A Call from a Prophet

As missionaries for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints we were called by the Lord through his prophet and assigned to serve in a specific area. Are we committed to doing our best each day to fulfill that call? Have we committed to exact obedience so we can have the Holy Ghost to guide us in our activities each day?

Gary Ames speaking to the students of BYU-Idaho reminded them of the invitation from President Thomas S. Monson in his last conference address that we should read from the Book of Mormon every day. He then asked if they were following the prophet’s call to read every day. He said that maybe we rationalize by saying: “Maybe you feel like that just isn’t the type of person you are and that you can be excused from such counsel. Maybe you just have never liked to read.” (Safety in Prophetic Counsel)

Brother Ames then tells the story of 50-year-old Eli Peirce that was called on a mission from the pulpit in general conference. Brother Peirce was not there in the tabernacle when the call came from the prophet, but a friend sent him a telegraph telling him of the call. He was in his office smoking a pipe and reading a novel when the telegraph came. He often purchased cigars a thousand and was not active in church.

Brother Peirce could have said; he was not the missionary type and would be a waist of his time. Instead as soon as the call he through away the cigars, his pipe, and the novel and went to buy some scriptures. He said: “Remarkable as it may seem . . . a thought of disregarding the call or of refusing to comply never once entered my mind. I have never, for one moment, regretted the sacrifice. . . . And now, after years have passed, I repeat, in words of soberness, that the happiest period of my life was spent in the Master’s service.”

Do we have the faith that helped Brother Peirce succeed as missionaries? Years from now will we be able to say that the happiest period of our lives was spent as a missionary? Are we willing to obey with exactness so that we will have the Holy Ghost to be with us and guide us in our labors every day?

I testify we were called by the Lord through his living prophet to serve in your particular mission for a specific purpose. I know that if we serve with full purpose of heart every day, we will be blessed to find out what that purpose is and fulfill it. I also know if we do this, our time here will be one of the happiest time of our lives.

Because of Him

For many Christian denominations we are entering the Holy Week. Today is Palm Sunday, when Christ triumphantly enters Jerusalem; Friday is Good Friday, when Christ was crucified; and Sunday is Easter Sunday, when Christ was resurrected. We celebrate all of these because of the events that happened a single week in the life of one man – Jesus Christ. His life, and especially the events of that last week, has affected the life of every person that has ever lived or will ever live on this and many other worlds. Because of him the world was created and we are here (John 1:3). Because of him, we will all live again after we die.

On Palm Sunday, Jesus entered Jerusalem riding a donkey. Kings would show power by riding a horse into a conquering city; whereas a King would ride a donkey as a token of peace. Jesus Christ was the Prince of Peace and as such riding a donkey into Jerusalem would represent peace. The people of Jerusalem cut down palm branches and spread them before him and shouted:

“Hosanna to the Son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest.” (Matthew 21:8-9)

What happened to the people between Palm Sunday and Friday when they cried: “crucify him”? (Luke 23:21) Why would many of the same people who would worship him as their messiah turn against him and want him put to death? I would guess it is that most of both crowds had no idea who Jesus was and were just following along with those a few believers and then a few Jewish rulers that hated Jesus. We have all seen the affect a crowd can have on others as they work them into a frenzy everyone just joins in not really knowing what is going on.

Which group would we have been part of? Are we among the believers, those who cried “crucify him”, or are we another group that had no idea what was going on and did not even pay attention to all the fuss? If you have the day off work because of Good Friday or Easter, is it another day off work or do you go to your house of worship and give thanks because of life we celebrate this holy week?

Because of him all sickness and pain will be done away. Because of him, death has no victory and we will live again. Because of him, we can find happiness in this life and in the life to come. Because of him, we can be forgiven and cleansed of our sins. Everything that I am is because of him.

I invite you to come worship with us, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. You can find the nearest church by clicking here and putting in your address. Even if you don’t want to worship with us, please go to your church and give thanks of all you have because of him.

Please watch this 1-minute video titled “Because of Him”. Your questions and comments are always welcome. 

Finding Peace in March Madness

Once again we are coming to the end of the great NCAA tournament season known as March Madness. We are down to the top two teams Virginia and Texas Tech. Along the way there were several Cinderella teams that upset the teams that were supposed to make it all the way to the end of the “big dance”. Seven of the games were decided by one or two points. Four games went into over time before a winner was decided.

I did not see all of the games during the tournament, but I did watch my share. Some games were extremely exciting, and others were well boring. Much of the madness comes from the broken brackets (the odds of picking a perfect bracket are 9.2 quintillion), lost time at work watching games (l love the “boss button” on the NCAA web site), watching players do stupid things - they are only 18-20+ year old kids what do you expect?, mistakes by referees, stupid fans, and annoying announcers and analysts.

