My Mountain

I went on a rare date with my husband yesterday.  He worked last Saturday, so he got yesterday off.  He doesn't always use these comp days when he receives them, so I was pleasantly surprised to have him home.  It was also the first time in our married lives that we have had a full day alone together while the kids were at school, since the youngest is now a first-grader.  So, we decided to make a date of it and go for a hike.  It was a beautiful morning.  It had rained the night before, so everything was shiny and new and green.  I was so excited!  We packed a backpack with a few necessities, picked up some water at the store and went on our way up the canyon.  We decided to hike to White Pine from Tony Grove - a long, but not terribly difficult hike, from which we should return right around the same time the last bunch of kids came home from school.

We arrived at Tony Grove and parked alongside a couple of other hikers' cars, and began our hike.

There is a short hike from the parking lot to this sign, and I was already feeling the effects of too much computer time, and not enough outdoor time.  We still had 3.8 miles to go to reach the turn-around point!  I was a little nervous, but determined to make it to this beautiful lake.  David had been there before and assured me it was definitely worth 3.8 more miles of hiking.  Thankfully, just up through that tree line on the right, the terrain became nearly flat, and my hesitations about continuing on disappeared.  It was gorgeous!  We went through open fields, full of wildflowers and interesting rocks.

One of my favorite rocks was this heart-shaped one.  It just seemed so appropriate for our fun little date.  We walked along at a moderate pace, talking about things (amazingly, things other than just the kids) as we went.  It was very pleasant.  We stopped along the way to listen to a pack (is that what they're called?) of coyotes howling and yipping from a far off ridge.  It was a little creepy, but I took comfort in the realization that they were pretty far away.  My husband playfully tried to convince me that they could get to us in a matter of three minutes, if they really wanted to.  It was so fun talking and laughing and just being together.  Even the tiny raindrops that we felt every once in awhile didn't discourage us.  There were a few clouds overhead, but nothing too terribly ominous.

We passed a tiny stream, with some very exotic looking flowers:

After a few miles, we passed some hikers on their way back down the mountain.  We knew that we were getting close, and I was eagerly anticipating seeing this gorgeous lake.  Whereas our hike so far had been on relatively flat ground (or so it felt), the descent into the lake area was quite a bit steeper.  It was starting to sprinkle, just a little bit, and all I could think about as we were heading down was that we would have to eventually turn around and go back up.  I was not too excited about that thought.

The descent felt like forever.  I felt like one of the kids every time I would ask David how much further we had to go.  The rain was starting to turn into tiny little snowflakes by the time we ran into this sign.  Ok.  150 more feet - we couldn't turn back now!  Let me just say, that whoever made that sign wasn't exactly lying.  It was at least 150 feet away, but they also could've added at least one more zero.  It was still pretty far.  We ended up being able to see the lake, but we didn't make it all the way down to the shoreline.  The snowflakes were getting larger and larger, and all I could think of was that the descent was going to turn into quite the upward hike when we turned back.  Within a matter of minutes, the scattered snowflakes had turned into a full-blown blizzard.

I was so grateful when we came upon this campsite.  We could sit for a minute, out of the driving snow.  I kept looking at that firepit, and wishing that I had made that impulse purchase of a lighter as I was paying for the water.  I was so wet and cold!  My husband, being the smart guy he is, reminded me that the longer we sat, the colder we would get, so we needed to head back.  I can say, without hesitation, that had he not been there, I would've given up.  I wanted to sit there forever.  I figured someone would come for us sooner or later, right?  I knew that I didn't have the stamina to make it back up that steep trail.  I was soaked.  My hands were numb, my feet were sloshing around in my wet tennis shoes, and I was tired.

We found the trail, thanks to my husband.  I had started out the wrong way.  I did learn from this experience, by the way, that I'd better never hike alone.  I get turned around way too easily, and like I said, I would've given up already.  So we trudged on.  I could only make it a few yards without stopping.  I knew that a lot of my exhaustion was mental, because I'm not in horrible shape.  I'm not in great shape, but I knew that on a normal day, I would probably be able to climb right up that mountain without much trouble.  I just kept telling my husband "I can't do this", to which he would reply "Of course, you can.  Now come on".  I was really scared.  I really didn't think I could make it.

All I could think of was to pray.  "Please, Heavenly Father, help me to be able to do this.  I don't think I can.  I'm cold, I'm wet, I'm tired.  I need your help.  Please help the snow to slow down and the sun to come out so that our clothes can dry.  Please help us."  Almost instantaneously, the snowflakes became smaller and much lighter.  As we sloshed up the mountain, and past that dumb "150 yards" sign, the snow had all but stopped.  I could do it!  We got to the top, finally, and beheld the most beautiful sight.

Blue sky! The sun was coming out.  With the worst of our trek behind us, we could now appreciate the beauty of the new fallen snow.  It was so quiet and peaceful. We could barely recognize the scenery around us, since it looked so different with its new blanket.  We could hear the little animals scurrying around in the brush.  It was breathtaking.

After what seemed like an eternity, we finally made it back to the car. We were completely exhausted, but thrilled to have had the experience.  We both vowed to make the trip again - on a day where there is zero chance of precipitation across the entire state of Utah.  I would love to see the lake without looking through a curtain of snow.

Sometimes, as I'm reading in the mornings, I have a tough time deciding what I will write about.  Not today.  My answer was in the first verse:

Look unto God with a firmness of mind, and pray unto him with exceeding faith, and he will console you in your afflictions...(Jacob 3:1)

How grateful I am for a Father who watches over me.  Who hears my simple prayers and consoles me in my afflictions.  I know that I couldn't have finished that hike without Him.  I know that no matter what the affliction is, and whether I feel that it's something important enough to take to Him or not, He is listening.  He will help me climb my mountains - whether they be literal mountains, like yesterday, or figurative mountains...trials in my life that I don't think I can make it through.  He is there.  Always.

Click here to read what I read today!

Dead Broke

Photo by Jason Olson, Deseret News

 
There is a man from Salt Lake City, Jon Huntsman, who grew up a poor man in a small town, the son of a school teacher and a homemaker.  He went on to create many different companies and is a multi-billionaire.  He is also going to die, as he said, flat broke.  I hear stories all the time of celebrities who became millionaires and squandered all of their wealth.  They just spent more than they earned - on cars, clothes, homes, vacations, basically whatever they wanted.  And they died with nothing.  Mr. Huntsman is the polar opposite of these people.  He will die broke, not because he has squandered his money on material objects or pleasure, but because he gave it all away.  The latest information I could find on Mr. Huntsman stated that he has thus far given 1.2 billion dollars away to various philanthropic ventures.  He founded the Huntsman Cancer Institute after losing his mother to cancer, and has given millions of dollars of his own money to support cancer research.

