I would like to apologize for the lack of a thought this week. My four year old daughter was diagnosed this past weekend with type 1 diabetes, and she has been at Primary Children's Hospital up until late last night, and today I am trying to wrap my arms around how life at home will be which does not leave a whole lot of time for much else. That, coupled with the fact that I am traveling on business next week, will probably prevent me from publishing a thought for the next week or two, so I just wanted to let you know. I have not abandoned you - I just need a little time to deal with life. :)
Thanks!
Paul
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Children of God (1/21/2010)
Last night my daughter was interviewing me as part of a school project, and she asked me one thing that I would do to change the world. After some thought I replied that I would make it so everyone could understand everyone else's circumstances. I think that is one of the most difficult barriers we have to overcome. When we perceive another as being rude or inconsiderate of our feelings, there are probably other things going on in that individual's life that we may never know. If we had a more intimate understanding of the trials of others, however, we would likely be more empathetic when they react the way they do.
As the second lesson of the new Gospel Principles manual reminds us, we are all children of God, and each of us deserves to be treated as such. I hope that we can remember this when others are insensitive to our needs, and that we can treat everyone with whom we interact with kindness befitting a child of God.
As the second lesson of the new Gospel Principles manual reminds us, we are all children of God, and each of us deserves to be treated as such. I hope that we can remember this when others are insensitive to our needs, and that we can treat everyone with whom we interact with kindness befitting a child of God.
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
The Things That Matter Most (1/20/2010)
In a speech back in 1978, Elder David B. Haight spoke of a regional conference where President Kimball spoke. "All of the General Authorities were also in attendance at this very solemn but historic assembly to receive instruction and counsel, 'to be built up in faith and testimony.', and to reaffirm to these Church leaders our mission: to assist in saving the souls of mankind and to focus on the things that matter most.
"In this comprehensive review of the Church's progress, we could sense again (President Kimball's) anxiety and concern for this work. We who are near our prophet sense his restlessness - because time is moving swiftly, and the world population is growing. But the keys of the kingdom and salvation are here and available to all. We - all of us here tonight - are His disciples."
In the world today, there are a million entertainments and diversions that will allure us from the path back to our Father in Heaven. When I read this speech, I was reminded of how important it is to focus on those things that matter most. All of the fun and amazing gadgets and software that fill our lives today will mean nothing when the time comes for us to be judged by our Father in Heaven. The questions we will have to answer then will deal with how we treated our fellow-man, and how faithful we have been in keeping the commandments. Regardless of how long it will be until our Savior comes again, hopefully the uncertainty of this life will encourage us to live each day anxiously engaged in the good cause.
"In this comprehensive review of the Church's progress, we could sense again (President Kimball's) anxiety and concern for this work. We who are near our prophet sense his restlessness - because time is moving swiftly, and the world population is growing. But the keys of the kingdom and salvation are here and available to all. We - all of us here tonight - are His disciples."
In the world today, there are a million entertainments and diversions that will allure us from the path back to our Father in Heaven. When I read this speech, I was reminded of how important it is to focus on those things that matter most. All of the fun and amazing gadgets and software that fill our lives today will mean nothing when the time comes for us to be judged by our Father in Heaven. The questions we will have to answer then will deal with how we treated our fellow-man, and how faithful we have been in keeping the commandments. Regardless of how long it will be until our Savior comes again, hopefully the uncertainty of this life will encourage us to live each day anxiously engaged in the good cause.
The Things That Matter Most (1/20/2010)
In a speech back in 1978, Elder David B. Haight spoke of a regional conference where President Kimball spoke. "All of the General Authorities were also in attendance at this very solemn but historic assembly to receive instruction and counsel, 'to be built up in faith and testimony.', and to reaffirm to these Church leaders our mission: to assist in saving the souls of mankind and to focus on the things that matter most.
"In this comprehensive review of the Church's progress, we could sense again (President Kimball's) anxiety and concern for this work. We who are near our prophet sense his restlessness - because time is moving swiftly, and the world population is growing. But the keys of the kingdom and salvation are here and available to all. We - all of us here tonight - are His disciples."
In the world today, there are a million entertainments and diversions that will allure us from the path back to our Father in Heaven. When I read this speech, I was reminded of how important it is to focus on those things that matter most. All of the fun and amazing gadgets and software that fill our lives today will mean nothing when the time comes for us to be judged by our Father in Heaven. The questions we will have to answer then will deal with how we treated our fellow-man, and how faithful we have been in keeping the commandments. Regardless of how long it will be until our Savior comes again, hopefully the uncertainty of this life will encourage us to live each day anxiously engaged in the good cause.
