Great Quotes!

My New Testament class is amazing. The teacher is so straightforward about everything and teaches the doctrine as it was written. Most of all I love the quotes that he shares during each class period. Today was an especially good day for quotes, so I thought I share a few. They may not relate, but I still found each to be quite profound.

"President Kimball taught me an unforgettable lesson. He pulled my coattail and said, 'It has always troubled me what the adversary does using the name of our Savior.' He then said, 'Robert, the adversary can never have joy unless you and I sin.' As I contemplated this comment and studied the scriptures, I began to understand what President Kimball may have meant....It is our sins that make the devil laugh, our sorrow that brings him counterfeit joy." - Robert D. Hales Ensign, May 2006

"When Satan wants to disrupt the work of the Lord, he doesn't poison the world's peanut butter supply, thus bringing the Church's missionary system to its collective knees. He doesn't send a plague of laryngitis to afflict the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. He doesn't legislate against green Jell-O or casseroles. When Satan truly wants to disrupt the work of the Lord, he attempts to confuse gender and attacks God's plan for His spirit children. He works to drive a wedge of disharmony between a father and a mother. He entices children to be disobedient to their parents. He makes family home evening and family prayer inconvenient. He suggests family scripture study is impractical and not doable. That's all it takes, because Satan knows that the surest and most effective way to disrupt the Lord's work is to diminish the effectiveness of the family and the sanctity of the home." - M. Russell Ballard Ensign, Nov 2003

"From the moment of birth into mortality to the time we are married in the temple, everything we have in the whole gospel system is to prepare and qualify us to enter that holy order of matrimony which makes us husband and wife in this life and in the world to come. Then from the moment we are sealed together by the power and authority of the holy priesthood-the power to bind on earth and have it sealed eternally in the heavens-from that moment everything connected with revealed religion is designed to help us keep the terms and conditions of our marriage covenant, so that this covenant will have efficacy, virtue, and force in the life to come." - Bruce R. McConkie Improvement Era, June 1970

When talking about "just cause" for divorce, James E. Faust said, "In my opinion, ‘just cause’ should be nothing less serious than a prolonged and apparently irredeemable relationship which is destructive of a person’s dignity as a human being. At the same time, I have strong feelings about what is not provocation for breaking the sacred covenants of marriage. Surely it is not simply ‘mental distress’ or ‘personality differences’ or having ‘grown apart’ or having ‘fallen out of love.’ This is especially so where there are children." - James E. Faust Conference Report 1993, p 46

I know these quotes are a bit scattered, but I liked each of them for different reasons. Now seeing how this is a blog I'm sure you would expect me to run through each of my reasons for liking these quotes, ...........but that's not going to happen this time. This time, I simply wished to share the quotes themselves.

Comfort

I oftentimes feel as though I should be able to do all things. I feel like I'm capable of controlling my own life. It was almost to a point where I've felt I could make anything happen......all it required was that I try hard enough. Even now I still feel as though this isn't a terrible philosophy to live by. There is a poem, Invictus, that expresses this same idea:

Out of the night that covers me,

Black as the pit from pole to pole,

I thank whatever gods may be

For my unconquerable soul.

In the fell clutch of circumstance

I have not winced nor cried aloud.

Under the bludgeonings of chance

My head is bloody, but unbowed.

Beyond this place of wrath and tears

Looms but the Horror of the shade,

And yet the menace of the years

Finds, and shall find, me unafraid.

It matters not how strait the gate,

How charged with punishments the scroll,

I am the master of my fate:

I am the captain of my soul.

I find this poem to be very inspiring, and I feel that it teaches a wonderful lesson of self mastery and determination in the midst of difficulty. But I've also come to realize that I'm not always able to do everything. From another perspective, I am not at the helm; my Savior is. He is the master of my soul, and I know through him all things right and good will come. A scripture that has helped to give me comfort in times of despair or little hope is

Alma 26:27 - "Now when our hearts were depressed, and we were about to turn back, behold, the Lord comforted us, and said: Go...bear with patience...and I will give unto you success."

