Equations Rule Life

Life is one tough equation isn't it? Full of great divides, some positives, multiple negatives, and tons of variables huh? I don't think there is one great solution to our dividends and our problems. There are multiple ways of tackling a difficult problem, but multiple ways of solving

As in math, one has to first identify the part of an equation that needs to be completed before one can actually start on the equation. You then have to examine and find the right variable to input into the equation to solve the problem. Life is a paradoxical equation. There are simple variables, but there are equally and contrasty difficult ones. Each situation and constant is different, yet the same. Where one could divide and conquer a situation, another would problem add and then multiply. So which constant for life can you use with the different constructs of variables to make Life work?

A few months ago, I discovered a sheet that had seven different "rules", if you will, to Life. At first, they seemed quite general and broad, but on closer inspection, they were quite cool. I'd like to share them with you and give my own insights on how each one has fit into different "equations" that I'm dealing or have dealt with in my experience. I hope that through my personal introspection, I can hopefully help someone who reads this! We'll just take each step one by one, and take apart the different sets of the phrases, to better understand the variables and constants we're dealing with for our brushes with Life's problems.


Rule 1: Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.

There are things in everyone's past that sometimes sneak out and haunt us. You wouldn't be human without your own skeletons hidden away in some closet. The point and purpose of the past is to be a bridge to your future. The bad mistakes will always seem more apparent then good feelings, but it's both the good and the bad that shape us as human beings and continue building our foundations higher. For me, there's a lot of things I wish I had a DeLorean for, but I guess I wouldn't be who I am right now without some of those things. We've all had that embarrassing moment, failed projects, disappointing results, and things that sometimes fly back at us in the future, but you're human, just make peace with it. We're not perfect, nor should anyone ever hold us to the standard of perfection, because they'd be a hypocrite. Breath, accept, and know that at least you're trying!

Rule 2: What others think of you, is none of your business.

You're looking at a self-identified perfectionist ha-ha. If your tick is to make things perfect, it'd be hard to not think of what others think right? Yep! So, take it from moi that, even though it's really, really hard, just forget about what people think. I don't care if it's Miss America blazoning the Olympic Torch, and sitting on a Lamborghini Aventador, she still wouldn't be perfect. That's because life is an ongoing equation. It's like pi times pi squared, then multiplied and added to a pi to the tenth. It's ongoing!! No one, no matter how perfect they look, is perfect. Everyone has there own demons, their own variables, and their own problems. It's really hard-believe me, not to obsess about what others believe about you. But it really is none of your business. You're a special and unique individual with your own talents, gifts, and personality that you work on! So, smile and just let that Mr. Popular walk by you. You'll probably never see him again anyway!

Rule 3: Time heals almost anything. Give it time. 

This is true for a lot of things we deal with. Sometimes it's the only thing that can really heal injuries. Notice how a lot of these things are connected and work together to make this "Life Schematic". I think Time really just dampens some of the possible pain that may continue seeping outwards from a bad experience. You still may remember the experience, but it's the knowledge and stuff that you learned from it more then the pain I think. I've always said that Time is one of those things that may not always be constant. It could speed up or slow down, maybe even skip by us, but it is also a healer and helper for experiences which are hard to go through. It can heal almost anything!

Rule 4: Don't compare your life to others, and don't judge them. You have no idea what their journey is all about. 

This is closely related with number two. We really don't know what others have been through, do we? Why is that person acting so negatively toward us? Why are they so impatient? What really happens when they're at home? The fact is that there is hardly ever a time in this life when we should ever judge someone for something, and hardly should be emphasized. You have no idea what a person has ever been through or how many miles they've had to walk to get to the point where they've met you. I said it just previously. It's so hard not to compare, but there isn't really anyway you can compare, because you don't know what's hidden beneath a person. How much shaping, heartache, or suffering they've gone through. This is why it's so sad to see bullying in this world today, from both sides of the spectrum. The victims and the bullies just don't know how to deal with any of it, and they just follow the pathetic social norm of achievement comparison and situational attitude, meaning that they just take what they see and what a person may look like, and use that as a judgement indicator. Sorry, but if you do that, then you're gravely mistaken. Focus on your life's journey, and help others in theirs, but just don't judge!

Rule 5: Stop thinking too much, it's alright not to know the answers. They will come to you when you least expect it.

You mean I have to be patient?! Dang it! Curse you unexpected answers, ha-ha! I've been known to overthink things plenty of times, and let me tell you-it doesn't help. We really don't have to know everything. That was never the plan, nor do we have the capability to know everything, and I can't tell you how many times I've been searching for something; whether it be an answer to a question, a writing topic, or just some comfort for lil' old me, the answer came in the weirdest place. So never underestimate where you could get an answer, because it could come in the shower or on the freeway!

Rule 6: No one is in charge of your happiness, except you.  

That is a true statement! Attitude is definitely everything. Being around negative and sarcastic people sucks doesn't it? But, we still hold the responsiblitiy to be our own person and not let others' actions affect us in the wrong way. It's hard! But, we can do it. Just pat yourself on the back for that good patience, because we all get into that situation one time or another!

Rule 7: Smile. You don't own all the problems in the world.

We don't own them. The world is too complex and stupid to try and own every problem in it. You are your own person, and I am my own person. There's lots of things that we could all be depressed about for years, but really, as long as we're doing what we're supposed to, and having fun and living life with those we care about, everything is good. We (that's me too!), need to just smile and let the world just pass on by, because the world will always change for better or for worse, but we can control our own endeavors, and just spend time enjoying life!

