christmas.

Christmas is this week.

Enjoy:









Christ the Savior is born.

pattern for revelation.

I know I talk about revelation and getting answers fairly often, but as I read D&C 138 today I thought about the first time I read this section and was struck by the extremely important and profound answer that came from Joseph F. Smith following this pattern for revelation.

He starts out talking about how he was pondering the scriptures and reflecting on the sacrifice and atonement of Jesus Christ to redeem the world.

While pondering and reflecting his mind was drawn back to scriptures he had previously read.

Then he opened the Bible and read those sections in 1 Peter (3:18-20, 4:6).

As he continued to ponder those words the eyes of his understanding were opened.

He then received a vision of Christ's visit to the just dead in the Spirit World for the three days between his crucifixion and resurrection. Pretty important and heavy stuff. And it all came from pondering and opening the scriptures.

Love me some scriptures.

bountiful.

I read this passage today and it struck me:

1 Nephi 17:3-5

3. And thus we see that the commandments of God must be fulfilled. And if it so be that the children of men keep the commandments of God he doth nourish them, and strengthen them, and provide means whereby they can accomplish the thing which he has commanded them; wherefore, he did provide means for us while we did sojourn in the wilderness.

4. And we did sojourn for the space of many years, yea, even eight years in the wilderness.

5. And we did come to the land which we called Bountiful, because of its much fruit and also wild honey; and all these things were prepared of the Lord that we might not perish.

It was a nice reminder that when God asks us to do something or has a specific plan for us that he gives us help.

Nephi and his family were in the wilderness for eight years. That is so long. That is longer than any difficult thing I've ever had to deal with. But God had commanded them to leave Jerusalem, so he didn't  leave them on their own. He provided for them while they were righteous and called them to repentance when they weren't.

Then came the payoff/blessings: the land Bountiful. All prepared by the Lord so they wouldn't die.

Just a thought. 

step by step.

I've been reading Doctrine and Covenants and this morning there were a few phrases that caught my attention:

D&C 52:4 "And inasumuch as they are faithful unto me, it shall be made known unto them what they shall do;"

D&C 53:6 ". . . these are the first ordinances which you shall receive; and the residue shall be made known in a time to come . . . "

D&C 54:10 ". . . be patient in tribulation until I come; and, behold, I come quickly."

D&C 55:6 "The residue shall be made known hereafter, even as I will."

These revelations basically came to Joseph Smith because someone wanted to know what God wanted them to be doing, so they asked Joseph for help.

Joseph went to the Lord and then received council and gave it to them. In almost all of these revelations the Lord said, do this much and then when the time is right, I'll let you know the next step.

It was interesting to me, because I feel that for most of us, this is how we receive revelation. It's usually enough light to see through the immediate darkness, but our entire journey usually isn't illuminated all at once. We go through step by step, trusting God and he takes us from place to place until we are where we're supposed to be (as well as having been everywhere we were supposed to be).

He gives us a little bit of light, we exercise our faith and follow it, and then when we're there, or the time is right, we get the next set of instructions.

i know the end from the beginning.

"For I am the Lord thy God; I dwell in heaven; the earth is my footstool; I stretch my hand over the sea, and it obeys my voice; I cause the wind and the fire to be my chariot; I say to the mountains—Depart hence—and behold, they are taken away by a whirlwind, in an instant, suddenly.

My name is Jehovah, and I know the end from the beginning; therefore my hand shall be over thee."

-Abraham 2:7-8

It's nice to know that God and Christ are all powerful and that they are on our side. They understand the grand scheme and will have a hand in our lives.

It's comforting.

blessings in disguise.

Having your battery die in Salt Lake with three friends in your car is hardly a blessing.

Having a friend with jumper cables be parked just down the street is a blessing.

Having your battery die the day before pay day so you don't have to wait a week to buy a new one and be carless is a blessing.

Having people who are willing to let you borrow multimeters and jump your car to get a reading on your alternator is a blessing.

Having to buy only a battery and not an alternator is a blessing.



Bad and inconvenient things happen. But I know God is acutely aware of our needs. And when we seek to do what he asks of us, he can more fully bless us.

the brother of jared and the temple.

Many months ago a friend shared a deep insight into Ether 3 from the Book of Mormon and the parallels between the Brother of Jared's experience of seeing Christ and our temple experience.

I read that chapter this morning and was struck by a few more things, which I'd like to share.

