Its Mean, Green, Hates Christmas, and Lives in Us.

Christmas is almost here.  Actually, only 10 days until it is here.  Now, I am serving a Spanish mission, so when I look at the word Christmas I see the word Christ and the word mas which in Spanish means more. So its just a quick thought today about how during this season, there should be so more of him. 

Dieter F. Uchtdorf gave this talk during a Christmas devotional called Seeing Christmas through New Eyes.  I really really liked this talk.  The rest of the talk is even better, so I recommend reading that.  But it applies to everybody and anybody who has ever felt even the least bit of stress come because of the Christmas season.

"Every Who

Down in Who-ville

Liked Christmas a lot . . .

But the Grinch,

Who lived just north of Who-ville,

Did NOT!²

The Grinch, that memorable character from a classic children’s story by Dr. Seuss, had a heart that “was two sizes too small,” and he hated everything about Christmas. Through the course of the story, however, he undergoes a dramatic transformation when he learns that there is more to Christmas than decorations and gifts.

Perhaps the Grinch’s story is so memorable because, if we are honest, we may be able to relate to him. Who among us has not felt concern over the commercialization and even greed of the Christmas season? Who hasn’t felt overwhelmed by the packed calendars, the stress of finding gifts, the pressure of planning meals and events?

...

We know what the Christmas season ought to be—we know it should be a time of reflection on the birth of the Savior, a time of celebration and of generosity. But sometimes our focus is so much on the things that annoy and overwhelm us that we can almost hear ourselves say in unison with the Grinch: “Why, for fifty-three years I’ve put up with it now! I MUST stop this Christmas from coming! . . . But HOW?”


Christmas is a time to center everything on Christ, not having Him take second shelf to the traditions and hustle and bustle of the season.  So this year, instead of becoming ever more like the Grinch, let us make all the more room in our hearts for those around us and for Christ.  Don't just make room for Him, but let Him be the focus this season!
_Elder Halbert

Mormon: The People, the Church, the Prophet

Ever wondered why Mormons are called Mormons? 
Here's a brief explanation from the church's official website. http://lds.org/topic/mormon/
For more information visit on their beliefs, doctrines, or services visit  http://www.mormon.org/ or http://www.lds.org/.

Mormon: "Mormon" is a term commonly applied to members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The Church is sometimes inaccurately called the "Mormon Church" because its members believe that the Book of Mormon is an additional volume of scripture to the Bible. The Book of Mormon is named after Mormon, a fourth-century prophet-historian who compiled and abridged many records of his ancestors into the Book of Mormon.

Mormon: The People 

Mormons live and work in every state of the United States and throughout the world. They value their family, their communities and the countries where they reside. They actively participate in business and agriculture, education and the sciences, government, the entertainment industry and news media. They work in public service and professional fields and serve as ambassadors, legislators, judges, and CEOs. There are currently five U.S. senators, including the senate majority leader, who are Mormon.

Mormon: The Church

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, is the fourth-largest religious institution in America, with over 6 million members in the United States and a total of nearly 14 million worldwide. While the term "Mormon Church" has long been publicly applied to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as a nickname, it is not an official title, and the Church encourages the use of the full authorized title. There are nearly 28,000 Mormon congregations worldwide, with meetings held in more than 180 languages, and Sunday services are open for anyone to attend. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is well known for its humanitarian work and has teamed up with Catholic Relief Services, the Red Cross, UNICEF, and many other agencies to help relieve suffering throughout the world. The Church also operates the world's largest genealogical library, located in Salt Lake City, and has one of the world's largest databases of online genealogical records. This database can be accessed for free by anyone at FamilySearch.

Mormon: The Prophet

Mormon was an actual historical figure in the Book of Mormon. He was a prophet, military general, and record keeper who lived about A.D. 311-385 on the American Continent. He was a military leader for most of his life, beginning at age fifteen. He also kept extensive historical and spiritual records of his people, who lived in the Americas. After recording the history of his own lifetime, he compiled and abridged the records, engraved on plates of gold, of previous prophets. These plates were part of the record from which the Prophet Joseph Smith translated the Book of Mormon in the early 19th century.

Why We Listen to Thomas S. Monson.

In my blog today, I include and quote excerpts from the talk entitled, "Profile of a Prophet" by Hugh B Brown. I'll start by paraphrasing the beginning of the talk.  Hugh B Brown had an interview with a man of high regards in London England.  Its a little longer than normal but well worth the read.  The dialogue goes as follows.

 I began by asking, “May I proceed, sir, on the assumption that you are a Christian?”

“I am.”

“I assume you believe in the Bible—the Old and New Testament?”

“I do!”

“Do you believe in prayer?”

“I do!”

“You say that my belief that God spoke to a man in this age is fantastic and absurd?”

“To me, it is.”

“Do you believe that God ever did speak to anyone?”

“Certainly. All through the Bible we have evidence of that.”

“Did He speak to Adam?”

“Yes.”

“To Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jacob, Joseph, and on through the prophets?”

“I believe He spoke to each of them.”

“Do you believe that contact between God and man ceased when Jesus appeared on the earth?”

“No, such communication reached its climax, its apex at that time.”

“Do you believe that Jesus was the Son of God?”

“He was.”

“Do you believe, sir, that after Jesus was resurrected a certain lawyer, who was also a tent maker by the name of Saul of Tarsus, when on his way to Damascus, talked with Jesus of Nazareth, who had been crucified, resurrected, and had ascended into heaven?”

“I do.”

“Whose voice did Saul hear?”

“It was the voice of Jesus Christ, for He so introduced Himself.”

“Then, … I am submitting to you in all seriousness that it was standard procedure in Bible times for God to talk to man.”

“I think I will admit that, but it stopped shortly after the first century of the Christian era.”

