Five Songs That Brought Me Closer to Christ in 2014

A couple months ago I posted a status update on Facebook requesting links to your favorite inspirational/spiritual/religious music. Y'all gave me some wonderful suggestions. I thought I'd reciprocate with a short post about five songs that brought me closer to Christ in 2014 - think of it as my little Christmas gift to you. Oh, and once you've had a listen, go support these fine artists by purchasing their music. I can't speak for full albums (with the exception of "Where My Heart Belongs" and "Christmas Portrait" - both fantastic albums), but you won't be disappointed in these songs:

(1) "Just Look Up" by Gladys Knight. From Where My Heart Belongs.

Best line: Just look up and know that he hears you / Just look up and know that he cares.

Gospel and R&B and pop legend Gladys Knight released her most heartfelt album in years with "Where My Heart Belongs", which hit shelves in September. With so many great songs (look up "Need You Love You", "Life", and "Midst of the Rain") it was difficult to choose just one for this list. What sets "Just Look Up" apart from the others is the prominent theme of hope relayed in Knight's earnest interpretation of the lyrics. When she sings "God's delay is not denial / In his time all things will be reconciled", you really believe her. And in a year when my heart has struggled to find patience and understanding in God's will for me, "Just Look Up" is just what I needed.

(2) "Something in the Water" by Carrie Underwood. From Greatest Hits: Decade #1.

Best line: Trust in someone bigger than me / Ever since the day that I believed I am changed / And now I'm stronger.

Some have criticized Underwood for overdoing it on this ballad about baptism. I don't understand the criticism, because I think her strong vocals are exactly what make these breathtaking lyrics so special. This is a song about change, hope, and (amazing) grace, and Underwood's voice is the perfect vehicle for the message. Also, anyone who can steal airtime from the relentless "bro country" boys deserves to be featured here. Bonus points for the gospel choir.

(3) "We All Need Saving" by Jon McLaughlin. From OK Now.

Best line: I don't know why it has to be this way / And I don't know the cure / But please believe someone else has felt this before.

McLaughlin's gentle voice lends strength to this beautiful song with unmistakable references to Christ's Atonement. Here he is encouraging a lover to "lean on someone else" because "we all need saving sometimes." Whether or not you're in a romantic relationship, you can view these lyrics through the lens of Jesus' love - a love he earned when he suffered for all of our pains, sorrows, and afflictions. McLaughlin reminded me that I've never been someplace Christ hasn't been before. That's comforting.

(4) "Christ Is Born" by Carpenters. From Christmas Portrait.

Best line: He is born / let us adore him / Christ the Lord / King of Kings.

Had "Christ Is Born" been written a couple hundred years earlier it would be considered a classic alongside the likes of "Joy to the World" and "Silent Night." The simple but memorable melody (penned in part by Ray Charles) is repeated over four verses, the first three sung tenderly and the last, from which the line above is retrieved, passionately. Karen Carpenter is backed by an orchestra and angelic choir, but the veteran singer didn't need those supports to get the beautiful message across. She treats this pastoral setting with deliberate care, affording the listener an unforgettable view of the Savior's storied birth.

(5) "Where Can I Turn for Peace?" by Mormon Tabernacle Choir. From This Is The Christ.

Best line: Constant he is and kind / Love without end.

Emma Lou Thayne, the writer of this beloved LDS hymn, passed away just a few weeks ago. You ought to read her obituary; you'll gain an appreciation for Thayne's life and work. My favorite interpretation of "Where" belongs to the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. Years ago I learned that the word "exquisite" means intensely felt or finely detailed. There's no better word for Mack Wilberg's convincing arrangement, which utilizes strings in all the right places to capture the intricate pain of Gethsemane. An allusion to another popular LDS hymn - "Lord, I Would Follow Thee" - reminds the listener to "take up his cross daily" and follow the Savior, who promises to make our burdens light and give us rest.  

Priesthood Groups

GROUP 1

“How can each of us become such a significant influence? We must be sure to sincerely love those we want to help in righteousness so they can begin to develop confidence in God’s love. For so many in the world, the first challenge in accepting the gospel is to develop faith in a Father in Heaven, who loves them perfectly. It is easier to develop that faith when they have friends or family members who love them in a similar way.

“Giving them confidence in your love can help them develop faith in God’s love. Then through your loving, thoughtful communication, their lives will be blessed by your sharing lessons you have learned, experiences you have had, and principles you have followed to find solutions to your own struggles. Show your sincere interest in their well-being; then share your testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

“Remember, loving them is the powerful foundation for influencing those you want to help. The influence of my Grandmother Whittle and my wife, Jeanene, would have been negligible had I not first known that they loved me and wanted me to have the best in life.

“As a companion to that love, trust them. In some cases it may seem difficult to trust, but find some way to trust them. The children of Father in Heaven can do amazing things when they feel trusted. Every child of God in mortality chose the Savior’s plan. Trust that given the opportunity, they will do so again” (Richard G. Scott, “‘I Have Given You an Example,’” Ensign, May 2014, 33-34 (paragraphs 10-11, 16-17)).

