FEAR NOT!

The angels who announced the birth of the Christ-child to the humble shepherds can teach all "wise men" and "wise women" who seek to worship and adore the Savior an incredible lesson.  Their charge to "fear not" can change and improve both our discipleship and our everyday lives!

A few years ago I was honored with the opportunity to share some thoughts with the women of our church congregation at their annual Relief Society Christmas Social.  In preparing the message that follows, I became increasingly aware how debilitating fear can be in keeping us from being all our Heavenly Father and His beloved Son, Jesus Christ want and need us to be.

Have you heard this joke?

In a small Southern town there was a nativity scene that indicated great skill and talent in its creation. One small feature bothered me though. The three wise men were wearing fireman's helmets. Totally unable to come up with a reason or explanation, I left. At a gas station on the edge of town, I asked the lady behind the counter about the helmets. She exploded into a rage, yelling at me, "You darn Yankees, never do read the Bible!"   I assured her that I did, but simply couldn't recall anything about firemen in the Bible. She jerked her Bible from behind the counter and ruffled through some pages, and finally jabbed her finger at a particular passage.   Sticking it in my face she said in her southern drawl,  "See, it says right here, “The three wise men came from afar.”

We may laugh, but we do know the Nativities we see and sing about are not always doctrinally correct.  Besides the fact that the Wise Men were never at the stable and came much later, most biblical scholars question whether Christ’s birth was even in December!  Why?:

1. Constantine a pagan who converted to Christianity (some think for political gain), and looking to unify Rome decided to combine pagan and Christian beliefs while he was emperor in the year 320.  He moved  the celebration of Christ’s birth to December and merged it with the pagan holiday Yuletide.  

2.  The census that was taken among the Jews that required Mary and Joseph to travel to Bethlehem was traditionally done during Passover which is in the spring of the year.   

3.  Shepherds were abiding in the fields but rarely during winter, it is too cold even in the middle east for them to spend the night outside with the flock.

4.  Modern Revelation- In the Mormon faith, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was organized on April 6, and in Joseph Smith's words it was 1,830 years after Jesus Christ’s birth and many think his words were literal.    

Whatever the date, if we were blessed to be at the lowly stable in Bethlehem to welcome the miracle that was Emanuel (God with us) what would we have offered the Christ child as a gift at the manger?  I am reminded of the final verse from a favorite carol ‘In the bleak midwinter’.

What then can I give him, empty as I am? 

If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb; 

If I were a Wise Man, I would do my part; 

What then can I give him:  I must give my heart.

Check out my favorite two renditions of this hymn by clicking here:
Sissel with MOTAB    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4zAgEt6sCMA
James Taylor             https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6qmtO6cebcU

What gift would you give? Yes it’s very personal, custom and can prove quite sacred.

Your RS Presidency’s gift this evening is a book mark with this quote from President Gordon B. Hinckley, “You are very precious, each of you, regardless of your circumstances.  You occupy a high and sacred place in the eternal plan of God, our Father in Heaven.  You are his daughters, precious to him, loved by Him, and very important to him.  His grand design cannot succeed without you!”

Like Mary, you are called to be Handmaidens in all your strengths and with all your weaknesses. “Luke 1: 38 And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. 

I marvel at Mary’s Courage! 

What’s keeping you from being the Handmaid that God expects, needs and knows you can be?

I think of another powerful lesson we learn from the Nativity.  What were the first words out of the mouths of the angels when the heavens opened and choirs of angels sang to the lowly shepherds?  FEAR NOT!

Luke 2: 7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

  8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

  9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

  10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

  11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.

  12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

  13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

  14 Glory to God in the highest, and on eart h peace, good will toward men.

  15 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.

  16 And they came with haste and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.

Why where they commanded to fear not?  Because fear would have kept them from listening to these good tidings of great joy.  If they had run to hide, they would have missed hearing the caroling angels sing.  If they had feared, they wouldn't have left their flocks nor follow the star and would have missed the miracle of Jesus's birth. It's clear that our fear can impede the gifts God has for us! 

The Savior warned and taught us against fear many times.  In fact it's said that the words "fear not" and/or "be not afraid appear 365 times in the Bible. I am particularly impressed with the Lord's conversation with the ruler of the synagogue. You will recall that the ruler was told that his daughter was dead and that he should not trouble the Master about it. When the Savior came into the house of this grieving father, He said: “Why make ye this ado, and weep? The damsel is not dead, but sleepeth. … And he took the [girl] by the hand, and said …, I say unto thee, arise. And straightway the damsel arose, and walked. … And they were astonished with a great astonishment.” The Savior’s words to the leader of the synagogue capture the essence of this story: “Be not afraid, only believe.”  
These five words are incredibly powerful and comprise the purpose of my thoughts tonight. 

WHAT DO YOU FEAR?

Fear of Man.-  Elder Hales, an apostle of the Lord traveled a thousand miles to the Maple Valley Stake a couple years ago and told us that we must shed our fear of man as it relates to missionary work.  He said Jesus chided those who “will not open their mouths, [to share the gospel] … because of the fear of man” (D&C 60:2). What has been our response to this charge by a modern day apostle and the Savior himself?

Fear of Abuse-  Much of the world ekes out existences in a world based on fear.  Abuses by political and military regimes, social class and unfair economical disparity are very real.  Sadly, fear and abuse may even exist in our own homes and among our own families. Abuse in marriage is a sin. God does not intend His children to live in fear.  No woman is expected to suffer abuse of any form. 

Fear of Criticism. Much more prevalent than physical fear is the fear of criticism, rejection, and verbal opposition. Again, the scriptures are replete with counsel and admonition. In a latter-day revelation to Joseph Smith the Prophet, the Lord said, in relation to the loss of 116 pages of manuscript of the Book of Mormon, “You should not have feared man more than God” (D&C 3:7). 

