No Coincidences

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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
Miracle Baptisms

My favorite calling I’ve ever had was Ward Mission Leader. For those who don’t know, I basically helped the full-time missionaries for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in any way I could. Getting to be around missionaries has been one of the greatest blessings in my life. There’s something powerful about being around young men and women that have sacrificed two years in the prime of their life to serve and share about Jesus Christ.

I’ve always loved stories of faith; stories of miracles that occur when full faith and devotion is given to something important. I want to share one of my favorite stories from my time as Ward Mission Leader.

Missionaries do a lot of amazing things; a lot more than just baptize. Simply teaching others about Christ is important. Serving and loving others is important. Being a representative of Jesus Christ is important.

That said, the reason missionaries devote two full years to a mission is the hope to share with someone the good news of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, have it touch that person’s heart, see that person change their life for Christ, and ultimately that person making the decision to be baptized. Like I said, many amazing things can happen before a baptism. But, the decision to be baptized and the blessings that come after are the ultimate goal.

It was for that reason that I decided to set a high bar on a goal as my time as Ward Mission Leader was coming to an end. I was marrying Beth on 6/1/19. At that point I would change wards, the building and group I’d been going to since returning to church, and no longer have the calling of Ward Mission Leader. My greatest hope was that the missionary efforts we had developed as a ward could be continued after I left.

I set a goal in May for there to be three baptisms in the ward in the month of June. For some perspective, in the previous year our ward had two baptisms.

I started fasting and praying. I announced in a stake missionary correlation meeting that the Scottsdale YSA Ward would have 3 baptisms in June.

“That’s awesome! You have three people on date to be baptized?” I was asked.

My response, “No, we don’t have anybody on date.”

The goal was set nonetheless. I had faith that if the missionaries and myself fasted and prayed our hearts out, and did our part, a miracle would happen.

As the month of May progressed things started happening. There were some individuals the missionaries had been meeting with and teaching about the restored Gospel of Jesus Christ. There were two in particular that had been meeting with the missionaries regularly.

As we continued to pray with this singular focus in our hearts, one of those individuals committed to being baptized on 6/29. This was amazing!

There was a second person who wanted to be baptized but there was something getting in the way. It was a frustration of mine at the time because that person was worthy to be baptized but a technical requirement wasn’t met. Her living situation caused a problem. Again, fully worthy, but unable to get baptized until her living situation was changed.

On 5/25 it was time to call in faith reinforcements. Up to that point it had been the missionaries, Beth, a couple others, and myself committing our faith to this goal.

I wrote this as a reminder for myself on 5/25:

“I sent a text to ward missionary committee asking them to join fast for miracle three baptisms in June. It was kind of hard to send the text. There were moments that I wondered if I should send it and if sending it was right, if I was saying the right thing. I ended up being somewhat bold saying, “The missionaries and a few of us have been praying for something very specific: 3 individuals to be baptized into the Scottsdale ward in June. There’s a lot of faith in this as when we started there wasn’t a single person on date to be baptized. There is now one person who plans to be baptized on June 29^th. The missionaries and I are going to fast and pray for these three individuals to be led to us and for our ward to act when the opportunity comes. I invite each of you, if you’d like, to join us in fasting and praying for this tomorrow. I know that there are three people out there that need the gospel of Jesus Christ and are ready to be baptized. With faith, God will lead these people to us if we are ready to act, and if it’s His will and His plan. Thanks everybody! Love each of you.” Four minutes after sending the text, the missionaries texted me and said that the individual whose living situation was in the way had that issue resolved and just set their date to be baptized for June 8th. So much joy.

What was hard about sending that text was I wasn’t sure if what I was asking for was right. I always wanted to ask things of God only if it was His will. While I know God’s children coming closer to Him is His greatest joy, I worried that my intentions weren’t perfectly aligned with his. That was the doubt that came before I sent the text. I decided to send the text because I wanted to faith away my doubts. That is why I was bold. That is why the immediate text from the missionaries brought me instantly to the most profound joy, followed by tears.

It was a miracle.

I won’t go into details about how the miracle for this person took place. What I will say is this. It was a major frustration for me for some time that this person couldn’t be baptized despite having a sincere desire to do so, and being worthy to do so. A sequence of events took place that led to there being no issue with the baptism taking place. I was so grateful that a worthy individual could enter the waters of baptism and align themselves with Jesus Christ.

Another note to myself that I wrote that day so I wouldn’t forget:

Thinking back on (the issue), I was pretty worked up about it but somehow just moved on. I came to a feeling of peace about it that I didn’t even know was happening. But then it worked itself out, or God worked it out, and I look back and realize He spoke peace to my soul. I can almost hear Him, “Peace, my son. Don’t you know my hand is in these things? Don’t you know I will care for my children? Have faith.”

