Levi (no, not the pants)

In the Book of Ether there is an account of a man named Levi. Born into captivity, he served for 42 years before obtaining the kingdom (which was rightfully his, by the way). Now, after all those years you might expect him to be hardened and perhaps a little vengeful. However, Levi exemplifies great faith and continues to do that which is right in the sight of God.

The other day, I walked out of a class feeling pretty ticked off, not gonna lie.. We had just taken an exam that I didn't feel to great about and I was just bugged. As I trudged to my next class I had the thought that I shouldn't let one silly test  in one silly class ruin my day. I began to think about how often I let the little things in my life get to me. I let my circumstances define me.

That needn't be the case!

The Boys on Darwin Avenue

So this year, up at school, I have been greatly blessed with fantastic roommates. We have a lot of fun together. In fact, we've decided to to make a YouTube channel with some videos of us making fools of ourselves. So far, we've only got a few posted but we are gonna try to get some more up there.

Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is this: visit our channel by clicking on the link below, "like" it (and like it),  maybe even go as far as sharing it with your friends. That would be a sweet thing for you to do. Thanks!

The Boys on Darwin Avenue

Seasons

It's been a little while since I posted up on this thing. Things have been a little crazy with college and stuff.

Anyway,  I just wanted to comment on an Ensign article I recently read (if you don't know what the "Ensign" is just click here). So, this article is by Dieter F. Uchtodrf regarding seasons. It being the first of October, we are right in the middle of the shift from summer into fall. It's interesting to notice the physical changes that occur in nature during these periods.

Throughout the different seasons of our lives we experience different things: the chill of winter, the warmth of summer, and so on. Regardless of what it's like outside, however, we can be happy. If we choose to follow Jesus Christ we will be. If we spend our time serving others and doing good things with our friends, than we'll find that even in the cold we will be warm.

"Search diligently, pray always, and be believing, and all things shall work together for your good, if ye walk uprightly and remember the covenant wherewith ye have covenanted one with another." - Doctrine and Covenants 90:24

A Superior Hero

If you take a look at the super heroes of today you see that they all have one thing in common: they are really good at fighting. Some use super strength, others use cool gadgets, but their purpose is fundamentally the same: to save innocent people and stop the bad guys.

While Superman is pretty super there is someone even super-er and that is Jesus Christ. The Savior of the world doesn't come out of a comic book and He doesn't fight crime with weapons of any kind. Perhaps His purpose is fairly similar to the super heroes though. Moses 1:39 states that it is "to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man." That's saving people physically and spiritually. 

Christ taught us to turn the other cheek and to love our enemies. He exemplified these principles perfectly His entire life, especially the last week of his earthly ministry. He endured an unfathomable amount of pain. His response: love toward those responsible for his suffering. 

Heroes come in all shapes and sizes. It's not like it's bad to think Iron Man is cool or whatever. After all, Moroni was a war hero and if all men were like him the very powers of hell would be shaken forever. What I am getting at is that at the top of our hero list should be Jesus Christ, He who conquered all with love. 

Independence Day!

Photo Cred to Chantelle

The 4th of July (aka Independence Day) is probably my favorite holiday for the same reasons you love it too: family, friends, food, and fireworks. After being away from K-Town for a couple years it was good to be back for the festivities this year. I mean, who doesn't love saltwater taffy, The Kaysville Idol, and lighting things on fire with your closest friends??

However, sometimes I think the Fourth of July becomes just that, the Fourth, and we forget that we are celebrating our independence, our freedom. What would life be like if we didn't enjoy the blessings that come with citizenship in this great nation? I'm sure we would at least survive but living in America certainly does have its perks.

America also plays an important role in scriptural fulfillment. 1 Nephi 13 is a great chapter to check out as well as Ether 13. And yeah... I'll just let you look those up if you so desire.

Anyway, just thought I'd throw all this out there to let ya know I am proud to be an American.

God bless the USA.