I really just offer my realization and testimony of the living Christ that should be the basis for our lives. Notice how each of these could tie in perfectly to how Christ emulated his love for mankind and the attributes he truly showed in his ministry to the people. These may seem like simple steps, but I think that if we take a few of them and really use them with a basis on the Savior, we can achieve great things. I just am so grateful for the limitless blessings that I've had in my life.

I couldn't count them if I wanted to. I can't imagine the agony that Christ went through for us. I'm so thankful to have friends and family in this world, and for little snippets of council like these to help me, and hopefully to help you, on our journey through this complex, mysterious, and scary life. We're not alone though! I know we have Christ with us, and I also give you my love, and hope that you can take away at least a smile from my post! Till I blog again :)!

 

Whisper of the Heart

The Phantom Menace: Resisting Temptation

Hello everyone! I do hope these posts are fulfilling, and that they at least give you a smile. Anyway, now that I have your attention, I hope. Yes you, behind the screen! I'll just jump right in with the good stuff.

So, what is this "Phantom Menace" that I'm talking about? No, it's not the Star Wars movie title :), but what could it be? So many times in life we focus on things that might not be that important, or lose focus on some of the things that are. Why is that? Why is it so hard to stay focused in this world? Why do we have many of the problems that we do? It's because we're distracted. There are so many things in the present day that sometimes pull us away from focusing on actual life, and lead to many of the problems we see in society. Many of these things are very common things, and are things that we see and interact with on a daily basis.

I think it's very interesting to think about how easy it is to slip off into many of these distractions. Things like drugs, media, and technology have very different perspectives with many of their uses. Why? Because there are unseen forces that attack the simplicity and the neutrality of these different aspects of our lives. We are at war. There are no guns, nor airplanes; explosions, nor countries in this war. The Adversary, the Devil, or Satan is on full assault against mankind, and he is pulling ahead in the last leg of the race.

Temptation is everywhere, and if we can't find something to anchor ourselves against the storm, then we'll be blown away. Isn't it interesting that the word tempest, which means severe storm, is really close to having the word "tempt" and "test" in it? Life is an opportunity to learn and grow, fail and succeed, and love and lose, but we are not alone and we aren't without opposition. I urge you to find your own anchor, whether it's your family, your friends, Jesus Christ, or the Gospel-something to help you find that foundation. I think it's hard to try and find your way without somewhere to start. I want to give you a few things you can do to help you try and resist this onslaught of wayward winds, and to help you find your own anchor in your life.

• Find Jesus Christ. How could someone not want to find Christ in their lives? So many things in life are so horrible to deal with, and are so harmful to us that there seems that we can never have hope. Christ suffered those pains and afflictions when he performed his Atonement and was crucified on the cross for us. He loves us and he just wants us to feel that and to feel that healing power that he can give. I've seen too many struggling families, wayward children, and lost people who I feel badly for. No one is perfect. I know that for a fact. Because of this, it's not hard to get lost or to get buried by life's trials. If you have difficulties or temptations that you don't think you can handle, then give Christ a chance to help you. Trust in his promise when he says, "Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.1" 

• Recognize Your Special Self. Why do we degrade each other so much? Why do we have so many problems in our societies, our countries, and our communities? Why are we so bent on getting ahead of whoever, that we forget that we're all in this together? Really? How much farther do you think we could be, if we just worked together, instead of working individually. Everyone of you are special, royal individuals. You deserve to be loved and cared for, and you deserve people to go through life's journey with you. I really hope that you can at least smile from this post. You do have talents and gifts that you may not even realize that you have. Don't ever short yourself, and remember that you need to build yourself up sometimes, and not focus on comparing yourself to other people-they're not as perfect as you think. 

• Accept That Everyone Needs a Break. Temptation and heartache are everywhere. Sooner or later, all of us are going to have to just stop and take a break. That's totally fine. We need to remember that we're not in this life alone, and that we can do this. We're all trying to reach that big goal in life, hopefully, to be able to return to God at the end of our lives. You can do this, and Christ can help. He is with us every step of the way, and sometimes-most of the time for me, he is carrying us through our struggles. Remember that you are loved!

• Life Isn't Really a "Highway". To preface this point, I would like to share with you the last part of one of my all time favorite poems. Here is an excerpt: "Two roads diverged in a wood, and I-I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference.2" I love the last line of the poem. Many, many times, there are several paths we all can take in life. Which one has something at the end worth walking towards, and is that road's journey worth it? It always makes all the difference, doesn't it? There is a lot of people who just go along with the different things of the world, and just do things that they see other people doing. They're just following that mainstream highway of life, and it's hurting so many people. The journey is as important as the end, and some paths don't have a good ending. So, I'm sorry Tom Cochrane, but life isn't really a "highway". 

My fellow friends and loving readers, life sometimes isn't mainstream-there is temptation, evil, heartbreak, and trials, but we have Christ and each other to help and love us. There is a lot of temptations out there, and it's not easy to try to manage all of the things we deal with on a daily basis, but we can do it. The most important part is that we have to trust ourselves and stay true to the path that will be best for us. At the end of your life, do you want to say that you stayed true to the straight path, and took the road less traveled by? I do. So let's keep walking it together, no matter if more people are on the mainstream "highway". Let us all press on! 

1:  Matthew 11:28, New Testament

2:  Excerpt from The Road Not Taken by Robert Frost

The Eye of the Storm

"Don't Cry for Me-"

No, not Argentina, sorry! Was almost about to break into song there, but I'll spare everyone!

Just a little something to bring you in he-he!

Anyway, I've just been feeling different lately, especially with the things that I feel like writing about. I've told you this in the past that I love writing. It is a very calm stress reliever for me at many times. However, when thinking of something else to write about in future posts, I've been thinking about some different perspectives and topics.

