Tuesday, September 15, 2009
I'm Alive
I know nobody even follows this blog but I am going to try and become a blogger. I needed to do a blog for a class and this was it. I've decided to try and pick up the habit again. I've changed the name because I was married about a month and a half ago. Married life is wonderful. I married the most wonderful woman. Her name is Carly. I love her! I'm so lucky that she wanted to marry me. This blog will follow our lives together. Hopefully it will be interesting. I'm not sure. We came to the conculsion today that we were interesting enough to be the stars of a reality show so hopefully we'll be interesting enough to catch the attention of blog readers. Maybe not. Anyway. Peace out. Hope you like it.
Saturday, April 11, 2009
The Week of Easter
This has been a terrible week. Homework and tests piled on since we only have two days left until the end of the semester. Last night I was worried with how much I had to do. I had to study for a test, revise a paper which is 40% of my grade, and complete a few chores. I felt overwhelmed and I was only thinking of myself.
Our Elders Quorum, which is a group of men who hold the Melchizedek Priesthood, had a service project. They were going to work at Habitat for Humanity. Unfortunately, I had written it off. I didn't have time. I needed to study. But then, I was reading in the Book of Mormon.
Every night before I go to bed, I read from the Book of Mormon. The last few nights, I've been reading from the translated Polish version, Ksiega Mormona. I started reading in a book called Mosiah in the third chapter. This spot in the Book of Mormon is about a king named Benjamin. He was talking to his subjects because he was about to die. He taught them about Jesus Christ about whom he had had a vision the night before. The people of King Benjamin's kingdom, immediately begin to believe in his words. During part of the sermon, King Benjamin said,
"For behold, are we not all beggars? Bo we not all depend upon the same Being, even God, for all the substance which we have, for both food and raiment, and for gold, and for silver, and for all the riches which we have of every kind?"
"And behold, even at this time ye have been calling on his name, and begging for a remission of your sins. And has he suffered that ye have begged in vain? Nay; he has poured out his Spirit upon you, and has caused that your hearts should be filled with you, and has caused that your mouths should be stopped that ye could not find utterance, so exceedingly great was your joy."
"And now, if God, who has created you, on whom you are dependent for your lives and for all that ye have and are, doth grant unto you whatsoever ye ask that is right, in faith, believing that ye shall receive, O then, how ye out to impart of the substance that ye have one to another."
As I was reading this passage I thought to myself, "I am so selfish. Here it is Easter week, Good Friday even, and I'm worried about a few tests and some papers." I was worried about trivial things, which do have meaning, but not eternal, lasting meaning. I decided to go to the Habitat for Humanity house in Provo. I truly feel better when I serve others.
Who knows what will happen in the future? Will I help a stranger like the Good Samaratin? Will I help my friends? Will someone help me when I need it? May we serve others more quickly and fervently this week as we get closer to Easter Sunday, when Our Savior served us.
Our Elders Quorum, which is a group of men who hold the Melchizedek Priesthood, had a service project. They were going to work at Habitat for Humanity. Unfortunately, I had written it off. I didn't have time. I needed to study. But then, I was reading in the Book of Mormon.
Every night before I go to bed, I read from the Book of Mormon. The last few nights, I've been reading from the translated Polish version, Ksiega Mormona. I started reading in a book called Mosiah in the third chapter. This spot in the Book of Mormon is about a king named Benjamin. He was talking to his subjects because he was about to die. He taught them about Jesus Christ about whom he had had a vision the night before. The people of King Benjamin's kingdom, immediately begin to believe in his words. During part of the sermon, King Benjamin said,
"For behold, are we not all beggars? Bo we not all depend upon the same Being, even God, for all the substance which we have, for both food and raiment, and for gold, and for silver, and for all the riches which we have of every kind?"
"And behold, even at this time ye have been calling on his name, and begging for a remission of your sins. And has he suffered that ye have begged in vain? Nay; he has poured out his Spirit upon you, and has caused that your hearts should be filled with you, and has caused that your mouths should be stopped that ye could not find utterance, so exceedingly great was your joy."
"And now, if God, who has created you, on whom you are dependent for your lives and for all that ye have and are, doth grant unto you whatsoever ye ask that is right, in faith, believing that ye shall receive, O then, how ye out to impart of the substance that ye have one to another."
