Come listen to living prophets

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

The Kind of Dad I Hope to Be

I have been so very blessed to grow up with and still have an amazing father alive and well today. I never knew how much influence he had on me until I left my home. I regularly turned to him for advice and help with just about everything and it was very difficult for me getting used to not having that same privilege on my mission. I'm so grateful he's no more than a phone call away, whenever I need him.

As I was glancing through articles on a website I frequent, I came across a particularly outstanding one. The author is pretty well known in the LDS community and writes a weekly column for this website. I don't always read his articles, but when I do, they are almost always exceptional. In this particular article the author reflects on his soon-to-be 16-year-old daughter and what he wished he knew when he was her age. I expected him to rattle off a typical list of dumb things we wish we could have avoided when we were that age in high school, but he placed more emphasis on his relationship with her. To quote, "I want my daughter to know that when I’m impatient, I love her. When I’m working late at my office on an immovable deadline, I love her. When she makes mistakes and hurts her mother’s feelings, I love her. She knows how much I love to write. But does she know I love her more? She knows how much I love my golf, tennis, church and political buddies. But does she know I love her more? She knows how much I love tacos, desserts, book signings, speaking engagements and ESPN. But does she know I love her more?"- http://www.deseretnews.com/article/705395010/What-I-wish-Id-known-when-I-turned-16.html?pg=1

Again, I'm so blessed to have a father who always made me a priority and never failed to show his love for me. We weren't without our disagreements at times, but to this day, I know that whatever advice my dad gives me, he does it out of complete sincerity and love for me. I hope to have that same kind of relationship with my own children someday and plan to make it the best I can.


This song never fails to move me. It expresses the incredible bond that a father and his child can have. I'm also infinitely grateful for a Father in Heaven who loves me beyond my comprehension. I'm so glad He allows me to have trials that give me the opportunity to develop a better relationship with Him and my Savior Jesus Christ.

Monday, November 28, 2011

All's Well That Ends Well in the Twilight Saga... Almost

To begin, I'll spare everyone the poster image for the film. Really all you have to do is imagine the front cover of any romance novel you'd see on the shelves of Wal-Mart and you've got the right idea. So I had to go see Breaking Dawn: Part 1 this weekend for my Literature and Film class (and no, that is not some ridiculous excuse to hide a closet Twi-hard, this was a legit assignment) and it wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be. The more I say that out loud though, the more I'm starting to realize that's really not saying much. It's also a somewhat inaccurate definition that requires more explanation. I believe that the film as a whole was the faster moving than the first two, but slightly slower than Eclipse. There was same dull acting, same terrible script, and it was still as ridiculous as its predecessors, and I'll explain why.
Warning: MAJOR SPOILERS ABOUT TO BE DISCUSSED (as if any Twi-hard reading this hasn't already read the books or at least is unaware of the plot summary). I'm truly baffled by where the filmmakers chose to end the film. From an unread viewer of these films, I didn't see a compelling need to have a Part 2 to the story. Bella became a vampire. Jacob imprinted on Reneesme (don't know the spelling on that one and don't care to figure it out for purposes of this blog). Where does this story really have anywhere to go? Even my sister, who read the books and watched the movie with me, didn't really understand what would really compel them to try and split it into another film. I mean, sure we could watch Bella have her first hunt, but I don't think that's really going to be anything more exciting (or painful) than action scenes we were subjected to view in Eclipse. Ok, so if you waited for 4 or 5 minutes as the credits began to roll you could see the Volturi (who appeared to be having a WHOLE lot more fun playing their role than in the past. I can't help but wonder if they weren't slipped the same thing that got put in Rick Perry's drink before one of his recent press conferences, before they began filming that scene) discussing their desire to possess something that Bella and Edward had. But it didn't exactly create a great deal of suspense for me. Perhaps just because I know that nothing of great significance will happen in Part 2. Perhaps just because I never cared to begin with. All I gotta say is, if the filmmakers were trying to create a huge sense of exhilaration to see Part 2, they pretty much failed in my opinion. Honestly, I thought they were going to cut off the film so many times. There were so many perfect moments: the preparation for war between Jacob's clan and the Cullens, Bella's constant struggle between life and death... I'm confused. I mean, even when I went and saw Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1, I knew what was going to happen. Voldemort obtaining the Elder Wand didn't come as a huge shock to me, but seeing them cut it off right there and knowing the impending war that awaited made me more excited than ever to see Part 2. There was no sense of that watching Breaking Dawn Part 1, so sadly, (or perhaps happily for those of you, like myself, that greatly dislike Twilight) there's a good chance you will not see a review for Part 2 on my blog. I have to hand it to the filmmakers and Stephanie Meyer though. Despite their lack of talent in writing and creating decent books and films, they manage to attract huge audiences to their films and books. May I just say in conclusion that if ever you thought the series was weird at any point, this film reaches the climax of weirdness, and were it not for its dedicated audience of teenage girls across the world, I don't know how these films/books would ever have gotten as far as they have.