·        2 Nephi 1:15

·        John 13:34-35

·        Moses 6:31-36

·         “At the end of a particularly tiring day toward the end of my first week as a General Authority, my briefcase was overloaded and my mind was preoccupied with the question, ‘How can I possibly do this?’ I left the office of the Seventy and entered the elevator of the Church Administration Building. As the elevator descended, my head was down and I stared blankly at the floor. The door opened and someone entered, but I didn’t look up. As the door closed, I heard someone ask, ‘What are you looking at down there?’ I recognized that voice—it was President Thomas S. Monson. I quickly looked up and responded, ‘Oh, nothing.’ (I’m sure that clever response inspired confidence in my abilities!) But he had seen my subdued countenance and my heavy briefcase. He smiled and lovingly suggested, while pointing heavenward, ‘It is better to look up!’ As we traveled down one more level, he cheerfully explained that he was on his way to the temple. When he bid me farewell, his parting glance spoke again to my heart, ‘Now, remember, it is better to look up’ (Carl B. Cook, “It Is Better to Look Up,” Ensign, November 2011, 33 (paragraphs 1-4)).

GROUP 2

God’s purpose is “to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man.” That is fundamental to all we do. Sometimes we get so wrapped up in things that we find fascinating or become so consumed by mundane responsibilities that we lose sight of God’s objectives. As you consistently focus your life on the most basic principles, you will gain an understanding of what you are to do, and you will produce more fruit for the Lord and more happiness for yourself.

When you focus your life on the basic principles of the plan of salvation, you will better concentrate on sharing what you know because you understand the eternal importance of the ordinances of the gospel. You will share what you know in a way that encourages your friends to want to be strengthened spiritually. You will help your loved ones want to commit to obey all of His commandments and take upon themselves the name of Jesus Christ.

Share principles that help those you love to press forward along the path to eternal life. Remember, we all grow line upon line. You have followed that same pattern in your understanding of the gospel. Keep your sharing of the gospel simple.

There is no doctrine more fundamental to our work than the Atonement of Jesus Christ. At every appropriate opportunity, testify of the Savior and of the power of His Atoning sacrifice. Use scriptures that teach of Him and why He is the perfect pattern for everyone in life. You will need to study diligently. Do not become so absorbed with trivial things that you miss learning the doctrine and teachings of the Lord. With a solid, personal doctrinal foundation, you will be a powerful source for sharing vital truths with others who desperately need them. (Richard G. Scott, “‘I Have Given You an Example,’” Ensign, May 2014, 34-35 (paragraphs 13-14, 18, 21)).

·        D&C 18:10-16

·        Alma 26:11-16

·        Psalm 46:10

·        “It is true intelligence for a man to take a subject that is mysterious and great in itself, and to unfold and simplify it so that a child can understand it” (John Taylor in Preach My Gospel, 182).

GROUP 3

Remember that the conversion of individuals is only part of the work. Always seek to strengthen families. Teach with a vision of the importance of families being sealed in the temple. With some families it may take years. This was the case with my parents. Many years after I was baptized, my father was baptized, and later my family was sealed in the temple. My father served as a sealer in the temple, and my mother served there with him. When you have the vision of the sealing ordinances of the temple, you will help build the kingdom of God on earth.

Your personal testimony of the Atonement of Jesus Christ is a powerful tool. Accompanying resources are prayer, the Book of Mormon and the other scriptures, and your commitment to priesthood ordinances. All of these will facilitate the direction of the Spirit, which is so crucially important for you to rely upon.

To be effective and to do as Christ has done, concentrate on this basic principle of the gospel: the Atonement of Jesus Christ makes possible our becoming more like our Father in Heaven so that we can live together eternally in our family units.

There is no doctrine more fundamental to our work than the Atonement of Jesus Christ. At every appropriate opportunity, testify of the Savior and of the power of His Atoning sacrifice. Use scriptures that teach of Him and why He is the perfect pattern for everyone in life. You will need to study diligently. Do not become so absorbed with trivial things that you miss learning the doctrine and teachings of the Lord. With a solid, personal doctrinal foundation, you will be a powerful source for sharing vital truths with others who desperately need them. (Richard G. Scott, “‘I Have Given You an Example,’” Ensign, May 2014, 34-35 (paragraphs 15, 19-21)).

·        Luke 22:39-46

·        John 8:3-11

·        D&C 19:13-19

·         “I know Heavenly Father loves each of His children perfectly, individually, and constantly. I know that…we have an essential part in the plan of happiness. Our best effort is all He requires from us, and each of us is needed in building up the kingdom. The Atonement is real. Jesus Christ is our Savior and Redeemer. I testify that if we are faithful and endure to the end, we will receive all of Heavenly Father’s blessings, even eternal life and exaltation” (Silvia H. Allred, “Steadfast and Immovable,” Ensign, November 2010, 118 (last paragraph)).

Why I Watched - and Loved - "Meet the Mormons"

            By now you’ve probably heard the buzz surrounding Meet the Mormons, a documentary-style flick produced by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Critical reviews were universally negative, punctuated with unflattering descriptors like “shallow”, “sugar-coated”, and “propaganda.” On Rotten Tomatoes, the movie has a solid 0% freshness rating.

            But audiences are telling a different story. Fully 91 percent who have seen the film liked it. We’re not talking small numbers here; Meet the Mormons grossed over $2.5 million in its opening weekend, making it the 11th-highest grossing movie in the nation (net proceeds are donated to the Church’s longtime humanitarian partner, the American Red Cross). Sold-out shows were reported in places like New York City, Miami, Dallas, and Detroit.

            Which tells me critics are missing the mark. Reviewers suggested the film is too glossy, but audiences are saying it feels authentic. Critics complained the subjects of the documentary are handpicked to prove a point, unrealistic, even too photogenic, but audiences say they felt they could relate with the kick boxer and the coach, the bishop and the Candy Bomber, the humanitarian and the single mom.

