Let Me Carry You

       At the Missionary Training Center in Provo, Utah, all missionaries are given time to break away from the books and get some exercise. There is a soccer field across from the MTC where missionaries go frequently for an hour or two to take a small break from the hours of studying. For a small time, the field was being occupied by other members of the church who were not missionaries at the time. This caused confusion and made it difficult for the Elders and Sisters to get in any playing time. After a few days, the MTC put up a sign that said "Missionaries Only". For a day or two, missionaries were able to enjoy the playing field to themselves without any other members interrupting their play or calling dibs on the field. However, a few days later, some hooligans placed another sign as a companion to the first that read, "Every Member a Missionary". 

       We hear that phrase all the time, it's one of those Mormon things we just say. We know we all have a great responsibility to bring the gospel to our dear friends and family and invite all to come unto Christ. BUT. Sometimes sharing the gospel is hard. Sometimes it's super awkward. Sometimes it just doesn't work and we don't have an Ensign story to send in. That can stink. That can make it super hard to gain momentum and do it all over again. One of my favorite missionary stories comes from the history of our pioneer ancestors. The story is told by President Gordon B Hinkley.

"I should like to tell you of three eighteen-year-old boys. In 1856 more than a thousand of our people, some of them perhaps your forebears, found themselves in serious trouble while crossing the plains to this valley. Because of a series of unfortunate circumstances, they were late in getting started. They ran into snow and bitter cold in the highlands of Wyoming. Their situation was desperate, with deaths occurring every day.

President Young learned of their condition as the October general conference was about to begin. He immediately called for teams, wagons, drivers, and supplies to leave to rescue the bereft Saints. When the first rescue team reached the Martin Company, there were too few wagons to carry the suffering people. The rescuers had to insist that the carts keep moving.

When they reached the Sweetwater River on November 3, chunks of ice were floating in the freezing water. After all these people had been through, and in their weakened condition, that river seemed impossible to cross. It looked like stepping into death itself to move into the freezing stream. Men who once had been strong sat on the frozen ground and wept, as did the women and children. Many simply could not face that ordeal.

And now I quote from the record: “Three eighteen-year-old boys belonging to the relief party came to the rescue, and to the astonishment of all who saw, carried nearly every member of the ill-fated handcart company across the snowbound stream. The strain was so terrible, and the exposure so great, that in later years all the boys died from the effects of it. When President Brigham Young heard of this heroic act, he wept like a child, and later declared publicly, ‘that act alone will ensure C. Allen Huntington, George W. Grant, and David P. Kimball an everlasting salvation in the Celestial Kingdom of God, worlds without end.’”

       

       I have read this story countless times and I can never get through it without a box of tissues in hand. It is so touching to think and imagine myself there that day as those boys stood and made the best out of a really difficult situation. There are a few lessons learned from these boys that applies greatly to our duty as life-long member missionaries.

       First, there are plenty who need saving. This account talks about countless individuals who had worked so hard and traveled so far, only to come to an impossible barrier. They were tired and all hope seemed lost. They were too weak to carry on and the thought of crossing that river seemed impossible. I think some of the most important missionary work we can render in these last days is that to our brothers and sisters who are already a part of the fold. There are countless members who are slowly getting weaker through the difficult tasks and trials this life has to offer. They are getting tired and need a helping hand, or someone to carry them over the river. Over the past few weeks, Chris and I have seen close friends struggling with policy changes, church history and the plain old difficult things mortality has to offer us. Some of the most rewarding missionary work in our lives has been to render a listening ear and a non-judgmental heart to the already members of the church who just need a simple reminder of the wonders of the gospel. 

       Second, sharing the gospel can be uncomfortable. I can't imagine the thought process of these boys that day. They must have looked at that water with large ice chunks and thought, "How am I going to even get myself over that river? Let alone the whole company?" I don't know what kind of powerful prompting or sweet promise the Lord offered to those young men or if they just realized what was most important. But either way, they got over the fact that they would be hurting, feeling uncomfortable and likely suffer life-long consequences as a result of what they were about to do and started acting. Sometimes sharing the gospel can feel awkward and uncomfortable, and we may not enjoy a second of it. But there will be life-long positive consequences that are given in return. I heard over and over again in the MTC that "there is no growing in the comfort zone and no comfort in the growing zone." That simple phrase helped me get past my silly fears of opening my mouth and realize that I would never grow as a missionary or even a servant of the Lord if I wasn't willing to get outside my comfort zone and sacrifice feeling a little uncomfortable. 

       Third, the blessings that come from serving others are endless. While these young men certainly didn't enjoy healthy and long lives after their heroism, they were welcomed back to their Father in Heaven with open arms and I'm sure with great pride. I like to think of ways I can make Heavenly Father proud of me. I know there are times when He just looks down on His children and smiles because of the good they are doing. Some days, He is just so darn proud of what people are doing to build His kingdom. I'm sure those boys were the top of His list that day. The blessings that come from sharing the gospel are endless and will never be forgotten by the Lord. While He is quick to forget our flaws and mistakes, He has a perfect memory of our efforts and our triumphs and eagerly awaits to reward them. We will never share the gospel and think, "Dang, what was I thinking? Sharing the gospel was a terrible idea." But, there are specific days from my mission I can still remember being prompted to talk to certain people and I didn't do it. I remember their faces, where I was, and even what some of them were wearing. And those are some of the biggest regrets I have from my mission. We will never regret opening our mouths and we will likely always regret staying quiet and passing up opportunity to share.

       We have so many brothers and sisters who are in need of our service and our love. President Hinkley stated that every new convert to the church needs three things in order to stay converted to the gospel: An assignment, a friend, and constant nourishment of the word of God. Too often, we are over the top eager to get those three things to our new converts, and we fail to realize that some of the life-long members of the church are lacking these basic needs. Too many members are without a good friend that they can lean on or that they know will carry them across an icy river if needed. Too many aren't receiving the constant nourishment they need because their home/visiting teachers have let another month slip by without stopping by. While non-members absolutely, 1,000% need us to open our mouths and declare the gospel at all times, we must remember that our brothers and sisters in the church are in need of that service just as much. 

       We have all had a point in our lives where we have been tired, too weak to carry on and have sat at the bank of an icy river feeling hopeless. We've all been in a sacrament meeting feeling sad or like nothing seems to be going right, then all of a sudden someone says something that just penetrates our heart. A visiting teacher stops by at the precise moment to offer a hug and a listening ear, and it turns out to be the greatest tender mercy. We've all been that person at the bank of the river at some point. When we are strong and immovable in the gospel, it is our turn to be brave and bear the cold for someone who can't. It's our turn to trust the Savior and be instruments in His hands. 

