Coincidences. God puts people in our lives and around us for very important reasons. Our encounters in this life are not by chance.
What would have happened if the first day I wanted to go to church my roommate Chris said, “no, go on your own, I’m not going to that place”? I probably wouldn’t have gone. I may have never gone back. That would have altered my life in profound ways.
Chris was raised a certain way. I think he was raised or taught, at least to some extent, to have an open mind. When I asked him to go with me to my church his reaction was, “sure, why not?”
I have a friend who got baptized about 5 years ago. I came back to church about 4 years ago. That person has become one of my closest friends, especially in the church. We were able to grow together in our testimonies. Early on, we had things in common, namely: sports.
What would have happened if that friend didn’t get baptized? Would I still be here? Without someone to talk about the struggles, challenges, ups, and downs of returning to church, or in his case joining a church, would either of us have had the strength on our own to continue? Of course, if it wasn’t this friend someone else may have stepped in. That’s the amazing part about life. The butterfly effect is a phrase we use. Switch one event, one minor detail, and where are we?
This friend’s mother lived across the country so I hadn’t had a chance to meet her for the first part of our friendship. I was always so excited to meet his mom. Why? Because I wanted to meet the person who raised someone that was so open minded to investigate and research a church and find truth. People completely open to truth, in whatever form it comes, are rare today. When I met her I was not disappointed. She was an open-minded, positive, and powerful woman.
What would have happened if she didn’t raise her son this certain way? What if 5 years prior he was introduced to the church and, because of moments throughout his life, he instead developed a closed-off approach to new things? What if he said, “I don’t need a church.” If he didn’t get baptized 5 years ago, would I be here?
Dominoes. Butterflies.
There are all these moments, countless moments that impact us. We’ll never know in this life how tiny moments in our life have profound impacts.
I know that God laid forth this plan and every moment is important. We’re here to grow, we’re here to learn. I firmly believe God put us in the best possible position to accomplish those things. There are no coincidences in God’s plan.
I’m grateful for people with open minds. I’m grateful for people with closed-off minds. I’m grateful for people in between. We all have something to teach each other and I’m so thankful for the opportunity to be here and to develop relationships, to learn to love, and to learn what is most important. Every day is a new opportunity to learn and grow and I’m thankful for that.
I was excited to read this book because LeGrand Richards wrote one of the most impactful books for my life that I’ve ever read – A Marvelous Work and a Wonder.
I think the best way to honor this book is to honor the amazing man LeGrand Richards was.
He was a mission president, presiding Bishop, and member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. He was an Apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ. I believe near the end of his life he was in very close communication with Jesus Christ.
One of his greatest contributions to the building up of God’s kingdom here on earth has been the writing A Marvelous Work and a Wonder. One of my favorite books of all time. I don’t know how a person can read that book and still question the claims of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
In life LeGrand was one of the greatest missionaries of this dispensation. He was described by someone in this book as the Paul of the latter days. I was extremely motivated by his example and boldness in sharing the gospel throughout his life.
One great missionary story about LeGrand Richards in the book comes from Bruce R. McConkie. Elder McConkie tells of a time he was sitting in the back of a plane waiting for it to take off. LeGrand got on the plane and shook the hand of every single person. “He started at the front and walked the full length of the plane shaking the hands of everyone aboard – people he’d never seen before – and he asked each one if he or she was a Mormon.” After speaking to each person on the plane he went back up to the front, turned, and said, “There are seventeen of us on board tonight. Isn’t it wonderful to belong to the Church?” Bruce R. McConkie continued, “The plane was full of non-Mormons, some had never heard of Mormons, but that is exactly what he did…all over the plane people smiled, laughed, were pleased. He hadn’t offended. He hadn’t hurt anyone’s feelings and he’d left a good impression and feeling for the Church.” He was a kind, gentle, and somewhat funny old man. Can you imagine the impact this act had on that plane? The feeling of fellowship that would be present? The missionary discussions and promotion of the Gospel of Jesus Christ that could then occur?
I can imagine someone leaning over, “who is that man?”
A response, “He is an Apostle of the Lord, Jesus Christ.”
To LeGrand Richards: Thank you. Thank you for writing amazing books. Thank you for being an example of service to the Lord, and to others. Thank you for being a source of truth and light to this world. All I know of you is what I’ve read. That’s enough to tell me I greatly look forward to meeting you one day, if I ever get that privilege.
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LeGrand Richards spoke in General Conference a total of 22 times. He was known for speaking purely from his heart and through the spirit. He could go on and on with profound spiritual insights. Here is his second talk in General Conference in October of 1971, “Laying a Foundation for the Millennium.”
I don’t know exactly what I want to say on this topic because I still feel like it’s something I’m learning more about every single day. Of course, I do have some thoughts. Though, since it’s still something I’m always trying to understand better, these thoughts may be seemingly random with no organization whatsoever. I know, you’re probably thinking, “uhm……. What else is new.” My response, “be quiet and just keep reading.”
