Standards

Throughout my Mormon career, I've sat and listened to a lot of Sunday School lessons.  Sadly, by church the next week, I would've already forgotten the lesson taught the previous week.  I didn't forget them all though.  There were a few lessons that stuck with me, and I would like to tell you about one involving standards.

Standards are everywhere.  Some examples: You must be this tall to ride this roller coaster, you must have this good of a grade to get an A, you must be this attractive to be called a Jaw Breaker.  But these aren't the standards we were talking about.  This lesson was about moral standards.  The chart above (the extent of my artistic ability) compares God's standards to the worlds standards.  We know God is "the same yesterday, to day, and forever," (Hebrews 13:8) and as such, his standards never change.  The world's standards, on the other hand, are continually getting further from God's standards.  The penetrating question that was asked during this Sunday School lesson was this: "Are we only trying to be above the world's standards, or are we staying in line with God's standards?"

If we just want to be better than the world's standards, that can and will get us into trouble.  And the further down the slope we go, the steeper it gets.  May we stick to the Lord's standards and avoid the world's with all costs.

Clean the Corners

I talked to a former owner of a restaurant the other day, and for some reason we got on the subject of cleaning.  More so relating to cleaning bathrooms, but we won't delve into those details.  Of course she, the restaurant owner, couldn't constantly be at the restaurant to check every little thing, but she had her own ways of finding out what had been done.  One of her tricks was to put a small stack of pennies in corners of certain rooms.  If the employees really cleaned, then they would've discovered the pennies, or at least knocked the stack over.  But if they didn't really clean, then the pennies would be in the exact same place as they were when they were first stacked.  More often than not, the corners were overlooked.

Corners are places that people pay little attention to.  They figure no one will see them.  But corners aren't only in rooms; we have corners in our lives.  At first glance, things could look fine, but in the corners of our lives, we could have a stash of dirt and debris that desperately demands dusting.  The question is, how often do we clean the corners of our lives?  Do we let them collect dirt and dust because we know they're not seen by other people?  Or do we make sure they are just as clean as the rest of the floor?   As much as we try to hide it from others, the Lord sees all.  Alma puts in pretty bluntly by saying, "But behold, ye cannot hide your crimes from God." (Alma 39:8).  May we clean, clear, and cast out our concealed crimes.  When we do, the corners of our lives will no longer haunt us.

Laughing or Crying?

Life is good.  It has it's ups and downs, but overall it's good.  It's easy to see how the good times make life good, but sometimes the bad times make us think otherwise.  I relayed a quote to a sister missionary the other day.  The quote was, "You're either laughing, or you're crying."  Her response was, "Yeah, and if you're crying, you might as well be laughing while doing it."  Talk about profound.  The key is attitude.

Nephi, a Book of Mormon prophet, was with his family in the wilderness and he and his brothers went out hunting for food.  While hunting, Nephi breaks his bow and his brother's bows loose their spring.  Needless to say, they didn't get any food.  Everyone around Nephi was "exceedingly sorrowful, even that they did murmur against the Lord" because of their lack of food.  (1 Nephi 16: 20).  Nephi himself recognized that "it began to be exceedingly difficult."  (1 Nephi 16:22).  But he chose not to murmur against the Lord.

Even though times were tough, Nephi's choice was to "laugh while he cried."  His "laughing" brought himself to become a part of the solution, not a part of the problem.  We have the power to do that in our own lives.  When things are tough and life makes us cry, make sure those tears are from laughing so hard that you forget that times are tough.  If we keep that attitude, we'll be able to see the good in life even while looking through tears.

Posters

I learned a valuable lesson the other day that has to do with music, but the principle can be applied to so much more. I had a conversation with someone who is quite musically inclined, and I was explaining to him that I wanted to be better at the guitar and better at singing. He asked me who my favorite music artist was, and I told him Jack Johnson. Then he proceeded with a follow up question: Is Jack Johnson an amazing guitarist or singer? Honestly, he's not. But he's an incredible musician.

I mean, I'm a decent musician, but sometimes I don't feel good enough.  It's great to have that desire to get better, but I shouldn't beat myself up because I'm not the best.  In a Jack Johnson song called Posters, he sings:


Looking at himself but wishing he was someone else
Because the posters on the wall they don't look like him at all

Looking at herself but wishing she was someone else
Because the body of the doll it don't look like hers at all

The world today has a way of portraying what we should look like, who we should be, and how good we should be at it.  We don't need to be like the people in the posters to be worth something.  We must remember that "the worth of souls is great in the sight of God."  (D&C 18:10).  No matter what the world thinks of us, we are all great in the sight of God.  And remember, "it's better to look up." ~ Thomas S. Monson.

