New Contact Lenses

The ol' health insurance has paid for an eye exam and I have contacts! Last time I tried wearing them I got tired of it and quit, around age 14-15. So, it's been awhile. See the difference they make!

No Glasses, No Contacts                             With Contacts!

Very glamorous, no?

Okay, now for serious time.

Lots of Jesus' miracles were restoring sight to the blind. Today people like me have glasses and contacts, but once upon a time the strain of weak eyes may have sped the loss of sight, eventually leaving me as good as blind.
Jesus didn't give the people glasses or contacts. He altered their eyes in a way that we can't do with science or surgery, miraculously restoring sight.



I wasn't there, but I still know by the whisper of the Spirit that it happened. Jesus Christ came to earth, not only to heal and teach, but also to save fallen mankind from their sins. He was born the Son of God, suffered and died without ever indulging in sin or wickedness, and rose from the dead "with healing in His wings".

He will come again, and when this life is over and this world has finished it's purpose, everyone will be ressurected, "for as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive". 1 Cor 15:22 When that happens, I'll never need to wear glasses- or contacts- again.

Love Is Better Than Tolerance

This world always needs more religious tolerance, but there is something even better than tolerance. If we sincerely love our neighbors, whether they worship with us or not, we will want them to be happy, safe and successful, just as we would want for ourselves.

I write about this because I just saw a fine article about the Interfaith Musical Tribute, a performance directed by the Salt Lake Interfaith Roundtable, hosted in the Tabernacle of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. This happened two days ago, 26 February.
   

Pretty good, eh?

If it seems strange that I, a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints- someone dedicated to telling as many as I can about this Church and inviting them to come to Church, to read the Book  of Mormon, to be baptized- if it seems strange that I should like to see the success of interfaith activities and so on, let me explain.

Joseph Smith, the first Prophet of the Lord and leader of the Church in modern times, explained it well:

"If I esteem mankind to be in error [about creeds and doctrine], shall I bear them down? No. I will lift them up, and in their own way too, if I cannot persuade them my way is better; and I will not seek to compel any man to believe as I do, only by the force of reasoning, for truth will cut its own way."

"We will … cultivate peace and friendship with all, mind our own business, and come off with flying colors, respected, because, in respecting others, we respect ourselves."               -Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith, ch. 29 

That says it pretty well, I think. I believe that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is truly the Church that Jesus, the Son of God, has organized and leads today. But when others make good choices because of the teachings of their religion, I am glad!

I close this one with my testimony and a quote. I know by experience that the Book of Mormon is a true book. That Book teaches me that Jesus is the Son of God, that he is the only one who can redeem fallen man, and that I must do things His way to be saved. The Book of Mormon was brought to light by Joseph Smith, so I know he must be a prophet. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is led today by Joseph Smith's successor, Thomas S. Monson.

I am not unmindful that there are good and devout people among all sects, parties, and denominations, and they will be blessed and rewarded for all the good they do. But the fact remains that we alone have the fullness of those laws and ordinances which prepare men for the fullness of reward in the mansions above. And so we say to the good and noble, the upright and devout people everywhere: Keep all the good you have; cleave unto every true principle which is now yours; but come and partake of the further light and knowledge which that God who is the same yesterday, today, and forever is again pouring out upon his people.     -Joseph Fielding Smith, A Witness and a Blessing

In the name of my Lord, Jesus Christ, amen.

Never Give In

George A. Smith was given this piece of advice by the Prophet Joseph:

“He told me I should never get discouraged, whatever difficulties might surround me. If I was sunk in the lowest pit of Nova Scotia and all the Rocky Mountains piled on top of me, I ought not to be discouraged but hang on, exercise faith, and keep up good courage and I should come out on the top of the heap at last.”    -History of George Albert Smith by Himself, p. 49

I like that.  I just found this tidbit about the word endure in the notes to a talk by Elder Russel M. Nelson.

