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.
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