Category Archives: Faith & Religion

Faith, Walk The Talk

Live by Faith and Not by Fear

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Live by Faith and Not by Fear
Elder Quentin L. Cook
Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

“When we choose to follow Christ in faith rather than choosing another path out of fear, we are blessed with a consequence that is consistent with our choice (see D&C 6:34-36).”

Recently in my life I’ve been identifying fears that are keeping me from really diving into life and experiencing and enjoying all that it has to offer. It’s amazing how much fear is behind each one of my bad habits, my disobedience and my short comings. But it’s equally amazing just how much love there is that heaven offers to me on a daily basis. It is as if multitudes of angels sit waiting to help me, to bless me, to guide me and all I need do is ask to see it!

I’ve seen the doubt and hopelessness that comes from living in fear. I’ve also seen the confidence, hope, peace and love that comes from sharing love with others and in serving my fellow man.

There are so many things to fear in this life: “This person won’t like me if I tell them about the gospel.” “I won’t ever graduate.” “I won’t ever get married.” “I’ll never heal from this emotional pain.” “I’ll never be loved.”

But there are so many things to love! All the people in my life are such beautiful people. I only wish that there were enough time in the day to spend ample time with ALL those I’ve come to love. People, nature, music, learning…I am grateful for so many things!

Lastly, on my cruise I realized that sharing the gospel holds special treasures that can come from nearly no other source. As I thought today about the people that I met on the cruise and of ways to share my testimony with them I felt the sweet peace that only the Spirit of God can bring.

I know that God showers us with his love and that through the very personal atonement my Savior made for me I am able to have faith in the goodness of mankind. I am able to look ahead, put my fears behind and become all that I know I can be and more.

Faith, Questions

Am I an Enemy to God?

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In the same vane as the apostles of old who each asked the Savior, their master, “Lord, is it I?” to the statement that one of them would betray him, I wish to start asking more soul searching questions to assess my own dedication to the Lord and His work. This first question was posed to me by a friend and counselor, “Am I an enemy to God?”

This question comes from Mosiah 3:19

For the natural man is an enemy to God, and has been from the fall of Adam, and will be, forever and ever, unless he yields to the enticings of the Holy Spirit , and putteth off the natural man and becometh a saint through the atonement of Christ the Lord, and becometh as a child , submissive , meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon him, even as a child doth submit to his father.

Starting where I often like to start, the dictionary, I kept seeing the word “hostile” come up. When first thinking on this question I simply thought that an enemy to God is one that doesn’t keep his commandments, the natural man. And while I still believe this to be so, I gather that to be a natural man means holding hostilities towards God.

In President Benson’s landmark address “Beware of Pride ” he talked said that pride meant enmity or hatred towards our fellowman and God.

The central feature of pride is enmity-enmity toward God and enmity toward our fellowmen. Enmity means “hatred toward, hostility to, or a state of opposition.” It is the power by which Satan wishes to reign over us.

Here are some questions that I believe are appropriate to ask in the light of these several thoughts:

  1. When someone doesn’t understand me do I get upset an/or hurt?
  2. Do I plan so as to give my morning time with God a top priority or do I just wake up late and rush to work?
  3. Do I actively think, whom can I serve? Or do I just wait for someone to come to me with their problems?
  4. When I am in pain, do I find myself complaining or praising God for the chance to have a body?
  5. Do I fail to give others compliments where they deserve them?
  6. When tempted, do I think of Christ and the mansions he’s prepared for me? Or am I “quick to do evil”?

When all is said and done, I wish not to be an enemy to my Father who, knowing all, has prepared blessings and joy untold for me if I will but let his peace and light into my heart daily.

I love my Savior, for he understands all my shortcomings, pains, and emotional struggles. I know that he died for me, but more importantly, I know that he was resurrected and lives even now for me. I know that his word is not forceful and only those who choose to slow down and be still will hear his voice.

Today, I will be a friend to God by honoring him in my thoughts and progressing his work in my actions.

Faith, Goals

Someday Never Comes – Thoughts on Procrastination

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In Elder Donald L. Hallstrom’s recent conference talk entitled “Do it Now ” two concepts stood out to me as I thought about my life experiences and the importance of not procrastinating.

Many of us place ourselves in circumstances far more consequential than embarrassment because of our procrastination to become fully converted to the gospel of Jesus Christ . We know what is right, but we delay full spiritual involvement because of laziness, fear, rationalization, or lack of faith. We convince ourselves that “someday I’m going to do it.” However, for many “someday” never comes, and even for others who eventually do make a change, there is an irretrievable loss of progress and surely regression.

Now is the time to exercise our faith . Now is the time to commit to righteousness. Now is the time to do whatever is required to resolve our undesired circumstances. Now is the time to reconcile with God through the merciful process of change afforded us by the Redeemer of mankind.

(http://lds.org/conference/talk/display/0,5232,23-1-775-18,00.html )

I recall the Credence Clearwater Revival song entitled Someday Never Comes. I remember hearing it and not thinking much about it at the time. Later on in my life I’ve recalled the message of that song several times. The point, the things we put off will never be achieved.

The gospel is important to me and I’ve often put off full conversion. Morning communion with my Father in Heaven is one thing that has seen me through many a hard time. He’s always there when I hurt, even if he seems so far away. I know he’s there.

Faith, Relationships, Self Discovery

Insight on Parenting for a Single Uncle

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When I was down in St. George for Christmas I had the chance to tend my nephew and neice. I learned that I’m not as patient as I’d like to be. I came home the next night and this talk was on T.V. It was amazingly insightful. It helped me see the kids the way they were, and not through my eyes of impatience. Incredible. I’m very grateful for the insight.

The Art of Parenting Teens and Other Miracles
Speaker: John Lund
Event: Family Expo 2000
Date Given: April 3, 2000

http://byubroadcasting.org/familyexpo/2000/asx/lund.asx

Faith, Just for Laughs

Hinckley Knights Eyring

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 I got this email the other day … I couldn’t resist posting it here!

During the Saturday morning session, after President Hinckley went to sit down after the sustaining of the officers of the church, the whole audience started laughing. They didn’t show what happened on TV, so most of us didn’t know what was so funny. Here’s what happened:

After President Hinckley finished, Elder Eyring had moved into his new seat on the stand. When President Hinckley turned around, he stood there for a moment looking at Elder Eyring, then picked up his cane and ‘knighted’ him on his shoulder and head.

President Hinckley knighting President Eyring

I was humbled by the way Elder Eyring assumed the responsibility laden calling of 2nd Counselor in the Church’s First Presidency. He spoke to us once at the Orem Institute of Religion and I’ve been very touched by his love and personal touch ever since. I’m honored to support him in his new role serving the Lord.

Here’s the Press Conference that gathered his public feelings on taking the position that President James E. Faust previously occupied.