The title of this blog wasn't just a sly hook, but there is a relation I would like to make to the song it references to how I've been thinking about life and myself. I don't know if a lot of you feel this way, if you do, I really hope that I can shed more light on some of the facts associated with these feelings.

Over the past little while, I've been doing extensive internal analysis with myself. Others would coin it as "Soul Searching", but the meaning is the same. What I do as a missionary is invite people to Jesus Christ and teach them learn about the gospel he established and how it has hereby been restored.

I'm telling you this to let you know how I feel, and then to hopefully connect with something that you, the reader, might be feeling. Teaching people about the gospel is fairly easy, in actuality. As we know from the Bible, and other scriptures, the Holy Ghost or Holy Spirit testifies and influences truth through everyone. Teaching is easy, because the Holy Spirit helps it to be easy. We, as missionaries, are just messengers and vessels through which the Spirit can be felt. The essence of true conversion is the testimony that the Holy Ghost gives to each and every person. We, the missionaries, can't convert anyone-that's the Holy Spirit's job. Ours is only to create the opportunities. People will accept it or not, and that's one of the benefits, at least for our feelings as teachers, from people's agency.

I don't want to get off on a tangent about the Holy Ghost right now, because I will discuss him and his role in depth another time, but I want to make a related between teaching people and being a missionary, and then still being human and a normal person.

I made a reference to the song, Don't Cry for Me Argentina, from the Broadway musical Evita, because it has an interesting message, and I just felt like I could connect with some of the feelings I've gotten from it. I don't know why this happened. I've been involved with that musical in the past, but something about it really has been pressing on my mind lately.

The song relates Eva Peron's feelings to the people of Argentina. She first relates her experiences as she aspired for more in life, and how she had to climb to the top for freedom. She didn't like the poor life, and so she wanted to reach for the stars. She then exhorts them, the people, not to weep for her, and that she'll always be with them. Like I said, I don't know why this certain song has been coming to my mind lately, but within the song I think there is some very special messages for life.

I don't want you, the reader, to take my relation and comparison to this famous musical creation literally. I want you to actually listen. Listen to the feelings and emotions that come into your heart if you ever get to listen to the song.

It won't be easy, you'll think it strange. When I try to explain how I feel...

I hope you focus on the feelings and emotions that the tune and tone of the song bring. Sometimes in life we feel that we can't properly explain ourselves to people. I don't know what the reason may be. But we try our hardest to be true to ourselves and to try and grow as individuals.

I find myself a lot of times like a small boat, sitting in the middle of a hurricane-the eye of the storm, and looking all around me at the treacherous winds. Every time I might try to navigate out of the storm, I can't because of the circling barriers of wind. I'm not broken or shattered, because I'm in the eye of the storm, but I'm not going anywhere either. It's this whirlwind wind of repetition. It may be with experiences, thoughts, feelings, life-whatever you may have felt this way about. Sometimes we just have to think inward and pull ourselves up.

The song I referenced, disregarding the context in the actual play, has a very powerful, and individualistic view. I think we need to reach for the stars. We may be in a storm of hatred or uncertainty, but I think if we just first, trust in Jesus Christ, and, second, realize that we're more important than we think we are, we can go far and reach for that freedom.

I haven't fully navigated out of the storm. Life is a storm, and I think, at least for me personally, I'm going to be battling with Life's winds for a while, but I take comfort in the fact that I'm still sailing and that, even though there may be some fierce winds, each of us control whether our boat shatters, or whether we keep on navigating.

I testify of the power of the scriptures. They are truly a map to life. I know that Jesus is my savior and that he can always help us through that storm way. I'm not perfect, and I'm still pressing on and navigating, but I take comfort in the fact that I don't have to navigate alone. I have wonderful friends and family with me, taking this treacherous journey with me.

Finally, my wonderful readers, thank you for continuing to take comfort from the words that I speak. I really hope and intend for them to be a loving comfort for you, and for them to make you feel a bit better. Know that a caring friend is never far away if you need one. I love all of you, and I'm grateful for the opportunity and the chance to make the journey a little bit brighter. I do love the last part of the song that I've mentioned earlier, and that is what I'll leave you with:

"But all you have to do is look at me to know, That every word is true..."

Don't Cry for Me Argentina Lyric Excerpts
Copyright Andrew Lloyd Webber

Life's Conundrum Undone

It seems a lot in life, we focus a lot on something that shouldn't receive so much attention or worried feelings about. We forget sometimes as humans that we are living beings and are part of the entire natural world on the earth. Sometimes we fear or focus on death as that final crack of the gavel on the judges stand, or the end of a tape that's playing, but it's not. I guess it's just that fear of the unknown that is really the issue or the reason why the aspect and eventuality of death is so jarring. It is a scary thought though, especially if you aren't part of any religious organization or church the preaches there is life after death. As you may have guessed, I'd be one member of one of those religious organizations :)!

You've heard me mention the church that I'm a member, and currently a missionary for, many times I'm sure. For the purposes of this blog I'll refer to it as the Mormon Church, as that seems to be the name most people recognize. Anyway-I'd like to touch on our basic beliefs about death, life, and what we teach and believe to the people that we meet. It would be scary honestly-if I didn't have the knowledge that I do now through being in the church. It would be a heart-wrenching experience to lose a family member in the natural way of life, and not know where they are.

Have you ever asked those life questions to yourself? Where did we come from? Where do we go when we die? Why is there suffering on this earth? Why did my family member have to pass away? What am I supposed to do? Why is life so hard? I could go on, but I think you get the picture.

We know from the Bible, both the Old and New Testaments, that Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father (God), have made promises with different groups of people and given us teachings down through the ages to be happy and sound in our lives today. Jesus Christ then came down and established his church, called apostles, and ministered unto the people. Eventually, after three years, he atoned for the sins of the world in the Garden of Gethsemane, as recorded in the New Testament, and was crucified on Calvary the following day. We know that Jesus Christ is the Savior of the world, but why is he exactly? Well, here we go!

