that she had seen The Tempest this last week in Salt Lake--I was able to have an amazing deep conversation with her because of my experience with Shakespeare.  It was amazing and possible because of the universal language provided by Shakespeare. ~

That is why i love Shakespeare and literature! It creates a bridge in which can span vast chasm and link people together in a universal language and experience.  It allows us to understand one another and to more fully understand ourselves.

I shared this God given experience and the effect was perfect for them and for me!  I was told that i was accepted into the program!  I then went back down and had another euphoric event!

Later the Lord confirmed these feelings as He always dose with a beautiful lesson in my New Testament class where we talked about this... How the Lord will help us even when we don't know what to ask and bless us even when we think we know better.  He knows the higher road and the better way!  He knew that this opportunity would be better.  Don't close any doors.  It can get better!

Home Teaching ?

         Josh -> Mario Cart Party

So who knew even Home Teaching would be easier as i just open my mouth.  I got to know Josh over the weekend.  Even home teaching has become more of a blessing to me!  It was just easy to go and meet him when i chose not to be shy over the whole thing!

PS: Every Sunday they get together and play Mario Cart...i'm going to crash it...Muahahah!

Locked Out

Matt -> Locked Out


So it seems to get harder to do this project as my life gets crazier!  But in church i had the option of sitting next to a stranger or my roommates.  I did the right thing. Check this out...
Upon getting to know him, he told me why he was so tired and almost falling asleep in Sacrament meeting.  He had been locked out of his house that night.  He is staying with some family of his and they had left...so what did Matt do...He hit the couch!  No! He hit his back seat, yep he spent the night in his car!

Have you ever been Locked Out?  It's been fun to get to know Matt.

To be Ridden

While in scouts my scout group and I set out for an adventure!  We planed, packed and set out for Red Fish Lake Idaho!  We had just begun our 10 mile hike when our leader's house decided he was in charge.  This horse was new to his masters ride and had a opinion of his own.  After fighting the house for most of the trip, the master decided it was time teach this young colt a lesson.  He forced the horse to trail at the back of our caravan, he took to this like oil to water, he wanted none of it.  The colt's goal was to always be in the lead and never follow!  After a utter and complete revolt our leader ended up bailing off the horse just as it slide after way down the mountain, off of a rock ledge.  After the house came to himself he after a days walk found are group and rejoined the ranks.

How i have felt like this colt, spurned, ridden, and untamed.  Recently i have gone through a couple of job interviews that have literary ridden me as if for the first time.  Never having experienced such a think before, i must admit i was left bruised, dazed, and bucking in every direction.  Indeed not knowing who to trust or where i could turn.  I felt like the colt who had just went for a ride down the mountain.

It was in this moment that the master stepped in and touched the reins.  At the touch of the masters hand this dazed and bewildered colt was calm.  There was a literal quiet word of what the future would hold and how he was to safely lead me there.  There is something about the touch of the master hand!  When He was safely on my shoulders, the bit was a comfort, the path clear, the saddle comfortable, the world quiet, and the enemy with out power.  I knew He knew the course and that His course was mine!  I am the miracle of the colt, He has tamed me and channeled my efforts to something powerful and productive.  He Lives!

One great lesson that i want to always remember is the touch of His hand!  I want to further insure that i always listen and follow His command.

Double Duo

Jeff && Johnathan

I have been going through the CS department to earn a degree in Computer Science.  I have a partner in crime, his name Bryan Kingery.  He has become and is one of the best friends that i have!  He acts more like a true friend than anyone i have ever known!  But needless to say because we are in the same major we have been rocking it's world together!  It has been so much fun to work with him.  The other day, however, the two of us met our match--Jeff and Johnathan!  They like us are going through the CS program.  They are a lot father ahead that us in the program but i met them because i took the time so stop and formaly introduce myself and say hi!  I can truly say i have two new friends of which i very highly relate!

Peacemaker

For selling and undigested discord often belches forth bitter words when in the venom of intimate conversation with a present friend hatred at its rawest is breathed out upon an absent enemy.

She never said anything to either about the other save what would help to reconcile them.

We refrain from exciting or increasing wrath among men by evil speaking, but that we study to extinguish wrath by kind speaking.

Friends? Alone?