I think that most of us, whether we'd like to admit it or not, would like to try our hand at being wealthy.  I know that I'd kind of like to see what it's like.  There are people who believe that it's wrong to seek after riches, but I disagree.  I think Heavenly Father would like to see his children be successful and happy, and yes, even rich if that's what they want.

But before ye seek for riches, seek ye for the kingdom of God.  And after ye have obtained a hope in Christ ye shall obtain riches, if ye seek them; and ye will seek them for the intent to do good - to clothe the naked, and to feed the hungry, and to liberate the captive, and administer relief to the sick and the afflicted. (Jacob 2: 18-19)

There are a couple of things I learned from those verses.  The first is that I need to have my priorities straight.  I first need to develop a relationship with Christ and seek to be like him.  If, after I do this, I still seek riches, I will obtain them.  But I also need to seek riches for the intent to do good, as Mr. Huntsman has done.  It makes sense to me that if a person has first sought the kingdom of God and obtained a hope in Christ, they would naturally wish to use their wealth for the good of others.  If I am truly Christlike, I think my materialistic nature would be dwarfed by the desire to help those less fortunate.  

I think all too often, we judge those who have earned their house on the hill and their fancy cars, as people who are selfish and materialistic, when this is not always the case.  We don't always know of their generosity.  A truly Christlike person does not flaunt their service to others.  We may never know how much money or time a person has donated to those around them.  When I was reading about Mr. Huntsman, I learned that on at least two occasions, he requested that buildings be named after someone else, even though he was the one that made the monetary donation necessary to build them.  I can only hope that someday, if I do obtain those riches I am seeking, I will be able to do as Mr. Huntsman has done:

Think of your brethren like unto yourselves, and be familiar with all and free with your substance, that they may be rich like unto you. (Jacob 2:17)

Click here to read what I read today: Chapter 1 

Click here to read what I read today: Chapter 2 

Click here to learn more about the Huntsman Cancer Institute 

 

Testimony

©Darrell Wyatt

I felt such a connection to Nephi as I read today, more of a connection than I've ever felt before.  I don't want this to sound irreverent, but I realized as I was reading the end of his record that for the past twenty or so chapters, Nephi was doing much the same thing as I am doing with my blog.  He was keeping a record of his thoughts as he read the book of Isaiah.  Please don't misunderstand.  I'm not comparing myself spiritually to a prophet of the Lord.  Nephi's record is, of course, of much more importance to the world than my little blog.  I am mostly writing for my own benefit, whereas Nephi was writing for the benefit of his people and their descendants and all of the millions of other people that he knew through revelation would also read it.  But there was just something about the words that he said that made me feel such a closeness to him.  His words had a little bit of a feeling of inadequacy - "neither am I mighty in writing, like unto speaking" (2 Nephi 33:1) - that I really found quite endearing.  He understood all those thousands of years ago how difficult it is to convey one's thoughts and emotion into writing:

...for when a man speaketh by the power of the Holy Ghost the power of the Holy Ghost carrieth it unto the hearts of the children of men. (2 Nephi 33:1)

He knew that many people would discount his words and harden their hearts against the spirit.  These people wouldn't understand the importance of the things that he wrote or that he wrote them under the direction and power of the spirit of God. 

But I, Nephi, have written what I have written, and I esteem it as of great worth, and especially unto my people.  For I pray continually for them by day, and mine eyes water my pillow by night, because of them; and I cry unto my God in faith, and I know that he will hear my cry.

...And the words which I have written in weakness will be made strong unto them; for it persuadeth them to do good; it maketh known unto them of their fathers; and it speaketh of Jesus, and persuadeth them to believe in him, and to endure to the end, which is life eternal. (2 Nephi 33:3-4)

The Lord had revealed so much to Nephi.  He knew the trials of faith that his people would go through, and the wars and the destruction they would face because of their wickedness.  He wanted his record to be a witness to them that he knew of these things and that he had been commanded to write of them.

And if they are not the words of Christ, judge ye - for Christ will show unto you, with power and great glory, that they are his words, at the last day; and you and I shall stand face to face before his bar; and ye shall know that I have been commanded of him to write these things, notwithstanding my weakness. (2 Nephi 33:11)

What better witness will there be of the truthfulness of Nephi's record than Christ himself?  Nephi was just a man.  He was a man who decided to trust in the Lord and follow his commandments.  He could have murmured as Laman and Lemuel did, but he chose not to.  He had faith that "the Lord gives no commandment unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them" (1 Nephi 3:7).  So he did as he was asked.  He kept the records of his family history safe from harm and paved the way for them to be handed down from generation to generation for the good of his people.  He kept a record of his days on the earth and commanded that those after him do so as well, most at great personal risk. He saw that all the ends of the earth would someday have his record, and he knew that some would believe and that many would not.

And now, my beloved brethren, and also Jew, and all ye ends of the earth, hearken unto these words and believe in Christ; and if ye believe not in these words believe in Christ...(2 Nephi 33:10)

I guess, when it comes right down to it, that is my hope for my blog, also.  I know that because of the nature of the internet, there will be people from all walks of life who stumble upon the things that I'm writing.  Some will agree with the things I say, some will not.  But no matter what else anyone gets from reading these simple posts of mine, I hope to convey the message that I believe in Jesus Christ.  He is my Savior and Redeemer.  He atoned for my personal sins and trials.  I know that He lives.  I know that He will come again. I love Him with every ounce of my being and I am striving to live in such a way that I will be able to live with Him again someday.  My gratitude for his sacrifice is immeasurable.  I hope that, no matter our differences in beliefs, those who read my blog will be able to see that I have a strong testimony of Jesus Christ.

And I pray the Father in the name of Christ that many of us, if not all, may be saved in his kingdom at that great and last day. (2 Nephi 33:12)

Click here to read what I read today!

I Don't Need Any Help!

