The following is a letter-to-the-editor that I submitted to The Dixie Sun, the student newspaper of Dixie State College, but then withdrew for personal reasons.
---
Dear Editor:
In the mid-90s, I spent a couple years living in England. One night, I was invited to dine with a family, and during the course of our meal, we got into a friendly debate of which is better: America or England.
At one point, a teenaged son said, “Can you name one war America’s won without help from anyone else?”
Foolishly—very foolishly, I blurted out, “The Gulf War.”
Forks dropped and an unnerving silence engulfed those at the table, before the wife spoke and said, “I’ll have you know that not only were Britons there fighting with America, but my husband also won a medal from the queen for inventing a communications device that helped thousands of British troops in that war.”
To drive home her point, she had me watch the video of her husband receiving that medal from Queen Elizabeth II. (Note to editor: He did not throw it back.)
That misspeaking on my part was one of the more humiliating moments in my life, for in an instant I had discounted the sacrifice and serve of the British who had fought alongside our American counterparts in a war.
I was reminded of that moment while listening to Thursday’s debate between Professors Chip McCloud and Joe Green.
While I certainly revere the way Mr. McCloud clearly and intelligently conveyed his points throughout the debate, I took umbrage at one of his statements: that Bush has a go-it-alone stance on Iraq.
Such an unfortunate mischaracterization of the War of Iraq discounts the noble sacrifices of our many allies in Iraq, many of whom have bled out their lives defending not just their country—but also America.
Yes, this coalition isn’t perfect and as inclusive as we would like. But that doesn’t diminish the sacrifice of our Allies’ soldiers. And certainly we should debate the merits of going to this war, but we should do so in a way that does not diminish the devotion our Allies’ sons and daughters in Iraq.
Such sacrifice does not deserve our condemnation; rather, it deserves our commendation.
Quite frankly, as one who has many friends serving in the British Armed Forces, I was acutely offended by Mr. McCloud’s statement aimed to keep the under-informed uninformed of our Allies’ many sacrifices.
I wonder how well Mr. McCloud’s statement would be received at a dinner table in England—particularly at a table where the family has a loved one laboring in the Middle East.
Perhaps Britain, Australia, Poland and others should have made as much noise in joining our cause as France made in announcing to the world that it would not join America in this war. Then we might know that there are soldiers who live beyond our borders who are making sacrifices on our behalf. How myopic it is to think otherwise!
John Kerry spends much of his time daydreaming how he will bring in the estranged France and Germany into our coalition when he’s re-elected. Of course, there’s no way in Cedar that’s going to happen.
Meanwhile Kerry has exhausted his larynx spewing attack after attack on this coalition—in much the same way he trashed his fellow veterans in Vietnam.
Perhaps the question we should be asking is this: How will Kerry keep our allies together after months of Kerry and his surrogates trashing our coalition and its soldiers?
Friday, September 24, 2004
Friday, September 10, 2004
POLITICS: Is John Kerry another Richard Nixon?
Richard Nixon's actions during the 1972 campaign led to him getting the dubious distinction of being the only president to ever resign the presidency in disgrace.
Fast forward: 32 years later to this week to John Kerry, whose campaign appears to have taken a turn similar to Nixon's.
Trailing to Bush by 10 points in the wake of the Republican Convention, coupled with the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth Ads that have questioned his service in Vietnam, as well as news reports that showed his Anti-war testimony to the senate, in which accused (and admitted himself) to committing atrocities in Vietnam, were used by the Vietcong in an attempt to further demoralize tortured American POWs, Kerry needed something to jumpstart his suddenly-fledgling campaign.
So into CBS' offices crept a document that questioned Bush's service in the National Guard--and attempting to show that Bush enlisted in the National Guard to avoid going to Vietnam. The documents also were meant to show that Bush had disobeyed orders and lost his pilot status for not meeting performance standards.
Democrat-friendly Dan Rather, who, in the past, has been a Democrat fundraiser, rushed out the story on 60 Minutes II. CBS then posted the documents on its Web site, where it didn't take long for document experts to quickly debunk them and prove them as forgeries.
Here's a snippet from an AP story posted on CBSnews.com:
"[Lt. Col. Jerry] Killian's son, one of Killian's fellow officers and an independent document examiner questioned the memos.
"Gary Killian, who served in the Guard with his father [in whose name the forgery was made] and retired as a captain in 1991, said he doubted his father would have written an unsigned memo which said there was pressure to "sugar coat" Mr. Bush's performance review.
"'It just wouldn't happen,' he said. 'No officer in his right mind would write a memo like that.'
"The personnel chief in Killian's unit at the time also said he believes the documents are fake.
"'They looked to me like forgeries,' Rufus Martin told the Associated Press. 'I don't think Killian would do that, and I knew him for 17 years.' Killian died in 1984.
"Independent document examiner Sandra Ramsey Lines said the memos looked like they had been produced on a computer using Microsoft Word software. Lines, a document expert and fellow of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences, pointed to a superscript — a smaller, raised "th" in "111th Fighter Interceptor Squadron" — as evidence indicating forgery.
"Microsoft Word automatically inserts superscripts in the same style as the two on the memos obtained by 60 Minutes, she said.
"'I'm virtually certain these were computer generated,' Lines said to the Associated Press after reviewing copies of the documents at her office in Paradise Valley, Ariz. She produced a nearly identical document using her computer's Microsoft Word software."
Additionally, the font used on the documents, Times New Roman, hadn't been created at the time the documents were issued.
Of this, another news source wrote: "Many experts say the memos' typeface, formatting, paragraph spacing and other attributes indicate that they were written on a modern-day personal computer, possibly using the Microsoft Word word-processing program — not on a 1970s typewriter. The documents were purportedly written in 1972 and 1973."
Clearly, this is a forgery.
The question remains: Who would want to forge these documents?
What isn't disputed is that these documents were given to CBS by the Democrats.
Democratic National Committe chairman Terry McAuliffe immediately rushed out to claim that they had been duped by the Republicans.
Yeah, right.
This is just typical of the Kerry campaign. Kerry, you might remember, blamed a secret service agent for causing him to fall when skiing, although the agent was nowhere near him. It appears the same thing is happening here.
Although the Republicans were nowhere near these documents before they aired on CBS, somehow, it was the GOP's fault. The only thing the GOP did, was distribute the documents to the press corps after the CBS program aired and before they learned the documents had been falsified.
But let's pretend for a minute that the Republicans somehow deceived the Democrats to take the documents.
Shouldn't the Democrats have acted responsibly and checked out the documents' authenticity? And shouldn't CBS have tried to establish the accuracy of the papers? Yes and yes. But both were just too anxious to air the story. Clearly, with how quickly the documents were debunked, neither the Democrats nor CBS were careful enough.
And that shows a great weakness, and a reason for us to not rely on either source as reliable in the future.
To me, it's clear the Democrat forged these documents. The Kerry campaign has been gasping in recent weeks because of questions over his Vietnam service. His last gasp for air was to drag down Bush into the same boat he was in.
Bush didn't go to Vietnam, but he was serving his country in the National Guard. Nor did he, like Kerry, give testimony that aided and abetted American killers in Vietnam.
It's a shame that Kerry's campaign did this. The good news is he was found out, and as more people learn about this, it will likely be the end of any chance he had to get to the White House.
Nixon's comrades broke into Democrat Headquarters. Breaking and entering. That was a crime, for which he rightly had to resign the presidency.
Kerry's comrades forged documents. Forged government/military documents. That also is a crime. What's the difference between Kerry and Nixon?
Fast forward: 32 years later to this week to John Kerry, whose campaign appears to have taken a turn similar to Nixon's.
Trailing to Bush by 10 points in the wake of the Republican Convention, coupled with the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth Ads that have questioned his service in Vietnam, as well as news reports that showed his Anti-war testimony to the senate, in which accused (and admitted himself) to committing atrocities in Vietnam, were used by the Vietcong in an attempt to further demoralize tortured American POWs, Kerry needed something to jumpstart his suddenly-fledgling campaign.
So into CBS' offices crept a document that questioned Bush's service in the National Guard--and attempting to show that Bush enlisted in the National Guard to avoid going to Vietnam. The documents also were meant to show that Bush had disobeyed orders and lost his pilot status for not meeting performance standards.
Democrat-friendly Dan Rather, who, in the past, has been a Democrat fundraiser, rushed out the story on 60 Minutes II. CBS then posted the documents on its Web site, where it didn't take long for document experts to quickly debunk them and prove them as forgeries.
Here's a snippet from an AP story posted on CBSnews.com:
"[Lt. Col. Jerry] Killian's son, one of Killian's fellow officers and an independent document examiner questioned the memos.
"Gary Killian, who served in the Guard with his father [in whose name the forgery was made] and retired as a captain in 1991, said he doubted his father would have written an unsigned memo which said there was pressure to "sugar coat" Mr. Bush's performance review.
"'It just wouldn't happen,' he said. 'No officer in his right mind would write a memo like that.'
"The personnel chief in Killian's unit at the time also said he believes the documents are fake.
"'They looked to me like forgeries,' Rufus Martin told the Associated Press. 'I don't think Killian would do that, and I knew him for 17 years.' Killian died in 1984.
"Independent document examiner Sandra Ramsey Lines said the memos looked like they had been produced on a computer using Microsoft Word software. Lines, a document expert and fellow of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences, pointed to a superscript — a smaller, raised "th" in "111th Fighter Interceptor Squadron" — as evidence indicating forgery.
"Microsoft Word automatically inserts superscripts in the same style as the two on the memos obtained by 60 Minutes, she said.
"'I'm virtually certain these were computer generated,' Lines said to the Associated Press after reviewing copies of the documents at her office in Paradise Valley, Ariz. She produced a nearly identical document using her computer's Microsoft Word software."
Additionally, the font used on the documents, Times New Roman, hadn't been created at the time the documents were issued.
Of this, another news source wrote: "Many experts say the memos' typeface, formatting, paragraph spacing and other attributes indicate that they were written on a modern-day personal computer, possibly using the Microsoft Word word-processing program — not on a 1970s typewriter. The documents were purportedly written in 1972 and 1973."
Clearly, this is a forgery.
The question remains: Who would want to forge these documents?
What isn't disputed is that these documents were given to CBS by the Democrats.
Democratic National Committe chairman Terry McAuliffe immediately rushed out to claim that they had been duped by the Republicans.
Yeah, right.
This is just typical of the Kerry campaign. Kerry, you might remember, blamed a secret service agent for causing him to fall when skiing, although the agent was nowhere near him. It appears the same thing is happening here.
Although the Republicans were nowhere near these documents before they aired on CBS, somehow, it was the GOP's fault. The only thing the GOP did, was distribute the documents to the press corps after the CBS program aired and before they learned the documents had been falsified.
But let's pretend for a minute that the Republicans somehow deceived the Democrats to take the documents.
Shouldn't the Democrats have acted responsibly and checked out the documents' authenticity? And shouldn't CBS have tried to establish the accuracy of the papers? Yes and yes. But both were just too anxious to air the story. Clearly, with how quickly the documents were debunked, neither the Democrats nor CBS were careful enough.
And that shows a great weakness, and a reason for us to not rely on either source as reliable in the future.
To me, it's clear the Democrat forged these documents. The Kerry campaign has been gasping in recent weeks because of questions over his Vietnam service. His last gasp for air was to drag down Bush into the same boat he was in.
Bush didn't go to Vietnam, but he was serving his country in the National Guard. Nor did he, like Kerry, give testimony that aided and abetted American killers in Vietnam.
It's a shame that Kerry's campaign did this. The good news is he was found out, and as more people learn about this, it will likely be the end of any chance he had to get to the White House.
Nixon's comrades broke into Democrat Headquarters. Breaking and entering. That was a crime, for which he rightly had to resign the presidency.
Kerry's comrades forged documents. Forged government/military documents. That also is a crime. What's the difference between Kerry and Nixon?
Wednesday, September 08, 2004
RELIGION: Fireside Talk: Sept 6, 2004: 25 Ways to Draw Nearer to Christ
25 Ways To Draw Nearer to Christ
Tonight, I want to speak of ways in which we can draw nearer to our Savior. But before I do, I want to stress why we want to come unto Christ.
I’ll start with a story by Tad R. Callister:
“One Sunday morning our teenaged son stood with two other priests to administer the sacrament, as they had done on many prior occasions. They pulled back the white cloth, but to their dismay there was no bread. One of them slipped out to the preparation room in hopes some could be found. There was none. Finally, our trouble son made his way to the bishop and shared the concern with him. A wise bishop then stood, explained the situation to the congregation, and asked, ‘How would it be if the sacrament table were empty today because there were no Atonement?’ I have thought of that often—what would it be like if there were no bread because there had been no crucifixion; no water because there had been no shedding of blood? Of course, the question is now moot, but it does put in perspective our total dependence on the Lord.”
I know that I have a total dependence on the Lord Jesus Christ, as do all of you. When I consider what my life would be like without the Hope of Christ, I can only see desperation, bleakness and despair.
I can only see myself as a trapped man—with no means of escape. Without Christ’s selfless Atonement, our spiritual lives would be DOA.
It’s appropriate that when the Israelites were marching through the desert they were fed by a bread—manna, and that Moses smote the rock, and water gushed forth to quench the thirst. Just as their physical salvation depended on bread and water, so do our spiritual lives depend on the Bread of Life and the Living Waters—Jesus Christ. And it should be noted that, in time, we will also be physically rescued by Christ’s Atonement, when we are all resurrected.
With that in mind, I’d like you to take just a moment. And think about what it must have been like to be in the Grand Council in Heaven, having just heard the Father explain His Great Plan of Happiness to us. The blessings of that plan to those who successfully navigated the tests of this life were a never-ending, complete joy; eternal life with our Father in Heaven, and the promise that we may one day be as He is. What great joy we must have had to have the possibility of those blessings, yet our realization of those gifts depended on One of the Father’s Children performing a great, selfless Atonement of immeasurable suffering and pain. This Sacrifice had to be made by Best of the Father’s Children, for He had to perfect, even in the midst of great temptation, to be qualified to make this Atonement. He had to be so full of love that he would “descend below them all” to rescue us from sin. Knowing this, can you imagine the joy you felt when the Best of Our Father’s Children, Jesus Christ, stepped forward and gladly took this responsibility upon Himself, when he said, “Here Am I. Send me.” Imagine that moment and what it must have meant to you then, and what it should mean to you now!
“Yes,” we must have thought, “It could only be Jehovah!”
I’m sure we all knew in that instant that Christ would come through, and perform that Atonement with exactness. And indeed, he did exactly that. And why did he go through the awfulness of Gethsemane and the treachery of the Cross? Because he loved us.
There is a lesson I hope we have imprinted on our hearts: Christ loved us enough to be our Atoner.
And so we, standing behind the Father’s choice to pick Jesus to be Our Christ, came to Earth to prove ourselves.
Now, you have probably seen a TV show or heard a story in which two people claim ownership of a dog, and they always seem to resolve this is the same one: the two people will stand on opposite ends of the yard and call the dog, and whoever the dog goes to is its rightful owner. In a sense, that’s what’s happening here on Earth. Christ is calling to us, and Satan is tempting us to come his way. Every step we take toward Satan is a step away from Christ. Every step we take toward Christ is a step away from Satan.
Therefore, I hope you can see the wisdom of drawing closer to Christ. You choose which way you go. As Nephi wrote: “And they are free to choose liberty and eternal life, through the great Mediator of all men, or to choose captivity and death, according to the captivity and power of the devil; for he seeketh that all men might be miserable like unto himself” (2 Nephi 2:27). Again, it is your choice, but the soundest, happiest and best choice is to come unto Christ. I hope you will.
Now, these are some ways in which you can.
These first five items I call “The Basics”—these are the simple fundamental, everyday things you can do that will strengthen your spirit. When Vince Lombardi was hired to coach the Green Bay Packers, reporters asked him what he was going to do in his new role—would he emphasize the pass, the run, defense, what? Instead, Lombardi responded, “We’ll be brilliant at the basics.” Lombardi’s teams were, and they won so much, they named the Super Bowl trophy after him. Similarly, in our spiritual doings, we need to be brilliant at the basics, so that we are prepared for whatever Satan throws at us. This preparation is absolutely necessary each day. I remember Elder Holland once saying to missionaries that their preparation time between 6:30 and 9:30 a.m. each day, “Would break or make your mission.” And isn’t interesting that of all of the preparations that Captain Moroni made for his imminent war with Amalickiah, the first one he made was preparing the minds of the people to be faithful to Christ? If you want to win your spiritual battles you must first have faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.
#1—Gain A Testimony; then strengthen, protect and adhere to that testimony.
First, I want you to know that I have a strong, vibrant testimony that Jesus is the Christ; I know He is my Savior. The Spirit has whispered this to my heart so many times that I cannot deny it. I do know Christ is the Atoner!
It makes sense that the first principle of the gospel is faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Why would you want to be obedient to his commandments if you didn’t believe this? Once, you have faith in Christ, that faith becomes the catalyst of all other acts—coming to church, marrying in the temple, accepting a call to serve, etc.—the desire to do all those things comes from a testimony of Christ and His Restored Church.
Once we gain a testimony, it is ours to remember; ours to strengthen through study and spiritual experience; ours to protect against Satan and his minions. Once. we have that testimony we are building on the Rock of Our Redeemer; we want to build on this foundation so that we can, as Helaman wrote, withstand the shafts in the whirlwind that Satan will hurl at us. This is best done by adhering to our testimony, meaning we keep Christ’s commandments because we love Him and revere Him as our Savior.
#2—Read Your Scriptures
Bishop Ferguson has wisely counseled us to read our scriptures for 30 minutes for the next 30 days. Quite honestly, I’m off to a rough start, but I plan to repent and finish up strong. If you’re like me and haven’t yet been diligent in meeting Bishop Ferguson’s challenge, I hope you will join me in a renewed effort to start again and this time do it right.
I believe reading the scriptures has a profound impact on one’s relationship with God. I know this, because I can tell when I am neglectful in my reading, I find myself distanced from God, taking steps toward Satan. The scriptures drive a man toward Christ. Read your scriptures, and as you do you will internalize them and become a more Christ-like person. As Elder Neal A. Maxwell once said, “We possess these precious truths! Now they must come to possess us!”
#3—Pray Always
In Doctrine & Covenants 10:5, the Lord promises us: “Pray always, that you may come off conqueror; yea, that you may conqueror Satan …” Certainly, that is our goal! We want to return to live our Heavenly Father, right? How do we do that? We conqueror Satan? What’s the best way to conqueror Satan? Pray Always.