As I was reading this passage I thought to myself, "I am so selfish. Here it is Easter week, Good Friday even, and I'm worried about a few tests and some papers." I was worried about trivial things, which do have meaning, but not eternal, lasting meaning. I decided to go to the Habitat for Humanity house in Provo. I truly feel better when I serve others.
Who knows what will happen in the future? Will I help a stranger like the Good Samaratin? Will I help my friends? Will someone help me when I need it? May we serve others more quickly and fervently this week as we get closer to Easter Sunday, when Our Savior served us.
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
General Conference Weekend
This past weekend was the 179 Annual General Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I was able to learn so much this past weekend. You can view it in english at http://lds.org/move/index.html?type=conference04-2009&event=april179&lang=english
I had many favorite talks was from President Thomas S. Monson from the sunday morning session. He told a story about a woman from Prussia who had to leave her home. She lost her husband during WWII and she had to make the trek to Germany with her four children by herself. On the way to Germany, all four of her children died. She wanted to committ suicide but she felt compelled to pray. And she did. While she was praying, she felt God say that He loved her. How often do we feel that God has abandoned us? He hasn't. He is there waiting to listen to our prayers.
My favorite song during this past conference was "My Redemeer Lives" by the Mormon Tabernacle. They sang it during the Saturday Morning Session of Conference. It is q short song but I really like the arrangment. It was beautiful.
I'm thankful for a prophet today-- one that speaks the words that God and Jesus Christ would say to us. God has always had prophets on the earth, and I truely believe that God has a living prophet today. He gives us peace and counsel in a world that is full of trials. I'm am greatful for that and I know that Thomas S. Monson is a prophet.
I had many favorite talks was from President Thomas S. Monson from the sunday morning session. He told a story about a woman from Prussia who had to leave her home. She lost her husband during WWII and she had to make the trek to Germany with her four children by herself. On the way to Germany, all four of her children died. She wanted to committ suicide but she felt compelled to pray. And she did. While she was praying, she felt God say that He loved her. How often do we feel that God has abandoned us? He hasn't. He is there waiting to listen to our prayers.
My favorite song during this past conference was "My Redemeer Lives" by the Mormon Tabernacle. They sang it during the Saturday Morning Session of Conference. It is q short song but I really like the arrangment. It was beautiful.
I'm thankful for a prophet today-- one that speaks the words that God and Jesus Christ would say to us. God has always had prophets on the earth, and I truely believe that God has a living prophet today. He gives us peace and counsel in a world that is full of trials. I'm am greatful for that and I know that Thomas S. Monson is a prophet.
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
God in Everyday Life
I had an interesting week this past week. A lot happened which I knew was going to happen but I wasn't quiet prepared for it to happen. And yes, I am trying to be ambiguous as possible. I just want to say that it was such a week that you feel that three months were packed into three days. But I survived and I feel stronger for it.
I want to write about this because I felt the power of God in my life during the last couple of days. He gave me little presents for which I'm very grateful. You know, those things that happen and they only happen because there is a God. It is unmistakable where such little things come from because they just don't happen. Something greater than us mortals on Earth has to make them happen. I hadn't talked to anyone about what was thinking or going through and yet God sent people to me that helped me through the last couple of days.
All that I can say is that God knows who I am. He has told me that I am of great worth. He cared enough about me to sent me people to me to help me because I prayed and asked for help. It is that simple!
The semester is going to end soon. I have about three weeks left. It is incredible how quickly time goes. I feel just yesterday, I was complaining because it was the middle of the semester and I had so much time left. Everyday is a new day. We can have a new beginning every day. We just have to wake up and say, it is a new day, lets see what I cam make of it. There is hope because God sent his son Jesus Christ. What a perfect plan.
I want to write about this because I felt the power of God in my life during the last couple of days. He gave me little presents for which I'm very grateful. You know, those things that happen and they only happen because there is a God. It is unmistakable where such little things come from because they just don't happen. Something greater than us mortals on Earth has to make them happen. I hadn't talked to anyone about what was thinking or going through and yet God sent people to me that helped me through the last couple of days.
All that I can say is that God knows who I am. He has told me that I am of great worth. He cared enough about me to sent me people to me to help me because I prayed and asked for help. It is that simple!
The semester is going to end soon. I have about three weeks left. It is incredible how quickly time goes. I feel just yesterday, I was complaining because it was the middle of the semester and I had so much time left. Everyday is a new day. We can have a new beginning every day. We just have to wake up and say, it is a new day, lets see what I cam make of it. There is hope because God sent his son Jesus Christ. What a perfect plan.
