I have to admit that coming up with a thought today is more difficult than usual. One of the individuals with whom I work here at the University of Utah Hospital - someone who has subscribed to this list since its inception - suddenly passed away this morning at work. I have not seen much of him in recent years since we both moved offices to different locations, but it does not diminish the reality and the hurt of his death.
When my mother passed away 11 years ago, I was comforted then as I am today by the knowledge that this life is just a stepping stone along a much longer path. I feel bad for those who do not understand this, and who feel that when they die it is the end of everything. The time of separation from those who are left behind is painful as we remember the good that these people brought into our lives, but we are fortunate to have been taught that the end of our life here marks the opportunity to reunite with loved ones and await the day when we, because of the Atonement, can be resurrected and "in (the) flesh... see God." (see Job 19:26)
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Death (5/19/2010)
I have to admit that coming up with a thought today is more difficult than usual. One of the individuals with whom I work here at the University of Utah Hospital - someone who has subscribed to this list since its inception - suddenly passed away this morning at work. I have not seen much of him in recent years since we both moved offices to different locations, but it does not diminish the reality and the hurt of his death.
When my mother passed away 11 years ago, I was comforted then as I am today by the knowledge that this life is just a stepping stone along a much longer path. I feel bad for those who do not understand this, and who feel that when they die it is the end of everything. The time of separation from those who are left behind is painful as we remember the good that these people brought into our lives, but we are fortunate to have been taught that the end of our life here marks the opportunity to reunite with loved ones and await the day when we, because of the Atonement, can be resurrected and "in (the) flesh... see God." (see Job 19:26)
When my mother passed away 11 years ago, I was comforted then as I am today by the knowledge that this life is just a stepping stone along a much longer path. I feel bad for those who do not understand this, and who feel that when they die it is the end of everything. The time of separation from those who are left behind is painful as we remember the good that these people brought into our lives, but we are fortunate to have been taught that the end of our life here marks the opportunity to reunite with loved ones and await the day when we, because of the Atonement, can be resurrected and "in (the) flesh... see God." (see Job 19:26)
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
A Reason to Hope (5/18/2010)
"How important it is that we heed the voice of a living prophet and conform our lives to the gospel of Jesus Christ! Even though the outlook for peace is bleak in the world today, it is not a time for despair. We live in a day when change can be effected very rapidly. The Lord has blessed us with a knowledge of the gospel of Jesus Christ and has also led us to an understanding of the technology that can bring about this change. This is a time not for despair but for preparation, courage, and action." - Elder L. Tom Perry
These words, written over twenty years ago, are more true today than ever. The pace of the world seems to grow faster and faster, and the hope of a world of peace and goodness seems to dim each day. The words of the prophets teach us, however, that there is more to this life than the day to day drudgery that we experience. As long as we are willing to stand up for that which is good and right and prepare ourselves for the life to come, we have reason to hope for a much brighter future.
These words, written over twenty years ago, are more true today than ever. The pace of the world seems to grow faster and faster, and the hope of a world of peace and goodness seems to dim each day. The words of the prophets teach us, however, that there is more to this life than the day to day drudgery that we experience. As long as we are willing to stand up for that which is good and right and prepare ourselves for the life to come, we have reason to hope for a much brighter future.
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Enjoy the moment (5/12/2010)
Last night I was at the church when the bishop walked in. Since it was another rainy and cold day here, he wondered aloud whether summer would ever come. As one who is not particularly fond of summer (I can always dress up against the cold. Heat is another matter altogether.), his question made me stop to think about how often I am so anxious to move onto the next thing that I miss what is going on around me. It reminded me of a job I had while in college. Every afternoon my co-workers and I would spend our 15 minute break going out and watching the sunset. We didn't normally have much to say. We just sat and appreciated being in that moment, enjoying the beauty of the world.
Let me qualify my previous anecdotes by stating that we do need to keep an eye on our eternal goals. Without that vision it is easy to lose our way. I think it is important to stop and enjoy where we are as well. Our Father in Heaven created this beautiful world for us. He gave us a wide variety of landscapes, weather, friends, and many other things to make our lives here full and rich. We may not fully appreciate everything that comes our way - just like the bishop would prefer warm weather instead of the rain - but I hope that we will stop today and be thankful for all the good we do have.
Let me qualify my previous anecdotes by stating that we do need to keep an eye on our eternal goals. Without that vision it is easy to lose our way. I think it is important to stop and enjoy where we are as well. Our Father in Heaven created this beautiful world for us. He gave us a wide variety of landscapes, weather, friends, and many other things to make our lives here full and rich. We may not fully appreciate everything that comes our way - just like the bishop would prefer warm weather instead of the rain - but I hope that we will stop today and be thankful for all the good we do have.