Truth is I rarely know what that success will be. Many times I find I am clueless as to how he will bless me, but I know he will. Most importantly I have felt his comforting hand, and it helps me to know if I but be patient, He will guide me through the rough patches of life.

I Signed My Life Away

Today was the day. My life is no longer mine. The next year of my life is now owned by Continental Properties. Okay, okay, so maybe that is a bit over dramatic, . . . . . but it's the truth. Now I'll have a pretty good idea of where I'll be a year from now, and no it isn't here at Miller. I'm moving to Summerhays. Actually, I'm not the only one who is moving; three of my roommates are moving there as well: Jon, Justin, and Steve. We're off to bigger and better things. . . or that is at least how I like to think of it. I guess in reality, it occasionally is just nice to have a change of venue.

So come Spring we'll be starting fresh in a new ward with new people. I'm excited. It should be very interesting. They are 4 person apartments, which will be quite nice compared to the 6 we live in now. Not to say I haven't enjoyed living here, but on occasion it can be a bit cramped. If you've ever lived with 5 other people then you know what I mean. Yesterday, we went over to one of the apartments to check it out. They seem to be pretty nice. I especially like the fact that the rooms are a little more spacious, but truth is, it would be quite hard to find rooms smaller than the ones here at Miller.

I know for some people the prospect of moving to a new place and meeting new people can be uncomfortable and even scary. I on the other hand have always welcomed change. I like doing new things. The idea of being able to experience something different and new for me is very exciting. I see it as an opportunity, an opportunity to experience the college life from a different perspective. So even though there is something to be said about being able to find satisfaction in where you are, I'm stoked to be able to change it up a bit and see something new.

It's all about New Beginnings.

Surreal

Wow, I can't believe it. I just got finished writing my first letter to my brother, Colby, on his mission. It is kinda weird to think that he's only a five minute drive away, and that in just a couple weeks he'll be out in the Boise Idaho mission field. I won't see my brother for 2 whole years. It was just a week ago that we sat down eating breakfast at IHOP, making jokes and laughing. The next time I see him, who knows where I'll be. I know I don't.

Those 2 years are some of the craziest, most amazing years. It is so surreal, the fact that I'm back here in Provo experiencing my life and that I actually went out and worked for all that time. Sometimes I look at all that time that I was in the Chile Antofagasta mission and it almost just seems like a dream. It is funny because in some of the other Chile missions it is known as "El Sueño".(which is "The Dream") Everything is so intense while in the mission and almost seems like it will go on forever, but of course there is an end. Honestly, it comes like a thief in the night and before you know it you're being thrown back into reality.

Now I'm the older brother that has already past that stage of life and I'm on the other side watching my younger brother as he is only beginning. It is such an interesting feeling. I know that there are so many life-changing experiences ahead of him, some will be quite difficult, but there will be some that will be so amazing and gratifying as well.

Sacrificing 2 years of one's life to serve the Lord and his children. All I can say is WOW! It is so wonderful!

My President's Day

Holidays are great. A whole free day to do whatever you want. Of course, for me I was more concerned about getting school assignments done then just goofing off. Usually goofing off is my typical approach, but considering my block class(InDes 150) ends this week, finishing up my final project took priority.

In order to enjoy myself and work on my project at the same time, I watched movies (3 to be exact). I felt I should mix up the genre, so I started the afternoon off with a thriller, Cloverfield. I figure it would be good to start off with something scary, exhilarating, and exciting. Of course, I wasn't able to get the full movie experience since I was working on my project, so my opinion may be skewed. I did think it was an interesting style of filming, since the whole movie is filmed from the perspective of a guy with a handheld camera. I didn't think it was great, but it kept my interest watching it one time through.

After Cloverfield, I figure I should change to something a little more calm and what could be calmer then a documentary, so I decided to watch Waiting for Superman. For those of you who don't know anything about this film, it is a documentary addressing the issues of the American school system. It was a wonderful film. Being a homeschooler, I was totally unaware of so many issues with the public schools. I mean seriously, who could be a better teacher then your own mother. (Love you Mom!) Of course, I still don't understand much, but this film was definitely an eyeopener. It was sad to see that there are so many people that are trying to make changes for the better, yet they continually run up against wall because of the system. But like I said, it was an amazing movie, especially if you like documentaries.

