I love jumping.

Often it takes a running start,
a little preparation of which I am all too fond,
but the jumping is definitely there.
Over hills, into holes,
through rings and clouds
of interesting people
that’s where I’ve found my favorite past times
memories bottled up
then drunk in reflection
now a whole new part of this self.
To jump is to love
oneself and everything around.
And when I happen to land
in a bit of mud
something sharper
harder than expected
that’s when I appreciate.
The colors of soil
swirled into a fluid marble
reflecting
the grandness of things still greater than myself
and the miraculous ability of one soul
to stand, recover,
rebuild the broken, severed, and burned bits
into a much better jumper.

A Mighty Man of God

Today a lovely friend of mine up at BYU sent me a text message:
"Dearest bestest guy friends, I would really like to thank you for being such incredible men of God. Keep it up :) Alma 48:16."

There was a time when I might have though "that's nice" and switched off my phone, but I've grwon a little since then and had some time since I just started my lunch break. I opened up the book of Alma:

"17 Yea, verily, verily I say unto you, if all men had been, and were, and ever would be like unto Moroni, behold, the very powers of hell would have been shaken forever; yea the devil would never have power over the hearts of the children of men."

I love uplifting messages that pop up in the middle of my day. Thank you, Elise! What made Moroni such a great guy was that he was a man of God. Captain Moroni was the man who fortified the cities of the Nephites. He raised the Title of Liberty and consecrated his life to defending his people, his country, and his God. One of my favorite things about Moroni was that he was kind of Mormon's hero; I mean Mormon named his son after him. When Mormon was serving as general during the final battles of the Nephites, you can see how he emulated the same strategies that the plates describe Moroni used during his great wars-- only they didn't work because the Nephites were the wickedest they had ever been, and were doomed to fail no matter how much Mormon did for them. If I could have the zeal and diligence that moroni did, if I could be half the father that Mormon was, I would be unafraid to call myself a true Man of God.
Again I have to thak Elise and all those strong, righteous, and beautiful young women out there who encourage young men to stay on the right path and true to the gospel. I can attest that we need all the help we can get, especially from you who seem to have a foot through heaven's door already.

Brambles

"Throughout the world and among the membership of the church, there is great joy and great pain. Both are part of the plan. Without one, we cannot know the other. 'Men are that they might have joy' (2 Nephi 2:25)and 'for it must needs be, that there is an opposition in all things' (2 Nephi 2:11) are not contradictory; they are complementary. In describing how he felt when he turned to the Lord, Alma the Younger said, 'My soul was filled with joy as exceeding as was my pain.' (Alma 36:20)." (Elder Donald L. Hallstrom, Turn to the Lord Ensign May 2010)


I ran into this quote during my studies and felt that it eloquently summed the need we have for tribulation in our lives. It is so hard to see when we go through hard times how much those had times contribute to the growth of our character and our abilities.

When I juggle, I would not appreciate the ease with which I catch the balls, or the thrill of initiating a faster or altered clawing sequence if i hadn't been for all the hours I remember of dropping ball after ball watching as they roll mischeviously under chairs, couches, shopping carts, parked cars, and various thorny brambles-- then crawling over, around, and through each obstacle so that I could drop the ball again.

Similarly, when I sit in testimony meeting and cry quietly as a child stands to bear pure testimonty of my Savior Jesus Christ, I would not appreciate the overwhelming sense of peace and joy brought by the Comforter quite as much had I not all the terrible memories of loneliness and perceived despair brought on by sin, confusion, and frustration.

By walking among struggling members of the church and looking back on the stepping stones in my life, I know that the Lord lets us experience adversity for a reason-- if it's not for us to learn a lesson, then it is to give someone else the opportunity to serve. I try my best to be tankful for the trials that I'm given and perhaps more greatful for the ones that I'm not. Bearing testimony of my Savior, His Atonement, and the presence of the Gospel and a living prophet upon the earth I leave this in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Blinking Sky

have you ever felt sad
leaving that first star
out by herself
on the shelf of heaven
waiting for a friend
then walked into an
empty home
hoping you might reach her
but still need time to grow
your wings
how lost must her shelter be
afraid for brightness
slowly fading
eager for the everglow
that springs from star
and heaven's joining
yet time
will fill the script
between one page's end
and the plot's completion
reveal how long the star will wait
and when you
friend
will learn to fly

Silent Remedy

During times of stress, I find enjoyment in seeking out those quiet little moments in the day that often we overlook or take for granted. Sometimes driving home at night after a long day at work I'll turn off the radio and the cd player, and drive home in the dark in quiet contemplation. Or, I'll wait until I reach my house then turn off the engine lights and just sit there in complete silence for a couple minutes. It's like sitting in a soundproof box; there is nothing like soaking up the silence and darkness before confronting the noise of the home that I love so very much. In a world of television, movies, washing machines, ticking clocks, and buzzing electric lights, sometimes a moment of silence is more precious than all the time in the world.

Institute Tuesday, 16 March 2010: Indefatigable

There were so many great topics covered in that short hour and a half class, but I just can't write about them all. The scripture we studied for that night was Helaman chapters 10 through 16, covering both the prophecies of Nephi (the son of Nephi, the son of Helaman) and the brief but powerful ministry of Samuel the Lamanite to among the Nephites. The first item of discussion was focused on the word 'Ponder,' essentially that in thinking about something, especially when it is Gospel related, often requires asking questions. Most of the revelation present in the Doctrine and Covenants for example arose from prophets and individuals who thought of questions and took the extra step to ask God what the answer was. Thanks to them we have so many wonderful gifts of guidance from our Heavenly Father.

Secondly, Brother Clark discussed the concept of 'Unwearyingness' a trait used to describe Nephi in his missionary efforts. For example, after a long time of work Nephi is headed home when he is visited by the Lord and given the Sealing Power. Immediately after receiving this great blessing, Nephi halts his return trip and returns back to the great city to continue his ministry. His level of diligence was incredible. Brother Clark presented an alternative (and somewhat more impressive sounding) word to describe such a person: indefatigable. Basically it means you are not fatigued, or untiring in your labors.Such a trait is certainly something to seek after; he suggested trying things like making a chart of steps or goals towards that end or finding someone who possesses that trait and observing them so that you may emulate their practice of it.

In this discussion we were reminded of King Benjamin's admonishment (I paraphrase) "to not run faster than you have strength." I am always more than wiling to bite off more than I can chew in my day, and when I make a "to do list" there often seems to be more on it by the end than when I started it. And when you look at the list of activities, hobbies, clubs, and organizations I have been involved in you might think that I have a bad case of ADHD. It has been a tough lesson to learn that sometimes I just need to say 'no' and not try and do everything just because it is good or fun or invigorating. The conference address several years ago "Good, Better, Best" was definitely written for the likes of me. Not to overload yourself was a lesson I learned the hard way, and am still learning.

The lesson ended with a reflection of a part of God's message for us. The adversary is quick to point out our mistakes, flaws, and the direness of out situation. However, God is there to tell us not to be discouraged and that through him and by his son we can do something about whatever problem/weakness/mistake we might face. I mean, if we have the potential to serve and to rule in God's Kingdom, what is a little earthly trial to us? Just a pop quiz in one of the longest, hardest classes we've ever taken.