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
What Would You Do? (5/5/2010)
"I would give ANYTHING to..." How often do we hear a sentence that starts like that? Most of the time that statement is rhetorical, as there are probably plenty of things that one would not do in exchange for having that wish fulfilled, but it does beg the question - what would we do? When the discussion comes around to gaining the ultimate prize of returning to our Father in Heaven what are we willing to do then?
The young man who asked the Savior had such a question. He had followed the commandments and apparently had led a good life, yet when the Savior asked him to sell all that he had, give the money to the poor, and follow Him, the young man went away sad because that seemed too difficult. (see Matthew 19:16-22) So what do we need to give in order to gain eternal life?
Balak, a king of Moab, once asked the same question, and this is the answer he received: "He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?" (Micah 6:8) Stated a different way, if we hope to gain the prize, we must give a "broken heart and a contrite spirit." (3 Nephi 9:20) Our innate desire to choose our own way might make this a gift more difficult to give than all of our money and possessions, but in the end such a gift will be more meaningful than any other we can offer.
The young man who asked the Savior had such a question. He had followed the commandments and apparently had led a good life, yet when the Savior asked him to sell all that he had, give the money to the poor, and follow Him, the young man went away sad because that seemed too difficult. (see Matthew 19:16-22) So what do we need to give in order to gain eternal life?
Balak, a king of Moab, once asked the same question, and this is the answer he received: "He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?" (Micah 6:8) Stated a different way, if we hope to gain the prize, we must give a "broken heart and a contrite spirit." (3 Nephi 9:20) Our innate desire to choose our own way might make this a gift more difficult to give than all of our money and possessions, but in the end such a gift will be more meaningful than any other we can offer.
Monday, May 3, 2010
Acting in Accordance with Our Beliefs (5/3/2010)
Elder Robert D. Hales once gave a speech in which he counseled "Remember who you are and act accordingly." He then followed that advice with this:
"Sometimes I think we go through life in a speedboat. As we go through the harbors of life, we never look over our shoulders at the sailboats and the lifeboats and the dinghies that are swamped in the wake of our actions. I would hope that you'd start looking over your shoulder."
No decision we make happens in a vacuum. Everything we do has an impact on those around us for good or for evil whether we see it or not. That is why it is crucial to remember to behave according to the standards that the Savior has established for us. If we are careful about the decisions we make, we can be assured that our actions will not have a negative influence on those around us, and ultimately we will have less worry about when the time comes for us to give an account about how we lived our lives.
"Sometimes I think we go through life in a speedboat. As we go through the harbors of life, we never look over our shoulders at the sailboats and the lifeboats and the dinghies that are swamped in the wake of our actions. I would hope that you'd start looking over your shoulder."
No decision we make happens in a vacuum. Everything we do has an impact on those around us for good or for evil whether we see it or not. That is why it is crucial to remember to behave according to the standards that the Savior has established for us. If we are careful about the decisions we make, we can be assured that our actions will not have a negative influence on those around us, and ultimately we will have less worry about when the time comes for us to give an account about how we lived our lives.
Judging (4/30/2010)
One of my favorite things to do is cook. I especially love cooking for other people, as many are surprised that I, as a guy, can make something other than macaroni and cheese or a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. Today I have put on a crock pot of chili for our ward chili cookoff, and honestly I have no idea how I will fare in the judging this time around. I am using a recipe that won me second place in the cookoff two years ago (my other entry won first that night), but if past experience is any indicator, I will not do as well this time around. I say this because I submitted my two-years-ago first place entry in last year's cookoff, and it didn't even place. Of course there was none left to take home, so people didn't necessarily hate it, but it just goes to show that when it comes to judging, people's tastes vary. With all that said, if people like what I made, I will be happy.
As I was preparing the chili last night and trying to decide how to season it, I started thinking about the way our Father in Heaven judges us. While this might not be an ideal comparison, I did realize that we judge situations and individuals according to our own experiences and biases. Our Father, on the other hand, sees beyond our facade and knows who we really are. (see Mosiah 4:30, Isaiah 55:8-9) Because He understands that, He will always judge us fairly because He knows if we have truly put forth our best effort.
As I was preparing the chili last night and trying to decide how to season it, I started thinking about the way our Father in Heaven judges us. While this might not be an ideal comparison, I did realize that we judge situations and individuals according to our own experiences and biases. Our Father, on the other hand, sees beyond our facade and knows who we really are. (see Mosiah 4:30, Isaiah 55:8-9) Because He understands that, He will always judge us fairly because He knows if we have truly put forth our best effort.
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