"In this comprehensive review of the Church's progress, we could sense again (President Kimball's) anxiety and concern for this work. We who are near our prophet sense his restlessness - because time is moving swiftly, and the world population is growing. But the keys of the kingdom and salvation are here and available to all. We - all of us here tonight - are His disciples."
In the world today, there are a million entertainments and diversions that will allure us from the path back to our Father in Heaven. When I read this speech, I was reminded of how important it is to focus on those things that matter most. All of the fun and amazing gadgets and software that fill our lives today will mean nothing when the time comes for us to be judged by our Father in Heaven. The questions we will have to answer then will deal with how we treated our fellow-man, and how faithful we have been in keeping the commandments. Regardless of how long it will be until our Savior comes again, hopefully the uncertainty of this life will encourage us to live each day anxiously engaged in the good cause.
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Doing Our Part (1/13/2010)
As Moroni wrote his dissertation on faith in Ether 12, he lamented the fact that those who would receive his words would discount them because of his weakness in writing. He prayed that we Gentiles would be willing to forgive him that weakness, when the Lord answered his prayer.
"And it came to pass that the Lord said unto me: If they have not charity it mattereth not unto thee, thou hast been faithful; wherefore, thy garments shall be made clean. And because thou hast seen thy weakness thou shalt be made strong, even unto the sitting down in the place which I have prepared in the mansions of my Father." (Ether 12:37)
Reading this verse with my family the other night, I was impressed that the Lord told Moroni that since he had done his part, he would be blessed. This led me to think how we, as members of the Church of Jesus Christ, have been instructed to share the Gospel with our family, friends, and neighbors. Too often I know that I worry about how people will perceive me if I start to talk to them about religion, but this verse reminded me that as long as I truly do my part, I will be blessed.
We do not know what goes on in the hearts of the people with whom we associate (see 1 Samuel 16:7), and it just might be that someone we know needs what we have to offer. With that in mind, I hope that we will be more diligent in our missionary efforts.
"And it came to pass that the Lord said unto me: If they have not charity it mattereth not unto thee, thou hast been faithful; wherefore, thy garments shall be made clean. And because thou hast seen thy weakness thou shalt be made strong, even unto the sitting down in the place which I have prepared in the mansions of my Father." (Ether 12:37)
Reading this verse with my family the other night, I was impressed that the Lord told Moroni that since he had done his part, he would be blessed. This led me to think how we, as members of the Church of Jesus Christ, have been instructed to share the Gospel with our family, friends, and neighbors. Too often I know that I worry about how people will perceive me if I start to talk to them about religion, but this verse reminded me that as long as I truly do my part, I will be blessed.
We do not know what goes on in the hearts of the people with whom we associate (see 1 Samuel 16:7), and it just might be that someone we know needs what we have to offer. With that in mind, I hope that we will be more diligent in our missionary efforts.
Miracles (1/8/2010)
"Never lose faith in yourselves or in your capacity to do worthwhile things. And call upon the Lord for help that your minds may be enlightened and your understanding quickened. Then go to work with that assurance inside of you that somehow you can do it." - President Gordon B. Hinckley
I love this quote from President Hinckley because it reminds me that a miracle is not usually a one-sided event. When we require something in our lives, we should certainly call upon our Father in Heaven to give us according to our needs. Once we have done that, however, it is up to us to get up and do something to address that need. This part of our eternal existence gives us the chance to learn and to grow to become more like our Father in Heaven. If we were to allow Him to do everything for us, we would not be able to extend ourselves and achieve the growth that we wanted to achieve when we chose to come here, so through our efforts - with His help - miracles can happen every day.
I love this quote from President Hinckley because it reminds me that a miracle is not usually a one-sided event. When we require something in our lives, we should certainly call upon our Father in Heaven to give us according to our needs. Once we have done that, however, it is up to us to get up and do something to address that need. This part of our eternal existence gives us the chance to learn and to grow to become more like our Father in Heaven. If we were to allow Him to do everything for us, we would not be able to extend ourselves and achieve the growth that we wanted to achieve when we chose to come here, so through our efforts - with His help - miracles can happen every day.
The Whole Picture (1/7/2010)
Last Saturday, our family took a day trip. Because we have a two year old and a four year old, we used the VCR in our Suburban to play Disney movies to help fill the time between home and our destination. Since the audio plays through the stereo speakers in the car, it was interesting to listen to the movie Cinderella without actually being able to watch it. I noted how much of the movie was just music and sound effects, something that had never come to my attention while watching the animation. Without the pictures, the story made far less sense, and would not have kept my attention if the audio was all I could rely on.
