The Value of Work

Work: Be engaged in physical or mental activity in order to achieve a purpose or result, esp. in one's job; do work

I remember being handed a toilet cleaning brush at five years old.

Mostly because I know now how to keep the house clean.

I remember gathering thousands of rocks from the backyard for endless summers with my brothers and sisters.

Mostly because now I have a strong relationship with my siblings.

 

I remember late nights of my parents staying up with me to finish homework.

Mostly because now I can enjoy the blessings of valuing education.

I remember often being physically exhausted from service projects.

Mostly because I now value the satisfaction that comes from an exhausting day of missionary work.

I remember being drug out of bed for early scripture study and being hauled to church in frilly dresses.

Mostly because I have now been blessed with a personal testimony of Jesus Christ,  His  restored church, and with a love for His word.

One of the greatest gifts I have ever been given is an understanding of the value of work.  My parents were really good and helping us kids understand the definition of work early.  Because of it my life has forever been blessed.

"By work we sustain and enrich life. It enables us to survive the disappointments and tragedies of the mortal experience. Hard-earned achievement brings a sense of self-worth. Work builds and refines character, creates beauty, and is the instrument of our service to one another and to God. A consecrated life is filled with work, sometimes repetitive, sometimes menial, sometimes unappreciated but always work that improves, orders, sustains, lifts, ministers, aspires.”

 Elder D. Todd Christofferson

Hopes of Glory

I am so grateful for this Easter season and the chance that it provides for us to more seriously reflect on the life and ministry of our Savior, Jesus Christ.  I know that He paid the price for our pains and shortcomings.  A price that we can not pay for ourselves.  I know that He lives today.  That knowledge brings me indescribable peace and happiness. 

Testimonies of Jesus Christ given by modern day Prophets and Apostles

"The sufferings and death of Christ atone for their sins, through faith and repentance, and so forth; and that he breaketh the bands of death, that the grave shall have no victory, and that the sting of death should be swallowed up in the hopes of glory"

 Alma 22:14

Did you Know??

Did you know that Mormons have horns?

Did you know that Mormons have more than one wife?

Did you know that Mormons do not watch television?

Did you know that Mormons wrote their own Bible?

Did you know that Mormons are not Christians?

That's funny because I have been a Mormon (more preferably known as Latter-day Saint) my whole life and knew none of that.  Yet I have people tell me regularly tell me that all of these facts relate to my religion/lifestyle.  The moral of the story is that there is plenty of sources out there willing to claim to know the true facts.  But the truth of the matter is facts only come from those who REALLY know.  If you had a question about heart surgery you would not ask your dentist.  If you have questions about the Latter-day Saints you are best off to just ask a Latter-day Saint.  Click Here to Learn More.

Here's your sign.....

We saved a turtle.  Some might call us hero's, others just good citizens.  I prefer just to be called a

missionary: one sent to do charitable work in a territory or forigen country.  It all happened last week we were driving down a typical country road.  Thanks to Sister Stubbs' sensitive eye we dodge our reptile friend just in time.  These are the country roads mind you so coming to a complete and sudden stop is not considered an unsafe move.  Just the thought of leaving him there with one and a half lanes of road to still cross made us ill.  We found a comfortable box to put him in, made sure his seat belt was secure, and kept a watchful eye out for a safe home.  Turtles do not belong in the middle of the road.  We played the phone a friend card, and with some help from Google I'm sure, they informed us that our little friend, who we lovingly named Gary, belongs in a muddy wet habitat.  Having a slight understanding of what kind of environment we were looking for, and where to find it amidst all the farm land we pressed on.  Not five minutes later we came to a road sign...GARY LN.  Hello red flag, I think we will stop here.  Not twenty feet from the sign was the ideal home for any turtle named Gary.

I admit my missionary nerdiness regurlarly.  Now is no exception.  As I thought about this experience I thought a lot about all the people that I often talk with about signs and answers from God.  Might seem crazy, but I am grateful for the GARY LN sign because it is hard to say how long we would have been looking for a home for our beloved friend.  He could have died on our watch!  And really we have more important work to do.  I consider it a serious tender mercy from Heavenly Father.  People are constatnly looking for signs and answers to help them better understand what God wants for them.  Too often we are watching for some giant display from the cosmos or a literal sign on the street to tell us what to do.  Although that would be super convenient its not how it works.  Heavenly Father requires faith, and patience to hear the gentle whisperings of the spirit that are sent to give us answers.  I am reminded of a group of peole in the Book of Mormon:

Helaman 16:

13...there were great signs given unto the people, and wonders; and the words of the prophets began to be fulfilled.

14 And angels did appear unto men, wise men, and did declare unto them glad tidings of great joy; thus in this year scriptures begn to be fulfilled.

15 Nevertheless, the people began to harden their hearts, all save it were the most believing part of them, and began to depend upon their own strength and upon their own wisdom saying:

16 Some things they may have guessed right, among that all these great and marvelous works cannot come to pass, of which has been spoken.

22 And notwithstanding the signs and the wonders which were wroght among the people of the Lord, and the many miracles which they did, Satan did get great hold upon the hearts of the people upon all the face of the land.

Everyday God sends us the answers that we are begging for.  As hard as it may be to admit it we all at times harden our hearts and depend on our own strength when the signs are there.  I testify that if we watch with a sensitive heart we will recognize the answers and the signs from our loving Heavenly Father. 

Where in the World?

I know there has been a serious case of MIA going on here in the blog world.  My deepest apologies.  I have been given a new assignment that keeps me far from regular computer access.  Rather than spending all my time in one area Sister Stubbs and I now travel much of Kentucky sharing the gospel (see diagram).  We are in a different town every day.  Seeing various people, that will be attending different church buildings come Sunday.  I have realized that some wonder how that works.  Why is there not variance from one place to the next?  Isn't each church unique?  I have been thinking a lot about why such a method of missionary work is successful.  Although there are many conclusions here is the most exciting answer I have come up with....

The writings of Paul to the Ephesians tell us much about the structure of Christ's church.

Ephesians 2:19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;

 20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;

Ephesians 4:11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;

 12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: 

Ephesians 4:5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism

Paul teaches that there is essentially one truth for all of us follow.  Based on the foundation of prophets and apostles with Christ at the head the church can serve as a force to unite the children of God under one gospel.  With the restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ a prophet was called for these latter days.  One answer can be found.  One church has been established to unite all of God's children.  This is why traveling around the world sharing the gospel works.  No matter where you may find yourself on Sunday morning you know that what is being taught within the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the same whereever you go.  It does not matter if you are in Morgantown, Kentucky, or Eldorado, Illinois.  Brazil, or Sweeden.  The gospel of Jesus Christ is universal just as our Heavenly Father intended for it to be.

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