            That’s where I come in. I’m a Mormon. I've lived the faith my entire life. I've met Mormons of all “shapes, colors, and sizes,” to borrow a line from the movie. There are average Mormons, to be sure, the same way there are average Catholics, average Baptists, and average atheists. But you won’t find average Mormons in this movie.

And why would you? I challenge you to find a converted Mormon who strikes you as average. It won’t happen because it can’t happen. Mormonism is designed to mold men and women into the sons and daughters of God the faith boldly proclaims they are. Converted Mormons learn to access a relationship with Jesus Christ that is deep, rich, and meaningful. It’s a relationship built on an understanding that we can change our attitudes and behaviors as often as we want to and as often as we seek our Savior’s help.

Converted Mormons learn to trust the Lord. They learn to stretch themselves. They fight to be a little better today than they were yesterday because they understand that happiness is found in becoming your best self. They serve because they've been gifted love and compassion from that same God who first showered love and compassion on them.

Converted Mormons are not average, and this not a movie about average Mormons. It’s a movie about believers. It’s a movie about ordinary people who nevertheless have accomplished extraordinary things because they were "converted unto the Lord.” You’ll find the same thing in Catholicism (Father Flanagan), Judaism (Eva Kor), and Islam (Latifa Nabizada), among a host of other faiths. Simple people accomplish great things when they live the vibrant tenets of their respective faiths.

I loved Meet the Mormons because I trust the participants are sincere, though I’ve only met one of them (Gail Halvorsen, the original Candy Bomber). I trust they’re sincere because I know hundreds of converted Mormons just like them: farmers, bankers, mission presidents, and moms; ordinary people who have lived incredible lives of consecrated service. Meet the Mormons reminded me of something I've long known but often struggled to live by: I want to be a good person.      

If, in 78 minutes, a film can motivate me to do better and love others more completely, I’m calling that a success story.

The Trouble with Noise

My friend and I pulled weeds in the garden in the morning. We watered our plants and erected some new tethers for the flailing peas. Then we made pancakes in the kitchen while listening to Julie London and Nat King Cole. It was serene.

The prior day's conversation with a roommate flashed through my mind--mutual frustration over loud, antagonistic sentiment surrounding the day's controversial issue. We heard it from friends and teachers. It was talked about in the stores. It was blasted across the internet with characteristic rage. It was everything work in the garden and jazz in the kitchen were not; it was hostile.

Unfortunately, it wasn't unusual. It was consistent with today's gaudy, self-aggrandizing culture. In this, an era of rollicking music, finger-pointing politics, boisterous newsfeeds, and pervasive individualism it was wholly expectable.

But none of that came to mind as I talked with my roommate. All I could think was that it was noisy...and I was getting a headache.

Popular music rumbles with synthesizers, bass, and even animal sounds. Katy Perry roars louder than a lion. Dierks Bentley gets drunk on a plane. Imagine Dragons screams about radioactive stuff. Sia swings from chandeliers (though I happen to like this last song).

Politics is no less attention-whoring. Choose Ann Coulter and Rush Limbaugh on the right or Bill Maher and Rachel Maddow on the left; the common denominator is a penchant for attention-grabbing antics and shallow debate.

Haven't had enough? Scroll through your Facebook newsfeed: today's "it" topic is Kate Kelly's excommunication. Yesterday it was Bowe Bergdahl, and before that "Frozen" conspiracy theories. Throngs flood Facebook and Twitter with crass status updates, stereotypical memes, and links to vapid blog posts.

Can you hear yourself think over all the screaming?

The trouble with noise is that loud voices drown out sensible ones. Thoughtful minds rarely need to yell to get their point across. You won't see good ideas staring you down in all caps, and they aren't interested in competing with trending topics for likes and shares.

The truth is right where you left it, in the eaves, on the sidelines, waiting to be discovered but unwilling to fight with divas and drama kings for the stage. If you really want the truth you've got to go find it. It won't come to you over the airwaves, on the television screen, or in the latest hullaballoo on Twitter. It might come to you in academic journals, histories, or quiet moments when you meditate and talk to God.

There is place for noise in our world, but have we become so attuned to it that we've forgotten the sound of silence?

11 Books You Should Read in 2014

Reading has long been one of my favorite pastimes, but it is difficult to find time to read for pleasure when I am smothered by a stack of required textbooks and essays. I set a goal to read 15 books in 2013. I fell a little short, but no bother: I'm in the middle of D.Q. McInerny's promising Being Logical, and I will soon pick up Corrie ten Boom's The Hiding Place and Cormac McCarthy's The Road.

Here, then, are 11 books I read in 2013 which you should peruse this new year. And if you've read something great, please leave a comment—I love suggestions.

(1) Crime and Punishment, Fyodor Dostoevsky

Dostoevsky's gripping classic considers the meaninglessness of responsibility in a culture in the clutches of nihilism. Who is to blame for the brutal murder of two hapless women in St. Petersburg? Is it communism? Is it Russia? Is it Raskolnikov, the story's sorry protagonist? Crime and Punishment is an exhausting journey through the muddled mind of a man betrayed by his actions and encouraged by a complacent culture.

(2) Loving Homosexuals as Jesus Would, Chad Thompson

Many Christians aren't living up to Christ's injunction to love all men, including gay men and lesbian women. That's the conclusion Thompson reaches in this important book. National trends seem to indicate increasing polarization between Christians and gays. Somewhere in the middle is the love and light of Christ, often withheld from or rebuffed by one or both groups. As followers of Christ, Christians should be at the forefront in offering love, understanding, and empathy to homosexuals. 