       Before I attended Trek, a musical program was directed with songs honoring the pioneers and their dedication to reach the Salt Lake Valley. One of my favorites honors these young men again for their courage and the selfless love in which they acted upon. 

Nine hundred saints. 

You came across the seas and plains. 

Hunger and cold have taken some away.

You're in despair, a

nd you just don't have the strength,

To cross this river standing in your way

You can't feel your feet, a

nd your hands are frozen through,

The Father knows all that you've been through.

So let me be the Father's hands today,

My shoulders will bear you up with His strength

Let me carry you. 

Let me bear the cold

I am here to share your load

Through all you've done, y

ou have been true

But this is something you just can't do

Let me carry you.

You're almost there. 

You will make it to the end

You will go on. 

And you'll find your strength again.

So one by one climb upon my back

And I will give you e

verything I have

We're brothers in this earthly trail of tears

The faith we share i

s stronger than our fears.

                      So let me be the Father's hands today,

               My shoulders will bear you up with His strength.

Let me carry you. 

Let me bear the cold

I am here to share your load

Through all you've done, y

ou have been true

But this is something you just can't do,

Let me carry you.

       Be willing to get chilly and out of your comfort zone. Be willing to share the load of another and bear their burdens. And seek out those who are in need of being carried for a time. And to those who are sitting at the banks of the river, let us carry you.

The Climb: Finding Strength in Adversity

       If you were hoping for a Miley Cyrus tribute because of the title of this post, you will be sorely disappointed. The lessons I learned from the good people of Chile on my mission are countless. But I remember one in particular that came from a wonderful mission leader while I was serving in Valparaiso. We'd had a few bumps that transfer and I was getting frustrated over certain things. I was ready for a change of scenery and as usual, needed a spiritual (and probably literal) slap to the face to help me recognize that there were countless blessings at my feet. My mission leader sensed my frustration and told me, "Hermana Nichols, you can't wait for the Lord to move mountains for you, even though He's capable of doing so. He may not move them, but He will surely help you climb them." This hit me so hard, and it's something I have remembered every time the Lord has pushed me to my limits and given me something I felt I wasn't capable of overcoming.

       I've thought a lot about the trials that come to us in this life over the past few weeks as I have watched close friends and family struggle to "climb their mountains". Over the past couple of weeks alone I have heard from a close friend going through an unexpected divorce, watched another individual wait over ten years to have children, another lose their faith and leave the church, and more. It seems like people are just having to go through some tough stuff lately. If anything, all these trials are evidences that we are in the last days and getting that much closer to welcoming our Savior! #Booyah. We know He saved the elect and strongest of His children for the last days, and the trials He is trusting us to bare are evidence that we are a part of a chosen generation. Pretty cool, eh? While we know we are loved and chosen and elect and all that jazz, it can be pretty tough to trek up the mountains God is putting before us. I think in our most difficult times, we forget some of the most basic and essential gospel truths.

Things to remember when faced with hardship and trials:
1. God loves His children
2. All life experiences are meant to make us more like Christ
3. The Atonement of Jesus Christ will enable our efforts
4. There is no race along the iron rod
5. You, in your divine potential, can do all things

God Loves His Children
       Nephi was undoubtedly faced with opposition after opposition. Their names were Laman and Lemuel. Aside from brothers who weren't a real delight to be around, Nephi endured years spent traveling to an unknown and unseen promised land, hunger, persecution from Laban and his brothers, and the eventual division of his family completely forming two new civilizations. (Not exactly my cup of....hot chocolate.) There were very rare days that were real peachy. However, Nephi remains obedient and optimistic for the future. While he was striving to increase his spiritual knowledge, an angel appeared to teach him. Among other questions, the angel addressed Nephi and asked "Knowest thou the condescension of God?" By which Nephi responded "I know that he loveth his children; nevertheless, I do not know the meaning of all things." (1 Nephi 11:16-17) Did you see what Nephi did here? When faced with opposition, we first must hold tight to what we already have concrete knowledge of, that our Heavenly Father loves His children. But, we certainly don't know all things.
      I recently watched the movie "The Cokeville Miracle" with my husband. Sheesh, what a story. I don't know why God allowed those little children to be exposed to that kind of evil. I don't know why they were so lucky and got to survive that day while other children elsewhere don't. But this I do know, I KNOW God loves every single one of His children. He is mindful of them and wants them ALL back.
       Knowing this one simple truth can sure answer a lot of questions for us, or at least provide the needed peace until the answers do come. I don't know why some men and women never marry despite years of faithful service in the church. I don't know why some of the most good-hearted people are faced with terminal illness and heartache. I don't know why some of the most obedient parents (like my man, Lehi) are given some of the most disobedient children. I simply don't know. BUT, I know God loves them. I know He loves me. So I know His motives are good. They are perfect. Trials will certainly come as a natural consequence of sin, but I believe the Lord would never give us trials out of disappointment, frustration or anger towards our flaws and imperfections. Though we are imperfect, He loves us perfectly. Knowing that we have the love and encouragement from the most noble individual in existence should be motivation enough to keep us going in tough times, no? If that's not enough, our beloved prophet gives us this beautiful reminder:

"My dear brothers and sisters, your Heavenly Father loves you—each of you. That love never changes. It is not influenced by your appearance, by your possessions, or by the amount of money you have in your bank account. It is not changed by your talents and abilities. It is simply there. It is there for you when you are sad or happy, discouraged or hopeful. God’s love is there for you whether or not you feel you deserve love. It is simply always there." 

President Thomas S. Monson, "We Never Walk Alone"

All These Things Shall be for Thy Good
       I've always been impressed as I have read stories of the pioneers or countless other members of the church that through adversity, are still able to manage optimism and happiness. Nothing can bring em down! But how in the heckleberry can we be happy when that mountain seems to get a little steeper?

       Some of the most comforting and beautiful scripture in Doctrine and Covenants came from some of the darkest and most difficult days in early church history. The revelation came from a small jail that held the prophet and some of his closest friends in March of 1839. We've all seen the Joseph Smith Movie, and we've all cried our way through every heart wrenching scene of the saints being driven from their homes, Joseph being held in prison but longing to be with his wife Emma, and the countless times Joseph relied on the Lord to bring him out of a trying experience. When Joseph is it his lowest point, he cries out to the Lord, "O God, where art thou? And where is the pavilion that covereth thy hiding place?" (D&C 121:1) To which the Lord gives this answer that has undoubtedly been given to each of us at some difficult trial in our own lives.

"...know thou, my son, that all these things shall give thee experience, and shall be for thy good."