Is it really possible for people to desire to be alone? Or is it more to be away from someone? Or is it that when you are told in an explaination that they just wanted to be alone, they are just trying to justify their own malicious actions, by saying it was an inocent desire versus the abhorrent deed they actually did. When someone truly desires to be alone they don't burn and damn everyone on their way there! How insightful is the Savior's actions when he desired to be alone after learning that His beloved friend John had been murdered. He shaught a far off place, time to speak with His Father, and maybe more; but a crowd pressed Him. He as the Savior could have walked away, anyone could have walked away, but He didn't He saw their need for Him and had commpasion on them.

These are the types of friends i want and maybe i've been looking in the wrong place for them. I'm the type of person that really dosnt get "tired" of being with or around people, I love to be around them and share experiences and to be a shoulder to lean on in times of need, I'm always constant in these regards I never change, but I think I expect this of others as well. Or at least the notion of desire and attempt, or gratitude. But these are often missed and not found. I hope I never fall into the category of hypocrite in this regard for I know what it feels like to be on the losing side.

There are many times in my life that constant things seem to get in the way of new things.  For example i visit family on Sundays at 5 and leave my roommates.  Almost every time i go my roommates have some grand party and end up home after my dinner alone.  I think to myself is this 5oClock thing working.  So i don't go one week and i get shafted!  Then i realize why i love my cousins so much--they are constant, they love me for who i am and constantly share how much they love me and are glad that i come!  Dose anyone know how nice it is to feel needed and loved, desired and wanted!? They never changes they are always there and always will be, they are the people i need to show my last measure of devotion and my first for that matter.

Be constant, be true, be a true friend and even when ones life is horrible take time on your way to solitude to comfort those compel you along the way. Then when it's time for you to be comforted the greater blessing will be yours. There will also be those there to pick you up when you fall for they will be the ones you have helped when they were down. And if at all else the Savior will see and reward thee openly and will pick you up personally when your down. For Blessed are the Merciful for they shall obtain mercy.



So back to the whole, looking in the wrong place, i know that we are never alone because the Savior paid such a heavy price so completely alone.  I know that when we feel utterly alone it's because we have forgotten to listen to His voice and that as we pray we are granted peace, our winds and storm cease.

Like the blind healed with clay, a day that was ruff became a day that was just as great!  I was granted a new view of my world, a view in which included the power of the Savior and His loving kindness and grace.

Two Incounters

Nate

It's interest how one can think a random person in a computer lab is a complete load mouth and wish they would just leave, only then to get to know them and find out that they are really cool!

I had this experience this week someone that i have seen for two years in the lab i now his name and his friendship.


Jason -- CS235 & CS236

Just took time to meet with a student in the hall and share a little council about the classes he was taking in the cs program.

Go with Him Twain

Whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain.  Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away.

While walking to school on yesterday, a class mate from my Shakespeare class recognized me and walked over to say hi.  He was headed to the library and i was headed to the JFSB our paths were similar but different.  In light of this project i followed him and went with him twain.  While we walked we talked about school and how he wants to become a principle of a High School some day and how his wife teaches also.  He stated that if there kids were not smart, it would be a bad thing, this really made me laugh!

We also talked about how weird it was for me to be talking two in depth English classes while studying computer science.  It was just fun to have a friend and to walk with him, when usually i would not have.

Also last night i spent most of the night hanging out with my roommates, being a poor sport at Settlers of Katan if that is even how you spell it...lol, i'm not so good at losing--even when it's the first time i have ever played!! LOL  But this experience was a lot of fun, my roommates even had to pull the be a good sport talk, yeah it was that bad!! No, it was just fun to waste time with friends.  We're all tied together and hooked to the same line, share the burdon together, the view and the climb, then one will share the view.

Upon this Rock

Matt16: 18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this^arock I will build my ^bchurch; and the gates of ^chell shall not^dprevail against it.

I loved the simple truth that the gospel and specifically the church of Jesus Christ is built on the foundation of Revelation. The greatest truth to me and most often the most looked over is my ability to talk directly to my Heavenly Father. But talking to God however is not as grand as the ability to hear His voice in return. The miracle of revelation, of the power and gift of the Holy Ghost and of Sacred Houses of Prayer.