One of the best examples of the effects of March Madness was found two years ago when 12 year old John Phillips was caught on camera having a melt down as Northwester lost their game to Gonzaga.

John Phillips, the Northwestern Crying Kid

One of the things I noticed this time was I never heard coaches or players make excuses or blame others for their loss. Maybe I just did not see the right interviews, but I did not see any. I was especially impressed by Bruce Pearl, the coach of Auburn, after their 1-point loss to Texas Tech in their semi-final game. During a post-game interview, the interviewer seemed to be trying to get the coach to blame the referee for their loss and he would not do it, taking full responsibility for Auburn’s loss. I also never hear any of the players during the tournament take credit for their victories but instead included the entire team in the win. I like the class the players and coaches showed this year.

This weekend was not only the semi finals for the NCAA Men’s Division I Tournament, but it was also the 189^th annual general conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. These two events seem to come at the same time every year. I would have like to have been a fly on the wall in the room where the presiding authorities were discussing which conference they would have the priesthood meetings and which one would have the general women’s meetings. It seems the sisters won the discussion because they get to stay home and watch the semi final games while the brethren of the church attend the general priesthood session. If you want to see my solution to this problem check out one of my past blogs from April 1, 2017 “Historic Agreement between the LDS Church and the NCAA” (yes, it was an April Fools Post).

Sessions from general conference had some great advice on how to find peace in the madness of the world around us. Here are a few thoughts that impressed me:

Becky Craven, 2^nd Counselor in the General Young Women’s Presidency said there is a casual way to live the gospel of Jesus Christ and there is a careful way to live it. We should not live it casually. There is no right way to not live the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Brook P. Hales, of the Seventy, reminded us that sometimes our prayers are answered quickly and in the way we want. Sometimes they are not answered immediately or in the way we expect and sometimes they are not answered at all in this life. We must have faith to know the answers will eventually come.

President Eyring, 2^nd Counselor in the First Presidency, warned us of the pattern of decline of the people after the Savior visited the people in America and they then experienced almost 200 years of peace and prosperity. The signs of decline are:

1.     Pride

2.     Classes – no longer having their goods in common

3.     Increased sin

He said that increasing our faith in Jesus Christ and his servants is the best way to counter act a society that is in decline.

Sharon L. Eubank, 2^nd Counselor in the General Relief Society Presidency, said that Satan is trying hard to isolate us and cut us off from the source of light and wants us to think that we are the only ones that are experiencing difficulties. If we feel our flame of testimony fluttering, have faith that Christ’s light will sustain us. He is the source of truth and light.

D. Todd Christofferson, of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles, said that we must do all we can to end suffering and prepare for the time when suffering will be done away when the Savior, Jesus Christ comes again.

Elder Rasband, of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, said that our testimony in Jesus Christ is our greatest defense again evil.

President Russell M. Nelson, president of the church, spoke in the priesthood session about the importance of repentance, that it is not a one thing and done situation. Repentance is not an event; it is a process. We need to prayerfully seek to know what is stopping us from repenting and fix it. In his Sunday address he said that salvation is an individual matter, but exaltation is a family matter. If we want to have the opportunity to be with our family fall all eternity; pay the price now!

Anyone that knows me, will agree that I love everything about March Madness, at least the NCAA tournament, but I do not like that madness in the world around us. It seems that this madness is growing at an ever-increasing rate. Watching the sessions of general conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints helps me find peace in March (and other times of the year) Madness around us. The peace that the Savior Jesus Christ can give is the only answer for the wickedness in today’s world. We can have peace now and hope that when the Savior does return the madness will end forever. Until then at least we can enjoy the madness found in March and the NCAA Tournament.

Your questions and comments are welcome.

Modern Apostles of Jesus Christ

Recently (March 11, 2019) Russell M. Nelson, President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, dedicated the Rome Temple. The temple is the 162^nd temple in operation in The Church and is the first temple built in Italy and in an area where the ancient the Apostle of Jesus Christ spent their ministry. To learn more about the purpose of modern temples and to see more pictures inside and outside the temple go here.

Rome Italy Temple

Another first in the modern Christian era was when the Twelve Apostles and the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ met in Rome for the temple dedication. It was the first time all fifteen Apostle had been together outside of the United States.

Modern Apostles of Jesus Christ

They met in the new temple visitors center. Behind the apostles is the Christus statue and the original twelve Apostle of Jesus Christ. The modern apostles hold the same priesthood authority that the original apostles held. In The New Testament we read that Christ called and gave his apostle power to administer his gospel (Luke 9:1). That same authority was given to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery by Peter, James, and John in May of 1930 (Doctrine and Covenants 27:12).