Doctrine and Covenants 122:7

       This counsel came as a great comfort to the prophet, and those trials were only a small moment in the eternal perspective that our Heavenly Father could see.

       God's "work and His glory" is to "bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man" (Moses 1:39). That means that every waking moment, He is up there thinking how He can make it easier for us to return back to Him. That's all He dreams about, is having His eternal family back in His presence. He knows the only way we can do that is by becoming like Him. There are specific qualities that we must possess while here on the earth in order to return back to His presence. I heard a Sunday school teacher say the following a few weeks ago:

"Some can and do learn by counsel alone. But others require learning through experience"

Nathaniel Jones

       There are some God-like qualities that we can only learn to develop as we go through difficult experiences. These experiences force us to rely on the Savior and practice patience and faith. Almost always, we can walk away from a trial recognizing that we have become a little better, a little humbler, and a little more like our Savior, Jesus Christ. Have you ever heard someone is sacrament meeting say they are grateful for their trials? (I'm still not there.) Maybe it's because they've finally understood that these trials aren't punishment, rather a help from our Heavenly Father. They are the experiences which will help us become like Him. The experiences are for our good.

The Enabling Powers of the Atonement
       I'd really just rather leave the link to the amazing talk I gained my testimony of this principle from. Read it. It will do a much better job than I could of explaining this amazing principle. Long story short, the enabling powers of the Atonement of Jesus Christ can ease our burdens and provide much needed strength and energy to endure. Just read the talk. I'm begging you. It's phenomenal.

"The enabling power of the Atonement strengthens us to do and be good and to serve beyond our own individual desire and natural capacity."

Elder David A. Bednar, "The Atonement and the Journey of Mortality"

https://www.lds.org/ensign/2012/04/the-atonement-and-the-journey-of-mortality?lang=eng


There is no Race Along the Iron Rod
       Brothers and Sisters, we are all on the same path leading us to the tree of life. We are all trying to hold on tight to that iron rod and get to the fruit that will provide lasting happiness and rest from our trials. What's ridiculously silly is that sometimes we seem to think it's a competition or a race. That somehow some of the fruit is a little sweeter than the rest or that the first place finishers are rewarded differently. Let me correct you. That's a bunch of garbage. Brothers and Sisters, slow down. It's okay to take your time and to even sit down at the bar and rest for a minute. There are lots of travelers that will be willing to take your hand and help you keep moving. There will surely be enough fruit for you when you get to the tree. Don't worry. Just make sure you're moving in the right direction.

Your Potential is Divine
       Christ came to the Earth to do the unthinkable in the most selfless way. He came in great humility to provide a way for His brothers and sisters to come back to the Father. Because He too was born with divine potential, He was able to live a sinless and selfless life that prepared Him for the miraculous performance of the gift we call the Atonement.

"What He did could only be done by Deity. As the Only Begotten Son of the Father in the flesh, Jesus inherited divine attributes. He was the only person ever born into mortality who could perform this most significant and supernal act. As the only sinless Man who ever lived on this earth, He was not subject to spiritual death. Because of His godhood, He also possessed power over physical death. Thus He did for us what we cannot do for ourselves. He broke the cold grasp of death."

James E. Faust, "The Atonement: Our Greatest Hope"

       Because we too are born with divine potential, we are capable of doing difficult things. The enabling power of the Atonement (did you read that talk yet? Well, you should..https://www.lds.org/ensign/2012/04/the-atonement-and-the-journey-of-mortality?lang=eng) will strengthen us beyond our mortal capacity to bear our burdens and to endure happily. We are not your average little creation, guys. We are sons and daughters of God. Holy cow. Santa vaca. A doctrine so insane it's got to be emphasized in two languages. I think sometimes we forget just how stinking awesome we are because we come from such a stinking awesome family! You haven't forgotten right? You haven't forgotten your legitimate family tree? We came from God! The most all-powerful being! He is our FATHER! We are His CHILDREN! Come on, we are bound to do big things. He's rooting for us with the rest of our family because they know who we are and what we are capable of becoming. Trials in this life can seem so meaningless and small when we recognize the grand scheme of things and what we are destined for. As my lady Sheri Dew says, "we were born to lead, we were born for glory."

       Now, I don't pretend to have a life full of trials and difficulties and to understand them all perfectly. I frankly am quite blessed and have had far more happy times in my life than sad. So for those of you reading this thinking, "who does this girl think she is? She certainly doesn't understand what I have gone through. She's 22 and happily married. What could she possibly know about heartache and adversity?" Well. I don't know much. I know sometimes life isn't fair and we are dealt some pretty difficult cards. Sometimes we are victims of some of the most difficult experiences mortal life has to offer. I have asked countless times why bad things happen to such amazing people. Then I remember Him. A perfect individual who never said anything ill or negative to anyone. He never took a moment for Himself or cared what others would think of Him. His life was dedicated to the lonely and the outcasts, yet He was punished and executed like a vile prisoner. Tell me how that is fair. If you're still not at ease, let me bring in the powerhouse to help me out a little. It's a talk originally given to struggling missionaries but the same principle applies to all who might be struggling to "climb the mountain."

"Anyone who does any kind of missionary work will have occasion to ask, Why is this so hard? Why doesn’t it go better? Why can’t our success be more rapid? Why aren’t there more people joining the Church? It is the truth. We believe in angels. We trust in miracles. Why don’t people just flock to the font? Why isn’t the only risk in missionary work that of pneumonia from being soaking wet all day and all night in the baptismal font? 

You will have occasion to ask those questions. I have thought about this a great deal. I offer this as my personal feeling. I am convinced that missionary work is not easy because salvation is not a cheap experience.Salvation never was easy. We are The Church of Jesus Christ, this is the truth, and He is our Great Eternal Head. How could we believe it would be easy for us when it was never, ever easy for Him? It seems to me that missionaries and mission leaders have to spend at least a few moments in Gethsemane. Missionaries and mission leaders have to take at least a step or two toward the summit of Calvary. 

Now, please don’t misunderstand. I’m not talking about anything anywhere near what Christ experienced. That would be presumptuous and sacrilegious. But I believe that missionaries and investigators, to come to the truth, to come to salvation, to know something of this price that has been paid, will have to pay a token of that same price. For that reason I don’t believe missionary work has ever been easy, nor that conversion is, nor that retention is, nor that continued faithfulness is. I believe it is supposed to require some effort, something from the depths of our soul. If He could come forward in the night, kneel down, fall on His face, bleed from every pore, and cry, “Abba, Father (Papa), if this cup can pass, let it pass,”then little wonder that salvation is not a whimsical or easy thing for us. If you wonder if there isn’t an easier way, you should remember you are not the first one to ask that. Someone a lot greater and a lot grander asked a long time ago if there wasn’t an easier way."

