Just Keep Shootin'

The clock is continuing to count down. The ball is being bounced around. There's not a noise from the the crowd. The shot goes up... no luck. There is just enough time for one more attempt. He puts it up again from outside the three-line and... same result. 

The Kaysville 14th ward church ball team lost in the semi-finals of the annual regional tournament that year. What a disappointment. One of the players had been given two chances to win the game in those final seconds. Too bad for him; he missed his opportunity. 

Well, as I am sure you can guess, that certain player was me. Bummer, I know. I had a good friend on the team who was open. I probably should have passed it to him. But who knows what would've happened. However, I did learn a valuable lesson. Sometimes it takes failing a few times, or maybe a few hundred times, before we can get it right. But the end result can, and always, will be better if we keep at it. I like this quote from Michael Jordan:

"I've missed more than 9000 shots in my career. I've lost almost 300 games. 26 times, I've been trusted to take the game winning shot and missed. I've failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed."

A lot of times in life we may feel like we've been entrusted to take the game winning shot and then dropped the ball. We may be disappointed but we need not be too hard on ourselves. "When we have done our very best, we may still experience disappointments, but we will not be disappointed in ourselves." So if you feel like you fallen short, pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and keep your chin up. The game of life is full of opportunities to make baskets. Just keep shootin'.

What's A Mormon??

What's a Mormon?

Mormons are members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which was organized in 1830. The name ‘Mormon’ is a nickname because of the Church’s belief in the Book of Mormon 1

So who is Mormon and what is the Book of Mormon?

Mormon was an actual historical figure in the Book of Mormon. He was a prophet, military general, and record keeper who lived about A.D. 311-385 on the American Continent. After recording the history of his own lifetime, he compiled and abridged the records, engraved on plates of gold, of previous prophets. These plates were part of the record from which the Prophet Joseph Smith translated the Book of Mormon in the early 19th century. 2

Some may ask if Mormons believe in Christ. The answer is a resounding yes! Gordon Hinckley, past president and prophet of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, said this, " We, of course, accept Jesus Christ as our Leader, our King, our Savior...the dominant figure in the history of the world, the only perfect Man who ever walked the earth, the living Son of the living God. He is our Savior and our Redeemer through whose atoning sacrifice has come the opportunity of eternal life. Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints pray and worship in the name of Jesus Christ. He is the center of our faith and the head of our Church. The Book of Mormon is Another Testament of Jesus Christ and witnesses of His divinity, His life, and His Atonement.”3

Hopefully, after reading this you will have a better understanding of what a Mormon is. Please visit the following links for more:

FAQ

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By Governing the Tongue, We Gain Perfection

Our mouths can sure get us into a lot of trouble if we are not careful.. But they can also enable us to lift, inspire, and express our love toward others. I hope that we choose the latter.

James 3:4 reads "Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth." Just as a boat can be turned by a small part so can our words significantly effect our lives and the lives of others.

In the same chapter of James in verse 5 it says, "Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!" Fire is another great analogy for our mouths. Just a small flame can start the biggest forest fire. I'm sure we've all seen this happen before. Just look at what gossip can do...

Another part of speaking doesn't necessarily have to do with what is said, but how it is said. I would encourage you to read a talk by President Thomas S. Monson entitled, "School Thy Feelings, O My Brother." It's subtitle reads: If we desire to have a proper spirit with us at all times, we must choose to refrain from becoming angry.

I am grateful for the words of and voices of many people. I'm especially thankful for the words of prophets that show us the way.

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.