Faith in God, Purpose to Life, Joy in Living

2011-06-17T06:11:00.001-07:00

Selfless Service:
A Pattern for Joyful Living

By Marcus Southworth

Many years ago, Linda and Richard Eyre developed a successful curriculum and a program for parents and their pre-school age children. It is called, "Joy School". My wife and I used this curriculum with our own children. There are many wonderful ideas which they teach that I think about sometimes. It is now 30 years later and I am still impressed with the idea that there are patterns of living that can improve our capacity to live joyfully.

Some of my most treasured experiences are not characterized by great achievement, honor, financial success or personal recognition. They were sometimes discovered and enjoyed after experiencing some great adversity or difficulty. Sometimes, there were found in serving others. In many instances, I could see a pattern to these experiences. They seemed to be more frequent and discernable under certain circumstances than others. Living joyfully seems to connect me with my Father in Heaven and serve as a reminder that he loves me and knows me. I take great satisfaction in knowing that my experiences are not exclusive but that they are available and enjoyed by all of Gods children. I have come to appreciate that he touches all of us in special, and personal ways. Our sense of awareness of these experiences becomes much more pronounced when we understand the patterns that are associated with our enjoyment.

Reflection and Gratitude:

As I reflect on some of these special, joyful experiences, I draw closer to my heavenly father. Sometimes, I am overwhelmed with deep emotion as I recollect the circumstances and the feelings that I had while living joyfully. In a way, they are now living inside of me and I can bring them to the surface at will as if they were a bubbling, refreshing spring, just by remembering them. I am often filled with a deep sense of gratitude to my Heavenly Father through this process. So then, Gratitude, seems to be a factor in maximizing my enjoyment of these special times.

Missionary Service:

I recall serving as a full time missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Venezuela. I was 19 years old when I left my home in Arizona to serve for two years. I experienced many things during that period. The daily routine was rigorous, starting at 6am and ending well after 9pm. I lived on a modest budget of US$170-200 per month out of which I paid rent, utilities, food and transportation. On that budget, we did not have many of the nice things that we were accustomed to when living at home. We were not allowed any personal relationships other than with our assigned missionary companion who had to be with us at all times. No girlfriends, no TV or music, this was all part of the disciplined life of a missionary. I had to learn a new language and culture. Phone calls home were not practical and prohibited without specific approval from our Mission President. Even though I wrote home every week, mail would often become lost and weeks would pass without any news from family. Under these circumstances, most would think that I was living in abject poverty, loneliness and despair. However, I want it clear, that I still reflect on these two years as the most joyful of my entire life. I really don't ever remember feeling homesick or lonely while serving as a missionary. On the contrary, I felt wonderfully connected with heaven. I learned a lot about joyful living during that time. Since Venezuela, my life has been filled with many other wonderful, joyful experiences that ensued as a result of the things I learned there over 30 years ago.

I would like to share with you a couple of simple experiences that I had that serve as a powerful, stabalizing rudder in my little boat sailing on the vast ocean of life:

Serving others and Prayer.

I was living in Puerto la Cruz, a port city. Each day, I would walk with my companion dressed in white shirt and tie for many miles, knocking doors and speaking with people about the gospel of Jesus Christ. During the day, the sun shined and even during the evening the temperature was quite hot and humid. We were often rejected but we persisted. We found several people and families who welcomed us into their homes during the few months that I served there. We taught some and prayed with them. On Sunday's, we would take them to Church meetings with a small group of local Church members. Several of these people were baptized and joined with other Church members. We saw their lives change in wonderful and positive ways. They would often tell us of their feelings of happiness because of the changes they had made. I remember becoming very close to them in the process, we loved them and they loved us. One unforgettable night, I remember kneeling by my bedside after another long day filled with teaching people. My companion and I were both very tired. Yet, I remember feeling a great sense of joy as I knelt by my bedside. My companion and I prayed many times during each day, and it was customary for us to have a private personal prayer prior to retiring to our beds. On this particular occasion, I remember starting my prayer to God with these words; "Dear Father in Heaven"... but the rest of the words would not come out of my mouth. I was somehow overcome with a great sense of joy! I wept deeply and soulfully for some time in gratitude for being part of such a grand and wonderful program. I knew that God had sent me, that I was part of his plan to reclaim his children and to bring them home. As I wept, I was filled to the brim with a sense of peace knowing that at that very moment, God was there in the room with me. Finally, after my soul exhausted itself, and I lay humbled and bowed before the Master, the words fell from my lips... "thank you"!!! To this day, it is the shortest, most meaningful prayer that I have ever uttered. I reflect on this occasion often. I learned then that truly "when we are in the service of our fellow beings, we are only in the service of our God." I also have learned that Gods reward is far more meaningful than any other. I learned many things on that night far from home.

God will send his Angels.

Another experience that I had while serving as a fulltime missionary which illustrate this notion that joy comes by serving God and our fellow man. This time, I was living in the capital city of Caracas. My companion and I, like always, had worked hard that day teaching people and looking for the lost sheep. We often characterized the people that we found and taught as "lost sheep" because of Christ's parable of the shepherd leaving his flock to find a stray lamb and how joyful he was when the lamb was found and brought back to the fold. We often felt that God would direct us to find someone that was trying to find his way to back home.

On this occasion, my companion and I traveled to an apartment building far from our own. It was getting late and we thought that we would visit Sister Gonzales a very dedicated church member. She was always so diligent and anxious to help us. She would introduce us to her friends so that we could teach them in her home. Earlier in the week, she had agreed to have some of them over a few days hence and we wanted to coordinate the specifics with her. However, when we knocked on her apartment someone else answered the door and indicated that Sister Gonzales was very ill and in bed. We asked if we could come in and visit with her. After a couple of minutes, we were invited in and found her lying in bed with the lights low. She explained that she had the red measles, often dangerous for adults. Her fever was quite high, she was covered with the measeles and her eyes were inflamed and sore. She strained to look at us through her swollen eyes. Measles can cause blindness they say and she was taking precautions by keeping the lighting in her room dim. I remember seeing her lying there and my heart went out to her. My companion and I felt an overwhelming sense of love for her at that moment. I asked, "is there anything that we can do for you, can we give you a Priesthood Blessing?" She replied that her husband and another man from the church had given her a blessing the day before. I then asked, "can we pray for you?" She agreed and we knelt by her bed and prayed. As we got up, we noticed that she was crying. We were a little embarrassed about it and quickly excused ourselves, promising that we would return to check up on her.

A couple of weeks passed. She recovered fine. At Church, she was called upon to speak and she shared this experience. She explained, "a couple of weeks ago, I was very ill. The missionaries showed up at my house. I could not greet them but they insisted on coming into my bedroom and asked if they could pray for me." She said, "when they entered my room, I noticed that they were wearing white clothing." I wondered why they were dressed this way and thought that maybe they had a baptism that they were going to later that night. "They asked if they could pray for me. As they knelt beside my bed, I opened my eyes and saw a wonderful light around them as they prayed. As I mused over the scene, a good feeling came over me and I heard a voice soft and sweet saying that these are messengers, angels sent from God to minister to you." She explained that in a very personal way, she learned on that night that these missionaries were sent from God like angels from heaven to bless her and to pray for her.

There are Angels among us.

I reflected on this event many times throughout my life. I think that sometimes God chooses to bless his children by sending messengers to them. These messengers may show up at a time when we need them most to bless us or to help us. They may do so unknowingly, compelled by some feeling inside that prompts them to our side. Nevertheless, on these important and memorable occasions it is as if heaven itself has opened and God has his sent angels to be with us at a critical time. I have been blessed this way on many occasions. I have counted these times as evidence that God lives, that he knows me, and that he hears my prayers and blesses me through chosen messengers.

I can also remember a few times when I responded to heavens call to help someone in their time of need. These are joyful times, wonderful times. It is then that I feel that I am blessed by acting in behalf of my Heavenly Father and doing what he wants me to do. It is wonderful to know that I am doing the right thing at the right time and that God smiles upon me for my willingness to serve. I am also encouraged that He would choose to answer someone else's prayer through me. He makes me feel part of his great work in lifting and blessing others.

