No Coincidences

Tag: inspiration

Blessing Ivy
I recently had the special opportunity to bless Ivy. Leading up to the blessing, I did some research on the history of blessing children in the Church of Jesus Christ and its significance. For Ivy’s blessing, Beth put together an event and a description of what a baby blessing is. Here is that description:

What is a baby blessing?

In summary, the naming and blessing of children is a commandment of God. It is proper for a worthy father to name and bless his children. Blessing of children was done during the time of Christ, and it occurred in the early years of the restored Church. The ordinance has become a regular practice followed by Church members ever since.

Who has the authority to bless a baby?

A worthy priesthood holder under the direction of the local bishop. It is usually the father or a close family member.

What is the priesthood?

The word priesthood has two meanings. First, priesthood is the power and authority of God. It has always existed and will continue to exist without end. Through the priesthood, God created and governs the heavens and the earth. Through this power, He exalts His obedient children, bringing to pass “the immortality and eternal life of man.”

Second, in mortality, priesthood is the power and authority that God gives to man to act in all things necessary for the salvation of God’s children. The blessings of the priesthood are available to all who receive the gospel.

What is the format of a baby blessing?

When blessing a baby, priesthood holders gather in a circle and place their hands under the baby. When blessing an older child, brethren place their hands lightly on the child’s head. The person who gives the blessing:

1. Addresses Heavenly Father.

2. States that the blessing is performed by the authority of the Melchizedek Priesthood.

3. Gives the child a name.

4. Gives words of blessing as the Spirit directs.

5. Closes in the name of Jesus Christ.

Ivy and Aunt Cambria

Reading up on the baby blessing beforehand taught me some interesting things about this sacred practice that I would like to share.

The below points were taken from this link:

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/ensign/1979/12/i-have-a-question/in-blessing-an-infant-should-both-the-naming-and-blessing-be-addressed-to-our-heavenly-father?lang=eng
1. Unique to giving a blessing to an older child or adult, the naming and blessing of a child is directed to Heavenly Father like prayers are.
  - This could be because the baby is too young to understand the words directed to him or her.
2. It appears that Melchizedek Priesthood holders are authorized to more than ask for a blessing but are able to pronounce a blessing upon the child directly, as the spirit directs.
  - See D&C 20:70
  - Sometimes inspiration (or confidence) to pronounce/give a blessing does not come. In this case it is of course acceptable to ask Heavenly Father for these blessings. I believe this is how I felt in giving Ivy her blessing. It was enough to ask Heavenly Father to bless her with my requests.
3. It is a commandment to name and bless infants.
  - See again D&C 20:70
  - It is important to remember the naming and blessing of children is not a saving ordinance. It is still an important and sacred moment seen in heaven.
4. “It is an awesome responsibility to be a priesthood agent of the Lord, to act in his behalf, and to approximate in one’s words and doings what the Lord would do if he were here. A father, especially, who is to bless his child, has the delight and responsibility to prepare himself beforehand by pondering and by fasting and prayer, that he may be sensitive to the suggestions of the Spirit when giving the blessing.”
  - “How blessed we are to be able to present our little ones before the Lord, our families and the Church, and then consecrate them to the Lord. How blessed we are to be able to name them, plead over, pray for, and, yes, to bless them directly and personally in harmony with our finest desires for them, by the authorization and wisdom of heaven.”
The below points were taken from this link:

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/ensign/1988/12/i-have-a-question/why-is-the-naming-and-blessing-of-a-child-important?lang=eng
1. An interesting account from Joseph Smith on March 13, 1843 says, “Twenty-seven children were blessed, nineteen of whom I blessed myself, with great fervency. Virtue went out of me, and my strength left me…”
  - “[The next day] Elder Jedediah M. Grant enquired of me the cause of my turning pale and losing strength last night while blessing children. I told him that I saw that Lucifer would exert his influence to destroy the children that I was blessing, and I strove with all the faith and spirit that I had to seal upon them a blessing that would secure their lives upon the earth; and so much virtue went out of me into the children, that I became weak, from which I have not yet recovered; and I referred to the case of the woman touching the hem of the garment of Jesus. (Luke 8).” (History of the Church, 5:303.)
  - Elder John Taylor said the Savior’s example of blessing children “should be studiously complied with without hesitancy or objection” (by priesthood holders).
  - We see that Joseph Smith followed the example of the Savior who blessed children in both Israel and the American continent. (Mark 10:14-16 and 3 Nephi 17). What an amazing and marvelous thought: our virtue can be passed to our children. Our blessings are a force Satan must reckon with. It makes me want to bless my daughter daily. It also adds insight to a scripture that has always been a bit puzzling in Luke 8:46. Virtue can literally leave us to help others.
2. The new name:
  - A new name is often involved when a covenant relationship is formed.
  - When Adam and Eve were given dominion over the earth, Adam named all the animals (Genesis 2:19-20).
  - Adam named Eve (Genesis 3:20).
  - God blessed them and named Adam after giving him a body (Genesis 5:2).
  - Abram renamed to Abraham (Genesis 17:5).
  - Jacob renamed to Israel (Genesis 35:10).
  - When we get baptized we follow a similar pattern, taking upon us a new name, the name of Christ.
  - Temple covenants also involve the giving and receiving of names.
3. The responsibility of blessing a child is bestowed, ideally, on he who helped create that child’s body, and who Heavenly Father entrusted His child with in mortality.
  - Joseph F. Smith – “The patriarchal order is of divine origin and will continue throughout time and eternity. There is, then, a particular reason why men, women, and children should understand this order and authority in the households of the people of God and seek to make it what God intended it to be, a qualification and preparation for the highest exaltation of his children. In the home, the presiding authority is always vested in the father, and in all home affairs and family matters there is no other authority paramount…This authority carries with it a responsibility, and a grave one, as well as its rights and privileges, and men cannot be too exemplary in their lives, nor fit themselves too carefully to live in harmony with this important and God-ordained rule of conduct in the family organization.”
It is my experience that giving blessings is often the closest I ever feel to Heavenly Father. I can feel him speaking through me and it is always a powerful, emotional, and memorable experience. The opportunity to bless my daughter will be one of the greatest moments of my life. I have immense gratitude to my Heavenly Father for entrusting Ivy into my care, allowing me to name her, and trusting me to watch over and protect her in this life and through eternity.
April 15, 2021
Prayer

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.

_____________________

To learn more about prayer please check out these links:

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/gospel-topics/prayer?lang=eng

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/gospel-principles/chapter-8-praying-to-our-heavenly-father?lang=eng

The title is outdated but I thought this video did a good job of showing how to pray:

June 25, 2020
Book Review: The Joseph Smith Translation. Precious Truths Restored

The Joseph Smith Translation. Precious Truths Restored

by W. Jeffrey Marsh

Copyright 2002

______________________

There are multiple ways I judge a book. It can be so entertaining I can’t put it down. I can feel enlightened by it, like I’m learning constantly through its pages. Ideally a book does both. I think this book more was on the enlightened, learning something from it category.

I realize most people aren’t going to enjoy the books I’m enjoying. Few people get excited about learning about the Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. This is a book I wish every active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints would read. It did so many things for me: taught gospel truths, built my testimony of Joseph Smith and his divine call, and probably the biggest thing I took away from it, better understanding of the Bible.

A statement from the summary on the back of the book states it:

“will guide you through the history, significance, and insights found in the Prophet Joseph Smith’s translation of the Bible.”

The biggest takeaway I got from this book was the knowledge of how blessed I am to have the Joseph Smith Translation (JST) of the Bible and the fact that I’ve never once doubted its truthfulness and divine nature. The book goes a lot into the history of the JST. I didn’t know there were many years that the JST was regarded skeptically by members of the Church.

I am truly grateful to be living while I’m living, with so much truth and light surrounding me. This book helped me appreciate how lucky I am. There was a part of the book where the author talked about how there would one day be a generation that never doubted the divine nature of the Joseph Smith Translation. He talked about how that generation will know the scriptures better than any prior generation. That generation will know Jesus Christ better than any prior generation, due to the truths restored by Joseph Smith. He talked about this generation that will have more fullness of scriptures than any generation ever had. Truly the fullness of times.

This made me appreciate my place in time, my place in history, my place in the fullness of times more than ever. It’s never been a doubt to me that the Joseph Smith Translation is holy scripture and worth studying. It helps me trust Joseph Smith as a prophet and teaches me more about Jesus Christ.

