Building A Palace

Lately I have been thinking a lot about the pain experienced in adversity and trials. It is such a struggle! I have often wondered (and I know that I am not the only one) why it has to be so difficult?

I found an incredible answer in a quote from the amazing author, CS Lewis. He said:

“Imagine yourself as a living house. God comes in to rebuild that house. At first, perhaps, you understand what He is doing. He is getting the drains right, and stopping the leaks in the roof, and so on: you knew that those jobs needed doing and you are not surprised. But presently He starts knocking the house about in a way that hurts abominably, and does not seem to make sense. What on earth is He up to?

The explanation is that He is building quite a different house from the one you thought of– throwing out a new wing here, putting on an extra floor there, running up towers, making courtyards. You thought you were going to be made into a decent little cottage: but He is building a palace. He intends to come and live in it Himself.”

CS Lewis

These words by CS Lewis blow me away. The visual that he describes is simply amazing. Christ has no intention for us to become only 'cottages'. We go through incredibly hard times in our lives and we are bound to experience great pain. We may even want to give up or cry out and suggest that our burdens are 'too much.' However, we must ponder that "The Son of Man hath descended below them all. Art thou greater than he?" (Doctrine and Covenants 122:8). The price of our sins has already been paid for by our Savior. He bought a palace. We should never give up or complain and end up settling for a cottage.

His sacrifice and love is incredibly personal. I love to personalize the verses in Doctrine and Covenants 76:41-42 that describe Christ's sacrifice. "That he came into the world, even Jesus, to be crucified for [me], and to bear [my] sins, and to sanctify [me] from all unrighteousness; That through him all might be saved whom the Father had put into his power and made by him." How wonderful and personal our relationship with Christ becomes when we realize that He endured so much for us on an individual level. He truly is our best friend.

"The Lost Lamb" by Del Parsons

His love is so deep that He endured pains greater than any man has ever experienced so we will never be alone in our sorrow, anger, frustration, confusion, etc. His greatest desire is for us to endure our own trials while accessing His sacrifice and ultimately becoming the 'palace' that He has intended for us to become. He wants what is best for us. He does not want us to settle for mediocrity. When we look at our adversities as stepping stones rather than stumbling blocks while relying completely on Jesus Christ we will achieve greatness. Christ will build us to be palaces.

Faith in Perfection

Faith is everything. When sharing one's beliefs something that is often said is, "I have faith in..." or "I believe..." or "I know..." and then they add whatever they feel strongly about at that time. I know that I have faith in family, friends, the Bible, the Book of Mormon, the Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, modern-day prophets, priesthood blessings, the Holy Ghost, and a ton of other things! But the one thing that has been pressing on my mind lately is the unparalleled importance of faith in Jesus Christ. He is the center of everything. Without Him I wouldn't have a family that is full of love. Without Him there would be no Bible or Book of Mormon. Without Him there would be no priesthood or the need to restore it to the earth. Without Christ there would be nothing of importance for the Holy Ghost to bear witness of. Christ is all that I hold dear. There is nothing or no one that even comes close to the love and reverence that I have in Him.

Jesus Christ

I have been taught these things since I was a little boy. I have always believed in Christ and I have always known that He is important. Recently, I was looking something up in the Bible Dictionary (found in the back of the LDS Edition of the King James Version of the Bible) and I came across the definition of Faith. I have always been told that faith is to believe in something even though you can't see it  but what I found in the definition shows that there is more to it than that. This definition explains faith in a way that has made me think and think and think. Here is a portion of that definition of faith:

Faith is to hope for things which are not seen, but which are true (Hebrews 11:1; Alma 32:21), and must be centered in Jesus Christ in order to produce salvation. To have faith is to have confidence in something or someone. The Lord has revealed himself and his perfect character, possessing in their fulness all the attributes of love, knowledge, justice, mercy, unchangeableness, power, and every other needful thing, so as to enable the mind of man to place confidence in him without reservation. Faith is kindled by hearing the testimony of those who have faith (Romans 10:14-17) . Miracles do not produce faith but strong faith is developed by obedience to the gospel of Jesus Christ; in other words, faith comes by righteousness, although miracles often confirm one's faith. (See my blog: God Lives.)

Many people will say that they have faith in Christ because He suffered and died for all men and performed many miracles. While this is definitely true it is important to note that He was only able to do these things because He is perfect. He is perfect in every single way. I'll try to explain the importance of Christ being perfect by using an analogy.