#4—Go to Church—All Three Meetings
Church is three hours long—not two. Just because the scenery may not be as interesting in the Elders’ Quorum, it’s no reason to go home. The purpose of church is not to socialize, although that’s a great benefit of it. The purpose of attending church is to draw closer to Christ. As Moroni wrote, “And the church did meet together oft, to fast and to pray, and to speak one with another concerning the welfare of their souls. And they did meet together oft to partake of the bread and wine, in remembrance of the Lord Jesus” (Moroni 6:5-6).
We come to church, first, to renew our covenants with Christ, and we also attend to worship Christ, and to speak “one with another concerning the welfare of their souls.” This refers to sacrament talks and Sunday School and Elders’ Quorum lessons. When you miss one of your meetings, you may miss a message that Christ wants you to hear.
#5—STS—Seek the Spirit
It is such a wonderful blessing to have the gift of the Holy Ghost. It is the blessing to have a member of the Godhead, an Actual God, God the Testator, with us at all times. What a tremendous gift that is! The Spirit is our Guide through this life.
How receptive have we been to the Spirit’s guidance? Have we followed its counsel? Have we lived worthy of having the Spirit whisper directions to us? Have we sought the Spirit in our critical decisions? Have we felt the Spirit recently? Have we felt It daily?
Seek the Spirit. Make your lives and your homes a place where the Spirit can drop in and have a nice chat with you. I should point out that three of the best ways to invite the Spirit are to read your scriptures, pray and attend your meetings—putting things in your life that will be accompanied by the Spirit.
#6—Keep your Covenants
Really, nothing is more important to us than this. We came to earth to make covenants and keep them. President Boyd K. Packer once said of covenants: “To make them is the quest of mortality; to keep them is the challenge of a lifetime.”
Our covenants, if faithfully kept, are what will enable us to walk back into the presence of our Father and see his faith with gladness. In other words, keeping our covenants allow us to be full partakers of the blessings of Jesus’ Sacrifice.
So, there are the basics. To them, I add this “Basics Checklist?”
1. Do I have a testimony of Jesus Christ and His Restored Church?
2. Have I kept my covenants today?
3. Have I read my scriptures today?
4. Have I prayed today?
5. Have I attended all my meetings this week?
6. Have I felt the Spirit today?
Here are the rest:
#7—Appreciate the Atonement
I can think of nothing more ungrateful than one who falls into a sin-now-repent-later scheme. Such a person shows a lack of appreciation of the great suffering that Christ rendered on their behalf.
Rather, I would have us embrace the attitude of Elder Maxwell, who once said: “I thank the Savior personally for bearing all which I added to his hemorrhaging at every pore for all of humanity in Gethsemane. I thank Him for bearing what I added to the decibels of His piercing soul-cry atop Calvary.” Such an attitude reveres the Atonement.
#8—Represent Christ
A favorite saying of mine goes, “Live your life in such a way that those who know you but don’t know Christ will want to know Christ because they know you.” Another favorite saying is “don’t make your faith hard to detect.” In other words, let your light shine before men. Be an example.
To be an example of Christ, we must look and act like believers, so that we are witnesses of Christ in all times and in all places. This means we dress modestly and adhere to President Hinckley’s guidelines regarding tattoos and earrings. This means our attire is consistent with our faith. This also means that our language and conversations are in keeping with that testimony we have of Jesus.
#9—Attend Institute
A few years ago, when I was attending Dixie, I had a girlfriend who was a convert to the Church and had signed up for Institute for the first time.
She was just blown away by it. She came back from her first class at Institute talking non-stop about how great it was. She’d found something that she hadn’t experienced before—the wonderful teachers and classes of the Church Educational System. Institute really is an enjoyable thing; it’s a nice break from the college classes. There’s just a different feel to Institute. If you have a spare hour or two in your class schedule, it’d be to your advantage to attend Institute.
In fact, it’s something you must do to make your college experience complete.
#10—Stand in Holy Places
The best way to avoid temptation is to not go where it’s present.
There are just some places Latter-day Saints shouldn’t be—they include the obvious places: bars and clubs, but they also include other places, such as a friend’s apartment where you might be pressured to drink alcohol, or immoral Internet sites.
Don’t seek pornography; it will destroy you, the brethren have told us over and over again. Don’t drink alcohol—not only do you break the Word of Wisdom when you do so, but you lose control of yourself and can put yourself in a situation in which you compromise your standards and seriously damage your spirit.
If you have that much free time to sin, then fill that free time with Institute and draw near unto Christ instead.
#11—Choose righteous friends
If you have friends pressuring you to drink or otherwise compromise your standards, get new friends.
How you act determines what you become. While how you act is up to you, your acts are always influenced by your friends. If you’re friends can’t support you in a righteous lifestyle, then find new friends.
It’s not that hard. It’s not really my style to go out of my way to meet people, yet I’ve made a number of friends in this ward by just standing in the hallway. Be where the good kids are, and some good kids will be your friends. Remember the best way to have a bunch of good friends is to be a good friend to them. Lift your friends up. Praise them. Tell them what they do well, what you like about them. Help them through their difficulties. Help keep them on the straight and narrow, as you walk it with them.
I can tell you that I have some friends I would just trust with my life because I know they care about me because they’ve listened to me when I’ve had struggles and they’ve helped get me through those times. We should all seek not just to have those kind of friends—but to be that type of friend.
#12—Attend “Extra” Church Events—Firesides, FHEs, ward activities.
Speaking of being where the good kids are …
The firesides, family home evenings, ward and Institute activities provide wonderful opportunities for you to meet new people, be entertained cheaply and be uplifted at the same time.
#13—Choose virtuous entertainment
Movies, TV and books affect you. You’re kidding yourself if you think otherwise. Therefore, you should choose entertainment that uplifts instead of demeans. With all the other offerings of entertainment from church activities to sports to plays to clean movies, TV shows and magazines, there is simply no need to have your mind polluted by the Adversary’s entertainment.
#14—Accentuate the Positive
If there’s one lesson we have learned from President Hinckley it is to be optimistic.
Quite honestly, this summer has been a challenging one for me. This is not where I expected to be, the first summer out of college, when I planned out my college experience. Things that I thought would work out, haven’t, included my dream job, which I came tantalizingly close to getting—which if I had got I know I would’ve been there for the rest of my life. My life is too much like George Costanza’s for my own liking. Yet, at the same time, I feel so blessed; there is so much that I have going for me, which includes a great family, full of nieces and nephews, many of whom kept swarming into the room as I wrote this talk to give me hugs and jump on the bed. Plus, I had quite a great, exciting journey through college. And if you get stranded somewhere, St. George is a pretty great place to be stranded. I could focus on what’s wrong and get depressed. But, instead, I’ve been fairly happy because I just have too many blessings to be sour.
#15—Love Yourself
This all leads to this point: love who you are.
I include this here because it's important to remember that Christ loved you enough to die for you. It's important that you love yourself as He loved you.
I might not look like Brad Pitt or have a wallet as fat as Donald Trump's, but I like who I am. I probably wouldn’t if I spent my time obsessing why I don’t look like Brad Pitt or why I’m not as cool as Jeremy Schudde. Usually, when we make such comparisons, we do ourselves a great injustice, for in those comparisons, we tend to focus on our perceived weaknesses rather than our strengths.
Define yourself by your strengths, not your weaknesses. Then ask God to help those weaknesses become strengths.
#16—Serve and Praise Others
This hearkens back to the friends theme. I mentioned there that the friends I trusted were those who had listened to and helped me in my difficulties. This is what call the “Ammon Attitude.” It was Ammon who first served the king before he taught him, and he had considerable more success than his brothers who didn’t do that. In time, Ammon’s service won him the friendship of the king. If you have a problem getting along with a roommate, serve that roommate. Even if you don’t have a problem getting along with a roommate, serve that roommate. In either case, you will find your relationship strengthened.
The second part of this one is to find the good in others and praise them for that. Everyone needs a little pick-me-up now and then. Be the friend who provides that. Part of being a praiser means conditioning yourself to find the good in others—this will help you in all you relationships. It’s when you focus on the negative in others, that animosity is created. But when you focus on the good, friendship is created.
#17—Set Goals
Set some goals, such as reading your scriptures every day or getting a high GPA. Post them somewhere in your room and work on them with Heber J. Grant-like diligence. If you keep your goals in mind, you’ll achieve more
#18—Accept/Magnify Callings
If you are asked to serve, accept the call. Then serve with all your heart, might, mind and soul. Adopt David O. McKay’s mantra: “Whate’er thou art, act well thy part.” If you’re called to be a home teacher, be the best home teacher you can be. Don’t be like me. I forgot to go home teaching last month. Sorry, Kyle. I guess this makes me a hypocrite, but the principle is true—give your best to the Lord.
#19—Sustain and Help Out Leaders
Our leaders, most notably our bishopric, are all our volunteers, giving much of their scant free time to be with us. That deserves not just our sustaining vote, but our respect and gratitude. We also have an obligation to help them out in whatever we can. This may be as simple as doing our calling or going the extra mile to reach out to a member of the ward.
#20—Create a Heavenly Environment
This goes back to looking the part of a disciple of Christ. Only this time, it’s our houses, rooms and apartments that should testify. It was President Kimball who suggested we display pictures of the temple or artwork of Christ on our walls to remind of us our eternal goals.
#21—Take General Conference Seriously
Although we watch general conferences in casual clothes, we cannot be casual about its message. These are God’s prophets speaking to us. The General Conferences are special, important times of the year. Taking General Conference seriously includes preparing for it, this may include considering a question you want answered and praying that you will find the answer during the General Conference. Above all, though, I promise you if you listen to General Conference, you will find a message for you; you will find what God wants you to do or change in your life.
#22—Be Temple Worthy
You need to live your life so you’re prepared to meet you Maker at any time. A good measuring stick of this is whether you’re temple worthy. If you’re not, take care of whatever is preventing you from being temple worthy.
#23- Attend and Cherish The Temple
Besides General Conferences, the Temple is an excellent place to find the answers to our questions. Also, it’s the place where we feel closest to our Heavenly Father. It’s a glorious blessing of ours to live so near a temple. Let’s be grateful that we have a temple so near us.
#24—Be the Solution/Stand Up for Righteousness
There’s a commercial on TV right now, showing a group of people standing around a garbage can, staring at a piece of litter on the sidewalk and complaining about it. Then, a guy walks up, picks it up and throws it in the garbage can.
Too often, we spend too much time, sitting around complaining about our problems, expecting someone else to fix it.
Instead, we should find the solutions to our problems. After all, God helps those who help themselves.
Moreover, in a world of shifting values, it’s important that the Latter-day Saints band together and stand up for righteousness. This has made a difference in the past and will make a difference in the future.
Something as simple as changing the channel or writing a letter to political leaders can cause a mighty change.
#25—Fall in love with the gospel
The more you learn about this gospel, the more you’ll love it. The more you study the gospel, the more you will see the great work that God has done for you in your life. The plan of salvation is a beautiful plan, and the more it is understood, the clearer you relationship to your Father in Heaven is, the better your appreciation for the Savior will be, and the more frequent your association with the Spirit will be. If you study the gospel, you will fall in love with it.
Most of all, you will see a need for your Savior, and your need to draw near unto him. It was He who said, "Draw near unto me and I will draw near unto you; seek me diligently and ye shall find me ..." (D&C 88:63). I promise you that, if you do draw unto Him, your life will be richly blessed, and should you be faithful to your covenants, you will be redeemed by His blood to be found worthy to enter the Celestial Kingdom.
I know the plan of salvation is real, for the Spirit has testified it unto me, and I know that Christ was the center of it. He is our Redeemer and our Hope. We are children of a loving Heavenly Father. And the Father and Christ did appear to Joseph Smith, and through him, They restored Christ’s Church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Tonight, I want to speak of ways in which we can draw nearer to our Savior. But before I do, I want to stress why we want to come unto Christ.
I’ll start with a story by Tad R. Callister:
“One Sunday morning our teenaged son stood with two other priests to administer the sacrament, as they had done on many prior occasions. They pulled back the white cloth, but to their dismay there was no bread. One of them slipped out to the preparation room in hopes some could be found. There was none. Finally, our trouble son made his way to the bishop and shared the concern with him. A wise bishop then stood, explained the situation to the congregation, and asked, ‘How would it be if the sacrament table were empty today because there were no Atonement?’ I have thought of that often—what would it be like if there were no bread because there had been no crucifixion; no water because there had been no shedding of blood? Of course, the question is now moot, but it does put in perspective our total dependence on the Lord.”
I know that I have a total dependence on the Lord Jesus Christ, as do all of you. When I consider what my life would be like without the Hope of Christ, I can only see desperation, bleakness and despair.
I can only see myself as a trapped man—with no means of escape. Without Christ’s selfless Atonement, our spiritual lives would be DOA.
It’s appropriate that when the Israelites were marching through the desert they were fed by a bread—manna, and that Moses smote the rock, and water gushed forth to quench the thirst. Just as their physical salvation depended on bread and water, so do our spiritual lives depend on the Bread of Life and the Living Waters—Jesus Christ. And it should be noted that, in time, we will also be physically rescued by Christ’s Atonement, when we are all resurrected.
With that in mind, I’d like you to take just a moment. And think about what it must have been like to be in the Grand Council in Heaven, having just heard the Father explain His Great Plan of Happiness to us. The blessings of that plan to those who successfully navigated the tests of this life were a never-ending, complete joy; eternal life with our Father in Heaven, and the promise that we may one day be as He is. What great joy we must have had to have the possibility of those blessings, yet our realization of those gifts depended on One of the Father’s Children performing a great, selfless Atonement of immeasurable suffering and pain. This Sacrifice had to be made by Best of the Father’s Children, for He had to perfect, even in the midst of great temptation, to be qualified to make this Atonement. He had to be so full of love that he would “descend below them all” to rescue us from sin. Knowing this, can you imagine the joy you felt when the Best of Our Father’s Children, Jesus Christ, stepped forward and gladly took this responsibility upon Himself, when he said, “Here Am I. Send me.” Imagine that moment and what it must have meant to you then, and what it should mean to you now!
“Yes,” we must have thought, “It could only be Jehovah!”
I’m sure we all knew in that instant that Christ would come through, and perform that Atonement with exactness. And indeed, he did exactly that. And why did he go through the awfulness of Gethsemane and the treachery of the Cross? Because he loved us.
There is a lesson I hope we have imprinted on our hearts: Christ loved us enough to be our Atoner.
And so we, standing behind the Father’s choice to pick Jesus to be Our Christ, came to Earth to prove ourselves.
Now, you have probably seen a TV show or heard a story in which two people claim ownership of a dog, and they always seem to resolve this is the same one: the two people will stand on opposite ends of the yard and call the dog, and whoever the dog goes to is its rightful owner. In a sense, that’s what’s happening here on Earth. Christ is calling to us, and Satan is tempting us to come his way. Every step we take toward Satan is a step away from Christ. Every step we take toward Christ is a step away from Satan.
Therefore, I hope you can see the wisdom of drawing closer to Christ. You choose which way you go. As Nephi wrote: “And they are free to choose liberty and eternal life, through the great Mediator of all men, or to choose captivity and death, according to the captivity and power of the devil; for he seeketh that all men might be miserable like unto himself” (2 Nephi 2:27). Again, it is your choice, but the soundest, happiest and best choice is to come unto Christ. I hope you will.
Now, these are some ways in which you can.
These first five items I call “The Basics”—these are the simple fundamental, everyday things you can do that will strengthen your spirit. When Vince Lombardi was hired to coach the Green Bay Packers, reporters asked him what he was going to do in his new role—would he emphasize the pass, the run, defense, what? Instead, Lombardi responded, “We’ll be brilliant at the basics.” Lombardi’s teams were, and they won so much, they named the Super Bowl trophy after him. Similarly, in our spiritual doings, we need to be brilliant at the basics, so that we are prepared for whatever Satan throws at us. This preparation is absolutely necessary each day. I remember Elder Holland once saying to missionaries that their preparation time between 6:30 and 9:30 a.m. each day, “Would break or make your mission.” And isn’t interesting that of all of the preparations that Captain Moroni made for his imminent war with Amalickiah, the first one he made was preparing the minds of the people to be faithful to Christ? If you want to win your spiritual battles you must first have faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.
#1—Gain A Testimony; then strengthen, protect and adhere to that testimony.
First, I want you to know that I have a strong, vibrant testimony that Jesus is the Christ; I know He is my Savior. The Spirit has whispered this to my heart so many times that I cannot deny it. I do know Christ is the Atoner!
It makes sense that the first principle of the gospel is faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Why would you want to be obedient to his commandments if you didn’t believe this? Once, you have faith in Christ, that faith becomes the catalyst of all other acts—coming to church, marrying in the temple, accepting a call to serve, etc.—the desire to do all those things comes from a testimony of Christ and His Restored Church.
Once we gain a testimony, it is ours to remember; ours to strengthen through study and spiritual experience; ours to protect against Satan and his minions. Once. we have that testimony we are building on the Rock of Our Redeemer; we want to build on this foundation so that we can, as Helaman wrote, withstand the shafts in the whirlwind that Satan will hurl at us. This is best done by adhering to our testimony, meaning we keep Christ’s commandments because we love Him and revere Him as our Savior.
#2—Read Your Scriptures
Bishop Ferguson has wisely counseled us to read our scriptures for 30 minutes for the next 30 days. Quite honestly, I’m off to a rough start, but I plan to repent and finish up strong. If you’re like me and haven’t yet been diligent in meeting Bishop Ferguson’s challenge, I hope you will join me in a renewed effort to start again and this time do it right.
I believe reading the scriptures has a profound impact on one’s relationship with God. I know this, because I can tell when I am neglectful in my reading, I find myself distanced from God, taking steps toward Satan. The scriptures drive a man toward Christ. Read your scriptures, and as you do you will internalize them and become a more Christ-like person. As Elder Neal A. Maxwell once said, “We possess these precious truths! Now they must come to possess us!”
#3—Pray Always
In Doctrine & Covenants 10:5, the Lord promises us: “Pray always, that you may come off conqueror; yea, that you may conqueror Satan …” Certainly, that is our goal! We want to return to live our Heavenly Father, right? How do we do that? We conqueror Satan? What’s the best way to conqueror Satan? Pray Always.
#4—Go to Church—All Three Meetings
Church is three hours long—not two. Just because the scenery may not be as interesting in the Elders’ Quorum, it’s no reason to go home. The purpose of church is not to socialize, although that’s a great benefit of it. The purpose of attending church is to draw closer to Christ. As Moroni wrote, “And the church did meet together oft, to fast and to pray, and to speak one with another concerning the welfare of their souls. And they did meet together oft to partake of the bread and wine, in remembrance of the Lord Jesus” (Moroni 6:5-6).