Monday, March 23, 2009
Religious Art
This past week I went to the Museum of Art here on Brigham Young University campus. We looked at part of the religious collection that was on display. One of them was the this Carl Bloch painting of Jesus at the pools of Bathesda. Having been in Jerusalem, the pools were one of my favorite spots in the city. It is a peaceful place with little tourist traffic. There is a great church next to the pools that is simple and clean. It was under construction when I was there but it was still quiet.
It was interesing to contemplate what happened there. How many people would go to the pools for the market or to be healed? How busy was it? What was it like? Then there came a day when Jesus came. He told this invalid, take thy bed up and walk. Christ healed him.
How many times are we waiting at the pool and we can't get up? We all have problems, questions, distractions. We only have turn to the savior who is sitting there waiting to heal us.
Brigham Young University owns the original painting. Any reproduction has does little justice to the real painting. I would like to thank www.carlbloch.com for the image which is posted on my blog. What a wonderful painting by a gifted artist.
Monday, March 9, 2009
Trials of Life
Life is full of problems. I've seen many in my life. I've seen friends addicted to alchohol. I've had friends get pregnant in high school. I've seen get sick and die. There is no shortage of hard things in life.
In one of my classes, we've been talking about genocide. What causes people to murder others? Does that mean that God doesn't exsist? Does life get so bad that it is not worth it?
I would say God does exsist and life is always worth it. Unfortunately terrrible things happen, but we have a decision to make. We can use a bad situation to become bitter or we can grow and become better. Luckily, We have the Savior Jesus Christ, who is able to help us through our problems. We only have to pray to him. In the end, when we rely on Jesus Christ and pray to our Father in Heaven, we come to know them better. We can develop a true relationship with them. But like I said, we must first try and pray to them.
In one of my classes, we've been talking about genocide. What causes people to murder others? Does that mean that God doesn't exsist? Does life get so bad that it is not worth it?
I would say God does exsist and life is always worth it. Unfortunately terrrible things happen, but we have a decision to make. We can use a bad situation to become bitter or we can grow and become better. Luckily, We have the Savior Jesus Christ, who is able to help us through our problems. We only have to pray to him. In the end, when we rely on Jesus Christ and pray to our Father in Heaven, we come to know them better. We can develop a true relationship with them. But like I said, we must first try and pray to them.
Monday, March 2, 2009
History Symposium
I attended BYU's Church History Symposium this past week. Being a history major it was interesting to see historians at work. The first breakout session that I attended was entitled "The Gensis of Mormon Historical Writing." I, being in a historical writing class, thought the discussion would focus on historical writing. I was wrong. It was rather boring actually. The next session I attended was about Andew Jensen. He was a Church Historian who traveled basically around the world gathering information about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It was interesting. The last session I attended was about women in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It was more postmodernist in nature. It seemed to be more of the 'history' that I've been studying in my history 200 class.
One of the keynote speakers was Elder Marlin K. Jensen. He is currently the Church Historian. He said that history is inseperable from reality. He argued that we, as LDS Church members, cannot understand today and what the Church represents today without learning the past. That is why we, as members of the Church, should be students of Church history. Not bad for me who is already a student of history.
Another note from my life this past week. I had a nephew that was baptized. I was also able to study about baptism this past week. Baptism is an ordiance. It is an act, which we preform with true authority, to make a covenant with God. A covenant is a two-way promise. We promise God to follow His commandments and represent Jesus Christ while He promises us to have a remission of sins and the Holy Ghost. What an opportunity everyone has to make a covenant with God. We are able to see his power in our lives.
One of the keynote speakers was Elder Marlin K. Jensen. He is currently the Church Historian. He said that history is inseperable from reality. He argued that we, as LDS Church members, cannot understand today and what the Church represents today without learning the past. That is why we, as members of the Church, should be students of Church history. Not bad for me who is already a student of history.
Another note from my life this past week. I had a nephew that was baptized. I was also able to study about baptism this past week. Baptism is an ordiance. It is an act, which we preform with true authority, to make a covenant with God. A covenant is a two-way promise. We promise God to follow His commandments and represent Jesus Christ while He promises us to have a remission of sins and the Holy Ghost. What an opportunity everyone has to make a covenant with God. We are able to see his power in our lives.
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