I know these things aren’t to be taken for granted. Our generation isn’t gifted greater scriptural knowledge simply by living now. We must study and learn. If we devote ourselves to the Word of God, there is more out there for us to devour and grow from than any people on this earth has ever had the opportunity to know.

I’m so grateful to be alive today and I’m so grateful to Joseph Smith for the truths he restored.

____________________________

To learn more about the Joseph Smith Translation of the Bible go here:

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/revelations-in-context/joseph-smiths-bible-translation?lang=eng

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/history/topics/joseph-smith-translation-of-the-bible?lang=eng

May 22, 2020
The Inspiration

The inspiration: Where to begin…

So, here we are. I’m writing a blog. Who am I writing to? Is this like a journal entry? I guess I’m writing in first person, so here we go.

A little back story, I am not a writer. I like writing. I really enjoy writing. And boy, do I feel I have some thoughts to share! Will anyone else want to read my thoughts? Not sure. Thoughts are like your own new toy. Will anyone else appreciate it as much as you do given they won’t get to spend as much time with it as you? I’ve thought about doing this for a long time, if simply to get the jumble of constant thoughts out of my head. And maybe, just maybe, put it somewhere for others to enjoy, or at least gain something from.

I’m going to go deep on this “why I’m writing a blog,” so get ready.

Three years ago, I started reading a book. The book is called Visions of Glory by John Pontius. This book had come into my possession through a sequence of events that I consider a miracle to this day. Though small and seemingly not that crazy, these events led me to a book, and that book changed my life.

My mom was at my grandparents’ house. My mother is adamant that she needs a television to fall asleep to. She literally doesn’t sleep without tv. Which is why this night at my grandparents’ home, she was not sleeping. There was no television in the bedroom. The HORROR! She noticed a book on the bedside table. She picked it up, she read the introduction. She was so intrigued by this book that the next day she promptly contacted me and said she was sending me the book because she’d never have time to read it but knew I would.

Fun fact – this wasn’t my mom’s book. She stole it. It was my Aunt Laura’s book that she’d given to my grandmother. She may have let them know she was taking the book. I don’t know. The details are fuzzy.

Anyway, now I have this book (just a heads up- get used to the story bouncing all over the place. Sorry, I can’t change the way my mind functions). Nothing extraordinary. Just a book. I started reading. Almost immediately, I had to put it down and put it somewhere I couldn’t see it. You see, I was going to Mexico in a couple weeks. I’m talking MEXICO, Mexico. Like, beer all day, I’ll just leave it at that. But this trip had been planned. I think 9 of us were going and it was going to be a party.

As I started reading the book, I knew what was happening. Something inside me was stirring awake. This couldn’t happen now, Mexico was waiting. I hid the book. I went to Mexico. But something was different. I wasn’t the same. It would have been the best party week of my life. All the ingredients were there but I don’t think I even enjoyed it.

I came home and I started reading. One memorable moment or “coincidence”, as I’ll refer to it, was reading about addiction. The book discussed how people couldn’t feel the spirit or progress when they were dulling their feelings with liquor or drugs. That’s what I’d been doing for years. As I was reading, I was suddenly starving. I’d been reading outside, on my balcony, so I went inside to make a pizza. My roommate Chris was watching a sports show and, for some completely random reason, Danny Trejo was being interviewed. He was talking about the day he quit alcohol and drugs. He met with a therapist and the therapist said he couldn’t be who he wanted to be until he gave up his vices. I went outside and continued to read. I cried. Then, like any normal Friday night, I poured myself some scotch and started playing cards with Chris.

Let me be clear. To this day I claim I never wasted an ounce of alcohol. One time in college, we had tons of leftover beer from a game we played. The beer was in open cups and I put them in the fridge and drank them over the next few days. You want to talk about the most disgusting, kind of pathetic, but also (just going to say it) a bit admirable thing that’s ever been done? It was that.

So, I drank some of the scotch and I wasn’t feeling it. No problem. I opened a beer. I will never forget the moment I realized, “I don’t want this.” I was someone who never wasted a drop. I binge drank at least 2 days a week. On weekdays, I’d drink enough to be sick in the morning but still able to go to work. I had a problem I never wanted to admit. It was a constant fear of mine that I’d never stop. I’m sure if I continued the way I was going, I would slowly poison my body to death.