Christ taught to pray always. He taught to have a prayer in our hearts. He gave parables for us to understand. One parable is of the unjust judge who didn’t care about anyone or anything. But, because a woman bothered him he decided to help her simply because he didn’t want to be bothered by her. Christ’s point with that parable was that, since a man who didn’t care about anybody gave in to being bothered, why wouldn’t God? I agree with what you’re thinking, I find the story kind of… interesting as well. Like God is this person being pestered to the point of answering. I don’t think that’s what Christ meant at all. He meant that our Father is all loving. So, how much more is He likely and willing to help us simply if we ask?
I’ve thought a lot about how Christ prayed. How powerful those prayers must have been. We see mention in the scriptures of the power of His prayers. It was often said that the words couldn’t be repeated for they were so powerful. My favorite is Third Nephi 17: 15-17 which reads
15 And when he had said these words, he himself also knelt upon the earth; and behold he prayed unto the Father, and the things which he prayed cannot be written, and the multitude did bear record who heard him.
16 And after this manner do they bear record: The eye hath never seen, neither hath the ear heard, before, so great and marvelous things as we saw and heard Jesus speak unto the Father;
17 And no tongue can speak, neither can there be written by any man, neither can the hearts of men conceive so great and marvelous things as we both saw and heard Jesus speak; and no one can conceive of the joy which filled our souls at the time we heard him pray for us unto the Father.
Gives me goosebumps.
Just think about that. Christ’s prayer was so powerful that it brought joy to those who just listened. What love must have been expressed.
There are also many examples of Christ going off on His own to pray in the New Testament. Many times He’d be gone for hours praying. I won’t list these scriptural examples but there are plenty. What does this tell us? Even Christ prayed, how much more need we to pray?
I’ve seen many miracles come about from prayer but maybe the most amazing thing about those miracles is that they don’t quickly come to mind. I’ve felt the power of prayer and yet often forget when I have had a prayer answered. I try to record them, so I don’t forget. One small example happened once at work. I was at work and really overwhelmed. Many requests were coming in for things I needed to help with. I had a meeting coming up that I wasn’t prepared for. I really needed to take some time to gather some information for this meeting. Otherwise I’d be going in and possibly make a fool of myself from being so unprepared. I was getting more overwhelmed by the moment.
As I started to panic I remembered, like a slap to the face, to pray. Sitting at someone’s computer trying to fix a problem for them, I silently prayed for help, patience, and peace. I immediately felt better. Within a couple minutes the person whom I had my meeting with walked by and said they had something come up and we’d have to delay our meeting. This gave me time to go and gather all the information I needed.
This happened years ago but it’s an experience I’ve held to, to remember the power of prayer. These experiences happen daily. I know they do. I also know we often don’t notice them. If we constantly have a prayer in our heart, God is constantly looking to show us how much He loves us.
I try to remember this story especially when I feel I’m not receiving answers to prayers. In church many people tell stories of receiving their powerful answer. Many people talk about the warm feeling in their chest. I don’t know how much I’ve experienced those feelings. I do know I’ve felt peace. I do know I’ve received answers. Often though, they don’t come. My faith is that I can develop my skills in prayer and be better at receiving the answers God has for me and accepting when He doesn’t have an answer to give me at that moment.
I think one day we’ll learn of the profound nature of prayer. It likely won’t be until the next life. I believe when we pray spectacular things happen around us that we don’t see. The book, Visions of Glory talks about how when we’re feeling temptation or we’re in a negative environment, just a thought of prayer allows angels to surround and protect us. I believe we are blind to the constant influences of good and evil around us. I mean literal beings of light and darkness that want to influence us. I think when we pray the heavens are moved and we are given protection. Think about that. If you knew that a prayer brought an angel to be by your side and watch and protect you, would you ever stop praying?
She Will Find What is Lost by Brian Kershisni
My last thought I want to mention is that, for me, I’ve learned my life is better when I pray better. It’s not something we notice unless we really, really stop and think about it. But I’ve come to realize it’s true. Stop and think about your day then think back on your prayers. Did you have an amazing day? Maybe an awesome conversation came about. Maybe, if you’re a member of the church (of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints…or any church for that matter), you had a great opportunity to share something about church or the gospel. Maybe you just had a clarity of mind, a focus at work. Maybe you had a productive day and just felt good. How was your prayer that day? How about days that you feel like you’re drudging along, impatient, short with people, not interested in talking or being friendly? How was your prayer that day? I think if we inventory our prayers and compare it to our resultant day, we’d be blown away by the correlation. Our prayers bring power, it’s something I’ve learned.