The word endure comes from two Latin roots. The prefix en means “within.” The remainder comes from the verb durare, which means “to be firm or solid.” Thus, to endure means “to become firm within yourself.” That meaning carries into the original languages of the Bible. In the Hebrew language of the Old Testament, the root word ’amanmeans “to render firm” or “to be faithful, to trust.” It was often translated as “faithful,” but never as “faith” alone. ’Aman meant more than faith. It was not a passive term; it meant “a firm resolve to be faithful.”  (...continued in the original, see it here. Click "show references at the bottom, reference #1)

Elder Ramstedt: It's like President Spencer W. Kimball would say. "Do it."

My favorite part of the concept of endurance is that it isn't meant to mean "grit your teeth and bear it". Sure, sometimes we've got to do that, but the best meaning of endurance has the flavor of peace and even joy and cheerfulness to it!  When Joseph Smith was weighed down in Liberty Jail, the first thing the Lord said to him was "My son, peace be unto thy soul."

We can find peace now. We don't have to cross some finish line, we only have to commit ourselves to the God who created us, trust Him, ask for His help, and then follow His advice. I so testify in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Did Everyone Hear That?

Remember from high school, when the teacher would repeat something a student said to be sure everyone heard it? Well, I'm not a high school teacher, but same idea here. A good comment on my close shave:

Perhaps the learning tool is making sure you are using the right guide. The Lord has sent us Prophets to guide us through these days, to keep us safe and whole. The world would like to tell us that its guidance is better, but the wrong guidance will get us cut off in the end.

Good one. I like it! Another might be that we need to be patient with ourselves, especially in the healing process. Sometimes we make a mistake, and we wish we could undo it or pretend it never happened, but we just need to address it, do what we can to maintain and make up for it, then give it time to grow back like it used to be.

Most important: do something to repair it, don't just leave it alone. Imagine what I'd have looked like if I hadn't addressed my mistake and evened out the haircut by going short all around. If I had just pretended nothing had happened, I'd still have longer hair all around, except for the bald spots! Sometimes we're tempted to try and escape from a problem. Don't do it! Address and resolve it, don't leave it, and don't use band-aid solutions (like wearing a hat.)

In the words of Mary Ellen W. Smoot:

Do not let yourself get any more bumps or bruises. Yield a broken heart and a contrite spirit. Change direction if need be. Face the problem, and with sincere sorrow and true humility submit to the Lord. He is all-knowing and perfectly loving.   -Seeking Solutions

...Oops...

Right when you think you're humble, God humbles you. Oops. A routine trim can easily turn into a big mistake when you cut your hair yourself. And if you forget to put the #5 comb back on after you take off the #3 comb, this is what you get.

So close! I was so close to finishing the haircut! I've given myself trims without accident my whole mission. Anyway, with that mistake, the best way to repair the hair was to go super-short all around. The result?

So, first question is, "why me?". Better question is, "what can I learn from this?". Well, I did learn something about myself! I learned I've got a birthmark under my hair! With my hair white-wall short, you can see it. That was new to me.

How can an accident cutting hair be used as an example to teach the gospel? I'm still thinking about that. Tune  in soon to see what I come up with!

Repentance and Love

One morning I was dwelling on a mistake I had made. It wasn't a big mistake, but it didn't need to happen and I regretted it. I wanted to be free of that regret! Not fun at all. I picked up a copy of the Ensign magazine, thumbed through it, and came to a talk by Richard G. Scott called "Realize Your Full Potential". I am familiar with his voice and speaking style, so I imagined his voice speaking it in my mind as I read the article.Almost at the end, I came to this phrase:

If you have made bad choices, repent now. Remove any such barrier to your progress and happiness.

It is a very ordinary phrase, and it doesn't look like much written on paper or on a screen. But when any words are read or spoken by the power of the Holy Ghost, they become penetrating and ten thousand times more meaningful and personal.

As I read that, the Spirit moved in me. I felt and was reassured that repentance is always possible. It was as if those words were not the words of Richard G. Scott, but the words of my Master, Jesus Christ. I was rinsed of sullen feelings and refreshed spiritually. It felt good.

Acting as mouthpieces of the Lord, Apostles speak for Him on earth. This didn't happen to me first. It has been happening to people since Jesus called the first Twelve. It is one of the ways He shows us His love.