Say that there is an up and coming basketball star that every professional team wants on their team. This guy is better than  Magic Johnson, Michael Jordan, Lebron James, Karl Malone, and Shaquille O'Neal all put together. He is a perfect player. He is the perfect passer, rebounder, scorer, screener, defender, team player, etc. There are a lot of great basketball players in the world. There is not a single perfect one out there. No not one. What does it mean to be perfect? Well, to be perfect (from a basketball perspective) you can't have a single turn-over, miss a single block-out, miss a single shot, screen, or defensive assignment. You also need to be perfectly humble. (Man...I want this guy on my team!) He would teach and encourage his teammates to give it all that they have and then when they fell short due to their own imperfections he would step in and give the team the push that they need and they would win every game. In a sense, he would help each individual be more exact and as a whole the team would be perfect.

LeBron James

Karl Malone: The Mailman

  
Do we really believe Christ when He said, "If ye will have faith in me ye shall have power to do whatsoever things that is expedient in me" (Moroni 7:33). The promise that He gives in this verse is extremely powerful. He is saying that anything is possible through Him (because of His perfections).

When we are suffering heartache Christ's perfect empathy will soothe us. When we are down-trodden Christ will lift us. When we are confused Christ will speak peace to us. When we want to know the truth Christ will let us know. However, He only will do these things if we show faith. We must pray for, strive for, and hope for His influence in our lives. With Him nothing is out of reach. It is written that "his hand is stretched out still" (Isaiah 10:4). All we need to do is grab it.

The Cristus

Be Yourself

We all are different. We have our own physical, emotional, and spiritual characteristics. There are those out there that we relate to or clash with. But that is okay!

We all have our own way of doing things. We are individuals! God made us that way! Therefore...we simply need to be ourselves. There is a funny movie out there called, "Just Friends" that is all about a guy named Chris Brander (played by Ryan Reynolds) and how he struggles with being who he really is. His mother (shown in the video) teaches him to be himself.

Hmmm...seems like she might be onto something there! My lovely parents have always told me to be myself. As I reflect on my experiences I am reminded of the times that I have been myself and times that I have tried to be someone else. I am happy when I am myself. I am frustrated, upset, and confused when I try to be someone that I am not.

One of my favorite TV shows is called, "Arrested Development". In the show, some of the family members (Gob, Lucille, Lindsay, and George Sr.) have their own chicken dance. It is hilarious.

"How To" chicken dance like the Bluths

(L to R) Lindsay, George Sr. and Lucille dancing to their own chicken dance.

We do not necessarily have to "chicken dance" in our own way but we should be ourselves like the Bluths! In my own experiences, being myself has helped me SO much. In high school, college, and even the beginning of my mission I was so nervous when I met new people. Way nervous! I was so focused on leaving a good impression and not being weird or overbearing that I became far too reserved. I made myself awkward, shy, and depressed because of it. Since coming out on my mission I have learned the true importance being me.

I firmly believe that God has a guiding hand in my life and yours. He places me (and you) where we need to be, when we need to be there, and who we need to be there with. If this is true - which it is - then God is expecting and counting on us to be ourselves. He wants us there because He has prepared us to be there! He doesn't want us in a specific situation to change our personalities, likes, dislikes, characteristics, etc. Follow the counsel of Chris Brander's mom and "Be yourself!"

That being said, we need to be our best selves. What does that mean? A living prophet, Thomas S. Monson, has helped us understand this in a talk that he gave in 1999 called "Becoming Our Best Selves". Within this talk he says, "In the search for our best selves, several questions will guide our thinking: Am I what I want to be? Am I closer to the Savior today than I was yesterday? Will I be closer yet tomorrow? Do I have the courage to change for the better?". In our journey to our best selves we must show our personality while coming closer to Christ.

President Thomas S. Monson. What a cool guy.

I know that as we do this we will be happy. Trust me. I've experienced it. As I look back on the times that I have been sad, lonely, and confused...it has been because of two things. First, I'm trying to be someone that I'm not (or I'm hiding who I truly am!). Second, I'm not coming closer to my Savior. Those two things go hand in hand. As I am myself and I follow the Lord's commandments I am happy. "And moreover, I would desire that ye should consider on the blessed and happy state of those that keep the commandments of God. For behold, they are blessed in all things, both temporal and spiritual..." (Mosiah 2:41). I know in my heart that this is true. I feel it. I challenge you to feel it as well. Be yourself! Do your own chicken dance! You will be happy and so will the Lord. Smiles all around.

