General Conference, Continued

Did you know (I feel like I am always starting sentences that way), that you can now WATCH the Priesthood Session of General Conference?  It's true.  Now, you wonderful ladies still cannot attend the session yourself, but the tech-savvy LDS Church has recorded and posted the talks online for you to watch!  Pretty neat, eh?

Anyways, just in case you didn't feel like waiting for the magazine to come out, you can watch them here!

Sweet, yeah?

So.

Excuse me for waxing a little bit personal here, but I want to share my motivation for this post:  Compared to my usual near-perfect life, I've been going through some tough times recently.  I'm not really complaining, (in fact I feel like this is all largely a result of my own choices) so it's one of those times in life where you just gotta work through some stuff, and hope for the best -

Watching these conference talks has been really helpful to me, giving me that extra little boost when things feel especially tough.  If you need a little pick-me-up, I recommend you follow that link I posted (up there ^).  The talks don't fix your problems for you, but they give you a good idea of what to do.

That's one thing (among many) that I love about the Gospel of Jesus Christ - you get to earn your blessings.  That way you don't take them for granted.

Here's something I loved from Steven E. Snow's talk, Hope:

"We should never let hope be displaced by despair. The Apostle Paul wrote that we 'should plow in hope' (1 Corinthians 9:10). The exercise of hope enriches our lives and helps us look forward to the future. Whether we are plowing fields to plant or plowing through life, it is imperative we, as Latter-day Saints, have hope."


Plowing through life.  What a wonderful way to think about it - and after the plowing, and a little rain, comes the sunshine and the growth.  Life is hard work, but that's nothing new - the trick is to realize that your circumstances don't need to determine your happiness.  If you're sick of April showers, look to the future and you'll see May flowers just around the bend.

credit: papertissue

April General Conference

Every 6 months, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints holds a General Conference, in which the worldwide leaders of the Church speak to listeners worldwide.  I packed up and left Provo for the weekend, to spend some time with my family in Salt Lake City as we enjoyed all five sessions.  I love that the General Authorities of the LDS Church can speak in enough detail to appeal to those who are intimately familiar with the Gospel of Jesus Christ, but still speak in simple enough terms that a child, or somebody else who is new to the Gospel, can understand.  That is one of my favorite things about Conference.

I feel spiritually fed and richly blessed.  There is so much to learn, and so much more we can do!  As the talks become available online, I will post a link to them here.

That's what you get for falling asleep in conference.

Just kidding.  We didn't really fall asleep.

But take note of the awesome soft-focus from my g12.

Love it.

In addition to the usual joys of Conference, I got to meet my new nephew, Benjamin Percy Jackson.  He's a cutie, isn't he?  We call him "B-Perce," or while he's small, "Benjamin Button."

My oldest sister celebrated her birthday with us, and much wrapping paper was strewn about with reckless abandon.  My brother and I stapled 16 pieces of cardstock together and made the hugest birthday card ever.

First, a purchase. Second, Davies and a clumsy comment.

1) I BOUGHT A CAMERA!  I'm pretty excited.  It's a really large purchase for me (and being raised by my father I tend to feel guilty spending any more than $20 at a time), but it's also a lifetime investment.  Check out how cool it is here.  I recommend clicking on the "View in 3D portion."  Very, very awesome.  Happy birthday to me - it arrives on March 17th, 3 days before the big day.  Can't wait.

2)  For the first time, I have commented in the "comments section" on an online newspaper or forum.  I feel like becoming a little more vocal these days.  Naturally, it being the first time, I botched it.  I tried to keep my comment even-tempered and well-thought out, and meant to delete some of my more pointed and antagonistic questions... instead they hid from me below the viewing window and got posted with the rest of my (hopefully classier) comment.  I meant it to end with "Go Cougs!" but instead it ended with:

"Take it from a local:

Why has this comments section been choked with anti-LDS diatribe? Why, whenever my school makes coast-to-coast news (ironically, for strictly enforcing a moral code), is BYU and the LDS Church denounced for immorality and racism?"