Friday, November 25, 2011

Short Post On Gratitude

Since I tend to be long winded on just about everything I write, I'm going to keep this short, not to mention this is a little belated with the passing of Thanksgiving.

Top 5 Things I'm Thankful For (not necessarily in any order):

1) My Amazing Family
Having six younger sisters and a younger brother may not be everyone's idea of fun, but I wouldn't have it any other way for me. Each one of them is unique and easy to love. They do more for me than I recognize most of the time.

2) Food
Ok, so I didn't serve a foreign mission where I had to give up my favorite Thanksgiving foods for two years, but I met plenty of people who struggled to put food on the table for themselves and their families. It didn't take long for me to realize as a missionary that I might not have the money to buy all the food I wanted, but I certainly never had to worry if I was going to be eating the next day or not.
3) Memories
I don't get to see many of my best friends from my childhood very often, but on days like today where I get that opportunity, I'm so grateful I have great memories to look back on with them. There are plenty of memories that I wish I could erase from my mind, but there are so many more that I hope I never forget.
4) Movies
I don't need to say much here given my prior posts. This is something quite temporal and that I could learn to live without, but I hope I never have to. They are my favorite escape from reality.
5) A New Job
Early morning custodial jobs aren't the most desirable form of employment, but I'm so grateful to have something steady to help cover my bills and one that doesn't directly conflict with any of my classes.

Sunday, November 20, 2011

Borrowing Faith and Light



So this is one of my favorite Christian/gospel songs (don't judge the song by the name of the artist!). I'm not sure if that's the proper genre designation, but that's what comes to my mind. I had never heard it until I was on my mission and one of my companions introduced me to a bunch of this kind of music. This one particularly struck me because at this point on my mission, I was really beginning to wonder if I was going to make it. I had to return home for six months because of unforseen medical complications and before I could return to my original mission in Colorado Springs, I was asked to serve in my home mission, Mesa Arizona, for a few months to make sure I was up to the task again. I wanted more than anything to go back out, but sometimes I just wasn't sure how I'd make the transition back to my original mission, if they'd let me at all. There was also a strong possibility I would stay in the Mesa mission, and as much as I grew to love the people there, I desperately wanted to go back to Colorado. I'm so grateful that I had the incredible companion that I did who always stood by my side and helped me through everything I faced at that time. This song reminds me of him because he reached out to me and helped me go forward when I didn't know if I could.

Now, let me make a clarification here. I don't believe that living on borrowed faith or light permanently is by any means a good idea. It is not a source that can be substituted for our own faith. However, in the moments when my faith is weaker than it usual, I believe its ok to turn to others for help to strengthen our faith. I'm so glad that I have people around me to turn to for help. I won't name specifics, but you know who you are. Thank you for helping me get through experiences that I couldn't possibly on my own.

I also believe that the Savior also says this to us in essence. In D&C 17:8 it says, "And if you [keep my commandments] which I have given you, the gates of hell shall not prevail against you; for my grace is sufficient for you, and you shall be lifted up at the last day". He knows that we are imperfect and that we are going to struggle at times, and He performed the Atonement so we could overcome them. I'm so grateful for the power of the Holy Ghost, and how it helps us to feel the love and power of our Savior's Atonement not only for our sins, but for our hard times as well. We will be able to find peace in His love when it seems that no other source can provide that love we yearn for as we follow His commandments and keep our covenants with Him. Looking back on those moments of my life always fills me with gratitude knowing that the Lord has been with me the entire time, and will continue to be with me through the remainder of my days. I wouldn't trade those experiences for the world.

