Faith and Fear Fruit and Desire

I have come to realize, Faith is trust in God and Fear is the exact opposite of Faith


When obedience to God ceases to be an irritant and becomes your quest, in that moment God will endow you with power.


And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.


 Desire dictates our priorities, our priorities shape our choices and our choices determine our actions. The desires we act on today determine how we will become tomorrow, our achieving and our becoming all hinges on Desire. Decide Early Stay In Reach Eternity

Have you ever seen the christian fish and wondered what it means?

The Christian fish symbol was used by Christians during the first few centuries A.D. as a secret symbol, because to openly declare your self a believer in Jesus Christ could mean persecution or death. A person could nonchalantly make a half circle with his foot and watch to see if the other person would recognize the symbol and complete the other half of the fish.
The Christian fish symbol was also used to mark places that were safe for Christians to be, such a home or business that was owned by a Christian. Using the Christian fish symbol could save a person a lot of trouble in those days, and even now it is used by believers living in countries where followers of Christ are persecuted.
So what constitutes a christian? A Christian is someone who first believes in Christ and then accepts him as their personal savior. Followed by baptism. Then comes work. To follow him you must know him for how can you serve a master for whom you do not know. To know someone is far different than just knowing a list of facts. So how do we come to know him? To know him is a personal journey that can neither be bought or sold it must be experienced through heartfelt personal prayer and study. If you are a true Christian you will find yourself doing the task that Christ would do if he were here. You become his hands eyes ears and heart as the holy ghost whispers the masters task in a moment of need. As I look at the world today I wish Christians could come together with a symbol as simple as a fish drawn in the sand.
I hear the words united we stand and divided we fall. I once heard a story of a group of Christians. They were all united until someone overheard a gospel conversation. In that moment they realized some of the Christians were part of a different denomination they deemed as a lesser faith. Through cunning plans, steps were taken by a few to deny privileges of all involved and eventually the removal of some individuals. Upon hearing this story related it brought me great sadness. I thought wow Does it really matter what someones opinion is? do we not worship the same God? Is Christ not the center of all Christians worship? If you are reading this I challenge you to embrace all truth no matter the source. But you may think I must be careful, I do not want to be led astray like those who rejected and crucified Christ. Matthew has the answer Matt:7 15-16 . As Christians let us be more tolerant of each other for contention is of the evil one. Matthew teaches matt : 6:24 no man can serve 2 masters for either he will hate the one and love the other or else he will hold the one and despise the other. As a christian I pray that we can be more tolerant of one another. I pray that we will put into practice WWJD and CTR


What would Jesus do (if he were here) and Choose The Right ( when faced with life's trials ) I fear if we do not we will find ourselves with empty lamps like the 5 foolish virgins when the bridegroom visits. Let us be wise and follow the master for he even loved Judas in the moment of his betrayal. He loves each of us for who we are as a child of God and for what we can become, if we will only follow his call, when he said come follow me and do as I do. Come all ye that are heavy laden and I will give you rest. For my Yoke is easy and my burden light.

I once asked my youth class if they would die for Christ, without fail all responded yes yes all the way around the room. I then responded, it is easy to die for him but will you live for him. To die takes little or no effort. But to live for him takes dedication and effort.

I hope we can all be faithful


And love one another as the master loves us in this we will find tolerance and discover his love

The Greek letters that make of the word for fish are IXOYE, and they form an acronym that has also been associated with this symbol. Iesous Christos Theou Yios Soter', which is translated as 'Jesus Christ, Son of God, Savior'

Mans thoughts

As a man thinketh so is he.
to know is to do
to do is to know

Life is too short

Someone once said "There comes a time in your life, when you walk away from all the drama and people who create it. You surround yourself with people who make you laugh. Forget the bad, and focus on the good. Love the people who treat you right, pray for the ones who don't. LIFE IS TOO SHORT to be anything but happy. Falling down is a part of life, getting back up is living."

Money

Money is a power; but holds narrow limits. It can feed your pride and will purchase plenty, but lacks the power to give peace. It brings lavish luxuries, but doesn’t have to power help you to enjoy them. It has the power to surround your sick bed with physicians, but lacks the power to restore your health. It can boost your ego by those whom flatter, but will be left behind at your last breath. It can fill your life with people. but will never procure you one true friend. On the other hand the lack of money and success humbles and reveals your true friends. The most important is the one you forgot in your days of success. GOD

Dont Judge Me

The other day I saw a bumper sticker that said: “ Don’t Judge me because I don’t sin the same way you do!” I have learned, Mans judgment is like judging a life from a snapshot picture of a moment in time.


For this reason God gave us Matthew 7:1 I have realized His judgments are based on a comprehensive analysis of a life. I now see Our judgments are based on a few 2D images of the past which we refuse to let go.

Appreciate it

In my life I have given away many things earned by blood sweat and tears, only to find them discarded without a thought by the receiver. I too have been guilty of the same. This has taught me, if you did not desire it enough to earn it, you do not posses the power to appreciate it.

How you spend your time

How you spend your time reveals your priorities. Who you spend it with, reveals who matters most. I have learned, The biggest compliment you can ever give someone is your time. I think when we stand before God he may focus more on how and with whom we spent our spare time because this reveals our true treasures of what mattered most.

The trial reveals the man

The trial reveals the man. It is easy to be obedient to God when all the world is in it's proper place. It is quite another matter to obey when prosperity escapes and poverty prevails. If you think you have been delt a bad hand read. (Matthew 8:20) then count your many blessings name them one by one and it will surprise you what God has done. ;)

Trials

I once knew a boy with dreams no one could steal. As he grew to a man it would seem opposition met him at every road. To all the world this gifted man made many unforgivable mistakes


What they did not see were the tears and torment he endured for many a year. It seemed for each mistake the world did scoff but God met them with glee for what men saw as weakness and did turn their backs in disgust God saw as an opportunity to develop that mans trust. What looked like failure for all the world to see was but 1 more humbling trial to mold him into what God would have him be. He learned when we contemplate another we should read 1john 2:9-11 then realize We all learn obedience the same way Christ did. Hebrews 5:8

And we learn how we obtain Gods promise from words given to Abraham in Hebrews 6:15

In seeing this we learn we should apply it in our life

2 Peter 3: 17- 18

If we evaluate our life and learn from our trials and repent God will not judge us but if we fail to learn we will be judged 1 Corinthians 11:31-32

I have learned something interesting


I will call it, The True Miracle of an instant answer to a little prayer.

Have you ever prayed and received it would seem almost an instant answer to a prayer?

But other times you feel God has not answered you.

In 2Peter 3: 8 we find some insight.

8 But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.

If you analyze this scripture you will find some interesting facts

If 1000 years on earth is a day in heaven that means

Each hour in heaven is 41.6 years on earth

And every minute in heaven is 1.4 years on earth which means

Each second in heaven is 8.5 days on earth.

In realizing this we discover God loved us so much he only wanted us to endure less than an hour of a trial on earth to prove our love for him through obedience to his commandments.

The next scripture is 2 Peter 3:9

9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

We are taught here not to judge our perceived slow response to a prayer because God has our best interest at heart and though we may wait 1.4 years for an answer to a prayer it was only but a minute to our Father.

Forgiveness

FORGIVENESS Faith Only Reveals Gods Infinite Vision Every Need Eternal Savior Satisfied


When we seek to forgive we seek to become like Christ, When we seek to become like Christ wee seek to forgive. The ability to forgive is a Gift or Talent from God. If we could obtain and develop this gift we could effectively disarm 90% of Satins power. The Gift of forgiveness is obtained through faith fasting and mindful diligence in bridling our thoughts garnished with earnest prayer. Gifts & talents are given but also can be requested from God, Once given the receiver must developed any gift or talent to reap the full benefit. A spiritual gift given without sacrifice and understanding will gather dust on the shelf of life and will be returned to the master having profited nothing (see Matthew 25:14-30) Yet a spiritual gift sought after with much sacrifice and supplication is found accomplishing the mission of the master, purifying the soul of the receiver while blessing those to whom are served. 1 Timothy 4:14 teaches neglect not the gift within you. And Luke12:48 teaches, where much is given much is expected.

Bishop, “Common Judge in Israel”

Bishop, “Common Judge in Israel”


We cannot address this subject without looking to and pondering some Key scriptures.

Matthew 7:1


JUDGE NOT THAT YE BE NOT JUDGED .

When a man is called to be a bishop a judge in Israel, Does it mean

Is a leader immune to this commandment?

While the man is bishop is he immune to this commandment?

Is he somehow temporarily not under obligation to this scripture?

I would submit to you that no leader is immune to this commandment.

A leader is a fallible man and thus he is subject to the same temptations of the devil as any other man to the degree upon which he has overcome his vices and brought his life into balance with all of the Lords commandments.

In leadership, especially church leadership, we are always at a constant battle with ourselves on the issues of Pride, Arrogance and being a Judge of others.

Let no man think he is a ruler

D&C 58:20

20 Let no man think he is ruler; but let God rule him that judgeth, according to the counsel of his own will, or, in other words, him that counseleth or sitteth upon the judgment seat.