“Why do you think it stopped?”

“I can’t say.”

“You think that God hasn’t spoken since then?”

“I am sure He hasn’t.”

“There must be a reason; can you give me a reason?”

“I do not know.”

“May I suggest some possible reasons: perhaps God does not speak to man anymore because He cannot. He has lost the power.”

He said, “Of course that would be blasphemous.”

“Well, then, if you don’t accept that, perhaps He doesn’t speak to men because He doesn’t love us anymore. He is no longer interested in the affairs of men.”

“No,” he said, “God loves all men, and He is no respecter of persons.”

“Well, then, if He could speak and if He loves us, then the only other possible answer, as I see it, is that we don’t need Him. We have made such rapid strides in science, we are so well educated, that we don’t need God anymore.”

And then he said, and his voice trembled as he thought of impending war: “Mr. Brown, there never was a time in the history of the world when the voice of God was needed as it is needed now. Perhaps you can tell me why He doesn’t speak.”

My answer was: “He does speak. He has spoken, but men need faith to hear Him.”

We have a prophet today.  God does speak to us through him.  Christ's one and only true church is again on the earth.  In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
_Elder Halbert

What's a Prophet in the LDS Church?

Prophets. All throughout scriptures, particularly the Bible, God has had a prophet.  The purpose of a prophet is to guide the  people, or to tell them God's will for them.  Abraham was a great prophet who was willing to do anything that the Lord asked of him.  Moses was also a great Prophet who led the Children of Israel out of captivity.  Elijah and Elisha were more great prophets from the Old Testament.  In the New Testament, John the Baptist as well as Peter were ordained prophets.  But there seems to be a gap here.  After Peter, there was no more record of prophets.  For some reason, God had ceased talking to man by means of a prophet.  In Amos 3:7 its reads that Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servant the prophets.  That promise from God is still true.  God has again called prophets to lead and guide his people.  The prophet today is named Thomas S. Monson is he receives revelation on behalf of the Lord's church today.  Read Thomas S. Monson's most recent talk from the 2011 General Conference of the church titled "Stand in Holy Places" or "Dare to Stand Alone" or learn more about prophets at Mormon.org.  There is a prophet today!
_Elder Halbert

Man of Honor

Honesty is a principle that is lacking in today's society.  To be or find an honest man is a rare occurrence.  Dishonesty comes from selfishness; when it is easier to sacrifice integrity than to face the consequences of one's actions.  Selfishness motivates someone to take an extra couple of minutes on a lunch break, or to not provide a full day's work.
Karl G Maeser said regarding honesty.

 "I have been asked what I mean by 'word of honor.' I will tell you. Place me behind prison walls--walls of stone ever so high, ever so thick, reaching ever so far into the ground--there is a possibility that in some way or another I may escape; but stand me on the floor and draw a chalk line around me and have me give my word of honor never to cross it. Can I get out of the circle? No. Never! I'd die first!"

Let us all work on being completely honest with those around us.  People's respect for you will increase as they come to know you as a man of you honor. In the name of Jesus Christ.
_Elder Halbert

What's in a Name?

In the 2011 October General Conference address Elder Russel M. Ballard gave a talk entitled "The Importance of a Name".  In it he talks about the importance of calling our church by its real title, that is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.  Elder Ballard says "Let us develop the habit ... of of making it clear that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is the name by which the Lord himself has directed that we be known."  While Mormons is a nickname that we are often called, it is not how we should refer to ourselves.  When we are baptized, we take upon us the name of Jesus Christ, not Mormon's or Moses's or Joseph Smith's nor anybody else's name.  We are followers of Jesus Christ.  

 Anyways, that got me thinking about names.  When we are all born, we receive a name.  That name is shiny and new, polished and clean.  As we grow up, we make mistakes, sometimes putting a smudge, a scuff, a scratch, or even a dent in our names.  Sometimes those smudges can be cleaned off, however some of the scratches are there to stay.  In the end though, there is only one name that was dragged through this world without getting a scratch on it.  That is the name that we take upon ourselves when we are baptized; the name of the Jesus Christ.  Baptism into the true church of God on earth is the way that we take the Lord's name upon us.  Keep your name bright, that we may be counted worthy to be baptized in His perfect name, in the name of Jesus Christ.

_Elder Halbert

Thanks Giving Goodness

Thanksgiving is almost here.  It is my very favorite holiday.  It is a celebration and expression of divine favors and goodenss.  At first I think of the turkeys and spending time with family and football.  But like Christmas, the true meaning of Thanksgiving can easily be forgotten amid the football games, the preparing of mountains of food, and of the hustle and bustle that always comes when extended family is in town.  But, outside of the prayer or grace before the meal, how much time do we really take to give thanks?  Thanksgiving can easily become another Christmas or Easter, with its true meaning being put on the back burner and replaced by bunnies, elves, parades, turkeys, 5K's, and football.  So, this season as the impending feast nears this Thursday, Take a moment to get down on your knees and personally thank your Maker for the bounty that He has blessed you with this last year.  Thank Him in your families for all that you have and set that example for your children. 

President Thomas S. Monson, a modern day prophet said the following in a talk entitled, "An Attitude of Gratitude".  He states "If ingratitude be numbered among the serious sins, then gratitude takes its place among the noblest of virtues."  In Psalms 118:1 the first part reads "Give thanks unto God, for he is good."  To the prophet Joseph Smith the Lord said "Verily I say unto you my friends, fear not, let you hearts be comforted; yea, rejoice evermore, and in everything give thanks".  In the New testament, the Lord heals ten lepers and only one returned to give thanks.  So this week especially, tell the Lord how grateful you are to Him.  Try to be the one thankful leper.   As we develop this "Attitude of Gratitude" we will be less apt to complain and look at the bad in our lives and more prone to possessing the virtue of gratitude. 