Our gospel teaches us (The Bible and the Book of Mormon-which will be elaborated on in the near future), that we all lived with heaven with Heavenly Premortal Life. In this life, we lived as spirit children of our Heavenly Father, but we weren't like our Father in an important way. He had a resurrected, perfect body of flesh and bones, and we were still spirits. Because of this, our Heavenly Father, out of pure love for us, created a plan for use to be able to have the chance to become like him, receive a body, and grow in many ways.

The plan is labelled the Plan of Salvation or the Plan of Happiness in the Bible and Book of Mormon. That is God's purpose in a nutshell:

"For behold, this is my work and my glory-to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man" (Moses 1:39, Pear of Great Price). 

To accomplish this, God instructed Jesus Christ to create the Earth for us to be able to receive bodies and to grow with them through the tests of mortality. We needed a savior though, to pay the price of sin, death, and suffering that would result from being born into a mortal world. As you could guess, Jesus Christ volunteered to be the savior and pledged all the glory to the Father as he suffered for the sins of the world to protect the agency of man. But another volunteered as well. Lucifer told the Father saying,

"Behold, here am I, send me, I will be thy son, and I will redeem all mankind, that one soul shall not be lost, and surely I will do it; wherefore give me thine honor." (Moses 4:1, Pearl of Great Price).

Because of this, and his desire to rebel and take away man's agency, he and everyone who followed him was cast out of heaven. Those who chose to follow Christ and thereby chose to come down to earth to receive a body, and take part in this wonderful plan. Because you are here, you chose to follow Christ :D!

From the Bible, we have the account of the creation of course and of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. They both were created in God's image, and they were perfectly innocent and lived in God's presence. Eventually though, Eve was tempted by the serpent or Satan to partake of the forbidden fruit of the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil-something God had forbidden them to do. Because of this, Adam had to choose to either remain in the Garden and follow the second commandment, or follow Eve and thereby doing, fulfill the first and higher commandment to "multiply and replenish the earth."

As you could guess, he chose the latter and thereby introduced sin, suffering  and mortality into the worlds, as was the plan from the beginning. That is our purpose of life on earth-to learn grow, and find peace with God and to gain a body of flesh and bones just like the Father has. That is the reason we have commandments from Heavenly Father and why we have our God-given agency. We have it so we can learn and grow, and learn to come to our Heavenly Father in love and dependence. Because of our fallen state however, we need a savior, Jesus Christ, to pay the price of sin and suffering, and to also overcome physical and spiritual death.

Because Jesus Christ came down to earth, as stated before, atoned for our sins in the Garden of Gethsemane, and was killed and risen from the dead-we will all be resurrected and can become clean from our sins by using his Atonement, and coming unto him. Christ will forgive our sins if we have faith in Him and his Atonement, repent and try our best to correct our wrongs, be baptized like he was by John the Baptist, receive the Gift of the Holy Ghost, and continue enduring and using Christ and God to help and love us!

That's a lot of information, I know. But doesn't it make sense? Why would we have this beautiful Earth, the millions upon millions of universes, and all of this evidence of a higher power? Doesn't that give you hope? Maybe comfort for a loved one? I hope so. But I'll explain the last part of this "Plan" before I digress.

We are all mortal, and unfortunately we all must die eventually. After death, our spirits will go to the Spirit World, as described by the Apostle Peter in Peter chapter 4 in the New Testament, and we will either live in a state of peace or misery depending on how we lived through our life. This isn't the end, only a waiting period where the people who've accepted Christ and have lived good lives can rest, and where the people who haven't, and who live in doubt and sometimes misery, will have a chance to accept Christ!

After Christ's Second Coming, everyone will eventually be resurrected, never to die again, and having perfect and immortal bodies. We will return to God's presence to be judged according to the works and desires that we had on this Earth life. If we repented, and tried our best to do good in life, then we will receive mercy.

After being judged, we will go into one of three kingdoms of Heaven: Celestial, Terrestrial, and Telestial. The Celestial Kingdom, or the glory of the sun, is where the people who've accepted Christ, and fulfilled the tenants above the best they could, and have accepted his Atonement, will go to reside with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. The Terrestrial Kingdom, or the glory of the moon, is those who lived honorable lives, but haven't accepted the fullness of the gospel. Finally, The Telestial Kingdom, or the glory of the stars, is for those who continued in their sins and did not repent in this life (1 Corinthians 15, New Testament).

Our goal should be the Celestial Kingdom, and we all hope that everyone can get there. I testify that this Plan is divinely inspired and is so special and great in going through life's hardships and challenges. I love you guys! I hope that this all makes sense. If not, ask questions :D! I think this truly is the unwinding that we all need to "Life's Conundrum", and is how we, as a people, can have hope and love toward each other, and happiness and faith for the future!

Love you guys, and have a fantastic week!

Talents for the Ages

Something in which I've continued to work on throughout my life so far up to this point, is what skills I actually have inside me? What am I going to be able to accomplish, and what else could I learn to add to my personality? Have you ever noticed the fact that you aren't really the same as the person who might be sitting right next to you? Ever wonder why you haven't met someone exactly like you? It's because we're all individuals-we all think, act, and experience different situations and moments in our lives that shape our nature and our being. If you think about it, it's a good thing that you aren't like that guy or girl next to you, isn't it? How would you ever win an argument against yourself? Forget about it. We're all different for a reason, and it's those difference that can help us grow our talents, and our skills, and our likes.