We come to church, first, to renew our covenants with Christ, and we also attend to worship Christ, and to speak “one with another concerning the welfare of their souls.” This refers to sacrament talks and Sunday School and Elders’ Quorum lessons. When you miss one of your meetings, you may miss a message that Christ wants you to hear.
#5—STS—Seek the Spirit
It is such a wonderful blessing to have the gift of the Holy Ghost. It is the blessing to have a member of the Godhead, an Actual God, God the Testator, with us at all times. What a tremendous gift that is! The Spirit is our Guide through this life.
How receptive have we been to the Spirit’s guidance? Have we followed its counsel? Have we lived worthy of having the Spirit whisper directions to us? Have we sought the Spirit in our critical decisions? Have we felt the Spirit recently? Have we felt It daily?
Seek the Spirit. Make your lives and your homes a place where the Spirit can drop in and have a nice chat with you. I should point out that three of the best ways to invite the Spirit are to read your scriptures, pray and attend your meetings—putting things in your life that will be accompanied by the Spirit.
#6—Keep your Covenants
Really, nothing is more important to us than this. We came to earth to make covenants and keep them. President Boyd K. Packer once said of covenants: “To make them is the quest of mortality; to keep them is the challenge of a lifetime.”
Our covenants, if faithfully kept, are what will enable us to walk back into the presence of our Father and see his faith with gladness. In other words, keeping our covenants allow us to be full partakers of the blessings of Jesus’ Sacrifice.
So, there are the basics. To them, I add this “Basics Checklist?”
1. Do I have a testimony of Jesus Christ and His Restored Church?
2. Have I kept my covenants today?
3. Have I read my scriptures today?
4. Have I prayed today?
5. Have I attended all my meetings this week?
6. Have I felt the Spirit today?
Here are the rest:
#7—Appreciate the Atonement
I can think of nothing more ungrateful than one who falls into a sin-now-repent-later scheme. Such a person shows a lack of appreciation of the great suffering that Christ rendered on their behalf.
Rather, I would have us embrace the attitude of Elder Maxwell, who once said: “I thank the Savior personally for bearing all which I added to his hemorrhaging at every pore for all of humanity in Gethsemane. I thank Him for bearing what I added to the decibels of His piercing soul-cry atop Calvary.” Such an attitude reveres the Atonement.
#8—Represent Christ
A favorite saying of mine goes, “Live your life in such a way that those who know you but don’t know Christ will want to know Christ because they know you.” Another favorite saying is “don’t make your faith hard to detect.” In other words, let your light shine before men. Be an example.
To be an example of Christ, we must look and act like believers, so that we are witnesses of Christ in all times and in all places. This means we dress modestly and adhere to President Hinckley’s guidelines regarding tattoos and earrings. This means our attire is consistent with our faith. This also means that our language and conversations are in keeping with that testimony we have of Jesus.
#9—Attend Institute
A few years ago, when I was attending Dixie, I had a girlfriend who was a convert to the Church and had signed up for Institute for the first time.
She was just blown away by it. She came back from her first class at Institute talking non-stop about how great it was. She’d found something that she hadn’t experienced before—the wonderful teachers and classes of the Church Educational System. Institute really is an enjoyable thing; it’s a nice break from the college classes. There’s just a different feel to Institute. If you have a spare hour or two in your class schedule, it’d be to your advantage to attend Institute.
In fact, it’s something you must do to make your college experience complete.
#10—Stand in Holy Places
The best way to avoid temptation is to not go where it’s present.
There are just some places Latter-day Saints shouldn’t be—they include the obvious places: bars and clubs, but they also include other places, such as a friend’s apartment where you might be pressured to drink alcohol, or immoral Internet sites.
Don’t seek pornography; it will destroy you, the brethren have told us over and over again. Don’t drink alcohol—not only do you break the Word of Wisdom when you do so, but you lose control of yourself and can put yourself in a situation in which you compromise your standards and seriously damage your spirit.
If you have that much free time to sin, then fill that free time with Institute and draw near unto Christ instead.
#11—Choose righteous friends
If you have friends pressuring you to drink or otherwise compromise your standards, get new friends.
How you act determines what you become. While how you act is up to you, your acts are always influenced by your friends. If you’re friends can’t support you in a righteous lifestyle, then find new friends.
It’s not that hard. It’s not really my style to go out of my way to meet people, yet I’ve made a number of friends in this ward by just standing in the hallway. Be where the good kids are, and some good kids will be your friends. Remember the best way to have a bunch of good friends is to be a good friend to them. Lift your friends up. Praise them. Tell them what they do well, what you like about them. Help them through their difficulties. Help keep them on the straight and narrow, as you walk it with them.
I can tell you that I have some friends I would just trust with my life because I know they care about me because they’ve listened to me when I’ve had struggles and they’ve helped get me through those times. We should all seek not just to have those kind of friends—but to be that type of friend.
#12—Attend “Extra” Church Events—Firesides, FHEs, ward activities.
Speaking of being where the good kids are …
The firesides, family home evenings, ward and Institute activities provide wonderful opportunities for you to meet new people, be entertained cheaply and be uplifted at the same time.
#13—Choose virtuous entertainment
Movies, TV and books affect you. You’re kidding yourself if you think otherwise. Therefore, you should choose entertainment that uplifts instead of demeans. With all the other offerings of entertainment from church activities to sports to plays to clean movies, TV shows and magazines, there is simply no need to have your mind polluted by the Adversary’s entertainment.
#14—Accentuate the Positive
If there’s one lesson we have learned from President Hinckley it is to be optimistic.
Quite honestly, this summer has been a challenging one for me. This is not where I expected to be, the first summer out of college, when I planned out my college experience. Things that I thought would work out, haven’t, included my dream job, which I came tantalizingly close to getting—which if I had got I know I would’ve been there for the rest of my life. My life is too much like George Costanza’s for my own liking. Yet, at the same time, I feel so blessed; there is so much that I have going for me, which includes a great family, full of nieces and nephews, many of whom kept swarming into the room as I wrote this talk to give me hugs and jump on the bed. Plus, I had quite a great, exciting journey through college. And if you get stranded somewhere, St. George is a pretty great place to be stranded. I could focus on what’s wrong and get depressed. But, instead, I’ve been fairly happy because I just have too many blessings to be sour.
#15—Love Yourself
This all leads to this point: love who you are.
I include this here because it's important to remember that Christ loved you enough to die for you. It's important that you love yourself as He loved you.
I might not look like Brad Pitt or have a wallet as fat as Donald Trump's, but I like who I am. I probably wouldn’t if I spent my time obsessing why I don’t look like Brad Pitt or why I’m not as cool as Jeremy Schudde. Usually, when we make such comparisons, we do ourselves a great injustice, for in those comparisons, we tend to focus on our perceived weaknesses rather than our strengths.
Define yourself by your strengths, not your weaknesses. Then ask God to help those weaknesses become strengths.
#16—Serve and Praise Others
This hearkens back to the friends theme. I mentioned there that the friends I trusted were those who had listened to and helped me in my difficulties. This is what call the “Ammon Attitude.” It was Ammon who first served the king before he taught him, and he had considerable more success than his brothers who didn’t do that. In time, Ammon’s service won him the friendship of the king. If you have a problem getting along with a roommate, serve that roommate. Even if you don’t have a problem getting along with a roommate, serve that roommate. In either case, you will find your relationship strengthened.
The second part of this one is to find the good in others and praise them for that. Everyone needs a little pick-me-up now and then. Be the friend who provides that. Part of being a praiser means conditioning yourself to find the good in others—this will help you in all you relationships. It’s when you focus on the negative in others, that animosity is created. But when you focus on the good, friendship is created.
#17—Set Goals
Set some goals, such as reading your scriptures every day or getting a high GPA. Post them somewhere in your room and work on them with Heber J. Grant-like diligence. If you keep your goals in mind, you’ll achieve more
#18—Accept/Magnify Callings
If you are asked to serve, accept the call. Then serve with all your heart, might, mind and soul. Adopt David O. McKay’s mantra: “Whate’er thou art, act well thy part.” If you’re called to be a home teacher, be the best home teacher you can be. Don’t be like me. I forgot to go home teaching last month. Sorry, Kyle. I guess this makes me a hypocrite, but the principle is true—give your best to the Lord.
#19—Sustain and Help Out Leaders
Our leaders, most notably our bishopric, are all our volunteers, giving much of their scant free time to be with us. That deserves not just our sustaining vote, but our respect and gratitude. We also have an obligation to help them out in whatever we can. This may be as simple as doing our calling or going the extra mile to reach out to a member of the ward.
#20—Create a Heavenly Environment
This goes back to looking the part of a disciple of Christ. Only this time, it’s our houses, rooms and apartments that should testify. It was President Kimball who suggested we display pictures of the temple or artwork of Christ on our walls to remind of us our eternal goals.
#21—Take General Conference Seriously
Although we watch general conferences in casual clothes, we cannot be casual about its message. These are God’s prophets speaking to us. The General Conferences are special, important times of the year. Taking General Conference seriously includes preparing for it, this may include considering a question you want answered and praying that you will find the answer during the General Conference. Above all, though, I promise you if you listen to General Conference, you will find a message for you; you will find what God wants you to do or change in your life.
#22—Be Temple Worthy
You need to live your life so you’re prepared to meet you Maker at any time. A good measuring stick of this is whether you’re temple worthy. If you’re not, take care of whatever is preventing you from being temple worthy.
#23- Attend and Cherish The Temple
Besides General Conferences, the Temple is an excellent place to find the answers to our questions. Also, it’s the place where we feel closest to our Heavenly Father. It’s a glorious blessing of ours to live so near a temple. Let’s be grateful that we have a temple so near us.
#24—Be the Solution/Stand Up for Righteousness
There’s a commercial on TV right now, showing a group of people standing around a garbage can, staring at a piece of litter on the sidewalk and complaining about it. Then, a guy walks up, picks it up and throws it in the garbage can.
Too often, we spend too much time, sitting around complaining about our problems, expecting someone else to fix it.
Instead, we should find the solutions to our problems. After all, God helps those who help themselves.
Moreover, in a world of shifting values, it’s important that the Latter-day Saints band together and stand up for righteousness. This has made a difference in the past and will make a difference in the future.
Something as simple as changing the channel or writing a letter to political leaders can cause a mighty change.
#25—Fall in love with the gospel
The more you learn about this gospel, the more you’ll love it. The more you study the gospel, the more you will see the great work that God has done for you in your life. The plan of salvation is a beautiful plan, and the more it is understood, the clearer you relationship to your Father in Heaven is, the better your appreciation for the Savior will be, and the more frequent your association with the Spirit will be. If you study the gospel, you will fall in love with it.
Most of all, you will see a need for your Savior, and your need to draw near unto him. It was He who said, "Draw near unto me and I will draw near unto you; seek me diligently and ye shall find me ..." (D&C 88:63). I promise you that, if you do draw unto Him, your life will be richly blessed, and should you be faithful to your covenants, you will be redeemed by His blood to be found worthy to enter the Celestial Kingdom.
I know the plan of salvation is real, for the Spirit has testified it unto me, and I know that Christ was the center of it. He is our Redeemer and our Hope. We are children of a loving Heavenly Father. And the Father and Christ did appear to Joseph Smith, and through him, They restored Christ’s Church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
RELIGION: Fireside Handout
My handout from the fireside I gave on Sept. 6, 1999 to the Dixie State College 7th Ward.
25 Ways to Draw Nearer To Christ
The Basics
1- Gain A Testimony; then strengthen, protect and adhere to that testimony.
2- Read Your Scriptures
3-Pray Always
4-Go to Church-All Three Meetings
5-STS-Seek the Spirit
6-Keep Your Covenants
---
7-Appreciate the Atonement
8-Represent Christ
9-Attend Institute
10-Stand in Holy Places
11-Choose righteous friends
12-Attend "Extra" Church Events-Firesides, FHEs, ward activities, etc.
13-Choose virtuous entertainment
14-Accentuate the Positive
15-Love Yourself
16-Serve and Praise Others
17-Set Goals
18-Accept/Magnify Callings
19-Sustain and Help Out Leaders
20-Create a Heavenly Environment
21-Take General Conference Seriously
22-Be Temple Worthy
23-Attend and Cherish the Temple
24-Be the Solution
25-Fall in love with the gospel
The Basics Checklist
1. Do I have a testimony of Jesus Christ and His restored Church?
2. Have I kept my covenants today?
3. Have I read my scriptures today?
4. Have I prayed today?
5. Have I attended all my meetings this week?
6. Have I felt the Spirit today?
President Larkin
DSC 2nd Stake Priesthood Meeting
April 28, 2002
1. Do I study the scriptures daily?
2. Do I pray daily?
3. Do I go to bed early and get up early?
4. Is my fasting meaningful
5. Do I consider myself to be a happy person?
6. Do I work hard?
7. Am I concerned more about how I serve than where I serve?
8. Do I love my enemies?
9. Do I take advantage of the temple and go often?
10. Do I share my testimony?
11. Am I a living example of Christ’s teachings?
12. Do others want to be like me?
13. If I died, I am ready to meet my Savior?
Elder Wm. Rolfe Kerr
10 Questions for Returned Missionaries
1. Do I have a current temple recommend?
2. Am I paying my tithes and offerings?
3. Do I have a challenging calling in the Church?
4. Am I studying scriptures daily?
5. Are my prayers as deep and meaningful as on my mission?
6. Am I treating the opposite sex with dignity, tenderness and respect
7. Has any activity contrary to the moral teachings of the Church crept into my life?
8. Am I worthy and prepared for temple marriage?
9. Am I searching for an eternal companion?
10. Am I preparing to be a true patriarch in my home?
25 Ways to Draw Nearer To Christ
The Basics
1- Gain A Testimony; then strengthen, protect and adhere to that testimony.
2- Read Your Scriptures
3-Pray Always
4-Go to Church-All Three Meetings
5-STS-Seek the Spirit
6-Keep Your Covenants
---
7-Appreciate the Atonement
8-Represent Christ
9-Attend Institute
10-Stand in Holy Places
11-Choose righteous friends
12-Attend "Extra" Church Events-Firesides, FHEs, ward activities, etc.
13-Choose virtuous entertainment
14-Accentuate the Positive
15-Love Yourself
16-Serve and Praise Others
17-Set Goals
18-Accept/Magnify Callings
19-Sustain and Help Out Leaders
20-Create a Heavenly Environment
21-Take General Conference Seriously
22-Be Temple Worthy
23-Attend and Cherish the Temple
24-Be the Solution
25-Fall in love with the gospel
The Basics Checklist
1. Do I have a testimony of Jesus Christ and His restored Church?
2. Have I kept my covenants today?
3. Have I read my scriptures today?
4. Have I prayed today?
5. Have I attended all my meetings this week?
6. Have I felt the Spirit today?
President Larkin
DSC 2nd Stake Priesthood Meeting
April 28, 2002
1. Do I study the scriptures daily?
2. Do I pray daily?
3. Do I go to bed early and get up early?
4. Is my fasting meaningful
5. Do I consider myself to be a happy person?
6. Do I work hard?
7. Am I concerned more about how I serve than where I serve?
8. Do I love my enemies?
9. Do I take advantage of the temple and go often?
10. Do I share my testimony?
11. Am I a living example of Christ’s teachings?
12. Do others want to be like me?
13. If I died, I am ready to meet my Savior?
Elder Wm. Rolfe Kerr
10 Questions for Returned Missionaries
1. Do I have a current temple recommend?
2. Am I paying my tithes and offerings?
3. Do I have a challenging calling in the Church?
4. Am I studying scriptures daily?
5. Are my prayers as deep and meaningful as on my mission?
6. Am I treating the opposite sex with dignity, tenderness and respect
7. Has any activity contrary to the moral teachings of the Church crept into my life?
8. Am I worthy and prepared for temple marriage?
9. Am I searching for an eternal companion?
10. Am I preparing to be a true patriarch in my home?
RANT: My War vs. Discover Card
ARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRGHHHHH!!
The Discover Card company is raising my blood pressure to an unhealthy level. If I have a heart attack in the next two days, I'll hold you personally responsible. Just kidding.
But I am definitely far from pleased with Discover Card. I know you don't care, as my previous complaint to your company has gone unanswered.
Today, however, I will send my petition for a redress of grievances to your headquarters one last time. This time I hope I am heard. If not, then I will certainly warn my friends and readers (I am an oft-read columnist) to avoid Discover Card at all costs.
Let me recount my history with you.
Things had been rosy up until this Summer, when a mysterious charge for an item called AccountGuard began appearing on my bill. I called up to have this policy canceled and refunded because I had never signed up for this service. The conversation I had with your so-called customer service representative was like banging my head against a brick wall. Not only would she not entertain my legitimate complaint that I had never enrolled in this program, she kept trying to sell this unwanted insurance to me. I kept repeating my disinclination for the program, making clear how unwanted it was. It was until my voice was escalated and my temper borne raw that she finally acceded to my simple request and canceled the program. I felt it was an unnecessary experience for me that I had to navigate a rep's disinterest in my needs to protect my money.
Therefore, I wrote a letter of complaint to Discover Card.
Your company never replied. From this, I learned Discover Card just didn't care about me.
Even though I now knew I was in an uncommitted relationship, I soldiered on with your company, as my present financial circumstances didn't allow me to dump you.
Although I was in a loveless marriage with your company, I wasn't too bothered. The silence between us was actually quite lovely.
But, today, you decided to talk to me again. And, naturally, you sent your most vicious, nasty customer representative to come spit venom at me. The argument was, as it always is, about money--not the money I really owed, but the money you thought I owed through your creative accounting, designed to mug me for the most money possible.
This particular customer service witch called to complain that I had not payed the $40 minimum payment in August. The problem I had with this was that August's minimum payment was $30. Yes, she said. But Discover had just sent out September's bill with a $40 minimum payment.
But, wait, aren't we talking about August's payment?
Yes, but now $30 doesn't do.
What? But $30 was how much you asked for. It was how much I sent. You can't send me a bill for $30 and then get it, and, say, "Hey, we really wanted $40!"
She, in turn, told me if I didn't pay the extra $10, I would be charged with a late fee.
Charged with a late fee for paying the minimum payment on time? That is ridiculous! Absolutely ridiculous. What kind of extortion ring are you running.
If I had known your company could change the minimum payment requirements on me after I had made the minimum payment, I never would have signed up for your service.
Also, if I had know that the way you hire customer service representatives is to walk around the streets of New York City and find the most vitrolic, blood-spitting mean person you can, I never would have received a card from your company.
And if I had known that my letters of complaint would go unread by an unconcerned customer relations department, I'd never been associated with Discover Card. And had I known that my first attempt to write this letter would be deleted because your site thought I was taking too long, I would've kicked the wall.
This is one of the worst experiences I have ever had with a company. Even if I am not in a position to get a divorce right now, I assure you I will shortly--unless I see a real change in your company.