So the Lord has commanded the Brother of Jared (BoJ) to build a bunch of ships so that they can cross the ocean and land in the Americas. However, these boats are completely dark inside. BoJ asks the Lord to spare them from traveling in complete darkness. The Lord asks, "Therefore what will ye that I should prepare for you that ye may have light when ye are swallowed up in the depths of the sea?" (Ether 2:25).

BoJ goes to mount Shelem. No idea where that is, but it's interesting that we call temples the Mount of the Lord. It is on this mountain that BoJ has the sacred experience of seeing Christ. So first parallel: a mountain as a temple.

Then he moltens 16 (2 for each boat) clear stones from a rock. BoJ came to the Lord with his own solution and he went through a great amount of effort and preparation. For me when I go to the temple, my best experiences are when I've come to a conclusion through study and I have done actual preparation. It is then that I get answers, things are confirmed or I'm redirected and things become clearer. Second parallel: preparation.

He asks the Lord to illuminate these rocks. Basically he's asking for greater light. In the temple we go there to 1. preform saving ordinances for ourselves and then for those that have passed on and 2. to receive greater light and knowledge; to get answers. Third: increased light (and knowledge).

Christ illuminates these stones and because of BoJ's faith he actually see's Christ's finger touching the stones. BoJ is pretty freaked out because he had no idea that God and Christ had physical forms. Christ explains that he has seen his spiritual body (Christ had not come to fulfill his earthly mission yet). But the veil between heaven and earth is parted and the BoJ is shown basically everything. We pass through a veil before entering the Celestial room in the temple. It is a room that is symbolic of being in presence of God. It is there that I usually get the answers that I'm looking for. I open the scriptures and am lead to answers. Fourth: passing through a veil to receive knowledge.

Lastly (for now) we learn about the plan of salvation, the fall and the nature of God in Ether 3. The purpose of temples and the Atonement of Jesus Christ is to redeem us from the effects of the fall of Adam and Eve: death and sin. Christ even says to BoJ "Because thou knowest these things ye are redeemed from the fall; therefore ye are brought back into my presence; therefore I show myself unto you." Fifth: learning how we can become saved, what our relationship with God and Christ is, and understanding God's plan.

The temple is great. Seriously.

the light of revelation.

I often find myself wanting an immediate answer or set of directions from God. I want revelation to be a light switch that flips on and suddenly everything is clear.

I've had "ah ha" moments that feel like that, when a sudden realization occurs and things come into focus. However, I think for most of us and in most cases the revelation is something more gradual.

When the sun rises the sky steadily lightens until the sun appears and everything is increasingly illuminated; it's gradual and the change is basically imperceptible.

Another parallel that a General Authority made a few conferences ago was about some gold prospectors.  A new prospector was working alongside a successful prospector. Most people had given up on the area and moved on or given up all together. The new prospector became frustrated that he wasn't finding nuggets. He asked the successful, seasoned prospector where he was finding all his gold. He revealed that he was gradually filling his bag with small flakes that were in the stream's water. His bag had become full with thousands and thousands of flakes as opposed to nuggets.

Our answers and revelations are similar. We get pieces gradually and sometimes we're even surprised to find our bag full of gold. We realize that the light of day is making things clear.

Anyway. Just something I was thinking about recently.

future blessings.

Do not let past experiences prevent you from receiving future blessings.

job.

This is something that a friend shared with me while I was on my mission and it was brought to my memory yesterday during church.

Job is a classic example of trials and suffering. And faithfulness to God. 

But I want to talk about how Job is an example of God's promise of eternal families:

This is what Job has before everything is taken away from him:

7,000 sheep

3,000 camels

500 yoke of oxen

500 she asses

7 sons and 3 daughters (10 kids)

He then loses every single one of those things. His kids are killed when a house collapses and fire and other things consume his flocks.

For the next 40 chapters Job stays faithful to the Lord while even his closest friends counsel him to curse the Lord.

Then in chapter 42:10 it says, "And the Lord turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends: also the Lord gave job twice as much as he had before." (emphasis added).

It then numbers what the Lord gives him after he's proven faithful:

14,000 sheep

6,000 camels

1,000 yoke of oxen

1,000 she asses

7 sons and 3 daughters (10 kids)

You don't have to be a genius at math to see that 10x2 does not equal 10. If the Lord said he was going to bless him with twice as much as he had before, and he only has 10 more kids . . . something appears to be wrong. The math checks out on all the other things.

The only logical explanation is this; Job's first 10 children + his second 10 children = 20, or double what he had before. Ergo . . . his first 10 kids are still his. Even after death. They are an eternal family. After this life, he has 20 kids. The Lord fulfilled his promise to Job and we can see that families are eternal.