I had been having a really hard time, school and all of its demands have be become taskmasters with burdens and requests to hard to bear. In addition to school the world has also made it claim on my debt and requires it due, as i have been scheduled for interviews for work and dreams. In all of this i can assure anyone i have felt like the dust of the earth! How horrifying it is to realize my dreams are in the hands of other men!



Then in this moment of shear despair and gloom, prayers were answer with pleas to go to the temple and hear the voice of the Lord there! I did go despite all hell, the line in which i waited seemed like it would take an eternity and yet as i sat in sorrowing prayer, in the storm of the century, peace was given, revelation received and council was given! As i have continued the week those feeling i remember and professors have been scheduled for students that don't attend and i get there spot, just when needed, home evening lessons were given with the words that i needed to hear, and a kind word given in a moment of despair . God hears and ANSWERS prayers of this i know. I pray that i will ever be mindful of this true doctrine and principle and that i will be for fervent and sincere in my prayers, may God bless you, In the Name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Spend less time as a Robber!

The parable of the good Samaritan.

In this story there are a few characters:
The Good Samaritan
A Certain Man
Thieves
A Priest
A Levite
The Inn Keeper
The Beast

There are a host of applications for these different roles and for any given moment in our lives ones life, one could play any one of them.  One could be the Priest or the Levite looking on the man only as one passes the other side.  One would be going through life not looking for others to help or up lift or waving only at moments to serve as they pass one by.  One could be the Inn Keeper; one would house the man, tend to him and watch over him till all is well or the Samaritan comes back.  One would be taking every opportunity to fellowship those brought to the church, or to be a friend to one introduced.  One would watch over and care for those put into your command.  One would do faithfully one's home teaching and visit those in one stewardship.  One could be the Beast and carry those found to a safe place. One would be a missionary.  Or the most striking one could be a Thief plundering along the way...

This is the one that truly caught my ear today.  There have been so many times in my life that i have striven to make new friends, ones that are deep and last.  While creating these friends i have often times been left behind...while walking to church, when they create parties with their old friends, or even just walking to campus.  In these moments life sucks!!  So i had an interesting experience...while walking to school today i waited for my roommates.  We set out together but while traversing the extensive parking lot across from the Wilk my roommates set out in a different direction, they were quickly lost in the sea of cars.  For some reason in that moment every past fear of mine came to chilling life, the horrors of the past seemed destined to darken my sky, grip my throat and leave me utterly empty and alone.  I'd been left again.  It seemed fate had dealt my untimely hand.

It was then i had desired to be the robber, it fight back with all i had.  I felt that i had been robbed and left by the wayside.  I felt that since i had been robbed, hurt that i would do the same to them.  If this was life it would be better to be on the Thief's end.  Why strive to make friends, why say kind words, why waste your time with others when they will only rob it from you and leave one with nothing in return.

Thankfully however that is not were this story ends, in that moment of pain i heard a voice, a familiar voice, one warm and kind...It called my name and petitioned "wait up".  No words brought greater joy to me than these, this day... When i felt stripped and by the way side, he stopped for me this day...

For me it was something big, for me it was a tender mercy, to others it might have been a joke.  But to me it was  a big deal!

My roommate could very easily have just when his way wondering why i had speed off and even he himself felt scorned but instead he cared by the wayside.

I pray that i may never in though, word, or exempt play the role of the robber.  Even when i feel that i have been the first wronged.  Spend less time as the robber, the priest, and the Levite.

Nicole and Kattie

It was really fun today!  Two girls that i have met through the semester said hi as i entered class today in New Testament.  This is one of the first times that my brief encounters have turned into subsequent conversations.

Katie and I talked about the fun plans that we had over the weekend and for future weekends as well as how she loved her hicks of Timp.

It just cool to walk into a class in which you formerly knew no one and now have a couple that say hi when they see you.  Life is Good!

Don't you give up!

Even if you cannot always see that silver lining on your clouds, God can, for He is the very source of the light you seek. He does love you, and He knows your fears. He hears your prayers. He is your Heavenly Father, and surely He matches with His own the tears His children shed.