For those anticipating the miracle third baptism in June- it didn’t happen. In fact, the second one was delayed to July 13^th. I think that’s wonderful. I think of it as God’s way of reminding me that my faith is far from perfect. I set an arbitrary goal of June and to keep me humble He had the second baptism occur in July and the third didn’t happen. I’m far from truly aligned with His will. We’re far from being able to work all miracles. But God does watch. He does hear. He does care. In that ward, we had two baptisms the previous 12 months. In the 35 days after I left my favorite calling ever, the ward that saved my life, baptized two new members.

One of those members was recently sealed in the temple.

The first person I had the pleasure of seeing baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints while I was Ward Mission Leader got married in the temple 5 months after his baptism.

Casper’s Baptism

Beth and I had the greatest pleasure of hosting 3 former missionaries in our home so we could all go to the wedding together. I remember sitting in the temple, waiting for the sealing. Waiting for Casper and Ashlee, two people that had greatly impacted and strengthened my faith, to be sealed to each other for time and all eternity. I was sitting and thinking.

Elder Dotson, one of the missionaries who had the honor of teaching Casper the Gospel, came and sat by me. He told me, “This is why we baptize people. Baptisms and endowments and all the covenants made are important. But this is what it’s all about. Two people getting sealed in the temple. Starting a family that will be together for eternity. This is why we do what we do. This is what it’s all about.”

I wish everyone could know the joy I’ve felt helping someone find what I’ve found. I wish I could share the joy of seeing two people sealed together for eternity. A love never to be separated. It’s the great plan of our loving Heavenly Father and what we’re here to do. Develop faith. Obtain and nurture an eternal family. Return to Him.

I’m so grateful for His Plan and the small part I get to play in it. There is no greater joy.

March 18, 2021
Book Review: LeGrand Richards Beloved Apostle

LeGrand Richards: Beloved Apostle

By Lucile Christenson Tate

Copyright 1982

_______________________

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.

________________________

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.”

July 1, 2020
Policy

I want to write about what I learned when I struggled with something at church. I apologize for not going into specifics because I don’t want that to be the point. I want to write about what I learned from my struggle. To be clear, it was not a faith crisis. It was a policy/decision that I struggled with. I think almost all of us can relate to this for some topic, to some extent.

The first thing I learned is that God will speak peace to us, if we need it and if we can accept it. In my case I was questioning something and asking myself, “was that right?” I was pretty worked up about it. I was upset and confused. At some point, I stopped thinking about it. At the time I didn’t realize what was happening. I somehow moved on. I came to a feeling of peace about it. Initially, I attributed it to my general lack of caring about things I can’t control. But then it worked itself out, or God worked it out, and I look back and realize He spoke peace to me. I can almost hear Him, “Peace, my son. Don’t you know my hand is in these things? Don’t you know I will care for my children? Have faith.”

I believe God blessed and helped me. I believe the Holy Ghost spoke peace to my soul. I didn’t ask for it. I didn’t even question it. Maybe I showed a fraction of faith and God rewarded me with peace. I more think He loves me and gave me that peace because I needed it. Either way it became a non-issue for me. Things would work out.

But, no matter our faults or potential mistakes, God will make things happen the way they need to happen.

I learned an important lesson. Despite how I think things should go or how I think things should be done, God has an order to His church. Decisions are made by those in authority. End of story. Satan ended up where he was because he fought God’s authority.

This gets me into the second thing I learned.

Throughout history, there have been things that are hard for people to understand. This has happened since before the restoration of the gospel. For the entirety of human history, and especially Christ’s Church, there have been aspects of it that man couldn’t understand, comprehend, or sometimes accept. We fall into this recency bias where we think we’re the only ones who struggle with church policy. In Adam’s day, his children had issues with “church policy.” In Moses’s day the Israelites disagreed with him often. In Joseph Smith’s day and up to right now with Russell M. Nelson, there are policies that we don’t understand. This isn’t unique to me. This is constant throughout the history of man.

In my opinion, it is okay to question. The restoration started with a question. We must be careful with doubt. Doubt can be a part of faith; in fact, it is a part of faith. If there weren’t some small part of doubt, it wouldn’t be faith. It would be something known. What we must be sure of is that our faith is stronger than our doubt.

The third thing I’ve always known but have learned to truly appreciate is that our testimony must be based on something sure. If our testimony is based on Jesus Christ and the Book of Mormon, it will all work out.