Thank you Spencer Hadley for showing me this years ago.

fruit snacks.

At my internship we've got snacks. I get hungry. So I make a regular trip to where the fruit snacks are. This is a Cosco size box of Tree Top fruit snacks, the healthy . . . ier kind. I probably ate 30+ bags of those little guys from the first box we had. And for the entire box I got strawberry maybe 4 times. I really like strawberry. Meanwhile the customer service girl got multiple strawberries in every one she opened.

I felt cursed. All I wanted were strawberries. I barely even got oranges, the second best flavor.

Well. We eventually ran out and recently we got a new box.

The odds have been much more in my favor:

Of the four packages I've opened I've gotten 8 strawberries. Yes, I counted.

So what does this have to do with anything?

1. When blessings come, they often come in greater volume than we expected. And often when we're not expecting them.

2. Just because we've had bad fortune with something, or it hasn't been yielding results, it doesn't mean that can't change. Sometimes you just need a new box. Sometimes a small change is enough.

the time is at hand.

This morning I was struck by what I read in the first chapter of 3rd Nephi.

Basically, a prophet named Samuel had prophesied that in 5 years there would be signs on the American continent of Christ's birth in Bethlehem.

There was a small group of believers holding out hope for those signs. Meanwhile the scumbags of the city were planning a day that they would kill all the believers if there hadn't been any signs.

Nephi, the prophet at the time, gets wind of their plans and is devastated by the wickedness of these people. So he does the only thing he can - he prays for help from God. He bows himself down on the ground and prays the entire day.

Keep in mind that prophets had been prophesying for thousands of years about Christ's coming. Then this answer finally comes:

"Lift up your head and be of good cheer; for behold, the time is at hand, and on this night shall the sign be given, and on the morrow come I into the world, to show unto the world that I will fulfill all that which I have caused to be spoken by the mouth of my holy prophets." (v13)

Be of good cheer. The time is at hand. Fulfill all.

That night there is no darkness and among other signs, a new star appears. Everything that had ever been prophesied about Christ's birth was fulfilled: "And it had come to pass, yea, all things, every whit, according to the words of the prophets." (v20)

I think a lot of us are hoping for the fulfillment of promised blessings in our own lives.

We can trust God to fulfill "every whit" of those blessings because he has done it without fail in the scriptures. Sometimes the timetable is lifetimes . . . but I know that God fulfills his promises.

You might be noticing a reoccurring theme in these posts. Whatever.

flat tires.

Last week I had an experience that reaffirmed a few things for me:

1. God knows me. God loves me. God never leaves me.

2. God often uses other people as his "angels," to help us in times of need. Sometimes unlikely people.

3. We are not exempt from trials, but they can be eased.

4. God listens when we pray.


Here's the experience, sorry, this may get long:

Last week Jakob and I started our long journey to Havasupai (located in the Grand Canyon). The plan was to drive to Kingman, AZ via Las Vegas and meet up with Austin's family.

I was a little worried about my car's ability to make another 1,000+ mile trip. We prayed before leaving and asked for God's protection.

In Las Vegas we stopped at Wal-Mart so Jakob could grab a few things and then we were going to get food and continue on our journey. Coming out of the Wal-Mart parking lot the steering wheel started pulling noticeably left. It got worse and then a terrible noise followed. We confirmed it was a flat tire and pulled into the nearest apartment complex.

This is where Bill comes in. A stout guy with long hair and a beard. Maybe a Harley-Davidson shirt? Not exactly white flowing robes. He just "happened to walk out of his apartment" and see us. He helped us remove the flat tire and put the temporary tire on. Then he told us that down the street there were some Mexican tire places where I could get a replacement starting at $25.

We found the tire place and I chose a used tire (might have been a mistake, but God still helped me out despite a poor decision). If we had gotten a flat tire just 10 minutes earlier we would have been going about 80 mph on I-15. A much more dangerous, and remote situation.

You can call it coincidence. However, I know that God helped us through an inevitable trial by making the timing so convenient. An answer to our prayers.

It gets better (or worse).

We got to Kingman in one piece and met up with Austin's family. We got settled into our hotel room and were planning on getting up at 3 am to head to the trail that leads into the Havasupai reservation.

I went out at about 11 that night to find the replacement tire was flat. I was a little surprised. I drove just down the street to a gas station and put air in the tire (there were a lot of hotels in the Kingman, "lucky" for us we were in one close to a gas station). There was definitely a hole in the tire. I could hear air coming out of it.

