Henry's Blessing Day

Today was a wonderful day. Henry was blessed in the Foothill 6th Ward. His paternal Grandparents were there and so were many of his uncles, aunts, and cousins. In his blessing Henry was told that he was much loved by parents, grandparents, uncles, aunts, and cousins, and also that we are very happy and blessed to welcome him as part of our family. Henry was blessed that he will be healthy and strong in mind and body, that he would be patient with his parents, that he would develop a strong relationship with Heavenly Father through scripture study and prayer, that he would have a desire to develop his particular talents, that one day he would serve a 2 year mission, that he would marry in the temple, and that he would someday raise his own children in the gospel. He was dressed in a baby blessing outfit complete with smocking made by his grandma. He didn't cry but got a little fidgety near the end of the blessing. Congratulations Henry we love you very much!

Thank You Em

I, for real, became Henry's Dad on March 1, 2010. Thanks so much Em for enduring those 9 months (most of it I actually think you loved) and for bringing him into this world last week. You are already a great mom. Love you so much.

Blaming Yourself for Life's Trials

I was reading the March Ensign last night and came across a great article by Larry Richman entitled "Learning Through Life's Trials".

Some of my favorite lines from the article are: "When I anguish over difficulties, the experiences only serve to weigh me down. But remembering that these trials are part of the great plan of happiness helps me see them as opportunities to learn and grow." "We shouted for joy at the chance to participate in this plan of happiness (Alma 42:8, 16). Here on earth there is a lot of joy, but there are also times of trial, misfortune, and grief."

Origins of Adversity-

"Much suffering comes from sin and other trials come as a result from unwise choices (ie. financial debt). Other challenges come as a natural result of mortality and the world we live in (ie. age, illness, or injury)."

Degree of Fault for Problems in Life-

"As mortals we try to assign fault for every situation. Often we judge ourselves harshly, concluding that problems occur because of something we did wrong or because we failed to do something to prevent them. As we consider the degree of our personal fault for the tribulations in our lives, it may be helpful to think of a continuum with sin at one end and adversity at the other. Our degree of fault is high at the end of the spectrum marked as sin. We should accept responsibility for problems caused by sin by repenting and continually striving to do better. However, as we continue down the spectrum, our fault drops to zero at the end marked by adversity, where we may bear no responsibility at all. These trials may come to us regardless of any conscious action on our part. If we blame ourselves for things that are not our fault, we make a bad situation worse by seeing ourselves as bad people who deserve bad things. It is difficult to judge our level of responsibility for problems that fall between these two ends of the spectrum. In these cases, it may be unproductive to try to establish blame because it may cause us to lose focus on the very reason for the trial."

Are you settling for not enough of second best?

I recently received an email from my sister who lives in San Francisco. She asked me if I had a friend named Mike Kruckenberg. The question took my mind back about a decade and a half ago when I was attending Ricks College. Mike and I met in our college ward. He was the executive secretary and I was the sunday school president, so we attended PEC meetings together. We also had a chemistry class together. I was very impressed with his goodness and we both liked to joke around and became good friends. I haven't heard from him in over 10 years, so I thought I might google him and find out where he is. The result of that search was his blog. There was a particular entry he made on May 25, 2006 that I really liked and want to share here today.

" 'Are you getting what's important or not enough of second best?' - I love this phrase from David Wilcox in "Eye of the Hurricane" from "How did you find me Here?" Well I'm not sure if love is the right word, but its a phrase that I've thought about many times over the year:

When you lay your dream to rest

You can get what's second best

But it's hard to get enough

The question raises itself every now and then if I spend more of my time on what's most important, or if I'm in an endless struggle to get enough of second best. Its been more than 15 years ago that david wrote those words and I've been wondering about it ever since. My guess is that when you really get down to the core of people there are only a few things that are really important enough to be first. The rest is stuff we can never get enough of, we spend a lot of time and energy trying to get, we'll never be completely satisfied with, and as time passes we'll realize that it just wasn't that important. I'm not sure how good I am at prioritizing things, but I figure it's a good sign to at least be asking the question. Right?"

This entry by Mike makes me think of the scripture in the Book of Nephi and in the Book of Matthew that says, "Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and thieves break through and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven , where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt and where thieves do not break through nor steal. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." (3 Nephi 13:19-21)

Home Teaching Lesson for January 2010

"Hold on a Little Longer" by Pres. Uchtdorf

One of the lessons of the Kirtland period is that our spirits need constant nourishment. We need to stay close to the Lord every day if we are to survive the adversity that we must all face.

Took twin grandsons to Kirtland, Ohio to spend time with them before they left on their missions.

Learned that this era of church history is known for a time of severe trials but also supreme blessings.

65 sections of the doctrine and covenants received in Kirtland and surrounding areas. Revelations brought new light and knowledge about topics such as the 2nd coming, caring for the needy, the plan of salvation, priesthood authority, the Word of Wisdom, tithing, the temple, and the law of consecration.

It was a period of great spiritual growth- "the spirit of God like a fire was burning." Moses, Elijah, and many other heavenly beings appeared including God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ (D&C 76:23, 110:2-4, 11-13).

One of those present was William Draper and described his experience, "My pen is inadequate to write it in full or my tongue to express it. But I will here say that the spirit was poured out and came like a mighty rushing wind and filled the house, that many that were present spoke in tongues and had visions and saw angels and prophesied, and had a general time of rejoicing such as had not been know in this generation."

But great spiritual experiences do not exempt us from opposition and trials. A few months after the temple dedication widespread economic crisis shook the United States. Later persecutions and mobs formed against the saints and many members apostatized. The majority however, including William Draper, held fast to the spiritual knowledge God had given them and continued to follow the prophet. Those who endured to the end "received into a state of never-ending happiness" (Mosiah 2:41).

One of the enduring lessons of the Kirtland period is that our spirits need constant nourishment. Harold B. Lee taught: "Testimony isn't something that you have today and you keep always. Testimony is either going to grow and grow to the brightness of certainty, or it is going to diminish to nothingness."

In some ways our day is similar to the Kirtland period. Financial distress and there are those that rail against the church and its members. Now more than ever we need to draw near unto the Lord every day.

If you are ever tempted to become discouraged or to lose faith, remember those faithful saints who remained true in Kirtland. Hold on a little longer. You can do this! You are part of a special generation. He will continue to grant you sacred experiences. With these and other spiritual gifts you will bless your life and those in your homes, wards, branches, communities, cities, states, and nations. It may be hard to see at times, but hold on a little longer, for "eye hath not seen nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him" and wait for Him (1 Corinthians 2:9; D&C 76:10; 133:45).

Eternal Perspective

Moses 6:27 Enoch heard a voice from heaven saying to him "prophesy unto this people and say unto them-repent, for thus saith the Lord: I am angry with this people, and my fierce anger is kindled against them; for their hearts have waxed hard, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes cannot see afar off;"

While reading this verse during Donna's sunday school class today, the last phrase "their eyes cannot see afar off", it occured to me that the more we sin the more short-sighted we become. It is the exact opposite of having an eternal perspective where your eyes see beyond this earth into eternity and your choices reflect decisions that will bring eternal happiness rather than just the here and now what is right in front of me (short sighted).