(3) The Screwtape Letters, C.S. Lewis

The chilling conversations between Screwtape and nephew Wormwood, both devils enlisted in the service of Satan, will make you think twice before deliberately engaging in sin. Petty gossip isn't all that petty and white lies are actually pretty colorful, we discover, as Lewis challenges the casual Christian to think about the meaning of his or her deliberate actions. In an increasingly immoral world we have to choose sides. Complacency is victory for the devil and his minions.

(4) 13 for Luck, Agatha Christie

This delightful collection of short stories from the undisputed Queen of Crime is sure to please. Revel in the genius of Hercule Poirot as he solves "The Market Basing Mystery." Wonder at the wisdom of Jane Marple in "The Blue Geranium." And don't be surprised when Inspector Evans uncovers an "Accident." Classic Christie, through and through.

(5) Night, Elie Wiesel
Words are insufficient to describe the story Wiesel himself said couldn't be told in words. His haunting narrative will hardly seem incomplete, though—in barely 100 pages he explicates the atrocities and agonies of Nazi prison camps. Why does he do it? Silence aids the enemy. Integrity demands that fallen Jews are not forgotten.

(6) Time and Psychological Explanation, Brent Slife
Western culture takes for granted its assumption of a world defined by linear time. How might we treat each other differently if we rejected this assumption? In what other ways might one interpret the world? Slife's masterpiece is an important alternative voice in a field and culture dominated by deterministic thinking.

(7) Following Christ, Stephen Robinson

The invitation to follow Christ is an invitation to have a meaningful relationship with Christ. Robinson illustrates this central theme of Christianity through a series of engaging parables. Atonement is not merely some historical event we turn to in times of crisis. Rather, Atonement is the active, vibrant love of a Savior who understands. He loves, He heals, He cares, and He forgives in the here and now. 

(8) Quiet, Susan Cain

Introverts often feel alone in a culture obsessed with "the extrovert ideal." Susan Cain demystifies the supposed superiority of extroversion by showing how other cultures view introverts. Extroverts and introverts, Cain argues, should build on each other's strengths, and both personality types should be nurtured and appreciated. Show some love for the introverts in your life: give them Quiet.

(9) The Double Helix, James Watson
The famed scientist who, along with a group of colleagues, discovered DNA is equal parts humorous, scientific, and carefree in The Double Helix. For non-chemists like me it will be hard to hurdle through the technical humdrum, but Watson's conclusions are worth the abbreviated wait. His camp's sheer joy upon discovering DNA is matched only by the well-deserved posthumous nod to Rosalind Franklin, who died before the others were awarded Nobel Prizes. 

(10) Sophie's World, Jostein Gaarder
Sophie's whimsical journey through the history of philosophy is a welcome introduction to a discipline rarely studied and even less rarely understood. It's been said, "You can either do it well or you can do it poorly, but you can't not do philosophy." Here, Gaarder does it well.

(11) Turning Freud Upside Down, Jackson, Fischer and Dant
The problem with Freud and most of his contemporary cohorts is they don't account for human agency. Most people feel their choices imply responsibility. Most people believe they are guided or at least created by a higher power. Modern psychology rejects these assumptions and postulates instead a world defined by necessary determinism. The title is an allusion to Isaiah's prophecy that the restoration of the gospel would turn upside down conventional thought. This essential volume demonstrates that to be the case.

The Gentle Savior

Hi friends. It's been a while since I last posted. These are some thoughts I shared on Facebook earlier today - thoughts I hope will get you thinking about your own relationship with the Lord. For that reason I'm sharing them here:

 

I've just been thinking - aren't you glad God generally communicates with us gently? How many of us really want to be shaken with a heavy hand or shouted at or kicked in the pants with some dramatic revelation? Isn't it a blessing to be caressed by the Spirit, touched by His love, revived by His light? Why should I want for bold, sensational, in-your-face communication when I can enjoy the breathtaking beauty of His quiet love? As I work through struggles I realize I am most grateful for precious, intimate moments with the Lord - moments characterized not by melodrama but by quiet meditation.

"He Never Missed a Day"

Confession: I'm not very good at writing in my journal. Not very good at all.

So bad, in fact, that fully nine months of my mission experience apparently never happened; at least I've got no journalistic evidence to prove it. We won't talk about my attempts at journaling before my mission, but the words 'pathetic' and 'grossly inconsistent' come to mind.

Why, despite my repeated failures, is keeping a journal important to me? I was very young when I first heard this statement by President Spencer W. Kimball—

I promise you that if you will keep your journals and records, they will indeed be a source of great inspiration to your families, to your children, your grandchildren, and others, on through the generations...those who keep a personal journal are more likely to keep the Lord in remembrance in their daily lives.

That statement made a lasting impact on my impressionable young mind, and I've since felt duty-bound to record my stories and insights. This blog is one effort to fulfill that prophetic—and now personal—vision.


No, the blurriness and black marks are not
a trendy feature on Picmonkey; they are a
consequence of dropping my camera at Lagoon

I realized recently that another statement made an equally lasting impact on my young mind. This statement surfaced again and again in a variety of settings, but one phrasing of it was, "Once Johnny started keeping a journal at 14 he never missed a day."

Woah, Johnny—never missed a day, huh? Well then surely I could do the same!