For me personally-music and literature have been something that I've held dear to my heart for a long while now. My family and I have always been musically inclined, and my love for music has grown every time I'm involved with it. My mother is a professional musician, and my dad has also had musical experience. They actually met because of music, within the BYU (Brigham Young University) Singers, Choral group. I think it would be good to say that music has been a big influence for me.

Along with music, I've always loved the art of literature and English. I enjoy reading books, learning knew things, and studying the English language  Just recently, about three years ago, I started looking at literature and English in a different light. I had always loved English throughout school, even though I had a few teachers who were a bit on the edge. There were days when I just wanted to burn my English notebook, but luckily those weren't very frequent. Throughout school, it'd always been about learning the proper function and structure of the language, as well as writing essays and reading books. Like I said: I love books, but it was hard sometimes. I told you that my view had shifted slightly about three years ago, and that's because I discovered a new skill-writing.

Sure-I wrote essays, papers, portfolios of course, but this was all for school academia. I liked learning and school, but other then teaching you and learning for yourself, you're not really doing anything for anyone else at that moment. But with writing, actually being able to apply the learning, and get the things that spin around in your head and imagination down on paper, was astounding.

Never underestimate or undermine yourself by telling yourself that you're not good enough, or that you could never be as "fill in the blank" as "whatever person or thing". Just stop it. The world has such a twisted view of what happiness and joy is, and it's only getting worse my friends. You think popularity, money, and cars are the only things you need? No they're not. Singly going after popularity leads to pride and then leads to destruction; singly going after money leads to greed and then leads to bankruptcy or crime; and all these other things that are materialistic that don't really matter. If you have all these are you bad? No of course not :)! You're really blessed, but I hope that you're using it the right way.

Everybody has something. Some talent that they can use or discover that they can magnify and make bigger to share with the world and with their friends. Music and Writing are two of mine that I've attempted to share with people. And you know what one of the best feelings is that I would take every time over fake popularity. I've heard a few times-it doesn't happen a lot, but when it does it's truly special, I've heard a few times a phrase similar to this one. "Mark, thank you, you have inspired me to do "something." I can't tell you how humbling and how deep that hits home for me. It's just my voice-they are only words that I make up when I use these talents. How could someone say that to me? How could I make a difference with just that? Well the fact is I did. Just by using it with the intent of making people happy and letting them have their own personal experiences with either of the examples I've shared.

I've held onto that throughout my journey so far. And now I'm on a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, teaching people about Jesus Christ and trying to help people feel the love from their Heavenly Father and from me ^_^! I hope that I can inspire you-yes you right now reading, to do something great. These are just two examples of things you can discover for yourself. Just start doing something, work at it, then you'll find that you really are special no matter who you are. We all have talents, and like Jesus' states in his parable of the ten talents written within the New Testament-we all need to multiply our talents and share them with people, not hide them away to rust and recede.

I testify that you are loved :D! And that you are special, and I hope that if you read this that you're day has been brightened  I love you and want to give you as much comfort and hugs as I can :)! Have a great time, and a good week, whenever you read this okay?

Till we meet again ;)!

Love: An Eternal Remedy for Pain

I don't know about anyone else, but I just love love. Does that make sense? No? He-he, well I'll explain that statement! It doesn't matter if you're a parent, a child; student, or spouse, a sister, or a brother-we all can feel love. There are some people in the world-maybe even you reading these words right now, who unfortunately haven't gotten to feel loved or cared for. I'm truly sorry if you haven't, but I hope that with this, and as you read my words, that you can feel that love that I have for you already.

You may ask, "Well how can this person
who I don't know already love me?" Good question, and here's the answer: It's because I know that everyone has worth, and most people, if you’re really look deep enough, just need a hug or at least some form of affection or acknowledgement. Am I professing to be this wonderful, love-filled person, who just goes around and hugs everyone? No. I do love hugs, but I'm still a human. I still get frustrated, upset, and impatient with many things-including people, but that's part of life and part of being a human. I may not be able to look at everyone I meet and just be a loving person upfront, but I do try my best.

I really like how the dictionary defines love. It's simple, sweet, and you can really feel love for the definition, if that isn't an epitome of a cliché'. Love is defined as a profoundly, tender, passionate affection for another person. It's really easy isn't it, to become frustrated with someone? It seems that it is really easy for us to look at a person and automatically start finding what's wrong with him or her. We all do it-I do it, no one is innocent from this, but it's something that we can improve and work on as we grow closer to one another.

Think of how much different life would be-how different the world would be, if people took a step back, and got over themselves. Remember that as I'm talking, this is applying to everyone including myself :)! But think about it. Think about the conflicts, the economic condition, the programs, the welfare, the poverty, disease, despair, and fear-All of it. What would fix everything? Do I need to say it? Apparently I do, because the world hasn't gotten it yet unfortunately. It's love, my friends.

As a member and representative of Jesus Christ, and of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, I've had the opportunity to study the Bible, and the other main book of scripture that we use called-The Book of Mormon. Now I won't get into too much detail about the book just yet, as I want to focus on this overlying idea of love, but basically the Book of Mormon is an ancient and past record of the people and prophets of the American continent that lived here many generations ago. Similar to the Bible-which is an ancient record of the prophets and people that lived in Egypt, Israel, and Jerusalem-the Book of Mormon goes hand-in-hand with the Bible to relate truths that the Bible leaves slightly vague or unexplained.

