No Coincidences

Tag: love

Open Minds

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.

July 10, 2020
Freedom

Let’s take a quick trip through history. Bear with me on the history recap, I swear it will be brief.

The Revolutionary War started in 1775.

Some rag-tag colonists decided to stand up to and fight for independence from the greatest power in the world. I’ll say that again, a group of mostly untrained men decided to take on the greatest military force on earth at that time. Louder for those in the back, a group of settlers stood up to THE world superpower.

Can you believe how truly insane that was? Just that they revolted was crazy. Surely that got smashed into submission…right? WRONG!

They won! Independence. How? Tons of stories from that time point to divine intervention. We can save those for another day.

244 years ago, July 4, 1776 The Declaration of Independence was signed.

1777 The Articles of Confederation were written. This would be the first constitution of the United States.

1787 The Constitution we have today was written.

1791 the Bill of Rights was written for the United States.

Amendment I of that Bill of Rights:

“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.”

1805 The Prophet Joseph Smith was born.

1820 God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, appeared to Joseph Smith.

1827 Joseph Smith received the golden plates.

1830 The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Christ’s restored church was re-established on the earth.

Fourteen short years after the Bill of Rights was established and set forth the freedom of religion in this choice nation a prophet was born. 29 years after the established freedom of religion Heavenly Father appeared to His prophet. Four short decades after the Bill of Rights was ratified Christ’s Church was restored.

Think about that for a moment. Human history spanning thousands of years. Yet, somehow, within 15 years of a free nation set forth the guidelines for free religion, a boy was born who 15 years later would claim visitation from God the Father. He would establish a church from meager means. Within 200 years that church would have millions of members across the globe.

Talk about all the coincidences.

It was less than 40 years after freedom of religion was established in the United States of America that the Church of Jesus Christ was organized.

What spectacular timing.

I know there aren’t coincidences in God’s plan. I know he reared up and prepared inspired, God-loving, intelligent men to establish this great nation. Men who desired freedom above all else. I know that soon after they did their part in establishing this free country it was finally time in God’s plan to establish His Church. There had to be a place for the Church to be restored first. There was nowhere else in the world the Church of Jesus Christ could have been established.

God works in miraculous and spectacular ways for His purposes.

I know the exact timing of Joseph Smith’s birth and the exact timing of the freedom of the United States were no coincidence. They were planned out long ago.

On this Fourth of July I’m grateful to our founding fathers.

I’m grateful to Joseph Smith.

More than anything I’m grateful to God for His perfect plan.

I’m grateful for a country where I can worship whom, how, and where I please. I’m grateful that I can pray in private or public. I’m grateful to be born in a country free. I’m grateful that I’ve never been truly persecuted for my religious beliefs. We live in a special country. We live in a country founded on true principles: freedom, liberty, and equality. I know it took some time for those principles to be truly established and I know we’re still working on some of those principles. But the principles are there. There are still parts of the world, many parts of the world, where freedom, liberty, and equality are not even considered.

The most important principle of all that this nation was founded on: faith and belief in God.

I know right now America is in a predicament. We have turned from God. God gave us this great nation and helped its establishment. Now we spit on Him and marvel at our own great strength and power. We’re American! THE Global Superpower. Doesn’t that sound familiar. We know what happens to global superpowers that rely on their own strength.

If we don’t humble ourselves and confess to whom we owe all, God in Heaven, He will take back His land. We are only as strong and powerful as our faith in God allows. Like England during the Revolutionary War we will fall if our pride is not removed. We must return to God. He founded this country and it will continue to degrade until we return to the source of all strength. It’s time to repent.

I love this country. I hope we can return to our principles and be better. I hope we can love God and keep Him here with us.

GOD Bless the USA

July 4, 2020
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
Baby

I am scared.

Can I protect you?

Will you be bright?

Will you be happy?

Will you be strong or gentle?

Will you be mine?

I will be yours.

You will be gentle and strong.

You will bring joy to all those around you.

You will bring light to the world.

I will protect you.

Don’t be afraid.

Your mom will teach you some things. I will teach you others.

I know I knew you before. I know you taught me before I came here. You will continue to teach me once you join me here.

I know you’ve been anxious to come. I know because every time I prayed about you God told me. We are ready for you.

I will do my best to support you always. I will do my best to shield you from the world.

Can I ever be ready for the responsibility of your life?

You’re coming into a scary world. The world needs you now, more than ever. Be kind. Be gentle. Be strong.

It’s the year 2020. The world needs you desperately. Don’t hold back. Give your all. Shine bright.

I love you already.

My girl. Our girl.

June 12, 2020
-ites: Politics
4 Nephi 1:16-17

16 And there were no envyings, nor strifes, nor tumults, nor whoredoms, nor lyings, nor murders, nor any manner of lasciviousness; and surely there could not be a happier people among all the people who had been created by the hand of God.
17 There were no robbers, nor murderers, neither were there Lamanites, nor any manner of -ites; but they were in one, the children of Christ, and heirs to the kingdom of God.

After Christ came and established peace in the land, we have the above account from 4 Nephi in the Book of Mormon. Before Christ came there had been many contentions – different denominations, different groups and sects. Sound familiar?

The world we live in today is full of envyings, strifes, tumults, whoredoms, lyings, murders, and all manner of lasciviousness. We are separated into so many groups of -ites.

Let’s take a look at a few of the categories we separate ourselves into:
- Poor, middle, upper class
- Educated and uneducated.
- Religious and non religious
- Asian, American, African, Hispanic, European, Russian, etc.
Believers in Christ separate themselves:
- Catholic
- Baptist
- Lutheran
- Latter-day Saint
- Non-denomination
Even Latter-day Saints have their separations:
- Member and nonmember
- Return missionary and non-return missionary
- Convert and pioneer heritage
Factions and divisions are prevalent no matter how small a group is broken down into in society. Sometimes it feels like if two people were put in a room they would only find things to disagree on. I list all these groups and ways we separate ourselves to lead to a point. One of the most polarizing groups we separate ourselves into, especially in America, is our political party.

The political landscape today is full of so much vitriol, so much animosity. Sometimes I fear our politics is what will be the ultimate downfall of all unity and kindness in the United States. There are other times I’m positive political beliefs will be the end of all love in the world.

This post does a great job in describing the major issue with politics today:

https://wordpress.com/read/blogs/49040923/posts/48634

Please give it a read. The post talks about how in politics we often hate the other side more than we care about our own side.

Democrats and Republicans are the modern-day Nephites and Lamanites. They are titles, distinctions, parties. All they do is separate us from one another. As soon as we look at somebody as a Republican or a Democrat and assume something negative about them, we are unfairly characterizing that individual. Whether you are a Republican or a Democrat, you know someone of the other party that you like. If only we could see the viewpoints of other parties and understand the reason they think that way, it would make such a difference.

All these categories described above, and especially political affiliation, they are all modern day -ites. If we don’t start uniting and working together, this will all fall apart.

As we approach another heated political season, I hope we all remember that we’re in this together. The Republican isn’t all that different from their Democrat neighbor. Love and accept and try to see why others have different viewpoints. Often when we put ourselves in the shoes of another and try to understand why they think the way they think, we will be shocked at how quickly we at least understand where they’re coming from.

There are so many ways we differentiate ourselves. I hope we can do our best to focus on the one category we all belong to: children of our Heavenly Father. We are brothers and sisters, all in this test of life together. I hope we can start to act like it.

Just imagine. What if the politics in America was better represented by this image than the one above?

That’s a political landscape I’d like to be a part of.
June 8, 2020