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, "Missionary Work and the Atonement

       Let us choose joy. Joy is our journey. Trials and heartache will be such a small moment when we can see things as our Father does. Remember He loves you effortlessly and perfectly. Trials are meant to help us back to Him and are motivated by the most sincere and powerful love that exists. The enabling powers of the Atonement will carry us up our mountains (read that talk yet?). There is no race along the iron rod. And our divine potential enables us to overcome difficult things. I love you, the Lord loves you, everyone loves you. And always remember, we rarely have more problems than we do blessings.

We Thank Thee, O God, For a Prophet

     

       This past Summer, my family and I had the amazing experience to spend some time in BEAUTIFUL Hawaii, where my dad had served as a missionary for the Mormon church over 30 years prior. (Sorry for aging you, papa.) While we were there, we were spoiled to see some of the most beautiful scenic areas in the world. I stood in awe of God's beautiful creations and felt like He had spoiled Hawaii a little. There truly wasn't a place that didn't take my breath away. It was a trip I will never forget.
       While we were there, we were lucky enough to have the opportunity to try snuba diving for the first time. We had snorkeled the day before and I was amazed at the variety of bright colored fish and the quantity that just swam right up to us. Snuba was an opportunity for us to dive down deep to see the fish up close and be able to follow the action But because I had never done this before, I was a little nervous. The sensation of "breathing" under water is something that takes a little time getting used to. I was so happy to have an instructor with us the entire time to give friendly advice from his years of experience."Snuba" differs slightly from scuba diving in that your oxygen floats on a small raft above and keeps you within a certain distance from your raft. The raft allows you the freedom to explore your surroundings while making sure you don't drift out too far. While my family and I were diving, the instructor pointed many different kinds of fish as well as plants and other magnificent treasures in the ocean that we otherwise would have missed. It's an experience I will never forget.

       In the last days, we will be tested without question. The Earth and the church will go through a cleansing to see who will really stand with the Lord through the persecution and the trials that come as a part of the last days. The last few years have been evidence of such trials and cleansing. With new laws being passed, the apostles and our beloved prophet have placed significant emphasis on recommitting ourselves to be converted unto the Lord and His commandments, and to renew that testimony frequently.                    

       Significant confusion has risen regarding women and their rights to hold the priesthood, individuals belonging to the LGBT community and their choice to legally marry, events from the life of the early prophet, Joseph Smith, and so many more. Satan is having a hay day as many members of the church are taking these immovable doctrines from the Lord as evidence that He loves His children only when they keep the commandments, or that His love is limited to a certain population or even sexual orientation. Put yourself in Satan's shoes for a second. If your goal was to destroy the church of God, and we know that is his mission, wouldn't one of your main tactics be to convince the members of the church that they are not loved by the Father, or that this love is somehow conditioned upon righteous living only? He can be such a punk sometimes. It is important to recognize that NO MATTER WHAT, God loves us. Whether we choose to ignore His counsel or follow it with all our hearts, His love is constant and equal to ALL of His children. The level of trust He possesses for His children, however, differs dramatically depending upon our willingness to follow Him.
       

We sustain President Thomas S. Monson as a prophet, seer and revelator in these last days. The scriptures tell us that a "seer" is "a person authorized of God to see with spiritual eyes things which God has hidden from the world (Moses 6:35–38). He is a revelator and a prophet (Mosiah 8:13–16). " Like the snuba instructor, these seers are literally those who "see". They can see things that the rest of us just can't. The Lord, who sees all, reveals to His servants that which His church needs to know in order to return back to Him. I've used this term several times in previous posts but our mortal stupidity gets in the way ALL the time. I don't understand why it is so dang hard for people to admit that we don't know everything. We are a darn prideful generation. I am fully aware that there are about a billion things in this mortal life I just don't understand yet, and probably wont until I face the Lord Himself and can ask Him those questions. But here's what I DO know. I know He lives and loves His children. I know that He has called a prophet in our day to be His mouthpiece and that everything coming from his mouth is as the Lord would say it. Word for word.

       Some might say that unquestionable obedience to the prophet and everything that comes out of his mouth is to be gullible, ignorant, and foolish. If having a testimony of Thomas S. Monson as a man of God who does not make decisions based on his personal opinion but rather the revelation he is given by God, Himself is being gullible and foolish, than a fool I most certainly am! Aren't we taught to gain and renew testimony of specific principles of the gospel throughout our lives so that when moments like this arise, we don't fall? (Helaman 5:12) The scriptures tell us that when we build our foundation on Christ, we CANNOT fall. Not we "wont" fall, but we "CANNOT" fall. What I consider foolish is to look at all the changes the world is making daily and just rolling with them without asking questions. We are so quick to judge and analyze the prophet and apostles for the direction they are giving that we lose precious and valuable time that we could be building up the kingdom. While some call the immediate obedience to the prophet foolish, I think the Lord sees foolishness in His children when they don't take their questions and concerns to Him directly. 

A former seminary teacher of mine who I really admire (Shout out Brother Mick!) posted this verse on his page moments after the church came out with their new policy stating that children being raised in same-sex home would not be able to be baptized until the age of 18. 

"Verily, verily, I say unto thee, blessed art thou for what thou hast done; for thou hast inquired of me, and behold, as often as thou hast inquired thou hast received instruction of my Spirit. If it had not been so, thou wouldst not have come to the place where thou art at this time." 

Doctrine and Covenants 6:14

       He then said the following: "I am at peace. I have a little more understanding than I had an hour ago and more will come...I love the Lord, His Spirit, His prophets and His pattern of teaching me line upon line..."  

       This scripture keeps it plain and simple. If we take our concerns to the Lord, He will surely help us understand why He does what He does. He will never ignore a sincere heart and a willing mind to learn new insight. The key here is that we are taking these questions, concerns and even doubts to the right sources. The majority of individuals who leave the church are those who sought the wrong sources. Sometimes the worst source we can turn to is not doing anything about our questions at all. When we don't turn to any sources, it's an open door for more doubts, concerns and even Satan to come and feed on those negative thoughts. Like to common example used many times by leaders of the church, if we do not exercise a strong muscle consistently, the muscle will become weak. Constant nourishment of God's word will help us keep an eternal perspective and our spiritual senses in tact. Most importantly, it will keep us humble and in a position to say as Nephi did, "I do not know the meaning of all things. BUT I know God loves His children." (1 Nephi 11:17)

       If you're struggling with any of the decisions being made in our day, I invite you to pray. I invite you to study. Please know that questions and concerns is what led the dear prophet, Joseph to the heavens opening in 1820. Questions are wonderful! It's the door to being taught from on high! Study and seek to receive answers from the one who is making all of these decisions. Do not be mistaken, President Monson did not make this decision. God did. President Monson simply announced it. I know that President Monson leads this church through revelation given to Him directly from the Savior who is the head of this church. I know he is a man of God and that God would never allow Him to lead His perfect church astray. As we pray with teachable hearts and real intent, the Holy Ghost will testify of truth and teach us hidden truths that our natural minds wouldn't be capable of learning. May we all tune in to our spiritual minds and strive to be taught by the Master.