Whoops.  Didn't mean to release that little rant to the whole world (wide web).Though I wish we had solutions to the problems that these questions allude to, I feel like I already know the answer to the questions I asked.  No use inflaming the already haughty and prideful egos of the anti-religious, whether they be anti-LDS, anti-Christian, or otherwise.  What's up with all the "anti" anyways?  Can't we just focus on building great things instead of tearing everybody else down?

Anyways, for a link to the article I commented on, go here.

Giving Thanks

"Blessed is he that gives without remembering, and receives without forgetting."

Rabbi Eleazar, 1250 AD


Thanksgiving season leaves me brimming with gratitude.  I am so happy, because my heart is so full of gratefulness that there's no space for sadness.  I feel great all the time.  This year my thanklist is as follows:


Family.  Boardgames.  Silly dances.  Nana Bett.  Little lights.  Little kids.  A warm home.  A free country.  Acceptance.  God.  Cold feet by the fire.  Pie.  Good friends.  and especially, a NEW BABY!


My sister is having a BOUNCING BABY BOY!!


(to be updated when she breaks the news on her own blog.)


I cherish these days when it is so easy to smile, and a laugh is around every corner.

Don't Give Up!

Sometimes even after days, months, or years of patient perseverance, I wonder if I've been wasting my time working so hard.  Thank goodness for Jeffrey R. Holland and timely yet timeless wisdom.  Thank goodness for God and His Gospel and how He lends his strength to all his children.

Kids Crew

I don't know if I have told you yet, but I am a volunteer on the Kid's Crew at Primary Children's Hospital. Like missionary work, it is hard to tell whether or not you are making a positive difference in people's lives; you just have the Spirit that makes you feel good and lets you know that God is happy with what you're doing. This little snippet is written about one of my fellow volunteers at the hospital:

"You woke up from your nap, and were in a great mood, so we went on a wagon ride around the hospital. There was a volunteer who was playing some music in the lobby. So we sat and listened to it. All of a sudden I felt so appreciative of that person. I thought about how he was taking time out of his busy day just to play music for us. That no one was really sitting and listening but us, but he still played. He didn’t get paid to do it, he just did it because he wanted to show his love and concern for complete strangers. Just when I think people can’t get any worse, there is someone there to show me that there is good in this world, and though they may not be as loud and in your face as the bad, there is just as much good. I felt a lot of peace, and just knew that something would work out. Money and all that come and go, and that no matter what happens in this world, we always have each other. I hope that I am being like that guy who is in the lobby playing music, and that the world is a little better because I am in it."

It's nice to know that we are, in a small way, making a difference. At least for this one person, we are keeping hope alive, and together we can look forward to a better tomorrow.

The Face of Courage

Anne Frank. June 12, 1929 - February 1945
She died just 3 months before the end of the war.

"We have been pointedly reminded that we are in hiding, that we are Jews in chains, chained to one spot, without any rights, but with a thousand duties. We Jews mustn't show our feelings, must be brave and strong, must accept all inconveniences and not grumble, must do what is within our power and trust in God. Sometime this terrible war will be over. Surely the time will come when we are people again, and not just Jews.

Who has inflicted this upon us? Who has made us Jews different from all other people? Who has allowed us to suffer so terribly up till now? It is God that has made us as we are, but it will be God, too, who will raise us up again. If we bear all this suffering and if there are still Jews left, when it is over, then Jews, instead of being doomed, will be held up as an example. Who knows, it might even be our religion from which the world and all peoples learn good, and for that reason and that reason only do we have to suffer now. We can never become just Netherlanders, or just English, or representatives of any country for that matter, we will always remain Jews, but we want to, too.

Be brave! Let us remain aware of our task and not grumble, a solution will come, God has never deserted our people. Right through the ages there have been Jews, through all the ages they have had to suffer, but it has made them strong too; the weak fall, but the strong will remain and never go under!"

- Anne Frank, The Diary of a Young Girl

I finished this book yesterday; it is truly remarkable.

mosiah 3 : 19

Change I Love, and Change I Don't.

Change.

Fall to Winter.
Winter to Spring.
Spring to Summer, and back again.

I love it.

Moving to a new place.
Starting a new set of classes.
Meeting a new friend.

I love it.



And yesterday, I would have told you that I love change. But just now, I realized that when it comes to changing me, I don't love change.

