Tuesday, December 2, 2008

Elder Wirthlin


Elder Wirthlin passed away last night. I just found out this morning. A few weeks ago in my Young Mens Presidency meeting, I shared my feelings about him. Growing up, I would tune out when Elder Wirthlin got up to speak at General Conference. I had no idea what I was missing out on until a few years ago. Since that time, I have loved every word of his sermons. Some of my favorites are: Three Choices, Oct. 2003; The Great Commandment, Oct. 2007; and his last sermon, Come What May, and Love It, Oct. 2008.

If you were like me, and previously tuned him out because of his delivery, go back and read his talks. They are inspirational, instructional, and practical. I have been blessed by listening to and trying to follow his counsel. He was a true Apostle of Jesus Christ and I will be a better man by following in his footsteps of obedience and service.

The thoughts I shared with the Young Mens Presidency were that the world has a completely different idea of what a role model should be. Most of my role models were athletes like Phil Simms, Lawrence Taylor, Don Mattingly, Daryl Strawberry, Roger Clemens, etc. Sure, they were great athletes, but aside from Donnie Baseball and Phil Simms (at least as far as we know), they all had serious personal and criminal problems.

Obviously, the ultimate role model for any Christian is Jesus Christ, our savior and redeemer. Isaiah wrote this about the Savior: "For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him. He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not." (Isaiah 53: 2-3) What a contrast to the world's view of someone to look up to and follow. The world would probably never ask Elder Wirthlin to speak in public. And he certainly wasn't a celebrity. He didn't drive around in a fancy car and wear flashy clothes. But the world would be terribly wrong to ignore his wisdom and his example of love and service. If I had understood that he was the type of man I should look up to, instead of those athletes, I know I would be a much better man today.

I am so grateful for the restored church of Jesus Christ and for living apostles, who are prophets, seers, and revelators. They are the ones we should be looking up to and trying to follow because they are walking in the Lord's footsteps.

Tuesday, October 14, 2008

General Conference...Living Water!

The Lord never lets us down! I had been feeling particularly worried about a certain aspect of my life, and the very first talk I really got to listen to (Elder Scott's, in the Priesthood Session) inspired and uplifted me just in the way I needed.

I wonder what would happen if we were to pray , or read the scriptures or attend church with the same attitude we have towards General Conference. I think we would probably find that the Lord is eagerly waiting for us to listen so He can inspire and uplift us. I think of the Nephites/Lamanites when Heavenly Father was announcing the Savior from heaven. They really had to turn to the sound of His voice and "open their ears" to hear Him. (3 Nephi 11:5) I have found that even the strangest of testimony meetings can be just as uplifting as General Conference, if we "open our ears."

I really believe that each moment of prayer, each time we attend church, each time we study the gospel, we can have that “General Conference” experience; when it seems as though what we are hearing/reading is directed at us personally. Of course, I don't think it will happen every time. We all have to experience trials of faith. But I think that if we prepare ourselves to hear the Lord's voice, when we really need to be directed and inspired, He will always speak to us.

I also think of President Monson, when he said something like, 'I want the Lord to know, that when He has something that needs to be done, Tom Monson will do it.' What a great thought! I think we all want to reach that level of trust with the Lord. The more obedient we are - which requires the exercise of faith - the more promptings we will get. And I am confident that the promptings will always be to do something to serve and help another one of Father's children.

I guess what I am saying is that, although we won't necessarily have "amazing" spiritual experiences every Sunday or every time we study and pray (we might not even feel anything), if we have been obedient and are listening for the Lord's voice, He will never let us down in our time of need. When He comes to us, to uplift and inspire, it might not be as quickly as we would like, but I know He will come. And the converse is, if we are disobedient and turn away from Him when more worldly pleasures are calling, we will probably miss out on hearing His voice and an opportunity to prove that when He has something that needs to be done, we will do it. Whenever I begin to feel that I am not getting anything out of my prayers, study, or church, the first thing I do is repent! I know that it is not the Lord who has distanced Himself from me, but that I have turned from Him.

I know that Heavenly Father speaks to us through His Son, through the Holy Ghost and our thoughts and feelings, and through the scriptures. He speaks to us through President Monson and the General Authorities of the church. He can speak to us through our local leaders, Sunday School teachers, Home Teachers, parents, siblings, children. We just have to turn our eyes towards Him and open our ears.

I am thankful that for all the times I have offended Him, He still speaks to me. He does so because I am His son and He loves me. I know I am not special in that regard, but we are all His children and He loves us all without condition.

Wednesday, August 13, 2008

The Holy Ghost

I listened to President Eyring's first talk as a member of the First Presidency in General Conference on the way to work today (O Remember, Remember, Ensign, Nov. 2007). He talked about how he started writing down every day some of the things that happened. He would ask himself, “Have I seen the hand of God reaching out to touch us or our children or our family today?" It was the use of the word "seen" that caught my attention. He didn't ask whether the hand of God did reach out, but whether he saw it.