Within the Book of Mormon, near the end, one of the prophets is describing Jesus Christ, and what his example and his teachings should mean to us. I'm going to quote from the prophet Moroni-one of the last prophets in this record, and this is in the 7th chapter of Moroni near the end of the Book of Mormon:

"And charity suffereth long, and is kind, and envieth not, and is not puffed up, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil, and rejoiceth not in iniquity but rejoiceth in the truth, beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things...But charity is the pure love of Christ, and it endureth forever; and whoso is found possessed of it at the last day, it shall be well with him..." (Moroni 7: 45, 47-Book of Mormon)

Let's think about that for a moment. So charity is the pure love of Christ. Love. And it endureth all things and is forever. My readers, friends, fellow ministers, and loving family-Love is the antidote to pain, and is the remedy for any and all situations that cause grief. I hope that if you're reading this, you've felt loved-because I love you. I'm not perfect. No. But through my experiences up to this point in life, I know that to feel loved and cared for is one of the most special and intimate feelings in the universe.

I testify and exhort you to try to love a little more. But more important than trying to love others, you need to start loving yourself as well. If you can't love yourself, you can't love other people. We're all different people. This ignorant status-quo paradigm that the world has shoved into our faces is absolutely and irrevocably false, and it's getting worse and worse. You. Yes you reading these words right now. You are special; this is me telling you right now, that you are loved! Look in the mirror, and give yourself a hug from me :)!

That's something I pray for everyday-to be able to have a better capacity to love, because I don't have the best control in the world-who does? But I know that Jesus Christ loves me, and so does our Heavenly Father. It may be hard. I know that some people have a harder time of loving themselves and other people than others-I'm probably one of them, but just remember:

"Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thysel: I am the Lord." (Leviticus 18:19-Old Testament)

It's really hard sometimes I know that, but just stay strong, and if anything just love yourself and realize that you are loved ^_^!

I would finally exhort you to seek out for people to give you love-sometimes you just need someone to say something nice to you, or to acknowledge you. I would put my invitation out there that if anyone needs some care, you can always seek Jesus Christ...and the Elders :D!

I love you my friends, and fare thee well till next time!

The Power of Prayer

During the occupation of the German Nazis into Poland, many of the cities throughout the country lay barren or secluded from the world through much of the war because of the increased enemy force throughout the nation. Warsaw laid in ruins, tanks roamed the streets, and German soldiers gathered people into different sections of the city to keep them contained, put them to work, or transfer and transport different groups to other places in Poland and Germany to work or to die.

During the heart of World War II-nearing the end of 1943, occupation of the country was already completed, and numerous amounts of the citizenship had already been killed or had died because of the harsh conditions. I would like to tell you about one instance during the occupation in where-despite the dark status and sheer miserable state in the country at the time-hope still remained, and chivalry wasn't lost.

We come to a young man named Damian Pawel-a seventeen year old young man, and a member of the LDS church since 1938. His family had been living on the outskirts of Warsaw when the German invasion forces had begun bombardment on the ill prepared city. Being located out of the main district of the city, and having their home in what we would call suburbs, they were slightly more fortunate then most who resided in the cities' boundaries. Not all was well however. As tanks and raids swept the area, more and more troops poured into the city, and continued sweeping the area like a force unto no other.

Damian and his family had gathered up what they could and fled their home in their little family car. Only fifteen minutes after driving down one of the dirt roads of the countryside away from Warsaw did the area near them explode with bombing shells from the planes overhead. The family wasn't hurt-thankfully, but the car had swerved because of the force of the explosions and had wrecked against a tree line by the road. Quickly and without any thought, Damian had helped his family out, and grabbed whatever he could as they fled into the forest towards what they thought and hoped was one of the smaller towns.

With his parents ahead continuing to push forward, and Damian behind his younger, eight year old sister Monika, they continued to run. Every flash and bang in the distance shocked each of them, and the slight pang of fear always was blazoned on their faces. The treeline for the opposite side was approaching, and threw the rivers of sweat coming off of them, they could see the clear fields again. They past the treeline and continued down the line as they looked around for something...anything. Then they saw it then. Half a mile to the right, across the fields, Damian spotted what probably was the town of Gmina Izabelin-an area where the village of Izabelin was.

Running and running-the family reached the town and continued to hear the bombing and the ever reaching sounds of the German invasion. A quick tap on the shoulder startled young Damian, and he turned around and beheld an elderly gentleman and his frail looking wife. They pointed to a small building and led them toward it-inside the building was just a small room, and one cupboard-probably not any bigger then a broom closet. Outside, the explosions were still booming off, and the crackling of tanks and planes getting closer. Damian looked out the window with fear and desperation in his eyes. He loved his family so much and in the face of certain demise, felt his hope start dwindling. The couple pushed and edged the family into the small cupboard, and then quickly ran out of the building-probably to go get there family somewhere safe, or find some place else to hide.

It didn't take long for the sounds of German soldiers to reach the young families ears, and Damian spent the entire time hugging his family and trying to hold onto his hope. A passing thought in his mind gave him that sliver of hope and, while holding his family, and in his staggered speech he uttered a simple, but teary eyed prayer. "Oh Lord my God, my family is the life of my soul, I pray thee protect them, our trust is in thine hands."

A simple glance over to the closet would have been enough to know that it was occupied. The building which they were in was only a bit more then a shack, and the soldiers persisted to find everyone in the town-ripping up boards and crashing through doors. Through the entire two hours of them tearing the town apart, did the closet door get searched? No it didn't.

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Words cannot express what this must have meant to this young man who was facing pure destruction and darkness, and the thought of losing those who he loved so much. But with the words of a simple, humble prayer-a prayer that showed his utter dependence and love for his family, and his God, coupled with the courage and the Christ-like actions of that elderly couple, saved Damian's family from what would have been the end, in retrospect.

I would like to testify to you readers of the power of prayer. We may not be facing a hostile invasion force-the explosions of bombs and guns going off, or the thought of being killed, but we have our own mountains to climb, we have our families to hug, and we are always at war. Heavenly Father loves each one of us with a love that would echo a thousand universes. We are his children, and he loves, and looks forward to hearing each of us in our prayers to him. I encourage all of you to pray if you haven't prayed in a while. Express gratitude and love for your Heavenly Father, and he will respond.