Well I couldn't. And I didn't. And I began to wonder if Johnny really never missed a day and I started to resent him if he hadn't. My inconsistent journaling on my mission stemmed from an erroneous belief that if I missed a day I could play catch up the next. The problem with this line of thinking is that one day inevitably piles up into 17 or 18. It didn't take long to get overwhelmed by how far I'd fallen behind. In trying to keep up with Johnny I couldn't even keep up with myself.

I caught myself falling into the same error upon returning home. After missing a couple of days I was tempted to play the familiar game of catch up. But something stopped me. True doctrine stopped me. My burgeoning understanding of the Savior's Atonement rescued me from the fallacy of wrong thinking. The Savior doesn't expect me to catch up on missed opportunities any more than he expects a repentant sinner to fork over back-payments on tithing. He expects me to start over, not to languish forever in a miserable game I never win.

Years from now if you're reading my journal you'll notice a break between July 9 and July 11, 2013.

Yes, I missed a day. But finally, mercifully, I didn't miss the point.

The Words We Speak

My history and philosophy of psychology class has introduced me to a new way of thinking. What if the words we speak carry power beyond the energy it takes to utter them? What if the ideas we hastily subscribe to and share—even if false—permanently impact our thinking?

They do. Consider how often you find yourself saying something like this—

I wonder what caused Amy to do that.

Here we assume that Amy is a passive object acted upon by some stimulus which caused her behavior. Most of us will agree that if Amy robs a bank she is responsible for her crime. But almost in the same breath we will regurgitate some intellectual slop about how Amy's upbringing or genes or stressful work environment or difficult relationship caused her behavior. We don't feel comfortable saying Amy is not responsible for her decision. But we feel equally uncomfortable believing what we say—that Amy indeed chose to rob the bank and that she could have chosen otherwise. 

Either our words don't match our beliefs or our beliefs don't match our words.

What if we said this instead?

I wonder what her reasons were for doing that.

Here we acknowledge that Amy has reasons for robbing the bank. Yes, her circumstances contributed to her decision; how could they not? But they didn't cause anything. Amy chose to rob the bank. She could have chosen differently.

We rob the human race of dignity when we reduce a man to his behavior. We demoralize man in his search for meaning when we deny the reality of his agency.

Let us not through the words we speak offer man the toxic binge of behaviorism. Let us instead share doctrine.

True doctrine, understood, changes attitudes and behavior. The study of the doctrines of the gospel will improve behavior quicker than a study of behavior will improve behavior. (President Boyd K. Packer—Little Children, Ensign Nov. 1986) 

Being Like Nephi

Flashback to August 2012. This was one of the most grueling periods of my mission. It was also one of the most rewarding. The Lord blessed me with diamond truth to guide my mission and my life. Now I see the truth in Brigham Young's prophetic statement, "God never bestows upon his people, or upon an individual, superior blessings without a severe trial to prove them."


'If God commanded me to do all things I could do them'

I will not use this space to ruminate my trials, but I will share a 'superior blessing' with you - a truth, a lesson meaningful insofar as you have fought through and overcome your own severe trials. Months ago I shared this experience with my mission president and my family. Now I share it with you.

I'm finding little evidences of God's love everywhere I go. I'm beginning to understand how much He's blessed me. I'm beginning to see how foolish and selfish it is to focus on the things He hasn't yet given me. And I'm realizing more and more that sin distances me from His perfect love. He wants me to be confident, and the only way I can be confident is to trust Him.

I've studied a lot about the life of Nephi over the past few days. There is a man who was humble and confident. Though faced with overwhelming opposition and at least some feelings of inadequacy and sorrow, he never doubted in the Lord's promises. He exhibited faith and humility as he went about accomplishing the will of the Lord. I am so impressed by his remarks in 1 Nephi 17:50-51—

And I said unto them: If God had commanded me to do all things I could do them. If he should command me that I should say unto this water, be thou earth, it should be earth; and if I should say it, it would be done. And now, if the Lord has such great power, and has wrought so many miracles among the children of men, how is it that he cannot instruct me, that I should build a ship?

Nephi didn't focus on the daunting task of shipbuilding—something he had never done. He focused on his abilities. He focused on the Lord's infinite capacity to accomplish good. And he made the important connection between the Lord's power and his power. He recognized with absolute faith and sincere humility that he was capable of doing anything the Lord commanded him to do.

I'm not one to doubt the Lord's power. I have always felt that He is there and that He works miracles. But I'm learning from Nephi that I should not doubt my power to do the Lord's will, either. If the Lord desires to use me to accomplish miracles, why not? If the Lord wants me to be the answer to someone's prayer, why not? If the Lord wants me to be a powerful leader—something I feel intimidated by—why not? Part of trusting Him is trusting that I can do what He wants me to do. If I doubt myself, I'm doubting Him. If I doubt my abilities, I'm doubting His abilities. If I criticize and berate myself, I'm not applying the Atonement.

Redefining Weakness

For months I've tried to describe a precious truth I've been learning piece by piece, primarily on my mission. While teaching a group of missionaries four days ago at the MTC the revelation came in an instant. (If ever the cliche 'crystal clear' was appropriate, it fits here):

I define my strengths and weaknesses.

Need further evidence? Let me introduce you to just a few of the people I've met who live this principle:

• Mike Schlappi, the wheelchair-bound paralympian who transformed a personal tragedy into an inspiring life of motivating service
• Elie Wiesel, the champion of peace and equality who endured indescribable hardship in a Nazi concentration camp. Wiesel has been described as a "messenger to mankind"
• RaNae McKee, the beauty queen-turned-mom (to children, foster children and missionaries) who defied death by freely sharing her life
• Kevin Carroll, the idealistic, energetic sexagenarian who believes in the power of a red rubber ball

Can anyone dispute that these men and women have overcome significant obstacles? Can anyone doubt that they view their impediments, handicaps and experiences as strengths, not limitations?