He Knows My Name

  Because I am such a child, I enjoy movies that were made targeting toddlers and young children. My nephew, Seth, who undoubtedly is the most adorable thing on the planet (sorry if you're finding out he's cuter than any of your nephews this way...) is obsessed with the Disney/Pixar film, Cars. Oh, how this little boy LOVES Cars. We have watched that movie over and over and over again. While Seth enjoys the tooting tractors, one of my favorite parts is when Lightning McQueen comes in to his sponsor's tent with all those rusty cars. There is one truck who is rusty from top to bottom and has a licence plate on the front bumper reading "FRED". As Lightning walks in, he is being praised by the rusty cars for his talent and performance that evening in a big race. Fred steps up and proclaims Lightning as his hero. Lightning notices the licence plate and replies by thanking Fred by name. Completely stunned and obviously not making the connection, Fred exclaims, "He knows my name! He knows my name! Later in the movie, almost the very end, Fred tries to get into another big race without a ticket. But, he's not worried, he tells the man at the gate, "It's okay! Lightning McQueen knows me!" His excitement that he is known (or was at least for about 5 seconds) by one of the most famous race cars is his time is priceless. He is upbeat, full of energy, and wants to let everyone know.

       Relating movies to the gospel has always helped me put things into perspective and understand different angles of church doctrine. As I've tried to expand and build upon my testimony through the years, there is one principle that the Lord always seems to remind me of and help me renew my sure knowledge of; that He is so constantly aware of me and that He loves me. Or as Fred would put things, He knows me, God knows my name. 

He Knows Our Name

       This isn't anything new. God has always loved and known His children. In fact, the very first recorded words of the Father in The Book of Mormon are to His son, Lehi. He calls him by name and praises him, "Blessed art thou, Lehi....thou hast been faithful.." Isn't that interesting? The VERY FIRST words recorded in The Book of Mormon from our Heavenly Father stand as a testimony that He knows us personally, He knows what we are striving to do and become, and He is proud of us. 

      Have you ever seen someone from a previous occasion years later only to recognize their face but were unable to find their name? Maybe they walked up to you and reminded you of old memories that you had perfect recollection of, but still no name came to your mind. I've had this experience several times, my darn mortal brain isn't great at retaining information. (<<My high school report card is evidence of that). I was at a tennis tournament in Logan waiting for my match to start and had worked my way around watching other matches when all of a sudden, a girl about my age ran up to me, "KRISSY! How are you!?" I felt SO bad. I knew she looked familiar, but I had ZERO idea who she was. She was so nice and asked how I'd been playing in the tournament and even asked if I knew where I'd be playing college tennis yet. I couldn't believe it, I obviously knew this girl pretty darn good at one point, she seemed to have some pretty good information on me! I tried so hard to remember, but really couldn't find anything that sounded remotely familiar about this girl. After a short exchange, she hugged me, wished me luck and was on her way. I was relieved when she finally left because I was running out of small talk, but I felt terrible that she seemed to know me so well and that I had no memory of her whatsoever, not even her name. 

       In the most time-stopping event in this dispensation, a young boy knelt down to pray. He was seeking truth and answers and decided to pray and ask God Himself which church was His. After a few moments, the clouds parted and a pillar of light rested on young Joseph. He looked up to see God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ. I don't know for sure, but I like to think that though he was in complete awe of their beauty and perfection, he was probably moved more than anything by the words he heard next; "Joseph. This is my Beloved Son. Hear Him." God KNEW who it was kneeling in the grove seeking answers. He knew Joseph was a good boy who was ready to receive such powerful insight and answers. God knew him, and He knew his name.

       When we receive a priesthood blessing, the priesthood holder seeks to follow the Spirit and give a blessing as he directs. If performed humbly, worthily and by the Spirit, the blessing in essence becomes words from our Heavenly Father catered to the needs of His children. The blessing starts by stating the individuals full name, reiterating that we do not simply fall into a large population of mortals on the Earth. But that God knows us as one of His unique children and intends to bless us individually, uniquely, and according to our needs and the life He has planned for us. 

       

He Knows Us

       I'm not sure how, but somehow our Heavenly Father knows us all beyond our comprehension. He knows our likes, our dislikes, our strange little quirks. He knows if we are shy or bold, if we are goofy or serious. He knows I am deathly afraid of clowns and that I love Panda Express. He knows I am not a great test-taker and that I struggle with Math. He knows I like to be silly and act about ten years younger than I actually am. He knows that I can be bold and say things I probably shouldn't. He knows that I have burning passion to gain an education and strengthen marriages and families. He knows that I am impatient and that I don't always like to wait. He knows I am trying. He knows I am not perfect, but that I am trying so hard to make Him proud of me. Above all, He knows what I can become. All of this information He knows about each and every one of us has come through consistent time spent near us. He knows I am not great with Math because He has been called upon to render help and aid in almost every exam I've ever been given. He knows I am impatient because He sat with me day after day as I tried to learn Spanish on my mission for months. He knows I am trying because I frequently ask for His help and He is instantly there and blessing me. He's gone to such efforts to get to know me better and watch me change. He knows who I need in my life and who will help me get back to Him. He sends seen and unseen angels daily to tell me what I need to hear and teach me what I need to learn. Even if I were to never contact Him through prayer again, He would know exactly what I need and the condition of my heart.

       There have been times in my life where I have felt like I wasn't worth Him getting to know. I felt like one of Fred's friends, just a rusty old car with not a whole lot to offer God and His kingdom. I think there come times in all of our lives when Satan gets us to question our divinity and self worth. He's a trickster, that one. Unlike Fred, sometimes I find myself hiding to the side, trying to cover up all my rust and trying to go unseen. Because in comparison to Lightning McQueen, what's a rusty old car? 