Fear of the News and World Events- Jennifer and I attended General Conference in Salt Lake City just a few short weeks after the terror of  9/11 in 2001.  The sessions seemed particularly solemn and tears rolled down my cheeks as we heard the choir sing,

How gentle God’s commands!
How kind his precepts are!
Come, cast your burdens on the Lord
And trust his constant care.

Why should this anxious load
Press down your weary mind?
Haste to your Heav’nly Father’s throne
And sweet refreshment find.

Fear of Death. This particular fear arises from misunderstanding the purpose of life and lack of knowledge of the plan of our Eternal Father. Isn’t it telling that the fear of death seams to increase the less one is aligned with the gospel and the commandments of God.

Fear of the Unknown. This may be experienced in a number of ways: fear of the dark, fear of change, fear of the future. Such fear can be overcome by faith, as the Lord showed as he rebuked the winds and the sea. “Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith?” he challenged his disciples (Matt. 8:26).  The bottom line is worrying is a waste of time and effort.  Worry is nothing more than paying interest before the sum is due!

Fear of Responsibility.  I remember reading in the Ensign the story told by a new member of the General Primary presidency.  She accompanied the new presidency to a foreign land to conduct some training for local church leadership.  While being introduced by the local leader who was conducting the meeting, the local leader went on and on, touting the virtues of the past General Presidency who had come years before and had served so well and faithfully.  The leader’s words struck fear in this newly called sister and made her question her calling and abilities, wondering to herself whether she could ever measure up to the exploits of those that served before her. 

Paralyzed with fear, she finally voiced her concerns to the new General President of the Primary who wisely responded, “I have had those same feelings, but it is comforting to me to know that I need only be concerned that what I do and say is acceptable and pleasing to the Lord.” Her words brought such immediate peace to this sister’s mind that she repeated them over and over to herself in countless situations.  She later said, “As women, we like very much to please others—sometimes seeking approval so frantically that we become torn and confused by the conflicting needs of those around us. Concentrating on pleasing Heavenly Father brings peace, a respite from fear and anxiety. “I only need to worry about pleasing the Lord.” I think some of your fears will evaporate. The prophet David said: “The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” (Ps. 27:1.)

Fear of Loneliness. Linked with this fear is the fear of being in a small minority. This type of fear often results in compromise of principles and giving in to the demands of others for fear of being lonely or the odd-one-out. In latter-day revelation, the Lord has given comfort and assurance to those in this situation.
“Fear not, little flock; do good; let earth and hell combine against you, for if ye are built upon my rock, they cannot prevail” (D&C 6:34).
Fear of loneliness includes fear of not having anyone to talk to or being without help in time of need. These fears can be conquered by reaching out and giving service to others. It means to become "outward looking" instead of "inward looking". In order to have a friend, we must be a friend.

Fear of self doubt which translates generally to poor self esteem:  To quote the words of Phillips Brooks:

Everywhere, everywhere, Christmas tonight!
Christmas in lands of the fir-tree and pine,
Christmas in lands of the palm-tree and vine,
Christmas where snow peaks stand solemn and white,
Christmas where cornfields stand sunny and bright. …
Everywhere, everywhere, Christmas tonight!
For the Christ-child who comes is the Master of all;
No palace too great, no cottage too small.
(“Christmas Everywhere,” in Best-Loved Poems of the LDS People, compiled by Jack M. Lyon and others [1996], 30)

It doesn’t matter to Our Heavenly Father how small, tattered, torn or week our cottage (life) is, He is the Master of ALL.  He is your master, yes, even you, right now, as you are, warts and all! 

 I have often found hope in these words by Elder Neal A Maxwell, “ Life in the Church soon teaches us that the Lord does not ask us about our ability, but only about our availability. And then, if we demonstrate our dependability, the Lord will increase our capability.”

Fear of the Past. This fear haunts those who have transgressed and have not yet gained forgiveness and remission. It holds them back, but this should be but a temporary phase. As President Kimball has counseled: 

“To cure spiritual diseases which throttle us and plague our lives, the Lord has given us a sure cure—repentance” 
"Furthermore, the Lord has given us a wonderful formula to enable us to remove fear and guilt: “Behold, he who has repented of his sins, the same is forgiven, and I, the Lord, remember them no more.
“By this ye may know if a man repenteth of his sins—behold, he will confess them and forsake them” (D&C 58:42–43).
"Sincere repentance is many faceted; it is more than confession. There must needs be a forsaking and turning away from transgression in all its sordid forms."
 “Today is the first day of the rest of your life.”
"As does the housewife, we need to spring clean our lives, sweep out each nook and cranny and under the carpet. In the world of industry and commerce, which used to be my environment, regular inventory is taken. At this time a decision might be taken to eliminate certain items from the inventory and to mark down in value other items."

Fear of Failure. There are those who will not even attempt to do something because they lack the self-assurance that they can accomplish it. We were all raised with the old adage ringing in our ears: “If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again.“ There is no disgrace in failure, and in any case, we have never failed until we give up.

President N. Eldon Tanner remarked on one occasion, “One of the evils of the world today is not failure but low aim.” Just as we should not fear to fail, neither should we fear to aim high.

(‘The Futility of Fear’ Ensign Magazine Nov.1985)

Fear of Change!