My youngest son is extremely independent.  He potty-trained himself.  He taught himself to read.   He taught himself to ride his bike without training wheels.  He even memorized the Gettysburg Address in it's entirety without my help - while in kindergarten.  "I don't need any help!"  How often I have heard that phrase! I love this picture of him, and just noticed that it's a good illustration of his little independent personality.  If you look closely, you can see that his shirt is on inside out - he didn't need any help!!  He could get dressed on his own.   I had a small victory a few months ago when I was able to teach him how to tie his shoes.  He almost got it all by himself, but not quite.  "Mom!  You finally got to teach him something!", said one of my girls.  I'll have to admit, I was reveling a bit in the fact that he needed me.

While independence is mostly a good trait, it can also be a hindrance to our growth.  If we are constantly, like my son, trying to do everything on our own, we will never succeed.  Thankfully, we have a loving Heavenly Father who is always there, ready for us to ask for his help.  He has given us the tools that we need, if only we will use them.

...Wherefore, I said unto you, feast upon the words of Christ; for behold, the words of Christ will tell you all things what ye should do. (2 Nephi 32:3)

There have been countless times that I have had a question or concern and turned to the scriptures to find my answer.  Sometimes, it's just been as simple as opening the scriptures and reading whatever happens to be on that page.  Other times, I've really had to search and ponder and pray.

This chapter that I read today (2 Nephi 32), is a very short chapter, yet one of my favorites.  Nephi is finishing his preaching about Isaiah and the coming of Christ and many other things.  He can tell that the people are still unsure about what he's saying.  I can almost feel the frustration in Nephi - knowing that he has told them everything he can tell them, and explained it all and they still don't understand or maybe even believe what he has said.

And now I, Nephi, cannot say more; the Spirit stoppeth mine utterance, and I am left to mourn because of the unbelief, and the wickedness, and the ignorance, and the stiffneckedness of men; for they will not search knowledge, nor understand great knowledge, when it is given unto them in plainness, even as plain as word can be. (2Nephi 32:7)

Nephi feels as if he's given all the information he can, as plainly as he can.  He doesn't know what else he can say, and knows that it is up to each individual to figure it out for himself.  I sort of know how he feels.  There are certain times when I'm talking to the kids that I feel as if I'm talking to a rock.  And I know that my parents felt the same way.  It's just an inevitable part of teaching, I think.  What Nephi was saying, and what all parents try to convey, is that our kids (and we) are never truly alone.

...For if ye would hearken unto the Spirit which teacheth a man to pray ye would know that ye must pray; (2 Nephi 32: 8)

But behold, I say unto you that ye must pray always, and not faint; (2 Nephi 32:9)

As a mom, I can only imagine the heartache and frustration that our Heavenly Father feels when he sees one of His children trying to go it alone. "I don't need any help!"  Potty-training and bike riding and shoe-tying are altogether different than the problems that my little boy will face as he grows into adulthood.  He will need help.  He'll need to rely on his Father in Heaven.  I hope that I can teach him in "plainness, even as plain as word can be", that he has the tools at his disposal - scripture and prayer - so that when he faces hardship or uncertainty he will turn to the Lord. 

Click here to read what I read today!

Following the Leader

©Darrell Wyatt

I've been thinking this morning about the example I am, as a mother, to my kids.  After all, this really is my purpose in being here - to set an example and to lead them back home to our Father in Heaven. My job is not to have a perfectly clean house or a perfect yard or even the most volunteer hours at school.  My job is my kids.

A little more than ten years ago, I was in my little kitchen trying to finish dinner before my husband got home from work.  My oldest was five, the next was almost four, and I had a few months old baby.  It was a particularly trying day, with the baby crying,  my son screaming about something or other, and my five year old wanting as much attention as she squeeze out of me.  I remember rushing back and forth from the stove to the table to the refrigerator and back to the stove.  Everywhere I went, my daughter was right on my heels.  Literally.  If I would've stopped abruptly, she would've smacked right into my backside.  Finally, I could take it no more and I snapped, "What are you DOING???  Why do you have to follow me everywhere?"  She looked up at me with her sweetest angel face, unfazed by my snippy tone, and said, "In Primary yesterday, they told us that we need to follow in Jesus' footsteps.  I can't see him, so I'm following in yours."  This is one of those times as a parent that you wish that - like in the cartoons - there would magically appear a trap door under your feet to swallow you into the floor.  What a lesson I learned that evening!

My daughter was right.  She, along with the rest of us, are taught to follow in Jesus' footsteps.  He was the ultimate example to us of keeping the Lord's commandments.  Everything he did while on this earth was to show us the way.  He did many things that he, himself, had no need to do - being the only truly perfect man to walk the earth.  He knew that the best way to teach was by example.  At no time is this more clear than His baptism.

And now, if the Lamb of God, he being holy, should have need to be baptized by water, to fulfil all righteousness, O then, how much more need have we, being unholy, to be baptized, yea, even by water!

Know ye not that he was holy?  But notwithstanding he being holy, he showeth unto the children of men that, according to the flesh he humbleth himself before the Father and witnesseth unto the Father that he would be obedient unto him in keeping his commandments.

And again, it showeth the unto the children of men the straitness of the path, and the narrowness of the gate, by which they should enter, he having set the example before them.

He had no need to be baptized, other than to show us the importance of the ordinance and the importance of following the Lord's commandments.  

And he said unto the children of men:  Follow thou me.  Wherefore, my beloved brethren, can we follow Jesus save we shall be willing to keep the commandments of the Father?

While I will never be as perfect an example as Jesus was, I do have the same ultimate goal - to teach my kids to keep the commandants and to return them to Heavenly Father.  It's sort of like an eternal game of "Follow the Leader".  My children are looking to me to lead the way, following my example.  I am looking ahead to Christ, following his lead, and Christ in turn was looking to his Father - following his commandments.  I need to remember that if I stray from the path, I potentially bring six little souls with me.  Just like my daughter said, they can't see Jesus, so they follow in my footsteps.   I must be able to righteously say, as Jesus did:

...wherefore, follow me, and do the things which ye have seen me do.

