Sight through the storm.

When I was a young man, I worked at a scout camp. One day when all the boys had come for a campfire, a massive storm came. We had to evacuate them all through a field that had become a sand storm. We couldn't see the building aways off but I knew it was there. I believed the building was there but could not see it. This is an example of faith. Uchtdorf said that “there are times when we have to not see with our eyes but see with our hearts” Alma told us to Counsel with the Lord in all thy doings, and he will direct thee for good; yea, when thou liest down at night lie down unto the Lord, that he may watch over you in your sleep; and when thou risest in the morning let thy heart be full of thanks unto God; and if ye do these things, ye shall be lifted up at the last day. (Alma 37:37) notice that he said "direct'- "not drag". The lord will not force us to do his will. And also notice he said “for good”- not “what you want.”

The lord knows yesterday today and forever- he knows every decision that we have made and every path that lies ahead. Uchtdorf also said, “If faith is so powerful, why can’t I receive an answer to a heartfelt prayer? I don’t need a sea to part or a mountain to move. I just need pass this test or my parents to forgive each other or an eternal companion to appear on my doorstep with a bouquet of flowers in one hand and an engagement ring in the other. Why can’t my faith accomplish that?” An important thing to realize is that faith can never force another’s agency. We also cannot force our will to God. We are meant to walk down the path and we are meant to get bumped and scraped up along the way. As we are walking along waiting for direction, we have to fend for ourself. “The purpose of faith is not to change God’s will but to empower us to act on God’s will.”

Saint-Exupéry’s who wrote the Little Prince, who said: “One sees clearly only with the heart. Anything essential is invisible to the eyes.” Sometimes we can't see through the storm ahead of us, but we can see with our hearts with the Lord guiding us.

Repent ye, Repent ye or your lands will be destroyed!

My mother tells a story about me when I was a little kid about a time when a friend of mine came over to play. When my friend said he wanted to play cowboys and Indians, I told him that I wanted to play Nephites and Lamanites instead. He didn't know what that was, so I explained it to him. I got on a toy box and shouted, "repent ye, repent ye or your lands will be destroyed!" Not your typical children game but from what I recall it was quite enjoyable.

This is a great example how sometimes, we as members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, have heard our whole lives that we should "repent" but sometimes don't know exactly what that means. I remember a question posed in my mission prep class a few years ago about whether we could repent for one sin at a time or had to be all at once. I remember I scoffed at the teacher when he said that it was thoroughly impossible to repent for one sin, it had to be all at once. In my mind, I thought repentance meant to get better at not doing something. As I learned that day and with many many other experiences, repentance is not so simple and trivial. Repentance is a complete sacrifice of personal will, giving all to God's will and going through complete change from bad to good. Repentance is not halfway. Not 90 degrees. But full 180. I think of it as when we are walking the wrong way down a road. We have to turn around all the way or else we will be completely lost. 

The word "repent" is found in the scriptures nearly 1,500 times. We, as children of God, must make it a priority. In D&C section 19, Christ clearly tells us that it even a commandment for us to repent. We are blessed that we have been provided a path to follow to repent, though this path will have to be passed through many many times. It is up to us to always have a repentant heart and continually strive to walk the path to Christ.

Joyfully, Joyfully Marching Towards our Home.

We all know where it is where we are going, maybe not all the details like what it looks like, where exactly it is or what it will be like there, but we know that we can return and live with God again. Of course, we aren't the one's who issue the final judgement of whether or not we can really be let into the gates, but if we follow the gospel of Jesus Christ, having faith and repentance and baptism and Holy Ghost and endurance, we are pretty sure God being perfectly just will let us in. It's the endurance that I hope he will look at the most. In some ways, having faith and repentance and baptism is kind of easy. Believe and don't do bad things and get baptised at 8. Seems simple. And they are! But is not as much of the WHAT we do but the HOW we do it. We cannot go our entire life keeping the commandments and serving and going to church but do it begrudgingly and complaining about it. We have to, as Joseph Smith said, "cheerfully do all things that lie in our power; and then may we stand still, with the utmost assurance, to see the salvation of God, and for his arm to be revealed." (D&C 123:17) 

As trials come, we have to understand that they are devices that Heavenly Father uses to show that He loves us. It's like a boss at work. It is only with those he trusts that he gives the most important jobs. The more he trusts you, the hard the job. Maybe that's why Job got his name, God knew he could trust him. ;)

Those who seek Refugee

This week, myself and many others in America have had our attentions turned towards the refugee crisis that is plaguing our world. I have seen many reactions towards the crisis. Some are angry. Angry with government. Angry with the world. Angry with people. Others are sympathetic. They want to help, but don't know how, then get discouraged. I have pondered much about what reaction is the Christlike reaction to have. In a way it is both. We should not as much be angry but we should let our voices be heard in response to unfair orders. We should be sympathetic but find a way to have our passions make a difference. While pondering these sentiments, I wrote this poem.

A war fought, homes lost

Families cross the waters tossed

All with hope of a better life

To leave behind the toils and the strife. 

A child now free has reached the shore

A brand new life with an open door.

The greatest struggle yet to come

"How can I call this new place home?"

A friend made and a hand outstretched 

helps them come out of the depths. 

They are not defined by this great scar,

But how we serve defines who we are. 

Christ said "Verily I say to you,

When I was low, you helped me through. 

So as you help these brethren free, 

Behold, ye have done it unto me." 

I have never really wrote poetry much before but it kind of just flowed out. I feel that the greatest thing we can do is do what Christ would have done: love. We have to reach out to these people and help. If we are not able to access such people, then we should strive to serve people around us. Whenever we serve our fellow men, we are serving God. It is our job to find these opportunities and do our part.