There are many angels walking the earth today. Perhaps you are one that hears His call. Or perhaps, it is your prayer that is being answered through one of God's messengers. In either case, it is wonderful! It is a divine pattern from heaven designed to bring joy into our lives.

In Matthew 25:31-40 Christ illustrates the critical nature of this principle:

31 ¶When the Son of man shall come in his bglory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory:
32 And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats:
33 And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.
34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:
35 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:
36 Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.
37 Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?
38 When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?
39 Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?
40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.

I love my Heavenly Father. I am grateful for Him and the things that he teaches me. I am grateful to have learned something about this joyful pattern of selfless service. It has been a source of great joy for me throughout my life. I invite you to experiment with this idea. Begin by reflecting on times where you have served others. Do you remember how that felt? May this recollection inspire you to look for and cultivate this pattern of Joyful Living in your life. Our friends and family need us. God may choose us to be his fingers and toes in reaching out to them in their hour of need and may our lives be filled with great joy and happiness as we serve one another.

"Be thou Humble; and the Lord thy God will take thee by the hand, and give thee answer to thy prayers."

2010-09-05T16:05:00.000-07:00

By Marcus Southworth

Have you noticed that the world is bright and the future filled with hope when you are doing what is right? It seems that all of us feel guided from time to time by a personal, spiritual compass that helps us to discern the things that we should and shouldn't do. When we are true to these impressions, I find that our faith is strengthened, our confidence that God is with us improves, and a pattern of answered prayers emerge. This pattern encourages us even more, our threshold for challenge expands and our faith grows.

Nevertheless, there is a human condition that nibbles away at our constancy and commitment. Without the nibbling, we all seem to want to do what is right. But, the humanness in us draws us back. In spite of our moments of greatness, most of us come back down from the mountain. Sometimes our descent is enshrouded with pride and glitter of some great accomplishment. Sometimes, that weary descent is in abject defeat where we wallow in our hopeless state. Whether the descent is in glory or defeat, the fact remains, we are descending. It is of this descent that I resist. It is the ascent that I want to emulate. This brings a thought to my mind, why can't I persist in an even, constant, and everlasting path leading upward? Why must I come down from the mountain?

I suppose that we are all subject to emotional, physical, mental and spiritual distractions. That is why, when one of us rises above those challenges, and transcends the gnawing pain, we set them on a pedestal-- because we want to be like them. When I was 17 years old, I dreamed of being great. I pondered and wondered about great men and women. I thought about the lives they lived and what they were like, and what sets them apart from the rest of us. In that apprehensive condition, late one night, I penned this short verse:

"Men who meet the challenge when mountains thwart the path,

Courage drives them upward, oh what strength they have.

Secondary to the instant, pain beckoning to stop,

Writhing muscles reminding, of the men they're not.

Many men have lost their dreams when obstacles begotten,

And many more have given in, phobic of faulty piton.

But these my friends, undaunted still, their faith is everlasting,

Incrementing faith and power as each mountain they are mastering."

David, the son of Jesse, saw Goliath the giant, parading back and forth, taunting the army of Israel. The scriptures state that the soldiers fled from before the giant and were afraid. But David said, "who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should defy the armies of the living God?" David was not even a soldier. He was a shepherd boy whose father sent him to bring bread and cheese to his brothers and to the captains of men. This was not his job, it was not his fight, yet he could not be silenced. His words were heard by those around him who marveled at his great faith and courage. They took the boy before King Saul. David said to the King, "Let no man's heart fail because of him; thy servant will go and fight with this Philistine." Saul said to David, "You are not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him; for thou art but a youth, and he a man of war from his youth." David explained to Saul that God had delivered him out of the paw of a lion and the paw of a bear, "he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine." Saul, convinced of David's resolve said, "Go and the Lord be with thee."

I marvel at what appears to be a pattern of the Lord God, to show forth his great strength and power through the weak and simple of the earth. The army of Israel witnessed a great miracle that day when the shepherd boy, without shield, armor, or sword defeated the war hardened giant. David helped them all remember that God is at the helm. He knew that he would not be defeated by the giant. He knew that God would help him to succeed.

I refer now back to my original supposition, the title of this article: "Be ye humble, and the Lord thy God will take thee by the hand and give thee answer to thy prayers." I marvel at David's humility. I suppose if David were not in a humble, modest state he could not have spoken those mighty words or done those mighty deeds. For he was not attracted or motivated by earthly recognition or reward. Neither was he persuaded by Saul, to wear the king's armor to fight Goliath. After Saul had placed his helmet, his armor, sword and shield upon David, the youth said, "I cannot go with these for I have not proved them. And David put them off him." At this humbling, scary moment, "he took his staff in his hand, and chose him five smooth stones out of the brook, and put them in a shepherd's bag which he had, even in a scrip; and his sling was in his hand; and he drew near to the Philistine." When we are humble, we do things the Lord's way. The way of men is set aside for that harrowing moment and we listen to that still small voice reveal God's will concerning us. At this humble moment, we are not impressed by the world or the beauty thereof. Our eyes are set upon God, and we listen to the things that he tells us to do.

Being valiant, faithful, true and courageous is not something that do with money, great learning, political office or strategic positioning. We are valiant, true and courageous because of Him in whom we trust. We know that he knows us, loves us and we know him and trust him and do his will. Over time, our trust is proven as was David's. David told Saul that God had supported him before, and he rehearsed with Saul those circumstances; and then, "David said, moreover, The Lord that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine." His confidence had grown strong because of this constant pattern in his life. When he was in trouble he relied on God and God did not let him down. David knew what it meant to have God "lead him by the hand and give him answer to his prayers."

I find myself from time to time faced with a Goliath, proven in battle, and frightening in his demeanor. It is not always a person, most of the time it is a circumstance, a problem, a challenge, or a great mountain that I am ill suited to climb or to circumnavigate. Sometimes, I feel that I just don't have the level of personal capacity to see my way through. It is at these times that I feel myself draw closer to my Heavenly Father. I call out to him in private prayer. I reason with him and ask him for deliverance. I pray for guidance, I listen carefully and try his will to follow. It is at these times that I am most able to see the hand of the Lord in my life. I know that he is there. I know that he listens to every faithful prayer, uttered in simple humility. This personal knowledge is proven through years of my experience as I have seen God's hand in my life and in the lives of others. God is not a respecter of persons. He hears everyone. He loves us all. We are his children. He is teaching us and calling us back home. Jesus taught, "Draw near unto me and I will draw near unto you; seek me diligently and ye shall find me; ask, and ye shall receive; knock, and it shall be opened unto you." (Doctrine and Covenants 88:63) John the revelator exposed a similar truth, "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock; if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and sup with him, and he with me." (Revelations 3:20)

2010-02-27T19:22:00.000-08:00

Finding Peace in Troubled Times
By Marcus Southworth

I remember some 20 years ago, a church sponsored campout with my sons. There was the usual excitement of boys running through the camp, playing with the fire, and fathers sitting around talking about the world as they see it. It was a warm spring afternoon in the Arizona desert, and throughout the day, I had been watching from the corner of my eye, young men coming in and out of one specific tent. At the time, I had six children (four boys). The tent that I had been watching belonged to a man with 11 children. I marveled at this man’s calm and gentle demeanor as he interacted with his sons throughout the day. My astonishment was due to the apparent anxiety that I and a number of other fathers were sharing about our pressing economic circumstances. We all had large houses, large mortgages, families and business responsibilities, yet this man, unruffled and unbothered was lying in his tent, barefooted, reading, and visiting as if a Huckleberry Finn on the shore of the Mississippi.