For whatever reason, this got me thinking about how in Nephi's vision, the angel explained how many "plain and precious parts of the Gospel" had been removed by the great and abominable church. (see 1 Nephi 13:26-40) So while many people in the world have parts of Christ's word to help them, they are not able to see the whole picture. And just like I would not have been able to understand the whole movie my children were watching had I not seen it before, it must be difficult for these individuals to grasp what our Father in Heaven intends for us. This is just one reason of many why I am thankful that Joseph Smith restored The Church of Jesus Christ in these last days, and why I am grateful for ongoing revelation today.
For whatever reason, this got me thinking about how in Nephi's vision, the angel explained how many "plain and precious parts of the Gospel" had been removed by the great and abominable church. (see 1 Nephi 13:26-40) So while many people in the world have parts of Christ's word to help them, they are not able to see the whole picture. And just like I would not have been able to understand the whole movie my children were watching had I not seen it before, it must be difficult for these individuals to grasp what our Father in Heaven intends for us. This is just one reason of many why I am thankful that Joseph Smith restored The Church of Jesus Christ in these last days, and why I am grateful for ongoing revelation today.
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Relationships (1/5/2010)
In Ether 9, we read about how several individuals fought over becoming king. First Jared sought to gain the throne by killing Omer, his father. Omer was warned by the Lord, however, so he escaped and Jared took power. Once he was in power, his son in law Akish - the same one Jared had enlisted to kill Omer - killed Jared and he took over. He then locked away his son and starved him to death, possibly because he was afraid that his son would try and kill him to gain power. However, another one of Akish's sons, Nimrah, was upset at this filicide and organized the rest of the family and other members of the kingdom which led to a war that almost entirely eliminated the people living there.
I tell you this account to illustrate a point that occurred to me when reading this yesterday. Satan has one goal - to make all of us as miserable as he is. (see 2 Nephi 2:27) To achieve this goal, he will make people all sorts of promises he has no intention of keeping, and ultimately, he will make sure that people tear each down over things of no eternal consequence.
The Gospel of Jesus Christ, on the other hand, has us build each other up as we work towards a common goal of eternal life. The fact that one person gains eternal life does not prohibit another from gaining the same gift, and in fact as we help each other work towards that goal, we become stronger and forge relationships that can last throughout the eternities, something far greater than the counterfeit relationships that Satan encourages.
I tell you this account to illustrate a point that occurred to me when reading this yesterday. Satan has one goal - to make all of us as miserable as he is. (see 2 Nephi 2:27) To achieve this goal, he will make people all sorts of promises he has no intention of keeping, and ultimately, he will make sure that people tear each down over things of no eternal consequence.
The Gospel of Jesus Christ, on the other hand, has us build each other up as we work towards a common goal of eternal life. The fact that one person gains eternal life does not prohibit another from gaining the same gift, and in fact as we help each other work towards that goal, we become stronger and forge relationships that can last throughout the eternities, something far greater than the counterfeit relationships that Satan encourages.
Monday, January 4, 2010
Adversity (1/4/2010)
"We all will have adversity; it is a part of life. We will all have it because we need it for growth and the forging of our righteous character. I have learned that the Lord has a consummate capacity to judge our intent. He is concerned about what we are becoming by the choices we make. He has an individual plan for each of us. This concept is very comforting when we consider how to understand difficult matters such as the early death of someone who seems to be so needed on earth. It is most helpful when we struggle with illness or a severe handicap." - Elder Richard G. Scott
One of the things I cannot understand is how some individuals believe that there is no design or reason to what happens here on Earth. I would think that those people who subscribe to this chaos theory have no reason to hope for anything. Understanding, however, that the events of our lives are part of a larger plan somehow makes it easier to accept them. I remember when my mother passed away, it was not easy - I think that losing a loved one is a challenge for even the best of us - but knowing that I had hope to see her again after this life was of great comfort.
All of us will face adversity in this life regardless of our personal righteousness. As long as we can use this adversity as a chance to grow and become stronger instead of letting it defeat us, we will be able to look back at some future time and see how our trials have made us stronger and drawn us closer to our Father in Heaven.
One of the things I cannot understand is how some individuals believe that there is no design or reason to what happens here on Earth. I would think that those people who subscribe to this chaos theory have no reason to hope for anything. Understanding, however, that the events of our lives are part of a larger plan somehow makes it easier to accept them. I remember when my mother passed away, it was not easy - I think that losing a loved one is a challenge for even the best of us - but knowing that I had hope to see her again after this life was of great comfort.
All of us will face adversity in this life regardless of our personal righteousness. As long as we can use this adversity as a chance to grow and become stronger instead of letting it defeat us, we will be able to look back at some future time and see how our trials have made us stronger and drawn us closer to our Father in Heaven.
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