To keep me as your customer, you must do the following:
1-- Hire customer representatives who respect me and with whom I can have nice, respectable conversations. Fire those customer reps who berate, humiliate and refuse to listen to customers.
2-- Do not charge me for late fees when I have made the minimum payment.
3-- Let me pay this month's payment this month. Don't require me to pay September's bill in August.
4-- Don't charge me for things I've never signed up for.
5-- When I write a letter of complaint, at least be kind enough to respond. And if you do respond, please show me that my letter has at least been heard. I don't need what I write to be passed along to Dave Nelms, but I do need to show that my letter actually mattered to the company.
6-- Show me that you care. As of this moment, I am convinced that you do not.
I would like to point out that up until these two episodic nightmares, things had been pleasant with Discover Card. I'd like to return to those times. Please make it happen. And tell Nelmsy if he wants to read my letter, it will be on my Web site.
Sincerely,
Stephen Vincent
The Discover Card company is raising my blood pressure to an unhealthy level. If I have a heart attack in the next two days, I'll hold you personally responsible. Just kidding.
But I am definitely far from pleased with Discover Card. I know you don't care, as my previous complaint to your company has gone unanswered.
Today, however, I will send my petition for a redress of grievances to your headquarters one last time. This time I hope I am heard. If not, then I will certainly warn my friends and readers (I am an oft-read columnist) to avoid Discover Card at all costs.
Let me recount my history with you.
Things had been rosy up until this Summer, when a mysterious charge for an item called AccountGuard began appearing on my bill. I called up to have this policy canceled and refunded because I had never signed up for this service. The conversation I had with your so-called customer service representative was like banging my head against a brick wall. Not only would she not entertain my legitimate complaint that I had never enrolled in this program, she kept trying to sell this unwanted insurance to me. I kept repeating my disinclination for the program, making clear how unwanted it was. It was until my voice was escalated and my temper borne raw that she finally acceded to my simple request and canceled the program. I felt it was an unnecessary experience for me that I had to navigate a rep's disinterest in my needs to protect my money.
Therefore, I wrote a letter of complaint to Discover Card.
Your company never replied. From this, I learned Discover Card just didn't care about me.
Even though I now knew I was in an uncommitted relationship, I soldiered on with your company, as my present financial circumstances didn't allow me to dump you.
Although I was in a loveless marriage with your company, I wasn't too bothered. The silence between us was actually quite lovely.
But, today, you decided to talk to me again. And, naturally, you sent your most vicious, nasty customer representative to come spit venom at me. The argument was, as it always is, about money--not the money I really owed, but the money you thought I owed through your creative accounting, designed to mug me for the most money possible.
This particular customer service witch called to complain that I had not payed the $40 minimum payment in August. The problem I had with this was that August's minimum payment was $30. Yes, she said. But Discover had just sent out September's bill with a $40 minimum payment.
But, wait, aren't we talking about August's payment?
Yes, but now $30 doesn't do.
What? But $30 was how much you asked for. It was how much I sent. You can't send me a bill for $30 and then get it, and, say, "Hey, we really wanted $40!"
She, in turn, told me if I didn't pay the extra $10, I would be charged with a late fee.
Charged with a late fee for paying the minimum payment on time? That is ridiculous! Absolutely ridiculous. What kind of extortion ring are you running.
If I had known your company could change the minimum payment requirements on me after I had made the minimum payment, I never would have signed up for your service.
Also, if I had know that the way you hire customer service representatives is to walk around the streets of New York City and find the most vitrolic, blood-spitting mean person you can, I never would have received a card from your company.
And if I had known that my letters of complaint would go unread by an unconcerned customer relations department, I'd never been associated with Discover Card. And had I known that my first attempt to write this letter would be deleted because your site thought I was taking too long, I would've kicked the wall.
This is one of the worst experiences I have ever had with a company. Even if I am not in a position to get a divorce right now, I assure you I will shortly--unless I see a real change in your company.
To keep me as your customer, you must do the following:
1-- Hire customer representatives who respect me and with whom I can have nice, respectable conversations. Fire those customer reps who berate, humiliate and refuse to listen to customers.
2-- Do not charge me for late fees when I have made the minimum payment.
3-- Let me pay this month's payment this month. Don't require me to pay September's bill in August.
4-- Don't charge me for things I've never signed up for.
5-- When I write a letter of complaint, at least be kind enough to respond. And if you do respond, please show me that my letter has at least been heard. I don't need what I write to be passed along to Dave Nelms, but I do need to show that my letter actually mattered to the company.
6-- Show me that you care. As of this moment, I am convinced that you do not.
I would like to point out that up until these two episodic nightmares, things had been pleasant with Discover Card. I'd like to return to those times. Please make it happen. And tell Nelmsy if he wants to read my letter, it will be on my Web site.
Sincerely,
Stephen Vincent
Tuesday, August 31, 2004
NEWS: I've decided not to seek a second term
For the last five years, I've enjoyed serving as your Supreme Dictator of Earth.
However, I have decided to not seek a second lifetime term. I will fill my first lifetime term, and upon my death, you can feel free to fill the vacancy. I ask that at that time, you not re-elect me to a lifetime term.
This brings up an interesting point.
Because I was not elected in the first place. It was King Arthur who said, "You don't vote for a king." I'm not a king. I'm too powerful, tyrranical and self-absorbed to be a king. So I became a Supreme Dictator.
In fact, I became the Supreme Dictator of Earth, although technically I share the title with Kimball and Drake. Harv is an emeritus dictator, and Drake was, I suppose, an emeritus dictator too, but now he's back. Some maybe I'm not the Supreme Dictator of Earth, but I'm one-third of the Supreme Dictators of Earth.
And really, in my mind, Kimball and Drake are subservient to me. They might argue otherwise, but it doesn't really matter. It's a big world, and it's only controlled by the three of us, so we really don't spend too much time talking to each other--because it would interfere with our plundering, pillaging, dictating, womanizing, threatening and conquering schedules.
With that much to do, there's little time for chess ... let alone arguments about the bureaucratic structure of our dictatorship.
Anyhow, I've digressed. I was telling you how I was not elected.
Well, it was quite simple.
Harv and I were sitting around one day in 1999--near the height of the Lewinsky scandal. When we came across a little-known archaic law that states you can become the Supreme Dictator of Earth, if you send out a letter to the heads of state around the world and say this:
"We are pleased to announce that we will become the Supreme Dictators of Earth on such-and-such date, unless you send a letter back to us, asserting your sovereignty by that date. If such a letter is not received, we will assume you have acquiesced to our request, as silence is compliance."
So we sent this letter back and all but three countries--Kenya, Guam and Nepal--didn't respond.
We figure the rest of the world was so paralyzed by the brouhaha around the Clinton sex scandal and so desirous to find, read and discuss every subtopic of that issue that they just simply forgot to open their mail.
Timing was our forte.
Kenya, Guam and Nepal were subsequently aligned with us through coups d'etat. So there we were, a big world to run and just the two of us to do it. So we added Harv to the lineup. Then Drake. Then Harv resigned because he was in violation of the Dictator's Code, later on Drake resigned--or rather, he, like Harv, was given emeritus status--for a violation similar to Harv's.
Drake has recently been reinstated.
And has subsequently been voted the sexiest man alive. That makes Kimball angry. But he's too busy yelling orders at underlings to really combat Drake's sexiness.
Underlings. They're so fun to yell at. I like the way they jump when you threaten to, say, raze the house.
Hah-hah. Good times, good times.
We have had, of course, some frictions, most notably the Sardonic Sorcerer of Bloomington, Matt Maxwell and his feared yak. This caused a faction, although we, in Amalickiah-like style, convinced Maxwell to appoint Kimball and I subsidiary dictators to the yak when he left to Japan. As seconds-in-command of Maxwell's Kingdom, we then overthrew the yak, placing ourselves in as the Rulers of Bloomington.
And peace was again established in the land.
Two years later, upon learning of our cunning, Maxwell returned from Japan with a band of Samurais, intent on destroying us. Unfortunately, for Maxwell, his band of Sumarais weren't warriors--they were actually Sumarai band members. So instead of assaulting us with swords; they assaulted us with trumpets and flutes.
Needless to say, this was no problem.
As a peace settlement, we gave Maxwell the unruly state of Wisconsin, which is, in fact, a fitting punishment for a ruthless insubordinate.
Since then, there've been no threats to our power. We rule peacefully and well. We adored, admired and never admonished.
We are the best and the brightest. We keep the metric system down. Kilos is illegalos.
We fight against truth, justice and the American way. Instead, we fight for misinformation, higher taxes and the Dictators' way. So in a way, we're like the Democrats ... except in power.
However, I have decided to not seek a second lifetime term. I will fill my first lifetime term, and upon my death, you can feel free to fill the vacancy. I ask that at that time, you not re-elect me to a lifetime term.
This brings up an interesting point.
Because I was not elected in the first place. It was King Arthur who said, "You don't vote for a king." I'm not a king. I'm too powerful, tyrranical and self-absorbed to be a king. So I became a Supreme Dictator.
In fact, I became the Supreme Dictator of Earth, although technically I share the title with Kimball and Drake. Harv is an emeritus dictator, and Drake was, I suppose, an emeritus dictator too, but now he's back. Some maybe I'm not the Supreme Dictator of Earth, but I'm one-third of the Supreme Dictators of Earth.
And really, in my mind, Kimball and Drake are subservient to me. They might argue otherwise, but it doesn't really matter. It's a big world, and it's only controlled by the three of us, so we really don't spend too much time talking to each other--because it would interfere with our plundering, pillaging, dictating, womanizing, threatening and conquering schedules.
With that much to do, there's little time for chess ... let alone arguments about the bureaucratic structure of our dictatorship.
Anyhow, I've digressed. I was telling you how I was not elected.
Well, it was quite simple.
Harv and I were sitting around one day in 1999--near the height of the Lewinsky scandal. When we came across a little-known archaic law that states you can become the Supreme Dictator of Earth, if you send out a letter to the heads of state around the world and say this:
"We are pleased to announce that we will become the Supreme Dictators of Earth on such-and-such date, unless you send a letter back to us, asserting your sovereignty by that date. If such a letter is not received, we will assume you have acquiesced to our request, as silence is compliance."
So we sent this letter back and all but three countries--Kenya, Guam and Nepal--didn't respond.
We figure the rest of the world was so paralyzed by the brouhaha around the Clinton sex scandal and so desirous to find, read and discuss every subtopic of that issue that they just simply forgot to open their mail.
Timing was our forte.
Kenya, Guam and Nepal were subsequently aligned with us through coups d'etat. So there we were, a big world to run and just the two of us to do it. So we added Harv to the lineup. Then Drake. Then Harv resigned because he was in violation of the Dictator's Code, later on Drake resigned--or rather, he, like Harv, was given emeritus status--for a violation similar to Harv's.
Drake has recently been reinstated.
And has subsequently been voted the sexiest man alive. That makes Kimball angry. But he's too busy yelling orders at underlings to really combat Drake's sexiness.
Underlings. They're so fun to yell at. I like the way they jump when you threaten to, say, raze the house.
Hah-hah. Good times, good times.
We have had, of course, some frictions, most notably the Sardonic Sorcerer of Bloomington, Matt Maxwell and his feared yak. This caused a faction, although we, in Amalickiah-like style, convinced Maxwell to appoint Kimball and I subsidiary dictators to the yak when he left to Japan. As seconds-in-command of Maxwell's Kingdom, we then overthrew the yak, placing ourselves in as the Rulers of Bloomington.
And peace was again established in the land.
Two years later, upon learning of our cunning, Maxwell returned from Japan with a band of Samurais, intent on destroying us. Unfortunately, for Maxwell, his band of Sumarais weren't warriors--they were actually Sumarai band members. So instead of assaulting us with swords; they assaulted us with trumpets and flutes.
Needless to say, this was no problem.
As a peace settlement, we gave Maxwell the unruly state of Wisconsin, which is, in fact, a fitting punishment for a ruthless insubordinate.
Since then, there've been no threats to our power. We rule peacefully and well. We adored, admired and never admonished.
We are the best and the brightest. We keep the metric system down. Kilos is illegalos.
We fight against truth, justice and the American way. Instead, we fight for misinformation, higher taxes and the Dictators' way. So in a way, we're like the Democrats ... except in power.
COMMENTARY: Wolf Blitzer is a Garden Gnome
Wolf Blitzer bugs me. Absolutely bugs me.
It starts with his name. When you hear the name "Wolf Blitzer," you think of a mean, nasty linebacker the one who jams nerds into lockers and sits around eating raw meat and flosses with butterfly knives.
But when you see the real Wolf Blitzer, you see someone who looks like the nerd being stuffed into the locker. You see someone who's like a vegetarian because his stomach isn't strong enough to digest meat.
If you're named Wolf Blitzer, you're supposed to be tough. Instead, he's an ant, and about the size of one too.
No one is scared of Wolf Blitzer. He looks like a garden gnome. And, for all intents and purposes, he is a garden gnome. Just someone to sit there in the front yard of the CNN Studio, reading other people's copy while never changing his facial expression.
He is the eighth dwarf: Boring.
Bashful is ashamed to be related to him. Seeing his brother on TV, Bashful turns red immediately. When Snow White sees Wolf Blitzer, she pretends not to know him.
And when I see Wolf Blitzer on TV, I surf right on by
It starts with his name. When you hear the name "Wolf Blitzer," you think of a mean, nasty linebacker the one who jams nerds into lockers and sits around eating raw meat and flosses with butterfly knives.
But when you see the real Wolf Blitzer, you see someone who looks like the nerd being stuffed into the locker. You see someone who's like a vegetarian because his stomach isn't strong enough to digest meat.
If you're named Wolf Blitzer, you're supposed to be tough. Instead, he's an ant, and about the size of one too.
No one is scared of Wolf Blitzer. He looks like a garden gnome. And, for all intents and purposes, he is a garden gnome. Just someone to sit there in the front yard of the CNN Studio, reading other people's copy while never changing his facial expression.
He is the eighth dwarf: Boring.
Bashful is ashamed to be related to him. Seeing his brother on TV, Bashful turns red immediately. When Snow White sees Wolf Blitzer, she pretends not to know him.
And when I see Wolf Blitzer on TV, I surf right on by
Thursday, August 26, 2004
RELIGION: Sacrament Talk July 27, 2003: Christ Can Redeem!
In 2 Corinthians 3:3, the Paul taught the Corinthians that a testimony is “. . . written not with ink, but with the spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart.” In other words, a testimony cannot be gained through mere study—as all other knowledge is gained. Rather, since it is a Celestial piece of information, it must come from a Celestial source—the Holy Ghost.
And it is through the frequent whisperings of that Spirit, that the words “I know my Redeemer lives” has been etched onto the fleshy tables of my heart.
But it is not enough to have a testimony, we must live up to that testimony. A wise person once told me: “We should live our lives in such a way that someone who doesn’t know Christ but knows us will want to know Christ because they know us.” That, of course, is a tall order. I’m sure that if someone watched and catalogued my life, they would conclude that I live more of a Garfield lifestyle than a Christian lifestyle.
But fortunately, I have a way to repent and change. Richard G. Scott taught: “You must trust that the Savior has given His life so that you may make the required changes in your life.” What a wonderful opportunity is ours to cast off the shackles of sin through our Savior’s love. The burden of sin, taught President Harold B. Lee, is the heaviest that anyone can carry in this life. Elder Boyd K. Packer expressed it this way: “I readily confess that I would find no peace, neither happiness nor safety, in a world without repentance. I do not know what I should do if there were no way for me to erase my mistakes. The agony would be more than I could bear.” We are all probably well-acquainted, more than we want to be, with the debilitating effects of sin. We have probably all felt as though we were in a state of worthlessness when our sins have weighed us down. Perhaps, foolishly, we have allowed the Adversary to put into our hearts, the thought that we cannot be redeemed, that we cannot change, that a sinner is what we are and what we will ever be.
Such a lie is calculated to deprive of us of the infinite atonement—and I testify that it is infinite. Foreseeing this cunning plan of the evil one, Christ asked, through the prophet Isaiah, in 2 Nephi 7:2: “O house of Israel is my arm shortened at all that it cannot redeem, or have I no power to deliver?” You will note that this question comes at the start of the Isaiah chapters of 2nd Nephi, which chronicles many sins and abominations. It is this question that we are left to ponder as we read about the wickedness of the world. But at the end of it, Christ notes all this, and says succinctly in 2 Nephi 28:32: “I will be merciful unto them, saith the Lord God, if they will repent and come unto me; for mine arm is lengthened out all the day long.” In short, these two verses teach this very important principle: Christ’s arm is not shortened! He can redeem!”
Let us, therefore, not put limits on an atonement that is infinite. Christ has all power. If the oceans can evaporate on his commandment, then why can he not change our hearts if we come unto Him with a broken heart and a contrite spirit?
Christ will never turn his back to us. As near as I can tell, that is the point of the Isaiah chapters in 2nd Nephi: Christ is there for us. As Elder Neal A. Maxwell put it: “We may turn from Him, but He is still there. We may feel that he is hidden from us because of the cloud cover of our concerns, but He is still close to us. We—not He—let something come between us, but no lasting eclipse need ensue. Our disregard for him is no match for His love of us!”
Yes, love is the greatest trademark of our Savior, for it was His love for us that caused him to commit the atonement for us! Of this Ezra Taft Benson said, “We may never understand nor comprehend in mortality how He accomplished what he did, but we must not fail to understand why He did what He did. Everything He did was prompted by His unselfish, infinite love for us.”
Perhaps this perfect and pure love of Christ is best exemplified with his dealings with Paul. Said Elder Maxwell: “Who but merciful and discerning Jesus could be betrayed, arrested, and forsaken, and yet extend to a one-time persecutor, Saul, the great apostolic calling? Later on, [Christ] stood by a jailed and persecuted Peter in the night.” Alma the Younger is a character very similar to Paul because, like Paul, Alma went about seeking to destroy the church and the testimony others had for Christ, but was stopped by an angel. Alma tells us that after this experience he was “for three days and three nights was I racked with the pains of a damned soul.” But Alma “remembered also to have heard my father prophesy unto the people concerning the coming of one Jesus Christ, a Son of God, to atone for the sins of the world. Now, as my mind caught hold upon this thought, I cried within my heart: O Jesus, thou son of God, have mercy on me … And behold, when I thought this, I could remember my pains no more; yea, I was harrowed up by the memory of my sins no more. And oh, what joy, and marvelous light I did behold; yea, my soul was filled with joy as exceeding as was pain!” (Alma 36:16-20).