My testimony is built on something much bigger than any policy.

My testimony is built on Jesus Christ, Joseph Smith being a prophet of God, and the Book of Mormon being an inspired and true translation of an ancient book, given to us by God’s hand. I know these things because I’ve prayed about them. I know these things because I’ve felt them. Some recent archaeological discovery is not going to dissuade me from the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon. I won’t let some recent finding by society make me doubt things of God.

I refuse to let my testimony of the important things be shaken by a policy. We must do our best not to get hung up on a moment. I can’t fully comprehend eternity but I still try to put things into an eternal perspective. The bigger picture is that God guides this church. It doesn’t mean our issues, doubts, and questions will be resolved today, next week, next month, or even in this life. But it will get resolved. I know that. And if you’re experiencing a faith crisis I would suggest praying. Don’t always ask for your question to get answered or for it to be “resolved” by your definition. Ask for peace. And then be willing to accept that peace and move on. That’s important. You will receive peace. But if you dwell and dwell and dwell on the doubt the peace will leave, Satan will win back his portion. Have faith that your question will be answered at some point and move forward. I know that’s easier said than done in many instances.

There are so many things I don’t understand. Faith comes with the hope that I’ll one day understand.

I think that’s the lesson to take from this. God is watching. He loves us. Things will work the way they need to. When we get ourselves worked up, worried, concerned, frustrated, even angry, He can speak peace to our souls if we seek it. He can speak peace to our souls even if we don’t know how desperately we need it.

I’ll end with a quote I heard from a recent meditation:

“If we can accept that life has changed even though it’s hard, if we can surrender to the fact that all we can do is move on then we won’t experience the same level of stress we would have had we resisted our circumstances. And if we can remind ourselves that this pain we’re feeling will change, that it will soften… we’ll heal and feel joy again much sooner. So, in times when there’s nothing that we can do to change our circumstances, in times we feel stressed and uncertain and overwhelmed, the most kind and compassionate thing we can do for ourselves is to surrender to what is.”

I would add, surrender to God. If we surrender to Him, He will take care of us.

April 25, 2020
Worldwide Fast

Prophet and President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Russell M. Nelson, asked the world to fast on Good Friday, April 10, 2020. His invitation:

“I invite all, including those not of our faith, to fast and pray on Good Friday, April 10, that the present pandemic may be controlled, caregivers protected, the economy strengthened, and life normalized.”
Russell M. Nelson

I was a member of a group on Facebook for the Worldwide Fast. Last I checked, that group had over 537,000 people! Click Here To See the Group

This group turned into a worldwide testimony session. There were so many amazing posts. I spent the entire morning after Good Friday reading them. There were two that I really loved. I asked permission from the original posters to share their stories. I hope my friends and family (those who didn’t already see these) enjoy them as much as I did.

The first was about a young boy:

My 7 year old nephew wanted to be part of today’s fasting and prayer. He loves to eat, so this was a true sacrifice for him. He’s been very prayerful all day. His mom found him praying in the yard. When she told him she was proud of him, he responded “Sometimes we just need to find our own sacred grove.” Isn’t that true?!?! The pure faith of a young man has served as an example and blessing to the world many times throughout history. I pray that the faith of this little boy and all the world fasting and praying together today result in modern day miracles.

Many of the posts were about children and they were some of the most touching. This is a reminder that we must “become as little children.” (Matthew 18:3)

The second post said:

I could not join the first global fast on March 29th. I was battling with COVID-19, fighting to stay alive. During this difficult time, I received a promise from my Heavenly Father: “These tribulations shall be but a small moment. But WHEN you are healed, testify to the world of the God of mercy”. I recovered through the fasting and prayers of others by God’s grace and mercy. Tomorrow, It is my turn to give back and to join this fast for all those who are facing this tough battle around the world so they may be blessed like I have been. I love Christ’s comforting words:
These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
May God bless us all!

I am so grateful for these two powerful testimonies and I’m so thankful they shared them.

I hope as a world we don’t soon forget this. As things do return to normal, I hope we don’t immediately turn back to our old ways. I hope we can learn, grow, love, and rely on God more than ever.

Isaiah 40:31 reads:

“But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.”

A friend posted something that I think is important to remember. He pointed out that the footnote for wait says “to hope for or anticipate.” Let’s remember things won’t change overnight. But as we continue in faith, Christ will pour out his spirit on us and the world can change. Finally, how grateful I am for a prophet that can lead a worldwide initiative of faith. This affirms my testimony that he is a Prophet of God and he leads God’s church. All are welcome to follow.

We Thank Thee, O God, for a Prophet

April 13, 2020