Charging my battery

Dear Truth Seeker,

I am humbled by the many blessings that the Lord was so gracious to grant me this week. I was strong enough to get through my test, and paper amongst other things. I received a great e-mail from my sister as well and she seems to be doing well. My parents are doing great, as well as my grandparents. 

Just the other night I had the great opportunity to help a man with his car. He needed to get to his car, and asked me if I wouldn't mind driving him over to pick it up. I really thought that this would be a good opportunity to serve, and I knew that by having a car I needed to help this gentleman. Actually he's a student here at BYU. Well upon arriving at his car, he noticed that his car had died. So we removed the jumper cables from his car and after 20 minutes he was able to return home.

All the time that we sat there waiting for the car to start, I thought about our lives here on Earth. Sometimes we have problems along the way, and we really need someone's help. The Lord is there to lift us up. I couldn't help but think about the time when the Mormon pioneers crossed the plains. I am reading in the Doctrine and Covenants, and from the stories about the members who lived through such tumultuous times. I can't imagine what they endured patiently knowing that the Lord was there, constantly there to pick them back up. The same holds true to the experiences that Joseph Smith had while in Liberty Jail. In class we studied the differences between the time that Joseph Smith entered Liberty Jail and the time when he left. He had become a much stronger person, and that is what I saw metaphorically last night, and every day in my life. I am so grateful for this gospel!

Sundays my new favorite day of the week.

Dear Truth Seeker,

I am humbled to be alive. Stressed out, over-extended, and absolutely tired still leaves me optimistic for this week, the next, and the week after next until school will be done for this semester. Term papers, exams, clubs and extracurriculars and weekend parties are enough to make anyone run themselves ragged. This past Sunday was serene, a calm amongst the stress and hussle and bussle of life. I didn't notice any real differences in that Sunday as all of the others, except that I was more prepared spiritually, and that has made all the difference. I take along with me "Le Petit Livre Rouge" with me to take notes, and write down inspirations that come to me while I listen to the lessons given. It is interesting to see the many blessings come from that simple act. I retain the lesson better, but more importantly is that daily dose of personal revelation. To be able to receive personal revelation on issues as pertinent as what I should be doing to move closer towards my personal salvation is the best guidance I could receive. I know that my Heavenly Father knows who I am. He understands my concerns, and amidst the billions on this earth he cares deeply for me. He has infinite knowledge and love, and for that I am eternally grateful. 

Also mentioned at church Sunday, was "sacrifice." All sacrifice makes us stronger. I guess whomever invented that quote, "whatever doesn't kill you makes you stronger," really had something going for him. The instructor talked gave an example of the early Saints of the Church. I thought of our D&C class. What those Saints endured was something that I couldn't even begin to bear. That said, Liberty Jail became like temple to Joseph Smith; it was a place where he was refined and made better. Amidst his pain, his suffering he became a better leader for the Church. I can look back at my life and identify more than just one significant trials, and all end up by adding experience and making me a happier person. Life throws us curve balls, but they will only make us better. The Saints were remarkable examples of people who bore with patience their afflictions, but the finest was that of our Savior Jesus Christ. I am grateful for his great example to me, and inevitably to us all.

Being Autonomous and Free

Dear Truth Seeker,

This week was one that I don't think I will quite forget. I often found myself surrounded by blessings that I knowingly did not deserve. As a political science major, I am addicted to The New York Times, Washington Post, Wall Street Journal, The Economist and more. The stories and worries of everyone in the United States seems to come back to the economy. After all according to polls during the 2008 campaign cycle, voters listed that as their largest concern. This crisis has had a large effect on the lives of many Americans. According to The New York Times, unemployment reached a record 7.6%  for the month of January. So why do I talk about this? It shows how pertinent the words of a living prophet truly are; they are the words from a personal messenger from God. 

In the Doctrine and Covenants we read and study the life a living prophet, Joseph Smith. Today, we aren't much different. For years and years, the prophet of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints have continuously reminded us to create and grow our food storage. We all can relate to the ward activities, meetings and training meetings that we have at one point even subjected our primary children to, for the wise purpose of being READY. We need to be ready, the Prophets have warned us, of the slow economic times that are ahead of us, the problems that could happen, and we should listen. It isn't simply a man who is talking to us, but it is the Lord who is speaking through a prophet called to do this work.

