Yesterday as I sat in front of my computer trying to decipher the handwriting on the 1900 Census of the United States for Ritchie County, West Virginia, my 13 year old daughter came up and asked me what I was doing. The new Family Search page has been a great tool and has made it easier for me to get names ready to take to the temple, something that I have never done before because most of our family history had already been done. With the passing of my grandfather a few years ago, I felt a need to work on his genealogy and, hopefully, perform some temple work along the way.
The process of putting these names together can be time consuming, and over the past month I have only been able to process just under 30 names for the temple work. When I processed the first group of names, I told my daughter that she could perform baptisms for the women in this group which made her happy, but since then the pace of my work has kept me from making any other exciting announcements.
I showed her how to do what I was doing, and then she asked for a chance to try. I let her do it while I monitored her work, and after inserting a few names then selecting the option to prepare these names for the temple, she got very excited and even though we had to stop so I could make dinner, she wanted to continue. The fact that she was able to take information recorded by someone over a century ago and convert that to work for her ancestors definitely caught her interest, and I anticipate several more Sundays working together on this.
I share this experience with you because to me it is another testimony that the power of the Spirit of Elijah as described in Malachi 4:5-6 is alive and well today. When I think of teenagers and their interest in their music and fashions and "hanging out," it seems unlikely to me that finding the names of people who are long dead would not have great appeal. Instead, my daughter appears to have caught that spirit to her benefit as well as to the benefit of those who have accepted the Gospel on the other side.
Monday, August 2, 2010
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Missionary Work (7/21/2010)
I would like to apologize for the lack of thoughts recently. Between my work and my personal life, I find it hard to find the few minutes every day to share something. I will keep working to provide a daily thought, but in the meantime, I hope that you will be patient with me.
Last week I had the opportunity to attend girl's camp with our ward as a priesthood leader. My niece who is not LDS came to the camp with me and my daughter and had a wonderful time. I am not entirely sure how she feels about the Church - I know that my sister frequently has the missionaries over - but I hope that with the good experiences there and the friends she made that she will come to see more of what the Church has to offer.
So many times when we talk about missionary work, it can evoke feelings of fear. The thought of approaching friends and family and talking about religion can be a challenge, especially where so many in the world today would rather not have religion in their lives. I was reminded by my experience last week, however, that missionary work does not have to be about pressuring people to accept something they would rather not have. Through being a good example and a true friend, we will have an impact for good on the lives of others. Then when they see the joy that the Gospel brings into our lives, our friends and family will be more inclined to explore the Church of Jesus Christ without the awkward feeling that we might otherwise have.
Last week I had the opportunity to attend girl's camp with our ward as a priesthood leader. My niece who is not LDS came to the camp with me and my daughter and had a wonderful time. I am not entirely sure how she feels about the Church - I know that my sister frequently has the missionaries over - but I hope that with the good experiences there and the friends she made that she will come to see more of what the Church has to offer.
So many times when we talk about missionary work, it can evoke feelings of fear. The thought of approaching friends and family and talking about religion can be a challenge, especially where so many in the world today would rather not have religion in their lives. I was reminded by my experience last week, however, that missionary work does not have to be about pressuring people to accept something they would rather not have. Through being a good example and a true friend, we will have an impact for good on the lives of others. Then when they see the joy that the Gospel brings into our lives, our friends and family will be more inclined to explore the Church of Jesus Christ without the awkward feeling that we might otherwise have.
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
The Temporary Nature of Life (6/29/2010)
Like many individuals in the world, I have been caught up lately with the World Cup. I like soccer growing up, and serving my mission in Spain gave me a whole new appreciation of the game and just how popular it is. While it has been fun to watch the teams from various parts of the world, I obviously followed the U.S. side closely during their run. One of the most difficult things to watch, however, was how they would fall behind early, giving up goals within the first 15 minutes in 3 of the 4 matches they played. In their elimination round game on Saturday they fell behind early, fought back to tie it, then fell behind again quickly in overtime, and in the end they ran out of time and opportunities and failed to advance.
This is the same with life. Everything that we face here is of a temporal nature, and sooner or later our time here will end. Amulek said it best when he said:
"For behold, this life is the time for men to prepare to meet God; yea, behold the day of this life is the day for men to perform their labors... therefore, I beseech of you that ye do not procrastinate the day of your repentance until the end; for after this day of life, which is given us to prepare for eternity, behold, if we do not improve our time while in this life, then cometh the night of darkness wherein there can be no labor performed.
