11 - People

I was taught from a young age to love people, especially those less fortunate than myself. In my younger years I remember my mother taking my siblings and I to a local nursing home several times a month to visit patients who were in need of a friend. I loved and looked forward to those visits.

In high school I worked as a writer and editor at a countywide newspaper, the Sanpete Messenger. My favorite assignment was interviewing war veterans and other elderly people in my community who lived fascinating lives and had wonderful stories to tell. I learned much by sharing in their wisdom, and I'll carry those lessons with me forevermore.

Now, as a missionary, I work every day with people. I love teaching and sharing the gospel with everyone I meet. I love making new friends. I love knowing that everybody I meet is a child of God with the potential to return to live with Him someday. That motivates me to share with them what I know to be true.

Here are some profiles of people I've never met. Just by watching these videos I feel a desire to learn more about them. We're all much more connected with each other in this circle of life than we're prone to think we are, for we are all brothers and sisters—sons and daughters of a living God who loves us all equally and perfectly.

MORE ONLINE
You Matter to Him, President Dieter F. Uchtdorf
Perfect Love Casteth Out Fear, Elder L. Tom Perry
The Essence of Discipleship, Silvia H. Allred

10 - Scripture

I can't adequately express how thankful I am for the word of God. His promises and love as recorded by prophets in the Bible, Book of Mormon and other books fill me with hope and strength. When I feel discouraged or depressed, a careful study of the scriptures quickly renews my soul and refreshes my perspective.

The most powerful answers I've received to prayer have been through the scriptures. On several occasions throughout life I remember feeling terribly and utterly alone. During these times I remember feeling like there was  no one I could talk to, but I knew—at least intellectually—that my Father in Heaven would listen.

As I've studied the scriptures, I've been lead to verses which strengthen my faith and help me feel the love of my Savior; verses like these—

Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. (Proverbs 3:5-6)

My son, peace be unto thy soul; thine adversity and thine afflictions shall be but a small moment; And then, if thou endure it well, God shall exalt thee on high; thou shalt triumph over all thy foes. (Doctrine and Covenants 121:7-8)

And 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)

I'm so grateful for a Father in Heaven who hears and answers my prayers. I know He will hear and answer your prayers, too, and as with my experience, your answers may come through the scriptures.

MORE ONLINE
lds.org/scriptures
The Power of Scripture, Elder Richard G. Scott
Fat-Free Feasting, Bonnie D. Parkin
The Blessing of Scripture, Elder D. Todd Christofferson

9 - Temples

On Friday I was privileged to attend the Nashville Tennessee Temple for the third time during my mission. I love going to the temple. There is a special spirit inside the temple that is available nowhere else on Earth.

Why is the temple so peaceful? Because it is literally the House of the Lord. It is in the temple that we catch glimpses of eternity and learn our place in God's merciful and awe-inspiring plan.

I don't understand everything about the temple and it will probably take quite a bit of time before I do. But I do know that I feel closer to the Savior in the temple. One of the great blessings of the temple is that we must be worthy to enter inside. Preparing to attend the temple helps us live chaste, clean, meaningful lives.

If you have a temple recommend, do you attend regularly? If you don't have a temple recommend, what are you willing to sacrifice to get one? Remember the counsel of President Thomas S. Monson—

No sacrifice is too great, no price too heavy, no struggle too difficult in order to receive [the blessings of the temple].

MORE ONLINE
temples.lds.org
Blessings of the Temple, Elder Robert D. Hales
The Holy Temple—a Beacon to the World, President Thomas S. Monson

8 - Sleep

As a child I used any method I could think of to try to skip nap time. I use the word "try" because I was usually unsuccessful.

As a teenager I often thrived on late nights and little sleep. I was always working on some project and thought life would be much better if we humans didn't require sleep and could keep going, going, going...much like the Engergizer Bunny.

Now that I'm becoming an adult, I wish I could rewind the years and catch up on all the sleep I could have had. Only now do I realize how precious sleep is and how hard it is to come by.

My appreciation for sleep has been especially strong of late because I've been sick with the flu. I've looked forward, more than ever, to the eight hours of sleep we get each night as missionaries.

God's plan for us is perfect. There are no flaws. In my teenage ambition I didn't understand how valuable nightly periods of rest and renewal are for my body and soul, but God did. He designed it this way for a reason.

I'm grateful for a loving Heavenly Father who knows our needs and our desires. I'm grateful that His plan is flawless and that we can return to live with Him someday.

MORE ONLINE
Now the Day Is Over, Hymns #159
Good, Better, Best, Elder Dallin H. Oaks
The Need for Balance in Our Lives, President James E. Faust

7 - Change

Those who know me well will be surprised to hear me expressing gratitude for a crazy thing like change. Before my mission I did not like change. In fact, I hated it. I hated change so much that I tried to make my life post-high school just as it was during high school. I suppose that's a natural enough reaction for somebody raised in a small town.

Nothing could have prepared me for the many changes I've experienced as a missionary. My faith has grown exponentially. My greatest pains and sorrows, but also my greatest joys and comforts have come as I've walked the winding roads in Fairview, Murfreesboro and Franklin. My devotion to Jesus Christ has become fixed, and nothing except my own bad decisions could stop me from serving Him. I've even gone through a major physical change; I've lost 30 pounds!

I would like to think that these changes have molded me a little more into the man God wants me to become. I would like to think that He is pleased with me—and you—for the many positive and often painful changes we choose to make.

Now, instead of dreading change, I welcome it. Whenever I'm going through a difficult time or become keenly aware that my size 34 slacks no longer fit my size 29 waist, I stop to remind myself how much more I enjoy my life because of change. Like the ocean tides barreling down on the beach, change has renewed and refreshed my soul.

MORE ONLINE
Get On with Our Lives, Elder Steven E. Snow
Progress through Change, Elder Marvin J. Ashton
The Power to Change, President James E. Faust