As soon as they get a little authority ( SEE D&C 121: 33-46)


There are 2 forms of judgment

1. The Judgments of the Natural man

2. The Righteous Judgments of the Holy Ghost/GOD & Jesus

Handling Criticism In our Callings FEB 2012 Ensign

An interesting blessing and challenge about a lay church is that we have to be patient with each other and ourselves as we learn and grow in our callings. When a difficult and sensitive situation—one that involved several ward members—came up in my calling,

I handled it the best I knew how and moved on, believing the difficult experience was behind me.

I was wrong. Not everyone in our ward agreed about how the incident should have been handled, and it became a point of great discussion. Some agreed with what I had done. Others thought I’d made a significant blunder. I felt bad, but since I had done my best, I tried not to worry too much about it.

When I was released a short time later, however, it came as a tremen¬dous blow. I knew that callings in the Church are only temporary, of course, but because of the timing, I felt as though my leaders were blam¬ing or punishing me for what had happened.

The scrutiny seemed more intense than ever, and I wasn’t sure I wanted to face anyone in the ward right away. So the week following my release, I stayed home from church. I did so again the next week—and the next. The longer I stayed away, the more difficult it seemed to return.

After some time, I started thinking about what had happened. I realized that even though this was a painful situation, it wasn’t worth putting my covenants on the line. Was the Church true or wasn’t it?

Maybe I had handled the situation in my calling appropriately; maybe I hadn’t. The truth is all of us are learn¬ing, and all of us make mistakes.

As painful as it was to admit, maybe who was right or wrong didn’t really matter in the grand scheme. What would matter, though, was whether I kept my covenants. It would matter—both to my family and me—if I was attending church, renewing my covenants in sacrament meeting, and continuing to serve. And it would matter how I responded to priesthood authority.

I returned to church. A short time later I received another calling. That calling—and callings since—required that I serve with some of the people who had criticized my actions. That has been difficult. But I am glad I haven’t let their comments stop me from enjoying the blessings of Church activity.

When I read this article, my heart went out to this good man.

But I did notice a flaw.

He did not inquire of the Lord to make a decision.

“He handled it the best way he knew how”

My mind was called up to this scripture.

D&C 1:19-21

19 The weak things of the world shall come forth and break down the mighty and strong ones, that man should not counsel his fellow man, neither trust in the arm of flesh—
20 But that every man might speak in the name of God the Lord, even the Savior of the world;

21 That faith also might increase in the earth;

What a fundamental error to which hindsight tells the story of so many leaders of the church.

By nature we put our trust in the arm of the flesh by managing the affairs of the church as a business man in our respective occupations.

When we do this we take no thought to inquire of the Lord as to the path we should take.


How do we overcome the natural man and become a righteous Judge?


How do we make sure all of our judgments of the people are righteous?

A bishop or any leader may struggle with the natural man at first.

But the issue is very simple.

A bishop is the father of the ward and as such WITH EVERY ISSUE he should treat each member of his ward with the same loving Christ like heart which he would treat his own Daughter or Son if they were the one sitting in the chair across the desk.

Even treating them as you think you would like to be treated if you were in the chair is even not as effective as looking at them as your own child sitting in the chair.

The reason this is so fundamental is a loving Heavenly father has instilled divine virtues within us which leads a true parent to always have their child’s best interest at heart even at the expense of their own life.

When you begin to see each person as your son or daughter In this you will begin to see each member as Christ sees them and you will be truly qualified to be their judge.

These feelings are essential because the Bishop is the Common Judge in Israel.

All leaders should seek out this Christ Like perspective,

There is a warning attached to this JUDGESHIP.

There is a warning that should be issued to any judgeship.

A Judge is only authorized to interpret the Law.

Not write legislation from the bench.

If he legislates he will be held accountable for his actions.

In the Church Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints,

God and Christ Write the Laws

The Holy Ghost interprets these laws on a case by case basis.

Protection is afforded to any Judge in Israel as he passes and applies judgment to a person as long as the spirit dictates the judgments handed down by the bishop or other church authority.

But any priesthood authority should be ever vigilant to seek the spirit, because If a decision is made with the prejudices of the man, the bishop or other authority will find himself in error when he begins to pass his own judgments as a man and not the servant of God. In this his judgments are his and not Gods and for this he will be held accountable for his actions.
When a Leader Bishop or otherwise, Acts in the name of God there is Protection Found

Matthew 7:1

JUDGE NOT THAT YE BE NOT JUDGED.

When a bishop acts in the name of God and seeks for his will to match the Lords, he will obtain the spirit to confirm his actions, in this he speaks for the Lord and the Lord Bears the burden of his judgment.
Thus the protection is found when a bishop seeks to look at each ward member as if they were truly his children because then in this moment he will catch the vision of what a true bishop should be. In this the bishop begins to truly enter the Lords service to accomplish all things the Lord Jesus Christ would do if he were sitting in his seat.
As you ponder these things

You will realize these mistakes are easily made for many reasons but one prevalent reason is this. In the church, often professional men are called into leadership positions and they begin to error with the governance of the church because they tend to treat the affairs of the church as they would treat the affairs of their respective occupations.

Physically Leading v/s Spiritually leading


In this they begin to carry out the affairs of the church and physically lead the people rather than spiritually leading the People.

I have noticed in my life when I am really upset with someone over something they have done, It is usually because I do not understand.

Almost every time when I find out the Rest of the Story as Paul Harvey says,

An element of true understanding comes to me and I am able to see why the person did what they did and I can see myself making the same mistake.

Or it brings understanding that I had never saw or even contemplated and in this I realize they did not make a mistake, it was just the way I saw the story play out.

I only have 1 perspective.

On a daily basis each of our lives is intersected with many people all of which add to the perspective of my life and they take home their own perspective.

Many of their decisions affect me my family my callings in church my Job and basically alter my life in some small way with each interaction.

When we Judge as a man

When we Judge as a man we are only seeing through our one camera lens.

The Holy Ghost and the Angels among us (who are silent note taking) “as the hymn teaches”) See and hear all of our thoughts and have a Bird’s eye view; and the perspective of director of a movie. The Director sees how each scene of our life is played out and thus this makes him the perfect interpreter and executor of every commandment of God.

Enjoy the Journey

LIFE IS TOO SHORT TO WASTE ON GRUDGES
LAUGH WHEN YOU CAN 
AND CRY IF YOU NEED TO
APOLOGIZE WHEN YOU SHOULD
AND LET GO OF THE THINGS  YOU CANT CHANGE

“The Vision of Sir Launfal,”

In “The Vision of Sir Launfal,” an interesting story is told of a young knight who rode out into the world in search of the Holy Grail (the cup which the Master supposedly drank from at the Last Supper). He had dedicated his life to the quest. He was young, handsome, and strong, clothed in bright and shining armor, mounted on a gallant white charger. As he crossed the drawbridge riding out into the world, a beggar (who was a leper) put up his hand to him, begging alms. The young knight reached into his pouch, took out a gold coin and flung it to the beggar as he rode on, but he really did not give the beggar very much because no one would accept even a gold coin from a leper.

The young man searched for the cup; of course he didn’t find it, although he spent his life in the quest. He did, however, learn a lot, and at the close of his life he was returning to his castle, no longer young. He is now shrunken with age. His armor is no longer bright; his mount is no longer a charger but just a tired old gray horse. As he was about to cross the drawbridge into the castle, once again a beggar put up his hand begging for alms. This time Sir Launfal stopped, got down from his horse, reached into his knapsack and took out the only thing he had—a crust of bread. He then dipped his cup into the stream and gave the crust of bread and one cup of cold water to the beggar.

The wooden cup from which the beggar drank turned into the Holy Grail for which he had searched, and the beggar turned into a Christ and said a very interesting thing. He said:

“Not what we give, but what we share.

For the gift without the giver is bare;

Who gives himself with his alms feeds three,

Himself, his hungering neighbor, and me.”

(“The Vision of Sir Launfal,” James R. Lowell.)

Through My trials I have learned

Through my trials I have learned we are judged for every dealing we have with anyone we cross paths with in this life. The world calls it karma; what goes around comes around.

Karma is even something spiritually numb people can see.

I have learned if you judge someone all you are doing is setting up the next trial the Lord will send your way.

We are admonished to be like Christ

He judged no one when he walked the earth.

Through this i have learned our trials test us and those around us who are involved

The bible teaches Judge not that ye be not judged

Each person on earth is being tested on their individual Christ like attributes, and angels are silent note taking as the hymn teaches.



As a Christian you are to do what Christ would do if he were in your shoes every waking moment of every day. That is to bridle your thoughts words and speech and actions so that you can become like him

The 12 apostles are living examples it can be done not only to be an example , but also to leave no room for us to say perfection is an impossible task.

Without the 12 there are many who would say at the judgment bar of God

Your son Jesus had an unfair advantage because he was 1/2 God when he walked the earth.

But the 12 are mortals who grew in perfection one trial at a time.

The eternal truth to be gained is this

The only difference between you and the 12 ( besides the calling) is they have learned to be perfectly obedient to all of Gods commandments.



I have learned things are not always as they seem.