Bad Hair Day

The other day, I officially got the worst haircut of my life.  I was persuaded to let a certain person cut my hair.  Not known to me until after the fact was that it was his first time cutting anyone's hair, but that's besides the point.  In the midst of the noise of the clippers and my hair flying everywhere, the one cutting my hair was busy telling me how good my hair was looking and was going to look. 

I must say, I was pretty excited to check out my new hair-do.  I was convinced that my hair looked good.  Then came the moment to look in the mirror and see how it was.  That was when reality hit, and I suppose I looked something like the picture to the right.  It was only when I stepped back and took a look at myself that I realized my hair needed to change.  And quick!

Our lives are the same way.  We often go through life taking everyone's word for whatever it may be.  But occasionally we need to stop and examine our self.  We need to step back, take a look in the mirror, and see what needs corrected.  Sometimes the realization, such as in my case, can be quite shocking.  We must do whatever we need to in order to fix the problem.  We all make mistakes, but as long as we come back, we will be openly welcomed.  "...There is joy in the presence of angles of God over one sinner that repenteth."  (Luke 15:10).

Temporary Home

There truly is no place like home.  But home is different for everyone.  Depending on who you ask, their views of home will be different.  Home is where you hang your hat.  Home is where your bed is.  Home is that house you live in.  Home is where your heart is.  Amidst all of the different definitions of home, how can we know what our own personal home is?  We can all say that we have some kind of a home here on earth, but is it truly our home?

I've always been struck by the chorus of a Carrie Underwood song called "Temporary Home".  In the song, she describes three different situations, but in the end, they all respond with the lyrics in the chorus, which read:

This is my temporary home
It's not where I belong.
Windows and rooms that I'm passin' through.
This is just a stop, on the way to where I'm going.
I'm not afraid because I know this is my
Temporary Home.

This world is only our temporary home.  Sure, there are many places in the world and times of our life that bring us great joy, but we have a way better home waiting for us on the other side.  A heavenly home.  Nothing can compare to it.  "No matter how enticing the world might be, it was never intended to be our home." ~ Kevin Hinckley (emphasis added).  So don't forget what you're working towards.  Never let it escape your mind.  Greater joy lies ahead.  May we cease to walk without direction or wander without reason, but continually carry on to our heavenly home.

Life'style'

As a missionary, we don't get too many choices on what colors to wear.  I could wear a black, gray or navy blue suit, but still it doesn't make too much of a difference.  There is, however, one article of clothing that gives us a little more variety.  They are ties.  Ties, to missionaries, are more than just a piece of fabric tied in a particular way around your neck.  Ties express you're mood for the day and, in essence, who you are.

Anyone that knows me well could tell you that my taste in ties is quite unique.  I like the short, fat, and ugly ties.  It's just my style.  We'll call them 'vintage' ties.  When someone sees a 'vintage' tie, they say to themselves, "That's totally something Elder Greco would wear."  I've just developed that kind of reputation.  Whether for good or for bad.

Our choices are a lot like our taste in ties.  We'll call them our life'style'.  Just like ties, our life'style' is one of the first things people see.  As they see more of our choices, we will develop a reputation, whether for good or for bad.  When someone sees our life'style', what will they say?  What will they compare it to?  If our life'style' isn't what we want people to see us as, then we can repent and change.  May we all live in a way that when people see our life'style', they will say with conviction, "That's totally something the Savior would do."

Brinner

Not many things hit the spot like brinner does.  I know that's not the most common word, so I'll give a quick explanation.  Breakfast for dinner equals brinner.  It is one of the greatest inventions out there.  The other day, I was able to have brunch (not quite as good as brinner, but close) with a family that I knew in a past area.  Not only was it great to see them, but it was great to talk about that area again.  Reminiscing about the good old times.  It made me remember all the good things that have happened on my mission and how we should all constantly remember those tender mercies of the Lord.

Remembering is one of the crucial parts of staying on the strait and narrow.  Even when things seem illogical and impractical, certain memories can prove otherwise.  For example, having a breakfast smorgasbord isn't the most typical thing to eat for dinner, but if we remember how tasty it was, then we can use that thought to have a most delicious meal that will fully satisfy us.  Though it seems out of place, not many things are better.

