Trekking Towards Deseret
One man's journey towards spirituality and hope through rediscovering the power of God.
Saturday, June 20, 2015
Words of wisdom from a wise young girl
God provides everything we will ever need and more. It's our choice to distribute it evenly.
That includes the gifts and talents you have, the food and shelter you earn, the love and compassion you allow yourself to waste.
And don't ever belittle something that you've been gifted with.
It is a gift to listen to and help others. Just because it seems everyone else can do it does not mean it's not special.
The reason it's so common is because it's in such high demand.
We are selfish enough to keep it to ourselves because we have the mentality that someone else can give or someone else can do.
It's not God's fault that world hunger is so dominate, it's our fault that it even exist.
We should never blame God for lost people when we are the ones leading them astray or scratch that-not leading at all.
Sunday, November 9, 2014
You just never know.
So months ago, I was speaking to a young man at my job. I just happened to mention that my wife and I had recently converted to the Mormon faith. He seemed surprised and said that his girlfriend was Mormon and that he was thinking about asking her to marry him.
I mentioned offhand that if he really wants to marry her he would have to convert and be Baptized so they could be sealed in the Temple. He kyouind of laughed and nodded. We later had other conversations about the faith and my experience with the church, but I never gave that first talk much thought.
So last night, I found out that the young man had gotten Baptized the Saturday before. Needless to say I was incredibly happy to get this news.
I have no idea if my simple testimony had any effect on sh as the happened, but it just shows how it is possible to have an effect on people's lives through your honest testimony. Speak truly and from the heart in everything you do and who knows what you might accomplish.
Thursday, July 31, 2014
Courage and determination rewarded.
Recently I met a young Elder just out from home on his first mission. I found out that he was actually experiencing a couple of test missions to make sure he could actually serve a full mission due to health reasons. From the first day I met him, it was obvious that his health was not the best in the world. This young boy had ever reason to simply have stayed home and never tested himself or his limits.
During the 6 weeks that he was here in our ward, I witnessed an amazing young man who truly believed in his faith. His determination to do God's work no matter what was astounding. I also had the pleasure and incredible honor of watching him grow in strength and confidence with the help of his amazing companion. He went from shy and uncertain to a firmly confident man.
On his first night here, I accompanied this young man and his companion while they visited people. I also had the honor of going with the young man on his final night visiting. The change between the two times was astounding. On his first trip he barely spoke and allowed his Companion to lead the way. On that final night, after a brief bit of help from me, he confidently led an eager couple of investigators on an inspiring meeting.
So, once he left on the second test mission, I followed his progress very carefully. I prayed the entire time that everyone else would see the amazing strength and courage of this young man and allow him to serve a Full Mission. Well, I found out this week that he has been approved for a full mission! I am told that he read his approval in front of everyone and everyone cheered. Now this young man will be serving the Church for many months to come and I am certain that everyone will be much richer for meeting him. I know I am.
Thursday, May 8, 2014
Learning while Teaching
When I ride along with the Elders on their weekly trips to visit Investigators or Members of the Church who haven't been as active, I find the chance to reacquaint myself with my own newly rediscovered Faith and it helps me strengthen my beliefs and my faith by watching others find their way to the Church and to God.
It has only been about nine months since my Wife and I were Baptized and officially joined the Church. Heck it was only a few short months before that when we first started investigating so my faith is still a very new thing. Even now, there are sometimes I question the choices we have made and the steps we have taken along this Trek back home to God. I guess I wouldn't be human if I didn't have the occasional doubts.
When I watch the Elders working with people who are struggling with the same worries and doubts that I had/have and slowly lead them through all of that fear and darkness, I find my own Faith and Beliefs strengthened and renewed. When I see the Investigators learning and understanding, I grow in my own understanding of the Church and its many gifts. Every person we talk to and every person they teach helps me become a better Christian and a better person.
I have come a very long way in a very short period of time and the peace and hope the Church and God have given me is something that not even the greatest words can ever describe. I struggle everyday to be worthy of the gifts that have been given to me and some days I fail. I fight every day with doubts and fears and some days I lose that fight. No matter how hard my struggles are, I always find my way back to my faith and am renewed every single time. The trips I make with our Missionaries and the people we meet help give me the strength to fight those battles and find my way back home again.
The Missionaries are always so grateful when I drive them on their visits as if I am giving them the greatest gift in the world, but sometimes I wonder if they realize that it is they who are giving me the great gift? I hope they know this.