Growing Up

Growing up. Getting older. It's something that all of us experience. I now have been on my mission for over a year and it is freaking me out a bit! When I came into the mission field I wrote a letter to myself so that I could read it when I had been out for a year. I recently read that letter. In only a year's time I have grown more than I ever have before. My eyes have been opened to the reality of the world. My faith in the Gospel of Jesus Christ has been strengthened immensely. I have learned and grown in ways that I simply would not be able to if I was not on a mission for my Savior.

Back when I was but a wee lad at the MTC in Provo, UT.

Now that I have been "away from the world" for a year I more fully understand what it is that I am doing. I am representing Jesus Christ and I am inviting others to follow Him. I visit people in their homes and teach them the very same Gospel that He did in his three year ministry before His crucifixion. It is incredibly humbling to wear His name on my chest and represent Him. I am so proud to be a missionary. Yet, I know that I am nothing. A missionary, Ammon, in the Book of Mormon said this, "Yea, I know that I am nothing; as to my strength I am weak; therefore I will not boast of myself, but I will boast of my God, for in his strength I can do all things" (Alma 26:11). We all are able to receive this strength from Christ. But I know that it is magnified when I am serving him completely as a missionary. When I go home in one short year...things will be different. It hurts to grow up.

Here is a more recent picture of me in Dillon, MT.

I am reminded of one of my favorite songs. It is called, "Still Fighting It" by Ben Folds.

Ben Folds.

 Here is a portion of that song:

Everybody knows
It hurts to grow up
And everybody does
It's so weird to be back here.
Let me tell you what
The years go on and
We're still fighting it, we're still fighting it
Oh, we're still fighting it, we're still fighting it

I. Love. This. Song. It really does mean a lot to me. Time is so weird. It feels like it takes forever until you look back and realize how much time has really gone by. The only way to truly live is to live in the moment and to keep fighting. Now let me explain what "living in the moment" really means. It does not mean to live with no cares or to live dangerously. It means to make the most of what you have. It means to show Gratitude for what God has given you. It means to love those around you. It means to correct and forget past mistakes while striving to learn and grow.

Growing up is simply a part of life. We are here on earth to face trials and do our best to work through them and become stronger. We need to "keep fighting it". We are only able to do this with the help of Jesus Christ. He is Your Best Friend and knows us perfectly. He is there for us and He will helps us. "These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation; but be of good cheer: I have overcome the world" (John 16:33).

Growing up hurts. But it all is necessary. I am able to look back on my mission (and my life!) with joy, satisfaction, and confidence that Christ has been with me every step of the way. He loves me more than I understand and He has been shaping me through all of these experiences to be the man that He needs me to be. "When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things" (1 Corinthians 13:11). I am not through growing yet. But I know that when I am done with my mission and as I continue in life I will be able to say with Paul of Tarsus (and Ben Folds) "I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith" (2 Timothy 4:7).

Your Best Friend

One thing that I have gained a greater appreciation for since coming on my mission is the fact that the Savior, Jesus Christ, is my best friend. He is always there for me and He knows me perfectly. He knows me more than I know myself. When I think of my best friends...they are those who I have had the most experiences with. They are those who have stood by me when I have done what is right and who have corrected me when I have done what is wrong. Together we steamroll, lazertag, watch movies, play pool, play 2k, play basketball, get Slurpees, etc. Best friends are the best!

Besties.

Through the Atonement (Christ's suffering in the Garden of Gethsemane and on the cross at Calvary as well as his Resurrection on the third day) Jesus Christ knows me (and you) perfectly. He has literally experienced my life, for better and for worse. He knows exactly how I feel and He is always there for me. I know in my heart that He is always there for me. He has experienced everything that I have experienced. He knows me. He loves me. Therefore, he is my best friend. He is everyone's best friend. However, Satan wants us to feel abandoned, alone, and depressed. He tells us that God has left us and He doesn't love us. That is a lie.

His empathy is earned here in Gethsemane.

Recently, I have been drawn to a certain group of scriptures found in the Old Testament and the Book of Mormon. They are the teachings of the Prophet, Isaiah. First, my friend sent me a letter telling me that one scripture in particular stuck out to her and helped her know that Christ will never forget her. Before receiving the letter I had already been studying those chapters in the Book of Mormon. So, these groups of scriptures have been on my mind a lot lately and they give me comfort and strength. They say, "But, behold, Zion hath said; The Lord hath forsaken me, and my Lord hath forgotten me - but he will show that he hath not. For can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? Yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee, O house of Israel. Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands; thy walls are continually before me" (1 Nephi 21:14-16). It is not a question of whether the Lord will forget us or not. It is a matter of fact that He cannot forget us. He suffers as we suffer. He rejoices as we rejoice. Our walls (lives) are always before Him. We are graven upon the palms of His hands. What comfort we receive from this knowledge!

