Today I had the opportunity to clean the church building that I attend. I was thinking about how every member of the wards that attend that building are invited to help with its weekly cleanings. I thought of how some members might not have much experience with cleaning, or some might be unable to do a really thorough job due to age or physical limitations. Yet all are invited to help. The wonderful thing is that each week, members have the opportunity to do their part in cleaning it, but even if they mess up or do an imperfect job, guess what, the church will get cleaned again next week. This could be viewed as an excuse to do a less-than-best-effort job, but I like to think of it as each person's work being appreciated and accepted.
Heavenly Father's plan for His children is similar. We do what we can and even when we mess up, He spiritually takes us into His loving arms and says, "Thank you for trying this week. There are still some areas to work on so I can give you more blessings, but I am proud of your effort this week. You can try again to do better next week."
Sunday, July 24, 2016
Monday, July 4, 2016
There is Something Special about America
There are so many thoughts and feelings that I hope I can adequately put into words. I am filled with a great sense of love for my country and everything that it represents, but I do not want to offend anyone in expressing these feelings. Just because I think the United States of America is so great does NOT mean that I think that other countries are second class. I have friends and acquaintances from all across the globe and I think that each country and culture has something to contribute to the good of the world.
I had the opportunity to serve as a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in a country thousands of miles from my home. This experience broadened my understanding and perspective on the world. I came to love a people and a culture different from my own, while also deepening my love for my own country.
One day, my missionary companion and I somehow got on the topic of the American flag. She was in shock when I told her that in the United States, we have a holiday to honor our flag and special rules about how and when it should be displayed and how to retire it when it becomes worn out. Just the week before, I had seen a printing of her country's flag on a beach towel, something you would never see in the United States. I was not judging her country in any way for how they use their flag, but simply observed that their practices and ours were different. This conversation got me thinking and wondering if maybe our respect for our flag was a little too far on the worshiping graven images side of the line.
A few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to attend a local rodeo with some of my family members. As is tradition at the beginning of the rodeo, the rodeo queen rode into the arena carrying the American flag. Everyone stood up and placed their hands on their hearts as a teenage girl sang the national anthem, "The Star-Spangled Banner." The national anthem was followed by a prayer to protect the rodeo's participants and the military who defend the great freedoms we enjoy in this country. This whole experience was a great reminder of what the flag symbolizes, why we pay it so much respect, and why I take such pride in being an American.
I love studying American history, but especially the Revolutionary War because the hand of Providence was so involved. The United States of America was founded because people wanted a place where they could worship God as they pleased. The Founding Fathers sought divine guidance in fighting for independence and establishing the Constitution and system of government. Since then, millions have given the ultimate sacrifice of their lives in order to maintain the freedoms that the early American colonists fought and died for. The American flag is a symbol of all these sacrifices; it is a symbol of freedom. It is personally a symbol for me of God being intimately involved in creating something greater than any individual or group of people could create.
A dear friend of mine and I once had a conversation about where we wanted to raise our kids. I could not adequately put my feelings into words at that time, but I knew that there was something special about America that I wanted my kids to have the opportunity to experience as they grew up. There is a legacy that I feel a duty to live up to and to pass on. I am so grateful for the opportunity to celebrate Independence Day and reflect on this legacy and what this country means to me. On this Fourth of July, I am proud to be an American.
Click on the link below for a video that helps explain why the flag means so much to us as Americans. I can't guarantee that the story is 100% true but it is powerful:
I had the opportunity to serve as a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in a country thousands of miles from my home. This experience broadened my understanding and perspective on the world. I came to love a people and a culture different from my own, while also deepening my love for my own country.
One day, my missionary companion and I somehow got on the topic of the American flag. She was in shock when I told her that in the United States, we have a holiday to honor our flag and special rules about how and when it should be displayed and how to retire it when it becomes worn out. Just the week before, I had seen a printing of her country's flag on a beach towel, something you would never see in the United States. I was not judging her country in any way for how they use their flag, but simply observed that their practices and ours were different. This conversation got me thinking and wondering if maybe our respect for our flag was a little too far on the worshiping graven images side of the line.
A few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to attend a local rodeo with some of my family members. As is tradition at the beginning of the rodeo, the rodeo queen rode into the arena carrying the American flag. Everyone stood up and placed their hands on their hearts as a teenage girl sang the national anthem, "The Star-Spangled Banner." The national anthem was followed by a prayer to protect the rodeo's participants and the military who defend the great freedoms we enjoy in this country. This whole experience was a great reminder of what the flag symbolizes, why we pay it so much respect, and why I take such pride in being an American.
I love studying American history, but especially the Revolutionary War because the hand of Providence was so involved. The United States of America was founded because people wanted a place where they could worship God as they pleased. The Founding Fathers sought divine guidance in fighting for independence and establishing the Constitution and system of government. Since then, millions have given the ultimate sacrifice of their lives in order to maintain the freedoms that the early American colonists fought and died for. The American flag is a symbol of all these sacrifices; it is a symbol of freedom. It is personally a symbol for me of God being intimately involved in creating something greater than any individual or group of people could create.
A dear friend of mine and I once had a conversation about where we wanted to raise our kids. I could not adequately put my feelings into words at that time, but I knew that there was something special about America that I wanted my kids to have the opportunity to experience as they grew up. There is a legacy that I feel a duty to live up to and to pass on. I am so grateful for the opportunity to celebrate Independence Day and reflect on this legacy and what this country means to me. On this Fourth of July, I am proud to be an American.
Click on the link below for a video that helps explain why the flag means so much to us as Americans. I can't guarantee that the story is 100% true but it is powerful:
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