New Pictures—Lucky Man

I'm often reminded that I'm a lucky man. Reflecting on the fun we've had as a family this past month is one of those times. You can try to catch a glimpse of our adventures by looking at our pictures (just updated)—click here.


Maryann recently told me of some old LDS television ads—and I really mean old—that I hadn't seen. I stumbled upon them the other day, and while the contrasting approaches to parenthood shown in some may be discouraging, I really liked one that asked a lot of "remember when" questions (it starts at about 5:00, below) and ended with, "You know something, Dad: You're doing just fine." While watching the series of ads I related too well with the bad examples, and the "doing just fine" one really cheered me up. (Until I saw the final one {starting at 6:31—you can just skip that one altogether} which was too detailed, too long, and I didn't have much experience with, gratefully).

As a bonus, check out "I'm trying to!" at 4:00. Maryann sometimes mimics this sweet broken-hearted boy, and does a remarkably good job at it.

GCAS—End

This entry is part of my general conference application series.

I rode home from work unplugged today. In the solitude of reflection afforded, I found glimpses of conference talks coming back to my mind. Similarly to how a subtle scent can cause a distant memory to rush to mind, various landmarks along my commute caused me to re-live portions of conference talks, and the accompanied feelings they caused, in the same places I was when first experienced—and I didn't even know where I was when I heard those parts of the talks, but I realized that I did know somewhere deep inside me.

It was an interesting experience.


Have you ever had those people in your Sunday School class who seem to continuously refer to general conference talks from the last conference, including the seemingly obscure ones? It turns out that I've become one of those people. I always wondered how they could retain so much from so many talks so close together. While I've read and re-read conference talks for years, I guess I've failed to really apply the talks to my life (how embarrassing to admit!). I've really missed out.

It's been one week since I finished reporting on the general conference talks in my general conference application series (GCAS). I'm happy to report that I am frequently reminded of the principles I learned in the series, and I've identified personal themes. While reading the talks, I noticed that the topics of unity and Zion continued to resonate with me. In the past week, these same themes are frequently making their way to the forefront of my mind. I wonder if it is because with the application of conference's principles came a heightened awareness of marvelous blessings in my life. This awareness helped/helps me be reminded that they are largely due to the Lord's hand in my life, as manifest through the kindness of so many others. Recognizing the charity and compassion of others helps me strive to fulfill my personal goals at finding unity and realizing Zion and its principles.

Until We Meet Again

This entry is part of my general conference application series.

Until We Meet Again, by President Thomas S. Monson

We had the greatest family home evening tonight. A few weeks ago, David asked if he could invite his friends from my work (my colleagues) to come for family night. Instead of persuading him otherwise or changing his mind for him, my wonderful wife went to work in preparing invitations, lessons, and other ideas for the visit. She told me of their plans, and I'm ashamed to admit that my reaction was one of "yeah, let's do that sometime" (note how I didn't plan for any specific time).

Working entirely out of love, she chose a date and asked me to deliver the invitations. (Wow! What a wonderful woman! She amazes me in so many ways so frequently that you'd think I would get used to how great she is, but this is yet another example of how amazing she is.) With such a direct push in the right direction, I tried to reclaim my role in leading out in family home evening by inviting my friends.

Well, tonight was the night that they came. It was such a treat to have work-family in our home, sharing in our little family's traditions. We had a craft activity (Popsicle stick picture frames), and Maryann gave the cutest lesson on families—it was the perfect evening, and the children got so much attention that they were shining and bouncing off the walls by the time the evening was done.

I hope we can have our friends over again soon.

I tell this story because I read President Monson's closing remarks to conference tonight. At the end of each conference, I feel so full of love and happiness that I wish that general conference could be every week (or at least more often than twice yearly), and I long to meet again. I had a similar feeling after our friends left tonight; I wished that they could either stay longer or come again very soon because of the feelings of love we shared together (and the fun, too).

President Monson charged that we be "good neighbors in our communities, reaching out to those of other faiths, as well as to our own." I loved the fruit of the Spirit (see Galations 5:22-23) that we shared tonight: love, joy, peace. And the best part was that I can still feel those good feelings two hours later! (Yes, we don't have many visitors to our home; you probably aren't wondering why...)

President Monson also said:

May we ever be mindful of the needs of those around us and be ready to extend a helping hand and a loving heart.

It's wonderful that when we reach out in love, we find that we are all lifted together. This reminds me strongly of Paul's counsel to the Ephesians:

Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ (Eph. 4:13).

Love leads to unity leads to Christ.

"Hope Ya Know, We Had a Hard Time"

This entry is part of my general conference application series.