In the Center

Alma 31 has become one of my favorite chapters in the Book of Mormon. If you remember, it's the beginning of Alma and his brethren's mission to the Zoramites. Alma finds them praying pridefully on the Rameumptom (or the 'Holy Stand') and perverting the ways of God. Now, my reason for loving this chapter certainly isn't because of the wickedness of the Zoramites but because of the prayer Alma offers to the Lord.

He starts in verse 26 by almost complaining to the Lord for having to be there. He asks "O, how long, O Lord, wilt thou suffer that thy servants shall dwell here below . . . to beholds such gross wickedness?" The next few verses describe the wickedness of the people and it's apparent that it really pains Alma to be there.

By the end of the prayer (which by the way verse 35 is my favorite) Alma's attitude has changed. He now describes the Zoramites as being precious and asks the Lord to help him help them. In his own words he says, "Behold, O Lord, their souls are precious, and many of them are our brethren." I can just picture Alma on his knees pleading with the Lord for help. Obviously we don't know, but I wonder if there were any in Alma's party who had relatives who had fallen into apostasy with the Zoramites.

Anyway, I think the change in Alma's prayer can be traced back to verse 31 where Alma prays for comfort in Christ. It is interesting to note that when he says "wilt thou comfort my soul in Christ." it's not a question. No question mark to be found. But it is after this point that Alma's focus seems to change.

Christ is the focal point. He is what matters. Afflictions may come but as it says in verse 38 they are "swallowed up in the joy of Christ." When we understand that, nothing else matters.

Why Daily Bread Kneads to be Daily

What if we only had to do things once and then never again?? For instance: eating, drinking, or even something like repenting of sin. Life would be a whole lot different. Sometimes I wish that I didn't have to spend so much time doing something like sleeping so that I could get more done. But in this life we are required to do things over and over again in order to survive physically as well as spiritually.

Jesus Christ said, "I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst." However, I do not think the Savior intended for us to merely partake of His goodness once and never hunger again. But rather we are commanded to feast upon his word as well as to continually hold fast to the iron rod.

There are a lot more parallels that can be drawn from things we need to do everyday to the gospel. And although it may get tiresome there's a reason for repetition.

Deciding To Be Disappointed

I recently interviewed for a job and was somewhat confident that I would fill the position. I was excited! It was a new kind of work and I would have set, reliable hours. However, when I received the phone call thanking me for coming in I knew right away that I wouldn't be hired. At first I felt a tinge of disappointment but as the day passed my perspective changed.

You might think that serving a full-time mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is full of disappointments and you're right. But Preach My Gospel, the guide to missionary service, states, "When you have done your very best, you may still experience disappointments, but you will not be disappointed in yourself." That sentence was critical to me as a missionary and still helps me now.

In life we experience disappointing things. That's just how it is. Whether it be dating (believe me, I've been there), school, sports, or work. Things will happen to us and we may be tempted to be disappointed in ourselves. However, it's ultimately our choice of whether we want to be happy and move on or get stuck being sad about our circumstances. So do yourself a favor and decide not to be disappointed.

Dolla Dolla Bills

In our time and throughout all of time there have been things which hinder our spiritual progression. In the case of Amulek, riches and popularity once trumped his desire to listen to the Lord. In his own words he says, "for I was called many times and I would not hear; therefore I knew concerning these things, yet I would not know." (Alma 10:6)

Almost 2,000 years later the Lord reveals this truth to Joseph Smith, "Behold, many are called but few are chosen. And why are they not chosen? Because there hearts are set so much upon the things of this world and aspire to the honors of men..."(D&C 121:34-35) One of Satan's greatest lies is that our happiness depends on the amount of wealth we can obtain. I think we all fall into that trap once in awhile. I sometimes catch myself thinking, " Man, I'd be so happy if I had______."

1 Timothy 6:7 states, "For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out." And Zephaniah 1:18 says, "Neither their gold nor their silver shall be able to deliver them in the day of the Lord's wrath." Fortune and fame do not bring lasting happiness, they don't save us. We must rely wholly on the merits of Christ in order to return to Him who created us.

Like Amulek, we too must choose to listen to messengers of God and turn from our worldly aspirations toward heavenly ones. It's up to us. It's our choice.