Click here to read what I read today: Chapter 29

Click here to read what I read today: Chapter 30

Click here to read what I read today: Chapter 31

Be Still

On September 11, 2001, I remember having just gotten out of the shower when my husband came in the door after playing some morning basketball.  It was a Tuesday morning, and I was happily looking forward to spending the day getting ready for my 9th wedding anniversary date that night.  The kids were still sleeping, but it was nearly time to wake the oldest up for school.  My husband said, "Something's happening.  We need to turn on the news."  It was a very surreal feeling to see the aftermath of two planes hitting the World Trade Center, and President Bush on every TV channel telling us that the country had been victim of an apparent terrorist attack.  We watched as the south tower collapsed, sending the the surrounding area into chaos.  We watched as news broke that the Pentagon had just been hit, and we just sat there in stunned silence.  We were thousands of miles away from the attacks, but the feeling of fear and insecurity was as if our little Utah town had been attacked.  I remember walking around the whole day, feeling kind of numb.  I was glued to the television set.  No one knew if there would be more attacks.  No one knew where the next one would be.  When evening came, my husband and I decided that we should probably make some effort to celebrate our anniversary, so we left to look for a place to eat.  It was like a ghost town.  Most every business had closed.  We did find a little restaurant to eat in, and we and one other couple were the only ones there.  Turns out it was their anniversary, too.

The days and weeks following the attacks were filled with uncertainty and sadness and anger.  But I also remember a different feeling.  Just a few weeks later, at the beginning of October, it was time for General Conference.  I remember a feeling of anticipation to hear the prophet speak.  I needed to feel like everything was going to be ok, and I knew that the only person who could make that happen was President Hinckley.  I watched conference with reverence, but also with a little bit of impatience.  With every speaker, I kept thinking, "Come on!  I need to hear President Hinckley!".  Finally, it was his turn.

My beloved brethren and sisters, I accept this opportunity in humility. I pray that I may be guided by the Spirit of the Lord in that which I say.

I have just been handed a note that says that a U.S. missile attack is under way. I need not remind you that we live in perilous times. I desire to speak concerning these times and our circumstances as members of this Church.

You are acutely aware of the events of September 11, less than a month ago. Out of that vicious and ugly attack we are plunged into a state of war. It is the first war of the 21st century. The last century has been described as the most war-torn in human history. Now we are off on another dangerous undertaking, the unfolding of which and the end thereof we do not know. For the first time since we became a nation, the United States has been seriously attacked on its mainland soil. But this was not an attack on the United States alone. It was an attack on men and nations of goodwill everywhere. It was well planned, boldly executed, and the results were disastrous. It is estimated that more than 5,000 innocent people died. Among these were many from other nations. It was cruel and cunning, an act of consummate evil.

He went on to talk about some of the inevitable effects that the members of the church would feel, and he talked about Muslim/Christian relations and the need for us to show love to our fellow men.  He talked about war and the history of the Gadianton Robbers in the Book of Mormon.  He talked about standing solidly with the President of the United States, and many other things.  But he ended with this:

Now, brothers and sisters, we must do our duty, whatever that duty might be. Peace may be denied for a season. Some of our liberties may be curtailed. We may be inconvenienced. We may even be called on to suffer in one way or another. But God our Eternal Father will watch over this nation and all of the civilized world who look to Him. He has declared, "Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord" (Ps. 33:12). Our safety lies in repentance. Our strength comes of obedience to the commandments of God.

Let us be prayerful. Let us pray for righteousness. Let us pray for the forces of good. Let us reach out to help men and women of goodwill, whatever their religious persuasion and wherever they live. Let us stand firm against evil, both at home and abroad. Let us live worthy of the blessings of heaven, reforming our lives where necessary and looking to Him, the Father of us all. He has said, "Be still, and know that I am God" (Ps. 46:10).

Are these perilous times? They are. But there is no need to fear. We can have peace in our hearts and peace in our homes. We can be an influence for good in this world, every one of us.

May the God of heaven, the Almighty, bless us, help us, as we walk our various ways in the uncertain days that lie ahead. May we look to Him with unfailing faith. May we worthily place our reliance on His Beloved Son who is our great Redeemer, whether it be in life or in death, is my prayer in His holy name, even the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

"Be still, and know that I am God".  "There is no need to fear."  That was what I was looking for.  That was the comfort I needed.  And because those words came to me from a living prophet, I had no doubt that Heavenly Father was the one comforting me.

How grateful I am for a living prophet.  Because I was born into the church, I have never known what it's like to be without one.  There are many who believe that God does not speak through living prophets - that there is no more revelation.

Wo be unto him that shall say:  We have received the word of God, and we need no more of the word of God, for we have enough!  

For behold, thus saith the Lord God:  I will give unto the children of men line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little and there a little; and blessed are those who hearken unto my precepts, and lend an ear unto my counsel, for they shall learn wisdom; for unto him that receiveth I will give more; and from them that shall say, We have enough, from them shall be taken away even that which they have.

Because we have a loving Heavenly Father, he has provided a way for us to receive new revelation from Him.  Revelation that pertains to us in our day and our time.  That way is through a living prophet, who also loves us and is concerned for our welfare.  I'm sure President Hinckley had a different talk prepared that day, but he knew what we needed.  He knew that we would need comfort and guidance in that perilous time.  As long as we stay humble and listen and receive modern revelation, and do as the Lord would have us do, we will continue to receive that revelation, "line upon line, precept upon precept", through a living prophet.

....for mine arm is lengthened out all the day long, saith the Lord God of Hosts.

He is there for us.  He is ready to comfort when we stand in need of comfort.  For that, I am so grateful.

Click here to read what I read today!

Click here for the full text of President Hinckley's Conference talk.

Teachable

I have a 14 year old son.  Granted, his special needs make him a little different than a lot of 14 year old boys, but in some ways there is no difference.  He loves his video games.  He gets annoyed by his sisters.  He hates homework and housework and, well, any kind of work.  He is loving and sweet and innocent.  I look at him, and I melt.

In today's reading, Isaiah foretold the coming forth of a book to an unlearned man.

Wherefore it shall come to pass, that the Lord God will deliver again the book and the words thereof to him that is not learned; and the man that is not learned shall say: I am not learned.

That man was Joseph Smith.  A lot people outside the church (and some inside) have a difficult time processing the Joseph Smith story.  I am blessed to have always been able to believe it.  It does seem strange to think of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ appearing to a 14 year old boy in a grove of trees.  It does seem strange that that same boy would be entrusted a few years later to translate gold plates into the Book of Mormon.  Strange, until one recalls the stories of Samuel or David or Daniel from the Old Testament.  All were very young boys when they were called to serve the Lord. 

I look at my son and, while easily distracted, he is also very teachable.  Perhaps this is why the Lord sometimes chose young boys to become His prophets, and why we send missionaries out into the world at just nineteen years of age.  Just as a young willow branch is bendable and flexible, and a mature branch is not, so it is with people.  As we age, we become set in our ways and much less humble and teachable.  Joseph Smith needed to be an unlearned man, as Isaiah prophesied, so that the Lord could direct his path and bring about the restoration of His church on the earth.  Of this I have no doubt.