To finish up the day, I picked a movie that was more of a drama, The Time Traveler's Wife. I wasn't really sure what to expect from this movie. I hadn't heard much about it, but it definitely has an interesting story to tell. I actually really enjoyed this movie as well. I find it amazing that somebody's mind is capable of creating such interesting stories. It wasn't a very intense movie, but I still found it to be emotionally pulling. The difficulties that the couple had to face were so unique, and yet you are still able to relate to their circumstances. I thought it was a great film.

So all in all, my holiday was pretty sweet. I got a lot of work done on my project and I got to watch three interesting movies. Not too shabby!

Who Am I?

That question, "Who Am I?", for me is pretty profound. From a very young age, I was taught and raised with a knowledge of who I was. It is a priceless gift to know that I am a child of God. That one phrase, only 6 simple words, contains so much meaning and understanding. If only people knew that they were literally children of God, so many lives would be lifted, so many hearts would be turned, so many people would be saved. Oh, how the world would change!

I am so glad to know this one simple truth, but lately my mind has been caught up thinking about this question in a different light. The knowledge that I am a child of God, as joyful and as powerful as it may be, is something that is static. It is unchanging, but what of myself as a person, the person who is changing everyday. Who is he?

It is difficult at times to know where to turn for this kind of information. Oftentimes, I think we like to turn to our friends and family to get this answer. Who could know us better then our friends and family? I mean, they’re the ones that we spend almost all of our time with, right?

Even though this is entirely true, I feel hesitant in accepting their opinion as fact. Now you may say, “That is so harsh. How can you not trust your friends and family?” I don’t mean to offend, but the truth is their vision is limited. It’s like they’re wearing prescription glasses. There sight is completely subjective; it is tweaked by this “friend prescription”. Every experience they have with you is filed away somewhere in their mind, but only after it first has been filtered through the friend prescription. (Side Note: My tone may cause it to sound like this is a bad thing, but that most definitely is not the case. It is partly thanks to these glasses, that our friends and family are able to forgive us of our imperfections and accept us, for which I am ever so grateful.) Not only is it the prescription, but they are also confined to what they are able to see within the glasses frame. I think most would agree that there is more to a person then what is perceived by others.

This leads us to the other natural response to this sort of question, to look at one's own self and make an analysis. With an auto analysis we gain an advantage. We are able to see what is going on behind the scenes of our life. We know our thoughts our reasoning and rationale. These advantages allow us to draw our own conclusions as to who we are. The question, however, is, “Are these conclusions any better then the ones drawn by those around us?” Even though we have more insight into our own thoughts and feelings, aren’t we still stuck with a sort of self bias? Don’t we still have our own special glasses through which we see ourselves? It is hard to convey this with an illustration, but I think of it like, when you hear a recording of your own voice. You can’t help but notice that it is different from the voice you hear in your head. Is one more true or correct than the other? My point is that the perceptions we have of ourselves can easily vary from what other’s perceive.

So, which is right? Whose perception is more true or correct? Which provides a better answers to the question, “Who am I”?

While pondering these questions, I’ve come to feel that neither is perfect. Of course just because they are subjective doesn’t mean they are not helpful or of worth. Both can provide good insight as to who we are, but I do think there is a more effective approach. As I mentioned before, we are children of God, a loving Father whose greatest concern is for the welfare his children. His perspective is completely different from any other. Not only is He able to see into the deepest corner of our hearts, but he fully understands every facet of our being; he is the perfect judge. More importantly, he loves us so much, that with a tender hand he is willing to reach down and help us know who we are, and how we can improve.

The life we live is a huge competition. From childhood to adulthood, we are set up against those around us. We compare each other left and right: Who is smarter?, Who is stronger?, Who is faster?, Who is prettier?, . . .Who is better? That is the life we live in, and that is how we must live. We have to work to become better then the next man. We have to excel in order to succeed in school, in work, and in society. The scales of society are set, and we are forced to measure ourselves by them, but sometimes I feel it is easy to forget that God measures us on a different scale. He does not set us up against our neighbor; he has a unique scale for each and every one of his children. We must remember to occasionally tune out the comparisons of the worlds and tune in to the direction of our Heavenly Father through his Spirit. With out a doubt, I know that if I but pay attention, he will inform me not only of what I’m doing wrong, but also what I must do to correct it; he will lead me to become the best version of myself I can be. So I may not know exactly who I am, or what I need, but the Lord does, and I trust him.

