Am I Turtly enough for the Turtle Club?

Well.  I have decided that I want to be more like a turtle one day.  Now I do not know to much about the thought process of the creatures, but from what I have observed they are worth admiring.  I can not even count how many of the little guys we have passed in our recent travels.  They are all just there.  Right in the middle of the road.  Some might consider them suicidal.  I choose to call them determined.  It takes a lot of dedication to ones end goal to endure facing so much danger.  I mean there are a lot of crazy drivers out on these Kentucky roads.  We all know they can not dodge those kinds of things.  And its hot, they could melt right on the spot.  The turtles however stay focused.   Maybe they know that a better life is just on the other side of that long stretch of pavement.  Maybe the mere hope of such an ideal is enough to drive them to act.  Maybe they trust their instinct so much it leaves no room for doubt.  They are determined to the end.  Sticking with what they know is right even when they know it may cost them everything.

Our challenge today is simlar to that of my turtle friends that patiently, and diligently maintain a larger perspective.  An eternal perspective you might say.  Often we do not know what promised blessings await us on the other side of that long and dangerous journey.  But if we stay fast to what we know to be true, trusting in those instincts that are greater than our own, our reward will be of infinate worth. 

Wherefore, ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God adn of all men.  Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life.

2 Nephi 31:20

The Power of Two Witnesses

I am grateful for the influence these two books have had on my life.  They have brought great peace and happiness.  They have taught me all things that I should do (2 Nephi 32:3).  They have helped me come to know the Savior, Jesus Christ. 

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

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.