"Ye cannot say, when ye are brought to that awful crisis, that I will repent, that I will return to my God. Nay, ye cannot say this; for that same spirit which doth possess your bodies at the time that ye go out of this life, that same spirit will have power to possess your body in that eternal world." (Alma 34:32-34)
I hope that we will take advantage of our time here and do all we can today so that when our time is up we can gain the prize that awaits us.
This is the same with life. Everything that we face here is of a temporal nature, and sooner or later our time here will end. Amulek said it best when he said:
"For behold, this life is the time for men to prepare to meet God; yea, behold the day of this life is the day for men to perform their labors... therefore, I beseech of you that ye do not procrastinate the day of your repentance until the end; for after this day of life, which is given us to prepare for eternity, behold, if we do not improve our time while in this life, then cometh the night of darkness wherein there can be no labor performed.
"Ye cannot say, when ye are brought to that awful crisis, that I will repent, that I will return to my God. Nay, ye cannot say this; for that same spirit which doth possess your bodies at the time that ye go out of this life, that same spirit will have power to possess your body in that eternal world." (Alma 34:32-34)
I hope that we will take advantage of our time here and do all we can today so that when our time is up we can gain the prize that awaits us.
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Life To The Fullest (6/22/2010)
On the way to work this morning, I saw a bumper sticker that read "Live your life to the fullest or die trying." I have been pretty frustrated with several things going on in my life lately, and this bumper sticker served as something of a wake up call. It is easy to let the trials that we face drag us under, yet as my wife reminded me last night after one of my rants, we did not choose to come here to fail.
We were given the chance to come to this Earth with the idea that we would become like our Father in Heaven. I imagine that we understood - at least in part - the challenges we would face here, yet the potential reward we would gain made it seem worth the effort. Once we came here, however, the perspective that caused us to rejoice when the Plan of Salvation was announced was lost, and it can be a challenge to find here the optimism we once had. Our Father has offered to help us through, and gives us the gift of the Holy Ghost to give us guidance as we live worthily, but in the end it is up to us to live our lives as best we can... or die trying.
We were given the chance to come to this Earth with the idea that we would become like our Father in Heaven. I imagine that we understood - at least in part - the challenges we would face here, yet the potential reward we would gain made it seem worth the effort. Once we came here, however, the perspective that caused us to rejoice when the Plan of Salvation was announced was lost, and it can be a challenge to find here the optimism we once had. Our Father has offered to help us through, and gives us the gift of the Holy Ghost to give us guidance as we live worthily, but in the end it is up to us to live our lives as best we can... or die trying.
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Finding True Happiness (6/15/2010)
"Much of life's disappointment comes from looking beyond the mark, from seeking success and happiness where it cannot be found. When wealth, position, influence, and power become measures of success in life, we should not be disappointed when their attainment does not produce the satisfaction and blessings promised for fulfillment of the commandments of the Lord.
"The Savior declared as His work and glory 'to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man.' (Moses 1:39) He enthroned love for one another, service to a neighbor, and building the kingdom of God for His glory and majesty as noble worthy goals that produce rewards beyond all power of expression." - Elder Richard G. Scott
My cell phone contract is up to be renewed. Because of this, my carrier is doing everything it can to sell me on the latest and greatest phone so that my life can be complete. I will admit that I am a bit of a sucker for this, and that being able to search the web or get my e-mail on my phone is a draw, but as I have been considering my options, I am bothered by two facts. First, in order to get the latest and greatest phone at a price that I have to commit myself to that company for two years. Failure to keep that commitment will cost me a great deal of money - far more, in fact, than the full price of the phone. The second thing is that no matter how new my phone is, within a matter of weeks it will be outdated and inferior to the latest offering. If I allow it, then, having a phone can become a constant battle of trying to avoid becoming ensnared by the cell phone company while trying to keep up with technology.
I think that Elder Scott's quote describes the problem quite clearly. It is easy to be caught up in the things of the world, but in order for them to bring us the happiness we so deeply crave, we must extend ourselves further and further, essentially making constant investments in things which "moth and dust doth corrupt." If we invest our energies in following the example of the Savior, however, and seek to help those around us instead of serving our own whims, today as well as in the end, we will enjoy true happiness.