At dinner time, he emerged from his tent with his boys to indulge in the evening meal with the rest of us around the campfire. Other than his family, he stayed pretty much to himself. I watched a bit and afterwards his boys left to run around with friends. Seeing an opportunity, I walked over hoping to learn more about him. We visited and I found that he too had many of the same challenges that I faced, however, with a family of 11; his load appeared to be at least twice mine. As we talked, I could discern very little anxiety in his conversation, his countenance or his demeanor. I wondered how I would feel if I were in his shoes. His wife was expecting..again, their twelfth! He had a boy on a mission, and his business struggled along just like mine. I could not understand how he could be so calm. This was in the late 80’s in Arizona, property values were dropping, people were losing money on investments, and businesses were failing everywhere. Everyone was stressed…except him or so it seemed. I probed deeper. I asked him why he did not seem worried about his circumstances. He responded simply, “worrying doesn’t seem to solve anything.” Unsatisfied, I continued, “What does solve things?” He smiled at me with a little impatience at my determination. He was a quiet man of very few words. I really wanted to know. It took some doing but he finally gave me a few words, “I keep the commandments, do my best and the Lord seems to take care of the rest”. Since that time I have thought a lot about what he said. I have wondered, “well, isn’t that what all of us Church goers try to do and expect?” Yet, I have anxiety… and he does not. It seems that I am missing something here! Years have passed, I continue to reflect on the example of this one man and feel that I have come to learn and experience a little more about finding peace in troubled times.

Now, after more than a half of a century of personal life experience, I believe that I have suffered at least my fair share of trouble. I have also found an improved sense of well being during times of great uncertainty. I am so grateful for that. My burdens seem to have gotten much heavier over the years; nevertheless, my ability to carry those burdens has significantly improved. Perhaps, as the Great Plan of Happiness suggests, God desires for us to become more like him. And, perhaps, there is divine purpose in the process. Trials, challenges and turmoil seem to shape our souls and characters so as to become more like him.

"No pain that we suffer, no trial that we experience is wasted. It ministers to our education, to the development of such qualities as patience, faith, fortitude and humility. All that we suffer and all that we endure, especially when we endure it patiently, builds up our characters, purifies our hearts, expands our souls, and makes us more tender and charitable, more worthy to be called the children of God...and it is through sorrow and suffering, toil and tribulation, that we gain the education that we come here to acquire and which will make us more like our Father and Mother in heaven."

(Orson F. Whitney, in Dennis D. Flake, "Orson F. Whitney's Philosophy of Education," p. 96)

I have found several essential ideas that contribute to my personal enjoyment of peace during troubled times:

1. Make Peace a priority in your life: I have always had an appetite for peace. I don’t like arguments, controversy or drama. I avoid irreverent music, boisterous company and immoderate practices. I seek quiet time, especially in times that are troubled. But I have learned that peace is more than just this.

Of course, we have all felt the absence of peace when we do something wrong. There is a definite absence of peace until we are able to follow certain steps of repentance that seem to relieve us of that burden and bring us back to God. Christ said;

“Come unto me all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30

I think that his invitation to “Come unto me all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” means that after all that we can do to find peace in our lives; we will still come short without taking upon us his name. We take upon us his name by being baptized in his Church. Baptism means that we covenant that we will keep his commandments, which is like ‘taking his yoke upon us” and to always remember him. We remember him by repenting and calling upon the Father in his name to forgive us or our sins. The result of this pattern and practice is “Peace in this life and eternal life in the world to come.” D&C 59:23

2. Make God an anchor in your life:

However, sometimes we cannot avoid trouble. Sometimes, there are events over which we have no control. I find that in circumstances like this, I feel stressed and troubled most of all. We may have lost a job, experience the loss of someone close or suffered some injustice at the hand of ignorance or even a tyrant. Sometimes, we can feel powerless, like victims of our circumstances. How do we live in peace under this kind of scenario?

My mother was 14 years old and lived in a small town with her family on the border between Russia and Germany. Hitler leaders isolated the children from parents by sending them to government mandated training programs away from their families. She was assigned to study floristry in a large city some 60 miles from her home. At first, she was so excited, no more parents telling her what to do.

Shortly after arriving at her workplace, rumors flooded in that the Russians had invaded Germany and many people were forced out of their homes. Among them, were her mother and siblings. Her father was taken to Siberia and never returned. She was so distraught at the news and had no idea where her mother, father and 4 little brothers were.

A few months later, one of the bloodiest battles in WWII was fought in Danzig (now known as Gdansk, Poland.). The Russians prevailed and their leaders awarded the conquering soldiers free reign. They murdered, raped and pillaged throughout the smoldering city. My mother although just a young girl, witnessed this terrible scene. She says that the things that followed were much worse than the bombs, the bullets or the battle. She fled, finding a small crevice among the bombed out ruins where she hid, alone, frightened, and with nothing to eat. Up until this time, she had given very little thought to God. She knew very little about him. But in this moment of desperation, she cried out to him with all her heart. She was not disappointed. A still small voice came, assuring her that she had nothing to fear, that she would be ok. She describes the feeling of peace that she felt at that moment. Some 65 years later, she can hardly recount the experience without tears, as she recalls the sublime sweetness and peace that calmed her in spite of the awful circumstances. It was a life changing event for her. From that time forward, she knew that there was a God and consulted him often for direction and protection.

She did escape from Danzig and spent years looking all over Germany for her family. She finally found them; starving, destitute and diseased with typhus. She helped them get on their feet little by little. She was baptized in the LDS Church and immigrated to America. She served a full time mission in her homeland, Germany. She married in the Temple and bore and raised 7 children. She has served her God ever since. She taught me as a young boy a lot about the peace that she discovered in the midst of this great turmoil. Her example and teachings have conditioned me so that I am a little more prepared to meet the challenges of a troubled world.

3. Live consistent with what you know to be right:

The scriptures teach;

“But learn, that he who doeth the works of righteousness shall receive his reward, even peace in this world and eternal life in the world to come.” D&C 59:23

I put this scripture to memory in my youth as a reminder that when I am doing what I know to be right and pleasing in the site of God, I am most peaceful and happy.

Successful life patterns and many important promises that God has made to his followers are found in the scriptures. I can find peace merely by finding these promises and living in a way that are deserving of them, for example;

a. Financial Blessings: One of the things that have troubled me most over the years is my concern over personal or family finances. It has taken some effort and diligent practice to find peace here. But I have found a measure of peace in spite of those problems. I am indebted to the scriptures for helping me to understand the underlying mechanics.

The Lord’s words to Moses had meaning then and I find direct application for me now;

“If ye walk in my statutes, and keep my commandments, and do them: Then I will give you rain in due season, and the land shall yield her increase, and the trees of the field shall yield their fruit…ye will eat your bread to the full, and dwell in your land safely. And I will give you peace in the land, and ye shall lie down and none shall make you afraid;

Then he warns:

But if ye will not hearken unto me, and will not do all these commandments; …I will break the pride of your power; and I will make your heaven as iron and your earth as brass. And your strength shall be spent in vain; for your land shall not yield her increase, neither shall the trees of the land yield their fruits…

I have provided but a few of the promises and warnings. For the entire body of scripture it is found in Leviticus 26:3-46.

I have also learned in my own personal way how my payment of tithes and offerings bless me and my family:

“…Prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts. If I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.
And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes…” Malachi 38-12

Other blessings of peace are available to us by merely understanding the laws that govern them.

“There is a law irrevocably decreed in the heavens before the foundation of this world, upon which all blessings are predicated. And when we obtain any blessing from God, it is by obedience to that law upon which it is predicated. D&C 131:20-21

Finding peace in a troubled world is often as simple as just understanding and practicing the principles upon which blessings operate. Could it be that God in his great wisdom allows us the freedom to choose good or evil? By suffering or enjoying the consequences of our own actions we are able to see for ourselves and learn. Alma counseled his wayward son with this warning: “And now my son…behold, I say unto you, wickedness never was never happiness.” Somehow, peace and happiness are synonymous with one another when placed in the context of doing right or wrong.