I have learned to never assume.

I have learned it is impossible to point a finger at someone

and not have 3 more pointing at you,

I even tried pointing my thumb and looked and I had

4 fingers this time staring me down.

I have learned the Lord has a way of humbling people.

I have learned you can choose to be humble or you can be humbled.

I have learned the Lord humbles a person in a way that will help,

lift and inspire some while trying others at the same time in the same process.

I have learned an eternal true principle

The Fanatic is one who has lost sight of his goal

and has redoubled his efforts to get there.

I have learned, True commitment is a consistent dedication through a lifetime,

not short frenzied outburst of emotion.

True commitment is 100% of the time. Not an occasional 120% fanatic effort.

I have learned Sometimes you're ahead, sometimes you're behind;

But the race is long, and in the end, it's only with yourself.

Know God

How can a man know a god to whom he does not serve?
Yet how can a man serve a God to whom he does not know?
Knowing about him is far different than knowing him.
It is easy to spout forth facts for words come smooth off of the lips
But it is quite another matter to live the words you speak.
To know him is to do what he would do if he were the one in your shoes.
To know is to do.
To do is to know.

Dk Newburn

Knowing about v/s Knowing

HOW CAN A MAN SERVE A GOD

TO WHOM HE DOES NOT KNOW?

YET HOW CAN A MAN KNOW A GOD

TO WHOM HE DOES NOT SERVE?

KNOWING ABOUT HIM

IS FAR DIFFERENT THAN KNOWING HIM.

TO KNOW HIM IS TO DO WHAT HE WOULD DO

IF HE WERE HERE.

To know is to do, To do is to know



God Chooses Men Based on The Inner Vessel

God Chooses Men To Serve Based On The Inner Vessel

 

Not what they are but what they can Become

 

• Noah was a drunk
• Abraham was too old
• Isaac was a daydreamer
• Jacob was a liar
• Leah was ugly
• Joseph was abused
• Moses had a stuttering problem
• Gideon was afraid
• Samson had long hair and was a womanizer
• Rahab was a prostitute
• Jeremiah and Timothy were too young
• David had an affair and was a murderer
• Elijah was suicidal
• Isaiah preached naked
• Jonah ran from God
• Naomi was a widow
• Job went bankrupt
• Peter denied Christ
• The Disciples fell asleep while praying
• Martha worried about everything
• The Samaritan woman was divorced, more than once
• Zaccheus was too small
• Paul was over zealous
• Timothy had an ulcer..AND
• Lazarus was dead!
•  

It is the lesson of "The Cracked Pot."

Many years ago, in a very poor Middle East village, stood an ancient stone well. Along side of that well sat two large watering pots. One of them was like new, beautifully formed, even had graceful etchings along its curved handle.

The other, not as new yet still useful,

You see, it  had become cracked over the years.

Time after time, the pot was passed over by the people with the exception of a little village girl. She had grown fond of the neglected pitcher.

Every day she would chose it instead of the beautiful pot.

One morning, the old pot asked the little girl, "Why do you continue to use me, when you know I am flawed and cannot hold the water you and your family so desperately needs?"

The little girl spoke not a word, but carried the broken pot to a familiar pathway that she traveled daily.

With her tiny voice she said, "This is why I pick you."

There before the pot was a row of delicate wild flowers that had bloomed along the trail because of the water that had trickled and leaked from the pot. The buried seeds of the flowers had been watered as she made her way home each day. The cracked pot for the first time had seen its worth through the eyes of a grateful little girl.

In order to see the task the Lord would have us  or others fulfill he has admonished us to become as little children. 

Matthew 18:4

"And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.

As A Young Man The World Is For The Taking

As a young man,
I thought myself happy at the time, my head full

of every popular song that came along, the future
before me. I could be an artist, a great novelist, an
architect, a senator, a singer: having no demonstrable
capacity for any of these pursuits made them all
appear equally possible to me. All that mattered, I
felt, was my inclination; I saw life as a set of free
choices. Only later did it occur to me that every
road taken is another untaken, every choice a narrowing.
A sadder maturity convinces me that, as
in a chess game, every move helps commit one to
the next, and each person’s situation at a given
moment is the sum of the moves he has made before.

By Thomas Griffith "New York Times"

Giving and Getting F. Burton Howard

Throughout our years at the university, and for a considerable time thereafter, my wife and I lived in a congested area near downtown Salt Lake City. After graduating from law school, I was fortunate in obtaining a job at the state capitol. Church callings and the proximity of our home to my office caused us to be in no hurry to leave our small apartment, even had our financial situation allowed us to. One of the economies which my wife allowed me to practice was walking to work. The distance was not too great and the Capitol Hill climb kept me fit.

One brilliant, warm day, I had come home for lunch. As I was returning to work I noticed a small boy sitting on the curb at the foot of the hill. I knew him by sight as a neighbor who lived in a large apartment house next door to us. His parents were divorced. His mother worked and often left him alone in the afternoon to look after himself. As I was in no hurry to begin my ascent, I stopped to talk with him for a moment.
"What are you doing?" I said.
"Waiting for my brother."
"Where is he?" I asked as I contemplated the hot climb up the hill. His answer brought me immediately to attention.
"He's in school."
"Don't you know that school isn't out until 3:30?" I gently asked.
He shuffled his toe in the dirt of the street and looked at me with what I am now positive was condescension. "Sure," he said, "but I don't want to miss him."

"Maybe the kid had a point," I thought as I climbed the hill. And I have pondered his statement many times since that day.
Of course he did. Whatever his reason for wanting his brother--whether for love or loneliness or just to deliver a family message--it was of sufficient importance for him to wait on the curb at the side of a hot street all afternoon. He was not going to miss his brother, whatever the discomfort or whatever the cost. He had nothing more important to do.
Giving and Getting

It is difficult to sit in the sun on a street corner when all the world is hell-bent on seeking shade. But, as with many other things, it is where you sit that counts--or where you stand--or what you stand for. And with some things there is nothing more important to do than pay the price; even though it entails inconvenience or sacrifice.
Before getting much older, my young friend would find no shortage of those who would tell him he paid too much to see his brother that hot afternoon.
"Don't be dumb," they would say.
"You could have watched television until just before school let out."
Or they would say, "You should have stayed in the shade at home, instead of sitting on that dusty old curb."
"Be smart," they would say. "Don't give more than you have to, just to see your brother."

But did he give too much? Was he just a naïve little boy? Can we learn something from him? To simplify the subject, let me suggest that the real question on that street corner was how much to give in exchange for his brother's company that hot afternoon.

This question perhaps can be best understood by subdividing it into two:

How much was he required to give and how much could he give? It is a paradox that, when we speak of how much must be given, we usually speak of getting. Only when we talk in terms of how much can be given, are we really speaking of giving.
Most of us were born with an egotistical streak. It is common in children. As we grow up we try to become less self-seeking and more interested in the welfare of others. But many labor mightily to obtain or retain as much as they can while giving up as little as possible in every giving and getting transaction. I suppose everyone has played Monopoly with such a person. It is sobering to realize that life is a never-ending series of such transactions, dozens each day, and that the sum total of all these seemingly insignificant things constitutes our mortal probation.

A Time of Waiting

I remember what it is like to attend a university. I don't think I would voluntarily trade places with any of you, even if I could be young again. I remember the pain. I remember staying up all night to prepare for an examination. I vividly recall homework and homesickness, grades and graduation. I remember part-time jobs that never paid enough and roommates that borrowed things. I remember worrying about what to do and what to be (which, by the way, I believe are the same thing). I remember the relief when the books closed for the last time, and the diplomas were finally awarded. I remember thinking that at last I could get on with the real business of living.

The university was for me as it is for you, a time of waiting--and therein lies a danger. Everything a student does seems pointed to the future. Students are transients. Their hearts are often elsewhere. Summer jobs, lectures, credits--all of these promise a time when prosperity and peace will finally reign--when they can come home after work to a real home and do what they want; when one well-paying job will allow enjoyment of the important things like marriage or family or church service.

C. S. Lewis once said,
Nearly all vices are rooted in the future. Gratitude looks to the past and love to the present; fear, avarice, lust and ambition look ahead. [The Screwtape Letters (Time Incorporated, 1963), p. 49]

The prophet Jacob put it another way. He spoke of the necessity of understanding "things as they really are, and of things as they really will be." He described the Jews as searching for things that they could not understand and being blinded because of "looking beyond the mark" (Jacob 4:13–14).

The Real Test Is Today, Not Tomorrow

So it is that college students, and others as well, often look beyond the mark. They live in inexpensive apartments. They economize on their grocery bills. They walk to school or work. They take out loans they do not know how to repay. They live on hand-me-downs and food baskets from their parents. They look for bargains. They accept student rates at theaters and take vacations that don't cost much. They settle for less in order to have more some day. Because much of what they live for lies in the future, young people sometimes forget that the real test is never tomorrow but it is always today.

Students are usually in a hurry to get on with life. Some remind me of a missionary I had in the mission field. He once penned an unforgettable line: "President," he wrote, "do you know any quick way to memorize the discussions? If you do, send it to me right away."