Saturday, November 19, 2011

We Are Never Forgotten



This hasn't been the easiest of weeks for me, which explains my lack of posts since Monday. Usually I have a plethora of ideas coming into my head for my posts, but my mind has been a little more lost than usual. Today I decided to go to the temple and do an endowment session for the first time in too long. I enjoy doing other ordinances in the temple, but there's something special to me about doing endowment sessions.

As I sat pondering in the temple, I turned to one of my favorite sections in the Doctrine and Covenants, section 122, where the Lord is counseling Joseph Smith and reassuring him that even though his situation at the moment looks bleaker than ever, things will work out, and it will ultimately be for his good. As I read over verse 8, I was reminded of a truth I had forgotten for a moment. "The Son of Man hath descended below [all things]. Art thou greater than he?" I know the Lord doesn't play favorites, but if He did, surely the Savior would be it. And yet, even He suffered pain. Pain beyond that which I cannot comprehend with my mortal mind. Knowing that reminds me that the Lord allows me to experience trials to help me become the person that He wants to be, and even though I don't understand all the reasons why, these trying experiences will be for my good. This video is a musical rendition of this scripture, combined with Isaiah 54:10, from a recent musical about Joseph Smith and the Restoration. It is so powerful, and I never fail to hear this song in my head when I read either of these scriptures. They also remind me that the Lord is more than aware of us and our trials, that His kindness will never depart from us, and that we are never forgotten.

Monday, November 14, 2011

Movie Critics/Analysts: Can You Trust Them?


(Special thanks to Ashley Lewis for finding this priceless picture. I promise it totally relates to the post)
I don't think it's a mystery that I am a huge movie freak and know ridiculous bits of trivia about all kinds of movies, but if it was, it won't be after this post. I'm always interested in the top 10 movies of the week and although I can't always give exact figures, I can usually tell you what films are doing the best at the moment and for the year as a whole. That being said, I sometimes question the validity of movie analysts/critics. Let me rephrase that, I ALWAYS question their validity. They are about as trustworthy at times as the thought of Edward Cullen being a good boyfriend/spouse. Case in point, today I was reading the box office report for the past weekend on Deseret News' website. I was not the least bit surprised to see what the top film of the weekend was (Immortals, the latest outing from the creators of 300). However, I couldn't believe what I was reading when the writer mentioned that the opening of Breaking Dawn: Part 1 would only draw in the young women demographic. Following that was this quote: "There's really not another action movie until you approach the Christmas holidays," said Kyle Davies, head of distribution for Relativity [who distributed Immortals]. "Over the next few weeks, there's no real competition for us."
Now, Davies is right that there isn't any competition until Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows opens in a month, but he is DEAD wrong if he thinks Immortals doesn't need to worry about competition from Breaking Dawn. While it won't steal much of Immortals' main audience, it has an entire nation chock full of crazed teenage girls that will be rushing to the midnight showings and will likely beat the records of the first three films. Let's turn the clocks for a second and rewind to 2008 when Twilight first opened. Its midnight showings pulled in a meager $7 million, but went on to gross $392 million worldwide. New Moon broke all time box office records for midnight showings getting $26.3 million in its first night alone, going on to gross $570 million worldwide. Eclispe once again broke its records with about $30 million in midnight showings and nearly $700 million worldwide. As much as I personally loathe and despise the series and wish such money was not wasted on films that are even worse than the books, Davies is either in denial or completely ignorant of these figures if he thinks Immortals has nothing to worry about for the next month.