I like that feeling of peace that is associated with doing good. I used to teach my children; “When I obey, I’m happy all day.” Simple and cute but soooo true!! We all know that!

There is another point here that is important to understand. I find it referenced in the great revelation revealed to Joseph Smith while in the Liberty Jail; D&C 121:33-46. After teaching Joseph the principles that govern the rights and blessings of the Priesthood, he says that after adhering to all of these principles, “…then shall thy confidence wax strong in the presence of the God…” Somehow, when doing what is right, our confidence in God improves and we are consequently strengthened.

4. Expect a miracle:

In 1988, I was working on a very complicated transaction overseas. Many businessmen and very expensive attorneys were involved. Because of the multi-national nature of the deal, London was chosen as an agreeable place to document the transaction. I and the other parties had been in London for several weeks negotiating the terms with relevant parties. Prior to that, I had spent nearly a year traveling between Europe, South America and USA working on this transaction. I had no income during that period. I was anxious to finally see the fruits of my labors. It had been a costly and time consuming endeavor. I spent long periods away from home and in the process, had completely exhausted my personal financial resources in the process. I was so glad that we were almost finished and as a reward, I would finally receive my proportionate share of earnings.

However, as documentation was finally nearing completion, objections arose regarding a single word that was used in one of the documents. Arguments ensued, the problem extended from a word to a paragraph and then spread to include objections over an entire document. Parties entrenched and finally conceded that the issue was not resolvable. After so many weeks and many hundreds of thousands of dollars in legal fees, the transaction had failed and everyone made plans to return home.

I was devastated and could not accept defeat. Returning home to me meant facing a financial disaster for me and my family. I felt that I needed to call on heaven for a miracle. I walked into the London office of the purchaser to determine what, if any, traction I could get by trying to bridge the parties. After visiting with the principals, they insisted that truly, the transaction was dead and the issues were convincingly irresolvable.

After this poignant discussion, I had quietly and to myself decided that I would ask God for his help. Make no mistake, I had been asking all along. However, this was different. I needed to ask for a miracle.

As I was leaving the office, which was a regional office for the purchaser, a Fortune 500 company, I bumped into one of the financial analysts that I had been working with. His name was Ari and he was an orthodox Jew. His Jewish disposition was apparent to me by the skull cap which he wore. Everyone knew that Friday afternoons, he had to leave early in order to keep his Sabbath observance. I admired him for that and felt that we shared a common bond. In this moment of resolution, I paused as I came to his desk and said, “Ari, do you believe that there is a God?” He said, “Yes, I do.” I then asked, do you believe that Moses through the power of God parted the Red Sea?” He smiled, not sensing my rationale for the question and responded, “What do you think?” I said, “I believe that the Israelites were surrounded, the Red Sea before them and the Egyptians behind. Moses called upon God in this moment of desperation, and in answer to his fervent plea, the Red Sea parted and the children of Israel walked through to the other side on dry ground.” He said, “I believe that too!” I then asked him, “Do you believe that the chances of reviving this transaction are the same as ‘parting the Red Sea’. He smiled, and said “from what I know and see, the chances are probably the same.” I then asked, “Do you think God would part the Red Sea for me?” He responded much more thoughtfully, “I really don’t know.” I said to him,”Ari, by tomorrow at this same time, both you and I are going to know the answer to that question.” I left the office and returned to my hotel and interestingly never saw or spoke to Ari again. Yet I know, that both he and I came to know the answer to that question.

I fasted and prayed through the night. In the morning, I recall my final words to my Heavenly Father. “It is now 6am and I am leaving my room, not knowing beforehand where I should go or what I should do. Please be with me and show me the way.” As I walked down the street towards the subway, an idea came to my mind. Although very early, I called another party to the transaction asking for permission to breach protocol and call on the President of one of the Lloyds of London Syndicate companies. In my eyes, this is where the rift had originated. The man on the phone chided me for my insanity, and said that I could do whatever I wanted at this point. He reiterated, that “the deal was dead and there was nothing I could do about it.”

When I arrived at the high rise building which is where Arthur Manning, President of Pan Financial officed, I saw a cart of pungent and beautiful flowers. I purchased three dozen roses, not really sure why and took them with me up the elevator. His office was in the penthouse overlooking the Thames River. Albeit early, around 7:30am, there was a secretary there that greeted me. I asked for Mr. Manning. She saw my flowers and smiled and said, “Just a moment.” Mr. Manning came out, endeared by the flowers that I carried. He was an austere man with a well trimmed beard and a very proper English demeanor. We stepped onto the balcony outside his office over-looking London and the river. I wanted so much to beg and plead with him to change his mind. Yet, I was surprised at the words that actually left my mouth. “Arthur, it has been a pleasure doing business with you. I thought that you could take these roses home to your wife as an indication of my pleasure and gratitude for working with you.” He responded graciously. Soon he said that he had to run to his next meeting and invited me to walk with him to the train station. I accompanied him and we continued our visit which had nothing to do with business. We talked about our families and how taxing this transaction had been on all of us.

As we parted ways, he clasped my hand with a parting handshake and said, “Marcus, if the other party would accept this change (he then explained the simple change it to me) then I would willing to reconsider my position.” With those parting words, I waited until he was out of sight. I then jumped into the air with delight and ran as fast as I could in my suit and tie to catch the subway back to my client’s office, anxious to tell them the news. Finding them in their office, packing their things and having their return tickets to the USA on their desk, I discussed Mr. Manning’s proposal with them. They did not at first believe me. They thought that I was playing some awful joke. Finally, perceiving my sincerity they agreed that the proposed language could work. Because of the time difference, we waited a few hours for morning San Francisco time, to discuss the matter with the company’s General Counsel.

It took nearly two more weeks, but when finished, the transaction was successful and all parties were satisfied. I went home knowing that I had asked for and been a part of… a great miracle.

5. Be grateful:

I have continued to receive many of these kinds of blessings throughout my life. Nevertheless, my world continues to be awash with turmoil and tribulation. I have come to feel and recognize a calm assurance that Heavenly Father loves me and is willing to bless and protect me. In times like these, I reflect on his blessings and find comfort in knowing that he is near. I found much sweetness and peace in my life, similar to which my mother had experienced in the midst of a war torn Germany. I too know for myself that he is there. I have reached out to him on many occasions and he has responded. I have come to believe his words:

“…this commandment I give unto you, that ye shall call upon me while I am near.
Draw near unto me, and I will draw near unto you; seek me diligently and ye shall find me; ask, and ye shall receive; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. Whatsoever ye ask the Father in my name it shall be given unto you, that is expedient for you;” D&C 88:62-64

One of the great and wonderful experiences of my life is to ponder upon the many wonderful blessings that Heavenly Father has bestowed upon me. Sometimes, while in this frame of mind, tears of joy well up along with a deep sense of gratitude which resonates through my soul. It is at these times, while alone, in a state of quiet meditation and personal prayer, that I will sing a favorite hymn of praise as an expression of my feelings of gratitude; “I know that my Redeemer Lives” is a favorite. The words of these and other hymns mean so much more to me at times like this. When in this state of mind, I can feel God smile upon me. I think it is because he knows that I have tasted the fruit. He delights in my discovery and enjoyment. He wants all of his children to have these same experiences. I am convinced of his words, that he” is no respecter of persons.” My mother, as young girl, was really no one of any consequence, yet he blessed her and she tasted of his goodness. I marvel too that he knows me and listens to my prayers and earnest appeal.

Nevertheless, there is a law of gratitude that is somehow a part of the Great and Grand Plan of Happiness that God has instituted for us. Once again, referring to his word in scripture:

"And in nothing doth man offend God, or against none is his wrath kindled, save those who confess not his hand in all things and obey not his commandments.” D&C 59:21

We show our gratitude to God by keeping his commandments and by doing the works that he would do. This is all part of becoming God like. As his children, he delights in our progress to become more like him.