For a couple of months after first hearing this talk, I tried to do that. The point was to remember all that God does for me and my family and to have it recorded for the day that we will need to draw on that memory - to get us through a difficult trial, help a family member or friend, etc. What I discovered was the truth of something that President Eyring said later in his talk:

"It won’t be easy to remember. Living as we do with a veil over our eyes, we cannot remember what it was like to be with our Heavenly Father and His Beloved Son, Jesus Christ, in the premortal world; nor can we see with our physical eyes or with reason alone the hand of God in our lives. Seeing such things takes the Holy Ghost. And it is not easy to be worthy of the Holy Ghost’s companionship in a wicked world."

We no longer have to go looking for trouble, it is literally banging the door down looking for us. We don't have to actively look for movies, images, activities, etc. that will drive the Spirit away. They are being pushed on us; disguised with clever humor, awesome special effects, or by appealing to our curiosity. Today we have to actively turn away from those things or we sacrifice one of the greatest blessings offered us, the companionship, inspiration, protection, and cleansing power of the Holy Ghost.

With that thought still in my mind, the next talk on my iPod was by Elder Bednar (Clean Hands and a Pure Heart, Ensign, Nov 2007). I think it flows nicely with this thought. He said:

"The gospel of Jesus Christ encompasses much more than avoiding, overcoming, and being cleansed from sin and the bad influences in our lives; it also essentially entails doing good, being good, and becoming better. Repenting of our sins and seeking forgiveness are spiritually necessary, and we must always do so. But remission of sin is not the only or even the ultimate purpose of the gospel. To have our hearts changed by the Holy Spirit such that “we have no more disposition to do evil, but to do good continually” (Mosiah 5:2), as did King Benjamin’s people, is the covenant responsibility we have accepted. This mighty change is not simply the result of working harder or developing greater individual discipline. Rather, it is the consequence of a fundamental change in our desires, our motives, and our natures made possible through the Atonement of Christ the Lord. Our spiritual purpose is to overcome both sin and the desire to sin, both the taint and the tyranny of sin."

He then says, "Let me suggest that hands are made clean through the process of putting off the natural man and by overcoming sin and the evil influences in our lives through the Savior’s Atonement. Hearts are purified as we receive His strengthening power to do good and become better." I don't think I would be wrong in saying that we can't have either clean hands or a pure heart without the help of the Holy Ghost.

I remember a time in Syracuse when the Bishop and I were talking about the Holy Ghost. He told me that when he is conducting interviews, he likes to ask when the last time the person felt the Holy Ghost. I think that is an important question to ask ourselves. I think the Holy Ghost ties it all together; with His help we can see all that God is doing in our lives, we can receive His help in overcoming sin and becoming better.

The question for me is, "Why, when I know all of this, do I still choose to watch shows that obviously offend the Spirit? Why do I still neglect to devote the proper time to engage in meaningful prayer and scripture study? Why do I put off being anxiously engaged in a good cause for time spent on the computer or for just laying around?"

The thing is, I know where to go to find the answers and the strength to change, but when will I finally "give away all my sins to know [God]" as King Lamoni's father and become fully converted?

Thursday, July 17, 2008

One Among the Crowd

I listened to this talk (May 2008 Ensign) by Elder Neuenschwander of the Seventy this morning and, although I had heard it before, I had a new thought. He spoke of three instances in the scriptures where there was "one among the crowd." The woman in the New Testament who was suffering from a bleeding condition, who pressed through the crowd to reach the Savior to touch the hem of His garment. Alma in the Book of Mormon, who stood up to King Noah and his wicked priests. And finally, those who clung to the iron rod despite the scorning of the crowd in the great and spacious building in Lehi's vision of the Tree of Life. Elder N. mentioned that these examples show people who press through the crowd, heeding them not, until they reach the Savior.

I though about how that can apply to me on a daily basis. I need to hold fast to the iron rod, stand up for truth, and push my way through the crowds of the world to reach the Savior. But, the thought I had was that this is a daily goal. When I wake up in the morning, that is when I start pushing through the "crowd." I realized that the "crowd" is anything that stands in my way of coming daily and continuously to the Lord. Weaknesses, temptations, sins, etc.

I have known that coming to the Lord is not an event but a process, but I hadn't really thought of it that way (it is interesting how you can know a thing without really understanding it - see my previous post). When I go to bed, I can ask myself, "Did I press through the crowd today?" And I can reflect on the day and what I did, ask for forgiveness and then realize that I get to start pressing forward again in the morning.

I think I take too many breaks along the way. I say, "I have done enough for now. A little break won't hurt." But it does. There is a reason why we are constantly admonished to be diligent, steadfast, and constant. If we are not, we will be putting ourselves in harms way. Again, here is an example of me knowing that I must be diligent, but not really understanding what that means. Obviously I can't spend all my time reading the scriptures, volunteering in the temple or in some other service project, visiting the sick, clothing the naked, etc., etc.

