Gratitude

I feel very blessed to be back in Idaho. Since we’ve been living in Utah, I’ve been trying to convince my wife how great Idaho is- now I don’t have to any more cause she’ll get to experience it first hand.

The Bishop asked me to speak today on gratitude. Many of you know that my parents are on a mission in Ghana. I’d like to share a couple of experiences they’ve had on their mission that teach about gratitude.

DAD

We have been visiting new members, less active members and others who are being advanced in the Priesthood or have received new callings. Yesterday we visited the Danso family with the Elders' Quorum President, brother George Mehu. The Danso family consists of the father (Kwame), the mother (Lina) and three children. They are a wonderful family. The Father, Brother Danso, was given the Mechezedik Priesthood and ordained an Elder at our District Conference two weeks ago. As we sat and talked with brother Danso the subject of his ordination came up. He looked across the room at brother Mehu, the Elder’s quorum president, and thanked him for instructing him in the Priesthood and preparing him for his interview with President Smith. Then he pointed at Brother Mehu and laughingly said, “It is all because of that man. He is always pushing, pushing, pushing, saying read this, read that." I asked him why brother Mehu had done that. He looked me straight in the eye and with great emotion he said "Because he loves me." .................I have never seen such a sincere expression of love and gratitude between two Priesthood brothers. It reminded me of the gratitude of Alma for the success of his brethren. Sometimes the spirit is so strong testifying to us that we marvel at how shallow and thoughtless we are when we could lift another with a simple word or deed in appreciation.

MOM

Today we visited a sister named Hannah who is the wife of the branch president. She is a wonderful woman with a strong testimony. Her son is getting ready to leave for his mission, but is having second thoughts about it. He has already received his call and is scheduled to leave in 2 weeks. His mother is very worried that he will change his mind. She traveled to Accra to the temple--a 2-hour trip, one way--and prayed in the temple that her son would receive help. On the next Sunday, an unnanounced visit was made by a member of the Area Presidency, and the son was able to have a one-on-one discussion with him. Then today, though we hadn't planned to, we visited this sister and her son and again she felt like her prayers were answered. It is so humbling to know that someone sees you as an answer to her prayer. She was so grateful to Heavenly Father for sending the Church Leader and us her way. She is also thankful for the Liahona which inspires her as it shares real life stories about people who also have challenges in their lives, and these inspiring stories let her know she is not alone, not the only one struggling.

She attributes her blessings to her membership in the Church. She now has a nice house and yard and a lovely family.

As we visit other members they are so pleased to have us come, and some say that because we came, they know once again the Church is true and they will start coming again. (Sometimes they come; and sometimes they don't).

One more thing. Our guides who have been taking us around to see members in the different branches are always so grateful for the opportunity.They are so gracious and enthusiastic. We are so thankful for them and their wonderful attitudes. The members welcome us with smiles. They are so grateful for something as simple as a visit or if we we’re to bring them a small loaf of bread. Sometimes they behave as though we have just presented them with the Clearing House Sweepstakes. They are wonderful people.

May I share with you may favorite gratitude scripture D&C 78:19. “And he who receiveth all things with thankfulness shall be made glorious; and the things of this earth shall be added unto him, even an hundred-fold, yea, more.” It is so true, the more we are thankful for what we have the more the Lord blesses us.

And Mormon 5:10 - where it says that “we must realize and know from where our blessings come”.

When I think of examples of gratitude from the scriptures I think of Ammon. He was rejoicing because of all the Lamanites that had come to the truth. In Alma 26:37 he says, “Now my brethren we see that God is mindful of every people, whatsoever land they may be in; yeah he numbereth his people, and his bowels of mercy are over all the earth. Now this is my joy, and my great thanksgiving; yea and I will give thanks unto my God forever. Amen.”

I also like King Lamoni’s example of gratitude. He had a vast empire and was King over many people. But he was willing to gratefully give it all away when the missionary Ammon showed him that there was something out there of much more value- the Gospel of Jesus Christ. “...For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world....” Matt. 16:29

Elder Quentin Cook has reminded us that gratitude is the defense against pride, envy, and ill feelings toward another. “Comparing blessings is almost certain to drive out joy. We cannot be grateful and envious at the same time. If we want to have the Spirit of the Lord and experience joy and happiness, we should be constantly grateful.”