As difficult as our fears may be, we sometimes and unbelievably embrace them rather than address and change them.  They are familiar and known. Why do battered wives often stay with their abusers?  They fear change.  Even at the cost of their lives!  Why do we remain in sin when it brings such terrible consequences?  Often because as difficult as it is to admit, we have mistakenly found comfort in our present state. It becomes easy to tell ourselves we don't deserve better nor do we have the willpower to make the needed changes.  
I believe one of the most powerful teachings addressing our fear of change is the allegory of the greasy red lizard by CS Lewis in his book the great divorce. Time does not permit it's discussion, but if you haven't read this, I promise is worth the effort.  In fact, here is a link to the allegory itself.  It is gold!  http://www.covenanteyes.com/2009/04/20/cs-lewis-on-lust/

WE HAVE THE ANSWER TO CAST OFF FEARS!  We have been promised the Messiah, who came with healing in His wings. He was the worker of miracles, the great healer, the resurrection and the life. His is the only name under heaven whereby we must be saved.
 “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace” (Isa. 9:6).

Joy to the world, the Lord is come;
Let earth receive her King!
Let ev’ry heart prepare him room,
And Saints and angels sing.
(“Joy to the World,” Hymns, number 201)

Click here for a favorite rendition of this carol;
David Archuleta with MOTAB        https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U4CSJvzGai4

President Hinckley once stated in a Christmas message, “We leave a blessing upon you, a blessing of Christmas, that you may be happy. May even those whose hearts are heavy rise with the healing which comes alone from Him who comforts and reassures. “Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me” (John 14:1).So said He in His hour of great tribulation: “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid” (John 14:27).We are not alone in our mortal struggles. “Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them. We can overcome all of our fears, not all at once, but one at a time. As we do so we will grow in confidence.

Heavenly Father Will Comfort Us- Remember, the Lord has said, “The very hairs of your head are all numbered” unto the Father. “Fear ye not therefore” (Matt. 10:30–31). He knows us, He loves us, and He knows our needs. He will comfort us if we will only trust in Him and His goodness and wisdom.

There are many things that we cannot change. We all have difficulties and disappointments but like the analogy of CS Lewis's red lizard, often these turn out to be opportunities. The Lord can measure how strong we are by how we handle these difficulties in our lives. As the Lord said to the Prophet Joseph Smith, “Know thou, my son, that all these things shall give thee experience, and shall be for thy good” (D&C 122:7).
We are each entitled to receive personal inspiration to guide us through our mortal probation. May we so live that our hearts are open at all times to the whisperings and comfort of the Spirit.
“For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” (2 Tim. 1:7.)

Let’s Give Him a Gift of Courage, AND LEAVE OUR FEAR AT THE MANGER!
Away in a manger:
 Be near me, Lord Jesus; I ask thee to stay
Close by me forever, and love me, I pray.
Bless all the dear children in thy tender care,
And fit us for heaven to live with thee there.

Click here for a favorite rendition from MOTAB  
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PLWnarUwamU

Tender Mercies & the Above Ground Pool

Tender Mercies & the Above Ground Pool

I am sure you agree, when we take upon ourselves the name of Christ, and then have the courage and faith to follow Him by obeying His commandments, we receive blessings from God.  In fact, as our worthiness improves, Our Father in Heaven entrusts us with even more opportunities and blessings. The scriptures teach that many of our blessings are a direct result of particular commandments we are faithfully observing. Sometimes our Father blesses us in times of need because of our faith and prayers.  And then on certain occasions, our loving Heavenly Father blesses us when we may least expect it, in ways that may first seem small or coincidental but with spiritual sensitivity, they prove to be significant ways that serve to prove that He loves us and is aware of our every need.

Over thirty years ago, I was sent as a missionary of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to the Philadelphia Spanish Speaking Mission. About half way through my two years of service, I was sent with a companion to open Atlantic City, New Jersey for the preaching of the gospel to the Hispanics that lived in the ghetto called the "inlet".  The Lord blessed us with success and we soon found a beautiful family led by a strong single mother named Maira Concepcion. We had some wonderful opportunities to teach her and her five children and the Lord blessed us with His Holy Spirit which led to the family’s conversion.  Like many who find the truth and the joy that it brings, they soon introduced us to their neighbors and family, hoping these loved ones would also recognize and want the same blessings.

One who accepted this invitation was Maira’s sister Nelia.  She was married with two sons and had lived a very difficult and trying life.  She recognized the truth quickly, and loved the hope she discovered in learning God’s plan of happiness for us all.  She began to understand that she was a daughter of a loving Heavenly Father who loved her just the way she was.  She progressed quickly but so did the opposition from her husband, children and especially the local minister.  She was told lies and exaggerations about us and the Church we represented.  Amidst all this, she continued in faith because she was experiencing a peace she had never felt before.  The Holy Spirit testified to her mind and in her heart that she had worth and value before God, and that she could change her station in life by accepting Jesus Christ as her personal Savior and Redeemer.  Although her family was not on board themselves, they finally realized that her quest for truth and happiness was too strong and so they finally came to accept if not approve of her joining the church. 

The day for her baptism finally arrived which made my companion and I both excited and nervous.  You see, our congregation did not have a meeting house of our own so we did not have the baptismal font that is available in most Mormon chapels.  So, many of the baptisms took place miles away with some substantial travel required.  But most of these wonderful brothers and sisters that lived in the ghettos and barrios did not own cars, which made traveling to the nearest chapel difficult and a burden. Thankfully, a family in the congregation offered their above ground swimming pool for her baptism to more easily accommodate the family and church members that wanted to attend.  The problem was that it was late February or early March and the weather was still cold and wet.  We held the baptismal service in the family’s warm living room but when it came for the actual baptism, I escorted Nelia out into the bitter cold. It was then that I started feeling worried and embarrassed.  I thought to myself, "What does she think she’s getting herself into?  I promised her so many blessings for joining Christ's church, and here we are, standing in the cold walking out to a run-down above ground swimming pool while her family and friends were in the house far away pressed against the windows to watch. Certainly not the wonderful experience I had pictured nor hoped for her."