As I have struggled with this balancing act of living in the world and trying to press forward to the Savior, I have come across, what I think is the best counsel on the topic of choosing what to do and how we can continuously press forward to the Savior while still having to live in the world. It is in the Book of Mormon, Moroni 7:

15 For behold, my brethren, it is given unto you to judge, that ye may know good from evil; and the way to judge is as plain, that ye may know with a perfect knowledge, as the daylight is from the dark night.
16 For behold, the Spirit of Christ is given to every man, that he may know good from evil; wherefore, I show unto you the way to judge; for every thing which inviteth to do good, and to persuade to believe in Christ, is sent forth by the power and gift of Christ; wherefore ye may know with a perfect knowledge it is of God.
17 But whatsoever thing persuadeth men to do evil, and believe not in Christ, and deny him, and serve not God, then ye may know with a perfect knowledge it is of the devil; for after this manner doth the devil work, for he persuadeth no man to do good, no, not one; neither do his angels; neither do they who subject themselves unto him.

It is plain. And if I honestly listen to and seek out the inspiration from the light of Christ and the Holy Ghost, I will know if what I am doing that moment is pressing forward to the Savior or taking a detour. I know that this is true. And I am going to try to do that each day so I can be one among the crowd.

Thursday, July 10, 2008

The glory of Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ

Referring to Jesus Christ, Doctrine and Covenants 88:6-13 reads:

6 He that ascended up on high, as also he descended below all things, in that he comprehended all things, that he might be in all and through all things, the light of truth;
7 Which truth shineth. This is the light of Christ. As also he is in the sun, and the light of the sun, and the power thereof by which it was made.
8 As also he is in the moon, and is the light of the moon, and the power thereof by which it was made;
9 As also the light of the stars, and the power thereof by which they were made;
10 And the earth also, and the power thereof, even the earth upon which you stand.
11 And the light which shineth, which giveth you light, is through him who enlighteneth your eyes, which is the same light that quickeneth your understanding;
12 Which light proceedeth forth from the presence of God to fill the immensity of space—
13 The light which is in all things, which giveth life to all things, which is the law by which all things are governed, even the power of God who sitteth upon his throne, who is in the bosom of eternity, who is in the midst of all things.

I cannot remember what lead me to this verse, but I remember how I felt then and how I feel now. I felt that even through all my years of studying the scriptures and learning about God and Jesus Christ, through all the witnesses I have had about their existence and love by the power of the Holy Ghost, feeling their presence and forgiveness, my understanding of their glory, power, and purity was no more than that of a newborn baby. I can say that I know they are glorious. I know they are Omnipotent. I know they are pure. But I do not have the slightest idea as to the extent of these characteristics.

Several weeks went by and I came across this quote by the Prophet Joseph Smith:

"I cannot believe in any of the creeds of the different denominations, because they all have some things in them I cannot subscribe to, though all of them have some truth. I want to come up into the presence of God, and learn all things; but the creeds set up stakes [limits], and say, ‘Hitherto shalt thou come, and no further’ [Job 38:11]; which I cannot subscribe to."
"I say to all those who are disposed to set up stakes for the Almighty, You will come short of the glory of God." ( Chapter 22: Gaining Knowledge of Eternal Truths,” Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith, (2007), 264).

This just confirmed to me what I had felt; that I cannot now comprehend the glory of God. However, I know that I can learn little by little through experience and further witnesses of the Holy Ghost. And eventually, I hope that I can know Him. For now, I am content to appreciate His greatness and will try to "feast upon the words of Christ" (2 Nephi 32:3) that I may come to know Him more completely so I can "love Him more deeply and obey Him more completely." (The Grandeur of God, Elder Jeffrey R. Holland Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, (Oct. 2003 General Conference)).

Although my understanding is limited, I know that God lives. That we are His children and He is keenly aware of each of us. I know that Jesus Christ is His literal Son and the Savior and Redeemer of the world. I also know that we can come to know Him and His Son, by obedience and prayer. "And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent" (St. John 17:3). I love the children's song, Beautiful Savior, and I want to end with that. I love God and His Son. They are beautiful and I thank Them for showing me, an imperfect and sometimes rebellious son, mercy and love.

Beautiful Savior:

Fair is the sunshine,
Fairer the moonlight
And all the stars in heav'n above.
Jesus shines brighter,
Jesus shines purer
And brings to all the world his love.

Fair are the meadows,
Fairer the woodlands,
Robbed in the flowers of blooming spring.
Jesus is fairer,
Jesus is purer.
He makes the sorrowing spirit sing.

Beautiful Savior!
Lord of the nations!
Son of God and Son of Man!
Thee will I honor, praise, and give glory,
Give praise and glory evermore!