       High School can be hard. There isn't as much compassion as there should be, students try to steal each other's thunder, bodies are changing, awkward phases are still continuing, and through all of that we are supposed to get good grades that will send us to college. It can be hard. It was really hard for me. I made some mistakes and had a bit more rust than your average student. I didn't feel like I had worth unless I had some boy's attention or if I had been asked to the most recent dance. One night I remember really struggling. I didn't have a consistent group of friends that I could really lean on, I had made a lot of mistakes, people didn't like me, and I just wasn't happy. I was angry that I wasn't well-liked or that people wouldn't give me a second chance. I was jealous of other girls and the boys that liked them or the talents they possessed. I felt I was the only loser having a tough time in High School. (<<Riiiiggghhhtttt.) I didn't feel loved and I certainly didn't feel like I fit in. As I laid crying into my pillow, (SO dramatic) I had a distinct impression to pull out and read my Patriarchal Blessing I had received a few months prior. I started to read and nothing really stood out. Not until the very last line. "Your Father in Heaven wants you to know how much He loves you." It was such a simple phrase. Something I heard in Primary songs and Young Women's lessons all my life. But for some reason, that night it just hit me strong that He was so aware of what I was feeling and that He struggled right there with me. I knew He knew me. 

"Compared to God, man is nothing. Yet to God, we are everything." Dieter F. Uchtdorf

       Because He knows and loves us all so deeply, He knows exactly what we need, what will help us grow, and what will really push us to our limits. Sometimes when those moments of pushing and growing come, we think, "Where is God now!? Why isn't He helping me through this trial?" We forget that He is usually the one giving us those mountains to climb in the first place and that's He's always been present. If we went to the extent of getting to know Him as much as He has gotten to know us, we could never possibly allow ourselves to think that He has left us to struggle on our own or forgotten us. I try to imagine what He does on a daily basis to keep an eye on me and bless me so much. I imagine He and countless angels in a large control room, all with headsets and their eyes towards a large screen playing out my life live. I imagine him at the top desk and the second I stand in need of something He yells, "Did you all hear that? Angel Leah, get down there! Krissy needs comfort!" Moments later, "Did you hear that? Krissy needs help remembering I love her! George, get down there and help her find her Patriarchal Blessing! Let's go, let's go!" Now. Obviously, it's probably not exactly like that. But it amazes me how He just knows exactly who to send and what to have them say right when I need to hear it. It is precise and exact every time. He has a perfect track record and I will always be grateful for His personalized tender mercies.

Don't Forget Him, Don't Forget His Name

“Think of the purest, most all-consuming love you can imagine. Now multiply that love by an infinite amount—that is the measure of God’s love for you. God does not look on the outward appearance. I believe that He doesn’t care one bit if we live in a castle or a cottage, if we are handsome or homely, if we are famous or forgotten. Though we are incomplete, God loves us completely. Though we are imperfect, He loves us perfectly. Though we may feel lost and without compass, God love encompasses us completely. He loves us because He is filled with an infinite measure of holy, pure, and indescribable love. We are important to God not because of our résumé but because we are His children. He loves every one of us, even those who are flawed, rejected, awkward, sorrowful, or broken. God’s love is so great that He loves even the proud, the selfish, the arrogant, and the wicked. What this means is that, regardless of our current state, there is hope for us. No matter our distress, no matter our sorrow, no matter our mistakes, our infinitely compassionate Heavenly Father desires that we draw near to Him so that He can draw near to us.” Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Did you hear that? He loves us despite all the rust we've got all over. He sees much deeper that the outward appearance. Making an effort to get to know the qualities and personality of my Heavenly Father has brought me so much closer to Him and helped me understand His will on a much deeper level.

Joseph Smith taught the following:

"There are three things that are necessary in order for a person to draw down into his life this power that we call faith. First, the idea that (God) actually exists. Secondly, a correct idea of his character, perfections, and attributes. Thirdly, an actual knowledge that the course of life which he is pursuing is according to his will." (Lectures on Faith)

       As we seek after a concrete testimony of the reality of a loving Father in Heaven, we will come to know Him and recognize when we are on and off course. As we do so, we can expect the heavens to feel a little closer. We can expect to notice the personalized tender mercies a little easier, and we will feel an endless supply of effortless and unconditional love from the most powerful being in all existence. Don't ever forget this unchanging truth; that Heavenly Father KNOWS YOU, He KNOWS YOUR NAME, and He LOVES YOU PERFECTLY. And, if we are willing, we can come to know Him and develop a similar perfected love.

Who am I to Judge Another?

I was shocked, confused, bewildered as I entered Heaven’s door,

Not by the beauty of it all, nor the lights or its decor.

But it was the folks in Heaven who made me sputter and gasp–

The thieves, the liars, the sinners, the alcoholics and the trash.

There stood the kid from seventh grade who swiped my lunch money twice.

Next to him was my old neighbor who never said anything nice.

Herb, who I always thought was rotting away in hell,

Was sitting pretty on cloud nine, looking incredibly well.

I nudged Jesus, ‘What’s the deal? I would love to hear your take.

How’d all these sinners get up here? God must’ve made a mistake.

‘And why’s everyone so quiet, so somber – give me a clue.’

‘Child,’ He said, ‘they’re all in shock. They never thought they’d be seeing you!’

      While working with less actives on my mission, I frequently found myself needing to reiterate the fact that though we belong to a perfect church, the church of Jesus Christ Himself, the members of it are not perfect. We've been taught to serve one another, have charity and to love our enemies, but sometimes, even among members of the church, we find it more appealing to gossip, make snap judgments, withhold a word of kindness or act of service from someone we've formed negative views of. We are so quick to find fault in others but quick to justify our own mistakes and flaws.

      President Uctdorf taught this principle in October 2014's General Conference in his address, "Lord, Is It I?" He teaches us the following:

It was our beloved Savior’s final night in mortality, the evening before He would offer Himself a ransom for all mankind. As He broke bread with His disciples, He said something that must have filled their hearts with great alarm and deep sadness. “One of you shall betray me,” He told them. The disciples didn’t question the truth of what He said. Nor did they look around, point to someone else, and ask, “Is it him?” Instead, “they were exceeding sorrowful, and began every one of them to say unto him, Lord, is it I?” I wonder what each of us would do if we were asked that question by the Savior. Would we look at those around us and say in our hearts, “He’s probably talking about Brother Johnson. I’ve always wondered about him,” or “I’m glad Brother Brown is here. He really needs to hear this message”? Or would we, like those disciples of old, look inward and ask that penetrating question: “Is it I?” In these simple words, “Lord, is it I?” lies the beginning of wisdom and the pathway to personal conversion and lasting change.