Had I found that out at 3 in the morning we would have not been able to do much about it.

So we slept in till 7 and got a new tire at Big O Tires, which "conveniently" was down the street from our hotel about a mile.

The rest of the journey went smoothly.

I don't believe there are many coincidences. This experience was evidence enough to show me that God loves me and never leaves me.

what?

Ask what.

Not why.

I find myself asking too often, Why? Why am I here? Why is this happening now?

Talking to my mom recently, she related a story to me and I realized I needed to be asking What?

What am I supposed to be doing here? What am I supposed to be doing now? What changes need to be made?

God wants our wills . . . so I guess I could try a little harder to be doing what he knows is best for me, and asking what actions that requires of me.

timing.

I'm unsure how uplifting this post will be, but I have two thoughts:

1. It's always been extremely interesting to me how God uses different things to send a message. It can be a song, a movie, something someone mentions in passing or even a fortune cookie.

2. Timing is probably one of the most important things to understand when trying to align our will with God's. Understanding that the timing is crucial can help us to be patient as well as understand God's greater plan.

So what I'm trying to say is that this insight came from listening to a new song by Motion City Soundtrack. I was really into them in high school, but kind of moved on to other music . . . I can't even remembered how I ended up finding this track or listening to it . . . The song has some interesting points and truths, though MCS is definitely not the most religious band you'll find.

The message I got out of it may not be their intended point, but that's one of the great things about songs and literature; it doesn't matter. Here's the song with lyrics:



It's a matter of timing. God takes us to where we are and where we need to be with his timing. Understanding his timing is key to being happy.

Be patient. Be diligent.

lessons from the war chapters.

Sometimes people struggle with why there are so many chapters that go into pretty extensive detail about the wars fought between the people of the Book of Mormon. In my recent reading in Alma I've started reading these chapters.

There are many lessons that we can learn from these war chapters.

Here are a few that I learned this past week:

We must counsel with the Lord and seek his help, while doing every logical thing we know how.
In Alma 43, when the Lamanites (badies) saw the armor and preparation of the Nephites (goodies) they hauled buns out of there and decided to attack in a different place. Moroni wasn't sure where they'd go, but knew they had to head them off. So he does two things. 1. He sends spies and leaves part of the army to defend the first area, while mobilizing the rest of them and 2. He asks the prophet to ask God where the Lamanites were going to attack. At this time the Nephites were following God's commandments and the Lamanites were not.

The prophet tells them where to send their armies and they are able to defend and defeat the invading army.

God always wants to help us, and is willing to when we ask for his help. He also expects us to use our own brains and do everything we can. This could include making a list of pros and cons of a decision, or pursuing multiple opportunities, then God can direct us to what is best for us.

Those that have faith in God are able to see his delivering hand.
In Alma 44 Moroni, the leader of the Nephites is able to pin down the leader of the Lamanites. Moroni says that it is because of their faithfulness to God that they have been able to defeat the Lamanites. This shouldn't be seen as religious arrogance. Moroni sees it as a fulfillment of the promise that if they were righteous, God would protect and deliver them. Zarahemnah (bad guy) says it's because of their armor and superior weapons.

Well, Moroni is a pretty righteous guy and he did all that he could to prepare his people. Then, God strengthened them to be able to preserve their liberty.

What others may see as coincidence, or our own talent or wisdom, those that are faithful can see God's aid and hand in deliverance.

There is always a lesson that we can learn. Even in, and sometimes especially during our trials. 

chiasmus.

Chiasmus is a rhetorical tool where words, grammatical constructions, or concepts are repeated in reverse order, in the same or a modified form.

They appear in Latin and Greek texts, Shakespeare and the Bible to name a few.

I know that the Book of Mormon has a handful of them at least, which should be some sort of evidence that it wasn't made up by Joseph Smith on the spot.

I was reading in Alma chapter 36 this past week and I noticed a chiasmus (I'm sure this had been pointed out to me before, but I was stoked to have noticed myself). 

Alma is leaving his son Helaman with counsel before he dies. He starts out by telling him that he will be blessed by God to the degree of his obedience to God's commandments. Then he tells him to always remember how their ancestors were delivered from the Egyptians by the hand of God. 

He then talks about the need for everyone to be born of the Spirit; essentially, to be reborn. 

Then he talks about how he received forgiveness from God through Jesus Christ after being called to repentance by an angel.