The funny (or sad) thing, even with this “understanding” I claim to have, I still fall into mundane prayers. Repetitive, mindless prayers. When I do, I see my days suffer. For some reason it’s hard. We fall into a rut. We can’t focus on what we’re saying. I sometimes even feel like He’s not there. Then I have to remember He’s always there. If someone is lacking in the partnership between myself and God, it is definitely me. I have to be vigilant and strive to pray with focus and intent. I have to express gratitude and actually mean it. I have to thank Heavenly Father for His plan and the Atonement of Jesus Christ and actually think about it and mean it. I have to consider what I would be without repentance. When I do these things, my life is better.
When I have a prayer in my heart constantly, I am happier. I feel light. I feel love. I’m more willing to serve and I’m more patient. I’m more aware of opportunities to do good. I’m not special in this regard, in fact there are so many out there saying their prayers the right way. I think as we pray better, we can be better, and we can help each other. I believe this world would be a much better place if we all kept a prayer in our hearts.
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To learn more about prayer please check out these links:
I often have religious conversations. As often as possible I try to have those conversations with people of different faiths.
I’ve had great conversations with someone who is devout in their faith of Jesus Christ. He doesn’t believe the Book of Mormon to be true. We have many great discussions. Our discussions are always extremely cordial, soft-spoken, and kind. I think we are both extremely aware and conscious of our tones when we get into topics. Early on in our discussions things would get somewhat heated every once in a while. I don’t remember a time when we yelled at each other or it ever got out of hand, but there’s always this feeling when we talk. It’s a feeling of being on the edge of a cliff. Like we’re justttt teetering on the edge of it being a full-blown argument. We could topple over the edge at any moment.
Our discussions are almost always centered on disagreements. There are many, many things we agree on. Obviously, what good is it for us to dwell on those things? We get to the meat of our differences and try to learn from each other, I love it. But like I mentioned, there’s always this dangerous balance. It makes sense since we disagree.
Our extra-cautious approach protects us. We both love Jesus Christ and His principles with all our hearts. We’ve both been saved by Him in powerful ways. I believe this is what keeps us from toppling over the edge. The constant fight within ourselves to let love, tolerance, patience, and agreeing-to-disagree trump those powerful emotions brought on by Satan in the midst of a heated discussion centered on doctrine and eternity.
I’ve had similar discussions with many different faiths. Catholics, Presbyterians, Bahai. I’d like to have these discussions with every faith on earth.
If we all believe in Christ we should all be able to agree on so many points, right?
No matter what there’s always that feeling. Are we going to go over the edge? Is this going to turn from friendly banter and growth to a “I’m right you’re wrong!” And a storming out of the room?
This particular friend I started the story about and I have in the past discussed John 17:21:
“That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou has sent me.”
When we had this discussion my point was this: How can we be one in Christ if so many sects disagree?
His standpoint is that as long as we believe in Christ we are one. We are all one under Christianity. Under this great umbrella, we are all one in Him. That sounds great, and I love that. In theory that is so beautiful. There are some immediate problems with this, though. For one, I’ve been told I’m not Christian. Where do we go from that? For another, I’ve mentioned the contention that so easily arises when two groups disagree. As much as we want to be one in Christ, how can we be when there’s that underlying tension of disagreement? While millions of people can have a good Christ-like conversation with other faiths, there are also wars over these topics.
Let me be EXTREMELY clear about one thing. There is some truth and light in all religions that teach and promote peace and love. I love any religion that brings someone closer to God and especially if it brings someone closer to Christ. All religions that love Christ and focus on Christ have light to them.
There seems to be this issue when the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints claims to be THE True Church of Jesus Christ.
The millennium is coming. A time is coming when all Christians in the world will begin to be persecuted. It won’t matter if we’re Baptist, or Catholic, or Protestant. What will matter to the world is the belief in Christ. As the world unites against Christians, what banner do Christians unite under? Is it Christ alone? Is there no one organization He would have us look to? With all the arguments, contentions; standing on the edge, ready to topple off, between different Christian sects, how can we possibly unite as one? If we do unite, who do we listen to? What do we follow?
God is a God of order. He wouldn’t have us blindly wander as the world unites against all believers. He can’t have us guessing which way is up and which way is down. So, where is our banner? Do we follow the Catholic Church, the Pope? Do we follow some non-denominational sect? We’ve never been able to unite. When the world is in chaos, will that be the time the Christian world pulls it together and joins as one? I don’t see that happening. Especially as the world in general becomes more and more divided.
We must be one. We must be united in Jesus Christ.
My belief is that the Church to follow is Christ’s restored Church. There is no more beating around the bush. The Church of Jesus Christ has come out with a worldwide declaration that makes clear what we’ve always declared:
“In humility, we declare that in answer to (Joseph Smith’s) prayer, God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, appeared to Joseph and inaugurated the “restitution of all things” as foretold in the Bible. In this vision, he learned that following the death of the original Apostles, Christ’s New Testament Church was lost from the earth. Joseph would be instrumental in its return.