In the end, it seems that more important than who I am, is who I am becoming. I am convinced that if I keep my heart in the right place and set my sights on what the Lord expects of me, then I will make it to that end where the Lord is waiting for me.

The only thing I can change is the future, and with the Lord by my side, that is good enough for me.

The Race

"Quit! Give up! You're Beaten!"

They shout at me and plead.

"There's just too much against you no."

"This time you can't succeed."

And as I start to hang my head

In front of failure's face

My Down ward fall is broken by

The memory of a race.

And hope refills my weakened will

as I recall that scene;

For Just the thought of that short race

Rejuvenates my being.

A children's race - young boys, young men.-

How I remember well.

Excitement, sure! But also fear;

It wasn't hard to tell.

They all lined up so full of hope;

Each thought to win that race,

Or tie for first, or if not that

At least take second place.

And fathers watched from off the side

Each cheering for his son.

And each boy hoped to show his dad

That he would be the one.

The whistle blew and off they went

Young hearts and hopes afire.

To win and be the hero there

was each young boy's desire.

And one boy in particular,

whose dad was in the crowd,

was running near the head and thought:

"My dad will be so proud!"

But as they sped down the field

Arose a shallow dip.

The little boy who thought to win,

lost his step and slipped.

Trying hard to catch himself,

his hands flew out to brace,

But mid the laughter of the crowd

He fell flat on his face.

So down he fell and with him hope

He couldn't win it now -

Embarrassed, sad, he only wished

To disappear somehow.

But as he fell his dad stood up,

And showed his anxious face,

which to the boy so clearly said,

"Get up and win the race."

He quickly rose no damage done,

Behind a bit that's all -

And he ran with all his mind and might

To make up for his fall.

So anxious to restore himself

To catch up and to win -

His mind went faster than his legs;

He slipped and fell again!

He wished then he had quit before,

With only one disgrace.

"I'm hopeless as a runner now;

I shouldn't try to race."

But in the laughing crowd he searched

And found his father's face;

That steady look which said again:

"Get up and win the race!"

So up he jumped to try again

Ten yards behind the last -

"If I'm to gain those yards," he thought,

"I've got to move real fast."

Exerting everything he had

He regained eight or ten,

But trying so hard to catch the lead

He slipped and fell again!

Defeated he lay there silently

A tear dropped from his eye -

"There's no since running anymore;

Three strikes: I'm out! Why try!"

The will to rise had disappeared

All hope had fled away;

So far behind, so error prone;

A loser all the way.

"I've lost, so what's the use," he thought.

"I'll live with my disgrace."

But then he thought about his dad

who soon he'd have to face.

"Get up," an echo sounded low.

"Get up and take your place;

You were not meant for failure here.

Get up and win the race."

"With borrowed will get up," it said.

"You haven't lost at all.

For winning is no more than this:

to rise each time you fall."

So up he rose to run once more

And with a new commit

He resolved that: win or lose

At least he wouldn't quit.

So far behind the others now;

The most he'd ever been -

Still he gave it all he had

And ran as though to win.

Three times he'd fallen, stumbling;

Three times he rose again

To far behind to hope to win

he still ran to the end.

They cheered the winning runner

As he crossed the line first place

He was high, and proud, and happy

No falling, no disgrace.

But when the fallen youngster

Crossed the line last place,

The crowd gave him the greater cheer,

For finishing the race.

And even though he came in last,

with head bowed low, unproud

You would have thought he'd won the race

to listen to the crowd.

And to his dad he sadly said,

"I didn't do too well."

"To me, you won," his father said.

"You rose each time you fell."

And now when life seems dark and hard

And difficult to face,

The memory of that little boy

Helps me in my race.

-D. H. Groberg