Because students are anxious to begin living, they tend to look for shortcuts. They sometimes merely endure difficult courses. They have been known to avoid hard teachers and to read long books in outline form. Students have often been known to cram for examinations, and burn the midnight oil. All of this is done in expectation of better things to come. Sadly, those who burn the candle at both ends are usually more concerned with getting than with giving.

Because there is never enough time, students sometimes develop an attitude which will severely interfere with their spiritual progress, not only as students but throughout their lives as well. They try to get by. The question becomes "How much must I give to get the grade?" not "How can I master the subject?" or "How can I get out of school?" not "What can I learn here?"

No Such Things as a Free Lunch

In another related area, students are besieged with offers for free things--free karate lessons, free records and tapes, incredible returns on investments. The bookstore is filled with books having titles such as How to Make a Killing in Real Estate, How to Avoid Probate, How to Make a Million Dollars, How to Sell Anything to Anyone, Shortcuts to Effective Public Speaking, 10 Days to a Better Personality, Calculus Made Easy.

It is easy to forget Euclid's warning that there is no royal road to geometry or the well-known comment that there is no such thing as a free lunch. Little by little, often imperceptibly, our minds become conditioned to getting the things we want with as little effort as possible. We guard our giving, that we may have more time for getting. Many seek grades without effort, athletic attainment without training, musical excellence without practice. They try to lose weight without dieting and want to be free without being responsible. Others become more concerned with finding the right person than they are with being the right person.

It is not that these things are illegal or immoral, but they do have one thing in common. They all represent, at least in part, an attempt to acquire something of real worth without paying adequate consideration for it. And it is a short leap from these attitudes to others which are more serious. As minds become conditioned to getting things without effort, or with as little effort as possible, it is easy to rationalize that it is a clever thing to secure advantage without paying the price.

For example, how many automobiles are not insured as required by law? How many own tapes or video cassettes which have been copied in violation of copyright laws? How many don't tell the full truth when they buy or sell bicycles, stereos, used cars or other things? How many think that radar detectors should be standard equipment on every automobile? How many court unmerited popularity by telling off-color stories? How many seek artificial sensual stimulation as a substitute for righteous joy? How many of us are anxious to have success without sacrifice? It can't be done, you know.

Be More Concerned with Giving Than with Gain

In this regard, there is an interesting story in the scriptures. On one occasion, late in life, King David offended the Lord. He sinned greatly and asked the Lord to remove his iniquity, acknowledging that he had done a foolish thing. To punish David, the Lord sent a pestilence upon Israel and 70,000 men died. David complained to the Lord and said, "I have sinned, and I have done wickedly: but these [meaning the people], what have they done? let thine hand, I pray thee, be against me, and against my father's house" (2 Samuel 24:17).

That same day the prophet Gad came to David and said that the Lord would remove the plague if David would build an altar on the threshingfloor of Araunah the Jebusite and offer an acceptable sacrifice there. David was anxious to lift the Lord's curse. He quickly went to Araunah's place of business, and then the scripture details this most interesting account:

And Araunah looked, and saw the king and his servants coming on toward him: and Araunah went out, and bowed himself before the king on his face upon the ground.

And Araunah said, Wherefore is my lord the king come to his servant? And David said, To buy the threshingfloor of thee, to build an altar unto the Lord, that the plague may be stayed from the people.

And Araunah said unto David, Let my lord the king take and offer up what seemeth good unto him: behold here be oxen for burnt sacrifice, and threshing instruments and other instruments of the oxen for wood.

All these things did Araunah . . . [offer] unto the king. And Araunah said unto the king, The Lord thy God accept thee.

Here David could have made a fatal mistake. He could have been more concerned with gain than with giving. But he wisely said unto Araunah,

Nay; but I will surely buy it of thee at a price: neither will I offer burnt offerings unto the Lord my God of that which doth cost me nothing. So David bought the threshingfloor and the oxen for fifty shekels of silver [which was no small sum in those days].

And David built there an altar unto the Lord, and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings. So the Lord was intreated for the land, and the plague was stayed from Israel. [2 Samuel 24:20–25; emphasis added]

Why was David concerned about personally paying for the offering the prophet commanded him to make? Was it because he knew there is always a cost when real sacrifice is made? Should it be of concern to us if we fail to pay honest measure for that which we receive? Can we hope to learn a language if we are unwilling to make an effort? Is it possible to be forgiven without honestly repenting? Should we seek a witness before the trial of our faith? I believe all of these attitudes which many of us have shared at one time or another may jeopardize our salvation. Let me tell you why.

Satan Offered Salvation without Risk

The scriptures tell us that Satan once came before God in the premortal existence with a plan to redeem all mankind and not lose one soul. You all remember the story. In exchange for what he offered, the son of the morning wanted honor (see Moses 4:1) and the power of God (see D&C 29:36, Moses 4:3). Because we had free agency there, as we do now, Satan induced one third of all of the spirit children of God to turn away from the plan proposed by Jesus Christ and to fight for his proposal (see D&C 29:36, Abraham 3:28). When his scheme was rejected, Satan rebelled and sought to destroy the very agency he had to use to gain approval of his plan (see Moses 4:3).

But how did he manage to draw one third of us away from God? I believe that it was simply by saying that there were unnecessary hazards in Christ's plan, and that the power of God was sufficient to save all men without effort and without the keeping of commandments. It was an attractive package. Many were deceived. In effect, they were offered salvation without risk. It wasn't that our spirit brothers and sisters didn't value free agency. They were undoubtedly taught about it and its importance. Probably they were committed to the concept, but because they were aware of the risks and were aware of their own weaknesses, they were unwilling to go to earth without a guaranteed round trip ticket. They valued the presence of God more than agency and lost both because they looked beyond the mark and could not see that it was impossible to have one without the other.

In a sense they wanted the mortal experience and a token probation. After punishment with a few stripes, they wanted to be returned again to that place they loved so much. But they were afraid of the real risk of mortality--of the discipline and the cost. They knew full well that there was death and evil inherent in the flesh (see 2 Nephi 2:29). They knew that many would find it difficult to walk by faith and would stumble and succumb to temptation (see Moses 5:7–8). They knew that without temptation they could not become agents unto themselves (see D&C 29:39).

That price was unacceptable to many who did not want to leave home. They began to cast about for an easier way and, when it was offered, they accepted it. I have learned that the easy way to anything is almost always suspect.

It Is a Blessing to Earn What We Receive

After Adam's transgression, the Lord told him that the ground would be cursed for his sake (see Moses 4:23). It is interesting to me that one definition of the word sake is benefit. Thus, cursed was the ground for Adam's benefit. And by the sweat of his brow he was to earn his bread (see Moses 4:25). Work, then, was not to be a curse and earning things was to be a benefit.

This is still true today, notwithstanding the fact that much time and effort go into trying to beat the system. Work is still the ruling principle in the lives of the Latter-day Saints. We should not seek to acquire things without effort. Only that which is truly earned is ever really ours. It is a blessing to earn what we receive, and this applies to spiritual things as well.

I heard a sweet lady speak in church not long ago. She spoke of a difficult marriage and a husband who was unwilling to live the gospel. She spoke of abuse and emotional disorders. She spoke of trouble and debt. Real physical illness resulted from trying to hold her marriage together. My heart went out to her. Then she said, "But finally I asked my dear bishop what to do and he told me to get a divorce, so I did."

She said, "dear." She meant "poor." Shame on a bishop who would tell a woman to get a divorce. The effect of doing that was to deprive the woman of the opportunity of paying the price for her own inspiration or revelation. Certainly she was entitled to it. But as with all other valuable things, there is a price attached. I do not know whether the bishop told her the right thing or not. But I do believe that there are no shortcuts to inspiration. The price is always praying and studying the matter in your mind. Often there is fasting and patient waiting. No earthly power can change all of that. I fear that the woman was trying to find the will of the Lord for her without paying the price. That simply cannot be done. Yet how many of us say to our bishops, "Tell me what to do"?

"When You Find the Answer, Let Me Know"

On one occasion I was with President Marion G. Romney. He spoke to a large gathering of young people. Afterwards, a returned missionary came up to shake his hand. As he did, he said, "President Romney, when I was a missionary I had a question that no one knew the answer to. Let me take advantage of your time for a moment and ask you." He then asked a rather complicated question, the answer to which could have been found in the scriptures.

President Romney listened attentively for a few moments and then replied, "That is a very good question. When you find the answer, let me know, will you please?" As we left the hall he commented to me, obviously referring to the young man and his question, "My father taught me as a boy that when I wanted a drink I should go to where the spring flowed out of the ground and not downstream where the cattle had been muddying the water. He'll be better off if he finds the answer for himself."

But how easy it is to find someone else with the answers to our questions. How many want to know the mysteries of God without studying the scriptures? How many ask the Lord to do things which they should do for themselves? They forget there is no spiritual attainment without effort. The attitudes we sometimes develop in the world can be spiritually fatal if applied to such things as repentance or eternal marriage or keeping the commandments. Think of the consequences, for example, of asking, "Must I serve a mission?" compared to asking, "Can I serve a mission?"