Helaman counseled his sons, Nephi and Lehi, about the principle of remembrance.  His sons were named after great men who were highly favored of God and Helaman exhorted his sons "that when you remember your names, ye may remember [those great men]; and when ye remember them ye may remember their works; and when ye remember their works ye may know...that they were good."  (Hel. 5: 6).  But more importantly to "remember that it is upon...Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your foundation."  (Hel. 5:12).  May we all remember, receive, and rely on the "rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ," the one true way back to heaven.

Casteth Out

Think of a world without light.  How could we survive?  Think off all of the things light does.  It helps plants grow, gives us nutrients, helps us see, comforts us (mainly because we're all scared of the dark), gives warmth, and so many other things.  The uses for light are almost innumerable.  Of all the differences in the uses of light, there is one thing that remains constant.

The Apostle John explains this constant characteristic of light in John 1:5, which reads, "And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not."  The imagery that this scripture portrays is so awesome.  Wherever there is light, darkness cannot be.  In reality, darkness is merely just lack of light.  The minute light enters the picture, darkness is instantly vanquished.  No matter how hard the darkness tries to stay in the room, the light will run it away.

As we keep the Light of Christ in our hearts and in our minds, there will be no room for darkness or evil.  That is the best cure to feeling dull.  Brighten the light inside and cast out the darkness.  The more we fuel the light, the stronger it will be.  The stronger it is, the harder it will be for Satan to try to put out our light.  May we keep the Light of Christ burning brightly in our hearts.

General Conference

Have you ever been reading the scriptures and realize that everything totally went over your head?  I know I have.  It's hard to fully grasp what you're reading when it's caught up in parables, analogies, and symbols.  Wouldn't it be nice if we had scripture that was in our own modern day language instead of that old scriptural language?  Turns out, there is.  We can hear a prophets voice even today. 

Just like in Biblical times, God calls prophets today.  Every 6 months, the prophet and the apostles speak to us in an event called General Conference.  It almost seems too good to be true, but it's real, and it's amazing.  Amos 3:7 reads, "Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets."  This pattern has always been in effect.  God has called prophets on the earth since the beginning of time, and that is how he has revealed his secrets.

So take the opportunity to listen to conference.  This is truly no ordinary blessing.  If we take heed to the prophets of the past as well as present, then we will have increased happisness, more trust in the Lord, and a more satisfying life.

Unity

Being in a rock and roll band before my mission, I've played music with a lot of different people.  Trying to find the right combination of style, taste, and sound is pretty tough sometimes.  Even after you find a good combination, making each person become as one, so to speak, is an extreme challenge.  Often times little disagreements will come up, but there are occasions when everyone gets in the groove, and that's when music is made.  The trick to getting the perfect sound is unity.

Unity is something that we need to be striving for in this life.  Whether it's for a rock and roll band, a family, or just in oneself, it's an important attribute to attain.  The people of Alma, after they had been baptized, we're commanded to be unified together.  Mosiah 18:21 reads, "And he commanded them that there should be no contention one with another, but that they should look forward with one eye, having one faith and one baptism, having their hearts knit together in unity and in love one towards another."

Just like having unity in a rock band will produce the best music, unity in a home will produce the best people.  The main person we want to be united with is our Savior, Jesus Christ.  We must unite in the same cause as Him.  We must develop an eye single to His glory.  We must see the world as he does.  We must see others as he does.  It is then we will be in perfect harmony with Him and His teachings.

Mountain Moments

Have you ever been on a mountain top and looked out to see the view?  It's pretty incredible.  The air is fresh, the view is great, the world is so peaceful up there.  Life is full of "mountain" moments, and we always wish that we could stay at the top of the mountain forever.  We all know that we can't.  We eventually have to return to the somewhat repetitive routine of life.  We may even reach a "valley" moment where we have no view at all.  As much as we don't like the "valley" moments, they are a necessary part of life.

What makes the "mountain" moment so great?  What makes us appreciate the "mountain" moments so much?  Yes, it is a great view, and we do feel on top of the world, but it's the contrast of the "valley" moments that gives us the sense of awe in the "mountain" moment.  Lehi, a prophet in the Book of Mormon, talks about how what life would be without any contrasts.  "For it must needs be, that there is an opposition in all things...wherefore [we] would have remained in a state of innocence, having no joy, for [we] knew no misery; doing no good, for [we] knew no sin." (2 Nephi 2:11, 23). 

It's tough to swallow, but we really do need those tough times in life to enjoy the good times.  Each time we go down into the valley, we have an opportunity for a growing experience and once we reach that "mountain" moment, we will realize that it was all worth it.  May we all make those "mountain" moments into memories you'll never forget.