Then, it got worse.  As I climbed up the ladder and lowered myself into the pool, the water was so cold that it took my breath way.  Literally, I could not speak.  I tried smiling at Nelia and put my hand out to help her get into the pool but all along, I was fighting to catch my breath.  I felt embarrassed and frankly irresponsible for leading her down into the frigid water.  Well, in hopes of lessening the cold shock for poor Nelia, as soon as she entered the water, I somehow was able to muster these words (in Spanish) while my teeth chattered, “Nelia Munoz, having been commissioned of Jesus Christ, I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, amen."  Again I cringed and my heart sank as I pushed her down to completely immerse her in the cold water.  Afraid for her health, I practically yanked her back up and lifted her out of the pool in one fluid motion.  She came to rest in the waiting arms of my companion who held a dry towel to wrap her in at the edge of the pool.

While dressing back in the house, I kept thinking to myself, “What a disaster, Nadia must think this was a joke. What were we thinking trying to perform a baptism under such circumstances.” My embarrassment over the situation grew minute by minute.  When dressed, I met her in the hall and I asked if she was all right. Before she could answer I started apologizing for the cold water and for the weather and for my insensitivity in planning her baptism outside at this time of year. She had heard enough and I remember her saying in a calm and hushed voice, “Elder Rockwood, stop! I felt no cold. Everything is fine, I am happy, I felt no cold. God made the water warm for me!”

What happened to Nadia in the pool that day was a small miracle, what the scriptures refer to as "Tender Mercies of the Lord."  Even though I did not have the faith to notice or be blessed by it, Sister Nadia was shown there and then, that her Father in Heaven loved her and knew how important this baptism was for her, and physically blessed her to withstand the natural elements.  It left me to realize that the only thing I should have been embarrassed about that day was my own lack of faith.

Elder Bednar of the quorum of the twelve related a sweet story about tender mercies of the Lord that I love.  In only his second general conference address, just six months after he was called and ordained a modern day apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ, he said he was incredibly nervous about speaking as an apostle for the very first time.  And right before he was to speak, President Gordon B Hinkley invited everyone to stand and sing the hymn, 'Redeemer of Israel' . Elder Bednar could not believe his ears. Although he had nothing to do with the choice of the hymn and new that it had been chosen weeks before without his knowledge, it was his favorite hymn. If he had been invited to suggest a hymn, he would have selected it in hopes it would bring him comfort and strength.

He said, “Tears filled my eyes as I stood with you to sing that stirring hymn of the Restoration.  Near the conclusion of the singing, to my mind came this verse from the Book of Mormon: “But behold, I, Nephi, will show unto you that the tender mercies of the Lord are over all those whom he hath chosen, because of their faith, to make them mighty even unto the power of deliverance” (1 Ne. 1:20).

He continued, "My mind was drawn immediately to Nephi’s phrase “the tender mercies of the Lord,” and I knew in that very moment I was experiencing just such a tender mercy. A loving Savior was sending me a most personal and timely message of comfort and reassurance through a hymn selected weeks previously. Some may count this experience as simply a nice coincidence, but I testify that the tender mercies of the Lord are real and that they do not occur randomly or merely by coincidence. Often, the Lord’s timing of His tender mercies helps us to both discern and acknowledge them."

I will always remember the manifestation of God's tender mercies at the above ground pool. It testified that God is in the Heaven.  That He is a loving Heavenly Father who knows us individually and is able and willing to share His tender mercies if we have the courage to look for and recognize them. I can't help but remain Standing All Amazed.

Olympic Beach Volleyball / As A Man Thinketh…

“Sow a thought, reap an act,
Sow an act, reap a habit,
Sow a habit, reap a character,
Sow a character, reap an eternal destiny”

Like many of you, I was enthralled by the Olympic competition these past two weeks.  Thanks to the modern marvel of DVR’s recording 6 channels, I have watched more goals, dives, races, scores, matches, games and highlights  than ever before. (It’s amazing how many events we watched by skipping the ads and fluff, sorry NBC).

One of my favorite athletes to watch this year was beach volleyball player Jacob "Jake" Spiker Gibb. Jake is a member of my faith, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and was born and raised one of eleven children in Bountiful, Utah.  Believe it or not, his given middle name “Spiker” had nothing to do with volleyball, it is simply his mothers maiden name.  Gibb did not even play volleyball in high school or college. In fact, he did not play sports competitively and was even cut from his high school’s basketball team.  

He attended the University of Utah, interrupting his studies for two years to serve as a missionary in Costa Rica. It was only upon his return to college at the age of 21 that he took up the sport of beach volleyball with his twin brother. He married his sweetheart Jane and graduated in 2002 with a degree in business.  It was then that he made an unexpected and bold decision. 

Jake told a reporter from a local newspaper that he was going to be an Olympian some day- in beach volleyball no less.  Wait a minute, this seemed more than courageous, some thought it was downright stupid if not at least irresponsible.  He had never played high school or collegiate sports, lived 800 miles from the beach and had a new family to support.  Beach volleyball? 

After convincing his wife of his passion he promised her that if he was not rated in the top twenty players in the world within two years, he would quit and put his Olympic dreams to rest.  Jane showed incredible faith and trust in her husband’s commitment, so with $1,600 in their pockets, Gibb and his wife moved to the beaches of southern California. 

Because he had no reputation on the beach, coupled with the fact that he was from Utah, he had to work hard to get anyone to even give him a chance to play, let alone earn respect.  Even his current Olympic partner Sean Rosenthall admitted that he never wanted to play with a guy from Utah. That was until playing against him, Gibb started blocking Rosenthall’s hardest spikes.