He closes by talking about being spiritually reborn, remembering how their ancestors were led away from the Babylonians and came to the Americas, and that he would be blessed according to his degree of obedience.

Hopefully you're seeing this inverted order of counsel. 

Most importantly I hope you're seeing what the central point was; that it is only through Jesus Christ that we can be forgiven and be saved.

The Book of Mormon teaches the doctrines of the Atonement of Jesus Christ, and it is through the Book of Mormon that I have received a testimony by the Holy Spirit that Jesus is my savior. 

Jesus Christ is the way to forgiveness and the Book of Mormon has taught me how I can apply his sacrifice in my own life. 

two years.

This is more of a reflection than an insight . . .

I've been thinking a lot about missions recently. The 25th marked two years of being home from my mission in California.

Missions are about being in the correct place with the correct timing; being where God can utilize you. It is a test of finding what that mission is and fulfilling it. We may be asked to do things that don't make sense, or we feel do not lead to anything, but they become clear later on. We may not know why or how, but by following impressions we are able to fulfill our missions. 

Being home for two years, I feel a lot like I'm finishing a second mission and preparing for the next two years. I've tried to be where God wants/needs me when he needs me. I feel like there have been things for me to do in certain places and at certain times during my mission and since my mission. Now I feel like I'm preparing for a third two years. Not sure what the mission will be or where it will take me . . . But I want to be where God wants me.

Hopefully this reflection was insightful.

confidence.

This is something I wrote down a few months ago. It's about virtue.

The best feeling in the world is knowing that what you're doing is pleasing to God. Having confidence that you're living correctly, having confidence that you can call on His blessings and the comfort and guidance of the Spirit. There is power in it. There is an ability to achieve and progress. And I feel that it directly relates to virtue. When your thoughts are focused on what is good and wholesome, your words and actions are as well. You have nothing to hide or feel ashamed of. There is a time for everything and when we bridle our passions, we are able to feel that God is pleased with us and trusts us; we are able to feel His constant love. He never stops loving us, but sometimes he must retire His influence from us because we are not living worthy of it.

That is it. 

sacrificing for the temple.

Yesterday was a sunny day. A little cold. So, I decided that I would ride my bike to the temple instead of driving. I figured I wouldn't die of heat exhaustion, so I should give it a try.

I have a single speed bike . . . the temple is 2.7 miles away . . . and it is uphill the entire time. Needless to say, it wasn't the best idea I've ever had. By the time I got to the MTC my thighs were about ready to go into a coma. 

Then I remembered a story that Silvia Allred (Relief Society presidency) shared about sacrifices to get to the temple:

"In 1976, when we were living in Costa Rica, the mission president asked my husband to help organize the first trip from the mission to a temple. The Central America Mission then included Costa Rica, Panama, Nicaragua, and Honduras. The closest temple was the Mesa Arizona Temple. The trip required us to travel five days each way, crossing six borders. The financial sacrifice for most of those who went was great. They sold their television sets, bikes, skates, and anything else they could sell. We traveled in two uncomfortable buses day and night. Some of the members had used all their money to pay for the bus fare and had taken only crackers and margarine to eat on the way.

I have never forgotten the great outpouring of the Spirit we experienced during the three days we spent at the Mesa Temple."

For me the sacrifice is usually time during a busy school week or a few hours on a free day. But I realized that 20 minutes of leg exhaustion wasn't so bad when compared to the time and discomfort others have gone through to receive temple blessings. 

The temple is a special place for me, a place where I almost always get answers to my prayers and questions, if I go prepared.

I'm glad I got to sacrifice a little more to get there yesterday. And besides. I'm sure my thighs are being blessed somehow.

keep safe these things.

This thought comes from a rather short passage in my more recent reading of the Book of Mormon.

In the first chapter of Mosiah, King Benjamin is teaching his sons the language and prophecies of their ancestors and stressing how important it is for them to remember (I love the theme of remembering that is so prevalent in the Book of Mormon). He has his son, Mosiah, come to him and tells him he will be the future king. He then gives him charge over the records (plates of brass) that contain their scriptures.

He also gives him charge over the sword of Laban as well as the Liahona.

I'd like to extrapolate some symbolism here. I feel like these three things are symbolic of what is important for us to remember and keep close to us in our lives.

Firstly the plates. For obvious reasons, the scriptures are integral to our salvation. For many it's how we received a witness that Christ is our savior, or how we get answers to our prayers. As well I'd like to add our own personal records. Journals and study journals. There we write down our own testimonies and scraps of revelation. It shows God that we value the answers He's given us, and that we want His help. It can also serve as a later guide to our family or friends. You never know who will benefit from an answer you got years ago. Including yourself.

