Faith

This is along the lines of missionary work and previous talks/blogs about planting those seeds of faith. I was recently thinking about the members of the Church versus the amount of people in the world. The difficulty that our missionaries have to bring in new people to the Church.

I am not surprised that comparatively few people join the Church from among the large number on whom the missionaries call. There is no faith. On the other hand, I am amazed that so many do. It is a marvelous and wonderful thing that thousands are touched by the miracle of the Holy Spirit, that they believe and accept and become members. They are baptized. Their lives are forever touched for good. Miracles occur. A seed of faith comes into their hearts. It enlarges as they learn. And they accept principle upon principle, until they have everyone of these marvelous blessings that come to those who walk with faith in this, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

It is faith that is the converter. It is faith that is the teacher.

It is that mysterious, wonderful manifestiation of faith that brings reassurance, certainty, and it comes as a gift from God. It is only through faith that we may know the truth of all things. Faith leads to the Holy Spirit, which bears witness of Christ and all things good. And faith is needed for everyday trials - whether it be our mission, our tithing, obeying the word of wisdom. Hold to your faith and ye shall prevail. For further reading, I would recommend reading Alma 32 and James 2:26.

Work

So, many of you know that I am not happy with my work. I am starting school next week and hopefully will be done in about 18 months. Then, hopefully I can find a career in which I will be happy.

Recently, I was reading in Gospel Principles and came across a chapter about work and personal responsibility. There is a story I want to share from there about our attitude towards work:

A traveler passed a stone quarry and saw three men working. He asked each man what he was doing. "I am cutting stone," the first man answered. The second replied, "I am earning 3 gold pieces per day." The third man smiled and said, "I am helping to build a house of God."

How many times has our attitude been "I am earning so much money by doing this job"? I know that has been my attitude for probably several years now. So, after reading that story, I want to ask ourselves how we are helping to build a kingdom of our Heavenly Father in our daily, honest work? Even if we are only providing enough for our personal and family necessities, we are still helping some of God's children.

A Nephite prophet, King Benjamin, preached that "when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God" (Mosiah 2:17). So, even though my work is not the greatest, I am hoping that this gives me strength to know that I can strive to do better and have that attitude of building a kingdom of heaven here on Earth.

Music

I wanted to add a second blog this week. A short thought about music. Lately, I have been having an urge to compose something for our ward choir. Our choir director, which happens to be our bishop's wife and lives directly across the street from us, thought it was inspiration. I think it was more of my stubborness to put something together in music about my feelings for the Savior.

So, for several months, many songs have gone through my head. "Abide with me, 'Tis Eventide." "I Stand All Amazed." "Master the Tempest is Raging." "Where can I Turn for Peace?" And probably a few dozen more.

To backtrack about 15 years, there was a missionary in my ward who did a composition of "Where Can I turn for Peace?" and "More Holiness Give Me" and we sang a duet. It turned out beautifully, despite my lack of talent of singing.

So, I approached the director and positioned my idea. She loved it! We have some small kinks to work out, I want to also add some interlude piano between each verse. However, it is way complicated and I will have to either transcribe one song into another key or find it already done. I do not want to give any much details as there are many to work out, but we are hoping to have our choir ready by January. I am hoping to be up to par to play the piano portion (maybe even do a organ verse with piano background?). Just some thoughts here. And a scripture to go along with it: "For my soul delighteth in the song of the heart; yes, the song of the righteous is a prayer unto me, and it shall be answered with a blessing upon their heads" (D&C 25:12).

Eternity

I have no idea what I have done to deserve the wife that I have. She tolerates me during my down times, comforts me when saddened, and allows me to have fun with my friends. It also put a perspective recently into my Eternal Happiness. I cannot ask for anyone better for myself.

Even with this, we have our trials. Everyone does. It is only "natural" (see previous posting on the natural man) to have hardships, fights, and differences. While this does define one as a person, together we must draw closer to our Heavenly Father and overcome that naturalness.

The adversary does not want us to be Eternal. He knows that to make "all men... be miserable like unto himself" (2 Nephi 2:27) he must deprive us of family relationships that have eternal potential. We must strive daily to make it work. I have always enjoyed that Mormonism that stated "I never said it would be easy: I only said it would be worth it."

And should we fail, we must remember: "Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 5:10). As each of us grow closer to our Father, we must also grow together. Have one goal, atone and be at one. And while Laura and I have our differences, I am so very grateful that we strive for our eternal happiness together.

Spiritual Light

I have used this metaphor in the past, mostly when growing up. Everyone is given the Light of Christ, "that he may know good from evil" (Moroni 7:16). Nobody is excluded from this gift. Yet, it is only through the "power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things" (Moroni 10:5).

I like to think of this as a completely dark place: image a forest, late night, cloudy and no light coming from the moon or stars. Now, try to find your way home. This is life. We are going to stumble, we are going to fall, scrap our knees and at times, it will feel like we are not getting anywhere. There may be times when we give up.

However, while we walk that dark path - even off the path at times - the Light of Christ shows us the way. Just for a brief second. Maybe the clouds part and the moonlight comes thru. Maybe it is a beacon, lighthouse, far off in the distance, that gives us a glimpse of our surroundings. Maybe a lightning bolt. Something lights up around us to show us the way. Everyone has that blessing.

Now, the "Holy Ghost shall be thy constant companion" (D&C 121:46). He will be that flashlight in our dark journey. And while we will sometimes choose to turn off our flashlight and travel in the dark, those with this gift can repent and have use of the flashlight again, making our journey back home easier. I bless that we all remember that companion and listen closely for him.