Several Reasons to Earn What We Get

As I have thought about the subject, it seems that there are several reasons why the Lord wants us to earn what we get in this life.

First, if we get things without effort, we often fail to make the hard choices we were sent here to make. We may fail to exercise our agency and thereby be deprived of important blessings. We are then out of harmony with the Lord and lose the blessings and trials (for many trials are blessings) which he intended would be a part of our own particular probation. As an illustration, what would Cain have done to come up with an acceptable offering to the Lord, if he had not killed Abel? Could not introspection and prayer and an honest, humble sacrifice have made an eternal difference in his life?

Second, if we acquire things with little or no effort, we often develop an exaggerated view of our own ability and our own importance. If we think we are better than we really are, then we are in danger of not being sufficiently humble to be able to enter the Kingdom of God.

Third, when we get something for nothing, we often feel that others do the same. Then we become critical, feeling that patronage, nepotism, luck, influence, or favoritism have allowed them to acquire what they have. Jealousy and envy then easily enter our lives.

Fourth, when we get something for nothing, we often develop a delusion of being especially blessed by the Lord. This can discourage hard work on other projects and may bring great disappointment when similar slack efforts do not result in corresponding large rewards.

Fifth, when we get something for nothing, it is often at the expense of someone else's loss. If the whole truth were known, offense might be taken. I do not want to be included among those about whom the Savior said, "Woe unto him, through whom they come! It were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he cast into the sea" (Luke 17:1–2).

Last of all, things cheaply purchased are seldom appreciated. Attitudes which cause us to look for bargains in some areas of life will carry over (because as a man thinketh in his heart, so is he) into more important things. We may then come to seek testimony without study and spiritual power without cost, and the greatest blessings of life may be cheapened or lost altogether as a result.

There is an important lesson here for Latter-day Saints. Somehow, some way, sooner or later, whether we want it that way or not, there are some experiences that all men must have. There are some truths that all must learn. There is a relationship between what we give and what we get. Shortcuts are often hazardous to the important things, both in this life and the life to come. There are no spiritual shortcuts to anything. We must learn that peace of mind has its price and that there can be no exaltation without effort.

The Satisfaction of Giving Lasts Longer

I spoke about a young boy sitting on a street corner. I said it often depends on where you sit or where you stand with reference to the important issues, whether you get a reward or not. You may be interested to know where I stand as a humble servant of the Lord with reference to getting and giving. I am deeply conscious of my own weaknesses in this area. Yet, as I have seen the dangers and struggled with personal self-interest, I have found that the satisfaction of giving lasts much longer than the sweetness of getting. Like Abraham, I have found "greater happiness and peace and rest for me" (Abraham 1:2) when I render honest sacrifice and pay fair and adequate consideration for what I get.

Therefore:

1. I have resolved never to ask the Church or anyone else to do for me what I should do for myself. Where possible, I prefer to be part of the solution and not part of the problem.

2. When I pray, I always try to pray "Thy will be done, not mine." President Tanner once said that too many of us merely take a shopping list to the Lord when we pray. I try not to do that unless it is absolutely necessary.

3. As a lawyer, before being called as a General Authority, I never accepted a case which would cause me to bend the law or ignore the facts; or which would give my client a benefit he didn't deserve. I still recoil from those who suggest such things and do not traffic with men and women who shade the truth for personal gain.

4. I am thankful that my eternal companion also believes in giving honest measure for what she gets. In fact, she gives more, and I appreciate that. It seems to me that a "something for nothing" attitude is inconsistent with eternal marriage.

5. I have never consciously misrepresented my income to the government, and have always paid taxes on that which I have earned. I have little sympathy with some vocal groups who look for ways to avoid this obligation. It seems to me that they want all of the benefits of democracy without paying for them.

6. Likewise, I have never misrepresented my income to my bishop. I have always tried to pay just a little bit more tithing than I owed. I avoid thinking in terms of net or gross income and believe that gifts or profits from sale of my property are included in my increase. I recognize that all that I have comes from the Lord. I would willingly give up a new sports car or boat or a vacation, just for the privilege of paying tithing. I have done this all of my life and I have no regrets.

7. I believe in the "second mile." I have come to know that the first mile doesn't count for much and the one freely given counts for everything.

8. I have learned to distrust praise and to seek honest humility, which I define to be a true and correct estimate of what I really am in the sight of God. No more and no less.

9. I never sign up for sweepstakes, prizes, giveaways, free offers or chances of a lifetime. As I wait in airports around the world, there are sometimes slot machines there to help passengers pass the time. I never put any money in them, even spare change. I am actually afraid I will win something.

10. I ask myself often, "What would Christ do?" and then try to do it. As the answer to that question comes, it almost always involves giving, not getting.

There is No Exaltation without Effort

As children we all learned the stories of the "Goose That Laid the Golden Egg," of "Jack and the Magic Beans," of "The Three Wishes," and "King Midas," whose touch turned everything to gold. But it was Paul who said,

When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I become a man, I put away childish things. [1 Corinthians 13:11]

I suppose that most of us have dreamed of inheriting a million dollars, or making a killing in a business venture, or even just being free of the work-a-day world in order to do what we want. But it is unworthy of a Latter-day Saint to spend his time trying to achieve these or other things without effort. The real reason for our mortal probation is to confront challenges, not escape them. It is to learn to give, not to learn to get. In earth life, as in the university life, we cannot complain about not getting passing grades if we are unwilling to take the test. There are no shortcuts to the plan of salvation. There is no exaltation without effort. We have nothing more important to do than to fully, honestly, and completely obey the laws upon which blessings are predicated. Make no mistake about it, we will reap what we sow (see Galatians 6:7).

It has always interested me that the broad way seems pleasant enough at first, while the narrow strait way initially does not. It has nothing to commend it to the advertisers of the world. It is difficult to sell. It is a toll road. The tariff is work, discipline, service, and love for others. It is paying the price for everything we get, then giving it away. Once entered into, however, those who travel the straight road are never the same. What at first seemed unpleasant will turn out to be the sweetest and most desirable road of all. It is what we give ourselves to that brings meaning and purpose into our lives--not what we get or gain. Of this I testify in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

The Currant Bush HUGH B. Brown

You sometimes wonder whether the Lord really knows what he ought to do with you. You sometimes wonder if you know better than he does about what you ought to do and ought to become. I am wondering if I may tell you a story that I have told quite often in the Church. It is a story that is older than you are. It’s a piece out of my own life, and I’ve told it in many stakes and missions. It has to do with an incident in my life when God showed me that he knew best.


I was living up in Canada. I had purchased a farm. It was run-down. I went out one morning and saw a currant bush. It had grown up over six feet high. It was going all to wood. There were no blossoms and no currants. I was raised on a fruit farm in Salt Lake before we went to Canada, and I knew what ought to happen to that currant bush. So I got some pruning shears and went after it, and I cut it down, and pruned it, and clipped it back until there was nothing left but a little clump of stumps. It was just coming daylight, and I thought I saw on top of each of these little stumps what appeared to be a tear, and I thought the currant bush was crying. I was kind of simpleminded (and I haven’t entirely gotten over it), and I looked at it, and smiled, and said, “What are you crying about?” You know, I thought I heard that currant bush talk. And I thought I heard it say this: “How could you do this to me? I was making such wonderful growth. I was almost as big as the shade tree and the fruit tree that are inside the fence, and now you have cut me down. Every plant in the garden will look down on me, because I didn’t make what I should have made. How could you do this to me? I thought you were the gardener here.” That’s what I thought I heard the currant bush say, and I thought it so much that I answered. I said, “Look, little currant bush, I am the gardener here, and I know what I want you to be. I didn’t intend you to be a fruit tree or a shade tree. I want you to be a currant bush, and some day, little currant bush, when you are laden with fruit, you are going to say, ‘Thank you, Mr. Gardener, for loving me enough to cut me down, for caring enough about me to hurt me. Thank you, Mr. Gardener.’”

Time passed. Years passed, and I found myself in England. I was in command of a cavalry unit in the Canadian Army. I had made rather rapid progress as far as promotions are concerned, and I held the rank of field officer in the British Canadian Army. And I was proud of my position. And there was an opportunity for me to become a general. I had taken all the examinations. I had the seniority. There was just one man between me and that which for ten years I had hoped to get, the office of general in the British Army. I swelled up with pride. And this one man became a casualty, and I received a telegram from London. It said: “Be in my office tomorrow morning at 10:00,” signed by General Turner in charge of all Canadian forces. I called in my valet, my personal servant. I told him to polish my buttons, to brush my hat and my boots, and to make me look like a general because that is what I was going to be. He did the best he could with what he had to work on, and I went up to London. I walked smartly into the office of the General, and I saluted him smartly, and he gave me the same kind of a salute a senior officer usually gives—a sort of “Get out of the way, worm!” He said, “Sit down, Brown.” Then he said, “I’m sorry I cannot make the appointment. You are entitled to it. You have passed all the examinations. You have the seniority. You’ve been a good officer, but I can’t make the appointment. You are to return to Canada and become a training officer and a transport officer. Someone else will be made a general.” That for which I had been hoping and praying for ten years suddenly slipped out of my fingers.