Secondly the sword of Laban. To me it is symbolic of being obedient and understanding that the Lord has a greater plan; one that we might not initially understand. If we're obedient to the things He asks of us, we can be happy and be closer to the Spirit.

Third, the Liahona, or compass. This ties into obedience . . . as well as sensitivity and faith and diligence. If we are looking for the subtle directions of the Lord, being sensitive to the whisperings of the Spirit and then acting on them, we can see more clearly, even during our trials. Faith to act and move forward, as well as the needed directions.

So that's it. Keep safe these things and we can have the increased guidance of God.

faith. hope. charity.

This morning I read in the book of Enos (Book of Mormon) and remembered a comment that a friend made in Sunday school a few weeks back.

Enos has always been a favorite of mine, but my friend provided a different way of looking into Enos' conversion to Christ.

Enos' father was a prophet and so Enos was exposed to the teachings of Christ. However, it wasn't until later in his life that he got his own testimony of Christ. I enjoy this because it shows that he received a foundation from his father, who gave him all the necessary information to have his own testimony and then it was up to him to decide if it mattered to him. I feel like my experience was similar in that regard.

Anyway. In 1 Corinthians chapter 13, Paul says "And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity" (v13 KJV). Moroni in the Book of Mormon (Moroni 7) expands on this saying that we must first have faith, then hope and then charity. My friend pointed out why it is in this order, as illustrated by the story of Enos:

Faith
Enos goes and prays in the woods to have his sins forgiven (about 500 years before Christ). After praying all night he receives a witness from God that he is forgiven and God says he is blessed for having believed in Christ, whom he has never before seen. First came faith; a belief that he could be forgiven and would be forgiven.

Hope
Enos' faith becomes unshakable and he feels an overwhelming hope. He knows that God has forgiven him and he now has a hope in Christ. He can overcome everything because of Christ's future Atonement.

Charity
Where do Enos' thoughts turn to once he has exercised faith and received hope? First his brothers and people and then to his enemies. He wants everyone else to have the same hope and happiness that he is experiencing. He feels charity towards his fellow men and even his enemies. He prays fervently for their welfare and then receives the promise that at a later date his enemies would have access to the scriptures and a chance to believe in Christ.

First we must have faith that Christ is our Savior, then we can have the hope of returning to live with God and then we can love our brothers and sisters and help them find the same joy we have.

God is a scientist.

"There is no difference between true religion and true science."

This was shared in institute last week. Unfortunately I cannot recall who it was attributed to.

This is so much my feeling and belief for years.

My biology professor freshman year started off the semester by explaining to us what he felt a proper mentality towards science was. He drew a line on the board and wrote "God" on one end and "science" on the other. He then said that anyone who believed in only one end of this spectrum was nuts (extremists at either end). We should believe in both, that God created the universe and that he uses the laws and principles that govern it.

Without delving deeper than is necessary, I believe that God is a scientist and that any discrepancies between religion and science are our own fault. Eventually we'll have a clear understanding of how science and it's laws are exploited by God.

Interesting fact: in the Bahá'i Faith  they believe that true science and true religion can never be in conflict. The principle states that truth is one, and therefore true science and true religion must be in harmony, rejecting the view that science and religions are in conflict. Neat-o.

You might also find some of these things that Einstein said interesting:

- I want to know how God created this world. I am not interested in this or that phenomenon, in the spectrum of this or that element. I want to know His thoughts; the rest are details.

- Science without religion is lame. Religion without science is blind.

- My religion consists of a humble admiration of the illimitable superior spirit who reveals himself in the slight details we are able to perceive with our frail and feeble minds.

And finally, something from the Book of Mormon. "Thou hast had signs enough . . . and all things denote there is a God; yea, even the earth, and all things that are upon the face of it, yea, and its motion, yea, and also all the planets which move in their regular form do witness that there is a Supreme Creator" (Alma 30:44).

promises.

Before I start, I want to say this: God always fulfills his promises.

While reading in the Book of Mormon this week in 2nd Nephi, I was impressed by something in the 10th chapter.

Jacob, Nephi's brother, is talking to his people (circa 559 BC) about Christ's future coming among the Jews. He mentions that they (Nephi's people) have received a promise, and despite prophecy of the consequences of future disobedience, that God will be merciful and that their descendants (in his own time) will eventually be restored and know their Redeemer.

