John Bytheway in Victoria

We were able to attend a fireside at the Victoria stake center last night featuring John Bytheway.  It was AWESOME!  The topic was "Stand ye in Holy Places" and was really supposed to be directed at the youth.  Brother Bytheway is such a good speaker, even if it is something you have heard before, he delivers the message with such good humor and makes it so relate-able that it is almost like hearing things for the first time.  We have several Bytheway CD's and books and they are great for long road trips.
There is a Sample of John Bytheway here.

He talked about the importance of standing for what we know to be right, no matter what others around us may be doing.  He then used an old Candid Camera clip to illustrate the power of peer pressure. HERE

I am only sorry that Adam was not able to be with us to see it, but hopefully, there will be another chance for Adam to see Brother Bytheway next year.

My Sacrament meeting talk from this morning. . .

I was assigned to give a talk at church this morning and here is the text from it.

We all face times of trial and hardship in our lives. Like many of you, our family and the individuals in it have faced their share of personal trails. Sometimes I watch the situation develop over some time; as I watch and react it seems things continue to degrade. It also looks inevitable that things will get worse before they improve. I do not know how much worse that things will get before the expected improvement, and sometimes the situation has appeared nearly hopeless to me. Recently, I have noticed a slight change in my personal prayers. I used to pray that the burden be lifted, fixed, removed or erased somehow. . . Lately, I have instead been asking for peace while our family faces this particular set of circumstances. The answer to this latest version of my prayers came in the form of a phone call from Brother Price on Monday evening- Quote "Maggie could you give a talk this Sunday about Finding Joy Through Gospel Living. Maybe you could use the Beautiful Mornings talk from last conference.

As an aside- I actually remember listening to this talk during conference and getting that earworm. . .I mean. . .song. . . stuck in my head for the rest of the day.  

So here goes. . . 

Elder Bruce D. Porter’s talk, Beautiful Mornings, begins with the story of the last supper.  He states-

“On a Thursday evening in Jerusalem, Jesus met with His disciples in an upper room to observe Passover. The men who joined Him did not know that this meal would someday be called the Last Supper. Had they known this and what it meant, they would have wept.

Their Master, however, perfectly understood that the ordeal of Gethsemane and of Golgotha would shortly begin. The darkest hours in the history of the world were imminent; nevertheless, Jesus said to them, “In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world” 

Elder Porter goes on to say-

“Brothers and sisters, we need not fear the future, nor falter in hope and good cheer, because God is with us. Among the first recorded words of counsel that Jesus gave to His newly called disciples in Galilee was the two-word admonition, “Fear not” (Luke 5:10). He repeated that counsel many times during His ministry. To His Saints in our day, the Savior has said, “Be of good cheer, and do not fear, for I the Lord am with you, and will stand by you” (D&C 68:6).

Every one of us, and our families, can be armed with the power of God as a defense if we will but remain true to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and let the Spirit be our guide. Trials may come, and we may not understand everything that happens to us or around us. But if we humbly, quietly trust in the Lord, He will give us strength and guidance in every challenge we face. When our only desire is to please Him, we will be blessed with a deep inner peace.”

Then Elder Porter relates a story about his time as a student at BYU.  He tells us-

“When I was a student at Brigham Young University, I lived in a house with several young men. My roommate, Bruce, was the most optimistic person I have ever known. We never once heard him say anything negative about any person or any circumstance, and it was impossible not to feel buoyed up in his presence. His good cheer flowed from an abiding trust in the Savior and in His gospel.

One cold, wintry day, another friend of mine, Tom, was walking across the university campus. It was only 7:00 in the morning, and the campus was deserted and dark. Heavy snow was falling, with a brisk wind. “What miserable weather,” Tom thought. He walked farther, and out in the darkness and snow, he heard someone singing.

Sure enough, through the driving snow came our ever-optimistic friend, Bruce. With his arms outstretched to the sky, he was singing a number from the Broadway musical Oklahoma: “Oh, what a beautiful morning! Oh, what a beautiful day! I’ve got a beautiful feeling, everything’s going my way” (see Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II, “Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin’” [1943]).”

It would be awesome to have the gift of such faith and optimism.  I understand WHAT is being said, I just am not quite sure how to put the words into action for myself. Unfortunately, I tend to be a bit of a pragmatist, and I may be even a little cynical at times.  I personally find I need more concrete, “cookbook-type” steps help me to get started in the right direction.