Indeed, Christ does stand with open arms, waiting for us. Indeed, he did suffer all things for us. He did this so that we would not have to be racked with the pains of a damned soul. He did this so we would not be forever in Satan’s power. He did this so that we could become like Him. That we could live again with Him and the Father. It is when we understand why suffered that we can sing: “I stand all amazed at the love Jesus offers me!”
The Book of Mormon prophet Jacob expressed his gratitude for the Savior in 2 Nephi 9:10, when he said: “O how great the goodness of our God, who prepareth a way for our escape from the grasp of this awful monster.” Yes, we have the opportunity to cast off sin and purified in the blood of the Lamb.
But that does not mean that repentance is a right that can be abused. We must remember that we are, as Paul said, “bought with a price” (1 Cor. 6:20). And as such, we must behave like ones who know that Christ did, in reality, suffer all things for our good.
We, therefore, should not seek out sin nor fall victim to the dangerous and abusive attitude of “Sin now and repent later.” We cannot trade our allegiance to our Redeemer for any portion of money, sex, or praise of man. Perhaps we can learn from the example of Anthon H. Lund. As a 13-year-old boy, Anthon H. Lund, who would later serve in the first presidency, was fulfilling a mission in his native Denmark. His combination of youth and spiritual competence won over many. He was so impressive that a wealthy and devout Lutheran offered to make Anthon his heir, if Anthon would become a Lutheran minister. Anthon replied: “I have no doubt that you are a rich man, but you have not money enough to buy my allegiance to the Church of God.” Even as a 13-year-old boy, Anthon H. Lund comprehended what was of the greatest worth: Following the Savior. We show our appreciation and friendship for the Atoner by being obedient to His commandments and by striving to live a life that would mirror the life that was sacrificed for us.
Recently, I read an article about Joe Delaney, who was an All-Pro running back for the Kansas City Chiefs in the early 1980s. Joe was more than just a football player. He was known for mowing the lawns of lonely women and checking in on the elderly. He was an all-around good guy. Perhaps that’s why one day, when he heard a cry for help from three drowning boys, he jumped in to save them—even though he couldn’t swim. By sheer strength, he was able to throw one of the boys to safety before he and the two other boys drowned.
Of the boy who was saved, Sports Illustrated’s Rick Reilly writes: “As much as you might hope that [he] has done something with the gift Delaney gave him, so far he hasn't. . . . Thirty years old now, [he] got out of jail in May after serving time for distribution of cocaine. There's still time for him to do something wonderful with the life Delaney gave him. After all, Delaney was doing wonderful things with the one he gave up.” This young man has forgotten that his mortal life was purchased with a price. Similiarly, our eternal lives were purchased with a price—the suffering and death of Jesus Christ. To attain eternal life, we must live lives in which our faith is not hard to detect. We need to live lives that reflect the testimonies we have of Christ.
The Spirit of God has written such a testimony on my heart. Indeed, I do know that my Redeemer lives. I wish to live worthy of every blessing He would extend to me. I know He lives. But the Spirit of God has also whispered frequently to me other testimonies, and from this, I can testify that God lives and He too loves us with a love greater than we can comprehend. And the Father and The Son did appear to a 14-year-old boy named Joseph Smith. They did call him to be a prophet through whom they would restore the Holy Priesthood and bring forth those treasured books, the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants and the Pearl of Great Price. I also know that Gordon B. Hinckley is God’s prophet on the earth today. How grateful I am to be a member of this church. I say this in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
And it is through the frequent whisperings of that Spirit, that the words “I know my Redeemer lives” has been etched onto the fleshy tables of my heart.
But it is not enough to have a testimony, we must live up to that testimony. A wise person once told me: “We should live our lives in such a way that someone who doesn’t know Christ but knows us will want to know Christ because they know us.” That, of course, is a tall order. I’m sure that if someone watched and catalogued my life, they would conclude that I live more of a Garfield lifestyle than a Christian lifestyle.
But fortunately, I have a way to repent and change. Richard G. Scott taught: “You must trust that the Savior has given His life so that you may make the required changes in your life.” What a wonderful opportunity is ours to cast off the shackles of sin through our Savior’s love. The burden of sin, taught President Harold B. Lee, is the heaviest that anyone can carry in this life. Elder Boyd K. Packer expressed it this way: “I readily confess that I would find no peace, neither happiness nor safety, in a world without repentance. I do not know what I should do if there were no way for me to erase my mistakes. The agony would be more than I could bear.” We are all probably well-acquainted, more than we want to be, with the debilitating effects of sin. We have probably all felt as though we were in a state of worthlessness when our sins have weighed us down. Perhaps, foolishly, we have allowed the Adversary to put into our hearts, the thought that we cannot be redeemed, that we cannot change, that a sinner is what we are and what we will ever be.
Such a lie is calculated to deprive of us of the infinite atonement—and I testify that it is infinite. Foreseeing this cunning plan of the evil one, Christ asked, through the prophet Isaiah, in 2 Nephi 7:2: “O house of Israel is my arm shortened at all that it cannot redeem, or have I no power to deliver?” You will note that this question comes at the start of the Isaiah chapters of 2nd Nephi, which chronicles many sins and abominations. It is this question that we are left to ponder as we read about the wickedness of the world. But at the end of it, Christ notes all this, and says succinctly in 2 Nephi 28:32: “I will be merciful unto them, saith the Lord God, if they will repent and come unto me; for mine arm is lengthened out all the day long.” In short, these two verses teach this very important principle: Christ’s arm is not shortened! He can redeem!”
Let us, therefore, not put limits on an atonement that is infinite. Christ has all power. If the oceans can evaporate on his commandment, then why can he not change our hearts if we come unto Him with a broken heart and a contrite spirit?
Christ will never turn his back to us. As near as I can tell, that is the point of the Isaiah chapters in 2nd Nephi: Christ is there for us. As Elder Neal A. Maxwell put it: “We may turn from Him, but He is still there. We may feel that he is hidden from us because of the cloud cover of our concerns, but He is still close to us. We—not He—let something come between us, but no lasting eclipse need ensue. Our disregard for him is no match for His love of us!”
Yes, love is the greatest trademark of our Savior, for it was His love for us that caused him to commit the atonement for us! Of this Ezra Taft Benson said, “We may never understand nor comprehend in mortality how He accomplished what he did, but we must not fail to understand why He did what He did. Everything He did was prompted by His unselfish, infinite love for us.”
Perhaps this perfect and pure love of Christ is best exemplified with his dealings with Paul. Said Elder Maxwell: “Who but merciful and discerning Jesus could be betrayed, arrested, and forsaken, and yet extend to a one-time persecutor, Saul, the great apostolic calling? Later on, [Christ] stood by a jailed and persecuted Peter in the night.” Alma the Younger is a character very similar to Paul because, like Paul, Alma went about seeking to destroy the church and the testimony others had for Christ, but was stopped by an angel. Alma tells us that after this experience he was “for three days and three nights was I racked with the pains of a damned soul.” But Alma “remembered also to have heard my father prophesy unto the people concerning the coming of one Jesus Christ, a Son of God, to atone for the sins of the world. Now, as my mind caught hold upon this thought, I cried within my heart: O Jesus, thou son of God, have mercy on me … And behold, when I thought this, I could remember my pains no more; yea, I was harrowed up by the memory of my sins no more. And oh, what joy, and marvelous light I did behold; yea, my soul was filled with joy as exceeding as was pain!” (Alma 36:16-20).
Indeed, Christ does stand with open arms, waiting for us. Indeed, he did suffer all things for us. He did this so that we would not have to be racked with the pains of a damned soul. He did this so we would not be forever in Satan’s power. He did this so that we could become like Him. That we could live again with Him and the Father. It is when we understand why suffered that we can sing: “I stand all amazed at the love Jesus offers me!”
The Book of Mormon prophet Jacob expressed his gratitude for the Savior in 2 Nephi 9:10, when he said: “O how great the goodness of our God, who prepareth a way for our escape from the grasp of this awful monster.” Yes, we have the opportunity to cast off sin and purified in the blood of the Lamb.
But that does not mean that repentance is a right that can be abused. We must remember that we are, as Paul said, “bought with a price” (1 Cor. 6:20). And as such, we must behave like ones who know that Christ did, in reality, suffer all things for our good.
We, therefore, should not seek out sin nor fall victim to the dangerous and abusive attitude of “Sin now and repent later.” We cannot trade our allegiance to our Redeemer for any portion of money, sex, or praise of man. Perhaps we can learn from the example of Anthon H. Lund. As a 13-year-old boy, Anthon H. Lund, who would later serve in the first presidency, was fulfilling a mission in his native Denmark. His combination of youth and spiritual competence won over many. He was so impressive that a wealthy and devout Lutheran offered to make Anthon his heir, if Anthon would become a Lutheran minister. Anthon replied: “I have no doubt that you are a rich man, but you have not money enough to buy my allegiance to the Church of God.” Even as a 13-year-old boy, Anthon H. Lund comprehended what was of the greatest worth: Following the Savior. We show our appreciation and friendship for the Atoner by being obedient to His commandments and by striving to live a life that would mirror the life that was sacrificed for us.
Recently, I read an article about Joe Delaney, who was an All-Pro running back for the Kansas City Chiefs in the early 1980s. Joe was more than just a football player. He was known for mowing the lawns of lonely women and checking in on the elderly. He was an all-around good guy. Perhaps that’s why one day, when he heard a cry for help from three drowning boys, he jumped in to save them—even though he couldn’t swim. By sheer strength, he was able to throw one of the boys to safety before he and the two other boys drowned.
Of the boy who was saved, Sports Illustrated’s Rick Reilly writes: “As much as you might hope that [he] has done something with the gift Delaney gave him, so far he hasn't. . . . Thirty years old now, [he] got out of jail in May after serving time for distribution of cocaine. There's still time for him to do something wonderful with the life Delaney gave him. After all, Delaney was doing wonderful things with the one he gave up.” This young man has forgotten that his mortal life was purchased with a price. Similiarly, our eternal lives were purchased with a price—the suffering and death of Jesus Christ. To attain eternal life, we must live lives in which our faith is not hard to detect. We need to live lives that reflect the testimonies we have of Christ.
The Spirit of God has written such a testimony on my heart. Indeed, I do know that my Redeemer lives. I wish to live worthy of every blessing He would extend to me. I know He lives. But the Spirit of God has also whispered frequently to me other testimonies, and from this, I can testify that God lives and He too loves us with a love greater than we can comprehend. And the Father and The Son did appear to a 14-year-old boy named Joseph Smith. They did call him to be a prophet through whom they would restore the Holy Priesthood and bring forth those treasured books, the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants and the Pearl of Great Price. I also know that Gordon B. Hinckley is God’s prophet on the earth today. How grateful I am to be a member of this church. I say this in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
RELIGION: Sacrament Meeting Talk: May 12, 2002: A Mother Worth Celebrating
What a blessing it is to speak to you on Mother’s Day. But what a greater blessing it has been for me to have been raised by a mother who is worth a celebrating, for my mother is a woman of Christ; her actions and conduct testify of her belief in the Redeemer. She is exactly the kind of woman whom the Lord needs in the battle between good and evil. While my life does not yet reflect her total devotion to the Savior, I am inspired by her example, and resultantly, I want to more completely honor and obey by covenants, and by so doing, honor both my mother and my Savior.
So on this day that has been set aside to honor my mother, my question to myself has been: what can I do to honor her? This has been the question of the week, and if you don’t mind, I would like to disclose my conclusions to you and use them as the basis of my talk. I believe that that there are three ways in which we can honor our mothers: first, by understanding her divine and eternal role as our mother; second, by showing our gratitude and love to her; and finally and most importantly, by keeping our covenants.
In 1935, the First Presidency issued a message on the divinity of motherhood that read: “Motherhood is near to divinity. It is the highest, holiest service to be assumed by mankind. It places her who honors its holy calling and service next to the angels.”
Can those of us who have experienced the love of a good mother consider her to be anything less than angelic?! It is little wonder then that the First Presidency claimed her service to be “next to the angels.”
We can also not overlook the importance of motherhood, as it is stated in this passage, which, again, reads that “[Motherhood] is the highest, holiest service to be assumed by mankind.”
Of this, Elder Neal A. Maxwell said, “God trusts women so much that He lets them bear and care for His spirit children.”
Furthermore, President Brigham Young said, “When I reflect upon the duties and responsibilities devolving upon our mothers and sisters, and the influence they wield, I look upon them as the mainspring and soul of our being here.”
And finally, Elder Maxwell once said, "When the real history of mankind is fully disclosed, will it feature the echoes of gunfire or the shaping sound of lullabies? The great armistices made by military men or the peacemaking of women in homes and neighborhoods? Will what happened in cradles and kitchens prove to be more controlling than what happened in congresses? When the surf of the centuries has made the great pyramids so much sand, the everlasting family will be standing, because it is a celestial institution, formed outside of telestial time."
My purpose in reading these quotes is with the hope that you can see the prophets have testified and continue to testify of the divine role of the mother. We know God’s purposes require her committed role.
But I want you to find your own personal application. I think we should ask ourselves this question: How has my mother blessed my life? I realize that can be hard for us at this point in our lives; most of us are just coming out of a stage where our relationship with our parents could best be described as “adversarial.”
But please look beyond that and honestly ask yourself, how has my mother blessed my life? I have thought about that this week, and there are many, many ways in which my mother has blessed my life. But there is no greater blessing that I have received from her than her diligence in teaching me gospel truths. Her faith, her patience, her devotion put me in a place where I could hear the Spirit of God testify to me of the divine principles of the Gospel. And now, I can say independent of my mother or any other person that I know the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is the true church on earth today and that Jesus Christ is my Savior. What a blessing that knowledge is in my life!
Might I again invite you to spend some time on this day—Mother’s Day—to reflect upon how your mother has blessed your life. In so doing, I promise you that you will have an increased feeling of gratitude toward your mother. Annette Paxman Bowen writing in the Ensign noted, “For most [mothers], it will take years of practice before our lives bear resemblance to Proverbs 31:28: ‘Her children arise up, and call her blessed’.”
Often the result of a woman’s children not rising up and calling her blessed is not because of the woman’s failure as a mother; rather, it is because of the child’s failure to recognize the mother’s effect on his life.
Do not be caught in this trap! President David O. McKay once said, “The greatest sin of this generation is ingratitude!”
I hope that we will not be found guilty of being ungrateful to our mothers! If you are moved with gratitude toward your mother, might I suggest you do something more than just feel it—may you show it.
Sister Bowen shared this story: “Last week, my youngest child came into my workroom and asked, ‘Hey, Mom, have you checked the kitchen counter yet?’ I hadn’t, but I immediately arose to go see what I might find. There by the sink, in a kindergarten scrawl, accompanying a picture of a bear on a skateboard, were these words: “Mom, I love you.” Those words made my day. No mother can hear them enough.”
My suggestion to you would be to send your mother a letter, thanking her for all the tiring sacrifices she made to raise you, for all the love she always showed, and let her know how grateful you are to be her son or daughter. If you do, I can promise you that it will be a letter that she will always treasure.
Finally, the best way to show your gratitude is to keep your covenants.
Know that this will give any righteous parent great joy; it was the apostle John who wrote: “I have no greater joy than to hear my children walk in truth.” Remember that it is by obedience to our covenants that we qualify to reside with our parents throughout eternity. But more importantly, keeping our covenants shows respect for our mother’s teachings, or as President Thomas S. Monson put it: “One certain way each can demonstrate genuine love for mother is to live the truths mother so patiently taught.” Conversely, President Monson also taught that “Whenever we fall, whenever we do less than we ought, in a very real way we forget mother.”
Elder Russell M. Nelson related a poignant story of the consequences of forgetting our mother’s teachings:
When I was a young university student, one of my classmates urgently pleaded with a group of us—his Latter-day Saint friends—to donate blood for his mother, who was bleeding profusely. We went directly to the hospital to have our blood typed and tested. I’ll never forget our shock when told that one of the prospective donors was unfit because of a positive blood test for a venereal disease. That infected blood was his own! Fortunately, his mother survived, but I’ll never forget his lingering sorrow. He bore the burden of knowing that his personal immorality had disqualified him from giving needed aid to his mother, and he had added to her grief. I learned a great lesson: if one dishonors the commandments of God, one dishonors mother, and if one dishonors mother, one dishonors the commandments of God.”
Similarly, President Monson related the following story about a young army man:
One night at a champagne supper, when many were becoming intoxicated, someone in jest called for a toast from this young man. Colonel Higginson said that he arose, pale but with perfect self-control, and declared: “Gentlemen, I will give you a toast which you may drink as you will, but which I will drink in water. The toast that I have to give is, ‘Our mothers.’
Instantly a strange spell seemed to come over all the tipsy men. They drank the toast in silence. There was no more laughter, no more song, and one by one they left the room. The lamp of memory had begun to burn, and the name of Mother touched every man’s heart.
President Monson sums up with these words: “Men turn from evil and yield to their better natures when mother is remembered.” As you know, a few moments ago, we partook of the sacrament and covenanted with our Heavenly Father that we will always remember Jesus Christ. The importance of remembering Christ is that it is when we are awakened to His mercy and His love, temptation becomes easier to resist and we are strengthened. It is interesting then that the memory of a mother can have the same power of dispelling temptation as remembering Christ has. The reason for this is simple, for if a mother raises her children in righteousness, she directs their lives toward Christ.
One of the greatest lessons I learned from my mother is what it is like to be loved, for I know she loves me. I am not a parent, so I cannot comprehend perfectly a parent’s love, but it is real and it is deep. I know my mother has prayed and fasted on my behalf, and her prayers have been answered, and God has blessed my life because of her pleadings. And my understanding of how much my mother loves me has helped me, in a small way, to better understand the love my Heavenly Father must have had for me to send down his Son, Jesus Christ, to die for me. And how much Jesus Christ loved me—enough to die for me.
Their love is best summed up, I believe, in these two scriptures. First, John 3:16: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” And secondly, John 15:13: “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.”
How grateful I am for the love of a kind Heavenly Father who loved me enough to send His Son; and how grateful I am for the Savior who gave his life because He loved me. And how grateful I am that I have had the chance and continue to have the chance to have my sins blotted out through the blood of The Lamb.
Therefore, how grateful I am for a mother who introduced me to my Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ and opened the door to the testimony born of the Spirit which I have and would now like to bear to you: I know that Jesus Christ is the Savior of the world and that he lives, and that Christ and our Father in Heaven appeared to Joseph Smith and called him to be a prophet, and through him, they restored God’s church and priesthood to the earth. I also know that this church is led by a living prophet, President Gordon B. Hinckley, and how blessed I feel to hear the words of President Hinckley and the other men whom we sustain as prophets, seers, and revelators, and truly, they are such. What a great blessing it is to be a member of this church, and this I say in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
So on this day that has been set aside to honor my mother, my question to myself has been: what can I do to honor her? This has been the question of the week, and if you don’t mind, I would like to disclose my conclusions to you and use them as the basis of my talk. I believe that that there are three ways in which we can honor our mothers: first, by understanding her divine and eternal role as our mother; second, by showing our gratitude and love to her; and finally and most importantly, by keeping our covenants.