6. After praying and doing all that we can do, accept the outcome as God’s will:

This is perhaps the most important point of all. I think that coming to accept the outcome that follows our diligent faith, efforts and sincere prayer as God’s will, is convincing evidence that we really believe him and trust Him. To me if life were the test, our ability to apply this principle would be the crowning evidence that we had passed our most difficult test.

I like the story that Elder Hugh B. Brown (departed member of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles) tells of his garden in Alberta, Canada. He starts his story by saying that sometimes, while working alone on his ranch in Canada; he would speak to inanimate objects. One day, surprisingly, one of them spoke back.

He said, that he was pruning away at a current bush that had grown to great size. As the gardener, he decided that in order to get any fruit from the bush, he would have to prune it. So he took out his pruning shears and began to cut down the bush. As he was cutting, he noticed what looked to be tears welling up on the cut branches and he asked, “Why are you crying Mr. Current Bush.” The bush responded, I had grown to such a grand stature in the garden. I was as tall as many of the great trees here. Then you came along and cut me down. Now, all in the garden will look upon with contempt and pity.

Elder Brown responded, “Now Mr. Current Bush, I am the gardener here. I know what I want you to be. If I let you go the way you were going you wouldn’t have amounted to anything. Your branches would have gone to wood and you would have had no fruit at all. But now that I have cut you down, the time will soon come when your branches will be laden with fruit and all in the garden will look upon you and see and admire what you have become.”

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55:8-9

Putting our trust in him means that we accept him as omniscient (all knowing), and omnipotent (all powerful). We accept that he is our Heavenly Father and that he loves us. He has prepared a great plan whereby we may become more like him. Even Christ the greatest of all subordinated his will to God when, while kneeling in the Garden where he took upon himself the burden of sin for all mankind,”...he fell on his face and prayed saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless, not as I will, but as thou wilt.“ Matt. 26:39

Even Christ was willing to accept God’s will over his own, even though he too was perfect and this because he trusted him and in the great plan of happiness. So must we, “trust in him and strive his will to do.” Hymn #194: “There is a Green Hill Far Away.”

Peace comes to us in troubled times when in spite of all of our experience that we put our trust in the Lord and accept the outcome as his will. To me this is an important step in our spiritual growth and maturity. Ultimately, we will become more like our Father in Heaven. What a wonderful plan and what a wonderful life. May God bless us all in that worthy pursuit to find peace in a troubled world!!

Straight Line is the Shortest Distance Between Two Points

2009-12-30T10:28:00.000-08:00

Postulates and Theorems
By Marcus Southworth

I know that a lot of you have studied algebra and geometry in school. I really enjoyed those classes when I was young although my grades never showed it. I was always fascinated with the concepts of “Theorems and Postulates”. Postulates are basic rules of algebra and geometry that are considered inherently true and that if applied, ensure that your calculation or mathematical assumptions, no matter how complicated, will turn out right. Theorems on the other hand were somehow conditional. They were dependent upon other conditions in order to be true and required a “proof” to be made, so that I had to remember the “proof” in addition to the theorem. Even now, 35 years after taking that class as a sophomore in high school, I still remember several theorems and postulates that I was taught.

Recently, I was thinking about one of the very first postulates that I ever learned:

“The shortest distance between two points is a straight line.”

I remember when memorizing it what I thought; “this is so stupidly simple, everyone knows that”. Well, as the class wore on month after month, I memorized many more postulates and theorems. Each one seemed more complicated than the last. They also seemed to build upon each other, going from the simple and basic to something much more complex. I do remember how important it was to learn them. Getting a correct answer was entirely dependent upon my ability to remember and apply those postulates and theorems.

I like the idea of “postulates” being something that are inherently true and require no proof. I like the idea that there are some things that we can count on to be absolutely true no matter what. I suppose that is why the gospel is so important to me. The gospel provides me with information that I can come to know s being absolutely true and consequently, I can come to feel feel confident in applying these true principles in my life. I have come to recognize that gospel principles will always lead me to a path of happiness and a life of peace. They bring me closer to God and through my obedience and faith, I find that I draw closer to my Father in Heaven and thereby become entitled to special knowledge and blessings.

Think of false “Postulates” or ‘Theorems’ that you may have relied upon as being true only to learn later that they were false or different than what you had believed. Isn’t it disappointing? Consider this following example.

A Story of the Immigrant Woman:

I am reminded of a story that I once heard of an old woman who had suffered much during World War II. After the war she dreamed of coming to America, the land of great beauty and opportunity. But she made a goal and set out to reach it. She was poor and worked very hard at menial jobs in order to earn enough money to purchase her ship ticket. It took her several years and required a great deal of sacrifice. She was so happy when she was finally able to purchase her fare. As the day arrived for her departure, she had all her belongings packed. She carefully planned how many days she would be at sea and prepared herself some simple meals of crackers and cheese for each day of her travel. She only had a few dollars to spare after purchasing her ticket and knew that she would not be able to buy regular meals. It was all so exciting. When she boarded the great ship, she quickly made several friends and had other roommates with whom she would spend her time. Each day, they would invite her to join them for breakfast and lunch. In the evenings they would beg her to get dressed up and attend a great gala and dining event. At each invitation, she would politely beg their pardon and insist that she wanted to return to her room. Her friends just assumed that she was ill or something. While they were gone, she would break out the meals she had prepared of crackers and cheese. Humbly and quietly she would eat them alone in her room.

Day after day, following each meal and each gala event her friends and companions would return and recount the wonderful experiences and delightful food that was served hoping to entice her to join them. Oh, how she wished that she could afford to go with them. Finally, on the last day of the long voyage the old woman decided to join her friends for the evening meal and gala event. She had such a good time. The food was so delicious and extravagant. As the evening wore on she would worry over the possible expense that this would be. But quickly reminded herself that it was a special event and that she would long remember it. It was a wonderful time of laughing, dining, and dancing.

At the conclusion of the long evening, she patiently waited for the waiter to bring her bill. But the bill never came. She finally asked the waiter, whispering softly, “Sir could you kindly bring me my bill”. He smiled and said, “ma’am, the meals and all of the events of the trip are included with the payment of your ship fare”.

My Heart Aches for the old woman

I am saddened when I hear this story. My heart aches for the old woman, for of all the passengers, she certainly deserved the full benefits of her hard earned money and sacrifice. She was a good woman too, and it saddened me to think that she had been denied what she deserved.

Do I have false beliefs that hinder my enjoyment of life?

This thought causes me to do some personal introspection; Do I have false ideas that keep me from enjoying the full benefits of my voyage through life? What is the source of the information that I rely upon, how can I know if these ideas or principles are true or false? Are there benefits and blessings that I deserve that I am not getting because of a false belief or practice?

I have come to rely on certain writings, many of which we call or refer to as scripture for that purpose. My faith or belief in these documents is strengthened by personal experience and evidence in the form of personal confirmation from my Father in Heaven that they are true. The scriptures are evidence of a living and loving Heavenly Father. I love the scriptures, and in addition to doctrine, I find great heroes and exemplars that provide me with instruction and successful life patterns that I can use everyday. Its teachings bring me closer to my Heavenly Father. The more I read, abide by the principals and pray for confirmation, the more I believe and the stronger my confidence that they are true. They provide me with clear ‘postulates’ or truths that I can rely on to be true no matter what. I don’t want to be like the old woman who sacrificed the wonderful meals and evening events not knowing that they were included in the price of the fare. Study the scriptures and identify the ‘Postulates’ and check them against your own beliefs. Are there beliefs or misunderstandings in your life that may be keeping you from greater blessings (‘shortest distance between two points’)?

Are there blessings and benefits that you deserve and want but are not getting because of one false idea or another? Below, I have included some Postulates as recorded in the scriptures. I love these words and believe them. They are postulates in my life. They are guiding principles that keep me on the right path. I wish that I could share with you the great joy and happiness that I have enjoyed as a result of believing and living these teachings.