And whenever I don't like something about myself or my situation, I'll sit and talk with my roommates about it, then I'll talk to my buddies in Salt Lake, then later I'll vent to an old friend, or ask my sisters for advice... and then do nothing about it. Why do I sit and watch TV when I know I'm falling behind in my schoolwork? I don't know. Why do I stay up late every night when I know I have class in the morning? I don't know. Why do I let my friends - even my best friends - really bother me without ever saying anything to them about it? I don't know.


But I tell you what. I like this scripture:

And because that they are redeemed from the fall they have become free forever, knowing good from evil; to act for themselves and not be acted upon.
Wherefore men are free according to the flesh; and all things are given them which are expedient unto man. And they are free to choose liberty and eternal life, through the great Mediator of all men, or to choose captivity and death, according to the captivity and power of the devil; for he seeketh that all men might be miserable like unto himself.

I am going to be an agent for change. I'm a fighter, dang it! Not only am I going to rock my New Year's resolutions, I'm going to manage my time way better, so I can do what I really want to, instead of what just seems nice at the moment.
We are free to act for ourselves and not be acted upon, right? To me, that means that it's time to stop blaming other people for things I don't like, and take matters into my own hands.


So, to whoever's reading this way-more-open-than-I-should-be blog post: you can achieve your New Year's Resolutions. But not if you start tomorrow. Not even if you start today. Start right now! Well, comment on my blog first, but then then get out and run that mile, throw out that bad music, and call up your friend you haven't talked to in a while! Not because you have to, but because you're free to do it.

{And to a certain friend: if you're reading this while you're on the toilet, I owe you a Frosty.}

And here's where I got the pictures.

Day 9 - Attitude of Gratitude

I cannot believe this. I am glad that that some people are speaking out and talking intelligently about what is and is not appropriate when it comes to what we do in public. This is a link to an article in the NY Times about people who are viewing pornography on their iPod or Blackberry while commuting. As indecent as this practice is even privately, I am absolutely appalled that anyone would think to view porn in public, forcing it on bystanders like foul language and second hand smoke.

I am grateful today for the responses to this article (scroll down to the bottom of the article... they are all worth a read). They have reminded me that human decency survives, that the conscience of the common man is not dead.


For those of you lazy enough not to click on the link, but not lazy enough to forego reading the rest of this post, this is my favorite part of the article:

Perhaps this is the real problem: the increasingly blurred boundary between public and private. If we are so accustomed to burying our noses in tiny screens, carrying our entertainment in and out of the house, perhaps people are simply getting confused as to where they are.

Could simple public service announcements clear this up?

ATTENTION: As similar as this basketball arena may appear to your apartment, they are not, in fact, the same place. For further evidence, please ask yourself the following question: Does my apartment typically contain 20,000 complete strangers? If the answer is “No,” then you are in a public arena. You should not be watching porn.

* * * * *

This article from the Washington Post is worth a read as well. I've decided: for my English 312 class, I am writing my 10 page researched argument about the feasibility of passing a law - like unto indecent exposure - against viewing pornography in public. Of course, we should do away with it all together, but I can't argue that kind of censorship. Baby steps.

Day 7 - Attitude of Gratitude

I have resolved not to study on Sundays. It is a hard thing to do, especially in a competitive pre-professional program. But I'm doing it, even when the Lord tries my faith. For yesterday's AoG, I'm grateful for the Lord's tender mercies. I went to bed on Sunday night knowing that I had a molecular biology assay due on Monday. Naturally, I've had all week to complete it, but hadn't touched it. Well, I wouldn't expect this from the Lord every time, but a crazy miracle happened on Monday and my teacher was too sick to come to class and collect the completes assays. And today, (tuesday) I received an email that he will never be collecting them. Yessss....

Day 6 - Attitude of Gratitude

In my current ward, my calling is to be the ward choir director. I love it. I love it so much. Today I am grateful for ward callings.

Seriously, I had so much fun today as we began to work on the Christmas Program. It's nice to take some time to really enjoy some spiritual, beautiful, wonderful music centered on the joys of the birth of our Savior. I've been in choirs before (see below), so I know a thing or two about music, but I've never directed before. At first it was kind of scary, but seriously, my choir is so awesome. We just work through each song one at a time and by the time we're done they're singing phenomenal pieces like virtuosos. And we have so much fun while we do it.

