The Joy of Good Things from God

 My family (minus my older daughter, who was working) recently served in a nearby temple by performing several proxy baptisms for our ancestors.

It was good.

I've remarked before that when I've served in the temple in the past, I've never been bored, despite the simple, calm, and repetitive nature of the ordinances we perform there.  This time, I took a moment after we were done, while I was alone, to think about my experience there.  It wasn't much different at all from other occasions in the past; there wasn't anything particularly novel or remarkable about it.  But I did feel good, in a very simple way.

Two of my children received patriarchal blessings recently as well, and one other had done so a little while back.  Afterward, I've encouraged them to think about the experience they had with God as they received those blessings.  It was clear to me, as an observer, that they were each quite moved by how they felt God touching their spirits, and I wanted them to recognize and remember that.

It's easy to not think about it much, or to be distracted by other things, but I think that the simple witness of the Holy Ghost in our lives is fundamentally and crucially important in life and a vital way to acknowledge good things that God gives us.  It's easy to overlook the joy that God gives us through simple and peaceful experiences, but that joy is real.

Last thoughts for now:
I hope to always acknowledge God in my life, and to help others to do so also.  I know that God is good, and He brings goodness to us.

Why Jesus Christ is Important to Me

Why is Jesus Christ important to me?  A lot of that is stated in the scriptures I quoted, but I'll do more to phrase it in my own words:

Jesus Christ is my Savior.  I am His disciple through covenant.  I have sinned (like everyone) and of myself I am not worthy to return to my Father in Heaven, but through the power and grace of Jesus Christ I can be perfected in Him and receive all of the blessings that God the Father desires to give His children.  I owe Him everything.  He knows and loves me.  He loves me enough that He suffered for my sins and even died for me.  But He also lived for me and showed the way that I should live, not only to have peace in this life but also afterward, throughout eternity.  Of course I am not the only one He loves; He loves everyone I know and everyone I don't.  He has commanded me to love everyone, after loving God, and I take that commandment very seriously.  I'm grateful that my "loved ones" among my family and friends have salvation available to them also, and that the mercy of Christ is available to the entire world whom I am commanded to love.  Jesus Christ understands my pain in life.  I really don't expect many people on this Earth to have great understanding of the trials I've known, and I don't expect any mortal person to fully understand, but He does.  He knows the depth of my suffering, even when it has been foolishly self-inflicted, and He indeed knows much more suffering than I've ever known.  But He has lived through the lowest of the lows and in His greatest difficulties He still gave His will to the Father.  That is an example of no small importance to me.  In any moment of weakness or trial, I always know that I can submit to my Father's will as He did, and I know that They both want me to do so in order that I might be one with them and know their joy.  I don't expect to achieve that unity during my mortal life; I expect that full obedience to Christ's commandment to "be perfect" is only possible through Him and won't happen while I'm still subject to mortal weakness.  But I still strive to be like Him.  I invoke His name daily in prayer to my Heavenly Father, both individually and with my family.  I teach my family about Him.  While there are many ephemeral things in the world that I enjoy, I continually keep God's eternal Plan of Happiness in my mind, knowing that Jesus Christ is central to every part of that Plan, and no mortal pleasure could ever compare to what He provides me.  I know that at the day of my final judgment I will stand before Him and the Father, and that in His majesty I will have nothing to offer Him, and I will know my own unworthiness keenly, but I have faith that His Atonement not only gives me strength now but will be sufficient for me at that time.

Last thoughts for now:
I should add that I see the marvelous work of God being carried out in the modern Church of Jesus Christ.  It is an immense blessing to have this Church that exists to bring people closer to Him.

Peace, Not As the World Giveth

I'm a blessed man.  Downright spoiled right now, in fact.  That's what I tell everyone.  Beyond being blessed by the restored gospel and having a wonderful family, I have a good income and I'm able to pursue good professional opportunities.  I have an extremely flexible schedule at the moment.