I have not always done the right thing. Nevertheless, I have learned that getting back on the right track is just a matter of drawing the straight line from where I stand to the point where I should be and ‘bingo’. Life becomes good again. Remember, the shortest distance between two points is a straight line. Choose your destination and follow that straight line. It brings great joy and happiness.

Postulates or Principles for a Successful Life:

And the Father said: Repent ye, repent ye, and be baptized in the name of my Beloved Son. 2 Nephi 31:11

And also, the voice of the Son came unto me, saying: He that is baptized in my name, to him will the Father give the Holy Ghost, like unto me; wherefore, follow me, and do the things which ye have seen me do. 2 Nephi 31:12

And I heard a voice from the Father, saying: Yea, the words of my Beloved are true and faithful. He that endureth to the end, the same shall be saved. And now, my beloved brethren, I know by this that unless a man shall endure to the end, in following the example of the Son of the living God, he cannot be saved. 2 Nephi 31:15-16

And then are ye in this strait and narrow path which leads to eternal life; yea, ye have entered in by the gate; ye have done according to the commandments of the Father and the Son; and ye have received the Holy Ghost, which witnesses of the Father and the Son, unto the fulfilling of the promise which he hath made, that if ye entered in by the way ye should receive.
2 Nephi 31:18

Wherefore, ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men. Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life. 2 Nephi 31:20

And now, behold, my beloved brethren, this is the way; and there is none other way nor name given under heaven whereby man can be saved in the kingdom of God. And now, behold, this is the doctrine of Christ, and the only and true doctrine of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, which is one God, without end. Amen. 2 Nephi 31:21

2009-12-05T18:09:00.000-08:00

"Every Knee Shall Bow..."

by Marcus Southworth

In December 2006, I had a most remarkable and unusual experience. Early in the month, we had a Ward Christmas party. Like most ward parties, it was held in the cultural hall. There were lots of preparations in getting this party together. I could see by the decorations and all of the food, that many people were involved. We moved into the neighborhood in April so this was our first Christmas here and there were a lot of people my wife and I did not know.

When my wife, Cherine and I arrived at the chapel just a few minutes early, Amy Pierson asked me to participate in a manger scene that was going to be part of the program that evening. I reluctantly agreed. When I saw the costume she had for me, I thought to myself…oh great! She presented me with a robe and a turban. It was really too small for me, but with a little wriggling we made it work.

In this little production, I was supposed to be one of the shepherds to whom the angels appeared while they were in the fields watching over their flocks. As you recall, according to Luke, an angel appeared to them and told them to go into Bethlehem and there they would find the Christ child lying in a manger.

There were several men and boys from the Ward who were asked to do the same thing. One of those asked to dress up as a shepherd with me was Jeremy Holt, a young man with down-syndrome. I had seen him in the congregation over the few months that we had been attending. He stood out because of his unsolicited participation in leading the music. Whenever the ward sings, and no matter where he was seated, a confident and determined smile would appear on his face and his arms would wave about his head. He looks like an imitation of a trained conductor for a major symphony performance. Once I got over the initial surprise of his unusual performance and participation in Sacrament meeting, I started thinking to myself; I wonder what he is thinking and feeling that makes him come alive every time the hymns are sung?

I have always been moved by the hymns. One of the things I enjoy most about attending my Sunday meetings is the singing of hymns. I must admit, there are times that my heart is so full that sitting in my seat is also hard to do. I wonder if Jeremy feels the same way. Maybe, he too is moved in a special way. On one occasion, I asked Jeremy’s mother if he could speak, since I have never heard him say anything. She said not, but assured me that he understands most everything. I believe her. I always say hello to Jeremy. He always smiles and pauses as I compliment him for leading the singing or for some other good thing that he has done. He is usually very shy but pauses long enough for the verbal stroking. He responds the same way a puppy would from a gently stroking. He loves it!

Well, after getting dressed in our shepherd outfits, we all took our places behind the stage curtain. I was a little embarrassed and consequently light hearted about the whole situation, and joked with the others who seemed to be just as uncomfortable as I was. When the curtain opened, there before the crowd was a woman and her husband dressed in a nativity costume holding a newborn baby in their arms surrounded by cardboard animals and us, the shepherds. We all stood on the stage together as Amy Pierson and her husband read from the second chapter of Luke, (the Christmas Story).

There on the stage in front of hundreds of people, I was at first self conscious about my role and thought how corny I must look to the audience. I towered over everyone, the costume was too small and I was sure that my wife was in the audience somewhere snickering about my predicament. However, as I looked around, I sensed that everyone seemed much more focused on the narrators, and on the manger scene. I soon lost my sense of embarrassment and realized that no one was really paying any attention to me at all. Consequently, I too started listening to the narrators and gazed over at the makeshift manger.

I watched Adrienne and Joachim Schmidt who were playing the role of Mary and Joseph. I remember thinking, ‘hmmm Sister Schmidt looks a lot like I imagine Mary the mother of Jesus would look. For that matter, her husband Joachim, looks astonishingly authentic too, like an old world carpenter.’ I watched this simple looking woman holding the infant baby in her arms, while her husband comforted and cared for her and the baby, and as I did, I felt a sudden rush of emotion, a spiritual feeling, go through me accompanied with a series of wonderful thoughts. To me, it was as if, for a few moments, I was there, in Bethlehem and saw before me Christ, the savior of the world, wrapped in swaddling clothes, and lying in a manger.

I suppose a thousand other thoughts poured through my mind and soul as I thought of Jesus the Son of God born in a stall with horses, donkeys, goats and sheep. I thought of what Bethlehem would be like back then. I also considered how God had chosen the weak things of the earth to show forth his greatness. I thought how through this one child, all mankind would be able to return to their heavenly home because of the atoning sacrifice that he would make.

As these sobering ideas filled my heart and pierced my soul, without any rehearsal or prompting, Jeremy Holt, the young man with down-syndrome, fell to his knees on the hardwood floor before me and with all earnestness he clasped his hands and looked upon the child held in the arms of his mother. I looked back at the congregation to see their reaction. No one stirred, it was if they did not even notice him or what had happened. But right there in front of me was Jeremy, knelling at my feet facing the Christ child, held in the arms of his mother. Suprisingly, I was overcome by Jeremy’s reaction, for I too wanted to throw myself to the floor and bow myself before the babe and worship him. A wealth of emotion filled my soul as I held my position on stage, dressed as a shepherd, sent by angels to witness the birth of Christ the Lord. Silently and to myself, tears of joy streamed down my face, for before me, it was as if I was there and saw the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, even the redeemer of the world, the very Son of God, lying in a manger.

This was a sacred and special moment in my life, one I hope never to forget. Even now, as I write to you of what I saw and felt, I am overcome with emotion and gratitude and happiness.

The scriptures say that when He comes again, that every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that he is the Christ, the Son of God.

Jeremy Holt for whatever reason is mentally handicapped and cannot do and enjoy some of the blessings that we enjoy in this life. But to me, I will always think on him and how his knees gave way as he saw the Christ child ... lying in the manger. For I know, at some future time, every living soul will also kneel and honor Christ the savior of the world. I do not believe that any mortal or immortal soul will resist the compelling reaction. For when we see him again, we shall all fall down upon our knees and worship Him and love Him as he has loved us.

Most Memorable Christmas (My Mother)

2009-11-27T15:28:00.000-08:00

Heilige Nacht
By Marianne Muthreich Southworth

1944 was a difficult time for the German people. We had been at war with many nations for the previous five years, and now Germany was about to face one of the most humbling experiences that can come to a proud nation—defeat.

In the spring of 1945 the end finally came. Many thousands had been evacuated from their homes and had gone to the inland cities out of fear of facing the Russians. My family were among these refugees.