Sunday, November 13, 2011

An Awesome Weekend


Yesterday I had the opportunity to volunteer at the local teen book fair at the Provo Library. I got to be crowd control (in essence) in the Art Gallery for those who would come to get their books signed by the authors you see above: (L to R) Elana Johnson, Kristen Landon, Ally Condie, and Robison Wells. When people started to come in large lines, me and another girl would write their names on sticky notes and put them on their books to speed up the signing process. To be completely honest, I personally wanted this position to talk to Ally some more because I LOVE her books, but since she's so popular, she got a much bigger room entirely to herself for twice as much time as the other authors on the floor above. I stayed for another hour afterwards to listen to all four of the authors on a Q&A panel and asked Ally afterwards for her to sign my book. I explained I had been volunteering beforehand and didn't have a chance to leave during that time. She was way nice about it and signed my book. Rob (the author to her right on the panel) gave her a hard time for writing as much as she did and said, "Wow, you actually write a lot in there. i just sign people's books," and she told him to stop or she'd mess up what she was writing, which she didn't.
Today has been an amazing Sunday. The talks were so well done by the speakers. They had a central theme of The Book of Mormon, but each took a talk from the October Ensign from one of the apostles talking about the Book of Mormon and the role it plays in our lives. Then today in our New Testament class we covered a broad range of topics, one of them being making our calling and election sure. One particular scripture that stood out to me that we covered was 2 Peter 1:10. It reminded me how being diligent doesn't promise that our lives will be covered in butterflies and roses, but that we will be able to accomplish the things we need to and we will never fall. Sometimes I think Heavenly Father allows me to have the same trials, or ones similar to those in the past, because I never learn what I should have in the first place. I think one of those is having the ability to let go of things that we can't control. I'm so prone to want things to go just how I plan them and if they don't, there must be something that I can do to change them. But sometimes there's not. We just need to keep pressing forward with faith in Christ, knowing that someday, all the reasons for our struggles in this life will make sense, and they will be eternally worth it.

Friday, November 11, 2011

Letting the Savior Into Our Lives

I've been pondering a lot about some of the trials I've been facing lately and as I was listening to Elder Hales' talk in conference about Waiting Upon the Lord, this scripture and image came to my mind. I still remember this picture hanging in my room throughout my childhood and up until I left on my mission. I had no idea as a child how much this scripture would come to mean to me later in my life.
I can't tell you how many times I knocked on people's doors in my mission who would only yell from behind the door, but never open them. I can remember having an extended conversation from behind a door with a less active member that we had been trying to contact for some time. I remember just wishing that they would allow us to come inside so we could talk to them face-to-face and help them straighten out the things that were going wrong at the time.
Unfortunately, I tend to do this sometimes in my own life. I can get so caught up with the craziness of life that the Savior tends to get pushed out of my house, and He comes knocking again and again for me to let Him back in. I believe that our trials are one of the ways that the Savior continually knocks on our doors and pleads for us to let Him help us. I'm grateful that He never gives up on any of us, no matter how long we've left Him standing outside. He will always be waiting for us to let Him back in.

Tuesday, November 8, 2011

2 Awesome Songs For The Day

So, many of you have probably seen the first video. I finally watched it for the first time yesterday and it is simply wonderful. I'm not entirely sure why I'm always hesitant at first with listening to new music by Hilary Weeks, but once I do warm up to it, I'm hooked. This video really helped put things into perspective for me yesterday.




This is just a song, not a music video, but it's awesome nonetheless. This has also helped me keep a good perspective and remember that "disaster has a way of remaking our hearts".




I'm so grateful for music and the incredible power that it has in our lives. I wish I was better at writing it, and I'm grateful for those who are so willing to share theirs.

Sunday, November 6, 2011

Letting Go and Holding On


President Packer gave an outstanding talk tonight. At the beginning of his talk he told us to not worry about taking notes, but to pay more attention to what we would feel. I'm so glad that he did. He talked about so many things, but there were a few that really stood out to me. I was grateful to be reminded that through the Atonement, we can overcome all of our sins, and the guilt that comes from them can be washed away. It is incredible to consider that the One Being in this world, our Savior Jesus Christ, who did no wrong, would suffer for all of our sins, pains, and afflictions that we would ever have to face in this life. Through the Atonement, we can let go of anything that would attempt to hold us back.
Tonight as I have been pondering, I came across one of my favorite songs by Cherie Call called Holding On. In this song, she talks about some temporal things that she would like to get rid of, and some of the spiritual things that she will always hold on to. There's one stanza I absolutely love. It says:
"You can't keep a harvest moon, it fades away all too soon
And even the trees let go of their leaves
much quicker than you'd ever choose
So many people say goodbye, I see those
teardrops in their eyes And I start to wonder how I'd live without
love
And I'm glad I never have to try"
There's a lot of things that I've had to let go of in life, some of which have been very difficult that wish I never would have had to. But I know that despite my losses I will never have to worry about being surrounded by people who love and care about me. I couldn't ask for better family or friends in this life. I know that I sound like a broken record when I say this stuff, but they mean the world to me. I'm so grateful for Jesus Christ, the love that He has for me, and that His Atonement not only has the power to rid us of the guilt that comes from our sins, but that it can help heal our hearts and help us to overcome whatever trials that come our way. Through its power, we can eventually let go of any pain and sorrow that come from our hard times. I couldn't have possibly guessed a year ago what a year in Utah would teach me. There have been some very trying times, but there have been so many more good things that have come as a result. My trials have taught me so much and I hope that I will continue to learn all that Heavenly Father wants me to from them. I hope that I will continue to let go of the things that I need to, and hold on to those that matter most.
During the last transfer of my mission, it seemed Murphy's Law was working overtime on me. It seemed like every day I didn't know how I'd make it until the end of my mission. So many things that I had worked hard for seemed to backfire and fall apart on me. And while it didn't turn out how I wanted it to, I learned so much from those experiences, particularly that even when your world seems to be falling apart around you, The Lord can help you overcome all things. I wouldn't trade those experiences for anything, because if ever there was a lesson I needed to learn, it was that one. The Lord knows the beginning from the end and He has a plan so much better than the one we do. That vision has stayed with me to this day and it helps me discern what I need to hold on to and what I need to let go of. I am so blessed.

