The Power of the Priesthood

This entry is part of my general conference application series.

The Power of the Priesthood, by President Boyd K. Packer
President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles


Do you like salt? I've heard that salt is amazing for many reasons, including: it can make anything taste better (granted that you use the right amount), and it aids in healing (it might sting, but it does heal).


Despite the benefits of salt, many health experts advise to limit salt consumption because of the harmful effects on the heart if a diet includes too much salt.

In summary, a little—or the right amount of—salt is good; too much is bad. Remember this as you recall the Sermon on the Mount: "Ye are the salt of the earth" (Matt 5:13).

In a recent church meeting, I heard someone use this reference (and others) to allude to the fact the the Lord's covenant people will be relatively few in number—despite the gospel message being spread far and wide. I was reminded of this as I reviewed President Packer's comments that:

We now number nearly 14 million members. Even so, we are a tiny fraction when compared to the billions of people on earth. But we are who we are, and we know what we know, and we are to go forth and preach the gospel.

Despite the proper salting of the earth, President Packer reminded that:

We can and in due time certainly will influence all of humanity. It will be known who we are and why we are.

Considering the fewness of our numbers may add emphasis to the observation that "it has never been easy to live the gospel of Jesus Christ." Nevertheless, "we have very positive feelings about what lies ahead."

Considering the doom-and-gloom state of events (as portrayed in nightly newscasts), how can we feel positive? After a meaningful explanation, the summary is given:

The power of the priesthood [is] given to the Church to protect us and guide us. And because we have that, we have no fear of the future.

I'm grateful for the authority and power of the priesthood and the blessings that are available to me, to my family, and to the world!

Welcome to Conference

This entry is part of my general conference application series.

Welcome to Conference, by President Thomas S. Monson



Today is Independence Day (4th of July). As we contemplated how we would celebrate the birth of our nation, I was, at first, concerned because it didn't seem that there was much that we could do. In striving to keep the Sabbath day holy (see Exodus 20:8), we wanted to stay away from BBQs and lakeside festivities. However, my concern turned to gratitude; I wish that more major holidays fell on Sundays because it enabled us to cut to the heart of the celebration and focus on the real reasons for the holiday: freedoms and blessings.

As I think of the many freedoms that we enjoy, I cannot help but realize that this grand suite of freedoms provided the perfect ground for the Restoration of the Gospel. Where else could the fulness of the gospel come forth?

In his opening remarks to general conference, President Monson reminded that it was "180 years since the Church was organized." Moments ago, my wife and I had a mathematical exercise where we determined just how old our nation is (234 years), and when it will be 250 years old (2026, btw). Obviously this is older than any of us are, but it's striking at how young—or recent, if you prefer—the Church and nation are.

While I'm sure that many—if not all—Church members have contemplated on the correlation of Independence and the Restoration (which sounds almost contradictory: correlation and independence), I'm grateful for the environment of freedoms that enabled the Restoration and the unfolding of many additional truths (e.g. advancements in science, technology, industry, society, and medicine).

I thought of the blessings that our Independence provided as we sang "My Country, 'Tis of Thee," and "America the Beautiful" at church this morning. This is because of lyrics speaking of "templed hills," and extolling the merits of "heroes proved in liberating strife,"and ending in the Lord purifying us all "till all success be nobleness, and ev'ry gain divine."

As I parse this most recent general conference in hopes of improving my life and more fully being in line with what the Lord expects of me and who He wants me to be, I hope I can remember that the very life I live now is the result of divine help in preparation for grander things, even the Restoration of the Gospel.

June Pictures

We've added pictures from our grand Texas adventures (click here).

Button Counting

While helping the children get dressed for church this morning, this fun song popped into my head. We sung it so much before church, that it became quite stuck in our minds. The children and I decided to put this little film together because we loved the song so much:

Who knew buttons could be such fun?

The Little Kitten

Last night, my six-year-old (and I) wrote a book. He loves kittens, so we wrote about a little kitten, and called it The Little Kitten.


It's a fun story; take a read (link here).