I have also heard it said that Joseph Smith wrote the Book of Mormon himself, without the gold plates or the direction of the Lord.  This seems utterly unfathomable to me.  In fact, if there is anything in the history of the church that has given me an unshakable testimony that the church is true, it is this.  How is it possible that a backwoods farmboy with barely any education could write such a book without the aid of the Lord?  I ran across a "challenge of duplication" a few months ago when I was helping one of the kids with a Primary talk.  It gave a list of things one would have to be able to do in order to produce a comparable record within the same constraints experienced by Joseph Smith:

• If you have more than three years of formal education, you are disqualified.
• This history must be handwritten and only on the basis of what you know right now.  You can't use any libraries, encyclopedias or computers, because there weren't any back then.
• This book must be at least 500 pages long, more than 300,000 words, and yes - handwritten.
• You must write the entire book in 75 working days.  You may use friends as scribes, but you may make no changes other than grammatical corrections after your first draft.  What you write must stand forever.
• This record is to contain the history, particularly the religious history, of two different and separate nations.  You must deal with every phase of their society, describing their religious, economic, social, and political cultures and institutions.
• Be sure to change your style of writing several times to indicate that many authors contributed to the work, each with his own writing style.
• Include 54 chapters on wars, 21 chapters on history, 55 on visions and prophecies that correspond exactly with the Bible.  Write 71 chapters of doctrine and exhortation (these should also match the Bible), and write 21 chapters on the ministry of Christ which are consistent with the New Testament.
• Many of your facts and statements written as absolutely true must be inconsistent with the prevailing beliefs of the world.
• Your narration must include authentic descriptions of clothing, crops, customs, travel, and governments.
• Invent 280 new names that will stand up under scrutiny through the years as to their proper derivation.
• Call down an angel from heaven in broad daylight and have him and the voice of God bear testimony to four honest citizens of your community that the record is the work of God.  These witnesses must bear testimony to the world, not for profit or gain, but under sacrifice and ridicule even to their deathbeds.
• You must be willing to take great abuse and persecution, suffer financial hardship, and finally give up your life to assassins' bullets rather than deny your testimony of the book.

To me, this has always been something of a no-brainer.  It would be impossible for one man, young and unlearned as Joseph was, to fabricate such a record.  It would even be very difficult for an educated man to do so within the same constraints listed above.

 

And the things which shall be written out of the book shall be of great worth unto the children of men...

I look at my 14 year old son, humble and teachable, and I can imagine the prophet Joseph at that age.  He had such a desire to understand religion during his time.  He read the scriptures.  He pondered and prayed.  Because of his humility and sacrifice, the book that Isaiah prophesied would come forth is sitting next to me on my desk.  It is of great worth.  It is true.  And I am so grateful to have it.

Click here to read what I read today!

Christian the Christian

I watched a news story this morning that really touched me and that went so perfectly with my morning reading that I need to share:

Video Courtesy of KSL.com

In case the video doesn't work for you, here's the printed story that went with it:

Salt Lake man spends time pedaling and preaching in city streets

August 23rd, 2010 @ 10:12pm

By Jennifer Stagg

SALT LAKE CITY -- Have you ever taken a ride in a pedicab? We don't have too many in Utah, but there's one you may have seen in downtown Salt Lake City recently. Its owner says his pedaling comes second to his preaching.

On any given Saturday, you can find Christian Kocherscheidt pedaling free rides in his pedicab. With a hand to help you inside and a foot push to get going, he'll take you right to your car. The conversation comes standard.
"It's always different people," Kocherscheidt says. "It's always different conversations."
Each ride, like each passenger, is unique; but there's one topic that always seems to come up. Kocherscheidt's "K2" jersey gives his customers a little clue.
"I'm a pastor here in town: K2 the Church," Kocherscheidt says. "I always knew there was a God, always trusted that He was good and that he had a purpose for me."
Kocherscheidt is a Christian, and the bicycle taxi is just a side gig. Preaching, not pedaling, is his full-time job.
"[There's] a lot of surprise," Kocherscheidt says. "The first word is: ‘Really?'"
He speaks to a packed congregation at K2 the Church on Sundays then pulls people behind his bike a few times a month.
Kocherscheidt says he doesn't bike taxi to build his flock, but if the ride turns to religion, he always keeps a business card or two in his jersey.
"There was one week where eight people actually showed up here and actually made the effort to let me know that they were here," Kocherscheidt says. "I had given a ride to [them] a couple of nights earlier."
While the venue might be different, Kocherscheidt's motivation doesn't change. People, he says, keep him preaching and pedaling in Salt Lake City.
"I love having the position to speak into people's lives, to hopefully be of help and of encouragement and just walk through life with people," he says.
Kocherscheidt says cycling has also helped him stay in shape. He's lost nearly 50 pounds since he started riding this year.


-------------------

I think the thing that touched me the most about Christian's story is that he offers his pedi-cab rides for free.  He is not looking to make money off of people, but in his heart really feels that he is looking after "the welfare of Zion".  While Christian (the K2 Pastor) is not a member of my faith, I believe that he is a good man with a good heart (as much as I can tell from a 2 minute news clip, anyway).  

...wherefore, the Lord God hath given a commandment that all men should have charity, which charity is love.  And except they should have charity they were nothing.  Wherefore, if they should have charity they would not suffer the laborer in Zion to perish.

I think that some people in the world view members of the LDS Church as haughty or "holier-than-thou", and maybe rightly so.  We claim to belong to the only true church on the face of the earth.  While I believe wholeheartedly that I belong to the true church, that doesn't mean that I think that every other church is wrong or bad.  To me, they are just incomplete - without the fullness of the gospel.  There are good people, like Christian, everywhere on this earth.  People who talk of Christ, rejoice in Christ and prophesy of Christ.  That they don't have the fullness of His gospel (yet) doesn't make them any less loved by our Father in Heaven.

Hath he commanded any that they should not partake of his salvation?  Behold I say unto you, Nay; but he hath given it free for all men; and he hath commanded his people that they should persuade all men to repentance.

Behold, hath the Lord commanded any that they should not partake of his goodness? Behold I say unto you, Nay; but all men are privileged the one like unto the other, and none are forbidden.

