Unselfish Service

Service is not about what we get from it, but what we give to others. The Savior was the perfect example of unselfish service. May we duplicate his example and give to those around us. Not just our friends and family and those close to us, but also to the stranger in the grocery store who drops something, and even a a simple act of holding the door open for someone. These are things that should come as instinct in a true disciple of Christ. Let us try to be THAT disciple.

This is kind of a long poem, but it is so good. My brother sent it to me a year ago. He ran track and cross country and so he could relate. I love how inspiring and thought provoking this poem is. It's called "The Race" and it's written by D. H. Groberg. Enjoy...

Whenever I start to hang my head in front of failure’s face,
my downward fall is broken by the memory of a race.
A children’s race, young boys, young men; how I remember well,
excitement sure, but also fear, it wasn’t hard to tell.

They all lined up so full of hope, each thought to win that race
or tie for first, or if not that, at least take second place.
Their parents watched from off the side, each cheering for their son,
and each boy hoped to show his folks that he would be the one.

The whistle blew and off they flew, like chariots of fire,
to win, to be the hero there, was each young boy’s desire.
One boy in particular, whose dad was in the crowd,
was running in the lead and thought “My dad will be so proud.”

But as he speeded down the field and crossed a shallow dip,
the little boy who thought he’d win, lost his step and slipped.
Trying hard to catch himself, his arms flew everyplace,
and midst the laughter of the crowd he fell flat on his face.

As he fell, his hope fell too; he couldn’t win it now.
Humiliated, he just wished to disappear somehow.

But as he fell his dad stood up and showed his anxious face,
which to the boy so clearly said, “Get up and win that race!”

He quickly rose, no damage done, behind a bit that’s all,
and ran with all his mind and might to make up for his fall.
So anxious to restore himself, to catch up and to win,
his mind went faster than his legs. He slipped and fell again.

He wished that he had quit before with only one disgrace.
“I’m hopeless as a runner now, I shouldn’t try to race.”

But through the laughing crowd he searched and found his father’s face
with a steady look that said again, “Get up and win that race!”

So he jumped up to try again, ten yards behind the last.
“If I’m to gain those yards,” he thought, “I’ve got to run real fast!”
Exceeding everything he had, he regained eight, then ten...
but trying hard to catch the lead, he slipped and fell again.

Defeat! He lay there silently. A tear dropped from his eye.
“There’s no sense running anymore! Three strikes I’m out! Why try?
I’ve lost, so what’s the use?” he thought. “I’ll live with my disgrace.”
But then he thought about his dad, who soon he’d have to face.

“Get up,” an echo sounded low, “you haven’t lost at all,
for all you have to do to win is rise each time you fall.
Get up!” the echo urged him on, “Get up and take your place!
You were not meant for failure here! Get up and win that race!”

So, up he rose to run once more, refusing to forfeit,
and he resolved that win or lose, at least he wouldn’t quit.
So far behind the others now, the most he’d ever been,
still he gave it all he had and ran like he could win.

Three times he’d fallen stumbling, three times he rose again.
Too far behind to hope to win, he still ran to the end.

They cheered another boy who crossed the line and won first place,
head high and proud and happy -- no falling, no disgrace.

But, when the fallen youngster crossed the line, in last place,
the crowd gave him a greater cheer for finishing the race.
And even though he came in last with head bowed low, unproud,
you would have thought he’d won the race, to listen to the crowd.

And to his dad he sadly said, “I didn’t do so well.”
“To me, you won,” his father said. “You rose each time you fell.”

And now when things seem dark and bleak and difficult to face,
the memory of that little boy helps me in my own race.

For all of life is like that race, with ups and downs and all.
And all you have to do to win is rise each time you fall.
And when depression and despair shout loudly in my face,
another voice within me says, “Get up and win that race!”

Sin and Adversity

There is a monumental difference between sin and adversity.  Sometimes, these two different scenarios may come at the same time, but they are not the same.  In Bruce C. Hafen's Ensign article titled "Beauty for Ashes: The Atonement of Jesus Christ", he discusses a continuum ranging from sin to adversity.  One end, sin, being the highest degree to which we are at fault.  And at the other, adversity, we may bear no responsibility at all.  We are solely responsible for our choices in this life, wrong or right.  When we sin, it is because we chose to.  We disobeyed one of God's commandments and now face consequences for that sin, whether temporal or spiritual.  It is our opportunity and duty to use the Atonement of Jesus Christ and be forgiven for our sin completely.  This includes having a change of heart and forsaking the sin.

When things happen to us because of other people's choices, this is known as adversity.  Adversity is primarily given to us from a loving Heavenly Father.  This may sound odd, but he loves us so much that he wants us to keep getting better and improving.  And we all know that to do so, we must be pushed.  He will NOT push us beyond our limits, he has promised us this in the scriptures.  But we must be tried and tested to prove worthy to live in the kingdom of God.  Adversity may leave a bitter taste in our mouth, just as sin, but it is important that we learn the difference between the two so we don't beat ourselves up.  Give yourself credit.  If you are trying to live the Gospel of Jesus Christ to your best ability, that is ALL you can do.  You will be blessed for your diligence and your faith.

