Repentance - A Car Wash for the Soul

As missionaries we've been asked to wash our vehicles every week. Sometimes the complaint is heard, "Why do we have to wash it today?? It's just gonna get dirty next week..."

Similar to washing the car, repentance should be done regularly. Regardless of what happens tomorrow we need to strive to be clean of what happened last week, yesterday, and today. Having a clean car is a continuing process just as having a clean soul should be.

Driving a freshly washed car around definitely has a different feel than driving a filthy one. Also, the Lord has declared that “no unclean thing can inherit the kingdom of heaven” (Alma 11:37). We must be prepared to enter the Lord's presence at all times. Lastly, it just feels good to be clean. So, let's wash up often.

Whistle While You Work

My high school summers were spent working at good ol' Cherry Hill, a family friendly water park complete with a pirate ship. I worked as a lifeguard which was sometimes uncomfortable for me. You see, I'm not that big on confrontation and sometimes that's exactly what happens while on the job. For instance:

Let's say I am stationed at the swimming pool and some one starts to do flips into the water (aka breaking the rules). It is my job to tell them to stop. Most of the time they were compliant but it didn't always go over as well as I might have hoped. It was especially hard to ask someone to stop breaking the rules when the lifeguard before allowed them to do whatever they wanted. It was uncomfortable but it was my responsibility to keep them safe.

The same thing applies to every one of us. We often have responsibility to protect others from harm. When we, as a parent or leader, see something happening that shouldn't be, we need to blow the whistle immediately. The longer we wait the more damage is done. Although others may let it slide we need to stand up for what we know.

Toothpaste, Ties, and T-shirts

So yesterday I bought some toothpaste from the store. I was so excited to open it and use it last night that I had to laugh at myself. What a silly thing to get excited over. But as I thought about it I realized that it makes me happy whenever I buy things. Examples would be ties or t-shirts. The truth is, however, that about a week or two after the purchase the shirt becomes just the same as any other. The happiness buying stuff gives me is not lasting.

But there is happiness out there that does last. And it doesn't come from toothpaste or even a brand new tie. It comes from living the way our Savior has asked us to. In the words of King Benjamin, "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; and if they hold out faithful to the end they are received into heaven, that thereby they may dwell with God in a state of never-ending happiness. O remember, remember that these things are true; for the Lord God hath spoken it."

I would invite each of us to consider the words of King Benjamin and the state of those that keep the commandments of God. I know that if we live by the commandments we will be truly happy.

So I guess I won't be needing my toothpaste anymore... Just kidding.

Mirror, Mirror, on the Wall

We effect those around us. It's as simple as that. No matter what we do, we have an impact on our friends and neighbors. Often, this effect can be difficult to see. Sometimes we may think that our actions, good or bad, have no consequence. However, when we take a closer look we can see ourselves in the people around us.

I'm sure you've heard the common saying, "They've been married for so long they even look like each other."  Physically, that might not actually be true, but we do pick up mannerisms and attitude from those that we spend time with. Take a look at your own life. Think of who has influenced you and who you influence. Hopefully, we each strive to have a positive reflection.

Mormon Messages

Mormon Messages on YouTube provides short video clips that are uplifting, edifying, and important to society. It is a great place to learn about the values of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I trust that you will be uplifted as you take 5 minutes out of your day to view just one of these messages. However, I find it difficult to stop watching after only one. The following clip is one of my favorites:

To view more messages like this please visit The Mormon Channel.

The Ripple Effect

A pebble dropped in a pond does not simply disappear.

Likewise, a person born into the world does not leave this existence without effecting those around them.

Throughout our lives we have the opportunity to make many decisions, millions even. Each decision we make has a consequence. Our choices effect not only ourselves but everyone around us. Some decisions seem to have a very small ripple effect while others are like dropping a boulder into a swimming pool. Hopefully we are aware of the effect that we have on others and strive to make a positive impact on the lives of those around us.

Textbook Tackle

Back in the day when I used to play football my coaches would often tell us to tackle by the textbook. I am not sure if there is any specific textbook that they were referring to. But I know I never read it. Actually I think they were just using the word "textbook" as a synonym for the words "original" or "proper". In a way, we should live our lives by the textbook. Unlike football, however, we can be sure which textbook we should refer to.

Our Heavenly Father has given us prophets who have written His word (aka the scriptures). Just as a good tackle is made up of certain components, our lives can be "textbook" if we live by the teachings of our Savior, Jesus Christ. Especially now, in the fourth quarter before the Lord returns, we need to live by the "textbook" more than ever. As a modern day Apostle has said, "Don't delay. It's getting late."1.

Spiritual Hobbies

President Uchtdorf recently taught that our activities should not be inspired by any flashy trend or interest of the moment. He says, "Otherwise, they can distract our efforts, dilute our energy, and get us caught in our own hobbies, spiritual or temporal, that are not the center of discipleship."

So what exactly is a spiritual hobby?

Here's an example that will hopefully make sense:

Jessica reads her scriptures for an hour everyday at 6:00 AM. One morning she gets a phone call at 5:45 AM. One of Jessica's friends has been seriously hurt and needs her assistance to get to the hospital. She considers going to help but remembers that she has to study so she decides to stay home and read instead.

Now, this is kind of an extreme example but hopefully it gets the point across. I would encourage each of us to take a look at the activities that occupy our lives. Ask yourself, "Is this activity worth my time?"

1/2 Hearted

"Wherefore, my beloved brethren, I beseech of you in words of soberness that ye would repent, and come with full purpose of heart, and cleave unto God as he cleaveth unto you. And while his arm of mercy is extended towards you in the light of the day, harden not your hearts." - Jacob 6:5

The Lord asks for our whole hearts. Therefore we must do everything that He asks of us. Sometimes these things can seem difficult, for instance: paying a full tithe, waking up at 8:00 AM to make it church on time, or taking time out of our schedules to serve others. However, to grasp onto His arm of mercy we must not harden or withhold our hearts from Him. We must never give a 1/2 hearted effort.

Steroids!

Recently, I have been studying the Book of Job in the Old Testament. I am continually impressed with his perseverance and faith. One thing, in particular, stood out to me. In Chapter 24 it talks about the fact that murderers, adulterers, those who oppress the poor, and wicked often go unpunished. In verse 12 Job points out that though, "Men groan from out of the city, and the soul of the wounded crieth out . . . God layeth not folly to them."

In life those who cheat the system may seem to gain the upperhand. However, in the end everyone will gain that which they have earned (see 2 Corinthians 9:6). As of late, the sporting world has uncovered many cases of athletes using steroids. It seems to me that those athletes who knowingly break the rules by using steroids will gain an advantage over those who do not. However, those who cheat in order to win are never fully satisfied. Not to mention, once they find out that you have been using steroids you could end up in prison.

There are always consequences to our actions whether they come immediately or not. You can never get something for nothing.