That day I drank half a beer and decided, I don’t want this. I poured it out. Four years ago – almost exactly four years ago-I had my last sip of alcohol. I didn’t know that would be the last sip, but it was. When I say that book saved my life, what I mean is that God and Jesus Christ put that book in my life, and I fought it (see: MEXICO). I felt the change, and I fought it. I read the book and my spirit cried out. I cried out. God and Jesus Christ never gave up on me.

The next week I decided I wanted to go to church. I was scared. I didn’t know where to start. “I CAN’T DO THIS.” A postcard came in the mail. It’s been four years and as I write this I’m still overwhelmed with emotion. I have to fight back tears when I think of the moment that I received that postcard.

It was from a dear friend. She was not raised in the church but had been baptized years prior. We had kept in contact throughout my years of debauchery. We were close friends. When I’d visit home, I could see she remembered when I had some moral compass I seemingly no longer had. She remembered when I didn’t drink. She remembered when I carried more light. Every time I’d see her she’d ask when I was going back to church. Every time I saw her she’d ask when I was going to stop drinking. Every time I brushed her off and made her change the subject. She was persistent, I was stubborn.

As I so desired to go back to church but didn’t know where to start, I got a postcard in the mail. I’d never received a postcard from her before and haven’t since. She was in Oregon for some reason. The postcard read,

“Hey Quackenbush! I thought a random postcard was just the ticket to keep this like 8 year relationship functioning. LOL Did you watch any conference? I liked Elder Hallstrom’s. How’s life? Still working your way up the corporate ladder? Did you watch Finding Carter to the end? Did you know your father in Heaven loves you? Did you know I do too? : )”

…..

I called her that night. I told her I wanted to go back to church. The whirlwind that ensued was astonishing. It was like she’d been waiting for this moment for years. I guess she had. If she had a checklist of steps to take for when she received this call, I wouldn’t be surprised. Next thing I know I was a member of a Facebook page called Scottsdale YSA Ward Events. I had my new Bishop’s phone number and an appointment for the next week. I had an address and time to be at church that Sunday. I think I told her I wasn’t ready to meet the Bishop. She cancelled the meeting and said she highly recommended I see him soon.

That Sunday I went to church. I’d tried going to church over the past few years. I’d had missionaries over to my house a few times. It just never stuck. Chris went with me since I told him I was too afraid to go alone. At church that day something monumental occurred. A guy sitting in front of me turned around and asked me if I played basketball. He said he was starting in a league and asked if I wanted to join his team. He knew nothing about me. He didn’t even know if I could dribble. That guy ended up being the Elders Quorum President at the time and he changed my life. Many people those first couple months had an impact on my life that they, and myself, don’t completely understand yet. I look forward to looking back on those months in every detail and being able to thank those individuals.

Why am I writing a blog?

I guess because I feel I have a lot to say? The real, final push came from another blog. UnBlog my Soul was a blog started by John Pontius. The man I never met, but the man who changed my life forever. He passed away in 2012, yet his words continue to impact me. I believe after his death his wife continued his blog in his honor. I recently was on the website and saw that she was closing shop. No more new posts on UnBlog my Soul. Why? Because she wanted others to start blogs. Others to impact lives. Others to tell their stories.

It seemed fitting that the wife of the man that brought me back to Christ, was telling me to do something I’d felt prompted to do for years. Now I’m writing a blog. It will have a lot of stories. It will have a lot of thoughts. Some will (hopefully) be short. Many will be long, confusing trains of thought. As you might be able to tell, there will be strong religious tones to my writing. Input is welcomed, critical and otherwise. The spirit works in miraculous ways. I know that from personal experience. Hopefully this is meant to help just one person. For the worth of souls is great in the sight of the Lord. And if you cry repentance all your life and bring one soul unto Him how great shall be your joy with him in the home of our Father? How great will be my joy with John Pontius, that elder’s quorum president, that friend that never gave up on me, and Jesus Christ.

Edit 12/19/21- Please see Why “No Coincidences” for an update on why I continue to do this blog. It’s not easy writing every day and sharing every week. That is why I do it. Thank you for reading.

March 21, 2020