Attitude
Military Honors or Unlikely Standout
Membership in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints changed me from a shy, backward farm boy to a standout. As I look back and remember some honors that I received in the military, I see no reason that I would have been chosen for those honors except that I was a practicing member of the Church.
Read MorePassionate
It’s always refreshing to meet someone who is passionate about something. It’s interesting to hear him or her discourse on what he’s excited about.
Today we met a young man who attended our ward for the first time with his wife, two little boys, and his mother. He has taken a job at our local car dealership. His mother explained that he is passionate about cars.
Why Are You Good?
Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph were all good men living in environments not conducive to inspire one to be good. How did they do it? Why did they do it?
Abraham’s own father offered him to be killed for his goodness. Abraham didn’t subscribe to the idol worship of his father and community, so he was bound and put forth as a candidate for idol sacrifice.
Changed Perspectives
From my window I watched a magpie go in and out of a lilac bush in the yard. The bird was busy, and obviously had a project and a purpose. When I checked, it was as I suspected: I found the beginning of a nest. The magpie was going to build a nest in my back yard in that thick bush where it wouldn’t be seen.
Read MoreA Fairy Tale
Once upon a time there was a girl who lived an idyllic childhood. She grew up on a farm that had animals, an orchard, a garden, and wide fields to play in. They lived beside the woods, and under a big mountain. She had nine brothers and sisters. She had plenty to do, and plenty of siblings with whom to do it.
Read MoreLeave Five Things Behind
If you would be a light to the world, as the Savior enjoined His Saints to be, then you should strive to leave positive things in your wake, wherever you go.
Read MoreDavid and Goliath
The Philistines had a super weapon in their arsenal which they believed made them invincible. They had Goliath. The Israelites were all pessimists. When they saw Goliath they thought, “Wow, with a guy that big, we’ll never be able to beat the Philistines.” David, on the other hand was an optimist. When he saw Goliath he thought, “Wow, with a target that big, I can’t miss!”
Read MoreOne Thing About Satan
I have to say one thing about Satan. He’s not afraid of hard work, long hours, and impossible odds. He never gets discouraged. He knows he can’t ultimately win, but rejoices in accomplishing little goals along the way. How happy it makes him when I bend to a temptation.
Read MoreThe Sunshine is Back
On Sunday, April 7, 2013 I sat by a window in a straight-backed chair for most of six hours. With both ears I listened to the proceedings of general conference; while with one eye I watched conference on the computer monitor, and with the other eye I watched our mountains. The mountains and the weather were doing spectacular things.
Read MoreStiffnecked, Gainsaying, and Handicapped
Yesterday at the temple I noticed a man hobbling slowly along with a wheeled walker. Another elderly brother with whom I gently shook hands had huge, painful-looking, arthritic joints in his fingers and knuckles. A sister rode her motorized wheel chair through the foyer. I looked for, but didn’t see, the Down’s syndrome young man who is usually there doing one endowment after another.
Read MoreYou Feared
Oliver Cowdery sat on the other side of the table from Joseph Smith, and recorded the words that Joseph spoke as he read the golden plates.
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