You Decide Your Future

So many people are afraid of the future in these latter days, but there is no reason to be afraid. If you are afraid, it is because you do not have faith in yourself. You, and only you, decide what will happen in the future. We have been given the great gift of agency, this is what allows people to make their own choices. They may choose to harm you or someone you know in any way, but only you choose how you will react and what you will take and learn from that experience. So, in all actuality, you decide your future. An article in the January 2011 Ensign titled "Make Yours A Great Life" by Elder Paul V. Johnson couldn't explain this topic any better. "Your future is not determined by the conditions around you. It is determined by your faith, your choices, and your efforts. Yes, you live in challenging times, but so did Mary, Moroni, and Joseph Smith. You don’t have to be carried along in the current of the times. The Lord can and will help you set your own course. The challenges you face will serve to strengthen you as you move forward with your life. Each of you has a bright future, a future you cannot now fully comprehend....People who go to work with faith, knowing the Lord will bless them if they do what’s right, are the ones with a bright future. The title of the last conference address given by Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin of the Quorum of the Twelve, (1917–2008) explained how these people handle challenges: “Come What May, and Love It.” Elder Wirthlin said: “If we approach adversities wisely, our hardest times can be times of greatest growth, which in turn can lead toward times of greatest happiness.”

Love your trials

Thanksgiving '09 I heard someone bear a testimony that will stick with me forever. This individual said, "I am so grateful for my trials and tribulations." This statement startled me and caught me off guard to say the least. I had never heard someone say that they loved trials. Why on earth would you say that? Sure, I know we have to have them and everything, but that doesn't mean I like them. I thought about what he said. I know there are many people that are a lot worse off than I am or have been, but I have been through a lot. Granted, most of it was all self inflicted, I put myself through a lot of grief and pain. I came to realize why this person said they loved trials when I came across this scripture today in Romans 5:3-4, "...but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope:". Because of the things that I've experienced in my life, I am able to have hope. Hope in a better tomorrow. Hope that someone is there to listen to my problems and succor me. That someone is our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  The world is not over when a life changing event happens, or when our chips are down.  Look at it as an opportunity to learn something. God is teaching us something, and it's up to us if we are going to figure out what it is.  I love the ability to grow and learn, no matter how it may come about.

Be Not Ashamed

Romans 1:16 reads "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth..."  Why is it so hard to talk about Christ with other people? Are we actually ashamed of this gift that we possess? It is our obligation and duty to share the message of the Restoration of the Church of Jesus Christ with our friends and loved ones, and even those we don't know. Why wouldn't we? We all came from the same place and are trying to end up in the same place aren't we? We are all brothers and sisters, and as such, we should have this desire to share this gift we have known as the Gospel of Jesus Christ, with EVERYONE! I would like to close with an awesome scripture from my favorite chapter in the Book of Mormon. 2 Nephi 9:18 says, "But, behold, the righteous, the saints of the Holy One of Israel, they who have believed in the Holy One of Israel, they who have endured the crosses of the world, and despised the shame of it, they shall inherit the kingdom of God, which was prepared for them from the foundation of the world, and their joy shall be full forever." Let us be proud. Let us open our mouths and echo the joyous sound of the Gospel. 1 Nephi 21:23, "...for they shall not be ashamed that wait for me."

Christmas in Montana

It's Christmas in Montana,
Or so the saying goes,
When everything is white,
And the wind she really blows.

When temperatures are chilly,
Often way below the mark,
Anytime it's north of zero,
Seems like summer in the park.

When frost's upon the windows,
And the ice's upon the ground;
When breath looks like a summer cloud,
Waiting for thunder's sound.

When the snow is in the Rockies,
And glaciers start to grow,
And all the grain is hidden,
On the plains below.

When rivers they are frozen,
And the lakes are thick with ice,
And the dogs out on the Res,
Are anything but nice.

When the geese are in the stubble,
And the cattle are fed hay,
And the grizzlies hibernating,
For a cold long winter's stay.

When the missionaries are a working,
In the middle of this cold,
They are still out there sharing,
The message told of old.

But mostly all the people,
Put on their happy face,
And hurry 'bout the country,
At such a rapid pace.

They shout a friendly greeting,
As they hurry on their way,
They are way too busy,
No time for us to stay.

So we share a hurried thought,
As they trot along the path.
They'd slow a might and listen,
If we'd off them some cash.

But what we have is priceless,
Worth more than solid gold.
It's about the restoration,
Gospel truths that were foretold.

We hope that they will listen,
To us at Christmas time,
It's worth a whole lot more,
Than a nickel and a dime.

To us no present's better,
Than a pair of listening ears,
For if they truly listen,
It will bless them through the years.

And we will then bear witness,
Of the message that we share;
It's of the promised Savior,
His truth we do declare.

To watch a mighty change of heart,
There is no better sight,
Than standing in the water,
Humbly dressed in white.

So thank you for your efforts,
Throughout 2010,
Because of your commitment,
The miracle began.

We trust you all are happy,
As happy as can be,
As you dream of many wishes,
Beneath your Christmas tree.

So Merry Christmas to you all,
We bid you lots of cheer.
It's an honor to serve with you,
All throughout the year.

-- President Larry H. Gardner