_Elder Halbert

The Touch of the Master's Hand

This is a poem written by Myra Brooks Welch but was quoted in a Conference talk by Boyd K Packer entitiled "The Touch of the Master's Hand".  Its a really good talk so feel free to read it here.   

’Twas battered and scarred, and the auctioneer

Thought it scarcely worth his while

To waste much time on the old violin,

But held it up with a smile:

“What am I bidden, good folks,” he cried,

“Who’ll start the bidding for me?”

“A dollar, a dollar”; then, “Two!” “Only two?

Two dollars, and who’ll make it three?

Three dollars, once; three dollars, twice;

Going for three—” But no,

From the room, far back, a gray-haired man

Came forward and picked up the bow;

Then, wiping the dust from the old violin,

And tightening the loose strings,

He played a melody pure and sweet

As a caroling angel sings.

The music ceased, and the auctioneer,

With a voice that was quiet and low,

Said, “What am I bid for the old violin?”

And he held it up with the bow.

“A thousand dollars, and who’ll make it two?

Two thousand! And who’ll make it three?

Three thousand, once, three thousand, twice,

And going, and gone!” said he.

The people cheered, but some of them cried,

“We do not quite understand

What changed its worth.” Swift came the reply:

“The touch of a master’s hand.”

And many a man with life out of tune,

And battered and scarred with sin,

Is auctioned cheap to the thoughtless crowd,

Much like the old violin.

A “mess of pottage,” a glass of wine,

A game—and he travels on.

He’s “going” once, and “going” twice,

He’s “going” and almost “gone.”

But the Master comes, and the foolish crowd

Never can quite understand

The worth of a soul and the change that’s wrought

By the touch of the Master’s hand. ²⁹

 

^Harmony 

^{Harmony is a part of the music that written that does not carry the melody.} 

The Power Tower

One of the stories that I read the other day in the scriptures was about towers.  Towers often represent the wicked or worldly things in the scriptures.  For example, in Mosiah 11:12  King Noah, built a tower right next to the temple so that the people would look to him instead of God for protection, freedom and answers.  In Genesis 11 the people erect the tower of Babel.  This scripture is another example of people who forsook  God and tried to get to Heaven on their own.  Again, in the Book of Mormon in 1 Nephi 8 we read in Lehi's dream about a grand building that represents the pride of the world, mocking those true believers of Christ. 

Something I've noticed that is associated with each of those towers in the scriptures is pride.  King Noah was greedy and prideful, caring less about the people in his city than about building himself up.  The people of the tower of Babel were so prideful as to think that they would be able to make it to Heaven by the work of their own hands.  In Lehi's dream, the prideful people in the building mock those who follow Christ so as to pet their own ego and build up their own pride. 

When we let pride into our lives, we build towers up in our lives, pointing the praise towards ourselves instead of towards God.  As we root pride out of our lives, we tear down the towers that keep us from growing closer to him and the focus of our lives turn to those around us.  So now think about what are some of the towers in you life that separates you from him and start taking it down.   When we tear down the towers, we give the credit for everything in our lives to God instead of taking it for ourselves. 

_Elder Halbert

Fear Not

People fear almost anything, from spiders to clocks failure to great mole rats (zemmiphobia).  However, fear in the gospel sense, is the opposite of faith.  When we fear, we lack trust that God is really in control.  Countless times in the scriptures it says "Doubt not fear not."  Often times when angels or prophets speak, they start by saying fear not.  True love casteth out all fear.  If we really love and God, we wouldn't fear man.  In D&C 3, the Lord chastens Oliver Cowdery by saying, "You should not have feared man more than God".  Elisha says to his servant in 2 Kings, "Fear not, for they that are with us are more than they that are with them." 

I'm a big Star Wars fan.  In Episode I, Yoda says to the young Anakin that fear leads to anger, anger leads to hate, hate leads to suffering.  All of the feelings qualify as those that come from the devil.  They build on each other and they do not come from God.  God teaches love, trust, and calmness, opposites of those other qualities. 

So while Star Wars is a great thing, and Halloween is lots of fun, the moral is that we need to cultivate love and trust in God.  When we trust in God, we do not fear what life will bring.  We know that all things will work out for our good and that God will not leave us comfortless or abandoned.  I love the consoling words that the Lord speaks to Joshua in the first chapter "As I was with Moses, so shall I be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.  Be strong and of a good courage:"  When we are faithful to the Lord, that promise applies to us as well.  He will not fail us or forsake us.  No matter what comes, we can walk with the assurance that He will be there with us.  We can be like Joshua; strong and of a good courage.  So during this gloomy fast approaching season, laden with creepy crawlies, spooks, and spine chilling masks; and when things get to be a little much for you, remember  2 Tim 1:7 God hath not given us the spirit fear" and 1 Jn 4:18 "There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear".

_Elder Halbert

Don't Look Back!

I love the scripture story of Lot leaving his home town.  Lot was living in the city of Sodom and Gomorrah which to say the least was a pretty dumpy dirty place.  The Lord was going to destroy it because of the wickedness of the people so he warned Lot and his family and told them to hightail it out of the city.  The Lord told him that when they left, they shouldn't look back.  A they were walking away from the city, the wife of Lot disobeyed a commandment of the Lord and looked back and was turn into a pillar of salt.  When we look back on a life of sin, maybe still longing to be there, or when we dwell in the past, we lack faith and trust that what the Lord has in store is better than what we are leaving.  So I realize that this video is a little dated, like 10 months late, or just 2 months early, but its still a really good video and you don't have to wait for the new year to change. Enjoy!  