No, it is not without a recognition of life’s tempests but fully and directly because of them that I testify of God’s love and the Savior’s power to calm the storm. Always remember in that biblical story that He was out there on the water also, that He faced the worst of it right along with the newest and youngest and most fearful. Only one who has fought against those ominous waves is justified in telling us—as well as the sea—to “be still.” 8 Only one who has taken the full brunt of such adversity could ever be justified in telling us in such times to “be of good cheer.” 9 Such counsel is not a jaunty pep talk about the power of positive thinking, though positive thinking is much needed in the world. No, Christ knows better than all others that the trials of life can be very deep and we are not shallow people if we struggle with them. But even as the Lord avoids sugary rhetoric, He rebukes faithlessness and He deplores pessimism. He expects us to believe!

Because Christ’s eyes were unfailingly fixed on the future, He could endure all that was required of Him, suffer as no man can suffer except it be “unto death,” 11 as King Benjamin said, look upon the wreckage of individual lives and the promises of ancient Israel lying in ruins around Him and still say then and now, “Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” 12 How could He do this? How could He believe it? Because He knows that for the faithful, things will be made right soon enough. He is a King; He speaks for the crown; He knows what can be promised. He knows that “the Lord … will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble. … For the needy shall not alway[s] be forgotten: the expectation of the poor shall not perish for ever.” 13 He knows that “the Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.” He knows that “the Lord redeemeth the soul of his servants: and none of them that trust in him shall be desolate.”

Yet in my mind’s eye, for just an instant, I thought perhaps I saw on that side road an old car with a devoted young wife and two little children making the best of a bad situation there. Just ahead of them I imagined that I saw a young fellow walking toward Kanarraville, with plenty of distance still ahead of him. His shoulders seemed to be slumping a little, the weight of a young father’s fear evident in his pace. In the scriptural phrase his hands did seem to “hang down.” 15 In that imaginary instant, I couldn’t help calling out to him: “Don’t give up, boy. Don’t you quit. You keep walking. You keep trying. There is help and happiness ahead—a lot of it—30 years of it now, and still counting. You keep your chin up. It will be all right in the end. Trust God and believe in good things to come.”

I testify that God lives, that He is our Eternal Father, that He loves each of us with a love divine. I testify that Jesus Christ is His Only Begotten Son in the flesh and, having triumphed in this world, is an heir of eternity, a joint-heir with God, and now stands on the right hand of His Father. I testify that this is Their true Church and that They sustain us in our hour of need—and always will, even if we cannot recognize that intervention. Some blessings come soon, some come late, and some don’t come until heaven; but for those who embrace the gospel of Jesus Christ, they come. Of that I personally attest. I thank my Father in Heaven for His goodness past, present, and future, and I do so in the name of His Beloved Son and most generous high priest, even the Lord Jesus Christ, amen.

Happy?

“Do you want to be happy? Forget yourself and get lost in this great cause. Lend your efforts to helping people. … Stand higher, lift those with feeble knees, hold up the arms of those that hang down. Live the gospel of Jesus Christ.”
–President Gordon B. Hinckley

Miracle of Forgiveness

The Miracle!

Mark 2

1 And again he entered into Capernaum after some days; and it was noised that he was ^ain the house.

 2 And straightway many were gathered together, insomuch that there was no room to receive them, no, not so much as about the door: and he ^apreached the word unto them.

 3 And they come unto him, bringing one sick of the palsy, which was ^aborne of four.

 4 And when they could not come nigh unto him for the press, they uncovered the roof where he was: and when they had broken it up, they let down the bed wherein the sick of the palsy lay.

 5 When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be ^aforgiven thee.

We know what happens next... this man thus speak blasphemies? ...Whether is it easier to say to the sick of the palsy, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and take up thy bed, and walk?

I love this idea...how oft we tend to look at this story and say to ourselves, the miracle is coming... and hold our breaths till the Master speaks His words...I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy bed, and go thy way into thine house.

However, i loved the idea, "Guys the miracle has already happened, did you miss it!?"  What is the real miracle? 

Thy sins be forgiven thee.