In my darkest hours I have been uplifted by Jesus Christ. I have felt His strengthening hand through my hardest times. He has never taken away my problems. He has never intervened and stopped bad things from happening to me. He has never intervened and stopped me from doing something bad. He is not a God of control. He is a God of support. He has always helped me see my problems. He has always put others in my path to help me when bad things are happening to me. He has always given me resources (family, friends, scriptures, church, music, etc.) to help me see when I am doing something that is bad. Jesus Christ knows me and knows what I am capable of. He helps me help myself.

Adversity is something that we all will suffer. It is a part of life. Elder Dallin H. Oaks of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles said this, "Adversity will be a constant or occasional companion for each of us throughout our lives. We cannot avoid it. The only question is how we will react to it. Will our adversities be stumbling blocks or stepping-stones?" (Adversity - Ensign July 1998). (Please read this entire article. It is the best article I have ever read on facing adversity.) How will we handle our trials and tribulations? Will we let them tear us down or will be allow ourselves to be strengthened in the furnace of affliction (Isaiah 48:10)?

I know that as we hold fast to the teachings of the Gospel, we will have a more sure knowledge that Christ is there for us. He will be with us. "And whoso receiveth you, there will I be also, for I will go before your face. I will be on your right hand and on your left, and my Spirit shall be in your hearts, and mine angels round about you, to bear you up" (Doctrine and Covenants 84:88). Afterall...He knows you. He is your best friend.

Be Thou An Example

One of my favorite scriptures is found in the New Testament in Paul's first epistle to Timothy. It reads, "Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in fath, in purity" (1 Timothy 3: 12). There are many things that stick out to me from this simple verse but the overwhelming principle taught within is that we must be great examples to others.


Fathers must be great examples to their sons.

Before we can be a great example we must humble ourselves and remember our youth. This is the FIRST thing that we must do. Children are perfect and pure. They do no wrong. "Becometh as a child, submissive, meek humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon him, even as a child doth submit to his father" (Mosiah 3: 19). Whenever I read scriptures I think about my nieces and nephews and how perfect they are. I love them so much and I see innocence in their eyes and purity in their actions. It is pretty crazy to think that we all were that innocent and pure once. But I know that if we humble ourselves and apply the same innocence and light that we had in our youth then we will be so much better off! We will come closer to our brother Jesus Christ and we will be able to live with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ again. Our Savior and Redeemer taught, "Whosever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 18: 4). Children are fantastic examples. To look up to them is to look up to Heaven.

My nieces and nephews L to R: Kaiya, Ben, Isabel, Scarlett, Jake, and Sarah. Perfect!

As I reflect back...I realize how big of an effect certain people have had in my life. In good and bad ways. Some of these people know the effect that they have made on me but many of them probably do not have a clue. This also means that, unbeknownst to me, I have been an example to other people. I hope that I have left a positive impact on others but I know that I have made mistakes in my life as well. BUT it truly is up to us what kind of legacy we want to leave behind.

I draw much strength from the people in my life. My dad is extremely humble and hardworking. My mother is loving and compassionate. My brothers and sisters are simply hysterical while being wise at the same time. My closest friends (you know who you are!) are loyal and dedicated. Certain church leaders throughout my life are knowledgeable and are full of charity. My mission companions have been diligent and obedient. It is my hope that I can have a portion of the good qualities that these great people have. I thank them for their great examples.


Awesome brothers and sisters! L to R: Michelle, Alicia, Brett, me, Scott, Laurel

Now, there is only One person that we can ALWAYS turn to. He is always there for us and He is Our Perfect Example that we lean on and learn from. I am talking about our brother Jesus Christ. Christ's ultimate example was His Father. "The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise" (John 5: 19). The qualities and attributes that Christ showed in His life make up the exact template that we should strive to emulate. Of course we will fall short of Jesus Christ's perfect example but He will carry, lift, inspire, direct, and help us every step of the way. We must look to Him in every aspect of our lives. Remember Paul's words to Timothy: "Be thou an example...in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity." Jesus Christ is the One who inspired Paul to write these words. Let Jesus Christ inspire us to be kind to one another. Let Him direct us to help those in need. Let Him lift us in our times of struggle. Let Him be our ultimate example.

I know that as we look to Jesus Christ, our Savior and Redeemer, we will in turn be good examples to those around us. Thus, we all will come closer to Heaven.