His church ties also made him perhaps an anomaly in the play-hard-party-hard beach volleyball world. The fact that Jake doesn't drink or party after tournaments is not always understood by the other players but Gibb claims it is respected.

This incredible story of a young man with a dream, that started as a thought really, who added courage, determination and hard work soon found it paying off. After just 12 months in the sport, he was ranked in the top 30, and in 2005, Jake led the AVP (Association of Volleyball Professionals) in wins, prize money and points and was named MVP of the tour. 

His outlandish goal to be an Olympian came true as he represented the US in the 2008 Beijing games.  Finishing 5^th, he set his goals to play again in these London games.  However, during a random drug test associated with a match in 2010, he was diagnosed with cancer.  Surgery was successful, so much so that the expected chemo and radiation treatments to follow were cancelled

"Going through cancer and having my wife pregnant and giving birth while I was on tour, pursuing this Olympic dream, it felt like a heavy load on my shoulders. It was a very tough year," Gibb said. "I realized what matters most to me, and that's health and family."

Jake Gibb’s story reminds me of a favorite antidote I memorized my freshman year in college.  It has impressed upon me the powerful connection between our thoughts and actions. It was penned by William Makepeace Thackeray but often quoted by David O McKay;

“Sow a thought, reap an act,
Sow an act, reap a habit,
Sow a habit, reap a character,
Sow a character, reap an eternal destiny”

Jake Gibb is an incredible example of how a thought to be an Olympian led to acts (training, practice and skills). These coupled with drive and determination developed into habits that are shared by only the worlds most talented and elite athletes.

In my own small and admittedly less heroic way, I reaped the benefits of following this same simple lesson of sowing thoughts in the mission field.  As a young missionary I arrived in my assigned Spanish speaking Philadelphia with and eagerness to succeed that was almost as large as my testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ.  However, it soon became clear that although those two characteristics might have qualified me for the calling, it was going to take a lot more to actually become a successful tool in God’s hands to bring about much good on the “mean streets” of the ghettos.  I quickly recognized the huge gap between my inexperienced efforts and those of the older, more seasoned missionaries who had proven to be effective disciples. 

It became clear that to become a good missionary, I needed to think and act like a good missionary.  I began studying what they studied, I listened how they prayed, I watched how they carried themselves and I tired to do all they were doing.  Acting like a good missionary soon became more than an act, I developed habits that lead to success and I would like to think that in my own way, I became closer to the disciple Christ and His church expected of me. 

I have also taught my children and the youth in my stewardship's, that sadly, this same law of reaping what we sow accompanies our negative and bad thoughts as well as the good and positive ones.  Sin is always a product of thoughts gone astray.  These bad thoughts lead inseparably  to temptation and disobedience, which in turn leads to harmful consequences. Gone unchecked and un-repented, these bad or evil habits can lead to a loss of character and even damning eternal consequences.  Our sinful actions are always preceded with sinfull thoughts.

David O McKay taught,

 “No principle of life was more constantly emphasized by the Great Teacher than the necessity of right thinking. To Him, the man was not what he appeared to be outwardly, nor what he professed to be by his words: what the man thought determined in all cases what the man was. No teacher emphasized more strongly than He the truth that ‘as a man thinketh in his heart, so is he’ [Prov. 23:7]. … Contentment, complacency, peace—all that makes life worth living—have their source in the mind of the individual. From the same source spring unrest, turbulence, misery—everything that leads to dissolution and death. … It is well for [every teacher and officer in the Church] to pause frequently and take stock of himself to ascertain ‘what he is thinking about when he doesn’t have to think,’ for ‘what he thinketh in his heart, so is he’

Book of Mormom Evidences- Word Printing

Word printing analysis of the Book of Mormon is evidence that the Book of Mormon is a work of multiple authorship, meaning it was written by many authors, not just Joseph Smith or one of his contemporaries.

Wordprinting, or "stylometry" as it is more commonly known, is the science of measuring literary style. The main assumption underlying stylometry is that an author has aspects of literary style that may be unconsciously used, and can be used to identify their work. Stylometrists analyze literature using statistics, math formulas and artificial intelligence to determine the "style" of an author's writing.

Researchers often attempt to use "non-contextual words" (e.g. such as: and, if, the, etc.) A more sophisticated approach was taken by John Hilton and non-LDS colleagues at Berkeley.] The "Berkeley Group's" method relied on non-contextual word patterns, rather than just individual words. This more conservative method was designed from the ground up, and required works of at least 5,000 words.

The Berkeley Group compared Book of Mormon texts written by Nephi and Alma with themselves, with each other, and with writings by Joseph Smith, his scribe Oliver Cowdery and Solomon Spaulding who early critics thought Joseph Smith copied the idea of the Book of Mormon from. Their findings are below;

Authors and their Cumulative chance of being the same author

Nephi and Alma = 1.5 x 10 to the 14th = 0.000000000000015 chance

(This is roughly a 1 in 15 trillion chance that the books of Nephi and Alma were written by the same author. Hilton rightly terms this "statistical overkill")

Joseph Smith and Alma = 2.5 x 10 to the 15th chance
Joseph Smith and Nephi = less than 2.7 x 10 to the 20th chance
Oliver Cowdery and Alma = 6.25 x 10 to the 17th chance
Oliver Cowdery and Nephi = less than 8.1 x 10 to the 19th chance
Spaulding and Alma = less than 3 x 10 to the 11th chance
Spaulding and Nephi = less than 7.29 x 10 to the 28th chance

Conclusion: As John Hilton put the matter, if wordprinting is a valid technique, then this analysis suggests that it is "statistically indefensible" to claim that Joseph, Oliver, or Solomon Spaulding wrote the 30,000 words in the Book of Mormon attributed to Nephi and Alma. The Book of Mormon also contains work written by more than one author. Critics who wish to reject Joseph's account of the Book of Mormon's production must therefore identify multiple authors for the text, and then explain how Joseph acquired it and managed to pass it off as his own.