I know that he loves us, and that he loves me. I don't know what it's like to face death with the prospect of losing my family, but I do know how the emptiness of loneliness and loss feels, and having a Father in Heaven who sends his spirit and the love from his son Jesus Christ, is a blessing indeed. May we continue to feel that loving affection and feeling from him and continue to pray with tender hearts, and loving souls.

I love each of you-even though I might not have met you yet. To all the family and friends who read this-my love goes out to you as well, and I hope that you can get a "hug" from reading this. I wish you a great weekend and an even greater hope!

Till next time! :)

An Ever Constant Companion

When's the last time you've looked for beauty? Have you ever stared out a window, just to see the motions of the air? The rain on the street? Streaking lights of the cars flying by? How about the trees moving in the wind, or leaves falling to the ground? The simple streams or short straits catch your eye? You ever stay outside or get up early to see the rays of sun rise and fall over the horizon? There is beauty all around us.

In a world of many changing ideals-increased conflicts, wars, crime, political bravado, falling values, and disintegrating families-it's hard. The noise and the contention of the world is the driving nail into the smooth board of our lives. It's ever increasing. And more and more nails are being driven in. Sometimes we're moving so fast we can't breathe, or take a second to think.

Time is that eternal mystery, and the sole controlling force of our lives. Can we control it? No. Can we explain it? Temporarily-yes, but eventually it ascends all explanation. Is time bad? No. Time is control, and is a partner to go through this life and take on the trials of ourselves. Everything can be healed with time, and by using Jesus Christ's example to accept his love. Time lets us remember, but also lets us forget. It seems to speed up or slow down-sometimes disappears, but it's always there reminding us that, while it is our companion, we eventually have to face the end of our journey, and follow in Christ's footsteps.

We miss so much because we focus on things that really don't have any value. Time is a neutral, universal law, and like I said-a companion, but if we let it, our time can run out, and we might have missed the beauty around us, and the love we could feel from Christ, family, friends, and spouses. It's amazing how much we fascinate about time, and the thoughts about the future, the present-time travel, or prophecy, and seeing the future.

I'm taken back to one of my favorite films of all time-Robert Zemetricks', Back to the Future. In it, young Marty McFly is obvious feeling disappointed with his life, and his seemingly unlucky status, and fear of rejection, but through the power of "science", and the whimsical genius of Doc. Emmett Brown, he travels back in time to when his parents are young. Through different experiences, he learns that while the world and time are always changing, family is always timeless, and love transcends all barriers.

You may ask what any of this has to do with anything? Well, I pose my opening question to you again? When's the last time you looked for beauty? I invite you to look out the window next time, or give your brother or spouse a big, warm hug. Maybe snuggle a bit. We're all walking with our different companion-time, Christ, and our families  and our journey through this mortal life is ever getting shorter, and nearing it's end.

I quote a recognizable truth that's been said, as to the original author-I know not, but regardless of who first pronounced it-the truth of the words is ever there.

"Living without Love and Hope isn't really living at all, and is an empty life, full of heartache" 

Please make sure that you don't let time slip away from you, and that you spend time with those you love most and give them your attention and your affections, so that you can take this journey of time together, and look back and say: "Thank you, time, you've been my friend, and showed me how to love, and now I can go with you to rest." I love you all-my family, friends, and fellow missionaries here in New York. I know and testify that we are doing a wonderful work, and that we are truly blessed and thought for by many, many people-including our Heavenly Father and his son-our brother, Jesus Christ.

God be with you, Till we meet again. 

Endurance: Pathway to Joy

It's awe inspiring really. The endurance of the people of the world. We go about our lives-regardless of religious association, or spiritual background, or church beliefs; and we experience. We go through life and experience hardship. Our money gets tight, our jobs fall through, our bodies fall ill, and our families contend, but life goes on with miracles happening everyday. I want to talk about endurance, and how it can be a blessing, and a way to grow closer to our families, to our friends, and to our God.

I've been a Boy Scout all my life, and have been dedicated enough to reach the rank of Eagle Scout. As I reflect on my past experiences of my scouting career, and some of the things that I learned along the way, I'm grateful for my parent's eager support and my leaders dedicated service to helping me along the way. Now what does this have to do with endurance? Well-I'll tell you.

In 2008, I was a Life Scout, and was participating quite well in the Varsity Scout program-a program that focuses on outdoor activities and team building experiences within our group. We had the extreme privilege of going to the Philmont National Scout Ranch in the summer. For those of you who don't know, or who aren't aware-Philmont is one, if not the biggest, scout camp in the country-maybe even in the world. It's located in Cimmaron, New Mexico, and spans a good portion in the middle of the state. Anyway-for a scout-Philmont was that one experience that everyone wished for-and I got to go. I was excited, and nervous at the same time. The trek lasted about 15 days-during which, a group would choose a different "itinerary" to follow for the trek, and then hike on a specific path that would range from 50 to 140 miles across New Mexico.

The physical challenge was crystal clear from the beginning, but what about emotionally? At that present time-yes I had been away from my family for short periods, and had experienced trials and challenges, but this was different. 15 days in the middle of New Mexico with just 10-12 people to hike with me-it was a daunting task, but one that looked rewarding and still very fun.

The day came when we embarked on our travel to the state by charter bus. It was a great and challenging day-filled with packing, checking, paperwork, and other things, but also that sweet, tender goodbye to the ones we loved. We departed to go on this physically challenging journey-the departure was difficult, but we all did it, and boarded the bus. After a very long bus ride, we finally arrived at the Philmont Ranch. Now, I won't go into exquisite detail-but I'll tell you a few things, and my experience with the whole trek. The first day was filled with many orientations and paperwork-getting our things put in our tents and any valuables or electronics that we wouldn't be needing, into lockers and safe boxes.