I can't remember what this was for, but I sang with my buddy Dave in the Salt Lake Tabernacle last year. Way fun.

Going Public - an Attitude of Gratitude

This last Sunday, I spoke in church about developing an attitude of gratitude, trying to see God's hand in your life. One thing that I have been doing has been to write about something I am grateful for in my journal every day. It's good to acknowledge God's hand in all things. For the rest of the month of November, I'm posting every day about something God has done for me. (The exception being on Nov 20-29, during which time I will be in Mexico with Volunteers Involved in Development Abroad aka VIDA)


Today, I stopped for a little bit on my way to school just to appreciate the beauty of mother nature. The sun had just risen over the mountains and cast dappled shadows across a freshly-cut, and yet leaf-blanketed lawn. It smelled so fresh, and looked so wonderful! Today, God gave me a beautiful morning and a perfect day.

The Scootch.

Trying not to obstruct our view of Conference, and attempting to be inconspicuous on his way to the hot chocolate, Andrew regularly scootched across the floor like this today. I love being an uncle.

Andy is the greatest. :)

For Clay.

Things are about to get a little crazy in my life, so I thought that even though I don't feel prepared to write this post, now is the time. This is - uncharacteristic of me - a somber post.

People tell me that I have a good way with words, but I always feel that when it really matters, I never express myself in the way I mean it. If this is a little choppy, forgive me.

There are a lot of people in the world. A lot. They've got as many different problems as you can imagine. For me, last year was one of the hardest years I've ever experienced, and I wondered often how I'd ever make it through. At times I was unbearably lonely, and wondered occasionally if I had depression. My classes were overwhelming, I missed my friends back home, and I was having a hard time adjusting to college life. I can tell you - a year later - that eventually the clouds do part and the sun shines again. If you wait long enough, and if you show a little faith, Heavenly Father will always come through for you. All you have to do is keep on enduring.

If you feel like you're alone, take a minute to sit down with your friends and open up your heart to them - they are your friends because they love you, because they will always have time for you, and because it hurts them to see you unhappy. Feelings of depression, anxiety, doubt, fear, and hopelessness are never warranted and never divine. Please recognize that these feelings are not coming from God. I hope that you will never decide on suicide as a way to solve your problems. It is a tragic and desperate move; Make no mistake, if anybody of us saw this coming, we'd drop anything to come to your rescue.

Clay, you were close to my friends, but never as close to me. When we went to the same parties and get-togethers, I was always jealous of your smile, of the way you carried yourself. You had a reputation for being exceptionally kind and thoughtful, for making small but intimate sacrifices for those you loved. You were remarkable, and we miss you already - you've changed our lives. I hope that things are working out for you on the other side. We're holding together as best we can down here.

Miss You. Love You. God Bless You.

2 Nephi 31:20

"Wherefore ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope and a love of God and of all men. Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end. Behold, thus saith the Father, ye shall have eternal life."

Today a wonderful thing happened. It actually caused me to exclaim, and yell "YES!! YESS!! I CAN'T BELIEVE IT! I'M SO HAPPY RIGHT NOW!" at the top of my lungs.

What happened? I got into PdBio 220 Section 002: Human Anatomy. Let me explain the import of this to you: There are 4 professors that teach the subject, but only 1 of them teaches the class because she wants to (rather than being required to by the university). Professor Tomco is so passionate about the subject that she is devoting her life to be a teacher of it. It's common knowledge that Tomco is the only good teacher in this class. I have an extreme interest in the subject as well, and refuse to settle for less than the best teacher.

I tried to add her class online every day - on average of 6 times per day - for over 2 months. Doing the math, I calculate that I checked about 400 times before I actually got into the class: On the evening of the last day before the Add/Drop Deadline.

I never gave up, and God knew how bad I wanted this, and He came through for me. Go team. Just one more testimony that when it really counts, God's got your back.

What I Learned.

Today, the warm afternoon sunshine flows softly through the window onto my parent's kitchen table, and once again my thoughts turn to the past. One year ago today, I did the hardest thing I thought I'd have to do: take of my name badge for good.