Then he went into the other room to answer the telephone, and I took a soldier’s privilege of looking on his desk. I saw my personal history sheet. Right across the bottom of it in bold, block-type letters was written, “THIS MAN IS A MORMON.” We were not very well liked in those days. When I saw that, I knew why I had not been appointed. I already held the highest rank of any Mormon in the British Army. He came back and said, “That’s all, Brown.” I saluted him again, but not quite as smartly. I saluted out of duty and went out. I got on the train and started back to my town, 120 miles away, with a broken heart, with bitterness in my soul. And every click of the wheels on the rails seemed to say, “You are a failure. You will be called a coward when you get home. You raised all those Mormon boys to join the army, then you sneak off home.” I knew what I was going to get, and when I got to my tent, I was so bitter that I threw my cap and my saddle brown belt on the cot. I clinched my fists and I shook them at heaven. I said, “How could you do this to me, God? I have done everything I could do to measure up. There is nothing that I could have done—that I should have done—that I haven’t done. How could you do this to me?” I was as bitter as gall.

And then I heard a voice, and I recognized the tone of this voice. It was my own voice, and the voice said, “I am the gardener here. I know what I want you to do.” The bitterness went out of my soul, and I fell on my knees by the cot to ask forgiveness for my ungratefulness and my bitterness. While kneeling there I heard a song being sung in an adjoining tent. A number of Mormon boys met regularly every Tuesday night. I usually met with them. We would sit on the floor and have a Mutual Improvement Association. As I was kneeling there, praying for forgiveness, I heard their voices singing:

“It may not be on the mountain height

Or over the stormy sea;

It may not be at the battle’s front

My Lord will have need of me;

But if, by a still, small voice he calls

To paths that I do not know,

I’ll answer, dear Lord, with my hand in thine:

I’ll go where you want me to go.”

(Hymns, no. 75.)

I arose from my knees a humble man. And now, almost fifty years later, I look up to him and say, “Thank you, Mr. Gardener, for cutting me down, for loving me enough to hurt me.” I see now that it was wise that I should not become a general at that time, because if I had I would have been senior officer of all western Canada, with a lifelong, handsome salary, a place to live, and a pension when I’m no good any longer, but I would have raised my six daughters and two sons in army barracks. They would no doubt have married out of the Church, and I think I would not have amounted to anything. I haven’t amounted to very much as it is, but I have done better than I would have done if the Lord had let me go the way I wanted to go.

I wanted to tell you that oft-repeated story because there are many of you who are going to have some very difficult experiences: disappointment, heartbreak, bereavement, defeat. You are going to be tested and tried to prove what you are made of. I just want you to know that if you don’t get what you think you ought to get, remember, “God is the gardener here. He knows what he wants you to be.” Submit yourselves to his will. Be worthy of his blessings, and you will get his blessings.

Why should I serve a Mission?

Elder W. Grant Bangerter


President Kimball announced all young men should serve a mission.

On certain occasions have approached young men of missionary age and informed them that they have been called to serve a mission. Sometimes they explain that they have no desire to go on a misson .

I then tell them that is immaterial to me whether you serve a mission or not.

Of course it is not at all immaterial.

But I say I am only informing you of the calling the Lord has given you.

They often continue to offer every conceivable excuse to me of why they should not go

I simply tell them

DON’T TELL ME;

TELL THE LORD

HE IS THE ONE WHO EXTENDED THE CALL

YOU GO AND PRAY AND ASK HIM WHAT HE WANTS YOU TO DO

Almost always they return from that experience saying well. I suppose I had better go on a mission. For some of them it is then time for me to say:
Now we both understand that you are not quite prepared so let us begin to take the steps by which you will be qualified to go.

Could you imagine moving away from your parents to a far distant land

Could you imagine moving away from your parents to a far distant land One day you receive a package full or letters, But you decide the package is way too beautiful to open so you place it on your night stand never to discover the content inside. Our experience in life is much this way. We have come to thi...s Earth and left our Heavenly home. We have a package of letters words and admonitions from our Father at back at home. This collection of letters are in the words of the scriptures. There is never a problem that you face here on earth in life that the solution does not exist or the answer cannot be found in the scriptures. The Scriptures are like letters from home telling us how we can draw near to our Father In Heaven. He tells us to come as we are no one is denied he loves us all. But it is we who have to read his words in order to discover his will and realize what he has in store if we will only obey

Cant Buy Peace

There is no amount of money that can buy the sweet peace that forgiveness brings

Bitterness and Hate

For some reason bitterness and Hate are on my mind this morning. These two words have bondage intertwined in them. Hate and bitterness are all consuming emotions. They are like an unbreakable spider web if you continue to move forward harboring these emotions. As you continue to move forward in this web ...you become more and more entangled in the consequences of your actions. On the other hand. Forgiveness requires you to take a step back and evaluate what you have ran into. In order to move forward with forgiveness you must first knock down the web of bitterness and hate. If you feel yourself trapped in these emotions I am writing this post for you. Please step back and say a little prayer and read the following true story and watch the posted True video clip on this post. These things I share today will set you free and give you the ability to start a new. Once I complained about my feet hurting till I saw a man without any feet. Once I complained about having to wear glasses until my father went blind. Somtimes gaining a new perspective is all we need. The Story will be on the next comment.In the beautiful hills of Pennsylvania, a devout group of Christian people live a simple life without automobiles, electricity, or modern machinery. They work hard and live quiet, peaceful lives separate from the world. Most of their food c...omes from their own farms. The women sew and knit and weave their clothing, which is modest and plain. They are known as the Amish people.




A 32-year-old milk truck driver lived with his family in their Nickel Mines community. He was not Amish, but his pickup route took him to many Amish dairy farms, where he became known as the quiet milkman. Last October he suddenly lost all reason and control. In his tormented mind he blamed God for the death of his first child and some unsubstantiated memories. He stormed into the Amish school without any provocation, released the boys and adults, and tied up the 10 girls. He shot the girls, killing five and wounding five. Then he took his own life.



This shocking violence caused great anguish among the Amish but no anger. There was hurt but no hate. Their forgiveness was immediate. Collectively they began to reach out to the milkman’s suffering family. As the milkman’s family gathered in his home the day after the shootings, an Amish neighbor came over, wrapped his arms around the father of the dead gunman, and said, “We will forgive you.”1 Amish leaders visited the milkman’s wife and children to extend their sympathy, their forgiveness, their help, and their love. About half of the mourners at the milkman’s funeral were Amish. In turn, the Amish invited the milkman’s family to attend the funeral services of the girls who had been killed. A remarkable peace settled on the Amish as their faith sustained them during this crisis.



One local resident very eloquently summed up the aftermath of this tragedy when he said, “We were all speaking the same language, and not just English, but a language of caring, a language of community, [and] a language of service. And, yes, a language of forgiveness.”2 It was an amazing outpouring of their complete faith in the Lord’s teachings in the Sermon on the Mount: “Do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you.”3



The family of the milkman who killed the five girls released the following statement to the public:



“To our Amish friends, neighbors, and local community:



“Our family wants each of you to know that we are overwhelmed by the forgiveness, grace, and mercy that you’ve extended to us. Your love for our family has helped to provide the healing we so desperately need. The prayers, flowers, cards, and gifts you’ve given have touched our hearts in a way no words can describe. Your compassion has reached beyond our family, beyond our community, and is changing our world, and for this we sincerely thank you.



“Please know that our hearts have been broken by all that has happened. We are filled with sorrow for all of our Amish neighbors whom we have loved and continue to love. We know that there are many hard days ahead for all the families who lost loved ones, and so we will continue to put our hope and trust in the God of all comfort, as we all seek to rebuild our lives.”4



How could the whole Amish group manifest such an expression of forgiveness? It was because of their faith in God and trust in His word, which is part of their inner beings. They see themselves as disciples of Christ and want to follow His example.



Hearing of this tragedy, many people sent money to the Amish to pay for the health care of the five surviving girls and for the burial expenses of the five who were killed. As a further demonstration of their discipleship, the Amish decided to share some of the money with the widow of the milkman and her three children because they too were victims of this terrible tragedy.



Excerpts from The Healing Power of Forgiveness by James E. Faust

One day a man said

One day a man said You know the commandments were written a long time ago. We are so modern now, Shouldn't they be revised or rewritten. Someone thoughtfully replied. NO They should be REREAD. The commandments of God are like a Beacon set high on the "Mountain of the Lord"l. To all that will set their course toward that steadfast beacon shall never find himself lost at sea.

I read the headlines today Aug 14,2010

Matthew ch 24 and 25 are on my mind.


There is a little song about the wise man and the foolish man.

The wise man built his house upon the rock

And the rain came tumbling down

And the floods came up

...And the wise man's house stood still.



The foolish man built his house upon the sand

And the rains came tumbling down

And the floods came up

And the foolish man's house washed away



So, build your house on the rock of Jesus Christ

And when the rains come down and the floods come up

Your blessings will come down

As your prayers go up

And your house on the Rock will stand Still.