Just Be Nice

As I go through life, I develop a list of things that I live by.  Some of them are quotes that have stuck out to me, others are learned from experience.  I call them my philosophies.  I always look for more and more each day.  One in particular I learned in High School.  I was asked how do you get through High School?  The question wasn't referring to the academic aspect of it, but the social.  My response was, "Just be nice."

Ever since then, that's been one of my philosophies: Just be nice.  It seems quite simple, but it really does work.  Paul, in his letter to the Ephesians, addresses that same topic.  "Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying...And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another."  (Ephesians 29, 32).

Kindness is one of our greatest tools in life, and it's extremely contagious.  Acts of kindness are never wasted.  Keep corrupt communication stopped, and create the contagious kindness wherever you go.  Throughout all of my years, I have never once heard anyone say they wish they were a little less kind.  When you make kindness a priority, you will feel as King Benjamin's people did and "have no more disposition to do evil, but to do good continually."  (Mosiah 5:2).

Look to the Compass

What's next?  It seemed that in my life, there was always something that I was working towards.  I always had a goal in mind, and knew, for the most part, what I needed to do.  First, it was finish high school, then go to college, then go on a mission.  But what's next after that?  Nothing is set in stone anymore. 

No one knows exactly what they're going to happen next.  No one knows exactly how things are going to work out.  But we can always look to the Lord for direction.  Nephi, a Book of Mormon Prophet, shows us that even when we have no idea what we're going to do, the Spirit of the Lord will guide us.  1 Nephi 4:6 reads, "And I was led by the Spirit, not knowing beforehand the things which I should do."  The Spirit will guide us in everything as long as we are putting our trust in him. 

 This makes life a lot less scary.  We have a spiritual compass in our life.  When we don't know where we are, look to the compass.  When we don't know where we're going, look to the compass.  When we don't know how we can make, look to the compass.  God gives us a guarantee if we look to the compass: "And I will also be your light in the wilderness...and ye shall know that it is by me that ye are led." (1 Nephi 17:13).  If we look to the light the Lord has layed before us, we will know that we are led by him.  When we do this, we can be as Nephi and trust in the Lord, look to the compass, and go forth with faith.

Reason to Rejoice

Life is good.  There are a lot of really happy times that I can remember.  Times where I laughed, times where I smiled, times where I rejoiced.  Some of them include when the Carolina Hurricanes won the Stanley Cup (we won't talk about them this year), when my high school rock and roll band played a stellar show, and more importantly, when I opened my mission call to the Montana Billings Mission.  Just thinking of those times fills my soul with joy. 

I had an experience recently that kind of threw me for a loop though.  The experience led me to believe that there are so many more times that we can and should rejoice.  In 1 Peter 4:12-13, Peter is explaining how suffering should cause us to rejoice.  He says, "Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings..."  That scripture hit me like a brick wall.  Never have I ever thought of that we could rejoice in suffering.  Logically, it doesn't make sense.  Spiritually is a whole different story. 

Times of trial should be considered blessings.  Trials refine us and define us.  Often times when hardship is happening, a blessing is the last thing we want to call it, but we can rejoice in Christ.  We can rejoice that we are suffering with him, and through that suffering, we grow that much closer to him.  We start to understand what he went through, while he fully understands what we do go through.  He loves us and will never leave us comfortless.  We must not sulk in sorrow during our suffering, but rather celebrate because of our sanctification, and realize the reason to rejoice!

Half of my Heart

As you can guess from some of my past blogs, I am a huge music fan.  I always have a song playing in my head and continue to add more songs to my "mental playlist."  The song Half of my Heart, by John Mayer featuring Taylor Swift, has been a recent addition.  The song is about a man who can't seem to put his whole heart into anything.  The lyrics go:

Half of my heart's got a real good imagination
Half of my heart's got you
Half of my heart's got a right mind to tell you that
Half of my heart won't do

The heart is an interesting topic.  It's important to always keep our hearts in the right place, and to put our whole heart into things that we do.  When Christ was asked what the greatest commandment was, he responded with, "...Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind," (Matt. 22:37, emphasis added).  All of our heart is required.  If we go through life putting only half of our heart on the altar, we won't make it.

John Mayer put it well: "Half of [our] heart won't do."  In this life, there are dozens of decoys and distractions that drag us down the half hearted highway.  We must not let them get in the way of the strait and narrow path set by the Savior.  His way is the only way.  May we all more fully give our hearts to the Lord.  When we do, we will find ourselves on the whole hearted path to heaven.