It's a funny thing, coming home from your mission - for two whole years all you do is serve and help and teach about Jesus, then all of a sudden you go back to normal life, which in stark contrast feels selfish. It gives me anxiety. I think I need to volunteer at a boys and girls club.

But I've learned a lot in a year. I've learned that things are never as bad as they seem. I've learned that self-development is a self-motivated process. I've learned that a lot of good things don't last, but the most important things in life really do last forever. Also, the most important things demand enough sacrifice that you have to give until it hurts. And I've also learned that God takes care of His kids, no matter what. All you've got to do is ask.

Of course, having a wonderful life isn't done by living life alone. It's the people and relationships of every kind that make it special. I was cleaning out my room today and I found a letter from a dear friend named Sam. I just want to quote a bit of it:

" 'Truly loving another means letting go of all expectations. It means full acceptance, even celebration of another's personhood.' (Karen Casey) I hope I may live like this quote."

So, to Sam and to everybody else, thanks for being a part of my life! You've made it worth living.

Three Years Ago.

Three years ago today, I knelt in front of a wooden bureau and unpacked two suitcases of my belongings at the Provo Missionary Training Center. I had just watched an orientation movie with my entire immediate family. Then, as "God Be With You 'Till We Meet Again" played on the piano, I said goodbye to my family. I said goodbye to life as I knew it for 2 full years. My parents, my siblings, my in-laws, they all cried, but I didn't, and I still don't know why.

Today I spent a couple hours looking through pictures of my full-time missionary service in Iowa. I read through some of the emails I sent home to my family, and for the first time since I have been home from my mission, I read over my original mission call. The power of the Holy Ghost wrapped me up like an old friend, and I cried.

I could not be prouder of my service to the Lord. I have never ever been happier than when defending the case of Jesus Christ, and representing my Savior in all my actions as a missionary. Know this: I would not take back those experiences for all the riches, glory, and fame in the world. Today, I stand a little taller, speak a little more surely, and walk with a little more purpose because I know that I am a child of light, and that my imperfections are swallowed up in the infinite perfection of my Savior.

From the Heart.

Hey mom. Thank you. I mean it - thanks for giving your everything to make our family work. Heaven knows we'd never have done it without you. Thanks for pushing us. Thanks for making us who we are. There isn't a more noble life's calling to have than that of a mother. I'm sure you know better than I do.

I could never put into words my appreciation for you, and for all mothers. Only you know all the sacrifices you have made for the love of your husband and children, but thank you for them.

the Golden Rule

I am so proud to be a Christian. Without Jesus Christ I have no idea what I would do. He's my rock and my salvation, and the reason for the hope that is in me. I have just completed my World Religions Course as of today, and along with insights into other religions, I have gained many into my own.

How cool is it that every single major religion teaches the Golden Rule? From the Torah to the Tao Te Ching, from the Qur'an to the Guru Granth, each exhorts humankind to show charity to one another.

Hinduism

This is the sum of duty; do not do to others what would cause pain if done to you.

Buddhism

Treat not others in ways that you yourself would find hurtful

Confucianism

One word which sums up the basis of all good conduct... loving kindness. Do not do to others what you do not want done unto yourself.

Taoism

Regard your neighbour's gain as your own gain, and your neighbour's loss as your own loss.

Sikhism

I am a stranger to no one; and no one is a stranger to me. Indeed, I am a friend to all.

Christianity

In everything, do to others as you would have them do to you; for this is the law and the prophets.

Unitarianism

We affirm and promote respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part.

Native Spirituality

We are as much alive as we keep the earth alive.

Zoroastrianism

Do not do unto others whatever is injurious to yourself.

Jainism

One should treat all creatures in the world as one would like to be treated.

Islam

Not one of you truly believes until you wish for others what you wish for yourself.

Baha'i Faith

Lay not on any soul a load that you would not wish to be laid upon you, and desire not for anyone the things you would not desire for yourself.

Hinduism

This is the sum of duty: do not do to others what would cause pain if done to you.

All these selections were taken from within the canon of their faith.

I don't know about you, but I'm overflowing with righteous pride in my Savior. Happy Easter.