In 1935, the First Presidency issued a message on the divinity of motherhood that read: “Motherhood is near to divinity. It is the highest, holiest service to be assumed by mankind. It places her who honors its holy calling and service next to the angels.”
Can those of us who have experienced the love of a good mother consider her to be anything less than angelic?! It is little wonder then that the First Presidency claimed her service to be “next to the angels.”
We can also not overlook the importance of motherhood, as it is stated in this passage, which, again, reads that “[Motherhood] is the highest, holiest service to be assumed by mankind.”
Of this, Elder Neal A. Maxwell said, “God trusts women so much that He lets them bear and care for His spirit children.”
Furthermore, President Brigham Young said, “When I reflect upon the duties and responsibilities devolving upon our mothers and sisters, and the influence they wield, I look upon them as the mainspring and soul of our being here.”
And finally, Elder Maxwell once said, "When the real history of mankind is fully disclosed, will it feature the echoes of gunfire or the shaping sound of lullabies? The great armistices made by military men or the peacemaking of women in homes and neighborhoods? Will what happened in cradles and kitchens prove to be more controlling than what happened in congresses? When the surf of the centuries has made the great pyramids so much sand, the everlasting family will be standing, because it is a celestial institution, formed outside of telestial time."
My purpose in reading these quotes is with the hope that you can see the prophets have testified and continue to testify of the divine role of the mother. We know God’s purposes require her committed role.
But I want you to find your own personal application. I think we should ask ourselves this question: How has my mother blessed my life? I realize that can be hard for us at this point in our lives; most of us are just coming out of a stage where our relationship with our parents could best be described as “adversarial.”
But please look beyond that and honestly ask yourself, how has my mother blessed my life? I have thought about that this week, and there are many, many ways in which my mother has blessed my life. But there is no greater blessing that I have received from her than her diligence in teaching me gospel truths. Her faith, her patience, her devotion put me in a place where I could hear the Spirit of God testify to me of the divine principles of the Gospel. And now, I can say independent of my mother or any other person that I know the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is the true church on earth today and that Jesus Christ is my Savior. What a blessing that knowledge is in my life!
Might I again invite you to spend some time on this day—Mother’s Day—to reflect upon how your mother has blessed your life. In so doing, I promise you that you will have an increased feeling of gratitude toward your mother. Annette Paxman Bowen writing in the Ensign noted, “For most [mothers], it will take years of practice before our lives bear resemblance to Proverbs 31:28: ‘Her children arise up, and call her blessed’.”
Often the result of a woman’s children not rising up and calling her blessed is not because of the woman’s failure as a mother; rather, it is because of the child’s failure to recognize the mother’s effect on his life.
Do not be caught in this trap! President David O. McKay once said, “The greatest sin of this generation is ingratitude!”
I hope that we will not be found guilty of being ungrateful to our mothers! If you are moved with gratitude toward your mother, might I suggest you do something more than just feel it—may you show it.
Sister Bowen shared this story: “Last week, my youngest child came into my workroom and asked, ‘Hey, Mom, have you checked the kitchen counter yet?’ I hadn’t, but I immediately arose to go see what I might find. There by the sink, in a kindergarten scrawl, accompanying a picture of a bear on a skateboard, were these words: “Mom, I love you.” Those words made my day. No mother can hear them enough.”
My suggestion to you would be to send your mother a letter, thanking her for all the tiring sacrifices she made to raise you, for all the love she always showed, and let her know how grateful you are to be her son or daughter. If you do, I can promise you that it will be a letter that she will always treasure.
Finally, the best way to show your gratitude is to keep your covenants.
Know that this will give any righteous parent great joy; it was the apostle John who wrote: “I have no greater joy than to hear my children walk in truth.” Remember that it is by obedience to our covenants that we qualify to reside with our parents throughout eternity. But more importantly, keeping our covenants shows respect for our mother’s teachings, or as President Thomas S. Monson put it: “One certain way each can demonstrate genuine love for mother is to live the truths mother so patiently taught.” Conversely, President Monson also taught that “Whenever we fall, whenever we do less than we ought, in a very real way we forget mother.”
Elder Russell M. Nelson related a poignant story of the consequences of forgetting our mother’s teachings:
When I was a young university student, one of my classmates urgently pleaded with a group of us—his Latter-day Saint friends—to donate blood for his mother, who was bleeding profusely. We went directly to the hospital to have our blood typed and tested. I’ll never forget our shock when told that one of the prospective donors was unfit because of a positive blood test for a venereal disease. That infected blood was his own! Fortunately, his mother survived, but I’ll never forget his lingering sorrow. He bore the burden of knowing that his personal immorality had disqualified him from giving needed aid to his mother, and he had added to her grief. I learned a great lesson: if one dishonors the commandments of God, one dishonors mother, and if one dishonors mother, one dishonors the commandments of God.”
Similarly, President Monson related the following story about a young army man:
One night at a champagne supper, when many were becoming intoxicated, someone in jest called for a toast from this young man. Colonel Higginson said that he arose, pale but with perfect self-control, and declared: “Gentlemen, I will give you a toast which you may drink as you will, but which I will drink in water. The toast that I have to give is, ‘Our mothers.’
Instantly a strange spell seemed to come over all the tipsy men. They drank the toast in silence. There was no more laughter, no more song, and one by one they left the room. The lamp of memory had begun to burn, and the name of Mother touched every man’s heart.
President Monson sums up with these words: “Men turn from evil and yield to their better natures when mother is remembered.” As you know, a few moments ago, we partook of the sacrament and covenanted with our Heavenly Father that we will always remember Jesus Christ. The importance of remembering Christ is that it is when we are awakened to His mercy and His love, temptation becomes easier to resist and we are strengthened. It is interesting then that the memory of a mother can have the same power of dispelling temptation as remembering Christ has. The reason for this is simple, for if a mother raises her children in righteousness, she directs their lives toward Christ.
One of the greatest lessons I learned from my mother is what it is like to be loved, for I know she loves me. I am not a parent, so I cannot comprehend perfectly a parent’s love, but it is real and it is deep. I know my mother has prayed and fasted on my behalf, and her prayers have been answered, and God has blessed my life because of her pleadings. And my understanding of how much my mother loves me has helped me, in a small way, to better understand the love my Heavenly Father must have had for me to send down his Son, Jesus Christ, to die for me. And how much Jesus Christ loved me—enough to die for me.
Their love is best summed up, I believe, in these two scriptures. First, John 3:16: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” And secondly, John 15:13: “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.”
How grateful I am for the love of a kind Heavenly Father who loved me enough to send His Son; and how grateful I am for the Savior who gave his life because He loved me. And how grateful I am that I have had the chance and continue to have the chance to have my sins blotted out through the blood of The Lamb.
Therefore, how grateful I am for a mother who introduced me to my Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ and opened the door to the testimony born of the Spirit which I have and would now like to bear to you: I know that Jesus Christ is the Savior of the world and that he lives, and that Christ and our Father in Heaven appeared to Joseph Smith and called him to be a prophet, and through him, they restored God’s church and priesthood to the earth. I also know that this church is led by a living prophet, President Gordon B. Hinckley, and how blessed I feel to hear the words of President Hinckley and the other men whom we sustain as prophets, seers, and revelators, and truly, they are such. What a great blessing it is to be a member of this church, and this I say in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
COMMENTARY: The Seventh Most Disgusting Thing In the World
Is there anything more disgusting than seeing a beautiful woman holding the hand of an ugly guy?
Actually, there are six things more disgusting, but I won't mention them here, except to say the phrase "President Hillary Clinton" is one of them.
But, yes, yes, yes, it is disgusting to see a feo muchacho holding the hand of a guapa muchacha! (Please forward all Spanish complaints to Stanton Roseman).
And here's why:
Because you see it, and you say, "Hey, that could have been me ... if only I would have beaten that guy to the punch." It's hard in those moments to keep the "thou shalt not covet" commandment, as one mutters under his breath, "Lucky stiff."
I saw this phenomenon on campus, just prior to the near bike crash (see below posting).
Stanton and I were discussing it on our way up to The Sun Room. I thought, at first, it might make a good article. "How Ugly Guys Attract Hot Women." It would definitely be more read than an article on, say, 527s and campaign finance law (that's a story only interesting to journalists who haven't been on a date in two years--in other words, me).
The problem, though, would come in interviewing people for the story.
"Um, excuse me, I'd like to know how you, a man uglier than Nevada, could be holding hands with this lovely female?"
I've learned from sad, sad experience that it is never wise to tell anyone that they're ugly. People don't enjoy hearing this, nor do they want it published and read by a mass audience.
This could be the cause for embarrassment.
"Hey, Edgar, I read in the paper that you're ugly."
So extracting the secrets of the Ugly Conquerors of the Heart will have to wait until a more tactful way to approach it can be done.
Actually, there are six things more disgusting, but I won't mention them here, except to say the phrase "President Hillary Clinton" is one of them.
But, yes, yes, yes, it is disgusting to see a feo muchacho holding the hand of a guapa muchacha! (Please forward all Spanish complaints to Stanton Roseman).
And here's why:
Because you see it, and you say, "Hey, that could have been me ... if only I would have beaten that guy to the punch." It's hard in those moments to keep the "thou shalt not covet" commandment, as one mutters under his breath, "Lucky stiff."
I saw this phenomenon on campus, just prior to the near bike crash (see below posting).
Stanton and I were discussing it on our way up to The Sun Room. I thought, at first, it might make a good article. "How Ugly Guys Attract Hot Women." It would definitely be more read than an article on, say, 527s and campaign finance law (that's a story only interesting to journalists who haven't been on a date in two years--in other words, me).
The problem, though, would come in interviewing people for the story.
"Um, excuse me, I'd like to know how you, a man uglier than Nevada, could be holding hands with this lovely female?"
I've learned from sad, sad experience that it is never wise to tell anyone that they're ugly. People don't enjoy hearing this, nor do they want it published and read by a mass audience.
This could be the cause for embarrassment.
"Hey, Edgar, I read in the paper that you're ugly."
So extracting the secrets of the Ugly Conquerors of the Heart will have to wait until a more tactful way to approach it can be done.
COMMENTARY: Bikes are not a weapon
* Let's say you're riding your bike across the campus sidewalks. At a pedestrian intersection, you see that if you maintain your current rate, there's a good chance you will collide with a mother, who is walking along, holding her newborn in a baby-carrier.
What do you do?
A) Slow down, and let the infant-toting mother pass you.
B) Speed up, and risk that if there be a collision, it will be more spectacular.
C) Don't change anything, and hope the mother changes her pace.
Personally, I would choose A. Why risk it?
But, today, I was on campus at DSC, helping Stanton with the newspaper. At one point, Stanton had to do a quick interview, so I sat outside and watched the girls file by. ]
Anyhow, in the midst of this, I see a biker in the scenario listed above. He chose option B. However, an accident was much closer than he had anticipated, and he came tantalizing close to drilling this mother and her child while traveling at an optimal bike speed. The results could have been disastrous, but fortunately the mother stepped back at just the right time.
Needless to say, I was upset that the biker gambled and risked harming this mother and her baby.
Bikes are not a weapon, but they can be dangerous devices when not operated properly, cautiously and considerately. And when there's a newborn involved, speed must be sacrificed when it ensures the safety of that child.
Getting there quickly must always yield to ensuring that we all just get there.
What do you do?
A) Slow down, and let the infant-toting mother pass you.
B) Speed up, and risk that if there be a collision, it will be more spectacular.
C) Don't change anything, and hope the mother changes her pace.
Personally, I would choose A. Why risk it?
But, today, I was on campus at DSC, helping Stanton with the newspaper. At one point, Stanton had to do a quick interview, so I sat outside and watched the girls file by. ]
Anyhow, in the midst of this, I see a biker in the scenario listed above. He chose option B. However, an accident was much closer than he had anticipated, and he came tantalizing close to drilling this mother and her child while traveling at an optimal bike speed. The results could have been disastrous, but fortunately the mother stepped back at just the right time.
Needless to say, I was upset that the biker gambled and risked harming this mother and her baby.
Bikes are not a weapon, but they can be dangerous devices when not operated properly, cautiously and considerately. And when there's a newborn involved, speed must be sacrificed when it ensures the safety of that child.
Getting there quickly must always yield to ensuring that we all just get there.
SPORTS: EPL Prediction
Arsenal won't go unbeaten again as it did last year, but it will win the league again. Look for the Gunners to get at least a double this year. What's clear is that Man. U. has lost its grip on the Premiership, perhaps getting rid of Beckham wasn't such a good idea. Chelsea will finish ahead of Man. U. After those top three, the rest really don't matter.
1. Arsenal
2. Chelsea
3. Manchester United
4. Liverpool
5. Newcastle
6. Aston Villa
7. Everton
8. Middlesbrough
9. Blackburn
10. Tottenham
11. Charlton
12. Portsmouth
13. Fulham
14. Birmingham
15. Bolton
16. Southampton
17. Crystal Palace
18. West Brom
19. Man City
20. Norwich
1. Arsenal
2. Chelsea
3. Manchester United
4. Liverpool
5. Newcastle
6. Aston Villa
7. Everton
8. Middlesbrough
9. Blackburn
10. Tottenham
11. Charlton
12. Portsmouth
13. Fulham
14. Birmingham
15. Bolton
16. Southampton
17. Crystal Palace
18. West Brom
19. Man City
20. Norwich
Wednesday, August 25, 2004
SPORTS: Do you believe there were sports in Utah before Urban?
I can't believe Urban Meyer said that the Utah-Texas A&M game will be the biggest event in the state of Utah in the last 20 years.
It's not even the biggest game Texas A&M has played in the state of Utah in the last 20 years. Their 1996 contest against BYU at least carried the title of the Pigskin Classic, and BYU's win vaulted the Cougars to a Top 5 finish that year. This year, the Aggies hardly resemble a powerhouse coming off their worst season in decades; one that included a 77-0 loss to Oklahoma, so this year's tilt probably lacks the excitement that Meyer thinks it has. It's not even the biggest college football game in the state this year! That would be when USC, the only national title contender to play in the state this season, comes to Provo. At least the AP game story from that even might be ran in more than 10 papers nationwide.
What else has happened in the last 20 years? Oh, a little thing called the Olympics. Clearly, a Texas A&M-Utah game is more important than that.
Two little things called the NBA Finals were played in Salt Lake City. Those two NBA Finals were the most watched in history, and Michael Jordan made the most famous shot in NBA history on the Delta Center floor. I'd say every NBA playoff game and most NBA games played in the Delta Center in the last 20 years have more appeal than the Utah-A&M game.
I dare say the BYU-Miami game of 1990 dwarfs the Utah-A&M tilt. As does the moment that BYU won the 1984 national championship. Oh, and when Ty Detmer won the Heisman. And when John Stockton retired--that got covered by 100-fold the newspapers that will cover the Utah-A&M game.
Sports fans are more familiar with the phrase: "Stockton-to-Malone" than they are with the phrase: "Smith-to-Warren," and right now, half the people reading this are saying who are Smith & Warren? Isn't that a gun company?
We could probably name a dozen more games that were bigger than the Texas A&M-Utah game, and we've probably already forgotten about a dozen more.
Still, I can see why Utah is excited. It's so rare for them to have a national power not named B-Y-U in their stadium.
But Meyer would do well to realize that the Utah sports scene did exist before he came to the Hill.
It's not even the biggest game Texas A&M has played in the state of Utah in the last 20 years. Their 1996 contest against BYU at least carried the title of the Pigskin Classic, and BYU's win vaulted the Cougars to a Top 5 finish that year. This year, the Aggies hardly resemble a powerhouse coming off their worst season in decades; one that included a 77-0 loss to Oklahoma, so this year's tilt probably lacks the excitement that Meyer thinks it has. It's not even the biggest college football game in the state this year! That would be when USC, the only national title contender to play in the state this season, comes to Provo. At least the AP game story from that even might be ran in more than 10 papers nationwide.
What else has happened in the last 20 years? Oh, a little thing called the Olympics. Clearly, a Texas A&M-Utah game is more important than that.
Two little things called the NBA Finals were played in Salt Lake City. Those two NBA Finals were the most watched in history, and Michael Jordan made the most famous shot in NBA history on the Delta Center floor. I'd say every NBA playoff game and most NBA games played in the Delta Center in the last 20 years have more appeal than the Utah-A&M game.
I dare say the BYU-Miami game of 1990 dwarfs the Utah-A&M tilt. As does the moment that BYU won the 1984 national championship. Oh, and when Ty Detmer won the Heisman. And when John Stockton retired--that got covered by 100-fold the newspapers that will cover the Utah-A&M game.
Sports fans are more familiar with the phrase: "Stockton-to-Malone" than they are with the phrase: "Smith-to-Warren," and right now, half the people reading this are saying who are Smith & Warren? Isn't that a gun company?
We could probably name a dozen more games that were bigger than the Texas A&M-Utah game, and we've probably already forgotten about a dozen more.
Still, I can see why Utah is excited. It's so rare for them to have a national power not named B-Y-U in their stadium.
But Meyer would do well to realize that the Utah sports scene did exist before he came to the Hill.
POLITICS: Much Ado About Kerry!
Everyone seems to be talking about the war.
Not the one in Iraq, but the one in Vietnam, that occurred pre-my lifetime.
John Kerry wants us to vote for him because he served in Vietnam. Others want to devalue Kerry's service so we can know not to vote for him.
Who cares?
I'm deciding between George W. Bush and the 2004 version of John Kerry, not the 1971 John Kerry.
I think it's admirable that John Kerry fought in the Vietnam War, but I think it's dishonorable that he came home and betrayed his band of brothers afterwards.
What matters is what John Kerry is now.
And what he is now, a one-man debate, is not very impressive. He has spent his campaign speaking on his war record to detract us from his tax-hiking, defense-weak, big government voting record.
The "I actually voted for the $87 billion before I voted against it" Kerry's approach has no clear directive, except to be elected president.
The real shame is that Kerry, one of the more abhorrent Democratic potentials, got the nomination at all. The Democratics could have given us someone more qualified to be president.
Instead, they gave us personality-devoid, poll-driven, egotistical Kerry.
Why?
Because of his service. They felt that was what they needed to defeat George W. Bush. Few on the Democrat side like Kerry--they just felt his record made him more likely to beat Bush.
And that's what this campaign is about. It's really a referendum on whether you like Bush. Either you'll vote for Bush or you'll vote against.
