Practice, Don't Cheat Yourself

We've all heard it said that when you cheat on a test or something, you are only cheating yourself. I agree whole-heartedly with that statement. I mean, think about it. When you go to football, or basketball, or dance practice (whatever it may be) you go to get better at that particular activity. If you don't work hard, you aren't going to improve. It's a simple enough concept.

However, when I was younger I didn't always want to practice. Practices certainly aren't as fun as games. Sometimes, we just want to do the fun things, we want to skip ahead to the finished product without all the hard work in between. President Thomas S. Monson said, "Let us relish life as we live it, find joy in the journey . . . One day each of us will run out of tomorrows."1 As we work towards becoming more like our Savior Jesus Christ we should follow the prophet's counsel and find joy in the journey. Don't cheat yourself of happiness in this life and the life to come.

1. Finding Joy in the Journey, by President Thomas S. Monson

Power Save Mode: On

This is a picture of my running watch. It's got some pretty fancy features. It can hold up to 50 lap times and will show me the averages and all that. Kinda neat. A new feature that I just recently discovered is the 'Power Save Mode.' Don't laugh, it's pretty cool. After a certain period of time the screen turns off and helps to save the battery. You never know when that battery is gonna die.

Each of us has a 'battery' so to speak. Our lives here on earth are bound to end some time. We just don't know when exactly. Heavenly Father has given us commandments to help us turn on the 'Power Save Mode.' These specific commandments are called the Word of Wisdom1 and were revealed to the Prophet Joseph Smith. In the Word of Wisdom we are advised not to partake of harmful substances such as alohol, tobacco, tea, and coffee. We are encouraged to eat fruits, vegetables, and grain. If we do so we will receive physical strength and also knowledge.

Although we do not know the reasons for all of God's commandments, we do know that He loves us and wants what is best for us. I know that the Word of Wisdom is revelation from God to help us today.


See Doctrine and Covenants Sectoin 89

Wearing the Right Shoes

I grew up playing a lot of sports.1 Soccer, basketball, running, and football were some of my favorites. Sports are all different from one another. They require different skills and equipment. One of the most important items, in my mind at least, are the shoes. Soccer and football are played on grass/turf and in order to prevent yourself from slipping you wear cleats. On the basketball court, however, wearing cleats would not only ruin the floor but you would slide everywhere too. Bad idea...

So what shoes should we wear in battlefield against Satan? In Ephesians 6 it talks about a whole bunch of equipment that will help us defend ourselves and fight against the adversary. In verse 15 specifically it says to have "your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;"

In order to shod your feet with the gospel you have to know the gospel. And I don't think that there is any better place to learn about the gospel of Jesus Christ than in the Book of Mormon. I would challenge everyone to read the Book of Mormon everyday, even if it's just a little bit. Heavenly Father will bless us if we will study the words of the prophets. I so testify, in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Need a Book of Mormon?

Other articles to check out:

The Armor of God

A Testimony Vibrant and True, President Gordon B. Hinckley

The Keystone of Our Religion, by Elder Steinicke

Repentance

Repentance means to feel sorrow for sin and to desire change one's life for the better. Through, and only through, the Atonement of Jesus Christ are we truly able to overcome our sins and shortcomings. I've often heard the process referred to as the ABC's and D of repentance.

A-Acknowledge that you've messed up
B-Be sorry about what you've done
C-Confess your sins to God and, if necessary, to a Priesthood leader
C-Correct the wrongs the best you can
D-Don't do it again

There you go! It's as easy as ABC.

Thankful for a Change

       The other night as I was lying awake waiting to fall asleep I realized just how grateful I am to be able to sleep every night and rest my body and mind. It's a chance for us to forget about everything for a few hours and rejuvinate. I think it's important that we have that change of pace everyday. Right along with that is the changing of the seasons. I personally love fall. Summer draws to a close and everything slows down a little bit. Those are just a few things I am thankful for.

       There is a Mormon Message that goes right along with this. Check it out!

Please see:

Gratitude, on lds.org

The Divine Gift of Gratitude, by Thomas S. Monson

Looking at the Positive Side, by Elder Steinicke

The Gospel of Jesus Christ

Through Christ We Can Be Cleansed from Sin

Faith in Jesus Christ

Repentance

Baptism, Our First Covenant

The Gift of the Holy Ghost

Endure to the End

Faith in Jesus Christ

       The Fourth Article of Faith states, "We believe that the first principles and ordinances of the Gospel are: first, Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; second, Repentance; third, Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; fourth, Laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost."1 I don't think that it is any coincidence that faith is first on the list.

       I like to associate the word trust with the faith. We must have trust in Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. We must have trust in Christ's Atonement. We must have trust that we will be blessed for being obedient to the commandments.

       What can we do with our faith? What is it good for? Believe it or not, it's good for growing trees. Actually it's good for growing a very special kind of tree. Alma talks about this gardening experiment in chapter 32 of the Book of Alma. To find out more just click on the picture to the right.

       When we have faith it leads us to repent, or to change for the better. Which leads us to the second principle in the Fourth Article of Faith, Repentance.

Please See:

The Articles of Faith of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

The Man in the Mirror, Elder Steinicke

NASCAR

       I know that there are many opinions on whether or not NASCAR is actually a sport. We'll try not to get into that. My favorite part of watching sports like NASCAR is the highlight reel of all of the crashes. I know, I know, probably not the best thing. In fact, I should probably show a little bit of empathy for the drivers who wreck.

       Anyhow, I wanted to compare this to life. Do we sometimes hope for others to fail?? Do we rejoice when others "crash" so to speak. President Uchtdorf says, "...we must realize that all of God’s children wear the same jersey. Our team is the brotherhood of man. This mortal life is our playing field. Our goal is to learn to love God and to extend that same love toward our fellowman. We are here to live according to His law and establish the kingdom of God. We are here to build, uplift, treat fairly, and encourage all of Heavenly Father’s children." 1

       We need to follow Jesus Christ's example and strive to help our fellow man get up after a "crash" rather than rejoice him falling.

Please see:

Pride and the Priesthood, Dieter F. Uchtdorf