Having the fullness of the gospel should not be a point of pride, like it is with too many members of the Church, but an indication of a greater responsibility.  Responsibility cannot be fully and righteously exercised without humility and charity.  No one had more truth at his disposal than Christ, yet he taught with humility and charity, as Christian the Pastor/Pedi-Cab driver is.  How much of a greater responsibility do church members have!!  Christian, though he does not have a fullness of the gospel (which includes the priesthood, the ordinances, the temple), is doing more with what he has by his service than many members who have the fullness but choose to stay in their little cliques or just associate with church members. 

We claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may. 

What an example I have found in Christian, the Christian, today.  He is truly exemplifying Christ-like behavior.  And just like his pedi-cab rides, I am reminded that the salvation of Christ is free for everyone.

...he inviteth them all to come unto him and partake of his goodness; and he denieth none that come unto him, black and white, bond and free, male and female; and he remembereth the heathen; and all are alike unto God, both Jew and Gentile.

Click here to read what I read today! 

Taking Time

©Darrell Wyatt

Life is busy when you're a parent.  There's football practice, color guard practice, basketball practice, activity days, scouts, and mutual.  In a couple of days, I'll get to add homework to that list. And all those things are done in the five hours a day that the kids aren't at school or sleeping.  Somewhere in there, they want time to play with friends and eat dinner, too.

The whole earth is at rest, and is quiet; they break forth into singing.

Ahhhhh.   Millenium, take me away.  Isaiah's description of the Millenium (the thousand years after Christ comes again and Satan is bound) is...well, heavenly.  Who wouldn't want to be there?  The problem is, just wanting isn't enough.  We have to take action - do the things that we're supposed to do in order to be included in those who have earned a place with the Savior during this time.

And now behold, I say unto you that the right way is to believe in Christ, and deny him not; and Christ is the Holy One of Israel; wherefore ye must bow down before him, and worship him with all your might, mind, and strength, and your whole soul; and if ye do this ye shall in no wise be cast out.

Nephi understood that it wasn't enough to just believe.  We have to worship Him with all our "might, mind, and strength, and your whole soul".  I think that my recent brand of "Sunday Mormonism" just won't do.  Of course I love the Savior.  I worship Him.  Just not with all my might, mind and strength, and probably not even my whole soul.  It's just that with so much going on, I don't take as much time as I should and devote it to Him.  I go to church on Sunday, and I read my scriptures in the morning, but what do I do for all the rest of those hours?  Too often, I let the noise of the world crowd out my thoughts.  I need to be teaching my kids.  I need to be having Family Home Evening.

Nephi, though a prophet and seer, was also a parent.

I have made mention unto my children concerning the judgments of God...

 For we labor diligently to write, to persuade our children...to believe in Christ, and to be reconciled to God; for we know that it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do.

"After all we can do".  The grace of God is available to all, but we must do before we can receive.  Am I doing my part?  Am I teaching my kids all they need to know to be prepared?  

And we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ, and we write according to our prophecies, that our children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins.

As peaceful and wonderful as the Millenium will be, it would be hell without my children.  It is my responsibility to make sure that they have the knowledge of Christ and repentance that they will need to get them there.  In 2 Nephi, chapter 4, Lehi told his children:

...for behold, I know that if ye are brought up in the way ye should go ye will not depart from it.

I know that if I bring my kids up with a love for the Savior and a knowledge of the difference between right and wrong, they will be able to always have that to fall back on.  They may stray.  They may make choices that are different that what I would wish for them to make.  But they will always have that foundation, if I make sure to give it to them.  

It just doesn't seem like there are enough hours in the day to accomplish all of the good things that I need to do.  It's nearly impossible to sit down on a Monday night to have Family Home Evening.  One kid is a football practice, one at band.  My husband sometimes works very late.  So what can I do?  Although Monday nights are designated Family Home Evening nights, I'm sure that having it on Sunday night would be better than not having it at all.  What else can I do?  I can talk of Christ in the car on the way to practices.  I can rejoice in Him always.  I can preach to my children over meal preparation.  I can write down my thoughts.  There is always a way.  There is always time.  I must use it, so that I will be able to say that my kids have been brought up in the way they should go.  I want to have my children around me during the Millenium.  Who really needs all that quiet, anyway?

Click here to read what I read today: Chapter 23

Click here to read what I read today: Chapter 24

 Click here to read what I read today: Chapter 25 

My Joy and My Song

I got called to be a primary teacher a few months ago.  Not my dream calling, since I'm with kids nearly every second of the day during the week, but I accepted the calling knowing that Heavenly Father must have a place for me there, and I have really loved it.  My favorite part of the primary day is singing time.  I watch these kids learning the songs, and I can just feel the spirit so strongly!  Nowhere - not in Gospel Doctrine, not in Relief Society - can one learn so much about the Savior in such a short amount of time.  Each song is full of lessons.

Perhaps that's why, when I was reading this morning, two songs kept running through my mind.  The first is a primary song:  I'm Trying to Be Like Jesus.  Isaiah was describing the attributes that the Savior would have during his time on earth.

And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord;

And shall make him of quick understanding in the fear of the Lord; and he shall not judge after the sight of his eyes, neither reprove after the hearing of his ears.

But with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity...

And righteousness shall be the girdle of his loins, and faithfulness the girdle of his reins.

Wisdom and understanding. Counsel and might.  Knowledge and fear of the Lord. Quick to understand, slow to judge. Fair and righteous and faithful.  All attributes that I strive to have, and none that I have perfected.  

I’m trying to be like Jesus;
I’m following in his ways.
I’m trying to love as he did, in all that I do and say.
At times I am tempted to make a wrong choice,
But I try to listen as the still small voice whispers,

“Love one another as Jesus loves you.
Try to show kindness in all that you do.
Be gentle and loving in deed and in thought,
For these are the things Jesus taught.”

 I’m trying to love my neighbor;
I’m learning to serve my friends.
I watch for the day of gladness when Jesus will come again.
I try to remember the lessons he taught.
Then the Holy Spirit enters into my thoughts, saying:

“Love one another as Jesus loves you.
Try to show kindness in all that you do.
Be gentle and loving in deed and in thought,
For these are the things Jesus taught.”

Such a simple song, yet so full of lessons.  I really am trying to be like Jesus.  I want all those attributes that Isaiah described, and I must work every moment to ensure that I will attain that goal.  

When I read the next chapter (based on Isaiah 12), I knew right away that an old hymn was written about it.  It's a beautiful and short chapter, which Isaiah wrote in his usual poetic style.  My favorite verse from the chapter:

Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid; for the Lord Jehovah is my strength and my song; he also has become my salvation.