I was 15 years old at that time and was living in another city. My parents were unable to reach me in order to tell me how I could get in touch with them. My elder brother was at war, and the four younger boys were all under the age of ten and living with my parents. The time came when I was driven out by the soldiers too, so I began desperately to search for my family. It took me one and one-half years to discover their whereabouts, and when I finally found them, I was shocked at the sad condition. My father had been taken to Russia for hard labor and was never again seen by us. My eldest brother had not returned from the war and never did. My grandmother had not yet been found. My aunt, my mother and the four little boys had been placed in a room above a roadside bar, with only the bathroom to use as a kitchen. The slept on straw on the floor, with flies and lice as their companions. They were all gravely ill, yet bravely facing this terrible time in the best way they could. Christmas was approaching and I immediately applied myself to aid their desperate situation.

We had no food at all until my brother saw a farmer kill a pig and bury the entrails in the ground to dispose of them. After dark my brothers dug them and brought them to my mother who cleaned and prepared them to put in a delicious soup for our Christmas dinner.

On Christmas Eve, the townspeople invited the refugees to a Christmas celebration. I had to work, but my aunt went with the children who were very excited.

We had no tree or presents yet and did not know where they would come from. But I remember searching until I found what seemed to be the most beautiful little crippled tree. Then I took the little money I had and bought a few small gifts at the store such as a metal comb, a bar of soap, and whatever was available to purchase over the counter. Anything could be bought if you had enough money but only on the black market, and my mother did not allow us to buy on the black market. She prayed often to ask the Lord to spare our lives and promised in return that we would have no part in stealing or buying on the black market. We would in no way trade our honor for survival. She would rather have us all die. Many times we almost did.

When I arrived home with my few precious purchases, I set up the tree and prepared the room. My mother prepared the soup, and the fat on top and the chunks of skin I could see floating in it looked so good! When my aunt and brothers returned home from the celebration in town, the room was warm from the fire burning in the wood stove. With our Christmas tree and a few presents to share, we laughed and were so happy. Then just as my mother was about to serve the Christmas soup, the soldiers turned out all the lights in the town. My mother took the pot off the fire, and flames from the stove were dancing as we bowed our heads and blessed the food and the Christmas Season. A spirit of warmth came over us, and we felt so fortunate and approved of by the Lord. The Spirit of Christ rested upon us and gave us a sweet feeling of security; we knew that nothing could harm or destroy us.

Christ the Savior was born.

Be a Pioneer

2009-11-24T16:27:00.000-08:00

I admire those who are pioneers in one way or another. These men and women through their persistence and effort improve our future and our lives. Mothers are pioneers. Fathers are pioneers. Converts, immigrants, entrepreneurs, students, athletes, people who are doing things, or those who are improving their lives and the lives of others, they are all pioneers.

I think that we all are or have been pioneers. At some time or other in our lives, we have had to be at the forefront, cutting the way ahead. If there is no one in front of you it is sometimes very difficult. You may be frightened of the unknown, exhausted or even discouraged, yet, you carry on. You push forward and finish what you started. Many men and women have lost their dreams when obstacles begotten, and many others have given in, phobic of faulty piton. However, at this critical time the champion in us all may emerge, no failure is acceptable, no challenge is insurmountable, no sacrifice is too much and no pain to difficult to endure. Darkness may gather, friends may abandon us, the world may condemn us, but this is the hour of our triumph. This is the hour of our glory. This is the moment where we give our all to a good and worthy cause and win or lose, this moment is ours. I know how this feels. I have experienced it in my life. It is at times like this that I rely on the words of President Theodore Roosevelt to lift me and inspire me to buck up and 'get it done':

IT IS NOT THE CRITIC WHO COUNTS

"It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better.

The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly;who errs, and comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming;

but who does actually strive to do the deeds;who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause;who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat."

Theodore Roosevelt
Citizenship in a Republic; Speech Delivered at Sorbonne, Paris
April 23, 1910

Gods gift to Us is Free Agency

2009-11-23T17:10:00.000-08:00

To fully understand this gift of agency and its inestimable worth, it is imperative that we understand that God's chief way of acting is by persuasion and patience and long-suffering, not by coercion and stark confrontation. He acts by gentle solicitation and by sweet enticement. He always acts with unfailing respect for the freedom and independence that we possess. He wants to help us and pleads for the chance to assist us, but he will not do so in violation of our agency. He loves us too much to do that, and doing so would run counter to his divine character.

To countermand and ultimately forbid our choices was Satan's way, not God's, and the Father of us all simply never will do that. He will,however, stand by us forever to help us see the right path, find the right choice, respond to the true voice, and feel the influence of his undeniable Spirit. His gentle, peaceful, powerful persuasion to do right and find joy will be with us 'so long as time shall last, or the earth shall stand, or there shall be one man upon the face thereof to be saved' (Moro. 7:36)."

President Howard W. Hunter

Wealth, Success and Love

2009-11-22T08:09:00.000-08:00

A woman came out of her house and saw 3 old men with long white beards sitting in her front yard. She did not recognize them. She said "I don't think I know you, but you must be hungry. Please come in and have something to eat." "Is the man of the house home?", they asked. "No", she replied. "He's out." "Then we cannot come in," they replied.

In the evening when her husband came home, she told him what had happened. "Go tell them I am home and invite them in!" The woman went out and invited the men in. "We do not go into a House together," they replied. "Why is that?" she asked. One of the old men explained: "His name is Wealth," he said pointing to one of his friends, and said pointing to another one, "He is Success, and I am Love." Then he added, "Now go in and discuss with your husband which one of us you want in your home." The woman went in and told her husband what was said. Her husband was overjoyed. "How nice!!," he said. "Since that is the case, let us invite Wealth. Let him come and fill our home with wealth!" His wife disagreed. "My dear, why don't we invite Success?" Their daughter-in-law was listening from the other corner of the house. She jumped in with her own suggestion: "Would it not be better to invite Love? Our home will then be filled with love!" "Let us heed our daughter-in-law's advice," said the husband to his wife. "Go out and invite Love to be our guest."

The woman went out and asked the 3 old men, "Which one of you is Love? Please come in and be our guest." Love got up and started walking toward the house. The other 2 also got up and followed him. Surprised, the lady asked Wealth and Success: "I only invited Love, Why are you coming in?" The old men replied together: "If you had invited Wealth or Success, the other two of us would've stayed out, but since you invited Love, wherever He goes, we go with him.

Wherever there is Love, there is also Wealth and Success!!!!!!"

Author Unknown

2009-11-21T09:51:00.000-08:00

I Remember When:

Women were matronly
Their skin was pink and soft
They wore aprons and homemade dresses
And walked around with bare feet
They smiled more often
And hugs were never rare

The family sofa seemed to swallow each guest
As they comfortably sank in
Fresh flowers donned the kitchen table
And the smell of cut hay came in and out of an open window
along with a fly or two and sometimes a bumble bee

Breakfast, lunch and dinner
were always served
If you weren’t there you usually had a lunch pail
Whose contents were fit for bragging

Pies cooled on window sills on lazy afternoons
No one turned their nose up at rhubarb
Corn husking and cleaning Kerr jars were common chores
Skinny dipping, smoking barkies, were vices of the time

The stove was always warm
Wounded knees and scrapes always got cleaned and bandaged
Mom was always home
And dad whistled in the garage
And worked on the car
And fixed whatever was broken
Beds got made each morning
Laundry was hung on the line
Clean sheets smelled like summer days
And nights like jasmine blossoms

Rain fell whenever the grass needed it
Or the sprinkler got moved around
Kids were always busy with chores
Or playing near and sometimes in the pond

One always said ‘please’ and ‘thank you maam’
The mailman was the kindest man in town
Groceries were rare as long as the garden grew
Which usually lasted til October
When apples were sold by the bushel
And pumpkins sat on every porch
We raked the leaves and burned them in the backyard
Fences were painted and sidewalks got swept every day
Sharpened metal blades whirled around
Without a motor when the lawn got mowed

Sunday Shirts were always ironed
And ties were always worn
Church meetings started early and spread throughout the day
Home Teachers usually had lessons
Unless they were working with us on some project
Like the Stake Farm or building a new chapel
Tithing was paid first
Fast Offerings were collected by freckled face boys on bicycles
The chapel was always a little bit warm in summertime
And there seemed to be a little more going on
During those 11/2 -2 hour sacrament meetings
The Bishop often napped, a few kids always crawled
Under the benches while
Mom’s and Dads flirted
And notes were commonly passed between friends
Footballs were made out of paper and field goals with fingers
Boondogle was a favorite pastime
James Talmage and Mormon Doctrine were frequently quoted
Firesides were popular with teens and adults
Speakers would always have you laughing
And crying too

Meadowlarks sang and pheasants would stealthily cross the road
Dogs rarely bit anyone but sometimes were hit by cars
Boys called girls on the phone and asked them out on dates
They always paid and opened doors and ladies first
Girls were subtle and very wise
Holding hands was golden and a kiss was dreamed and treasured

Girls were modest in word and deed
Their clothes were always clean and often homemade
When the ladies from the Relief Society spread the
Quilting frames in the front room they listened
To sage advice and a bit of gossip too

Boys worked hard and obeyed their parents
Who relied on them to do their part
Even at ten or twelve years old
a boy would have to drive the tractor home
Or help dad install a waterpump in the family car.