_Elder Halbert 

Frozen Pipes

In the Apr. 1988 Liahona, there was a story called "The Bucket of Water".  In short, the story goes that it was an exceptionally cold winter and the pipes in the city were freezing.  Since a couple of missionaries didn't have running water anymore, they wanted to have some in the apartment in case of emergency.  So they went door to door asking for a bucket of water but the people were selfish in saying that every bucket of water they gave away, that was one less bucket they would have. Finally one lady said, “One bucket of water? One bucket of water—is that all? I will let you have two, or three, or ten, or more. Keep coming back, because if I give the water away the water pipes will never freeze. When the water is flowing, it doesn’t freeze. In a way, the more I give, the more I get in return.”

Our lives are the very same way.  The more we give the more we receive.  and the happier we are.  When we give our time and talents and love and our means to help others, it keeps the water in our pipes from freezing.  When "iniquity shall abound, [the] love of many shall wax cold".  When we keep giving and giving, it keeps our water from going stagnant, and our hearts from waxing cold.  The more we give, the more we receive.

 As we continue giving and giving, we are filled with the Holy Ghost, that keeps our lines from ever going cold.  We show our gratitude for what we have and that we care enough to pass it on to someone else.  When we serve, we become more like Heavenly Father and His Son Jesus Christ.

_Elder Halbert

What Motivates You?

In my study of the Book of Mormon the other day, I was comparing the war stories of Mormon and or Moroni.  Both were leaders, captains even, of the Nephite armies.  In Alma 48:16 and Mormon 7:2 show us that both of them were men of God that worked hard to keep the faith of their people.  During both of their eras of war, they were at some point depended upon to strengthen the moral of their men to keep them from fleeing from the enemy.  During their speeches, they both used their homes, families, and country to motivate them.  The difference though, was that Moroni's army was an army of God.  They cried unto the Lord for His support.  Even though Mormon was a God fearing man, his army didn't care for the things of God and because of that, they eventually lost the battles and in the end the war.  This comparison shows us that if we don't have God in our lives, and if he isn't the main motivating factor behind why we do what we do, we will in the end lose the war.  God was ready and willing to support both armies if they would turn to Him, but only one did.  Just the same, God is ready and willing to help any of us in our lives if we will just turn to and trust in Him.  But like the army of Captain Moroni, that starts with the basics.  Pray, every day.  Read every day.  Trust in Him every day, and He will support you through every bump in the road, every disappointment, and trial or problem that confronts you. 
 _Elder Halbert

Nails and Wood

Berny had a temper problem.  He would fight and kick and scream at the other kids if he didn't get what he wanted.  Tantrums were frequent with Berny.  He was still young and his mother wanted him to learn to control it before he grew up and the problem went out of hand.  So, she proposed an idea to Little Berny.  She told him that every time that he was angry or when his temper was out of whack, he could go and take his Dad's hammer and nail a nail into the picket fence in the back of the yard.  In no time at all the fence was full of nails and looked a bit dingy.  Berny didn't really like that.  He was slowly learning to control his temper because he really didn't like that it was starting to ruin the back fence.  So he asked permission from his mother to take them out.  The condition, she told him, was that in order to take a nail out, he had to do something nice for someone.  Well, Berny was starting to become quite the pleasant little fellow.  Occasionally, another nail would get pounded in by an angry Berny and, and even more often, a nail would be pulled out.  With some time, soon all the nails were pulled out of the fence and Berny was beaming.  A few years down the road, Berny realized something wasn't quite right.  There were still holes left in the fence even though the nails were gone. Then the awful symbolism hit him as he imagined an angry little boy with a hammer and some nails and a wooden board, and a man on a cross.   
That is why we need a Savior.  Though we can try our very hardest to repair the damage that we have done, we can't make the wood the same again.  We can fill it, putty it, sand and paint it, but the wood still isn't the same as it was.  If it weren't for the Atonement, no matter what we do, there will always be a fence full of nails and holes at the end of our lives.  The miracle of the Atonement, is that those holes can be filled.  Put back the way they were, as if it never happened.  I am so grateful for the blessing of the Atonement in my life and that no matter where I am or what I have done, I can be forgiven, completely forgiven.  That blessing is available to everybody who wants it. 
_Elder Halbert

The After Effect

The tree of life in Lehi's dream.  Most of us have read it several times, just because its in the very beginning of the Book of Mormon.  Boyd K. Packard wrote a talk called "Finding ourselves in Lehi's dream".  Here's a little background for those who haven't read it. Lehi has a dream where he sees a tree of life, and the fruit of it makes everybody who eats it happy.  There is an iron rod that leads people to the tree.  That is the word of God.  But then, across the way there is a giant building and the people in it make fun of those that eat the fruit.  They point their fingers and laugh and scorn.  In President Packard's talk he says the we should pay special attention to the word after because it was after the people found the fruit that they were ashamed and walked away.
Once we have something good, we should make sure not to let it go.  There is no reason to be ashamed for going to church, reading your scriptures, praying, or not lowering your standards.  There is no joy in that.  Never, should we be embarrassed about what we do as followers of Christ, or for trying to do the "right" thing.  Romans 1:16 states "For I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God unto Salvation to every one that believeth".  Do what you know to be right, because you know it to be right.  Stand up for what you believe in.  Don't allow the world to convince you that sin is happiness and that you are unhappy because you do the right thing.  Once we find the fruit of the tree, pay no attention to those who laugh and make scorn.   We will be guided by the Spirit and find more and more happiness in this life if we continue to hang on the fruit after we have it, and not walk away from a good thing. 
_Elder Halbert

Clean Language

Language seems like it is such a small thing, and that it doesn't matter what really comes out of our mouth.  But what comes out is truly a reflection of what is within.  On the subject of how we speak with one another, James says

 Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the  governor listeth.

 Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!