God really is my salvation. With him, nothing is impossible.  I will trust and not be afraid.  

The Lord is my light; then why should I fear?
By day and by night his presence is near.
He is my salvation from sorrow and sin;
This blessed assurance the Spirit doth bring.

The Lord is my light;
He is my joy and my song.
By day and by night he leads,
He leads me along.

The Lord is my light; tho clouds may arise,
Faith, stronger than sight, looks up thru the skies
Where Jesus forever in glory doth reign.
Then how can I ever in darkness remain?

 The Lord is my light;
He is my joy and my song.
By day and by night he leads,
He leads me along.

The Lord is my light; the Lord is my strength.
I know in his might I’ll conquer at length.
My weakness in mercy he covers with pow’r,
And, walking by faith, I am blest ev’ry hour.

  
The Lord is my light;
He is my joy and my song.
By day and by night he leads, 
He leads me along.

The Lord is my light, my all and in all.
There is in his sight no darkness at all.
He is my Redeemer, my Savior, and King.
With Saints and with angels his praises I’ll sing.

So powerful!  I feel so very blessed to have a knowledge of the Savior and of his love for me.  In my darkest hours, he is there.  He is my light.  He is there for me by night and by day.  If I am faithful, there is no limit to the blessings that I can receive through Him.  He really is my strength.  I am so grateful for Him and the love and light he brings to my life.

©Darrell Wyatt

 Click here to read what I read today: Chapter 21

Click here to read what I read today: Chapter 22 

Lost

©Darrell Wyatt

 
I got completely lost in the scriptures today.  And not in a good way.  I kept reading and rereading, hoping to catch some understanding of what Isaiah was trying to say.  I prayed about it.  I even got out some reference books to see if that would help.  Nothing.  Isaiah is an amazing writer - the Shakespeare of 8th Century BC, maybe.  And even harder for me to understand.

Wo unto them that decree unrighteous decrees, and that write grievousness which they have prescribed;  To turn away the needy from judgment, and to take away the right from the poor of my people, that widows may be their prey, and that they may rob the fatherless!

And what will ye do in the day of visitation, and in the desolation which shall come from far? to whom will ye flee for help? and where will ye leave your glory?

After some research, I gathered that Israel had become very wicked.  They were worshiping idols, making unjust laws and basically turning their backs on the Lord.

O Assyrian, the rod of mine anger, and the staff in their hand is their indignation.  I will send him against a hypocritical nation, and against the people of my wrath will I give him a charge to take the spoil, and to take the prey, and to tread them down like the mire of the streets.

Assyria was a proud nation who believed that they could conquer any other nation.  The Lord used them to humble Israel, until Israel remembered and turned again to Him.  When the work was finished, He allowed another nation to destroy the Assyrians.  He was angry that the Assyrian leaders were boasting in their own strength, when it was really through Him that they were able to accomplish the task of defeating Samaria.

Shall the ax boast itself against him that heweth therewith?  Shall the saw magnify itself against him that shaketh it?  As if the rod should shake itself against them that lift it up, or as if the staff should lift up itself as it it were no wood!

Out of the many verses that I read today, this is by far my favorite.  How often have I congratulated myself for completing a task or felt proud of myself for an accomplishment without acknowledging the Lord's hand?  Just as an ax or a saw or a staff cannot work without someone being the driving force behind it, I need to remember that in every good thing I do or have done, the Lord has been my driving force.

So I guess I did learn a few things today, after all.  First, I learned that I need to remember to acknowledge the Lord in all I do.  Next, I realized that Nephi really thought that this was an important part of history for us to read.  I can't imagine that it would have been an easy task to inscribe on plates of gold.  For him to rewrite the words of Isaiah, there must be an important message for our time.  I believe that it is that we, as a nation, need to not turn away from the Lord as the Israelites of Isaiah's day did, or the Lord will have to humble us.  And finally, and the most important to me, I learned that with enough perseverance and prayer, I can understand anything in the scriptures.  Even though my reading didn't start out well, I believe that I came away from it with the experience and understanding that the Lord wanted me to have today.  What a blessing!

Click here to read what I read today: Chapter 17

Click here to read what I read today: Chapter 18

Click here to read what I read today: Chapter 19

Click here to read what I read today: Chapter 20

If Life Gives You Wild Grapes...

It's interesting to go back and read the Book of Mormon again and notice what passages I highlighted the first time I read it.  They must have meant something special to me then - something different than they mean now.  The things that stood out to me today as I was reading were different than when I read even just a few months ago.  I can tell what things are weighing heavy on my mind.  I guess that's why it's important to read and reread the scriptures.

I'm still having a difficult time with giving my oldest daughter the independence to make choices on her own.  Next week, she'll go back to school.  During the summer, I've been able to control (there's that word again) a little easier who she "hangs out" with and how she spends her time.  When she goes back to school, I lose that control.  Between marching band practice and the regular school day, I'll hardly see her.  How will I know that she's making good decisions?  How will I know who she's associating with?  I won't.

In today's reading, Isaiah is talking about Christ and Israel. "...My well-beloved hath a vineyard in a very fruitful hill."  Christ is "my well-beloved".  I love that, by the way.

And he fenced it, and gathered out the stones thereof, and planted it with the choicest vine, and built a tower in the midst of it, and also made a wine-press therein; and he looked that it should bring forth grapes, and it brought forth wild grapes.

I don't consider any of my kids "wild grapes" just yet, and I'm doing everything I can to prevent them from becoming so.  Ultimately, I don't have real control over whether that happens.

What could have been done more to my vineyard that I have not done in it?

What more could I be teaching my kids that I have not taught them?  Have I hedged up their paths?  I don't know!  

I once heard someone say that our Heavenly Father is the only perfect parent there ever was.  Absolutely perfect, and yet he lost a full one third of his children to Satan's plan, right from the start.  He must have been devastated.  What I learn from that, though, is that no matter how good a mom I am, I have the chance of losing some of them.  I also realize how important their freedom to choose is.  Heavenly Father did not force that one third to follow Jesus' plan.  He let them choose the wrong path, knowing full well that he'd probably never see them again.  I can only hope that I will never have to face a situation that difficult with my kids.  I know that some people do, and it's heartbreaking. 