Life was meant to be a challenge

For if we never experience the bitter how could we appreciate the sweet.

The Lord is Never Late

Today I am trying to keep in mind and remember. Gods blessings may not come when you want them to.


BUT HE IS NEVER LATE.

A wise father was once speaking to his son

A wise father was once speaking to his son He placed his hand on his sons shoulder. He said Son if you ever find yourself in a place you shouldn’t be, GET OUT!! A parents deepest hope is they have taught their children skills to avoid or remove themselves from danger. There is physi...cal danger and spiritual danger. As adults We have not out grown this wisdom. The evil one is ever so patient. He does not care if he gets you at 10 or 110 just as long as he gets you. If recognize something is not good or just does not feel right GET OUT!!!


Genesis 39:11-12

MAKE SURE YOU CAN EAT ICECREAM WHEN YOU ARE DOWN ON YOUR LUCK.

How you say?????


Set aside a good sturdy large glass pickle jar after you have ran it and the lid through the dish washer of course

we have a cool VLASIC FARMS 60 OZ JAR

Make sure you have the following items

1can of evaporated milk

...1can of sweet condensed milk

Powdered milk

teaspoon of Vanilla flavoring

2 egg yolks



Get out your wisk



You want to take all the items and combine them in a bowl

add like 1/4 gallon of milk to the mix and wisk

with a spoon taste the mix and if it taste too strong add a little more milk

wisk in the new milk

taste and pour it into the pickle jar

Place it in the freezer for a few hours

come back and it will be frozen to the walls of the jar if it is not solid

take a spoon and stir it all together pulling the frozen from the side

You will have an ice cream shake

if it is rock solid

let it sit out for a while and get a spoon and carve around in it and put it into a bowl and stir to make soft and it is as good as soft serve.



So now you can eat icecream when you are dead broke if you store a few items on your pantry shelf

They Cant Eat Us

I have often said to Carly in time of struggle and regarding the ever mounting stack of bills.‎"Well they can take everything we have got; BUT THEY CANT EAT US"


In times of hurt and discouragement, it may be consoling to remember there is nothing anyone can do to us that will be permanently lasting for Eternity. Only we ourselves can... affect that outcome. The outcome of your Life’s problems hinge on how you react to them. There is Nothing important that can not be conquered with Prayer ,Faith and divinely led Action

The Lords tender mercies are real and they do not occur randomly or merely by coincidence

The Lords tender mercies are real and they do not occur randomly or merely by coincidence
Often the timing of his tender mercies helps us both discern and acknowledge them. They are very personal and individualized blessings, strength and protection, assurances, guidance, loving kindness, consolidation, support and spiritual gif...ts which we receive from and through Christ. Truly the lord suits his tender mercies according to the conditions of our heart at the time we receive it. So what is a tender mercy? First one that comes to mind is the gift of Faith . Second is appropriate confidence beyond your own capacity as you face challenges through knowing you are not alone. Third is the peace of conscience after repentance. Fourth is the ability to have persistence and Fortitude that hold you up and enable you to face the physical limitations of body and spiritual difficulties of life. Fifth is possessing the ability to face each new trial with cheerfulness. What I mean by this is You know you have reached a new plateau when you can laugh at your trial that you are facing and then begin to cry because you realize this is what the Lord intended. When we can laugh at our trials and cry because we see his hand in this you will find true inner peace.

Integrity means always doing what is right and good, regardless of the immediate consequences.

Integrity means always doing what is right and good, regardless of the immediate consequences.
It means being righteous form the very depth of our soul, not only in our actions but more importantly, in thoughts and in our heartfelt desires. For every action is preceded by a thought first. If you are to control your actions you must l...earn to control your thoughts. The best sermon that is ever seen is that of a man or woman living their life with honest and pure integrity. For what good is knowledge if we do not apply it in our life. There is no substitute. To truly know it is to truly Live it.

The teachings of Jesus Christ are not only for the learned man.

The teachings of Jesus Christ are not only for the learned man. If this were so how few of us would have any use for it. The search and discovery of truth should be the goal of every Christian. However it is not necessary to nail down every philisophical intellectual avenue. If this is your goal you are missing a treasure of beautiful experiences and truths t...hat can not be accessed by the mind alone. In order to discover the true treasure you must be willing to take the knowledge you have found and seek the spirit of God. To do this you must pray to have a witness of its truth by the spirit of truth which is the Holy Ghost. You can spend an eternity full of time trying to figure out the infinate with a finite mind. instead follow Elijah's council found in 1 Kings 18:21 "how long Hault ye between two Opinions? If the Lord Be God Follow Him." Christ does not ask us to become perfect in our knowledge of him. He simply leads by example and a statement of come follow me and I wll give you rest.

One cannot be merciful to others without receiving a harvest of mercy in return

One cannot be merciful to others without receiving a harvest of mercy in return The nearer we get to God and try to follow the things we know are right the more disposed we are to look upon others with a clearer view of compassion instead of criticism. You know you have arrived at that point in life when In a moment, you truly feel a desire to take upon yourself another’s burden, if only for a moment with no thought of compensation.

I found 3 keys to hidden treasure

Key one, learn from the past.


Each of us has a heritage, this heritage provides a foundation built of sacrifice and faith learn the heritage of your family and country.

Key two, prepare for the future.

Without a goal, there can be no real su...ccess. One of the best definitions of success I have ever heard goes something like this: Success is the progressive realization of a worthy ideal. Someone has said the trouble with not having a goal is that you can spend your life running up and down the field and never crossing the goal line. Years ago there was a romantic and fanciful ballad that contained the words, "Wishing will make it so / Just keep on wishing / And care will go." I want to state here and now that wishing will not replace thorough preparation to meet the trials of life. Preparation is hard work but absolutely essential for our progress. Our journey into the future will not be a smooth highway which stretches from here to eternity. Rather, there will be forks and turnings in the road, to say nothing of the unanticipated bumps. We must pray daily to a loving Heavenly Father, who wants each of us to succeed in life. Again Prepare for the future.

Key three, live in the present.

Sometimes we let our thoughts of tomorrow take up too much of today. Daydreaming of the past and longing for the future may provide comfort but will not take the place of living in the present. This is the day of our opportunity, and we must grasp it. "You pile up enough tomorrows, and you'll find you've collected a lot of empty yesterdays." There is no tomorrow to remember if we don't do something today.

A man wrote just after the passing of his wife, I opened her dresser drawer and found there an item of clothing she had purchased when we visited the eastern part of the United States nine years earlier. She had not worn it but was saving it for a special occasion. Now, of course, that occasion would never come. In relating this experience to a friend, the husband said, "Don't save something only for a special occasion. Every day in your life is a special occasion."That friend later said those words changed her life. They helped her to cease putting off the things most important to her. Said she: "Now I spend more time with my family. I use crystal glasses every day. I'll wear new clothes to go to the supermarket if I feel like it. The words 'someday' and 'one day' are fading from my vocabulary. Now I take the time to call my relatives and closest friends. I've called old friends to make peace over past quarrels. I tell my family members how much I love them. I try not to delay or postpone anything that could bring laughter and joy into our lives. And each morning, I say to myself that this could be a special day. Each day, each hour, each minute, is special."

Arthur Gordon many years ago in a national magazine wrote:

"When I was around thirteen and my brother ten, Father had promised to take us to the circus. But at lunchtime there was a phone call; some urgent business required his attention downtown. We braced ourselves for disappointment. Then we heard him say [into the phone], 'No, I won't be down. It'll have to wait.' "When he came back to the table, Mother smiled. 'The circus keeps coming back, you know,' [she said]." 'I know,' said Father. 'But childhood doesn’t.'

"Never put off until tomorrow what you can do today" "The bitterest tears shed over graves are for words left unsaid and deeds left undone."

A poet set to verse the sorrow of opportunities forever lost. I quote a portion:

Around the corner I have a friend,

In this great city that has no end;

Yet days go by, and weeks rush on,

And before I know it, a year is gone,

And I never see my old friend’s face,

For Life is a swift and terrible race. . . .

But to-morrow comes—and to-morrow goes,

And the distance between us grows and grows.



Around the corner!—yet miles away

"Here's a telegram, sir,"

"Jim died to-day."



And that's what we get, and deserve in the end:

Around the corner, a vanished friend

One day each of us will run out of tomorrows

Do not put off what is important Live in the present.

Excerpts Thomas S. Monson “in search of Treasure”

Do you know how to recognize a true friend?

Do you know how to recognize a true friend? A real friend loves us for who we are and protects us. In recognizing a true friend we must look for some important elements in that friendship. A true friend makes it easier for us to live the standards we want to keep by being around them.... A true friend love you for who you are now and what you can become, and desires to help you get there; through encouragement and love. Put simply a true friend does not make us choose between his way and the Lords way. Christ looks upon what we can become if we will only follow his example and do what is right. Look closely at your friends. Cultivate good friends. They’re so valuable. Good friends Love you. And Love is a "VERB" It requires doing, not just saying and thinking. The test is in what one does, how one acts, for love is conveyed in word and solidified in deed.