More people will vote against Bush than will vote for Bush, just as more people root against BYU than root for Utah.
The last time we elected a president because we were voting against the president-in-office, we caught Jimmy Carter, the most bumbling president of the the last half of the 20th century--and, arguably, the worst president in American History.
The difference between Carter and Kerry? Carter was a nice guy.
Let's not make the mistake in 2004 that we made in 1976. Let's not elect an unqualified Democrat who is incapable of addressing the nation's problems.
Not the one in Iraq, but the one in Vietnam, that occurred pre-my lifetime.
John Kerry wants us to vote for him because he served in Vietnam. Others want to devalue Kerry's service so we can know not to vote for him.
Who cares?
I'm deciding between George W. Bush and the 2004 version of John Kerry, not the 1971 John Kerry.
I think it's admirable that John Kerry fought in the Vietnam War, but I think it's dishonorable that he came home and betrayed his band of brothers afterwards.
What matters is what John Kerry is now.
And what he is now, a one-man debate, is not very impressive. He has spent his campaign speaking on his war record to detract us from his tax-hiking, defense-weak, big government voting record.
The "I actually voted for the $87 billion before I voted against it" Kerry's approach has no clear directive, except to be elected president.
The real shame is that Kerry, one of the more abhorrent Democratic potentials, got the nomination at all. The Democratics could have given us someone more qualified to be president.
Instead, they gave us personality-devoid, poll-driven, egotistical Kerry.
Why?
Because of his service. They felt that was what they needed to defeat George W. Bush. Few on the Democrat side like Kerry--they just felt his record made him more likely to beat Bush.
And that's what this campaign is about. It's really a referendum on whether you like Bush. Either you'll vote for Bush or you'll vote against.
More people will vote against Bush than will vote for Bush, just as more people root against BYU than root for Utah.
The last time we elected a president because we were voting against the president-in-office, we caught Jimmy Carter, the most bumbling president of the the last half of the 20th century--and, arguably, the worst president in American History.
The difference between Carter and Kerry? Carter was a nice guy.
Let's not make the mistake in 2004 that we made in 1976. Let's not elect an unqualified Democrat who is incapable of addressing the nation's problems.
TV: The Top 5 Shows on TV right now.
These are the five shows I look forward to seeing each week.
1. Monk
Tony Shalhoub is amazing as the title character in this USA Network detective show. Shalhoub plays Adrian Monk, an obsessive-compulsive homicide detective, who gets called in to solve bizarre crimes. This show is so clever that it is never predictable. The only thing that is predictable is that one of Monk's eccentricities will somehow lead him to solve the crime.
2. According To Jim
This is the best sitcom on TV right now. This show focuses on the self-centric Jim and his relationships with his family, particularly between he and his wife. Watch the show once, and you'll be hooked.
3. The West Wing
"The Left Wing" may be a drama, but it's really an insider's look at the life of the president's staff, as they deal with the whirlwind of problems that confront the White House each day. Extremely well-written and beautifully acted out, the West Wing is a television masterpiece.
4. The Simpsons
The Simpsons falls to four on the current list, only because it's frequent availability in reruns kills the desire to see the new shows in their Sunday time slot. Still, the Simpsons remain one of the funniest offerings on TV.
5. Airline
My favorite reality show follows Southwest Airline employees as they deal with customers and their problems. Most problems customers encounter put them at a great inconvenience, so they are usually quite intense and adamant in expressing their displeasure in the employees. In return, you see the employees work hard under pressure to find a solution.
1. Monk
Tony Shalhoub is amazing as the title character in this USA Network detective show. Shalhoub plays Adrian Monk, an obsessive-compulsive homicide detective, who gets called in to solve bizarre crimes. This show is so clever that it is never predictable. The only thing that is predictable is that one of Monk's eccentricities will somehow lead him to solve the crime.
2. According To Jim
This is the best sitcom on TV right now. This show focuses on the self-centric Jim and his relationships with his family, particularly between he and his wife. Watch the show once, and you'll be hooked.
3. The West Wing
"The Left Wing" may be a drama, but it's really an insider's look at the life of the president's staff, as they deal with the whirlwind of problems that confront the White House each day. Extremely well-written and beautifully acted out, the West Wing is a television masterpiece.
4. The Simpsons
The Simpsons falls to four on the current list, only because it's frequent availability in reruns kills the desire to see the new shows in their Sunday time slot. Still, the Simpsons remain one of the funniest offerings on TV.
5. Airline
My favorite reality show follows Southwest Airline employees as they deal with customers and their problems. Most problems customers encounter put them at a great inconvenience, so they are usually quite intense and adamant in expressing their displeasure in the employees. In return, you see the employees work hard under pressure to find a solution.
Tuesday, August 24, 2004
RELIGION: Sacrament Talk: May 30, 2004: Remembering Our Soldiers and Savior
There are two kinds of blessings: those we recognize and those we don’t really think about. For example, we’re all keenly aware of what a blessing it is to have food on our table because (1) we always say so in the blessing on the food, (2) we’re hungry and (3) we are often reminded how others in far-off lands struggle to find substance. But when it comes to our hidden blessings, we have hundreds, if not thousands, of daily, unnoticed blessings.
Of these, I wish to bring to your attention and increase your appreciation for just one, and that is the right that you are practicing at this very moment—the right to worship God to the dictates of your own conscience. It may not seem like much to us, as it is as constant to us as breathing. However, 500 years ago, this little-thought-of right was thought to be improbable. The people of that day had once choice for worship: the King’s God. Should king be overthrown, they’d then move on to worshiping the Conqueror’s God. But in the years between then and now, men have struggled, fought and died to obtain this right. The Pilgrims come to mind, crowding into the Mayflower and sailing off to an unknown land, just so they could practice their religion. They and others like them were the “huddled masses yearning to be free.” And so the Pilgrims and many others came to America to seek that religious freedom.
Eventually, however, the Colonists’ hopes for complete freedom were being threatened by a tyrant king. And that is when they took the bold step to dissolve themselves from British rule, sending a letter, called the Declaration of Independence, to King George III. On the eve of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, one of the signers-to-be and a future president, John Adams, predicted that the day of the signing, July 4, would be “celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival. It ought to be commemorated as the day of the deliverance by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forevermore.” Adams’ vision for the Fourth of July is exactly what happened, as that day has been a day of parades, celebrations and noisy fireworks that bring to the celebrators the kind of excitement that freedom brought to the original 13 states.
Yet, there is another holiday, which we commemorate tomorrow, from which the pomp and circumstance of the Fourth is absent. Instead of fireworks, we’ll see flags and flowers. Instead of bands marching in parades, we see people trudging with sober hearts to the graves of their loved ones. Yet do not let the dearth of the fun delude you into thinking that this holiday is somehow less important. For while Memorial Day has evolved into a day to remember all of our dead, it was and for the most part still is a day for us to remember the fallen soldiers of our nation—those who have won the freedom we so richly enjoy today. This year’s commemoration is even more special, as at this moment, our nation’s soldiers continue the fight in the Middle East, and also because Saturday is the 60th anniversary of D-Day, one of the most ferocious battles in the history of mankind.
So while the Fourth may celebrate the end—freedom—Memorial Day commemorates the means—the inspiring sacrifice of soldiers.
The Declaration of Independence ended with this great sentence: “And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our Sacred Honor.” And truly, they were pledging those very things, for in signing the Declaration, they had committed high treason against the crown of Great Britain, which was, at the time, home of the world’s most powerful army. In the world’s view, they had just done an idiotic thing—they would certainly die a traitor’s death, losing not just their lives but their good reputations. So in signing, they were truly saying, “Give me liberty or give me death.” Yet the signing and sending the letter did not make them free. It no more made them free than declaring myself eligible for the NBA draft would make me an NBA player. I do not wish to disparage the signer’s contributions, for theirs was a truly heroic act. All I’m saying is that after signing it, there was still work to be done and a price to be paid before liberty was to come to the United States.
Freedom is not truly free, for it has come at quite a cost; that price has been paid by American soldiers on battlefields from Valley Forge to Baghdad.
And it was against great odds, that the soldiers and minutemen of the Revolutionary War fought the British. Yet while they may have been fighting the world’s greatest Army, the Americans had a secret weapon that the prophet Nephi, writing 2300 years before that war, saw and recorded:
“And I, Nephi, beheld that the Gentiles who had gone forth out of captivity did humble themselves before the Lord, and the power of the Lord was with them.
“And I beheld that their mother Gentiles were gathered upon the waters, and upon the land also, to battle against them.
“And I beheld that the power of God was with them, and also that the wrath was upon all those that were gathered together against them to battle.”
“And I, Nephi, beheld that the Gentiles that had gone out of captivity were delivered by the power of God out of the hands of all nations.” (1 Nephi 13:16-19)
With God’s help, this nation prevailed, although victory didn’t come until 1783—seven years after the signing of the Declaration of Independence. In that war, though, thousands of Americans, seeking freedom, lost their lives. Their blood stained battlefields all along the Atlantic Coast. They were the ones who paid the terrible price for our freedom.
Since that war, America has fought many others, including the epoch World Wars and, more recently, the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. The loss of life in these wars is staggering. We can count our dead, but we cannot count the quality of lives lost. We’ve probably all seen movies depicting those awful moments in World War II, when a delivery boy comes to the home of a soldier’s father, mother or wife with the telegram informing them that their boy has been killed in battle. We can all imagine what a terrible telegram that must be to receive. More recently, the families of over 800 soldiers serving in Iraq have been notified in the last year and a half that their son or daughter’s life has ended. I doubt that I or any man can create words that could adequately portray a tenth of the heartbreak those families will feel this Memorial Day. We cannot forget that these are young people, our age, fighting for their nation, fighting for us, our way of life, who have paid the ultimate sacrifice. Nor can we forget the difficulties of war. While many stories exist, I wish to quote you only one:
READ THE McCAIN STORY (Freeman 150-151) [This was a story in which Senator McCain relates the story about one of his fellow POWS, who sewed an American flag on the inside of his shirt from red, white and blue threads he found laying on the ground. Each day, he would remove this shirt, and hang up the flag, so he, McCain and the other POWs could say the Pledge of Allegiance. McCain said this was tremendously meaningful moment of each day. Eventually, the guards discovered this man's shirt, confiscated him, and beat him mercilessly. But that night, McCain woke up to notice this same man sewing another flag into his shirt.]
It’s my belief that most of these soldiers are of high character—and had they lived, they would have created better communities and a better nation. Upon pondering these things, one may be tempted to think what the world would have been like had there never been any Hitlers, Husseins or bin Ladens, and, instead, we had these people walking among us, creating a better nation with us. And yet, at the same time, we must consider—seriously consider—what the world would have been like had there been no one willing to stand up to King George III and the other tyrants our nation has fought since.
Anyone who carefully reflects on what the world would have been like absent these brave soldiers can only come to one conclusion—thank goodness these soldiers were there. These are the people who have won and defended not just our freedom, but in defense of our freedom, they have freed many other nations from a tyrants’ reign. The sacrifices of the soldiers of the Revolutionary War won the freedom of these United States. And how remarkable it was that the leaders of this new nation did not seek to become tyrants themselves. They chose not a crown a king to rule over all the people—instead, they chose crown all people kings; to be rulers over themselves. Among the rights that the citizens of this nation enjoy is the aforementioned freedom of religion.
The Lord, whose hand was in the Constitution and the Bill of Rights, inspired these founders to establish this right, in part, so that he might restore his gospel again to the Earth. It was 33 years after the signing of the Constitution that He and His Son appeared to Joseph Smith in New York, beginning again God’s revelations to His Servants, the prophets. Nine years later, God’s priesthood was restored to the Earth. The next year, His Church was restored. True, the early Saints’ right to freedom of religion was often trampled on, but the right of worship found in the First Amendment was enough to allow this “marvelous work and a wonder” to bud. Today, we do not meet fear governmental retribution for our religious practices. Today, we all arrived at church incident-free. No one harassed us. We didn’t need to take a circuitous route, a secret entrance or passwords. We just parked our car and walked in. Today, we practiced our right to worship, and we did so worry-free.
So how grateful we are for this blessing and for those soldiers who died to give it to us.
And as we reflect this Memorial Day on their sacrifice, we might do well to ask, what can I do to repay them for the sacrifice they made for me? Might I suggest that the best way to remember them is to live your life well, keep the commandments and make America a better place. As one World War II veteran put it: “Those of us who lived have to represent those who didn’t.” In knowing the price for which our freedom was paid, we cannot be indifferent to the bettering of our communities and the bettering of our nation.
And the major part of that is to keep the commandments, which may seem an odd request. But when examined, we find that it is not. First of all, in making people kings over themselves, this government, with its Constitution, infused a system that inherently requires a moral people. This notion was not lost on our Founders. As John Adams once wrote: “Statesmen … may plan and speculate for Liberty, but it is Religion and Morality alone, which can establish the Principles upon which Freedom can securely stand. … The only foundation of a free Constitution is pure Virtue, and if this cannot be inspired into our People; in a greater Measure, than they have it now, They may change their Rulers, and the forms of Government, but they will not obtain a lasting Liberty—They will only exchange Tyrants and Tyrannies.” James Madison, the Father of the Constitution, echoed Adams’ sentiment in writing that “We have staked the whole future of American civilization not upon the power of government—far from it. We have staked the future of all our political institutions upon the capacity of each and all of us to govern ourselves according to the Ten Commandments of God.” And, certainly, any careful reading of the scriptures, particularly the Book of Mormon, certainly shows that nations rise and fall according to their ability to keep God’s commands.
And in consideration of our need to better America, may I suggest three things: (1) serve others, (2) expect the best of ourselves and (3) to get involved in the political process. First, in the idea of serving, I would like to quote from President George W. Bush’s 2002 State of the Union Address, when he said: “In the sacrifice of soldiers, the fierce brotherhood of firefighters, and the bravery and generosity of ordinary citizens, we have glimpsed what a new culture of responsibility could look like. We want to be a nation that serves goals larger than self. We've been offered a unique opportunity, and we must not let this moment pass. My call tonight is for every American to commit at least two years -- 4,000 hours over the rest of your lifetime -- to the service of your neighbors and your nation.” Second, we must expect and demand the best of ourselves. To illustrate this, I wish to read a poem by Charles Osgood:
READ POEM (Freeman, p. 62-63). [This poem drives home the point that we can't settle to be good enough when our goal as a country is to be great]
It must be kept in mind that God established this nation to be great; and, in placing you in this nation, he expects to be great, and in including you in His Church, He expects you to be the best. Pretty good and mediocre are not acceptable for Latter-day Saints or Americans.
Third, is the need to get involved in the political process. In order for this nation to remain great, it needs great people at its helm. As citizens of this country, we have a responsibility to ensure its leaders are just that. As such, the idea of political ignorance can have no hold in our hearts. We must honestly and exhaustively search the issues, especially this year, as it is our opportunity to elect a president, a governor, a United States Senator, and a United States Congressman. Now is the time to familiarize yourself with the candidates and make a thoughtful, prayerful decision for whom you will vote and support. It is also important to not just know the issues, but read and often re-read the Declaration of Independence, and, more importantly, the Constitution. Let me illustrate with a small example: I always get a little annoyed when someone tells me that “separation of church and state” is in the Constitution because it’s not. “Separation of church and state” is a judicial ruling. I think too many people are informed of the Constitution’s contents by hearsay and media reports than an actual reading. For Latter-day Saints who believe in the divine origins of the Constitution, ignorance to its contents is simply unacceptable.
Also, it is important that we do more than vote, but that we take an active role in politics, particularly in races or issues in which this nation’s security and morality are at stake. We can do this in any number of ways, from attending caucus meetings, to volunteering for a campaign to running for office. Again, it is the inherent faith placed in the people by the Constitution that makes this nation work. Such was the case in Nephite times, when in establishing the judges system of government, the Lord told King Mosiah in Mosiah 29:26-27: “Now it is not common that the voice of the people desireth anything contrary to that which is right; but it is common for the lesser part of the people to desire that which is not right … And if the time comes that the voice of the people doth choose inquity, then is the time that the judgments of God will come upon you; yea, then is the time he will visit you with great destruction even as he has hitherto visited this land.” We can see from the Nephite civilization how they followed God and were blessed, and how they didn’t follow God and were destroyed. And we can see how often times righteousness and wickedness correlated with whether the man leading that nation was righteous or wicked. And so we can learn from them, and not meet their fate, by getting involved in the political process and choosing capable, righteous leaders.
Finally, while certainly our hearts burst with gratitude for the soldiers who have laid down their lives for this nation, we must also be reminded of an Even Greater Sacrifice, the one made by our Savior, Jesus Christ. For as the soldiers fought to liberate us from tyranny, Christ died to liberate us from two foes we could not conquer ourselves: Sin and Death. In the soldier’s sacrifice, we are given freedoms of religion, speech, assembly, privacy, etc. In Christ’s sacrifice, we are given freedom from those things that would destroy us, bind us down and make us eternally miserable. Thanks to the soldiers, I can speak here in Church today. Thanks to Christ, I can speak here in Church today of a brighter day, a greater hope—the hope that one day I can stand before My Maker free of any pollutions on my soul. That I can put behind me my sins of yesteryear, and that I may overcome all things. In Christ, am I truly free. I need not be held bondage to the toll of sin, for He has borne my sorrow, has suffered for me, and has loved me. I hope to be counted as one of His Friends on that Great Day of Judgment.
And in Christ, I know all men, including the soldiers who have bravely given their lives for this nation, will be made alive, and so I know that their ending on a battlefield was really just a beginning. And this I say in the name of the Jesus Christ. Amen.
Of these, I wish to bring to your attention and increase your appreciation for just one, and that is the right that you are practicing at this very moment—the right to worship God to the dictates of your own conscience. It may not seem like much to us, as it is as constant to us as breathing. However, 500 years ago, this little-thought-of right was thought to be improbable. The people of that day had once choice for worship: the King’s God. Should king be overthrown, they’d then move on to worshiping the Conqueror’s God. But in the years between then and now, men have struggled, fought and died to obtain this right. The Pilgrims come to mind, crowding into the Mayflower and sailing off to an unknown land, just so they could practice their religion. They and others like them were the “huddled masses yearning to be free.” And so the Pilgrims and many others came to America to seek that religious freedom.
Eventually, however, the Colonists’ hopes for complete freedom were being threatened by a tyrant king. And that is when they took the bold step to dissolve themselves from British rule, sending a letter, called the Declaration of Independence, to King George III. On the eve of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, one of the signers-to-be and a future president, John Adams, predicted that the day of the signing, July 4, would be “celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival. It ought to be commemorated as the day of the deliverance by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forevermore.” Adams’ vision for the Fourth of July is exactly what happened, as that day has been a day of parades, celebrations and noisy fireworks that bring to the celebrators the kind of excitement that freedom brought to the original 13 states.