If we can't learn to control our tongue, than why would the Lord trust us with greater things?  Controlling our tongue means not only swear words but also just respectfully with those around us.  Our comments to others should uplift and encourage instead of belittle or put down.  In the home is where we spend the most time around those we love yet it is often where our behavior is the most casual, often resulting in rudeness and disrespect. Let us learn to better control our words, especially  in the home where we are around those we love the most.  When we do, the Lord will bless us and trust us all the more.
_Elder Halbert

Sailing

 A sailboat without any wind, goes nowhere.  Its no different for us in this life.  Without wind, we go nowhere.  An experienced sailor can get from point A to B regardless of which direction the wind is blowing;  even if the wind is directly against him, he can still move forward.  It doesn't matter what our lot is in this life.  For some its seems the wind is always blowing in their favor while you struggle to make do with an opposing wind.  But the Lord has promised us in 1 Nep 3:7 that whatever he commands, he will provide a way to accomplish it, even if the wind is against us.
Fortunately, there is a man has sailed these waters before us.  He knows how to rig your boat, where the reefs are, and which direction will bring us an unfavorable storm.  All these things are written for us in the scriptures.  All we have to do is read them to learn how to better navigate the waters of life.  Read the scriptures.  They bring so much peace and understanding to us.  And remember, that no matter how adverse the wind is, we can always move forward.
_Elder Halbert 

Remember Who You Are

One of the best principles that we can learn in this life is expressed very well in the movie "Lion King".  Simba is the son of Mufasa and heir to the throne. Simba runs away from his old life, not willing to face the mistakes of his past, leaving the throne to his "wicked" uncle Scar. One evening, years later while Simba is wandering around, he is confronted by the spirit of his father Mufasa.  Mufasa teaches Simba an important lesson.  It is a lesson that all of us need to know.  Mufasa, speaking very plainly says

"You have forgotten who you are, and so have forgotten me.[...], you are my son...  Remember who you are." 

 I wonder how many times our Father in Heaven would like to say the very same thing to us.  By forgetting who we are, sons and daughters of God, we forget God. We deny ourselves the blessings that come from knowing who we are.  God is our Father in Heaven.  He is not just some unknown being in the skies, He is your Father.  The Bible Dictionary on the subject of prayer states

"As soon as we learn the true relationship in which we stand toward God (namely, God is our Father, and we are his children), then at once prayer becomes natural and instinctive on our part (Matt. 7:7–11). Many of the so-called difficulties about prayer arise from forgetting this relationship."

Children in the church are taught from a very young age about their relationship with God through the song "I am a Child of God".  We are His children and He loves us.  How dramatically would our lives change if we treated or Remembered that everybody around us is a child of God.  How much heart ache could we save ourselves if we looked at ourselves the same way?  There would be no being made fun of, no put downs, no self-esteem issues.  There would be respect towards one another. The world would be so much better if remembered who we are all.  We are children of God.  He loves you.  I know who I am.  I give the same advice that Mufasa gave his son, and that God gives to us today.  Remember who you are. You are a child of God.

_Elder Halbert

Way Too Easy

The story of Naaman comes from the Bible, in the book of 2 Kings 5.  Its is the story of a man who is befallen with an unfavorable fate.  He contracts the disease called leprosy, which is a skin disease with no cure.  Naaman tries going to the king in the land to solve his problem.  The king now gets upset because he knows that he has no power to heal.  When Elisha hears about it, he says "let him [Naaman] come now to me, and he shall know that there is a prophet in Israel.”  So he decides to try it and  goes up to the house of Elisha to be healed of his leprosy.  Upon his arrival, Elisha sends a servant out to tell Naaman that to be healed, he must go and wash himself in the river Jordan seven times.  Now Naaman isn't very happy about that.  He wanted some big grandiose miracle; he wanted a Hollywood healing.  Brooding and cross, Naaman mopes off to sulk about his situation.  A servant goes after him to try and talk it through with him.  In their conversation he says “If the prophet had bid thee do some great thing, wouldest thou not have done it? how much rather then, when he saith to thee, Wash, and be clean?”.  After thinking it over, a sullen Naaman decides to follow the counsel of Elisha.  When he does so, he is cleansed from his disease. 
Often, I think that we're a lot more like Naaman than we know.  We, like him, want to be cleansed from our sins.  We, like him, hear that this healing can come from obeying scriptures or counsel of prophets, or answers to prayers.  So we try it.  We go to the house of Elisha.  We open the scriptures, or pray more frequently, or listen to the advice of our church leaders.  Here's the pitfall though.  We, like Naaman, don't like what we hear.  Its too simple, too easy, and really looks pointless.  So we don't do it.  For example, we hear that we should read our scriptures, pray, attend church, serve others, fulfill church responsibilities, pay our tithes etc, and then we don't like it.  We expect some grand miracle to occur every time we open the scriptures or do what we're suppose to when the reality is, that those miracle come from constant obedience to those principles. 

I know that when we do what God has asked us to do, when we keep the commandments, even the little ones, no matter how seemingly stupid or pointless they may appear, we are blessed for it and we, like Naaman, can be healed from the problems of this life. 
_Elder Halbert

Prayer

Ask, and it shall be given you; seek and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.                                 -Matthew 7:7
Prayer is an interesting thing.  Some people swear by it, others avoid it.  Some make it an everyday thing, some make it a once a year thing.  What is prayer and why do we do it?
Prayer is an act of faith.  It takes faith to get down on your knees and talk to someone that you can't see; and unlike a telephone, the replies aren't often instantaneous.  Prayer is the act in which we talk to our Father in Heaven.
Pray is simple.  The steps are as follows:

1. You address your Heavenly Father.  This includes saying "Heavenly Father" or "Our Father who art in Heaven". 
2. We give thanks and ask for blessings.  Thank Him for all that you have.  This may include things like safety, family, jobs, support and then ask for blessings.   
3. Close in the name of Jesus Christ.  