The promise? That God will give future generations a fullness of knowledge of Christ. The time table? More than a thousand years . . . But the promise was fulfilled, and the descendants of the Book of Mormon, wherever they are, have access to the complete and full knowledge of Christ's sacrifice.

But what most intrigued me most was this:

Jacob talks about the Lord leading groups of people to different areas at different times, he even emphasizes "isles of the sea," saying, "the Lord God has led away from time to time from the house of Israel, according to his will and pleasure. And now . . . the Lord remembereth all them . . . wherefore he remembereth us also" (10:22).

I feel like, at least in my own life, God has had a very direct hand in leading me sometimes. I feel very good about a direction and path I'm taking, or a destination that I have "arrived" at. Then it feels like I'm on my own for a little while. God expects me to act and use what he's given me; to exercise my own free will.

In these times, and in times of challenges we wonder, when is this going to be like He promised me? Often times, we get clear promises from God, or the council that everything will be alright. We wonder, "well right now would be a good time for that to be true. God promised me. I'm ready for it to be better already."

As Jacob points out, those promises always come, "for [God] hath spoken it, and who can dispute?" (10:9)

I definitely don't know God's timetable for fulfillment of promises he's made with me. But I know that if I am righteous and strive to use my agency wisely . . . the promise will be fulfilled. Tomorrow. Or in 5 years. The Old and New Testaments, and the Book of Mormon are clear evidences that God remembers and keeps his promises.

sensitivity.

The Spanish word for sensitive is "sensible." Looks a lot like our English word sensible.

Interesting . . .

Sensible for us means something clear or wise. Practical. Functional. Beneficial. The archaic meaning is "able to notice or appreciate." I especially like this last definition.


Able to notice or appreciate.

I think we all would like to have this ability. To be sensible to the needs of people around us, or to the impressions of the Spirit.

In my calling I've recently had the opportunity to teach the various teachers about loving those they teach. What I got of it was having the sensitivity or sensibility to know what people need, who they are, what they've been through and how God sees them. Christ was the best example of this ability. He was in constant communion with the Holy Spirit. He always knew what people were feeling and needed. He was even able to perceive their thoughts.

Sensitivity to the Spirit has been one of my greatest desires over the last few years. Unfortunately, it's something that I sometimes lose sight of. However, I do feel that it is something that is attainable or at least possible for the majority of the time.

Praying for it. Living my life so that I won't be too distracted when the feelings come. I think that is the most difficult part. There is so much, especially in today's world, to distract us from the quiet whispers and feelings of the Spirit.

Anyways . . . I hope to be able to grow in my sensibility to the Spirit.

for your good.

Bad things happen. Inconvenient things happen. Even when we're trying to do what's right and live a balanced life. Our plans get messed up and we wonder sometimes if anything more could possibly go wrong. I've realized recently though, despite the consequences of our agency or of things outside our power, there is always something positive that can come from these situations.

This past Friday, through no real fault of my own, I was left behind. My entire class went on a field trip. Without me.

My professor had been adamant that we were leaving at 9:00 am sharp. I got out of my German class at 8:50. I was doing fine on time and as I biked past our meeting spot, there were only a handful of students. I parked my bike and decided the forty minute drive to Salt Lake would feel much much longer if I did not make a visit to the bathroom.

As I came out of my building around 9:01 I realized that the vans were gone. My initial response, “Are you kidding me?” So I called the vans. One was full. The other was being driven by my professor. He didn't want to turn around and pick me up. I guess my learning experience wasn't worth five extra minutes driving.

I was annoyed, but decided to use the next three hours to work on my prototype for another class in the shop. I ended up running into one of my professors I don't have a class with this semester. He's a professor whose design opinions and philosophies I respect highly. We got talking about internships and he told me I should apply to this summer's program in a far away land. I was doubtful of my ability to get it while other, more experienced students would by vying for the same position. He gave me a huge confidence booster, telling me that I could compete. So now I'm planning on doing the design test and applying for the program.

Though I missed an opportunity to see how plastics are blow-molded, which of course God didn't wish upon me, I was able to have a productive work session and get some direction from a professor I was in need of. Like God counseled Joseph Smith, if the very jaws of hell should gape open wide after you, know it is for your good. We don't always know why things happen to us, and most of the time, they just do, but God has a great way of giving us something else worth having.

Frustration happens. Bad things happen. There is always something good to be learned or gained.

the correct tool.