Right now, while my kids are with me, they're kind of like this baby leaf.  They are just starting to find their direction.  Just putting out feelers.  They are still delicate and impressionable.  I know I'm doing the best that I can to give them a good foundation upon which to base their future choices.  I can hope and pray that they'll fall back on that foundation, but the choice is theirs. I can only hope that they will "bring forth grapes" and not wild grapes.  If I do get wild grapes, I guess I'll just have to learn how to make wild grape juice.

Click here to read what I read today: Chapter 15

Click here to read what I read today: Chapter 16

Work to Do

©Darrell Wyatt

I have a temple 3.63 miles from my front door.  I know, because I just mapped it.  According to the map, it would take me 12 minutes to get from my house to the Logan Temple.  In fact, if I were to travel around 8 hours in any direction, I could have the pick of 24 temples.  Eight hours!  Twenty-four temples!  I've heard stories of people who sell everything they have and travel for days, just to be able to attend the temple one time.  I have two dozen temples within a reasonable driving distance, and I haven't been there in a very long time.

In an earlier blog, I talked about the Providence Stake goals for 2009 (the gospel basics).  This year's goals look like this:

Our stake boundaries are small.  If I calculated it right, the home in our stake furthest from the temple has just over five miles to travel.  Yet, the stake presidency felt the need to make going to the temple a top priority for the year 2010.  There must be many people who, like me, have for one reason or another let their recommends lapse.  After all, if we were all regularly attending the temple, there would be no reason for the push.


Isaiah foretold of the building of temples in the last days:

And it shall come to pass in the last days, when the mountain of the Lord's house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills, and all nations shall flow unto it.

And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob...

And people are coming from all nations.  Right now, there are over 150 temples, including the ones just announced or under construction.  There are temples on all but one continent.  That is incredible to me.  

I remember watching General Conference in 1998, when President Hinckley made this announcement:

As I have previously indicated, in recent months we have traveled far out among the membership of the Church. I have been with many who have very little of this world's goods. But they have in their hearts a great burning faith concerning this latter-day work. They love the Church. They love the gospel. They love the Lord and want to do His will. They are paying their tithing, modest as it is. They make tremendous sacrifices to visit the temples. They travel for days at a time in cheap buses and on old boats. They save their money and do without to make it all possible.

They need nearby temples--small, beautiful, serviceable temples.

Accordingly, I take this opportunity to announce to the entire Church a program to construct some 30 smaller temples immediately. They will be in Europe, in Asia, in Australia and Fiji, in Mexico and Central and South America and Africa, as well as in the United States and Canada. They will have all the necessary facilities to provide the ordinances of the Lord's house.

Goosebumps.  At the time that he said this, there were 51 operating temples and 17 under construction, with these 30 smaller temples bringing the total number to 98.  Then he said, "I think we had better add 2 more to make it an even 100 by the end of this century."  I remember thinking that this was almost an unreachable goal.  The Church was almost 170 years old, and only 51 temples had been built.  President Hinckley wanted to double that amount in just two years!  Here we are, 12 years after his talk, and exactly 100 more temples have been built or announced since then.  What a testimony to me of the greatness of having a living prophet on this earth.  He knew, without a doubt, that this almost impossible undertaking would be possible.  He knew that all nations needed to be able to attend the temple.  And knew that this would make it much easier for them to do so.  I can only imagine the excitement of those in other countries who were watching conference or who read his words later in church magazines.  I bet the feeling of gratitude was overwhelming.  The Lord had remembered them!  He knew of their desire to perform temple ordinances and to move the gospel forward.  He knew them.

Oh how I have taken my close proximity to the temple for granted.  Life is busy.  There's always tomorrow, right?  But there isn't always tomorrow.  There are people waiting for these ordinances to be done for them, and I can only imagine their frustration with people like me who keep putting it off.

I think I'll make an appointment to meet with the Bishop this Sunday.  I have work to do!

Click here to read what I read today: Chapter 12

Click here to read what I read today: Chapter 13

Click here to read what I read today: Chapter 14

Delightful

©Darrell Wyatt

I'll have to admit that I'm a little naive when it comes to other religions.  I assume too much.  I just figure that everyone believes in Jesus and the Atonement and eternal life, like I do.  Living in Utah probably adds a little bit (okay, probably a lot) to that.  While Utah as a whole is becoming more and more diverse, the little valley that I live in doesn't see a whole lot of diversity.  My doctor is LDS, my dentist is LDS, my paperboy is LDS.  Most of my kids' school teachers are even LDS.  If I go to the grocery store, I overhear conversations about who's going on their mission and who just came home.  On any given day, there are various street corners with signs reminding of tonight's Enrichment Activity. And I LOVE it!  I love raising my kids in a place where my morals and values abound, probably just as someone who is Southern Baptist would love living in the South.  (Is my naivete showing?)

The problem, though, with feeling so comfortable and sheltered is that I have probably become a little lazy.  I just figure that with so many members of the church, everyone is or has been exposed to the gospel.  I don't want to push my religion on people who don't want to hear.  Today's reading showed me that Nephi was quite the opposite.

Behold, my soul delighteth in proving unto my people the truth of the coming of Christ...

And also my soul delighteth in the covenants of the Lord which he hath made to our fathers; yea, my soul delighteth in his grace, and in his justice, and power, and mercy in the great and eternal plan of deliverance from death.

And my soul delighteth in proving unto my people that save Christ should come all men must perish.

Not only did Nephi work to spread the news of Jesus' coming, he delighted in it.  

Now, I delight in many things.  Cheesecake is delightful.  A rainbow is delightful.  Standing high above the valley after a good hike is extremely delightful to me.  I delight in watching my kids excel at whatever they love, whether it be football or soccer or marching band.  But delight in spreading the gospel?  Not so much.  I tend to delight in staying in my little comfort zone.  Any accidental venture outside of it results in a near nervous breakdown.

I often wonder why it's so difficult for me.  I can run outside in the rain, wearing my pajamas and bare feet to take the garbage to road.  I can run down to the store in my homemade tomato soup spattered t-shirt, knowing full well I'll run into someone I know.  But sharing the gospel is too hard!  

Don't get me wrong.  If someone asks me a question about the church or our beliefs, I am delighted to answer.  I love the gospel.  I love talking about it - to anyone who really wants to hear.  I do, as Nephi did, delight "in His grace, and in His justice, and power, and mercy in the great and eternal plan".  I love the Lord with all my heart.  I am grateful for His atoning sacrifice.  I know that He loves me even more than I love Him.  So why can't I share that?

Hopefully, I just did.

Click here to read what I read today: Chapter 10 

Click here to read what I read today: Chapter 11