This is generally followed by an amen.Contrary to common opinion, prayer is not something that we resort to only when in a time of need.  Prayer should be a constant everyday thing, fortifying us in Christ through the good times and the bad.

Prayers should come from the heart.  Why do we pray?  Prayer is the act of bringing your will in line with God's.  Through prayer, we receive blessings that are made conditional upon our asking for them. The scriptures tell us multiple times to pray always.

In a sermon given in 1990 by Ezra Taft Benson, he offers us five ways for improving our prayers.  The commentary he gives on each one is incredible so I highly recommend reading it available here.  The five suggestions are that we should:

1. Pray frequently
2. Find an appropriate place where we can meditate and pray
3. We should prepare ourselves for prayer
4. Our prayers should be meaningful and penitent
5. After making a request in prayer, we have a responsibility to assist in it being granted.

That last one is interesting and is clarified by the following statement that we should listen and actively work those things that we ask for.  Far too often we say our prayers as a wish list with a Heaven bound stamp instead of a conversation.  Sometimes we pray for answers but fail to provide an atmosphere in which the Lord can answer us.   I know prayer works.  I know it has the power to change our lives for the better if we will allow it.  We could all stand to put for a little more effort into our daily prayers and to receiving answers to them.  

_Elder Halbert

Father's Day: Ties and Tools

One of the best examples of a father in the scriptures is the story of the Prodigal Son written in Luke 15.  It is the story of a rebellious and wayward son who wastes his inheritance, and then when he has nothing, he returns to his father's house.  The Father of the boy, comes running out and embraces his son.  Hopefully I will one day be as loving of a Father as the one in that story.  

Father's day is this coming Sunday.  Its is the day that we honor and celebrate the fathers or father figures in our lives.  It is a day in which we remember and cherish the good times and forgive the bad.  I have an amazing father.  He has taught me work, respect, love, and has always been a continuing example of living a righteous life.  My Dad has always sacrificed so much for me so that I would be able to do the things I love.  I love and appreciated him for that. 

To those who maybe haven't had the best examples set by their fathers, there is still purpose in this coming Sunday.  Perhaps this Sunday can be the day in which we resolve to be the best Fathers we can, to be the father that you may not have had growing up.   

With all the emphasis on our earthly fathers, we had best not forget our Heavenly Father.  Surely He deserves a part in this celebration of fathers. Didn't He also sacrifice for us.  Regardless of our fathers here on earth, we all have a Father in Heaven who looks after us with that same love as the father in the story of the prodigal son.  He too awaits our arrival home.  Our Heavenly Father loved us so much that He gave His only begotten son so that we might be able to come back to Him.  He too has taught us so many of the important lessons that we have learned in this life.  It is from Him that every blessing flows.  I know that our Father in Heaven appreciates us when we have a heart full of gratitude.  So this Sunday, among the ties, tools, and time off, let us not forget to do the things that He would have us do.  Let us set a little time aside that day to kneel and give thanks for all that He has done for us.  Perhaps a goal to read more scriptures or pray more earnestly or attend church more often would be another gift that we could give Him.  

I am so grateful to both my earthly father and my Heavenly Father for everything they have done in my life and hope to one day be the father they were to me.

_Elder Halbert

The Book of Mormon

The Book of Mormon is another Testament of Jesus Christ.  We believe in the Bible, but we believe that the Book of Mormon as well. They testify of each other.   As written in the cover page of the Book of Mormon, it reads that the purpose of the book is to the convincing of the Jew and Gentile that Jesus is the Christ, the Eternal God.  Why people say we're not Christians, I can't figure out for the life of me.   I know that the Book of Mormon does just that, it more fully convinces people that Jesus Christ is the Savior of the world.  
Now the big question is do you have the resolve to find out whether or not the Book of Mormon is true.   If you want to find out about it, get yourself a copy, sit down, and read about it.  When you're done reading, even if it is just in part, kneel down and pray about it.  I know that God will answer your prayers.  He has done so for me and for the 14,000,000 other members of this church. The big question is, are you willing to try?
For those people who read on past that challenge in Moroni, read it again.  That promise extends to all people whether or not you have received an answer in the past.  Ask again, ask your Father in Heaven and he will either remind you of how you felt before, or he will confirm the truths that you know you know.  I know that it is true, that is why I am out here on a mission doing what I'm doing.  
The video below is an Apostle's introduction to the Book of Mormon.  Only three minutes, not too long.  
_Elder Halbert

Wrong Place, Wrong Time

Bummer eh? Wrong place wrong time.  Granted this opossum wasn't doing anything wrong, he was just caught in the wrong place at the wrong time. Its similar in our lives, we can only expect to amble across the street so many times before eventually we get hit.
 If we make a habit of wandering down a dark alley at 3:00 am, we are more likely to find ourselves in a less-than-lovely situation.  We cannot repeatedly put ourselves in situations that are less than ideal, or cannot hang out with a rougher crowd, or listen to immoral music, and not expect some of it to rub off on us.  We cannot disregard the commandments that God has given and expect to walk on unaffected. 