The wonderful Miracle of forgiveness! I have messed up, i have fallen short, i have hurt other people, we all have, not one is perfect.  Yet here were i stand i would hold the full judgement of law, the full punishment against those who trespass me, for they have done me wrong, but He take me, a sinner, wrong, unprofitable, and broken -- and make me clean, justifies, concentrates, and makes whole.  --Hear the words my son thy sins be forgiven thee, thy faith hath made thee whole.  I truly know not how this miracle is done! His love and kindness pass all my understanding, and if i could not have the testimony of the scriptures and the spirit i could never believe it.  But He Lives, the spirit whispers so!  And His power to heal and cleanse is real and in effect today if we will but ask and exercise faith in His word--follow His Gospel.  What peace it brings to know there is a way back, and that there will always be a way back.  Truly He does carry us!  How this knowledge increases my love for the Savior and His Atonement and how it gives me strength to do better, be better, and serve Him.  May we ever follow His way, take His yoke upon us, and keep His commandments is my prayer, in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

A simple talk with Forest!

Priesthood Session Fall 2011

Met Forest!
During the priesthood session of conference i went for a little adventure, you see all of my roommates had left to their respective families and it was just me in the house.  Being in Provo for priesthood for the first time is a little different, for some reason all the other session are easy to get to, one is either home, with friends, or at the bishop's, but when it comes to priesthood it is only certain chapels and no one talks about it.  Go figure! So what did i do, i pick the closes chapel i knew and gave it a shot! Well it worked, but once there i had a decision to make take the back row by myself or look for a seat up front, i choose up front thanks once again to this project and the idea of being social.  That is when i met Forest, awesome man! He is in the ROTC here and working hard by the looks of him.  We talked just the five minutes before conference started--the subject facial hair--men really don't like to shave...lol..   It was good felt like i made a new friend though brief.

I'll Treat you how You Treat Me!

It's interest to me how many different ways we can really condemn ourselves!  This one caught me off guard! I thought i was doing good meeting and talking with everyone and then i ran into an obstacle with my roommate that brought everything to a haunt.  He has been really good just being nice and getting to know me and all of a sudden he's gone rogue.  He talks to everyone in the room but me and it generous to everyone but me.?  Well usually i can figure out something that i did...granted pride usually says i was right...but this one was different.  So my immediate attitude was fine...I will treat you exactly how you treat me...Revenge!! Somehow however this affected everyone i talked to this week, i just haven't been as good as talking to everyone.  But then the Savior's words came to me again...the Golden Rule.  Regardless of how they treat you treat them how you would like to be treated continually regardless.  After i had this thought the whole world seemed brighter!! Just be You always.

O, to Turn the Other Cheek

Often times in our lives we come across something that is broke, if one will take a minute i'm sure one can think of  something right now.  As well all have some tendency to do, one will try a fix it.  This sometime proves to be as frustrating as building a sand castle with a obnoxiousness six year old.  For those of you who haven't had the experience they knock it down as fast as you build it and don't forget the sinister twinkle in their eye. As we try to fix these objects it often times feels as if there is such a demon thwarting us at every turn.  We then have two choices, continue at the lost cause or indulge in some self satisfaction.  If the thing is already broke and obviously unfix-able why not take it to the nearest ten story building and drop it off!!! Let it pluming 1,000 feet and explode into a million savory, decadent pieces.   Then throw it away!

How often do we take this approach with those around us?  We start out with the best intentions and then trying to fix it a thousand times, only to be snided again.  At which point, we fire back on them " react[ing] as though that person has insulted [our] honor, [our] family, [our] dog, and [our] ancestors all the way back to Adam" (lds.org).  We're inclined to give them the strongest verbal assault the English language can muster, kick them to the curb, drop them off a ten story building, and throw them away with the trash!  We figure the relationship is broken already, why not destroy it with pleasure and the actually deserve the evils that we have already been receiving!

It is in these hot moments that those silent prayers are answered and an inspired teach focuses for just a moment with testimony on the Savior's answer.

But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.


But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.  And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloke also.  And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain.  Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away.


Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despite-fully use you, and persecute you;


It is in these moments that i am truly am in awe...    turn the other cheek...
When one has gone out of the way to bless, prosper, and console someone and that person sells one to all hell and death for a few pieces of pleasure...           turn the other cheek...

There is no other hope save Jesus Christ, because He has done it, so can I.  May we find peace in Him, salvation by Him, and justice through Him.  I know not how it is possible for one to turn the other cheek and all be well, but I know that as we do we have peace.  For as i have turned my face to onslaught of blows He has calmed the winds, the waves, and the storms in my soul. I have found peace in Him. He has answered my prayers. And despite all i have come out on top, for He was on my ship.

In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen!