Sunday, June 03, 2012
Mission Letter
Last Sunday, May 27th, I was at Mark and Lisa Hardin’s house in North Ogden. I got to help them move into their new home, meet some of their neighbors, and go to church with them in their new ward. I got caught up on all the hugs, kisses, and “I love yous” that I had been missing from Lewis, Jack, Ashley, and Renee. Someone is teaching those kids to be very loving. I have decided to just enjoy having the Hardins close by while I am on my mission and not think ahead to when I go home and they will not be there. They are in a beautiful setting.
This last week Elder and Sister Allan Packer spoke to us in the Salt Lake Temple in a mission devotional. It is unusual to have mission devotionals in the temple, so we especially appreciate the opportunity. It was held at 5:30 p.m. I had just enough time to walk home, eat dinner, and walk back to the temple early enough to get a good seat. It was my assignment to take notes and then write a thank you letter for the president to sign. President Peterson sometimes adds a personal note to the letters I compose, which is as it should be.
Sister Packer reminded us with her personal stories that our families will be blessed during our service. After talking about the difference between testimony and conversion (When we are converted we act on the knowledge and feelings we have that are our testimony), Elder Packer encouraged us to help others with their conversion as we interact with them in the various roles we have (missionary, friend, family member, etc.) by all the things we think, say, and do. Food for thought.
The routine things I do at the office have gotten easier with experience. This week, however, Sister Olah and I did the “Big Run”. The big run is the process of printing and delivering dozens of Access database reports to dozens of people at the end of each month. Some reports are as much as 33 pages long. Then we email some reports to a list of people that want to receive them that way. It takes most of the day plus any preparation we can do ahead of time to make Big Run day go smoothly. We leave our desks (other people have to cover for us) and go back to a large cubicle with lots of counter space where we can work on the Big Run without interruption. We use a computer and printer there because they are close together and we can lay the reports out on the counters, grouping them together according to where they will be sent. This saves lots of running back and forth between our own computers and the printer near counter space. We always do this on the last business day of the month. This only happens one day out of 30 or so. Why did that have to be the day the drum broke and caused the toner cartridge to rupture? There were black smears all over the pages of copy and the inside of the printer which immediately spread to clothing and the carpet when the printer was opened. Then there was waiting time while maintenance came and cleaned up and tech support came and repaired the printer. In the meantime, we ran back and forth to another printer on the opposite side of the office to try to finish the run. Now I understand why they prayed for the Big Run in prayer meeting.
I also see that things going wrong deliver some of the best teaching moments. We had the opportunity to keep our cool, find solutions, be patient, experience the kindness of others who stepped in and tried to help (That’s when their clothing and the carpet were sprinkled with toner) and learn things we didn’t know before about how to get that particular job done which will apply to other assignments. Next month I will already have created distribution lists in Outlook and things like that which took extra time this month. And surely the printer won’t implode again.
Tuesday, June 12, 2012
Sunday, June 10, 2012
Thoughts on Charity - So Good
Some Thoughts on Charity
7 May 2012 Spiritual Thought
Here are some great thoughts on charity.
President Thomas S. Monson-“Charity Never Faileth”
In a talk given during a General Relief Society Meeting broadcast, President Monson said:
I consider charity—or “the pure love of Christ”—to be the opposite of criticism and judging. In speaking of charity…I have in mind the charity that manifests itself when we are tolerant of others and lenient toward their actions, the kind of charity that forgives, the kind of charity that is patient.
Charity is having patience with someone who has let us down. It is resisting the impulse to become offended easily. It is accepting weaknesses and shortcomings. It is accepting people as they truly are. It is looking beyond physical appearances to attributes that will not dim through time. It is resisting the impulse to categorize others.
President Ezra Taft Benson – “Beware of Pride”
In a now famous talk on pride given by President Benson he taught us that:
We are tempted daily to elevate ourselves above others and diminish them. (See Hel. 6:17; D&C 58:41.) The proud make every man their adversary by pitting their intellects, opinions, works, wealth, talents, or any other worldly measuring device against others. [Even our righteousness] In the words of C. S. Lewis: “Pride gets no pleasure out of having something, only out of having more of it than the next man. … It is the comparison that makes you proud: the pleasure of being above the rest. Once the element of competition has gone, pride has gone.” (Mere Christianity, New York: Macmillan, 1952, pp. 109–10.)