Read the complete article here: http://fairmormon.org/Book_of_Mormon/Wordprint_studies

Doctrine & Covenants 101

What is it?
a) Modern day revelations accompanying the greatest event since the resurrection of Jesus Christ, the Restoration of priesthood authority, saving ordinances and doctrine as well as the church of Jesus Christ.
b) “OUR” Testament (our dispensation) vs. “Old”, “New”, “Another” (W. Woodruff)
When: 1 Revelation in 1823, (Moroni’s visitation)
136 in 16yrs. from 1828- (Beginning of translation of BoM to 1844- Joseph Smith’s death)
Publication: 1831- Book of Commandments
1835- Doctrine & Covenants also included “Lectures on Faith” were removed in1921.
Where: New York Period 1820-1830
Ohio Period 1831-1839
Nauvoo Period 1839-1844

How did it come to be?
1) Revelations received by the Lord thru inspiration, visions, dreams and heavenly visitations and manifestations.
2) Received “line upon line” , “precept upon precept”, “here a little, there a little”

Why did the Lord provide it?
Seven Basic Themes
1) Voice of Warning
2) The Plan of Salvation
3) The Scriptures
4) The Priesthood
5) Church Organization & Administration; Commandments to Church
6) Missionary Work & Instructions to Missionaries.
7) Personal Instructions to Individuals. Members (Sister Susan Easton Black said, “generally, it’s a bad sign to be mentioned in the D&C, 70% left the church, ha!)

Challenges to our study:
First, in some ways it reads like a random diary. What it contains is mostly raw data, primary source material, and unprocessed firsthand experiences. While such records are of utmost importance, they are usually not the easiest to read.

Second, there is no presently recognizable order in which revelations were given to Joseph Smith. The Lord did not give all of his instructions about the priesthood—or missionary work, or Church organization, or the scriptures—in tidy packages all at once. He gave them as the need or question arose, from day to day, in an order that—to us—seems unpredictable. The Doctrine and Covenants today is still printed the same way, section by section, not systematically or topically or even in the order in which all the revelations were received. That is why there have been some changes in the wording and organization of many of the revelations as time passed.

Blessings available:
When studied thematically, the doctrinal information is comprehensive and remarkable. Particularly because Joseph Smith’s life was far from tranquil. Time to review, revise, evaluate, do research, or fill in gaps was rarely available to him. Yet, when his short time ran out, the job was done.

Note- I remember as a young missionary in the MTC way back in October of 1978, Elder Franklin D Richards of the Seventy came to speak to us. While referring to the Doctrine and Covenants he counseled us never to use the abbreviated "D&C". He said that to the outside world, the "d and c" is a medical procedure performed during abortions.

It made me think that Jesus Christ revealed the restored Gospel to Joseph Smith in English. Not because it is a perfect language, nor do I believe it is the language Christ himself speaks. He used English because it was a language Joseph Smith would understand.

I am a true believer that when we try to share principles about the gospel to others, we should follow this pattern and use words they would understand. I have tried to heed Elder Richards and have avoided the abbreviation for these past 30+ years.

"Take My Yoke Upon You"

Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
A talk I was asked to give regarding finding strength in the Lord amidst trials. (Thanks to Elder Holland for his remarkable teachings on this subject)

Intro:
Diamond Wedding Ring-The grieving husband of one of the Trolley Square shooting victims told reporters when they were married he couldn't afford a wedding ring. Now, 4 years later he had picked out a ring and had surprised his wife with a phone call to meet him at the jewelry store. She made it to the mall, never made it to the store.
Bishop Probst in Emmitt,Wa- Recently conducted the funeral of his own two teenage children and 3 other teenage siblings from another family in his ward who drowned when the car Bishop Probst’s daughter was driving slid off an icy highway on the way to school and landed upside down in pond.

How do they make it? How would we make it? Although tragic and instant loss of a loved one is particularly awful, all of us in this ward family face trials, maybe less tragic but still as taxing. What about those of us who are facing personal trials and family struggles, or better said by Elder Holland recently, “What about those who endure conflicts fought in the lonely foxholes of the heart, those trying to hold back floodwaters of despair that sometimes wash over us like a tsunami of the soul. Or what about those of us who feel our lives are broken, seemingly beyond repair."
He continued, “To all such I offer the surest and sweetest remedy that I know. It is found in the clarion call the Savior of the world Himself gave. He said it in the beginning of His ministry, and He said it in the end. He said it to believers, and He said it to those who were not so sure. He said to everyone, whatever their personal problems might be:”

Matthew 11:28-30: 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.

“This invitation is one of the grandest outpourings of spiritual emotion known to man;” James E Tallmadge.

3 Verbs and 1 pronoun that deserve attention. Let’s start with the three verbs, which are come, take, and learn. They provide the pattern for shifting spiritual burdens.

1) Come to the Savior. In this promise, that introductory phrase, “come unto me,” is crucial. It is the key to the peace and rest we seek. Don't bother trying to see how long you can tough it out. Don't drive yourself into spiritual and mental exhaustion by trying to do it alone! Come to the Savior. Bring your problems and your pains and your praise and seek him. The gospels tell us of the woman with the issue of blood who endured for twelve years before making her way to the savior. We don’t have to wait that long! To those of us who struggle or are under similar burdens the Savior's invitation is a guiding beacon showing us the way home.