“We declare that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, organized on April 6, 1830, is Christ’s New Testament Church restored.”
The declaration is clear. This is the banner. The keys of the gathering of Israel were handed down to Joseph Smith by Moses himself. Those same keys have been passed down for 200 years and are now in the possession of God’s prophet on the earth today, the speaker of the above declaration, President Russell M. Nelson. Only by God’s official authority could the gathering of Israel be accomplished; without contention, without fighting, without controversy.
This is my testimony and I leave it in the name of my Savior, Jesus Christ, amen.
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If you would like to learn more about the gathering of Israel, the keys that have been handed down, the restoration of Christ’s Church, and why the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints sends out so many young men and women to preach the gospel, please click below:
I was once asked a question I surprisingly had never truly dived into. What was different about the first time I met with the bishop when coming back to church? Why did I come back?
I’ve written about some of the coincidences leading to me getting to the Bishop’s office and ultimately coming back to church. But how did I stay? Coming back once, for a fleeting moment of revival, that’s easy. What really brought me back?
I wrote in The Inspiration about cancelling that first appointment with the bishop. That appointment eventually got rescheduled.
I remember walking into Bishop Thurston’s office. It was a small room, like most bishop’s offices. I believe there was a picture of the First Presidency, and Christ. At other points in my life both pictures might have made me feel uncomfortable, unworthy, judged. Maybe not the picture of Christ. His image has always brought me warmth, if not alongside guilt.
First Presidency February 2008 – January 2018
I remember being so nervous. What were we going to talk about? It had been almost 10 years since I sat in a bishop’s office. Was he going to grill me? Was I going to have to confess all my sins? Was this going to be a moment I looked back on in disgust? Was he going to judge me? Was he going to wonder what brought this messed up individual into his office?
And then he smiled. He shook my hand.
If you’ve seen the smile of Kody Thurston, you know it. If you’ve seen the smile of a loving bishop anywhere in this world, you know this smile. They’re the same anywhere.
He asked me to sit and I believe he offered the prayer. Then we started to talk. I remember not knowing what to do with my hands, I was fiddling with them in my lap. I remember looking down a lot. Every time I looked up he would be looking right at me.
We talked about where I’d been, where I was going, my family. We got to know each other. I don’t remember much about the exact conversation. I do remember what I didn’t feel, judged.
Then he asked the question, I think it was, “Do you have anything you need to talk about?” It was a loaded question, but it didn’t feel like it. I knew if I said no he would move on.
I had come into that room with zero intention of confessing my sins and opening my heart to a stranger. Then this strange thing happens in a room with a person who has been sent and commissioned by Jesus Christ for this very purpose. There’s a feeling in a room when the spirit is there. It’s overwhelming. I didn’t say much. I implied some things; I got some things off my chest. He didn’t ask much. He moved forward. That’s what I remember. Moving forward.
I talk about no coincidences. I know it wasn’t a coincidence that I came back at that time. Maybe it’s an excuse for me taking so long, but I know that God knew who and what I needed when I came back. I firmly believe that God waited until I was ready and put Bishop Thurston in a position to be there when I was ready. I don’t think I would have made it without him.
When I was getting ready to leave, he said he wanted to see me again soon, within the week. He told me to reach out to his assistant and schedule it soon. He told me to tell his assistant to make it happen in the next week no matter what, even if I had to come to his house. That’s another thing I’ll never forget. Come to his house? Why did this stranger want to see me again so soon?
I was once asked what made me come back? Love. Love made me come back. I knew when I left that office, without a shadow of a doubt, that the stranger I just met cared about me so deeply. Is that something I could know? I guess not, I couldn’t know it. He could have been faking it. The reason it has stuck with me, and the reason I came back, is because it wasn’t something I knew, it was something I felt. Like testimony or faith, it was something I couldn’t deny and something I’ll never forget. At the end of that meeting I felt like I’d just met somebody who would do anything in his power, anything he possibly could, to help me. I felt the love of Jesus Christ for me, displayed through this stranger so potently, with such power.
I left that office feeling good. I’ll admit something. I tried to keep it together. I really tried. I drove away from the building. I pulled over within a minute. I cried and I cried. It was like the love I wouldn’t allow myself to feel Christ giving me for so long poured over me with such intensity. I cry today thinking about it.
Those first few weeks coming back were really hard. Really, really hard. When it got to feel like too much to continue on that path, like I couldn’t do it, I thought about the love I felt that day. I thought about that little bishop’s office where I felt something, and my heart changed. I thought about the moment in my car after. I realized I never wanted to be without that love, ever again. That’s what brought me back and kept me coming back.
No Coincidences 