Thursday, November 3, 2011

Still Fighting Forward...


Earlier today this talk by Elder Jeffrey R. Holland was posted by another one of my friends on her blog and I felt like such an amazing talk could use all the sharing it could get. As a disclaimer, if I could pick my favorite apostle to listen to, it would be Elder Holland. His talks never fail to move me. This one is among my most-frequently-referred-back-to-talks. As I was reading over it tonight, new things stood out to me that hadn't before. During the talk he refers to Moses and several of his experiences with receiving revelation and his efforts in leading the children of Israel out of Egypt. He mentions how they lost sight of the amazing experiences that brought them out of Egypt and how they wanted to turn back.
In response to this, Elder Holland says, "How soon we forget. It would not have been better to stay and serve the Egyptians, and it is not better to remain outside the Church nor to reject a mission call nor to put off marriage and so on and so on forever. Of course our faith will be tested as we fight through these self-doubts and second thoughts. Some days we will be miraculously led out of Egypt--seemingly free, seemingly on our way--only to come to yet another confrontation, like all that water lying before us. At those times we must resist the temptation to panic and to give up. At those times fear will be the strongest of the adversary's weapons against us."
I would definitely say that fear is one of the greatest tools that Satan uses against me, and at times is effective in causing anxiety in my life. But, without fail, just like the Israelites, I can turn back to a myriad of experiences I've had where I know that I could not have possibly accomplished what I did without the help of the Lord. One of these experiences in particular was returning to the mission field after a combined six months of leave due to medical issues. In some cases, returning to the field after coming home, depending on the situation, is not a huge difficulty. But, in my case, it seemed the doors that lead back to returning to the field were being closed in every direction. I wanted desperately to go back to the field, and in time, it seemed I would, but the date seemed to be moving farther and farther into the future. Then, through the prayers and fasting of my parents, all the right doors opened at the right time, and my time for returning to my mission was put back on track. This experience, among so many others, always reminds me that ultimately the Lord knows infinitely better than me, and He will always be there to help me accomplish what He wants me to. Today I really needed to be reminded that, and to not turn back on those experiences that have brought me to where I am today.
Another quote that stood out to me was this, "Fighting through darkness and despair and pleading for the light is what opened this dispensation. It is what keeps it going, and it is what will keep you going".
Lesson learned: The fight isn't over, and I plan to keep on fighting it until the end of my days.

Wednesday, November 2, 2011

A Visit from the Prophet!


Oh the joys of waiting in line for Pres. Monson's devotional today! I'm still amazed that there were people that slept in tents. I mean, I showed up at eight and the line was pretty small. But within twenty minutes of course, it was starting to get crazy. I'm so glad we got the chance to hear from Pres. Monson today. I love how the Spirit can teach us exactly what we need to know through people like him. Pres. Monson talked mainly about our influence that we can have on the world and the light that comes into our lives when we choose to follow the example of the Savior. He challenged us to be good examples so that others could feel the love of the Savior through us. I'm so grateful to the many people in my life that have done just that and have influenced me for the better. I think I came to see the greatest effects such an example can have while I was in the mission field through serving others and being served. This gospel is AMAZING! :)