"Hope Ya Know, We Had a Hard Time", by Elder Quentin L. Cook
Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles


The title of Elder Cook's talk is something his three-year-old said after an ordeal. Cute as the phrase sounds coming from one so young, there is meaningful application to my life as I consider the truths that Elder Cook presents in his message.

I received a comment on my application of President Eyring's "O Ye That Embark" address (link) that came to mind while reviewing Elder Cook's words. The question was raised, in the comment, of whether or not life is fair. I still don't think life is fair, but I know that the plan of salvation is. When life is hard, when we're having hard times, it may be natural to think that life isn't fair, but there is little comfort in complaining.

So, then, where can comfort come from?

Before getting to the good news, I'd like to take a path through the perils of mortality, using Elder Cook's words as a guide:

Many of the trials and hardships we encounter in life are severe and appear to have lasting consequences. ... This life is not always easy, nor was it meant to be; it is a time of testing and proving. ... We are all subject to the conflict between good and evil and the contrast between light and dark, hope and despair.

Those quotes define the dark cloud; where is the silver lining?

Through revelation, we have the hope from the Lord: "Wherefore, be of good cheer, and do not fear, for I the Lord am with you, and will stand by you" (D&C 68:6).

While perhaps not of immediate comfort, the following are still true:

'We are not going to suffer any more than what is for our good.' [Brigham Young] ... Some trials are for our good and are suited for our own personal development. ... Every cloud we see doesn’t result in rain. Regardless of the challenges, trials, and hardships we endure, the reassuring doctrine of the Atonement wrought by Jesus Christ includes Alma’s teaching that the Savior would take upon Him our infirmities and 'succor his people according to their infirmities.'

We're reminded that bad as things are (or seem to be), the atonement of Christ provides a solution; really the only solution. Elder Cook testified:

I testify that the Atonement of Jesus Christ covers all of the trials and hardships that any of us will encounter in this life. At times when we may feel to say, “Hope you know, I had a hard time,” we can be assured that He is there and we are safe in His loving arms.

After we've found comfort in our hard times through the Atonement, is there anything we can do to help others? I enjoyed the final reminder of what President Monson suggested we give each other as a gift: "Find someone who is having a hard time, ... and do something for them."

I'm confident that as we look to Christ we will find comfort and peace. I know that as I help others, I better appreciate the help I've received. And perhaps helping others helps brace against the next storm of life that is on its way.

Testimony as a Process

This entry is part of my general conference application series.

Testimony as a Process, by Elder Eduardo Gavarret
Of the Seventy


Imagine being asked to share a powerful spiritual experience you had while developing your conviction of Christ, and none came to mind. Sure, there were small steps along the way, but nothing profound or earth-shattering. I had such an experience this last week.

Our church group accomplishes amazing things through the use of our listserv (see an account of the listserv here). A friend sent an email request for help preparing a lesson she is to deliver tomorrow. She asked for accounts of personal revelation, and its effect on lives—similar to the situation above. Knowing that my daily life is influenced greatly by personal revelation, and wanting to help a friend in need (and thus help to build Zion), I prepared to send a reply. However, as I considered what I could say, I drew a blank.

My personal journal (and perhaps this blog) is full of such accounts, but I thought they might seem small and not impressive enough when taken individually. Now, I'm by no means discounting the miracle of personal revelation, nor am I showing ingratitude for the daily experiences and helps I receive, I'm just trying to relate that I was surprised by two things: 1) there were so many examples I could draw from, and 2) they all seemed so small when taken alone, but combined are something great. I agree with Elder Godoy that "all of these experiences together formed a set of experiences and feelings, most often small, that leave no doubt."

Should I be comfortable with my apparent lack of big, knock-your-socks-off experiences?

I think so. Elder Godoy taught:

Great events are not a guarantee that our testimony will be strong. ... [T]o receive the witness of the “still small voice” sometimes can have a stronger impact on our testimonies than the visit of an angel

I like the reminder that "small" experiences with the "still small voice" can be of great impact. But, there are some who have amazing stories to tell. Elder Godoy expounded:

A testimony then, for some people, may come through a single and irrefutable event. But for others, it may come through a process of experiences that, perhaps not as remarkable but when combined, testify in an indisputable way that what we have learned and lived is true.

Thinking of these quotes, I replied to my friend's request for help. I confessed that I didn't have any single powerful examples to share, but acknowledged that the daily experiences of personal revelation that may not seem life-changing in themselves, when combined together form an impressive manifestation of the Lord's hand in my life.

I'm grateful for the guidance I receive through the small (and possibly big) experiences of personal revelation that show the loving guidance of an all-knowing, all-powerful, and (especially) all-loving Father.