If we, like a bunch of cattle in the picture below, stick our heads in a wire fence during a lightning storm, we're more likely to get struck.  In Genesis 3:3 it reads "But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die."  God commanded Adam and Eve to not only abstain from the fruit, but not to touch it either.  Even touching sin, or getting dangerously close puts us in peril of succumbing to temptation.    When we encompass ourselves with sin, we are more likely to fall. 
I have found that the opposite of this is true as well that when we put ourselves in the right places at the right times, better things are likely to occur.  We should put ourselves in a position to be blessed, and bless the lives of others. Instead of spending all our extra income on unnecessary wants, we can look for ways to use it to help somebody else.  If we have nothing to give, we lose the opportunity to be blessed and bless others lives by helping someone in need.
I have the idea of "right place right time" to be especially true with reading your scriptures praying, and going to church.  If we really want to receive answers to our prayers, if we really want to receive inspiration regarding our personal lives, if we really want to come to know your Savior, we need to put ourselves in the right place at the right time to receive it.  I know that if we wander across the street enough times, or stick our head in enough wire fences during a lightning storm, we get hit. I see it all the time, in my life and in those around me.  I know the opposite as well, that when we keep the commandments, when we search the scriptures, and when we attend church, we put ourselves in the right place at the right time.
_Elder Halbert

Charity

1. A poor, wayfaring Man of grief
Hath often crossed me on my way,
Who sued so humbly for relief
That I could never answer nay.

This is the first of a verse of  hymn written by James Montgomery, available here in its entirety.  At the bottom of the Hymnal, the scripture that it is based on says Matthew 25:35-40, a pretty famous scripture which reads  "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:Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? 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." (Matthew 25)
“Not only by precept did Jesus teach, but also by example. . . He stretched forth his hand that others might be lifted. . . Unaltered is the divine command to succor the weak and lift up the hands which hang down and strengthen the feeble knees. Each of us has the charge to be. . . a doer. . . lifter. . . There are those within the sphere of our own influence who, with outstretched hands, cry out: ‘Is there no balm in Gilead…?’ Each of us must answer” (Thomas S. Monson, “With Hand and Heart,” Ensign, Jan 1995, 2)
Going to church no more makes you a Christian than standing in a garage makes you a car.  Christianity is a lifestyle, not a switch.  We can't turn it on when its convenient, and then flip it off when it proves a hindrance.  Christianity is is not a social title that we vacate when the first air of contempt threatens to capsize us, but rather the wind that fills our sails as we navigate the storms in our lives. If we want to be good Christians, we need to learn to love as Christ did, to look on the inside, to have the pure love of Christ, or charity.
For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel’s, the same shall save it. (Mark 8:35)  In the Book of Mormon in Mosiah it says that ye shall not suffer that the beggar putteth up his petition in vain.  I think its fair to say that everybody could use a little more charity in their lives.  "We become what we want to be by consistently being what we want to become each day." (Richard G. Scott).  If you want to be a better Christian, start by acting like one more and more every day.  With consistent effort, we will become better, more charitable, giving, loving, followers of Jesus Christ.
_Elder Halbert

Optimism

Optimism-
-the belief that good ultimately predominates over evil in the world.
-Dictionary.com
Any Christian who really understands their faith, ought to be an optimist.  The entire Christian message displays a certain feeling of optimism.  I can't hardly think of a story that doesn't.  Joseph of Egypt was sold into slavery and later thrown in prison, framed for a crime he didn't commit. But in the end, God placed him there for a reason and he was able to save his family from starvation.  Job, for example, had a rough life.  God allowed Satan to take away everything that he had; cattle, friends, family, wife.  But in the end, God came through (as He always does) and Job was restored to so much more than he had before.  Zeezrom turned his life around and instead of fighting against God, was able to be a great missionary.  A similar circumstance with Paul changing his life.  Jesus endured more pain and suffering than any other person, yet we know that from that, He gave us all a chance for remission of our sins.  We can walk forward with the promise from scripture that "all these things shall give thee experience and shall be for thy good".  President Gordon B. Hinckley asked that we stop seeking out the storms and enjoy more fully the sunlight.  If we have an attitude of gratitude, we will better be able to see the good in our lives.  If we give thanks for what we do have instead of concentrating on what we don't, we automatically begin turn into an attitude of optimism.  We cease to grumble around, complaining about we lack or our present issue and why we deserve better.  We should all learn to laugh a little more.  Instead of yelling at every inanimate object which did nothing of its own fault to be there, realize, that the shin bone is a device for finding furniture in a dark room. 
Quoting again from President Hinckley's talk he says "I suppose you have heard the story of the absent-minded professor who went shopping and lost his umbrella. Discovering his loss, he retraced his steps. At the first three stores on which he called, the clerks denied having found his umbrella. At the fourth store the clerk handed him the missing umbrella. He grumbled, “Thank goodness for an honest man. The other three told me they didn’t have it.”"
Let us look for the good in people rather than scrutinizing on every vice and flaw we find.  There is so much good in people that we tend to look past.  There is good out there, and if we can develop a disposition to see it we will live happier better lives.  I love life, friends, family and Christ :)
_Elder Halbert

He is Risen

This is part of an Easter sermon that Joseph B Wirthlin gave in October of 2006. It is one of my very favorite talks on Easter. Its worth reading the entire thing, to do so, click here "Sunday Will Come

"When Christ rose from the grave, becoming the firstfruits of the Resurrection, He made that gift available to all... I think of how dark that Friday was when Christ was lifted up on the cross. On that terrible Friday the earth shook and grew dark. Frightful storms lashed at the earth. Those evil men who sought His life rejoiced. On that day the veil of the temple was rent in twain... On that Friday the Apostles were devastated. Jesus, their Savior—the man who had walked on water and raised the dead—was Himself at the mercy of wicked men... On that Friday the Savior of mankind was humiliated and bruised, abused and reviled. It was a Friday filled with devastating, consuming sorrow that gnawed at the souls of those who loved and honored the Son of God. I think that of all the days since the beginning of this world’s history, that Friday was the darkest. But the doom of that day did not endure. The despair did not linger because on Sunday, the resurrected Lord burst the bonds of death. He ascended from the grave and appeared gloriously triumphant as the Savior of all mankind.And in an instant the eyes that had been filled with ever-flowing tears dried. The lips that had whispered prayers of distress and grief now filled the air with wondrous praise, for Jesus the Christ, the Son of the living God, stood before them as the firstfruits of the Resurrection, the proof that death is merely the beginning of a new and wondrous existence... I testify to you that the Resurrection is not a fable... Thousands in the Old and New Worlds witnessed the risen Savior. They felt the wounds in His hands, feet, and side. They shed tears of unrestrained joy as they embraced Him... That we may always know that no matter how dark our Friday, Sunday will come is my prayer, in the name of Jesus Christ, amen."

