The Sacrament

While I take the Sacrament
I reflect on how my week was spent
Choices chosen, deeds were done
I can improve in weeks to come

While I take the Sacrament
I think of my surmounting debt
I seek for Grace, Christ's love for me
To help me to eternity

While I take the Sacrament
I pray that I will not forget
And as the days turn into weeks
That I will listen when He speaks

While I take the Sacrament
I seek to be at one with him
I think of Christ, and what He's done
Help me see who I can become

Power = Work / Time

Some people think it strange, but I actually enjoyed my physics courses in college. Learning about the forces that governed this world and the universe fascinated me. Sometimes physics isn't intuitive, or at least it wasn't for me. It seemed like often what I thought would happen under certain circumstances was the exact opposite of what would actually occur. However, the concept of Power is pretty straightforward.

The definition of Power is: the rate at which Work is done. Basically, Power tells us how much Work is being accomplished and how quickly. Power (P) equals Work (W) divided by Time (t).

With this background information, I share a scripture in Alma 18. In verse 35 Ammon says that the Spirit gives him knowledge, and also power according to his faith.  With increased power, Ammon would be able to accomplish more of the Lord's work in less time. In order to increase our efficiency, God has given us the Holy Ghost to lift us and strengthen us so we can accomplish more than we could on our own.

According to the verse, we are given these blessings of knowledge and power according to our faith and desires which are of God. To me, that sounds like a proportional relationship. Thus, one of my goals for 2017 is to increase my faith. I hope that by doing so I will be blessed with a greater portion of the Spirit in my life.

Side note: the unit of Power is the Watt.

God's Efficiency is Greater than Man's

Sometimes, while reading in the first few chapters of the Book of Mormon, I have wondered why God did not simply have Lehi grab the Plates of Brass on their way out. It seems to me like this would have been the most efficient way to get things done. However, much was gained as a result of Nephi and his brothers having to return to Jerusalem.

1. Nephi had a tremendous faith-building experience
2. Lehi's sons were visited by an angel
3. Sariah gained a further witness of her husband's seership

I'm sure there are many more blessings that could be listed here but the point is that God was not only interested in obtaining the plates for Lehi and Sariah's family, but also in helping them reach their full potential. So I asked myself, "Do I question the efficiency of the Lord's methods?" "Do I become impatient with God's plan for me?" I hope I will be able to stop looking for shortcuts and start focusing on what I can learn here and now.

The Cost of a Compliment

While serving a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the state of Montana I remember sitting in the home of a proud grandmother. She was boasting of her grandkids like any grandparent would do, except the praise she offered her grandchildren was always immediately followed by putting the other children down. This may sound harsh but, the truth is, we all do it. When we make comparisons we often place others below ourselves to make us seem better or above average. 

On the other end of the spectrum, something I have noticed myself doing is when I pay someone a compliment I will put myself down. As if telling the other person they are better than me somehow makes it more sincere. This isn't all that helpful either.

Pointing out other people's strengths is great but let's not cheapen our compliments by dragging someone else through the mud.

Beings Who Act

In the Book of Mormon, a prophet named Lehi speaks of God creating things to act and things to be acted upon. Like it or not, we are beings who act. We cannot choose not to act for that is in itself an action. Each day we are responsible for the decisions we make, whether we complain about our circumstances or not, and how we use our time.

Going Against the Grain or With the Flow

Growing up, I was often asked (and it's likely you were too), "If all of your friends were jumping off a cliff would you jump too?" This well-meaning question is meant to illustrate the need for one to make decisions for one's self and not simply follow the crowd. However, simply doing the opposite of the majority is just as dangerous as following the crowd. Sometimes the crowd gets it right. Sometimes the voice of the people make the right choice.

A trite example: a music artist releases a song that most people enjoy, yet some individual remarks that it's too "mainstream". They will likely go on to say that they used to listen to this artist before everyone else but now that other people like them, they have moved on to other, more obscure musicians. In an attempt to free themselves from the masses they simply confine themselves to doing the exact opposite of what there friends, neighbors, and coworkers do.

We would be wise to examine our decisions from multiple perspectives before making them. Why not listen to the song and decide for ourselves whether or not we like it, independent of what everyone else says? I would also submit that God will help us "know whether to fight, flee, or go with the flow." 1.

So next time all of your friends are standing at the edge of a cliff, don't jump just to be different.

Unless of course, you're at Lake Powell.

Heads Up!

In Mark 13:35, 36 we read, "Watch ye therefore . . . Lest coming suddenly he finds you sleeping." One of Satan's tactics is to lull us into a false sense of security. Going through the motions, we begin to go day in and day out with repenting and we quietly drift farther and farther away from our God.