President Dieter F. Uchtdorf- “The Merciful Obtain Mercy”
More recently in a Conference address President Uchtdorf reminded us that:
The Apostle Paul, in his letter to the Romans, said that those who pass judgment on others are “inexcusable.” The moment we judge someone else, he explained, we condemn ourselves, for none is without sin. Refusing to forgive is a grievous sin—one the Savior warned against…
Of course, these words seem perfectly reasonable—when applied to someone else. We can so clearly and easily see the harmful results that come when others judge and hold grudges. And we certainly don’t like it when people judge us.
But when it comes to our own prejudices and grievances, we too often justify our anger as righteous and our judgment as reliable and only appropriate. Though we cannot look into another’s heart, we assume that we know a bad motive or even a bad person when we see one. We make exceptions when it comes to our own bitterness because we feel that, in our case, we have all the information we need to hold someone else in contempt.
Elder Paul E. Koelliker-“He Truly Loves Us”
In his Conference talk, Elder Koelliker explained that when we actually live the gospel in the pattern taught by the Lord Jesus Christ, our ability to help others increases.
He told the story of two young missionaries who knocked on a door, hoping to find someone to receive their message. The door opened, and a rather large man greeted them in a less-than-friendly voice: “I thought I told you not to knock on my door again. I warned you before that if you ever came back, it would not be a pleasant experience. Now leave me alone.” [And]He quickly closed the door. As the elders walked away, the older, more experienced missionary put his arm on the younger missionary’s shoulder to comfort and encourage him. Unknown to them, the man watched them through the window to be sure they understood his message. He fully expected to see them laugh and make light of his curt response to their attempted visit. However, as he witnessed the expression of kindness between the two missionaries, his heart was instantly softened. He reopened the door and asked the missionaries to come back and share their message with him. We become effective at helping others as we think, speak, and act the way the Savior would if he were here.
The Apostle Paul-“1 Corinthians 13:1-3”
Paul discusses the high status of charity in 1 Corinthians.
1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.
2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.
3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing. (1Cor.13:1-3)
Charity has been defined as “the highest, noblest, strongest kind of love,” the “pure love of Christ …; and whoso is found possessed of it at the last day, it shall be well with him.”
May it be well with us. May we think, speak, and act the way the Savior would if he were here to a greater and greater degree. May this wonderful, blessed mission become an even greater force for good than it already is because we do. It is good to be here with so many others who are striving for the same generosity and compassion that the Savior shows us.
7 May 2012 Spiritual Thought
Here are some great thoughts on charity.
President Thomas S. Monson-“Charity Never Faileth”
In a talk given during a General Relief Society Meeting broadcast, President Monson said:
I consider charity—or “the pure love of Christ”—to be the opposite of criticism and judging. In speaking of charity…I have in mind the charity that manifests itself when we are tolerant of others and lenient toward their actions, the kind of charity that forgives, the kind of charity that is patient.
Charity is having patience with someone who has let us down. It is resisting the impulse to become offended easily. It is accepting weaknesses and shortcomings. It is accepting people as they truly are. It is looking beyond physical appearances to attributes that will not dim through time. It is resisting the impulse to categorize others.
President Ezra Taft Benson – “Beware of Pride”
In a now famous talk on pride given by President Benson he taught us that:
We are tempted daily to elevate ourselves above others and diminish them. (See Hel. 6:17; D&C 58:41.) The proud make every man their adversary by pitting their intellects, opinions, works, wealth, talents, or any other worldly measuring device against others. [Even our righteousness] In the words of C. S. Lewis: “Pride gets no pleasure out of having something, only out of having more of it than the next man. … It is the comparison that makes you proud: the pleasure of being above the rest. Once the element of competition has gone, pride has gone.” (Mere Christianity, New York: Macmillan, 1952, pp. 109–10.)