When we listen to the prophet as we should, there are always blessings that follow. Those who have listened to the prophet are autonomous from bad consequences, and free. If we listen to the prophet, we are blessed in ways we may not even see, but we are blessed. We see that with the early members. Many for personal reasons left the Church in the first great apostasy because they did not want to follow the prophet. They, much like today, thought that the ideas of the living prophet were out of place, extreme, and unfair. The ideas of prophets may not always correspond with our own ideas, but they are the best ones. Each time, we decide to follow the prophet, we will only be blessed for doing so; we will be free and happy.

An International Church

Me in front of the map pointing to Tahiti on the M.T.C. map - quick before the M.T.C. grouches come along!

This is a picture of me and the President Tong Sang, President of French Polynesia

Dear Truth Seeker,

As I regard my friends around the world, and the presence of the Church in the most remote countries all throughout the world, I am reminded of the promise that is in the Doctrine and Covenants that, "this proclamation shall be made to all the kings of the world, to the four corners thereof, to the honorable president-elect, and the high-minded governors of the nation in which you live, and to all the nations of the earth scattered abroad" (D&C 124:3). As a political science major, and one who has had enough experience in the affairs of the world to make a judgment feel with much excitement the real weight that scripture has on all of us. 

This scripture in D&C is made all that more interesting, and personally touching as I too partook in that scripture. I remember as missionaries in Tahiti, though I wasn't a part of the group, the missionaries were invited by the president to sing, to attend church (which he did), the Tahiti-Papeete Temple re-dedication, and many other wonderful events where the Church was well represented. 

A small boy, without much education, but filled with humility and love of God received an answer to his humble, but fervent prayer. To think of the impact that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints has had on U.S. and World events and history is remarkable. When I think of the Lord, and His immense love for each and everyone of us, I am humbled. As the primary song goes, "the world will know the truth." I am certain that the Lord loves everyone unconditionally, and what a blessing the knowledge of our purpose of life is.

Lastly, I would like to add that I wrote to my sister who is currently serving her mission in Poland. I explained what we had been learning in D&C Class, and I find that what the Saints went through was what we go through today. The circumstances are only slightly modified. We are bombarded with immoral and vain things of this world, things that weren't imaginable at the time of the Saints' trials. We are modern day Saints, for all of us who are trying to constantly do what is right. Some ask themselves, if the Lord is truly capable of forgiving us after all that we do in our lives. I attest unequivocally that He does. How we are blessed, how we all need that understanding and help everyday of our lives. What joy that brings!

The Spiritual Side of Life

Dear Truth Seeker,

Just yesterday I wrote an e-mail to my sister who is serving an LDS Mission in Poland, perhaps some of you have already heard about. I too served an LDS Mission to Tahiti (French Polynesia), as well as my father who served in Toronto, Canada. A mission is something that we do voluntarily. Each male, missionary serves for a period of 24 months (2 years). For the female missionaries (formally known as sister missionaries), they serve for a period of 18 months. Most all missionaries vary between 19 and 24 years of age. As missionaries, we consecrate our time, our money, and all of our energy towards the sharing of the gospel of Jesus Christ and His restored gospel here on the Earth today. For on average 15 hours a day, we walk or ride bikes in hopes of meeting people willing enough to listen to our message. As missionaries, we are also highly engaged in doing all sorts of service. Currently there are about 53,000 missionaries serving throughout the world giving of their own time to bring greater joy to the lives of thousands even millions.  

My mission had to have been undoubtedly the best experience of my life. The people in Tahiti were awesome, and I miss them very much. I have many fond memories of walking through heavy rains, and scorching heat, and I can't help but smile every time I reflect upon my mission. It was hard at times, that was for sure. Many times, I felt small, and out of place. I felt as if I didn't have much to offer. Then as I was reading again in Doctrine and Covenants, Section 1 Verse 19, "The weak things of the world shall come forth and break down the mighty and strong ones..." I felt strong, and capable. I developed a greater faith in my Heavenly Father as I strived to do what was right, and put this promise into action. I am someone who is small, and someone who to the world's standards is weak, and insignificant. However, to my Heavenly Father not am I only His son, but I am His missionary, called to accomplish His will on Earth. 

As I was mentioning, earlier in this blog, I sent my sister an e-mail with this scripture with the explanation that she can do it! Preaching the gospel isn't the only thing this scripture explains either. I can get good grades, I can read the scriptures and pray for forgiveness every night. What a great message that this small scripture sends to the world: We can do anything! I know that through the Lord's help, and through the measures that keep us from sin, we will always be a happier person, and one who can make a difference in this world no matter their size.