Yet, there is another holiday, which we commemorate tomorrow, from which the pomp and circumstance of the Fourth is absent. Instead of fireworks, we’ll see flags and flowers. Instead of bands marching in parades, we see people trudging with sober hearts to the graves of their loved ones. Yet do not let the dearth of the fun delude you into thinking that this holiday is somehow less important. For while Memorial Day has evolved into a day to remember all of our dead, it was and for the most part still is a day for us to remember the fallen soldiers of our nation—those who have won the freedom we so richly enjoy today. This year’s commemoration is even more special, as at this moment, our nation’s soldiers continue the fight in the Middle East, and also because Saturday is the 60th anniversary of D-Day, one of the most ferocious battles in the history of mankind.
So while the Fourth may celebrate the end—freedom—Memorial Day commemorates the means—the inspiring sacrifice of soldiers.
The Declaration of Independence ended with this great sentence: “And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our Sacred Honor.” And truly, they were pledging those very things, for in signing the Declaration, they had committed high treason against the crown of Great Britain, which was, at the time, home of the world’s most powerful army. In the world’s view, they had just done an idiotic thing—they would certainly die a traitor’s death, losing not just their lives but their good reputations. So in signing, they were truly saying, “Give me liberty or give me death.” Yet the signing and sending the letter did not make them free. It no more made them free than declaring myself eligible for the NBA draft would make me an NBA player. I do not wish to disparage the signer’s contributions, for theirs was a truly heroic act. All I’m saying is that after signing it, there was still work to be done and a price to be paid before liberty was to come to the United States.
Freedom is not truly free, for it has come at quite a cost; that price has been paid by American soldiers on battlefields from Valley Forge to Baghdad.
And it was against great odds, that the soldiers and minutemen of the Revolutionary War fought the British. Yet while they may have been fighting the world’s greatest Army, the Americans had a secret weapon that the prophet Nephi, writing 2300 years before that war, saw and recorded:
“And I, Nephi, beheld that the Gentiles who had gone forth out of captivity did humble themselves before the Lord, and the power of the Lord was with them.
“And I beheld that their mother Gentiles were gathered upon the waters, and upon the land also, to battle against them.
“And I beheld that the power of God was with them, and also that the wrath was upon all those that were gathered together against them to battle.”
“And I, Nephi, beheld that the Gentiles that had gone out of captivity were delivered by the power of God out of the hands of all nations.” (1 Nephi 13:16-19)
With God’s help, this nation prevailed, although victory didn’t come until 1783—seven years after the signing of the Declaration of Independence. In that war, though, thousands of Americans, seeking freedom, lost their lives. Their blood stained battlefields all along the Atlantic Coast. They were the ones who paid the terrible price for our freedom.
Since that war, America has fought many others, including the epoch World Wars and, more recently, the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. The loss of life in these wars is staggering. We can count our dead, but we cannot count the quality of lives lost. We’ve probably all seen movies depicting those awful moments in World War II, when a delivery boy comes to the home of a soldier’s father, mother or wife with the telegram informing them that their boy has been killed in battle. We can all imagine what a terrible telegram that must be to receive. More recently, the families of over 800 soldiers serving in Iraq have been notified in the last year and a half that their son or daughter’s life has ended. I doubt that I or any man can create words that could adequately portray a tenth of the heartbreak those families will feel this Memorial Day. We cannot forget that these are young people, our age, fighting for their nation, fighting for us, our way of life, who have paid the ultimate sacrifice. Nor can we forget the difficulties of war. While many stories exist, I wish to quote you only one:
READ THE McCAIN STORY (Freeman 150-151) [This was a story in which Senator McCain relates the story about one of his fellow POWS, who sewed an American flag on the inside of his shirt from red, white and blue threads he found laying on the ground. Each day, he would remove this shirt, and hang up the flag, so he, McCain and the other POWs could say the Pledge of Allegiance. McCain said this was tremendously meaningful moment of each day. Eventually, the guards discovered this man's shirt, confiscated him, and beat him mercilessly. But that night, McCain woke up to notice this same man sewing another flag into his shirt.]
It’s my belief that most of these soldiers are of high character—and had they lived, they would have created better communities and a better nation. Upon pondering these things, one may be tempted to think what the world would have been like had there never been any Hitlers, Husseins or bin Ladens, and, instead, we had these people walking among us, creating a better nation with us. And yet, at the same time, we must consider—seriously consider—what the world would have been like had there been no one willing to stand up to King George III and the other tyrants our nation has fought since.
Anyone who carefully reflects on what the world would have been like absent these brave soldiers can only come to one conclusion—thank goodness these soldiers were there. These are the people who have won and defended not just our freedom, but in defense of our freedom, they have freed many other nations from a tyrants’ reign. The sacrifices of the soldiers of the Revolutionary War won the freedom of these United States. And how remarkable it was that the leaders of this new nation did not seek to become tyrants themselves. They chose not a crown a king to rule over all the people—instead, they chose crown all people kings; to be rulers over themselves. Among the rights that the citizens of this nation enjoy is the aforementioned freedom of religion.
The Lord, whose hand was in the Constitution and the Bill of Rights, inspired these founders to establish this right, in part, so that he might restore his gospel again to the Earth. It was 33 years after the signing of the Constitution that He and His Son appeared to Joseph Smith in New York, beginning again God’s revelations to His Servants, the prophets. Nine years later, God’s priesthood was restored to the Earth. The next year, His Church was restored. True, the early Saints’ right to freedom of religion was often trampled on, but the right of worship found in the First Amendment was enough to allow this “marvelous work and a wonder” to bud. Today, we do not meet fear governmental retribution for our religious practices. Today, we all arrived at church incident-free. No one harassed us. We didn’t need to take a circuitous route, a secret entrance or passwords. We just parked our car and walked in. Today, we practiced our right to worship, and we did so worry-free.
So how grateful we are for this blessing and for those soldiers who died to give it to us.
And as we reflect this Memorial Day on their sacrifice, we might do well to ask, what can I do to repay them for the sacrifice they made for me? Might I suggest that the best way to remember them is to live your life well, keep the commandments and make America a better place. As one World War II veteran put it: “Those of us who lived have to represent those who didn’t.” In knowing the price for which our freedom was paid, we cannot be indifferent to the bettering of our communities and the bettering of our nation.
And the major part of that is to keep the commandments, which may seem an odd request. But when examined, we find that it is not. First of all, in making people kings over themselves, this government, with its Constitution, infused a system that inherently requires a moral people. This notion was not lost on our Founders. As John Adams once wrote: “Statesmen … may plan and speculate for Liberty, but it is Religion and Morality alone, which can establish the Principles upon which Freedom can securely stand. … The only foundation of a free Constitution is pure Virtue, and if this cannot be inspired into our People; in a greater Measure, than they have it now, They may change their Rulers, and the forms of Government, but they will not obtain a lasting Liberty—They will only exchange Tyrants and Tyrannies.” James Madison, the Father of the Constitution, echoed Adams’ sentiment in writing that “We have staked the whole future of American civilization not upon the power of government—far from it. We have staked the future of all our political institutions upon the capacity of each and all of us to govern ourselves according to the Ten Commandments of God.” And, certainly, any careful reading of the scriptures, particularly the Book of Mormon, certainly shows that nations rise and fall according to their ability to keep God’s commands.
And in consideration of our need to better America, may I suggest three things: (1) serve others, (2) expect the best of ourselves and (3) to get involved in the political process. First, in the idea of serving, I would like to quote from President George W. Bush’s 2002 State of the Union Address, when he said: “In the sacrifice of soldiers, the fierce brotherhood of firefighters, and the bravery and generosity of ordinary citizens, we have glimpsed what a new culture of responsibility could look like. We want to be a nation that serves goals larger than self. We've been offered a unique opportunity, and we must not let this moment pass. My call tonight is for every American to commit at least two years -- 4,000 hours over the rest of your lifetime -- to the service of your neighbors and your nation.” Second, we must expect and demand the best of ourselves. To illustrate this, I wish to read a poem by Charles Osgood:
READ POEM (Freeman, p. 62-63). [This poem drives home the point that we can't settle to be good enough when our goal as a country is to be great]
It must be kept in mind that God established this nation to be great; and, in placing you in this nation, he expects to be great, and in including you in His Church, He expects you to be the best. Pretty good and mediocre are not acceptable for Latter-day Saints or Americans.
Third, is the need to get involved in the political process. In order for this nation to remain great, it needs great people at its helm. As citizens of this country, we have a responsibility to ensure its leaders are just that. As such, the idea of political ignorance can have no hold in our hearts. We must honestly and exhaustively search the issues, especially this year, as it is our opportunity to elect a president, a governor, a United States Senator, and a United States Congressman. Now is the time to familiarize yourself with the candidates and make a thoughtful, prayerful decision for whom you will vote and support. It is also important to not just know the issues, but read and often re-read the Declaration of Independence, and, more importantly, the Constitution. Let me illustrate with a small example: I always get a little annoyed when someone tells me that “separation of church and state” is in the Constitution because it’s not. “Separation of church and state” is a judicial ruling. I think too many people are informed of the Constitution’s contents by hearsay and media reports than an actual reading. For Latter-day Saints who believe in the divine origins of the Constitution, ignorance to its contents is simply unacceptable.
Also, it is important that we do more than vote, but that we take an active role in politics, particularly in races or issues in which this nation’s security and morality are at stake. We can do this in any number of ways, from attending caucus meetings, to volunteering for a campaign to running for office. Again, it is the inherent faith placed in the people by the Constitution that makes this nation work. Such was the case in Nephite times, when in establishing the judges system of government, the Lord told King Mosiah in Mosiah 29:26-27: “Now it is not common that the voice of the people desireth anything contrary to that which is right; but it is common for the lesser part of the people to desire that which is not right … And if the time comes that the voice of the people doth choose inquity, then is the time that the judgments of God will come upon you; yea, then is the time he will visit you with great destruction even as he has hitherto visited this land.” We can see from the Nephite civilization how they followed God and were blessed, and how they didn’t follow God and were destroyed. And we can see how often times righteousness and wickedness correlated with whether the man leading that nation was righteous or wicked. And so we can learn from them, and not meet their fate, by getting involved in the political process and choosing capable, righteous leaders.
Finally, while certainly our hearts burst with gratitude for the soldiers who have laid down their lives for this nation, we must also be reminded of an Even Greater Sacrifice, the one made by our Savior, Jesus Christ. For as the soldiers fought to liberate us from tyranny, Christ died to liberate us from two foes we could not conquer ourselves: Sin and Death. In the soldier’s sacrifice, we are given freedoms of religion, speech, assembly, privacy, etc. In Christ’s sacrifice, we are given freedom from those things that would destroy us, bind us down and make us eternally miserable. Thanks to the soldiers, I can speak here in Church today. Thanks to Christ, I can speak here in Church today of a brighter day, a greater hope—the hope that one day I can stand before My Maker free of any pollutions on my soul. That I can put behind me my sins of yesteryear, and that I may overcome all things. In Christ, am I truly free. I need not be held bondage to the toll of sin, for He has borne my sorrow, has suffered for me, and has loved me. I hope to be counted as one of His Friends on that Great Day of Judgment.
And in Christ, I know all men, including the soldiers who have bravely given their lives for this nation, will be made alive, and so I know that their ending on a battlefield was really just a beginning. And this I say in the name of the Jesus Christ. Amen.
SPORTS: Season outlook for BYU football
This is the game-by-game prediction of how BYU's 2004 campaign will go. Needless to say, my expectations are much more reserved this year than they have the past two seasons, when I predicted the Cougars to go 12-0 in 2002 and 10-2 in 2003. That's a combined 22-2; the Cougars, however, let me down, going 9-13 instead, and sapping out the warm feelings I had for the Cougars. So optimism is low, but you might not believe it when you see my first two picks.
Game 1: vs. Notre Dame, Sept. 4
The Cougars have several things going for them in this game: one, it's at home; two, it's the season opener; and three, Notre Dame ain't what it used to be. All of Crowton's seasons, even the lean years, have started impressively with big wins at home. In 2001, it was a 70-35 stomping of Tulane that set the tone for that season. A year later, Syracuse came to Provo and got spanked 42-21. Things were a bit more subdued in last year's opener, but the Cougars did get a nice 24-13 win over a name team, Georgia Tech; BYU's only home win of the season and, sadly, one of its highest point tallies of 2003. The season went South soon after that, but all that tells you is why the Cougars may not finish strong, they start strong. I like for the same thing in the 2004 opener.
PREDICTION: BYU 26, Notre Dame 21
Game #2: at Stanford, Sept. 11
This is a clash of two once-proud programs in the midst of a disappointing stretch. BYU gave this one away at home last season, but they have more than the Cardinal do, and the Cougs will walk away with a win.
PREDICTION: BYU 28, Stanford 10
Game #3: vs. USC, Sept. 18
The Cougars will have momentum coming into a home contest against the team's top-ranked team. Sound familiar? Where are you, Ty Detmer? No heroics this time, as the No. 1 team comes out of Provo with a win.
PREDICTION: USC 42, BYU 10
Game #4: at Boise State, Sept. 24
Yeah, yeah, they lost Dinwiddie, but Boise State clearly has a strong program in place, and the Broncos will have enough to defeat The Deepest Shade of Royal Blue on the Smurf Turf.
PREDICTION: Boise State 37, BYU 21
Game #5: at Colorado State, Oct. 2
The Rams embarrassed BYU last year in the Homecoming Game. This year, the loss won't be as bad, but CSU, even in the post-Van Pelt ERA, is going to be a tough match in Fort Collins.
PREDICTION: Colorado State 31, BYU 17
Game #6: vs. UNLV, Oct. 8
After three straight losses, the grumbling will start in Provo. It's good thing BYU has UNLV and Wyoming in back-to-back games at home to get back on track.
PREDICTION: BYU 24, UNLV 14
Game #7: vs. Wyoming, Oct. 16
Joe Glenn is the most annoying coach in the Mtn. West, but he is steering the Cowboys back on track to respectability ... at this rate, they'll be respectable in 2135.
PREDICTION: BYU 42, Wyoming 13
Game #8: at Air Force, Oct. 23
The Falcons have had BYU's number in recent years. The 52-9 drubbing two years ago will not be forgotten anytime soon. But Chance Harridge is gone, and Air Force is starting a freshman in his place. Not a recipe for success. The Cougars could get a surprise road win here.
PREDICTION: Air Force 27, BYU 24 (OT)
Game #9: vs. San Diego State, Nov. 6
One thing that Crowton has done consistently at BYU is beat the Aztecs all three years. He makes it four in '04.
PREDICTION: BYU 30, San Diego State 20
Game #10: vs. New Mexico, Nov. 13
The Lobos' defense will ensure this will be a yawner, but the New Mexico offense isn't going to provide enough scoring to win. Another 3-and-out game going to BYU.
PREDICTION: BYU 13, New Mexico 9
Game #11: at Utah, Nov. 20
I know I should say Utah will win. But I don't fancy a trip to the bishop's office to repent of such a great sin as saying the Utes will beat BYU.
PREDICTION: BYU 21, Utah 10
That leaves BYU at 7-4 and an invite to the Las Vegas Bowl, where they will play and lose to California, 28-19.
Game 1: vs. Notre Dame, Sept. 4
The Cougars have several things going for them in this game: one, it's at home; two, it's the season opener; and three, Notre Dame ain't what it used to be. All of Crowton's seasons, even the lean years, have started impressively with big wins at home. In 2001, it was a 70-35 stomping of Tulane that set the tone for that season. A year later, Syracuse came to Provo and got spanked 42-21. Things were a bit more subdued in last year's opener, but the Cougars did get a nice 24-13 win over a name team, Georgia Tech; BYU's only home win of the season and, sadly, one of its highest point tallies of 2003. The season went South soon after that, but all that tells you is why the Cougars may not finish strong, they start strong. I like for the same thing in the 2004 opener.
PREDICTION: BYU 26, Notre Dame 21
Game #2: at Stanford, Sept. 11
This is a clash of two once-proud programs in the midst of a disappointing stretch. BYU gave this one away at home last season, but they have more than the Cardinal do, and the Cougs will walk away with a win.
PREDICTION: BYU 28, Stanford 10
Game #3: vs. USC, Sept. 18
The Cougars will have momentum coming into a home contest against the team's top-ranked team. Sound familiar? Where are you, Ty Detmer? No heroics this time, as the No. 1 team comes out of Provo with a win.
PREDICTION: USC 42, BYU 10
Game #4: at Boise State, Sept. 24
Yeah, yeah, they lost Dinwiddie, but Boise State clearly has a strong program in place, and the Broncos will have enough to defeat The Deepest Shade of Royal Blue on the Smurf Turf.
PREDICTION: Boise State 37, BYU 21
Game #5: at Colorado State, Oct. 2
The Rams embarrassed BYU last year in the Homecoming Game. This year, the loss won't be as bad, but CSU, even in the post-Van Pelt ERA, is going to be a tough match in Fort Collins.
PREDICTION: Colorado State 31, BYU 17
Game #6: vs. UNLV, Oct. 8
After three straight losses, the grumbling will start in Provo. It's good thing BYU has UNLV and Wyoming in back-to-back games at home to get back on track.
PREDICTION: BYU 24, UNLV 14
Game #7: vs. Wyoming, Oct. 16
Joe Glenn is the most annoying coach in the Mtn. West, but he is steering the Cowboys back on track to respectability ... at this rate, they'll be respectable in 2135.
PREDICTION: BYU 42, Wyoming 13
Game #8: at Air Force, Oct. 23
The Falcons have had BYU's number in recent years. The 52-9 drubbing two years ago will not be forgotten anytime soon. But Chance Harridge is gone, and Air Force is starting a freshman in his place. Not a recipe for success. The Cougars could get a surprise road win here.
PREDICTION: Air Force 27, BYU 24 (OT)
Game #9: vs. San Diego State, Nov. 6
One thing that Crowton has done consistently at BYU is beat the Aztecs all three years. He makes it four in '04.
PREDICTION: BYU 30, San Diego State 20
Game #10: vs. New Mexico, Nov. 13
The Lobos' defense will ensure this will be a yawner, but the New Mexico offense isn't going to provide enough scoring to win. Another 3-and-out game going to BYU.
PREDICTION: BYU 13, New Mexico 9
Game #11: at Utah, Nov. 20
I know I should say Utah will win. But I don't fancy a trip to the bishop's office to repent of such a great sin as saying the Utes will beat BYU.
PREDICTION: BYU 21, Utah 10
That leaves BYU at 7-4 and an invite to the Las Vegas Bowl, where they will play and lose to California, 28-19.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)