"The Savior declared as His work and glory 'to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man.' (Moses 1:39) He enthroned love for one another, service to a neighbor, and building the kingdom of God for His glory and majesty as noble worthy goals that produce rewards beyond all power of expression." - Elder Richard G. Scott
My cell phone contract is up to be renewed. Because of this, my carrier is doing everything it can to sell me on the latest and greatest phone so that my life can be complete. I will admit that I am a bit of a sucker for this, and that being able to search the web or get my e-mail on my phone is a draw, but as I have been considering my options, I am bothered by two facts. First, in order to get the latest and greatest phone at a price that I have to commit myself to that company for two years. Failure to keep that commitment will cost me a great deal of money - far more, in fact, than the full price of the phone. The second thing is that no matter how new my phone is, within a matter of weeks it will be outdated and inferior to the latest offering. If I allow it, then, having a phone can become a constant battle of trying to avoid becoming ensnared by the cell phone company while trying to keep up with technology.
I think that Elder Scott's quote describes the problem quite clearly. It is easy to be caught up in the things of the world, but in order for them to bring us the happiness we so deeply crave, we must extend ourselves further and further, essentially making constant investments in things which "moth and dust doth corrupt." If we invest our energies in following the example of the Savior, however, and seek to help those around us instead of serving our own whims, today as well as in the end, we will enjoy true happiness.
Monday, June 14, 2010
Ordinances and Commitment (6/14/2010)
I had the opportunity yesterday to substitute for my Gospel Essentials class. The lesson was on baptism which led to an interesting discussion about principles and ordinances. The conclusion we reached was that an ordinance is an external manifestation of an inner commitment that comes from the principles we are taught.
One of the cautions given, however, is to make sure that such commitments are made "...with full purpose of heart, acting no hypocrisy and no deception before God, but with real intent..." (see 2 Nephi 31:12-13) We can go through the motions of being baptized, of taking the Sacrament each week, but if we are not sincere about the commitments we make, our Father will not be fooled and our participation in these ordinances will mean little.
I don't share this thought by means of passing judgement - there are plenty of times when I need to pay close attention to my level of commitment as well. I just hope that as we renew our baptismal covenants each week, we will remember that this is a reflection of a commitment that comes from within.
One of the cautions given, however, is to make sure that such commitments are made "...with full purpose of heart, acting no hypocrisy and no deception before God, but with real intent..." (see 2 Nephi 31:12-13) We can go through the motions of being baptized, of taking the Sacrament each week, but if we are not sincere about the commitments we make, our Father will not be fooled and our participation in these ordinances will mean little.
I don't share this thought by means of passing judgement - there are plenty of times when I need to pay close attention to my level of commitment as well. I just hope that as we renew our baptismal covenants each week, we will remember that this is a reflection of a commitment that comes from within.
Monday, June 7, 2010
Faith and The Atonement (6/7/2010)
When Enos, the son of Jacob, approached our Father in Heaven in sincere prayer, he was told that his sins would be forgiven. Enos wondered what qualified him for such a blessing when he was told:
"Because of thy faith in Christ, whom thou hast never before heard nor seen. And many years pass away before he shall manifest himself in the flesh; wherefore, go to, thy faith hath made thee whole. (Enos 1:8)
I thought about this verse recently and wondered about whether or not I have enough faith. I know that God lives and that He is mindful of me in spite of the fact that I, like Enos, have never seen nor heard the Lord. The difference, I realized, was the fact that Enos demonstrated his faith through sincere prayer, where perhaps my actions, be they through prayer or obedience, are not what they should be. I do know that our sins can be forgiven, and I am thankful for the Atonement. It is my prayer that we can all have faith like Enos so that the Atonement can play the same role in our life as it did for him.
"Because of thy faith in Christ, whom thou hast never before heard nor seen. And many years pass away before he shall manifest himself in the flesh; wherefore, go to, thy faith hath made thee whole. (Enos 1:8)
I thought about this verse recently and wondered about whether or not I have enough faith. I know that God lives and that He is mindful of me in spite of the fact that I, like Enos, have never seen nor heard the Lord. The difference, I realized, was the fact that Enos demonstrated his faith through sincere prayer, where perhaps my actions, be they through prayer or obedience, are not what they should be. I do know that our sins can be forgiven, and I am thankful for the Atonement. It is my prayer that we can all have faith like Enos so that the Atonement can play the same role in our life as it did for him.
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