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.

Mormon Channel Video

While perusing through the Mormon Channel on Youtube I discovered a video that I found quite comical. I figured I'd post it here and share it with everyone. Enjoy!

Construction and Criticism

Something that I struggle with at times is taking advice from others. So this post is more for myself than perhaps anyone else.

In athletics it is common to have a coach of sorts who helps you to fix things you are doing wrong. There are other reasons for coaches but this is definitely a main focus. As the athlete, you have to learn to listen to what your coach says and then change how you perform a certain thing. For me, it's always been easy to listen to most of my coaches. However, I have had coaches who I felt like didn't know what they were talking about. It is very difficult to follow what they say when you feel like you know better.

The same principle applies to our spiritual athleticism. It's often easy to take advice from someone we respect and admire but difficult when it comes from others. When we feel like we have had more experience it is hard to listen to what they say without becoming defensive. The truth is that we should listen carefully to all criticism and look for the truth in what they are saying. We shouldn't become defensive or begin attacking their weaknesses as if that would somehow make it better.

I know that it's difficult. It is something I have a tough time with. But I know that the principles are true. Hopefully we can begin to self-construct rather that self-destruct and build each other up as well.

See also: Job 5:17

Tools and Swords

As the Jews rebuilt the walls of Jerusalem Nehemiah recounts, "They which builded on the wall . . . every one with one of his hands wrought in the work, and with the other hand held a weapon." (Nehemiah 4:17)

I found this scripture applicable to our day because here we are trying to build up Zion, the New Jerusalem (see Articles of Faith 1:10), and Satan is constantly attacking us. Therefore, we must have the tools necessary to build Zion in one hand and the weapons to fend off Satan in the other. It's important though that we don't put our tools down and allow warring with the adversary to occupy all of our time. And it's equally important to never lay our weapons down because we must always be ready to defend ourselves and the truth.