Boys knew lots of things then
Like; how to make kites and fly them too
Fix things with motors on them
And siphon gasoline from the car
All of us swallowed at least a gallon before we were 16

Each town had a haunted house
And each kid had his own tale
Of how they barely escaped with their life

Skies were bluer then
Roses bloomed more frequently
Shoes lasted longer and
Every boy had his own dog
And every girl dreamed of marrying a prince
Days were filled with sunshine
And nights were filled with stars
Dreams were filled with hope not fear
And God smiled over mankind

Those were the days
The best I ever knew

Marcus

2009-11-20T09:54:00.000-08:00

All Suffering has Purpose

"No pain that we suffer, no trial that we experience is wasted. It
ministers to our education, to the development of such qualities as
patience, faith, fortitude and humility. All that we suffer and all
that we endure, especially when we endure it patiently, builds up our
characters, purifies our hearts, expands our souls, and makes us more tender and charitable, more worthy to be called the children of God...and it is through sorrow and suffering, toil and tribulation, that we gain the education that we come here to acquire and which will make us more like our Father and Mother in heaven."

(Orson F. Whitney, in Dennis D. Flake, "Orson F. Whitney's Philosophy of Education," p. 96; see also Spencer W. Kimball, Faith Precedes the Miracle, p.99)

Our Will and God's Will in Prayer

2009-11-19T09:23:00.000-08:00

“Thy Will be Done”

"We may at times, if we are not careful, try to pray away pain or what seems like an impending tragedy, but which is, in reality, an opportunity. We must do as Jesus did in that respect -- also preface our prayers by saying, 'If it be possible,' let the trial pass from us -- by saying, 'Nevertheless, not as I will, but as thou wilt,' and bowing in a sense of serenity to our Father in Heaven's wisdom, because at times God will not be able to let us pass by a trial or a challenge. If we were allowed to bypass certain trials, everything that had gone on up to that moment in our lives would be wiped out. It is because he loves us that at times he will not intercede as we may wish him to. That, too, we learn from Gethsemane and from Calvary."

(Neal A. Maxwell, "But for a Small Moment," BYU Speeches, 1975, p. 445)

Gratitude and Blessings are Godly Patterns

2009-11-19T09:12:00.000-08:00

Why is Gratitude so important?

17 Verily, verily, I say unto you, ye are ^alittle^• children, and ye have not as yet understood how great blessings the Father hath in his own hands and prepared for you;

18 And ye cannot ^abear^• all things now; nevertheless, be of good ^bcheer, for I will ^clead you along. The kingdom is yours and the blessings thereof are yours, and the ^driches of ^eeternity are yours.

19 And he who receiveth all things with ^athankfulness^• shall be made glorious; and the things of this earth shall be added unto him, even an ^bhundred^• fold, yea, more.

Doctrine &Covenants 78:17-19

Unanswered Prayer

2009-11-19T08:48:00.000-08:00

Why Some Prayers Seem To Go Unanswered

"I recognize that, on occasion, some of our most fervent prayers may seem to go unanswered. We wonder, 'Why?' I know that feeling! I know the fears and tears of such moments. But I also know that our prayers are never ignored. Our faith is never unappreciated. I know that an all-wise Heavenly Father's perspective is much broader than is ours. While we know of our mortal problems and pain, He knows of our immortal progress and potential. If we pray to know His will and submit ourselves to it with patience and courage, heavenly healing can take place in His own way and time."

Elder Russell M. Nelson

2009-11-19T08:36:00.000-08:00

Nothing like Prayer

We learn to pray by praying. One can devote countless hours to examining the experiences of others, but nothing penetrates the human heart as does a personal, fervent prayer and its heaven-sent response."

Elder Thomas Monson: "Teaching Our Children," Ensign, Oct. 2004, 4

There is a God in Heaven

2009-11-18T14:17:00.000-08:00

There is a Father in Heaven that hears and answers prayer.

Please know this dear reader, you are a child of God. Your Heavenly Father knows you and he loves you. He hears your prayers and answers them. Whatever your circumstances are at this moment in your life, however difficult your challenges may be, take a moment to absorb these words. “There is a God in Heaven, He knows your name and hears your prayers”. He knows of your challenges and difficulties. He wants to help you. Pray to Him that we call God or Heavenly Father. Call out to him in your own words, perhaps sounding something like this:…

“Oh God, my Eternal Father, please accept my simple expression of gratitude for all that thou doest for me. I come to thee now in this hour of need to ask for a personal blessing”… and then ask him what it is that you would like for him to do for you. In the scriptures, reference is made over and over of successful patterns for communicating with God and how he communicates with us. These words , found in the Holy Bible, in the Book of Revelations chapter 3, verse 20 are just an example:

“Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and sup with him, and he with me.”

In our hour of trouble, it seems the door is closed and that no one can hear our cries. I tell you that It is not so. God is there, he is knocking. I have found that sometimes our trials and difficulties are uniquely designed to bring us to God’s door, to condition us in a way that will make it possible for us to hear him. I assure you that he is knocking. Open the door, let him in and he will come in to sup with you and comfort you.

Just how do we hear him, and how do we open the door? I have found that I hear him best when I pray and meditate. When I pray, I actually call on him using my own words, I call on Him or address Him by saying, “My dear Heavenly Father” or some other words by which I know him. Then, I usually spend a few moments thanking him for things that he does for me. Gratitude is very important because it increases our faith in him by conditioning us to recognize his influence in our lives. The scriptures teach; “And in nothing doth man offend God, or against none is his wrath kindled, save those who confess not his hand in all things…” After thanking him for my blessings, I explain my predicament and ask him for those things that I would like him to do for me. I am always surprised to find that anything that is important to me is important to him. My needs can be so simple as to having him help me find my car keys or, they can be so complex as to have him bless me to overcome some terrible emotional or physical distress. He has even helped me with relationship issues and business problems. I have seen him bless me in many wonderful ways. I have seen and heard of many personal experiences of others who have also had similar, remarkable and miraculous blessings as a result of their heartfelt petitions to our God in Heaven. And then, to close my prayer, I always finish by saying, “in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.” Christ taught his disciples about prayer and said to them, “And now, I go unto the Father. And verily I say unto you, whatsoever thing ye ask the Father in my name shall be given unto you.” I am grateful for the scriptures because they help me learn successful patterns that I can then use in my life.

To conclude, I declare boldly that He is there. He wants to bless you and to help you. In Matthew Chapter 11, verse 28-30 it says: “Come unto me all ye that are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

I hope that you have a wonderful day. I hope that you will use this hour of trouble as a stepping stone in getting closer to your Heavenly Father. It is so… worth it! Whatever the trouble or challenge just know that you will come out of it all. This too will pass! But to go through the experience with a firm understanding of God’s love for you makes the journey so much better. He is there!! he loves you!!

Your friend,

Marcus