Finding Happiness

I can remember my parents watching the news, and during commercials I'd switch it to Spongebob Squarepants.  When I was a kid, well I guess I haven't grown up yet, I never liked watching the news or anything of that nature.  To me, it was kind of boring.  But as I got older, it's grabbed my attention a couple of times.  I've realized there's more to life than just a talking, yellow, sponge that lives in a pineapple.

There is so much stuff going on around us today.  The world is changing so much everyday.  We see natural disasters, tragedies, and wars happening left and right.  Captain Moroni, a Book of Mormon War General, was constantly fending off his enemies and trying to keep peace in the land.  It was a time of much war and bloodshed and many of the people were mourning over their losses.  In the midst of all of this, it is written, "But behold there never was a happier time among the people of Nephi, since the days of Nephi, than in the days of Moroni..." (Alma 50:23). 

It's hard for me to understand that even amidst all of the wars and contentions that "there never was a happier time among the people."  How can that be?  What was making that time the happiest time?  The Gospel of Jesus Christ is the answer.  No matter what's going on around, we can find happiness in our lives through the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  As we truly live the principles of the Gospel, that happiness will only increase.  May we all makes these days the happiest in our lives.

Just One More

"Just one more!"  I can hear those three words being said to me during a wrestling practice.  It was my freshman year of high school during the after school wrestling workouts.  Every time that I was struggling, those three words were repeated many times.  There is one instance that I particularly remember. 

This instance while I was doing pull ups.  After doing as many pull ups that I could (that number is isn't important), I lifted with all my might, and went no where.  "Just One More," said one of the people with me.  I exerted all of my strength, but still couldn't pull myself up.  The person with me held up my legs and told me to do a couple more pull ups.  I pulled as hard as I could, and because he was supporting some of the weight, I got a couple more in.  After that, I was totally exhausted.

Sometimes in life we feel that we are pushed beyond what we can handle.  Sometimes we are.  But it's during those times when the Savior is holding us up.  That's when we feel we can't do it ourselves, so the Savior comes to our assistance and gives us a boost.  Zeniff, in the Book of Mormon, knew he needed to rely on the Lord for strength.  In his time of need he said, "Yea, in the strength of the Lord we did go forth..."  (Mosiah 9:17).  When we can't do it on our own, we shouldn't give up.  We just need to look for the Lord's hand in our life.  Once we do, we'll be surprised how often he really is there. 

Greed Makes You Poorer

What's better than a great tasting Chinese Buffet?  I'll have to think pretty hard to come up with something.  I was privileged to go to a great tasting Chinese Buffet the other day.  The food was great, but of course, the finale is the fortune cookie.  More specifically, the fortune that it contains.  One fortune per customer is the usual rule of thumb, but one of the people that was with me decide to press his luck with two fortunes:  The first one had a good fortune.  The next one said, "Ignore previous cookie." 

This rather humorous experience teaches us a lot about being greedy.  When we are greedy, we shoot ourselves in the foot.  Greed is a part of all of us.  Our job is to overcome that.  We want to be able to keep our fortune that we receive. 

Paul, in a letter to the Corinthians, gives them advice as to what to be greedy for.  He writes, "But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way."  (1 Cor. 12:31).  We should be greedy for the best things.  Instead of always wanting money, or other temporal matters like that, we should always want to serve others, read our scriptures, and pray to our Father in Heaven.  We should strive to be greedy for the best gifts, and once we have them, we will have no more desire to do evil. 

Use it or Lose it

I've always been a big music person.  Ever since I can remember, I've been playing music.  Playing the guitar is my most recently acquired musical talent.  After I left on my mission, I didn't have as easy access to guitar as I did back home.  But when I was in my first area, I had a couple opportunities to play guitar again.  I was real excited, then once I started picking and strumming, I realized that I had lost a lot of what I knew.  Many songs that I used to play had vanished from my memory.  I was devastated!

Our knowledge and testimony will dwindle if we stop nourishing it as well.  We need to continually improve our talents and skills.  Alma, a Book of Mormon prophet said, "...Let us nourish it with great care, that it may get root, that it may grow up, and bring forth fruit unto us...but if ye neglect [it], and take no thought for its nourishment, behold it will not get any root..." (Alma 32: 37-38).  We must nourish the skills and talents that we have so that when we need to be an instrument in the Lords hand, we will be fine tuned and ready to play. 

We need to continue to exercise those things in our life.  If we slack off on them, then our knowledge and ability will diminish.  And when that day comes, you will feel as I did when I picked up the guitar after a couple of months...devastated!  So do the little things every day, practice what you preach, apply what you learn, and you will never lose it.