Preparing Children for Temple Covenants

I was recently asked to speak on parents can prepare their children to make covenants in the temple. I would like to share a few of the things I learned:

1. Many times children understand that they should prepare to go to the temple but they don't know how or why they need to. Parents can help children understand their goal by teaching their kids about covenants.

2. Use Duty to God and Personal Progress. Both of these booklets help prepare youth not only to make covenants, but more importantly, to keep them.

3. Study the Scriptures. Elder Russell M. Nelson lists some specific things to study in order to prepare for temple covenants, "Spiritual preparation is enhanced by study. I like to recommend that members going to the temple for the first time read short explanatory paragraphs in the Bible Dictionary, listed under seven topics: “Anoint,” “Atonement,” “Christ,” “Covenant,” “Fall of Adam,” “Sacrifices,” and “Temple.” Doing so will provide a firm foundation. One may also read in . . . the books of Moses and Abraham in the Pearl of Great Price. Such a review of ancient scripture is even more enlightening after one is familiar with the temple endowment. Those books underscore the antiquity of temple worship."

4. Finally, perhaps the most important preparation for youth is having righteous examples in their lives. Children whose parents regularly attend the temple are more likely to have that same habit or practice in their lives.

Obviously there are more ways than these to prepare children for temple covenants but it's a good start. For families can be together forever through Heavenly Father's plan. I always want to be with my own family and the Lord has shown me how I can. And that's only possible through temple blessings.

Service, Our Sacrifice to God

When the Savior appears to the people in the Americas shortly after His resurrection He teaches them "that the law is fulfilled that was given unto Moses." (3 Nephi 15:4) He says that He will no longer accept their sacrifices or burnt offerings but now they should offer up "a broken heart and a contrite spirit."

Paul also taught this doctrine in Romans 12:1 when he says we should "present our bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God." He than goes on to say that this is accomplished by our service. When we serve people we are showing God that we love Him and are willing to sacrifice our time to assist His children.

No longer is it required to give up a ram for a trespass offering or a young bullock for a sin offering. Instead we are asked to give up ourselves. As the Savior said, "He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it."

Family History....really?

I recently attended a devotional where family history was discussed. I am fortunate enough to have parents and relatives who have put a lot of time and effort into acquiring information about my family line.

In recent years my dad helped organize and publish a book containing my great - grandpa's World War I diary. Reading that was like stepping into an action packed blockbuster. I couldn't believe the things he went through. Such as, being held prisoner by a group of Russians and then escaping on his own. It was like something straight out of the movies. Who knew that stuff actually happened?? And to my ancestors??

As I read about his life during the same period of my life it was easy to apply the things he was learning to what I was going through. He is a great example to me of faith and I am grateful to do my best to follow in his footsteps.

Family history may seem like it's only for the old and gray but I found that it can be directly beneficial to us, the younger generation. Visit familysearch.org for some free help in getting to know your ancestors. Also, check out mormon.org for some other cool things about family history.

LDS General Conference

It's that time of year again. Time for the general conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Every six months leaders of the LDS faith address members around the world via satellite, internet, and other means.

If you're curious about the church it's a good time to listen in on what LDS leaders are saying and get an idea of what Mormons believe. Thomas S. Monson, president of the church, presides over the sessions. As members of the church we believe him to be a prophet of God so the words he speaks are very important.

If you wanna check out this weekends talks just check out:

www.lds.org/general-conference/

The Zags...

March Madness.. We're in the middle of it, and it may be a bit mad already (or at least I am). After watching #1 seed Gonzaga barely squeeze through the first around I knew I had made a mistake. See, I had them going all the way to the top. So yesterday when I found out they lost I figured I might as well just forget the whole thing and wait until next year.

It just goes to show that preparation precedes success. I'm not gonna lie, I was entirely unprepared to make a bracket this year. Therefore, I suffered the consequences. Every once in awhile we catch a lucky break like my predicting Harvard over New Mexico. But in order to come out on top at the end of the day it takes work.