      Have you ever heard someone say (or been guilty of saying something like this yourself) something like "Can you believe they let their daughter out of the house wearing that? That would never happen in my house!" Or "She's such a slob, I would never allow my house to get that messy or to let the laundry get that behind!" (<<Have some mercy, the struggle is real.) How about, "Why aren't they in church again? They are the laziest people in the ward." We are so quick to judge our brothers and sisters when we lack context. Too often, we make a quick judgement only to realize later on that those individuals are facing difficult trials. We aren't with them every moment of every day. We don't hear what they talk about with their Heavenly Father. We don't know their hearts, their backgrounds, or what they are striving to be. We cannot judge the experiences we haven't had first hand, and even then, every person has experienced them differently. Who are we to appoint ourselves as judges in Israel and pinpoint those individuals we feel aren't going to make it to Heaven? And more than that, why are we playing for Satan's team by thinking negatively of people rather than giving them the benefit of the doubt? 

       I saw a post from a friend on social media this week that said, "Smoking doesn't necessarily make you a bad person just like going to church doesn't necessarily make you a good person." This totally cracked me up and then it really made me look inward and ask myself if I justify certain behaviors in myself simply because I am a routine-Christian. I go to church, I hold a calling, I try to be nice to people, but is that really enough to make me a good person? Though we may be in church every Sunday, we would do well to analyze the type of person we are when we leave the chapel. Are we selfless? Do we serve those who need our help whole-heartedly? Do we strive to love and forgive our enemies? It's easy to love those who are faithful in church callings, who are witty and fun to be around, and who appear to have it all together. What about those who are a little quirky and weird? What about those who have a really rocky past and have said offensive things in the past? What about the family that only shows up to church once every couple of months. Do we love them? Or do we jump to judgmental conclusions that the gospel obviously isn't important to them? As ridiculous as that sounds, it's sometimes the thought we have. "She doesn't dress modestly, so she must not care about the commandments or have any standards.", or "He simply acts like a faithful member on Sundays and then leaves it all at the door for the rest of the week, he obviously has no testimony or desire to follow Christ." Who the heck do we think we are?!  Aren't those who are in need of our love more than anyone else? 

"Who am I to judge another

When I walk imperfectly?

In the quiet heart is hidden

Sorrow that the eye can't see.

Who am I to judge another?

Lord, I would follow Thee."

Hymn #220, 'Lord I Would Follow Thee'

     What if all sins had a scent? Someone who smokes or drinks alcohol has a distinct smell on their breath and their clothing. It is easy to pick up on and almost always immediately recognized. When we smell individuals like that, for some reason we start to think, "Oh how sad, he's lost, unhappy, and I'm obviously doing better than he is.." We can't see the person behind the bottle of beer or the cigarette in their hand. All we can see is someone who has made one mistake and all possibilities of being a good person go out the window. But what if lying and dishonesty had its own scent? What if you could smell pride? Breaking the law of chastity? Not reading scriptures? We might give people a bit more slack if we started to realize we're all categorized as sinners. Aren't we all in need of the Atonement? Too often we are much too like the Pharisees who probably pushed Christ's buttons more than anybody. They were overly critical of everyone, even the Savior. Their character was prideful and their mission was to boast of their own knowledge and point out the flaws of others. Are we latter-day saints or latter-day pharisees? The fact of the matter is that the gospel and the community of the church should be a safe place for everyone. It's been said that the church is a hospital for sick individuals to come and be treated, not a museum to display already perfected saints. It's about time we all re-committed ourselves to loving the sinner and recognizing that we fall in the same category. 

      

   So, what if those we judge really are just kind of mean? What if they are flaky members? What if they are sinners? What is they aren't deserving of kindness or Christ-like love? LOVE THEM ANYWAY. I'm sure we wont get to the other side and reflect back on our lives thinking, "Sheesh, I did a whole lot of loving down there. I really wish I would have spent my time differently." Yeah right. It's interesting to look at the life of the Savior and recognize that His time wasn't spent with fellow royalty, with governmental leaders or other significant figures in that time period. He spent time with the beggars, the lepers and the poor. Those who were most in need of His attention and love were sought after and given that chance.

"If you treat an individual as if he were what he ought to be and could be, he will become what he ought to be and could be."

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

“Treat a man as he is, and he will remain as he is. Treat a man as he could be, and he will become what he should be.”

Ralph Waldo Emerson

      The church provides countless opportunities to seek out those who need our love and attention and to act with the pure love of Christ. Visiting and Home teaching are such overlooked blessings to practice Christ-like love and to treat people better than they deserve. Accepting callings and supporting those who are called is an opportunity to look inward and practice humility, while looking outward and seeing the good in others. Service projects and other church activities allow us to focus on someone else rather than ourselves. It provides an opportunity to seek out others, as the Savior did, to provide them with relief and comfort. If you can't find any opportunities, you may need to spend some time on your knees repenting and analyzing yourself.

      Give people the benefit of the doubt. Assume the best and doubt the worst. Remind yourself you don't know what the Lord is having them go through. Assume they are doing the very best they are capable of at that present time in their lives. And when it seems too difficult to manage a positive thought about someone or to offer a sincere and kind word, you remember just how merciful and kind the Lord has been to you when you've given Him plenty of reasons to push you aside, but didn't. 

To Everything There is a Season

I've always been really grateful for those people who don't ignore the awkward silences or their heart pounding right out of their Sunday best to get up and share their testimonies. I have received so many answers to prayers and so much needed comfort as I watch members of my ward stand and share the personal and intimate experiences they are having with their Heavenly Father. And it always knocks me upside the head with the reminder that I am expected to share my experiences too. Yesterday's fast and testimony meeting was probably nothing out of the ordinary to the outsider's opinion. But for me, I heard a few things that I really needed to hear. 

Laurie stood up at the podium and rocked my world. She and her husband are empty nesters and she's truly one of the most kind women I've ever met. Since I've known her in our ward, she's always gone to great lengths to compliment me and make sure I've felt welcomed and wanted in the ward. She's the bomb.com. She started to talk about transitions. 

"Junior High is a great time to form friendships with both boys and girls. It's a fun time of our lives, but it's not the right time to be dating. Once High School hits, it's a fun time to go on lots of dates with lots of different people. But it's not the time, or the season, to steady date." She continued talking about different phases or "seasons" throughout our lives and the importance of understanding that these seasons happen on the Lord's time frame and that we cannot change what is to happen in certain seasons.

The familiar scripture in the Old Testament came to my mind.