It was a bitter-sweet experience-the arrival "induction" that we attended that night. They welcomed us, did a few awesome shows and things, and gave us some more information about our upcoming journey. The beginning of a journey is always a fluid one-full of mixed emotions, and exciting prospects. We were excited, but the task ahead was long, and we were all aware of that.

To make a long story a little bit shorter-the first few days out on the trail were difficult-very much so. But we grew closer as a scout team, and our experiences activities were once-in-a-lifetime chances. Of course we totally blew the "roof" off of the trek by doing some amazing things-black powder shooting, archery, mountain climbing, drinking homemade root beer, and having a donkey ha-ha :D! The trek was long and hard-many, many miles were had, and our boots and our feet showed it. I think I even had a blister for half the trek, but we always had each other and the Lord to help us in times of hardship, and even got to perform the Sacrament on the trek-a very spiritual and enriching experiencing for young men such as us.

Anyway-during each mile, during each hardship-I always tried to look forward, to look toward hope and rely upon my friends and my God to help me have the strength to endure. I had the privilege of having my birthday during this and-although short and sweet, I was able to read a letter that my parents had previously prepared and sent with me for that day. It was a tender, caring letter filled with love and encouragement for my young mind, which to me-really, really helped.

Do a little time skip here :)!

At the end of all this, and as we were driving home on the bus, I looked out the window, and as I looked back at the Tooth of Time-a mountain formation that is very known at Philmont, I just thought about all my experiences and all my trials I faced during that time. There were many, but I can honestly and with full heart say that I didn't complain or murmur about my circumstances, and even though some days were freezing cold-getting up at 4 in the morning, I tried my best, and I and my fellow team members overcame our 88 mile trek across New Mexico.

"When you feel discouraged, thinking all is lost. Count your many blessings name them one by one, and it will surprise you what the Lord has done!" (Count Your Blessings; hymn 241)

I invite you readers to always trust in the Lord. Now five years later after Philmont-I'm here as a missionary and representative of Jesus Christ. It's had it's hard times, and there are trials to which I'm working toward and through, but I know that I couldn't even do anything without Jesus Christ, and without his spirit blessing me and giving me comfort and love. I testify that he is the Christ and leave you with this thought and invitation.

"Oh, sweet the joy this sentence gives: I know that my Redeemer lives"(I know that my Redeemer lives; hymn 135)

My loving friends and readers-family members and fellow missionaries, I know that my Redeemer lives, and I invite you to watch General Conference this weekend and partake of that spiritual dose of truth, and of Christ to help you. Just know that I love all of you-so much, and I hope and pray that I can help you in anyway I can. I hope that I can be comforted and helped myself by Christ so I can do this for him. Thank you!

I wish you a good weekend and General Conference season!

Easter Seasons

Wow-first time really using a blog, but I hope it goes well!

Hello everyone! Hello all families, members, friends, and fellow Elders and Sisters. Thanks for reading! I just wanted to share a short message with everyone, and let you know what we're doing as missionaries to help the area that we are in grow. And the things we do to assist the members of the church in this area with their struggles.

For you first time readers, my name is Elder Mark Petersen, and I'm a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints or otherwise the Mormon church :)! I'm serving and in the Rochester, New York mission, and am currently located near Buffalo, New York-a real special privilege  Our job or our purpose rather as missionaries is to invite people all around the world to come unto Christ, and exercise faith in him because of what he did for each and every one of us, as children of God. Hopefully, if you're reading this, you have a belief in God, or at least know that there is one, or believe in some higher power-if you don't, that's great too, and I hope I can give you a good, uplifting message.

We teach in our church that Jesus Christ came down to the world into Jerusalem to teach, minister, and establish his church upon the earth. God, the Eternal Father, sent him down to earth for a purpose, and because he loves all of us. That purpose was to teach the people of himself and his teachings, and to atone or take upon himself the sins and pains of the world. This is what we refer to as the Atonement of Christ. Before going to his death and crucifixion, Christ and his apostles stayed in the Garden of Gethsemane.  During the night, Christ left his apostles, and went by himself and began the Atonement. Every single ill feeling and bad emotion known to man; hate, anger, sadness, anxiousness, fear, etc.,every sickness, every evil, and every bad thing of the world fell upon his shoulders. The pain and anguish was so great that he began to sweat drops of blood from his body's pores-an experience that would have caused any normal to die instantly.

It's during this Easter season that we remember the sacrifice that Jesus Christ has done for us, and that he now has prepared a way for all of us to return to him and our Father in Heaven through his Atonement and Resurrection. I invite all of you who read this to ponder the message about Christ and about his experiences. Christ, the Lord, is Risen again, and he knows us. I leave you with what he told the people after his Resurrection:

"And as they thus spake, Jesus himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them. Peace be unto you. But they were terrified and afrighted, and supposed that they had seen a spirit. And he said unto them, Why are ye troubled? and why do thoughts arise in your hearts? Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones as ye see me have."

Luke 24: 36

To the people and members of the Lancaster area, I give you my care and support, and hope I can get to know you better this Easter season, and watch as we all grow together in Christ. For those back home or for those who are serving missions elsewhere that I know-I give you my love and sincere affections. I know that we're doing other things that cause us to be parted, but I know as we all serve, and pray, and continue in Christ, that we'll all be just fine :).

I wish everyone a Happy Easter! Make sure you don't gorge to much on Easter candy, ha-ha!

Till next time, Bye!