I located a talk from 1996 by Elder Richard G Scott called “Finding Joy in Life” that gives us a few practical ideas and steps we can take to be more cheerful, joyful or optimistic.

Elder Scott asks- “Do you take time to discover each day how beautiful your life can be? How long has it been since you watched the sun set? The departing rays kissing the clouds, trees, hills, and lowlands good night, sometimes tranquilly, sometimes with exuberant bursts of color and form. What of the wonder of a cloudless night when the Lord unveils the marvels of His heavens—the twinkling stars, the moonlight rays—to ignite our imagination with His greatness and glory? How captivating to watch a seed planted in fertile soil germinate, gather strength, and send forth a tiny, seemingly insignificant sprout. Patiently it begins to grow and develop its own character led by the genetic code the Lord has provided to guide its development. With care it surely will become what it is destined to be: a lily, crowned with grace and beauty; a fragrant spearmint plant; a peach; an avocado; or a beautiful blossom with unique delicacy, hue, and fragrance. When last did you observe a tiny rosebud form? Each day it develops new and impressive character, more promise of beauty until it becomes a majestic rose. You are one of the noblest of God’s creations. His intent is that your life be gloriously beautiful regardless of your circumstances. As you are grateful and obedient, you can become all that God intends you to be.”

Elder Scott then reminds us that-

We “are here on earth for a divine purpose. It is not to be endlessly entertained or to be constantly in full pursuit of pleasure. . . .You are here to be tried, to prove yourself so that you can receive the additional blessings God has for you. If you question everything you are asked to do, or dig in your heels at every unpleasant challenge, you make it harder for the Lord to bless you.”  

-As a master at digging in my heels, in hindsight, many times I can see how I have made things harder than they needed to be.  Elder Scott also gives a little lesson in perspective that I have yet to learn . . .though, I AM working on it.   

He says-

“A pebble held close to the eye appears to be a gigantic obstacle. Cast on the ground, it is seen in perspective. Likewise, problems or trials in our lives need to be viewed in the perspective of scriptural doctrine. Otherwise they can easily overtake our vision, absorb our energy, and deprive us of the joy and beauty the Lord intends us to receive here on earth. Some people are like rocks thrown into a sea of problems. They are drowned by them. Be a cork. When submerged in a problem, fight to be free to bob up to serve again with happiness.”

Now here comes Elder Scott’s practical advice and a few concrete ideas for us to put into practice.  First he reminds us-

“Simple, rejuvenating experiences surround us. They can be safety valves to keep the tension down and the spirit up. Don’t concentrate on what you don’t have or have lost. The Lord promised the obedient to share all that He possesses with them. You may temporarily lack here, but in the next life, if you prove yourself worthy by living valiantly, a fulness will be your blessing.”

Next, Elder Scott suggests we-

“Attempt to be creative for the joy it brings. Select something like music, (art,) dance, sculpture, or poetry. Being creative will help you enjoy life. It engenders a spirit of gratitude. It develops latent talent, sharpens your capacity to reason, to act, and to find purpose in life. It dispels loneliness and heartache. It gives a renewal, a spark of enthusiasm, and zest for life.

Willing service to others is a key to enduring happiness. President Kimball said: “God does notice us, and he watches over us. But it is usually through another mortal that he meets our needs. Therefore, it is vital that we serve each other.”

Finally, Elder Scott advises us to-

“Make a list of things you can do for happiness, such as:

·        Ponder the scriptures to understand the plan of happiness.

·        Pray with faith in Jesus Christ.

·        Love and serve others.

·        Receive the temple ordinances. Return to bless others.

·        Listen to the prophet and obey his counsel.

·        Be grateful for what you have.

·        Smile more.

Your personal list will provide (your) keys to contentment and joy.”  

John Bytheway mentioned the importance of the Temple last night at the fireside we attended.  He reminded us that though we may not remember those individuals we do the work for, they will remember us and be eternally grateful for it.  He also mentioned the more time we spend in the temple, the more the temple is in us, and can provide us with that sense of peace and joy we strive for.

I know “this too shall pass”, and I continue to pray that I handle this current crisis and the ones that lie ahead with grace and peace; not only for myself, but also as an example for my family and friends.  Maybe through me, someone else may be led to the peace available to everyone by following the example of Christ, and through Gospel living.  I know that Christ lives and loves us, that our Heavenly Father has our best interests at heart and also that I need to get better at trusting them.  I say these things in Jesus’ name- Amen.