The struggle to redefine weakness as fortitude is something I'm well acquainted with. Someday I'll tell you my story. 

But really it's not my story any more than it's your story. And it's not really your story, either. It's our story - mankind's story - our collective effort to process, understand and overcome our private struggles. You cannot win a personal battle without inspiring another soul. My mission president says, "Everything you do affects another soul."

The ultimate author of this story is the "author and finisher of our faith", the One who willingly bore each piercing pain in an effort to love, understand and redeem us all (see Hebrews 12:2, Alma 7:11-13). The miracle of the Atonement is not that Christ will take away our weakness, pain, and sorrow. The miracle is that He will change our weakness into strength, turn our pain into power, and develop our sorrow into everlasting joy. 

I finally perceive the meaning of the Lord's timeless words:

If men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them. (Ether 12:27, emphasis added) 

The Best Relationship

            After a months-long hiatus I’m back to blogging. I knew I couldn’t stay away forever. I’m never sure how useful my musings are to the general population, but I learn a lot by writing my thoughts down rather than letting them swirl endlessly in my mind. Writing is just one way to express the feelings of the heart. Perhaps you’ve taken up music, art, or some other form to communicate your thoughts.

            One basic human need is companionship. I’ve thought at length about three video clips produced by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, all of which I first saw on my mission. These videos expose us to real people who, for a variety of reasons, felt the emptiness that resulted when a companion was lost or never found. Naturally these losses left them feeling…well, lost—and heartbroken, discouraged, and empty.

            But these are stories of triumph, not tragedy, and the dominant theme in these threads is this—“no matter what I experience in life I will be faithful to my covenants and I will be faithful to God. My relationship with Him is most important. Further companionship is a blessing and a bonus.”

            Love empowered Chris to forgive when teenager Cameron, driving drunk, killed his wife and several children in a car accident. The incident left him feeling “crushed: spiritually, emotionally, and physically.” But Chris noticed that when he prayed God didn’t immediately try to solve all his problems. He listened with love. He allowed Chris to vent his anger. And then He taught him about His Son, Jesus Christ, and the Atonement. He allowed Chris to let go of a burden that would have destroyed him. And in finding the power to forgive Chris enabled Cameron and his parents to let go of poisonous memories that would have dulled their futures forever. “I was just completely overcome,” Cameron’s mother, Marilyn, said. “It was like…the despair was being washed out from my soul.”

            Love motivated an anonymous young wife to mend when her husband revealed he had been unfaithful and wanted a divorce. The announcement came during the holidays, and the crushing secret ruined what should have been an enjoyable time with family. Heartbroken and hopeless, the woman gladly took her crying young niece to another room in order to be alone. Here, overcome with emotion, overwhelmed by a burden she felt she couldn’t carry on her own, she realized she was not, in fact, alone. Looking into the infant’s innocent eyes she felt these words impel her heart with force: “You’re not holding me; I’m holding you.” The woman realized the Lord was shouldering her tremendous sorrow.

            Love allowed Ty to look past cultural expectations and postponed dreams and embrace a challenge that frustrated him. A titanic struggle with same-sex attraction left him wondering if he belonged in the Lord’s Church. Years of painful loneliness preceded a glorious experience of divine love—a reassurance of superior power in which the Lord told Ty, “Just stay with me; one day at a time.” In order to overcome this significant challenge Ty had to acknowledge that he might never enjoy marriage in this life. And he was okay with that. God first, companionship second. He said, “I express gratitude always to the Lord for that divine communication which really transformed my approach to this issue which has ultimately led me to where I’m at today”…happily married, by the way.

            We all long for meaningful relationships. Sometimes those relationships are tragically cut short. Sometimes they are destroyed by the reckless avarice of a former soul mate. Sometimes they happen much later than we hope they will. Sometimes they never even start.

            But there is one relationship that can be eternal. It is not temporary, it will not be sabotaged, and it can begin the very moment we want it to. A relationship with Jesus Christ is the best relationship we can develop. I feel the power of His love in the words of this hymn:

At the throne I intercede;

For thee ever do I plead.

I have loved thee as thy friend,

With a love that cannot end.

Remember This!

I have a little ritual I go through every Monday night. Upon remembering I've forgotten to mail the letters I've written that day, I run down a flight of stairs and stash the enveloped notes vertically in the crevice between the door and door-frame. That way I remember to mail them early Tuesday morning.

A little trick helps me remember to mail my letters

This little exercise prevents me from experiencing that awkward moment where I find a finished letter in say, the glove box, that should have been sent months ago. (This may or may not have happened this morning).

Every morning I study the scriptures for an hour so I will remember what Jesus Christ has done for me. Without this daily ritual I would find my testimony quickly waning.

Why is it important to remember the Lord in all we do? Wise Helaman taught his sons—

Remember, remember that it is upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your foundation; that when the devil shall send forth his mighty winds, yea, his shafts in the whirlwind, yea, when all his hail and his mighty storm shall beat upon you, it shall have no power over you to drag you down to the gulf of misery and endless wo, because of the rock upon which ye are built, which is a sure foundation, a foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall.