Gordon B Hinckley states "These simple words—“He is not here, but is risen”—have become the most profound in all literature." President Monson calls it the Clarion Call of Christendom.  I echo them with my testimony that the Lord lives, that that Easter Sunday we celebrate really did happen, in Jesus Christ's name, amen.   

Wading Through Winter

I have lived in Arizona of my life.  In Arizona (at least the desert parts) we don't really have a real winter season.  Sure it exists from December 21 to March 21, but really, its just a break from the hot weather.  Back home the winter averages about 52° and often consists of shorts and t-shirts.  Its far different from a winter in Upstate New York. 
I spent the last winter in Rochester and now I know what a real winter is like.  I went 19 years without having to deal with snow and plows and sliding off the road and ice and blizzards, (127" this last year).  But since I have experienced a true winter, I can now really appreciate the spring.  Now, I am so grateful for the spring; for the traction on the road, for the green grass, for the "lack of 5 month old snow banks".  Only after I have suffered through a winter do I know how great the spring is.  A scripture that illustrates this point is in 2 Nephi 2:11 "For it must needs be that there is an opposition in all things."  If there is no happiness, then there is no misery.  If you've never been sad, then you don't know what it is like to have joy.  If you've never been sick, than you can't fully appreciate the blessing of health.  If you don't know the winter, than you can't really know the spring. 
So when people ask "why life has to be so hard?" or "why bad things happen to good people?", the answer is "so that you can know the spring".  I have never enjoyed springtime so much and it was only after working and wading through wearisome winter that I came to know the splendor spry of spring.  Likewise, its often that only after the trial and hardship, or the pain and the suffering, that we really come to know the spring in our lives.  Alma 7:12 reads "And he will take upon him death that he may loose the bands of death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities."
Christ suffered through the worst of all winters so that he would know how to help us through ours.  He wants to help us, so when we meet rough winters, turn to Christ because he knows how to best endure it.  After all, he is pretty good at enduring. I end with the promise that no matter how cold, dismal, dark and dead the winter is, spring does inevitably come. Because of the winters in our lives, we will come to better know the spring.

Gratitude

I love this video.  Every time I watch it, it makes me think about my life.  I think about how often I am the boy that wants to pull the prank, or if I'm the one that looks for opportunities to serve.  I think about whether or not I'm the one who helps initiate the miracle, or am I the one who stands idle and watches it happen.  Am I a catalyst or a hindrance in blessing the lives of others? Sure its not bad to have fun, but its also important that we don't get so caught up in it that we miss the chance to help others.  Another lesson that I think this video teaches us is that of gratitude.  When the man finds the two silver dollars in his shoes, the very first thing that he does is pray and offer his gratitude for his blessings.  I can only imagine how much better the world would be if we not only learned to give meaningful, sometimes random acts of service, but also to give thanks for what we receive.  The scriptures say in Doctrine and Covenants 59:7 "Thou shalt thank the Lord thy God in all things."  I think that is something that everyone can work on, that of thanking the Lord for what we have, because we truly are so blessed.  The scripture says to give thanks for all things, and I take that to mean just that, all things.  Thank him for the big blessings, the small things, and even for the hard timesand trials that we have here.  The man's heartfelt prayer in this video is an awesome example for us.  Lets learn to give service to everybody, whether or not we know them, and learn to better give thanks for all that we have and I know that we'll be blessed because of it.  
_Elder Halbert

Trees

So, Elder Lachaga and I were out walking around one day with an investigator named Frank.  We wandered into a swampy kind of area when Frank pointed out that a bunch of the trees in that area were fallen and he explained why.  He said that the soil that had previously been a stable foundation, had become water-logged, and the roots that had before been adequate were not sunk deep enough to provide the support needed.  The once solid ground no longer provided ample footing for the roots of the trees and when any kind of storm came, it took almost nothing to knock them down.   

As members of the church, we have roots.  We have ancestral roots, genetic roots, and spiritual roots.  The question that comes to me is "How well rooted are we in the Gospel of Jesus Christ?"  Some people try to live their lives relying on the same size root that they had when they were children and inevitably, the tree falls.  Unless we sink our roots deep into the gospel, we too put ourselves in jeopardy of toppling over.   Are we too setting ourselves up for failure by trying to grow tall and be firm in swampy marshy ground?  What is the best way that we can firmly root ourselves in the gospel of Jesus Christ so that when the storm comes we too will not be numbered among the fallen? The answer is simple. Its the seminary answers; reading your scriptures, attending church, keeping the commandments, repenting daily. 

Unlike the trees at High Acres, when we fall, its not the end.  There is life after mistakes.  Jesus Christ set up the way to stand us up again.  He payed the price for our sins so that he can raise us up again, to get us back on track and moving in the right direction again.  Alma 41:7 says "These are they that are redeemed of the Lord; yea, these are they that are taken out, that are delivered from that endless night of darkness; and thus they stand or fall; for behold, they are their own judges, whether to do good or do evil.

Let us root ourselves deep in the gospel of Jesus Christ so that we can be those who the scripture says "stand and do good" instead of those that "fall and do evil".   And when we do fall, as it inevitably happens to each of us, let us look to Christ to stand us up again.  He knows the way, He is the way, through Him alone can we stand up again when fallen, and  through Him alone can we find the strength to stand the trials of this life.

_Elder Halbert

Come What May & Love It