In November 2000, President Gordon B. Hinckley gave a special fireside to the youth. To help us make righteous decisions President Hinckley presented his list of six B’s—Be grateful, Be smart, Be clean, Be true, Be humble, Be prayerful. Be grateful was the first of his six B’s. President Hinckley said, “Let a spirit of thanksgiving guide and bless your days and nights,”“Walk with gratitude in your hearts,” “Be thankful for the wonderful blessings which are yours.” “Work at it,” “You will find it will yield wonderful results.”“Thank the Almighty for His beloved Son, Jesus Christ, who has done for you what none other in all this world could do,” “Thank Him for His great example, for His tremendous teachings, for His outreaching hand to lift and help. Think about the meaning of His Atonement.” During his talk he gave particular counsel that we should show gratitude to our parents. Sincerely take the opportunity to thank them for all they’ve done for us. Its what they really want to hear from us as their children.

My wife’s parents are also serving a mission in Africa. They are at the MTC in Ghana. They also have a couple of stories from their mission that I think are good examples of gratitude.

MOM

One of the Elders who was reassigned to Ghana and was from Ghana didn't have a great start to his mission here at the MTC. As he was coming to the MTC on a bus from up North, his bus was held up. Some robbers had put a fallen tree across the road and when the bus stopped, the robbers came out of the bushes and ambushed. It was raining and they took all of the passenger's belongings and scattered them in the mud. They took his money and his police report but he had his passport. Not quite like going to the Brick Oven on the way to the Provo MTC, but still just as frightening and they usually make the trek alone. When he arrived to the MTC we were very sad to have to inform him that they had closed the Ivory Coast Mission where he was called due to political unrest. They changed his mission to his home country. I was surprised that after being robbed and hearing about his mission closing that he was still so grateful to be serving a mission. It was truly inspiring to see his optimism and great example of gratitude. The people here just look at each day as a gift because life is so "here today, and gone tomorrow".

DAD

Most of the native missionaries coming to the MTC come unendowed and have never been to the temple since there are no temples in the countries they come from. I have a story about a missionary who was just grateful to be able to pass by the temple. The Ghana temple had been closed for cleaning while this group was here at the MTC in Ghana, so they were only able to go to the temple once. The missionaries were all sad about only being able to go once, so it worked out that we were able to arrange for one group to stop at the temple briefly on their way to the airport. A few days after dropping them off at the airport, we received an email from the mission president in Lubumbashi Congo that said he had mentioned to one of the Elders, "its too bad you were only able to go to the temple once." The missionary responded, "Oh no, we were able to go twice. President Froerer let us stop by on the way to the airport, we couldn't go in, but we were able to see it and feel it." For many of them it was probably the only time they will be near a temple in their whole life. Hopefully a temple will be built in the Congo. It made me think about how many times I’ve passed the Ogden Temple and didn't even look at it.

We are commanded to thank Heavenly Father in our prayers for all we have. Its important to do this. But how do we really show our gratitude to Him..... To make our prayers of thanks more than just words, we show our gratitude by keeping his commandments. The commandments are among our greatest blessings from our Heavenly Father because they are the way back to him even eternal life - which he has said is the greatest of all his gifts- its a gift so great we can’t comprehend it with our limited mortal minds and experience. The challenge is to get to the point where we view his commandments as blessings. The law of tithing for example. On the surface, it may be difficult to see that giving our hard earned money away is a blessing. But its so that we can better see our total reliance on him. To see that everything we have comes from him and if He so desired he could take any of it or all of it back at any time. Just as He did with Job. Job declared that he would still trust in God even if he took everything- even his own life. (Job 13:15) I take this to mean that he would still rejoice in God and thank him and be grateful no matter what was taken from him. Because he had faith that God’s plan for him was better than his own.

“May we be grateful for everything good. But be particularly grateful for those things that bring eternal happiness, such things as, the gospel, our families, the Savior, the scriptures, and living the commandments.” In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Eternal Perspective, January 31st, 2010

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

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

SUNDAY, JANUARY 31, 2010 Home Teaching Lesson for January 2010

"Hold on a Little Longer" by Pres. Uchtdorf

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2010 Are you settling for not enough of second best?

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

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

When you lay your dream to rest

You can get what's second best

But it's hard to get enough

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

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

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2010 Blaming Yourself for Life's Trials

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

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

Origins of Adversity-

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

Degree of Fault for Problems in Life-

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

SUNDAY, MARCH 7, 2010 Thank You Em

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

SUNDAY, MAY 2, 2010 Henry's Blessing Day

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