I have a lot of little things that bring me some measure of happiness, like books and movies.  I'm able to chat with distant friends via text message.  I'm in good health.  I have clean water to drink and bathe in and access to a wide variety of food that is either healthy, good-tasting, or both.  I have a comfortable home.  (And carpet; my standard for being rich, on a global scale, is having carpet, so overall I'm doing really well.)  I live in a land that values and preserves a great deal of personal liberty.

Being blessed as I am and being currently free from severe stress makes it easy to feel happy.  I think that sometimes similar conditions have led people to overlook the source of true, lasting happiness and real, eternal peace.

What if I were to lose the things I have?

People experience loss.  There is a limitless amount of precedent for misfortune and loss, and it's entirely plausible that I could lose almost all of the things I listed above, and much more.  I doubt that I would lose them all together, like Job, but it's possible that any day I could experience significant loss on any given day.  Tragedy sometimes occurs on a personal level, and sometimes with much larger scope.  Nations fall.  Natural disasters, war, and other problems displace thousands and millions.  I could break a limb or get cancer or otherwise fall ill.  My house could burn down, with all of my possessions in it.  I sincerely hope it will not happen, but my wife or children could experience grave injury.  But what if?  What if I were to lose these things that bring me happiness?

I know that regardless of any particular blessing or the loss of it, no matter how much misfortune may come my way, I can still be right before God.  No matter what I could lose, I could still dedicate myself to righteousness and service to God and others.  And that would bring me peace, "not as the world giveth" (John 14:27), but as Jesus Christ gives to all those who earnestly follow Him.

To say this is the sort of thing that would have superstitious people knocking on wood.  Indeed, I do not ask for trouble or loss to enter my life.  But, having mentioned Job, I know that any of us can show the same commitment to following Christ that he showed, despite any loss.

Last thoughts for now:
It's easy to say that I could be committed like that.  But I know it's possible.  I know that we can make that kind of choice.  In the meanwhile, I hope to make that kind of commitment without needing tragedy to spur me on.  But if tragedy should befall me, I know that I can still receive the peace that our Savior brings.

No Regrets About Temple Service (and No Boredom)

It was ironic that I passed up an opportunity to serve in the temple yesterday, and then in the Elders' Quorum today we had a lesson about temples.  During the lesson I spoke to a thought I've had before: I never regret going to the temple.  And I know I should go very soon.


I've heard the life philosophy that people should live their lives without regret.  There's potentially something laudable about this way of thinking and it could potentially also be eternally disastrous.  Regret and sorrow are an enabling and motivating factor in repentance, which is crucial to our salvation; some people ignore feelings of regret and thus never right the wrongs they commit, which is detrimental beyond mortal understanding.  However, if we're determined to do what we know is right regardless of other consequences, taking action without fear of regret could be a good thing.


A determination to do what is right is what is important.  Something I've also heard is that a way to judge our actions is by asking ourselves, "Will I regret this later?", and the other way of living with less regret is to deliberately choose to do what we know God desires of us.


There have certainly been times in the past when I knew I could go serve in the temple, but didn't feel that I wanted to.  I felt like doing other things.  Admittedly, I'm selfish, and I like to do things that are fun.  But every time I choose temple service in spite of those feelings, I'm glad I did.  I've never regretted temple service; I've never walked away saying, "Man, I wish I'd done that other thing instead."


I never walk away from the temple with more money, in better shape, or higher in the esteem of the world, but I walk away with a simple peace and certainty that I did what I should.


While I'm on the topic of "never" and the temple, I'll note that despite the fact that temple service is both very quiet and very repetitive, I'm never bored there.  Ever.  To an outsider looking in, I imagine that would be remarkable.


Last thoughts for now:
The goal, moving forward, will be for me to remember that I'll be glad I went to the temple, and use that knowledge as motivation for me to go.  I'll never have to doubt that it's a good way to use my time, and I'll never have to doubt that it's God's will.  And I'll never be bored with it.