" To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.." 
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

There is something that I have been wanting. I've been wanting something so badly and have been asking the Lord for it for quite some time now. And I am NOT a patient woman. In my mind, it's a righteous desire of my heart and my intentions are good. However, for some reason, the Lord just isn't giving it to me. I don't like to wait. I like things given to me immediately. I like knowing how long it's going to take before I can get somewhere or obtain something. I'm sure the Lord is enjoying just watching me go stir crazy down here trying to be patient. I've thrown myself frequent pity parties as I've watched others I know well with the blessings I so desperately want. I've spent hours upon hours on my knees begging the Lord at times, and becoming frustrated with Him at others. "You give this blessing so freely to others, why am I any different!? What I am doing that is SO wrong that you wont give me this righteous blessing?!" I've become really comfortable telling my Father in Heaven exactly what I think and feel. It's been a frustrating yet humbling experience for me to rely on the Lord and recognize that He must know something I don't. This experience I have had that has been so difficult for me is something that may appear effortless or not trying at all to others. I am grateful that the Lord recognizes that some of His children just flat out struggle with different things more than others. This is one of mine.

When Laurie stood and talked about the seasons, it hit me like a brick wall. I recognized that the Lord wasn't withholding this blessing because He didn't love me or because I was imperfect, rather it just isn't the season. For some reason, I will be more prepared or in a better position to receive those desired blessings in a later season. This scripture in Ecclesiastes has a modern translation that I hear all the time; everything happens for a reason, it will all work out. It's additional knowledge that I can add to my testimony to help push me through difficult times and change me into the woman God wants and expects me to become. Rarely do we have more problems than we do blessings. I know that in the season of the Lord, all blessings come at some point. 

“Some blessings come soon, some come late, and some don't come until heaven; but for those who embrace the gospel of Jesus Christ, they come.” 

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland

The Milk and the Meat of the Gospel

Chris and I have been concerned lately at the vast number of solid members of the church who seem to be wavering or who are even making announcements of their departure from the church after years of dedication and service. It's been heartbreaking to watch people walk away from something that made them better people and step closer toward an unsatisfying lifestyle where those questions and doubts that caused them to leave in the first place, aren't ever answered. We've talked a lot about this and wondered why it is ultimately that people leave. While there are certainly many reasons, Chris and I have come to the conclusion that the main reason is because members are trying to go for the "meat" of the gospel when they should be focusing their time on the "milk". Allow me to explain.

Paul speaks to the saints of his day and explains the "milk" of the gospel:

"I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able." 

1 Corinthians 3:2

This is the same concept as used with a newborn baby. The first nutrients that baby is exposed to certainly isn't foods that are difficult to digest or chew, rather the most basic form of liquids: it's mother's milk. Anything more solid than that is too difficult for the baby to chew and process. Paul brings the same analogy into a gospel context. The "milk" of the gospel is the "what" or actual requirements of the gospel that are used to lead us back to the presence of our Heavenly Father. These are the most basic principles of which we gain a foundation of faith. These include knowing we have a loving Father in Heaven who knows us individually, our needs, and our struggles. It is knowing that He sent His son, Jesus Christ to show us the way and eventually suffer and die for our mistakes. It is knowing The Bible and The Book of Mormon contain the word of God and will lead us to answering the questions of our souls. Without this foundation to set our faith in stone, more complex doctrines, historical facts, and other expectations from our Heavenly Father can appear overwhelming and virtually impossible to understand fully. However, like a young child, as we grow and develop that foundation, we will prepare ourselves for the "meat" of the gospel.

Meat is the "why" of the gospel, explaining why and how we are to obey those basic principles we have gained experiential testimony of. This meat cannot be swallowed whole or in one sitting, but must be prayerfully considered and pondered before being digested. The meat is ultimately what leads to a change of heart and a lasting conversion. However, as members in the church, we are sometimes eager to help ourselves to a full steak dinner when we aren't fully prepared. Isaiah reiterates this principle. 

"Whom shall he teach knowledge? And whom shall he make to understand doctrine? Them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts. For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little."

Isaiah 28:9-10

The milk is our prerequisite; the only way we will be prepared for deeper understanding of God's principles and the "meat" of His gospel. Without this basic knowledge first, we hear and read things without the full context. Without context, anything can be made to appear foolish. Is there any question as to why outsiders of the church question the temple? They see it out of context. Why are events from the life of Brother Joseph questioned and ridiculed? Because we lack context. We are trying to process meat that our mortal minds are perhaps just not ready for. We would do well to remember that we are not perfect, and in a small way we are all disabled due to our state of mortality. There are things we simply cannot comprehend in this life because we are in a fallen world.

"Believe in God; believe that he is, and that he created all things, both in heaven and in earth; believe that he has all wisdom, and all power, both in heaven and in earth; believe that man doth not comprehend all the things which the Lord can comprehend."

Mosiah 4:9

The strong are going to become stronger and the weak are going to become weaker. The good side to this is that we have total control of what team we decide to play for. My woman Sheri Dew said the following about this generation of saints:

"The Lord did not recommend Eve or Nephi or Moses or countless other magnificent exemplars for this dispensation; He recommended YOU and ME. Do you really think that God would have left the last days to chance by sending men and women He couldn't count on? You were born to lead, you were born for glory."

If we are to prepare ourselves to digest the meat of the gospel and head down the road of life-long conversion, we have to develop a solid habit of spending time with the basics. A consistent study of the scriptures and words of the prophets will motivate us to act on our child-like faith in the Savior. Those actions will lead to experiences and opportunities where the Holy Ghost can testify and confirm gospel truth. Those testimonies will turn into a small level of knowledge that will solidify our foundation and lead us to deeper understanding of God's commandments. Like anything else in the gospel, there will always be opposition. While God rejoices in His children gaining further light and knowledge, Satan does not (party pooper). He is the master of manipulation and confusion. He likes to stretch the truth and get us to look at things with the eyes of a natural man with little or no context at all. More than anything, he likes to make us think we must know more than our Heavenly Father. God must not be aware of everything that happened in church history. He must not know everything about our modern society and the struggles men and women face. He just doesn't understand it like we do. Mortal stupidity. I mean, come on. Why is it so hard to admit that we are so limited in what we see and understand in this life? Don't we learn early on that we are to walk by faith, rather than by sight or evidence? Trust in the Father, He WILL direct thy paths. (Proverbs 3:5-6)

As can be said with every other principle of the gospel, Heavenly Father's motivation for everything He does is the constant and ever-present love He has for His children. He knows our struggles, He knows the questions and concerns we have with doctrine. He KNOWS it ALL. He is ready to reach out to us when we make an effort to reach out to Him. He will lift the fog and allow us to gain light and greater understanding. But the ball is in our court and He's waiting for us to take initiative. May we all be willing to prioritize our spiritual education and build our conversions to the Savior line upon line.

"Verily, verily, I say unto you, ye are little children, and ye have not as yet understood how great blessings the Father hath in his own hands and prepared for you; And ye cannot bear all things now; nevertheless, be of good cheer , for I will lead you along. The kingdom is yours and the blessings thereof are yours, and the riches of eternity are yours."

Doctrine and Covenants 78:17-18