2) "Take my yoke upon you . . ." As with the pair of oxen yoked together, when we take upon ourselves the yoke of Christ He becomes our “yokefellow”: a Partner of infinite strength capable of carrying the entire burden Himself. President Howard W. Hunter said:
"In Biblical times, the yoke was a device of great assistance to those who tilled the field. It allowed the strength of a second animal to linked and coupled with the strength of a single animal, sharing and reducing the heavy labor of the plow or wagon. A burden that was overwhelming or perhaps impossible for one could be equitably and comfortably borne by two bound together with a common yoke. His [Christ’s] yoke requires a great and earnest effort, but for those who truly are converted, the yoke is easy and the burden becomes light.
Why face life's burdens alone, Christ asks, or why face them with temporal support that will quickly falter. To the heavy laden it is Christ's yoke, it is the power and peace of standing side by side with a God that will provide the support , balance, and strength to meet our challenges and endure our tasks here in mortality." (Conference Report, October 1990, p. 20)

So- Compared to the burdens people without Christ carry, it is easy. His yoke requires covenants and obedience and sacrifice, but in return he removes the burdens of sin and uncertainty and darkness, burdens infinitely greater in scope and weight. He shows us where we are going and gives us the power to get there. The paralytic lowered through the roof had a bed to carry home after his healing (Mark 2:2-12) but the bed cannot have weighed more than the infirmity the Savior removed from him.

3) "Learn of me . . ." The lessons we must learn about him we can only learn after we have taken his yoke. Without the covenants and without obedience, the sacrifices required of us will make little if any sense at all. To learn of him we must follow him. We cannot come to this knowledge while we follow the ways of the world. But we do not have to learn everything for the power to come to us. President Boyd K. Packer said, "You need not know everything before the power of the atonement will work for you. Have faith in Christ; it begins to work the day you ask." (Ensign, May 1997, p. 10)

4) Now for the pronoun, ALL. . "Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy-laden . . ." Not some of you, not most of you-"ALL ye that labor” are invited. If you are lonely, please know you can find comfort. If you are discouraged, please know you can find hope. If you are poor in spirit, please know you can be strengthened. If you feel you are broken, please know you can be mended.
Healing blessings come in many ways, each suited to our individual needs, as known to Him who loves us best. Sometimes a “healing” cures our illness or lifts our burden. But sometimes we are “healed” by being given strength or understanding or patience to bear the burdens placed upon us.

The bottom line- There can and will be plenty of difficulties in life. Nevertheless, ALL those that COME unto Christ, who TAKE Him for his word and LEARN of Him and know His voice and strive to do as He did, will find deliverance and strength, even beyond his own. The Savior reminds us that He has “graven [us] upon the palms of [His] hands.” Quoting Elder Holland again, “Considering the incomprehensible cost of the Crucifixion and Atonement, I promise you He is not going to turn His back on us now. When He says to the poor in spirit, “Come unto me,” He means it!”

May God grant us all the faith and courage to cast our burdens on the lord and sweet refreshment find? In the name of Jesus Christ Amen.

The Word of Wisdom 101

“A Principle with Promise” D&C 89
Why:
1) Our bodies are gifts from God and we have stewardship to keep them clean and pure.
1 Corinthians 3:16-17 and 6:19-20 our bodies are temples. They must remain clean and pure to receive the Spirit
2) D&C 89:4 gives another reason, to thwart “evils and designs…in the hearts of conspiring men” who profit from the costs and social ills associated with harmful substances including the misrepresentations associated with happiness, success, and social relationships. *** See Elder Marlin K. Jensen's story below!
3) God loves us and wants us to have joy! Giving a generation (18 yrs.) between revealing the principles in 1833 and making them a commandment in 1851. 100 years before the saints obeyed in mass (It took Enoch 300 years to build a Zion people)

History of Revelation: Born of necessity and / or inquiry
1- Modern revelation! A new law, (Don’t’s kid ourselves, wine in the New Testament was not pure grape juice)
2- Smoke and mess left in the classroom of the school of the prophets above Newell K. Whitney’s store.
3- Joseph Sr.’s possible drinking problem.

Raises the Bar!- It’s OK and even exciting when the Lord changes expectations.
1. Sexual Intercourse changed to Sexual relations in the church’s definition of the law of chastity.
2.“… Not by commandment or constraint” originally but is now a requirement of temple worthiness.
3.“Do you abstain…” changed to “Do you live…”

Basic Law:
The Lord has not specified everything that we should and should not partake of. “Such revelation is unnecessary,” President Joseph Fielding Smith.
Focusing on basic principles revealed by the Lord—not fads.

Don’t look beyond the mark" Jacob 4:14
Elder Bruce R. McConkie: "It is . . . my experience that people who ride gospel hobbies, who try to qualify themselves as experts in some specialized field, who try to make the whole plan of salvation revolve around some field of particular interest to them-it is my experience that such persons are usually spiritually immature and spiritually unstable. This includes those who devote themselves-as though by divine appointment-to setting forth the signs of the times; or, to expounding about the Second Coming; or, to a faddist interpretation of the Word of Wisdom; or, to a twisted emphasis on temple work or any other doctrine or practice. The Jews of Jesus' day made themselves hobbyists and extremists in the field of Sabbath observance, and it colored and blackened their whole way of worship. We would do well to have a sane, rounded, and balanced approach to the whole gospel and all of its doctrines."
Elder McConkie continues: "There are no private doctrines. All of the doctrines and practices of the Church are taught publicly. There are no secret doctrines, no private practices, no courses of conduct approved for a few only. The blessings of the gospel are for all men. Do not be deceived into believing that the General Authorities believe any secret doctrines or have any private ways of living. Everything that is taught and practiced in the Church is open to public inspection, or, at least, where temple ordinances are concerned, to the inspection and knowledge of everyone who qualifies himself by personal righteousness to enter the house of the Lord." (Sermons & Writings of Bruce R. McConkie, p234)
Elder McConkie also said: "The proper course for all of us is to stay in the mainstream of the Church. This is the Lord's Church, and it is led by the spirit of inspiration, and the practice of the Church constitutes the interpretation of the scripture."