As in ancient times, the modern apostles are called as special witnesses of Jesus Christ to the world. President Russell M. Nelson is the Lord’s prophet today just as Moses, Elijah, and other prophets of the Old Testament times. Prophets of the Lord then and now speak the mind and will of the Lord to all the world, not just the members of His Church. The Lord, Jesus Christ, has said:

“What I the Lord have spoken, I have spoken, and I excuse not myself; and though the heavens and the earth pass away, my word shall not pass away, but shall all be fulfilled, whether by mine own voice or by the voice of my servants, it is the same.” (Doctrine and Covenants 1:38)

This next weekend we will have the opportunity to listen to our modern prophets in the 189^th General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. During the general conference sessions members of the First Presidency, The Quorum of Twelve Apostles, and other general officers of the church will give messages of council and direction for our lives. In addition to general council announcements of changes in church policies and programs have been announced as well as new temples that will be constructed. We live in the gospel dispensation known as the “dispensation of the fullness of times” where the Lord’s Church is preparing the earth for the second coming of the Jesus Christ.

All sessions of general conference are open to the public, including the priesthood session Saturday evening. To find out more information and to watch the sessions go to www.thechurchofjesuschrist.org. If you have ever wondered what the Lord’s message to you today would be, I invite you to come and listen to the prophet’s voice because it is the same as if the Lord were here himself. I also invite you to come and listen to the modern apostles as they testify of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Your thoughts and questions are welcome.

Do You Know Who I AM?

In 1995, near the close of Denver’s old Stapleton airport, during the Christmas rush several flights were cancelled or delayed due to bad weather. At one United counter a single agent was helping passengers rebook on other flights and the line was very long. One man that was not used to having to wait got out of the line and came up to the counter and slapped his ticket on the counter and said:

“I have to be on this flight, and it needs to be first class”. The rest of the conversation went like this:

“The agent replied, "I'm sorry sir. I'll be happy to try to help you, but I've got to help these folks first, and I'm sure we'll be able to work something out."

“The passenger was unimpressed. He asked loudly, so that the passengers behind him could hear, "Do you have any idea who I am?"

“Without hesitating, the gate agent smiled and grabbed her public address microphone.

"May I have your attention please?" she began, her voice bellowing throughout the terminal. "We have a passenger here at the gate WHO DOES NOT KNOW WHO HE IS. If anyone can help him find his identity, please come to gate 17."

Harry Argos Cross Country

If someone asked you who you are how would you respond? There are many ways we identify ourselves; today I would respond I’m the real Harry Potter, I’m a Hoosier (from Indiana), when I was in high school I was an Argos Dragon, in college I was a BYU Cougar and a BYU Folk Dancer, I’m a referee, and an Ironman.

BYU Folk Dance Reunion

The most important identity is I am a child of God. The Family: A Proclamation to the World says:

“ALL HUMAN BEINGS—male and female—are created in the image of God. Each is a beloved spirit son or daughter of heavenly parents, and, as such, each has a divine nature and destiny.”

One of Satan’s temptations is to convince us that we are not important or special. Moses learned this when Satan came to him. He had just been in the presence of God and was told several times that he was a Son of God. Then when Satan came to him, he said:

Satan came tempting him, saying: Moses, son of man, worship me.

And it came to pass that Moses looked upon Satan and said: Who art thou? For behold, I am a son of God, in the similitude of his Only Begotten; and where is thy glory, that I should worship thee?

For behold, I could not look upon God, except his glory should come upon me, and I were transfigured before him. But I can look upon thee in the natural man. Is it not so, surely?

Blessed be the name of my God, for his Spirit hath not altogether withdrawn from me, or else where is thy glory, for it is darkness unto me? And I can judge between thee and God; for God said unto me: Worship God, for him only shalt thou serve. (Moses 1:12-15)

Satan even tried it with Jesus Christ when he tempted him after fasting for 40 days. Satan said: “If thou be the Son of God” and then told Christ to change the stones to bread and to cast himself off the pinnacle of the temple. Those temptations did not work because Jesus knew who he was, not only was he The Son of God, he was the creator of all things. Later Jesus, when his time did come, he would turn water into wine and provide bread to thousands when there was no bread around. He did not need to prove who he was to Satan because he understood his true identity – The Son of God.

We should not be fooled when Satan or others tempt us to forsake our identity and give into foolish sins. Like Moses, we are sons and daughters of God, in the similitude of his Only Begotten. We have a divine heritage and destined for great things. If you ever wonder “do you know who I am?” just fall down on your knees and ask your Father with real intent and as He told Moses, he will tell you “I am the Lord God, thou art my son”.