President Dieter F. Uchtdorf- “The Merciful Obtain Mercy”
More recently in a Conference address President Uchtdorf reminded us that:
The Apostle Paul, in his letter to the Romans, said that those who pass judgment on others are “inexcusable.” The moment we judge someone else, he explained, we condemn ourselves, for none is without sin. Refusing to forgive is a grievous sin—one the Savior warned against…
Of course, these words seem perfectly reasonable—when applied to someone else. We can so clearly and easily see the harmful results that come when others judge and hold grudges. And we certainly don’t like it when people judge us.
But when it comes to our own prejudices and grievances, we too often justify our anger as righteous and our judgment as reliable and only appropriate. Though we cannot look into another’s heart, we assume that we know a bad motive or even a bad person when we see one. We make exceptions when it comes to our own bitterness because we feel that, in our case, we have all the information we need to hold someone else in contempt.
Elder Paul E. Koelliker-“He Truly Loves Us”
In his Conference talk, Elder Koelliker explained that when we actually live the gospel in the pattern taught by the Lord Jesus Christ, our ability to help others increases.
He told the story of two young missionaries who knocked on a door, hoping to find someone to receive their message. The door opened, and a rather large man greeted them in a less-than-friendly voice: “I thought I told you not to knock on my door again. I warned you before that if you ever came back, it would not be a pleasant experience. Now leave me alone.” [And]He quickly closed the door. As the elders walked away, the older, more experienced missionary put his arm on the younger missionary’s shoulder to comfort and encourage him. Unknown to them, the man watched them through the window to be sure they understood his message. He fully expected to see them laugh and make light of his curt response to their attempted visit. However, as he witnessed the expression of kindness between the two missionaries, his heart was instantly softened. He reopened the door and asked the missionaries to come back and share their message with him. We become effective at helping others as we think, speak, and act the way the Savior would if he were here.
The Apostle Paul-“1 Corinthians 13:1-3”
Paul discusses the high status of charity in 1 Corinthians.
1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.
2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.
3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing. (1Cor.13:1-3)
Charity has been defined as “the highest, noblest, strongest kind of love,” the “pure love of Christ …; and whoso is found possessed of it at the last day, it shall be well with him.”
May it be well with us. May we think, speak, and act the way the Savior would if he were here to a greater and greater degree. May this wonderful, blessed mission become an even greater force for good than it already is because we do. It is good to be here with so many others who are striving for the same generosity and compassion that the Savior shows us.
Pivotal Moments - Mission Devotional
All the new missionaries are asked to take a turn speaking in the mission devotional held every monday morning. We are asked to take just 3 minutes and talk about ourselves and how the gospel has blessed our lives. Here is my turn.
My name is Karen Wellman and this is only a three minute talk so I’m going to spend my time on a few pivotal events. The first of these events was really a culmination of many years of hoping and praying when I was sealed to my parents, my two brothers, and my sister in the Arizona Mesa Temple when I was 18 years old. My father was raised in an inactive family and my mother was not a member when they married. I saw the great difference the gospel made in our family when my mother joined the church and later my father became active. The gospel made our family so much better. Now when we are all together we talk non-stop and the discussion always comes back to the gospel.
Another of these pivotal events was when I was married to Bruce Wellman in the same temple just a few months later and we started our life together. However imperfectly we traveled that journey, both of us started out sincerely grateful to our Father in Heaven for having found each other and for the privilege of making temple covenants that could bind us together for eternity. I still have cards and notes Bruce wrote back then that speak of his desire to be a good husband and father and build a forever family.
Together we made the decision to start our family right away and keep the children coming. We had ten children in the next 20 years and now have 30 grandchildren with 2 more on the way. I know not everyone has that choice and I don’t know why that particular blessing came to us, but I’m so grateful that it did. My favorite calling is being a wife, mother, mother-in-law, and grandmother. My idea of heaven includes having all these people I love close by for eternity with no one missing from our circle.
