Seeing Others as They Really Are

Elder Stuart with an unidentified person at the Sebring Veteran's Club.

Seeing others through God's eyes is an enabling ability that allows us to further strengthen our testimonies and the testimonies of those who are around us. We are commanded to keep our eyes single to the glory of God, and in Moses 1:39 we are told that God's work and His glory is to "bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man." The point I'm trying to make here is that in order to stay focused on God, we need to stay focused on helping the people He is trying to bring eternal life to. 

When we change our perspective and view everyone as a precious individual who matters to God, our lives change. How can we see others through God's eyes? I'm not going to pretend to know the exact process, I just know it's hard but it's worth it. God is not a respecter of persons, and we shouldn't be either. I say this in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Make Every Day a Great Day

Sunset view from the apartment.

The way we prepare ourselves for the day can make all the difference. In the mornings, we study for two hours. Every time we do this, we are preparing ourselves to be spiritually in tune for the rest of the day. Mornings that we don't take our studies as seriously often have resulted in a less than spiritually fulfilling or uplifting day.

I have been focusing on this the past little while. Not only does the Lord bless me when I take time to remember Him, but He has promised us in the sacrament prayers that we will always have His spirit to be with us.

I would recommend that all of you try this as well. You don't have to study for two hours. Just study until you learn something, and remember it throughout your day. Reading the scriptures allows God to show us what we need to know especially for that particular day. I'm grateful to have a Father in heaven who loves me, and has given me His word to study and learn from.

A Room with a View

View from the apartment window.

My new area is amazing! I'm in Sebring, Florida and it is definitely different than Hudson. There are a lot of different cultural activities and social events for us to go to here. We live near a lake so we get a nice view while we study.

Elder Griffiths and Elder Stuart.

My new companion, Elder Stuart, is hilarious. He likes to rollerblade, listen to music (Mormon Tabernacle Choir of course), and to take long walks on the small private beach next to our apartment. He's tall, too. I'm excited to work with him and to be in this area and I know the Lord will bless us with people who have been prepared to hear the gospel. 

A Perfect Brightness of Hope

Another beach shot from May 25.
Transfers tomorrow.
Last day in Port Richey, last day as a trainee, last day with Elder Hicken.

 

I think it's interesting that my mom would ask me to talk about hope the week Elder Hicken and I find out we're both getting transferred. As we consider where we may go and what our future holds, we have nothing but hope.

This may seem peculiar because a fair majority of the world faces change with fear and anxiety. Men's hearts typically fail them when they are encircled by commotion (see Doctrine and Covenants 88:91). However, life is not meant to be feared. Life is meant to be fulfilling.

We must have "hope for a better world" (Ether 12:4) and look forward with a "perfect brightness of hope" (2 Nephi 31:20). Hope allows us to not only endure through trials, but to endure them with joy. I like the phrase "brightness of hope" because it not only shows that hope fills us with light, but it is also a light that others may look to for strength.

Building our foundation on the "rock of our Redeemer" (Helaman 5:12) allows us to press forward knowing that there is a greater purpose to our existence. I know that as we seek to find the light of hope in what seems to be a world infested with darkness we will not falter, and our hearts will not fail us. In the name of our Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.

Moving Mountains and a Day at the Beach

We're at the beach, baby!

I've been studying a lot about faith. The reason is because it is the first principle of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

Before anything else, Christ has asked us to believe on His name. Belief obtains mercy from God. We learn that in Moroni 7. However we also learn that faith is what precedes miracles. We cannot move mountains without faith. We cannot move our spiritual mountains without faith, either. Faith is everything. How often does the Savior say "O ye of little faith"? Faith is not to have a perfect knowledge of things, but it is to act on the knowledge that God has given us. Those who have faith will cleave unto every good thing (Moroni 7).

I know that as we exercise our faith, we will witness miracles, we will overcome our trials, and God will grant us strength and power in word and in deed. I say this in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Too hip to wear shades?

Beach friends.

Just a little bit hot out here.

Hey, idiot?

Elder Hicken checks out the view.