We Are Sons and Daughters of God

The Zone of Spiritual Totality

This week I listened to a BYU-Idaho Education Week talk by Rob Barton titled "The Zone of Spiritual Totality". He compared the 2017 total eclipse of the sun where the path of totality went through Rexburg, Idaho to our spiritual path and progression in the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Many people traveled from all over the world to be in the path of totality during the eclipse, I was there with one of my sons and his family. It was a once-in-a-life-time opportunity and am grateful that my son convinced me to go. I was among those that did not believe it was any big deal to be in the path of totality. I was convinced that being in Logan, Utah where I could see 75% of the total eclipse was good enough.

Brother Barton did not understand what the big deal either was until he experienced it. His brother also lived in Logan and was one of those who did not think it was worth going to Rexburg to see it. Later when he learned what he had missed he asked his brother that if he had known it was going to be that important, why did he not invite him to come to see it.

The thousands that made the effort to be in the path of totality were blessed to witness an amazing sight while those that chose not to be there will never understand what they missed out on. So it is with our spiritual progression. We may think that we are doing ok, as long as we are obedient to God’s commandments most of the time. Being obedient most of the time is like experiencing the solar eclipse outside the zone of totality. We don’t know what we are missing if we have never been in the zone of spiritual totality.

The Total Eclipse

Brother Barton explained:

“The total eclipse came when there was total alignment between the sun, the moon, and the earth. Spiritual totality is when we are fully aligned with God, when we completely submit our will with his. In Preach My Gospel is says: ‘Bringing our lives in line with God’s will through repentance and faith on Jesus Christ is a central purpose of our lives.’

“The way we achieve unanimity with God is not finding a middle ground and persuading him to meet us there, the way we find unity with God it is to find out where he is, and we move there with all our hearts.”

Aligning Ourselves with God

“As we come to know God’s will and are baptized by those authorized to provide that ordinance, we perfectly aligned with God and are in the zone of spiritual totality.” (The Zone of Spiritual Totality)

President Eyring said:

“Once I have decided I want eternal life more than business success (you add your own desires here), I will have crossed the great gulf between wanting to know what God would permit and trying to do what he would prefer.” (Henry B. Eyring)

President Eyring also said:

“at some moment in the world to come, everyone you will ever meet will know what you know now. They will know that the only way to live forever in association with our families and in the presence of our Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, was to choose to enter into the gate by baptism at the hands of those with authority from God. They will know that the only way families can be together forever is to accept and keep sacred covenants offered in the temples of God on this earth. And they will know that you knew. And they will remember whether you offered them what someone had offered you.” (A Voice of Warning)

As missionaries of the Gospel of Jesus Christ we know that families can only be together if they accept and receive the ordinances that will bind them together through baptism and the temple. Just like those who did not understand the importance of being in the path of totality for the eclipse, there are many who do not understand the importance of the message we have. We must be willing to invite everyone we meet to experience the blessings of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. God’s work and glory it to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man (Moses 1:39) and as we are tasked with the blessing of helping his children come to Christ and his kingdom here on earth.

Knowing these truths does not make us better than other people, but it does make us responsible. We are in unique circumstances to invite others to come to the come and follow their Savior into the waters of baptism. If we do this our joy will be full along with those who we have helped to come unto Christ and receive the covenants of the temple. We receive a fullness of joy in this life and in the life to come as we do all we can to be in the zone of spiritual totality and bring all of God’s children that will respond to our invitation to join with us.

Your comments and questions are welcome.

Don't Mow Your Lawn

What would you do if you were told that the Savior Jesus Christ was going to come visit you in your home later today? Would you run home and clean the house and mow the lawn? Ross Baron speaking at a BYU-Idaho Education week posed that question. He was talking about the experience in the scriptures with Mary and Martha when the Savior came to their home:

 “Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house.

And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus’ feet, and heard his word.

But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me.

And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things:

But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.” (Luke 10:38-42)

Martha and Mary

Which one would you be – Martha or Mary? Brother Baron asked the question to the audience:

“If the First Presidency called and said they would be at your home in an hour what would you do? Would you go home and clean the house and vacuum, or would you just push the Cheetos off the sofa and say ‘come on in and sit down’”? (The Savior’s Interaction with Women in the New Testament)

In the old testament time, women were the ones that were responsible for taking care of the guests when they visit. Martha took that responsibility seriously, but Mary chose to go against that tradition and sat at the Lord’s feet to hear him teach. The Savior did not condemn the activities of Martha, but Martha’s judgement of Mary’s activity. Jesus would have honored Martha’s choice to serve and provide a meal if she had not complained about Mary’s choice. The moment that Martha judges Mary’s choice was when the Savior got involved. There is a time and a place for all things. There is a time for service and there is a time for worship. We don’t go to church for our Sunday worship services and in the middle of that service we have someone come in to vacuum the chapel.

In a world of constant choices, we must have balance and make sure we are not out mowing the lawn, that we choose the “good part” to worship at the Savior’s feet when we are given the opportunity.

Your comments and questions are welcome.