These are your thoughts about remembering the Savior—

• Patsy: It is those little things that should matter the most, and we should always be grateful for that
• Elder Pulsipher: When you put the Lord first He puts you first!
• Marnette: [Remembering] sure helps me through hard times, to know how much He loves me and each of His children. Paying attention to the daily blessings, even during the good times, helps me to focus
• Tyson: When we forget what the Lord has done for us we become lost. We forget our way. We forget our value and lose true joy

MORE ONLINE
O, Remember, Remember, President Henry B. Eyring
The Sacrament—Remembering the Savior
To Always Remember Him, Elder D. Todd Christofferson

Like a Dream

I've just finished an exchange with an Elder in Mt. Juliet, Tennessee. Two days ago we were walking along the railroad tracks, talking about the tricks time plays when you're in the service of the Lord. Each one of the 24 months goes by just a little bit faster. When you get down to about six months the pace accelerates rapidly. I've just two months left.

It was a humid, hazy day, and perhaps the atmosphere contributed to my remembering a scripture in the Book of Mormon. The prophet Jacob is recounting the timelessness of his difficult but rewarding life—

I have written according to the best of my knowledge, by saying that the time passed away with us, and also our lives passed away like as it were unto us a dream, we being a lonesome and a solemn people, wanderers, cast out from Jerusalem, born in tribulation, in a wilderness, and hated of our brethren, which caused wars and contentions; wherefore we did mourn out our days.

Jacob speaks as one who has seen a lifetime of sorrow, sadness and tribulation. And while I cannot relate with wars and life in a wilderness, I think I'm starting to understand what he means when he says time passes like a dream. The last two years of my life—the last six months, especially—seem timeless, void of hours and minutes and filled with thousands of little lessons that have no beginning or end.

"Our lives passed away like as it were unto us a dream"

I'm determined to measure the next two months not in days but in lessons and in love; not by the ticking of my watch but by the footsteps of my faith.

And then, when this dream is over I'll discover that it has only just begun. See, life isn't about starting and finishing. It isn't about arriving at a destination. It isn't about running mindlessly from one day to the next.

It is all about finding joy in the journey.

And it came to pass that we lived after the manner of happiness.

(2 Nephi 5:27)

MORE ONLINE 
Come What May, and Love It, Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin
Finding Joy in the Journey, President Thomas S. Monson
Be Anxiously Engaged, Elder M. Russell Ballard

Christmas Is Christ

Last night I visited a home of friends surprised to find them in the middle of reenacting the Nativity—as if they were celebrating Christmas Eve. As it turns out they were celebrating Christmas Eve on Christmas Day (and Christmas Day today); two of the children had been sick the day before and so they decided to postpone the festivities.

Christ's commandment to remember Him knows no holiday

One of my friends taught me a powerful lesson as he explained to his family that it doesn't matter when we celebrate the Savior's birth (the Savior wasn't born on December 25, after all). What does matter is that we celebrate His life by following His example. Perfect worship is emulation, and Christ didn't ask for a band of casual cronies to pay homage to Him once a year. He said, "Follow thou me" in word and in deed (see John 21:22; 2 Nephi 31:10; James 1:22). That commandment doesn't take a holiday.

When we set tinsel and toys, shopping and snow, music and mania aside we remember Christmas really is Christ. We celebrate His birth because He is the greatest gift God ever gave to mankind. We commemorate His sacrifice by giving and sharing, singing and smiling. We would do well to keep the Christmas spirit—the Spirit of Christ—with us all year long.

Jesus Christ is my Savior and Redeemer. He lived and died for us, and He lives again. My greatest hopes and dreams are reachable because of His Atonement. I trust Him. I love Him. And I can't wait to see Him again someday. This hymn describes what I feel in my heart.

These are your thoughts about the Savior—

• Ryan: He is God. Ord of all. Pre-eternal and the only sacrifice that can satisfy God. "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God" (John 1:1)
• Karen: He is my one true Lord and Savior, the blessed hope of the world, the Holy Messiah!
• Paul: One word. He talked about it more than anything—Love 

Christmas Is Family

I love this statement from President Dieter F. Uchtdorf—

In family relationships love is really spelled t-i-m-e, time.

Spending time with family is what Christmas is all about. How can I forget my many Christmas Eves at Grandma Barton's house? Reenacting the Nativity. Singing Christmas carols. Enjoying scrumptious food and hot wassail. Opening gifts from grandma and cousins. Reminiscing on Christmases past. Playing board games with my brothers, father and uncles.

I thought Christmas was all about the lights. Now I've learned it's all about the Light of the World.

Those memories are as much a part of me as snow is part of a white Christmas.

But last year and next week I made and will make different Christmas memories in Tennessee. I'm far away from my family in Utah. But they are always in my heart.

Most years I spend Christmas with my Barton family. This year I'll spend Christmas with my ward family.

Most years I spend Christmas wondering what I'll get. This year I'll spend Christmas searching for opportunities to give.

Most years I spend Christmas thinking about the Savior. This year I'll spend Christmas living for the Savior.

When I return to Utah I'll regain and retain the wonderful traditions given me by my family. And I'll be able to add to those traditions something I couldn't have gained without serving a mission—my testimony; my appetite for service; my understanding that true happiness comes from following the Savior, not my own selfish interests.