It is not so much the Major events in life

Everyday moments are the molecules that make up eternity! "It is not so much the major events in life, as the small day-to-day decisions that map the course of our living. Our lives are, in reality, the sum total of our seemingly unimportant decisions and of our capacity to live by those decision...s" "We learn to cope with the people of this world because we learn to cope with the members of our family. Those who flee the family, flee the world; bereft of the [family's] affection, tutelage, and challenges, they are unprepared for the [world's] tests, judgments, and demands" (The Moral Sense [1993], 163). How ironic is it when that some go "into a far country" (Luke 15:13), leaving the nourishing family garden--in which there may be some weeds--and go into a desert with its tumbling sagebrush.

The Tussle of Life

Moms and Dads In the tussle of life seem to live in the moment.Your school project is due when!!!! ??? !!!, Son where have you been? you know it’s time to go. Sally where are your shoes. John go clean your face. Now where are my keys?! I know I put them some place. Does the car have enough gas? Well ho...w far can we go. John will you put up that truck I just stumped my toe. Sally, brush your hair. John go clean your teeth. You kids are driving me crazy!!! Why can’t you just be neat. Now where are we heading, We’ve got to go, You know were going to be late. Dear is it pay day yet there is so much we have to buy. Hurry let’s get in the car, for sure I’ve got to speed. Hi officer. He’s late for his game. Im sorry I will slow down. Boy Im glad the John is a teen so he can carry his self to the game, now there is so much he can do. It sure does lighten my load. He does not know how much he helps when he drives Sally too. What time is their game? Honey come, the kids left an hour ago. I cant believe John is graduating today. It has been a blast but the time has flown fast. I hope he gets that scholarship. Because that tuition is sure to take chunk and our savings just wont last. Sally has a new boyfriend now, he just seems so nice. I just hope she listens to me when I give her my advice. Wow I cant believe the kids are grown they have moved so far away. I wish they would call now and then. Sometimes I wish they would come and stay. The house is so quiet now. And our car is always full. Our insurance is so low now. All those tickets have fallen off. Boy the house is so quiet. It always seems to stays clean. I have not tripped over a toy in a while. Every things in its place. Wow, I just passed the mirror and the reflection caught me off guard; I almost did not recognize that face. That reflection in the mirror it sure caught me by surprise. I see now that time doesn’t stop for anyone, I cant believe how time did fly. Honey John and Sally just called today. They say their planning a trip. I cant wait till the grand kids get here, I hope their drive is safe. You know It has been 3 years now since I have seen their face. You see when you get older and your hair turns white and gray. You never think about that fancy car you always wanted for it is out of style now anyway. The fancy cloths you once adored you saw at goodwill today. Boy have times changed the style in a most peculiar way. I drove by that huge house I always longed to have. Somehow it seemed different; the house had lost its glow. I realized now it was just nails and boards without a guarantee. For I have learned love grows best in little houses where there is little space. You see our love survived and grew in our little place. Today those pricey things do not matter now, there is just one worry that I have each day. I wonder How have my kids have turned out and do they remember to pray. Do they remember the lessons I taught in this little place. Now that they have moved on and bought their own place. You see I don’t think about the trips we did not take. I am not worried about the pearls my husband could not afford. I do not think about the trip to Italy. Because they are far better than the dream. That crystal blue Italian lake has now lost its appeal. My grand kids are now my only dream. They have become my piece of foreign sky. For In my eyes I still see the picture of that little child God entrusted to me. I see now more clearly since I am out of the race, Family is all that matters now that I am old and gray. I just hope I taught them well while I was trying to keep pace. For I worry about some of the decisions I made while I was in the race. I’m glad you came to visit this week I always love to see your face. You look a little stressed my son, how are things at your new place. Now Sally when is your little one due you will forget about the pain. In the end even though you can not now see . In the end that little one you now hold next to you, Soon will become your new best friend as you finish your race. So just remember to stop and give thanks for each and every day. Take time to enjoy and cherish that little growing face. For before you know it they will be grown and you’ll be waiting for that visit too, from your new best friend who has became a part of you “My parents had 8 children. My dad told me recently he never knew he was raising his best friends.”
By D Newburn

In life we are constantly tried and tested

In this life we are contstantly tried and tested to see if we will keep all the commandments of God. But all the trials of this life, are here to make us stronger not to pull us under and defeat us.This reminds me of a story . One night a man had a dream--


he said , I dreamed I was walking along the beach with the Lord

and across the sky flashed scenes from my life.

For each scene I noticed two sets of footprints,

one belonged to me ...and the other to the Lord.

When the last scene of my life flashed before me,

I looked back at the footprints in the sand.

I noticed that many times along the path of my life,

there was only one set of footprints.

I also noticed that it happened at the very lowest

and saddest times in my life.

This really bothered me and I questioned the Lord about it.

"Lord, you said that once I decided to follow you,

you would walk with me all the way,

but I have noticed that during the most troublesome times in my life

there is only one set of footprints.

"I don't understand why in the times when I needed you most,

you would leave me."

The Lord replied, "My precious child,

I love you and I would never leave you

during your times of trial and suffering.

"When you saw only one set of footprints,

it was then that I carried you."

and in each experience as you walk through life remember this, "All these things shall give thee experience and shall be for thy good, Thine afflictions shall be but a small moment and then if thou endure it well God shall exalt thee on high"

I have only Just one Minute

When I was in grade school I learned a poem it was titled, ‎"I have only Just One Minute” “I have only just one minute, only 60 seconds in it, forced upon me, can’t refuse it, didn’t seek it Didn’t choose it , but it is up to me to use it. I must suffer if I lose it, give account if I abuse it, just a tiny little minute but eternity is in it.” This life is your time. What will you do with it? Are you where you want to be with your life? If not. What are you going to do about it?

Pray for abilities equal to your task

Do not pray for task equal to your abilities, But pray for abilites equal to your task. Then the performance of your task will be no miracle, But YOU will be the miracle (Gordon B. Hinckley) One day a lady wrote a letter to a dear church leader
Sometimes I wonder if I make a difference in my children’s lives. Especially as a single mother working two jobs to make ends meet, I sometimes come home to confusion, but I never give up hope.” Her letter continues as she describes how she... and her children were listening in church, where you were speaking about prayer. Her son made the comment, “Mother, you’ve already taught us that.” She asked, “What do you mean?” Her son replied, “Well, you’ve taught us to pray and showed us how, but the other night I came to your room to ask something and found you on your knees praying to Heavenly Father. If He’s important to you, he is important to me.” The letter concluded, “I guess you never know what kind of influence you’ll be until a child observes you doing yourself what you have tried to teach him to do.” (end of story) In life So often as we become educated and grow older we loose faith in God and subsequently forget to pray, because we have slowly begin to take upon us the stain of the world and have began to lean on our own wisdom. The following has been said about this matter. “O the vainness, and the frailties, and the foolishness of men! When they are learned they think they are wise, and they hearken not unto the counsel of God, for they set it aside, supposing they know of themselves, wherefore, their wisdom is foolishness and it profiteth them not. And they shall perish.

“But to be learned is good if they hearken unto the counsels of God

Strengthening families is our sacred duty as parents,

Strengthening families is our sacred duty as parents, children, extended family members, leaders, teachers, but it must start with us as individuals.The greatest help we have in strengthening our family is to know and follow Christ and rely on Him to help us. And continue to petition the Lord for guidance in daily prayer. Christ has suffered everything we could possibly imagine. He know...s how we feel. He understands. He will help. “Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” “Whosoever shall put their trust in God shall be supported in their trials, and their troubles, and their afflictions, and shall be lifted up at the last day.” “Be thou humble; and the Lord thy God shall lead thee by the hand, and give thee answer to thy prayers.” “Be faithful and diligent in keeping the commandments of God, and I will encircle thee in the arms of my love.” Gordon B. Hinckley said, “It is imperative that you not neglect your families. Nothing you have is more precious. . . . When all is said and done, it is this family relationship which we will take with us into the life beyond.” Remember the great love of our Savior. He said in Isaiah 41:10, “Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee.” Then in verse 13 He says again, “I will help thee.” And once more in verse 14 He says, “I will help thee.”Believe the Savior. He will help us. He loves us. He wants us to be happy. But we must open the door he can only knock. It is you who hold the key to your heart and the handle to the door.


Excerpt from Julie B. Beck “Stand Strong and Immovable”

Formula for Success in life

Formula For Success in Life, Be where you ought to be not where you want to be. Be what you ought to be not what you want to be. Say what you ought to say not what you thought to say.
And do what you ought to do and not what you want to do.


In life blessings come when we exercise our faith and do the things

We ought to do, instead of the things our carnal desires pull us to do.

Blessings come to us when we stand in Holy Pla...ces, Bridle (or Control)

our passions and desires. Only in this is true Happiness Found. When you

Learn to control this tremendous mechanism called your mind, in thought

Word and deed, you will discover freedom and happiness therein.

And happiness is the object and design of our existence by the one who

gave you life. And True and Lasting Happiness will be the end thereof if we would but pursue

the path that leads to it; and this path to which I speak is Virtue, Uprightness,

Faithfullness, Holiness, and keeping all of the commandments of God.