Fourteen years ago there was another pivotal event when my dad died of cancer and Bruce and I rushed up to Lakeside, Arizona to be with my mother and siblings. Bruce stopped going to church seven years earlier but when my mother asked for a priesthood blessing he couldn’t refuse her, so he stood in with my brothers. During that prayer he heard a voice asking him how much longer he was going to hurt his family. When we returned to our home, Bruce went to see our bishop and asked what he needed to do to come back. He did everything he was asked to do. This was a time of great happiness and thanks-giving for all of us despite my dad’s death. I began looking forward to being in the temple with Bruce and our children who were married. He missed their temple marriages and this was the thing I wanted most.
Bruce was killed in an accident just 6 weeks after my father’s funeral. This is only a three minute talk, so here are some things I learned from the deaths of my dad and my husband: I know God lives. I know He hears and answers my prayers. I trust Him. I know the Comforter can comfort like nothing else can. I know I really will see Bruce again because of a witness I received shortly after his death. I know this is only possible because of the Atonement of Jesus Christ and that this is His church. Living the gospel and keeping the commandments makes me happy and makes my life good. When I see Bruce again I will want him to be proud of us. This has helped me realize how much I will want my Heavenly Father’s approval when I see Him again.
By nature I fall short of all that I want to be and I have to repent a lot. Nevertheless, I am a much better person because of the gospel of Jesus Christ than I would be without it and I am so very grateful for it. I can see that this mission is going to be another pivotal event for my life. I feel so blessed to be here and so privileged to serve with all of you very good people.
My name is Karen Wellman and this is only a three minute talk so I’m going to spend my time on a few pivotal events. The first of these events was really a culmination of many years of hoping and praying when I was sealed to my parents, my two brothers, and my sister in the Arizona Mesa Temple when I was 18 years old. My father was raised in an inactive family and my mother was not a member when they married. I saw the great difference the gospel made in our family when my mother joined the church and later my father became active. The gospel made our family so much better. Now when we are all together we talk non-stop and the discussion always comes back to the gospel.
Another of these pivotal events was when I was married to Bruce Wellman in the same temple just a few months later and we started our life together. However imperfectly we traveled that journey, both of us started out sincerely grateful to our Father in Heaven for having found each other and for the privilege of making temple covenants that could bind us together for eternity. I still have cards and notes Bruce wrote back then that speak of his desire to be a good husband and father and build a forever family.
Together we made the decision to start our family right away and keep the children coming. We had ten children in the next 20 years and now have 30 grandchildren with 2 more on the way. I know not everyone has that choice and I don’t know why that particular blessing came to us, but I’m so grateful that it did. My favorite calling is being a wife, mother, mother-in-law, and grandmother. My idea of heaven includes having all these people I love close by for eternity with no one missing from our circle.
Fourteen years ago there was another pivotal event when my dad died of cancer and Bruce and I rushed up to Lakeside, Arizona to be with my mother and siblings. Bruce stopped going to church seven years earlier but when my mother asked for a priesthood blessing he couldn’t refuse her, so he stood in with my brothers. During that prayer he heard a voice asking him how much longer he was going to hurt his family. When we returned to our home, Bruce went to see our bishop and asked what he needed to do to come back. He did everything he was asked to do. This was a time of great happiness and thanks-giving for all of us despite my dad’s death. I began looking forward to being in the temple with Bruce and our children who were married. He missed their temple marriages and this was the thing I wanted most.
Bruce was killed in an accident just 6 weeks after my father’s funeral. This is only a three minute talk, so here are some things I learned from the deaths of my dad and my husband: I know God lives. I know He hears and answers my prayers. I trust Him. I know the Comforter can comfort like nothing else can. I know I really will see Bruce again because of a witness I received shortly after his death. I know this is only possible because of the Atonement of Jesus Christ and that this is His church. Living the gospel and keeping the commandments makes me happy and makes my life good. When I see Bruce again I will want him to be proud of us. This has helped me realize how much I will want my Heavenly Father’s approval when I see Him again.
By nature I fall short of all that I want to be and I have to repent a lot. Nevertheless, I am a much better person because of the gospel of Jesus Christ than I would be without it and I am so very grateful for it. I can see that this mission is going to be another pivotal event for my life. I feel so blessed to be here and so privileged to serve with all of you very good people.
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