Don’ts:
D&C 89:5-7 – Wine and strong drink (alcoholic beverages) Drink has brought more woe and misery, broken more hearts, wrecked more homes, committed more crimes, filled more coffins, than all the wars the world has suffered.” First Presidency Oct. 1942
D&C 89:8 – Tobacco (smoking and smokeless tobacco use)
D&C 89:9 – Hot drinks, defined as tea and coffee (That IS the doctrinal requirement)
1-Priesthood Bulletin, February. 1972: "With reference to cola drinks, the Church has never officially taken a position on this matter, but the leaders of the Church have advised, and we do now specifically advise, against the use of any drink containing harmful habit-forming drugs under circumstances that would result in acquiring the habit. Any beverage that contains ingredients harmful to the body should be avoided."
2-Soda Co’s say they add it for taste, "The Johns Hopkins study found only 8 percent could detect the caffeine.
3-Perception- People are watching! Play practice, Dad’s & Danny Ainge’s Pop cans, Dallin Oaks “he’s a Mormon” stories.
Modern Day additions- In addition, we should not: use any substance that contains illegal drugs, use any habit-forming substances except under the care of a competent physician, or misuse prescription or over-the-counter drugs.
Goliaths! Which on may be yours. Marlin Burrell Story

Do’s
D&C 89:10 – Wholesome herbs—vegetables and plants
D&C 89:11 – Fruit
D&C 89:12 – Flesh of beasts and fowls with guidance.
D&C 89:14-17 – Grains
D&C 89:11, “with prudence” and “with…thanksgiving”.

Promised blessings:
D&C 89:18 & 20 – Physical Health. Read By their Fruits
D&C 89:19 – Wisdom and great treasures of knowledge.
The spiritual treasures of knowledge received may include testimony, knowledge of divine truths, personal revelation, patriarchal blessings, and temple ordinances and covenants. Elder Boyd K. Packer said: “I have come to know …that a fundamental purpose of the Word of Wisdom has to do with revelation…If someone ‘under the influence’ [of harmful substances] can hardly listen to plain talk, how can they respond to spiritual promptings that touch their most delicate feelings? As valuable as the Word of Wisdom is as a law of health, it may be much more valuable to you spiritually than it is physically”(Ensign, Nov. 1979, 20).

Larry Garfield Story

D&C 89:21 – Protection from the destroying angel.
Maybe not from all physical pain & disease but to gain increased strength to resist temptation and the patience required to continue, day after day and be saved by Spiritual death

Obedience to the Word of Wisdom would solve the world’s economic problems: President Heber J. Grant taught that, “the Word of Wisdom…would solve the economic problems…of every…country, if it were obeyed by the people of the world” (Conf. Rpt., 1936, 48).

Other Benefits: In studies by social scientists
1- Happy marriages and satisfactory family lives.
2- Less likely to engage in premarital or extramarital sex
3- Less depression
4- Less involvement in delinquent, deviant, or antisocial behaviors. (Latter-day Christianity: 10 Basic Issues [booklet, 1998],46-47)

***Consipring Men – Word of Wisdom Evidence

Speaker: Marlin K. Jensen Event: Sperry Symposium 2000 Date Given: September 29, 2000

In 1997 Elder W Eugene Hansen and I were asked to host the honorable Michael Moore, Mississippi’s Attorney General during a brief visit he made to Utah and to church headquarters. In a wide ranging conversation with Mr. Moore, Elder Hansen and I raised questions about the lawsuit he had filed against the major American tobacco companies on behalf of the state of Mississippi. We new Mississippi had recovered a sizeable judgment and that other states were undertaking similar action.
We asked him specifically upon what legal theory the state of Mississippi’s claim had been based. Much to our surprise Mr. Moore informed us that the state’s cause of action had been based on a theory of conspiracy. Which the evidence eventually conclusively showed existed among the tobacco companies and even among their lawyers. As Mr. Moor talked of his conspiracy theory and the efforts made by the tobacco companies to hide from the public the addictive and harmful effects of tobacco, my mind almost instinctively turned to section 89 of the Doctrine and Covenants. A copy of that scripture was quickly located and after briefly explaining the background and import of section 89, I asked Mr. Moore to read verse four. We listened attentively as he slowly and deliberately read that verse out loud in his appealing southern accent.
The verse reads, “Behold, verily, thus saith the Lord unto you: In consequence of evils and designs which do and will exist in the hearts of conspiring men in the last days, I have warned you, and forewarn you, by giving unto you this word of wisdom by revelation” This scriptural reference to “conspiring men” was not lost on Mr. Moore. As he finished reading verse four a broad smile came across his face and with a twinkle in his eye he said. “I never dreamed in visiting Utah I would find 10 million Mormons who would agree with my conspiracy theories.” My heart burned within me that day. And has many times since as I have thought of Joseph Smith’s gifts as a prophet and seer. There really is no other explanation for the origin of that 1833 revelation. It waited until the nearly the end of the twentieth century for an almost literal public verification of one of its key passages. However in the hearts of the faithful saints who have headed its message for 170 years, there has never been any doubt about its authenticity or relevance.