These are traditions money cannot buy. I asked you, friends, what some of your family traditions are. Here are your responses—

• Salvador: Okay, you know I am Mexican so we have posadas, piñatas, we sing La Rama, etc.
• Charlie: On Christmas Eve we watch Doctor Who Christmas marathons, then we open one gift (which always happens to be pajamas), then we make cookies and watch more Doctor Who
• Chelsea: On Christmas Eve we go shopping and then we watch Joy to the World. On Christmas Day we spend time with family and friends. For Christmas dinner we have the missionaries over for Family Home Evening

Christmas Is Love

The other day somebody pointed out that the happy, joyful spirit we feel at Christmastime does not come from trees and tinsel. It is not produced by flashing lights or fancy gifts. The spirit of Christmas is the Spirit of Christ. Feelings of love toward our fellowmen are created within us by the Love of God, even the Savior Jesus Christ.

President Thomas S. Monson noted—

True love is a reflection of the Savior’s love. In December of each year we call it the Christmas spirit. You can hear it. You can see it. You can feel it.

An especially poignant manifestation of this spirit is the too-often-unexpressed virtue of gratitude. Recently I asked my friends what Christmas means to them. Their responses reveal faith in Jesus Christ and gratitude for family relationships—

•  Debbie: When I was a teenager I had lots of nieces and nephews who were little and we always had a birthday cake for Jesus on Christmas Eve and the little kids sang Happy Birthday to Jesus. Good memories
• Carrie Lynn: Giving a helping hand to those in need brings me the greatest joy. What a blessing it is to share of one's meager abundance to help those in need and actually appreciate it, even the simplest gifts. And all are blessed
• Nathan: Presents!
• Wiley: The Spirit of Christ—giving, love, joy, peace, forgiveness!
• Debra: It is a time of God showing His great love for us. It can be a time of healing and renewed strength. You see, Christmas is when we celebrate the birth of the Christ child. God sent His Son, Jesus, into the world to be born. His birth brought great joy to the world. Shepherds, wise men, and angels all shared in the excitement of knowing about this great event. They knew this was no ordinary baby. The prophets had told of His coming hundreds of years before. The star stopped over Bethlehem just to mark the way for those who were looking for this special child
• Salvador: Love and service
• Brent: A reason for the family to get together
• Jordann: Christmas is the small but great miracles of healing the broken-hearted and the effects of sin
• Marissa: Celebrating the birth of Christ and the life He lived by emulating His selfless qualities through giving to others. He has given us everything and we become more like Him as we sacrifice for others
• Jessica: Along with focusing on Christ, my grandpa's birthday is very close to Christmas, so I have always associated the season with visiting my extended family and enjoying the happiness of eternal families

For me, Christmas means spending time with family and celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ. Healthy amounts of wassail and scripture-reading are a must. This year I'll spend Christmas away from my family. But my service as a missionary allows me to teach others how, through God's plan, they can spend eternity with their own families. Nothing could bring me greater joy!

I invite you to join in the Christmas conversation by visiting the website link embedded in the picture above. Learn about the babe born in Bethlehem. Request a free copy of the Holy Bible or a visit from missionaries. Share inspiring Christmas music. Leave a comment or two.

MORE ONLINE
Christmas Is Love, President Thomas S. Monson
The Perfect Gift, President Henry B. Eyring
The Good and Grateful Receiver, President Dieter F. Uchtdorf

What Are You Thankful For?

I love sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ online, but I've always been a little bothered by the pessimistic flavor I find on Facebook. It's so easy to gripe, whine, complain and stir the pot, especially when you're hiding behind a computer screen. But the Savior wasn't a griper, whiner, complainer or pot-stirrer, and He never suggested we ought to be. In fact, He taught us to be perfect "even as my Father which is in heaven is perfect", "even as I am." (Matthew 5:48, 3 Nephi 27:27)

A living apostle noted—

Yes, life has its problems, and yes, there are negative things to face, but please accept one of Elder Holland's maxims for living—no misfortune is so bad that whining about it won't make it worse.

Which is why I was so happy when the Thanksgiving season rolled around. Nary a negative status update or comment. Complaints were few and accusations rare. I relished in this temporary online utopia but regretted that it must soon come to an end.

God has granted each of us a cornucopia of blessings

Gratitude is a cardinal Christian virtue, one we ought to carry in our hearts all the time and not just on the fourth Thursday in November. President Gordon B. Hinckley taught—

When you walk with gratitude, you do not walk with arrogance and conceit and egotism; you walk with a spirit of thanksgiving that is becoming to you and will bless your lives.

Thankfully I have thankful friends, and out of desire to bask in the sunlight of their gratitude I posted this prompt on Facebook: What are you thankful for? Here are your responses—

• Maer: A lot! My life and my family; friends for loving me for who I am :)
• Kimberlee: I am thankful for answers to prayers!
• Nancy: You! And all the missionaries!
• Jessica: I am really thankful for doctors and medicine right now cause I have been sick all week!
• Angie: I'm thankful for my Lord and Savior! I'm stoked to celebrate his birthday again!
• Salvador: My family
• Aimee: I was just sitting here marveling how sometimes my Heavenly Father answers prayers that haven't become prayers yet...just worries and concerns. I am thankful he knows me so well!
• Melinda: I'm grateful for the Holy Ghost
• Jessica: I am thankful for beds
• Alicia: I am thankful for Christmas...without the birth of our Savior there would be no atonement, no resurrection, no New Testament, no Book of Mormon, no Doctrine and Covenants, no modern-day prophets, no LDS chapels and temples, no missionaries, and I would never have met you! MERRY CHRISTMAS!
• Blair: I am thankful for my family and the support that they give me continually

MORE ONLINE

The Divine Gift of Gratitude, President Thomas S. Monson

Thanks Be to God, Elder Russell M. Nelson

How to Give Gifts to Christ, President Henry B. Eyring