Recently, I put a new bike seat on my bike and oiled the chain so that it wouldn't squeak anymore. I was reminded of a metaphor I learned on my mission a few times and of what it means to me.

Here are a few short stories to illustrate my point:

The Accident (on my mission in California) - Elder Olofson and I had been together for a few months and we were starting to get along really well. We were on our way to visit Judith to talk to her about getting baptized. Josh Groban may have been distracting us, but as we came over a small hill we saw a green light, but the truck in front of us was completely stopped. 

Olofson slammed on the brakes and we avoided the truck, swerving to the right. We looked at each other and exhaled. Then the car behind us slammed into our rear. The guy's car was totalled, but we were fine. After everything got sorted out we realized that there was a piece of shrapnel stuck in our muffler:

This little guy proved impossible to remove; until the Zone Leaders showed up with this tool:

Locking pliers. With some effort we got it dislodged. It took the proper tool to fix our problem.

The Toilet (on my mission in California) - Clogged toilets are the worst thing ever. We were living with members and tried every single thing imaginable to try and get the toilet unclogged. Finally, we asked the family if they had a plunger. Took about 5 seconds to get the toilet clear. Again. A problem that could only be fixed with the correct tool.

The bike saddle - I hated the bike saddle on my bike. It was uncomfortable and made me slide forward. So I took a bike saddle my brother had lying around to replace it. I needed a Hex key to change the saddle. There were none to be found in the house. I tried some other stuff and ended up buying a Hex key at the bookstore. It took the aid of a hammer to get the nut loosened, but it worked.

The metaphor I see in all of this is repentance and the Atonement. We've all made mistakes and done things that we regret. Sometimes it just takes saying we're sorry, or never doing it again. Sometimes it takes a whole lot more than that.

 Sometimes the Atonement takes the form of a hammer. Sometimes it takes the form of a bulldozer. The point is, there are problems that we cannot fix ourselves. Only by going through the proper steps of repentance and applying the Atonement in our lives can we be made right again.

The Atonement of Jesus Christ is accessible to all of us at no cost. It is the only correct tool to receive forgiveness and confidence in God's presence. 

deliverance.

A few days ago as I was reading in Ether (Book of Mormon) I was struck by an impression.

The people of Jared had a hard time with staying righteous and were greatly influenced by the kings who ruled over them. When there was a king who followed God, the people usually followed suite. When the king would rather kill his dad for the throne than wait around and maybe inherit it, their society tended to decay.

One king, Shule, made sure that the prophets could come in and call his people to repentance. The people fixed their lives and were blessed for it. What was the reason that Shule, unlike a few kings before him was concerned with what God wanted?

"And there were no more wars in the days of Shule; and he remembered the great things that the Lord had done for his fathers in bringing them across the great deep into the promised land; wherefore he did execute judgment in righteousness all his days." (emphasis added, Ether 7:27)

So. Shule remembered how God had spared his ancestors from the Tower of Babel and brought them to the Americas.

Sound a little familiar?

In the Old Testament there are countless times where the children of Israel remember how their ancestors were delivered from Egyptian captivity (or didn't and roamed around in the wilderness, or were conquered and put into captivity again) and this led them to live the commandments of God. Nephi and his righteous descendants always looked back on their "Exodus," from Israel to the American continent.

So what is my point? Every group of righteous people had something in common. They remembered how God had delivered them. When he had taken them in His mercy and put them in a much better situation where they could be blessed if they would stay faithful to him.

It led me to ask myself, what event in my life has been the foundation of my belief and testimony? What can I always look back on to renew my desire to live correctly? I have a certain night in mind where God answered one of my prayers. So I suppose you can call it my "Exodus," my figurative deliverance from captivity.

Which deliverance do we remember to keep us strong?

in every thought.

so i recently had the idea of sharing some of the insights and things i learn in my studies and life. this blog is an attempt to share things that i find interesting, or help me to live the life God would want me to. i hope it will help me to develop some of my impressions into full thoughts.

the name "in every thought," comes from a scripture i've been being led to semi-frequently in Doctrine and Covenants (6:36), "Look unto me in every thought; doubt not, fear not."

the scriptures have been a very treasured thing to me over these past four years. i've found a lot of answers and guidance in them. which makes sense. they are answers and guidance to God's children, so i should be able to relate my own life to theirs. maybe you're even looking for the same answers that i am.

D&C 42:62 "If thou shalt ask, thou shalt receive revelation upon revelation, knowledge upon knowledge, that thou mayest know the mysteries and peaceable things––that which bringeth joy, that which bringeth life eternal."