Some Inspiring Messages

Happy spring everyone! As I walk about,my senses are filled up with blossoms--sight and smell and sometimes even touch. It is lovely--it makes one have to stop and breath in deeply and fully--aah! I love spring and fall for all of their dynamic changes; they are so exciting and curious to me :) There's another interesting thing brought about by spring: graduation. Yesterday, I had the opportunity to attend the commencement exercises here at BYU and the experience was very inspiring (especially as it will likely be me in cap and gown this time next year).

Our key speakers were both general authorities of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The first was Elder Russel M. Nelson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and the second was President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, second counseler in the Church's First Presidency. Both of their messages were excellent. One of the strongest messages I took from Elder Nelson was the fact that our educations and careers do not define us--they are means to an end rather than ends in and of themselves. Our purpose here is to become better--to become who God wants us to be. We are not lawyers, doctors, janitors, or chefs: we are children of God. Our educations and careers can help us to grow and learn but they should never become our only focus. I thought this was good advice when so many seem to define themselves now by degrees and careers. My friend brought up an interesting point to tie to this. We are in a history class together called "Freedom and Rhetoric" that focuses on history from the Reformation to the present time, looking specifically at the ways in which the concept of freedom has been fought for and expressed through words. Anyway, we recently studied Jane Austen's "Persuasion" and saw different photographs of places she had been in her life. One photograph we saw was of her grave at Winchester Cathedral in England. The memorial, placed by her brothers (she never married or had children), read something to the effect of her being a loving, kind, and devoted sister and friend. Our professor pointed out that nothing was mentioned about Jane's writing. After class, however, my friend noted to me that he would never want someone to write on his grave, "Here lies a man who did much research in mathematics and physics." He would want to be remembered as a loving husband and father. As he pointed that out, I realized he was right. What really matters when we die? What is most fulfilling? Though our deeds may be great, what matters most is our connections to others, our interactions with our fellows, our relationships with our family, and our closeness to God. This reminds me again of the Savior's teaching on the greatest commandments: to love God and love our neighbors (Matt. 22:36-40). We should always be living our lives to fulfill these commandments, whether that life be as a musician, mother, writer, or mixture of all three.

Another thing that I really enjoyed was something President Uchtdorf said. He stated, "We must be willng to work hard--this is what brings opportunities." He then spoke on how using time wisely, continuing to learn, and being worthy to have God's Spirit with us are some important keys to living effectively and successfully. I felt the truth of his words and a desire to use my time better and to be willing to work hard. I think the word "willing" is key. Work is only as awful or as wonderful as we think it is. I want to choose to recognize that I feel better about myself and more fulfilled when I work hard, though it may be difficult at times. Speaking of that, it's time for me to go to work! I'll just end this thought with a scripture from the Book of Mormon and then a little caveat from Paul and one from King Benjamin.

"Yea, I would that ye would come forth and harden not your hearts any longer; for behold, now is the time and the day of your salvation; and therefore, if ye will repent and harden not your hearts, immediately shall the great plan of redemption be brought about unto you.
For behold, this life is the time for men to prepare to meet God; yea, behold the day of this life is the day for men to perform their labors." - Alma 34:31-32

"...Let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God." - Hebrews 12: 1-2

"And see that all these things are done in wisdom and order; for it is not requisite that a man should run faster than he has strength. And again, it is expedient that he should be diligent, that thereby he might win the prize; therefore, all things must be done in order." - Mosiah 4:27

Okeedok! I hope that wasn't too rambling and that you can glean some bits of pearl from my long speech. Have lovely days!

Love, Sierra

PS- This photograph is the official photo of the First Presidency of the Church. The man sitting is God's current prophet, Thomas S. Monson. The taller man standing is his first counseler, Henry B. Eyring, and the other is Dieter F. Uchtdorf. If you are curious about what the First Presidency is, here is a little news article: http://newsroom.lds.org/ldsnewsroom/eng/news-releases-stories/church-releases-new-official-portrait-of-first-presidency

PPS- I found Jane Austen's actual epitaph! Here it is for all who are interested:

In memory of
JANE AUSTEN,
youngest daughter of the late
Revd. GEORGE AUSTEN,
formerly Rector of Steventon in this County.
She departed this Life on the 18th July 1817,
aged 41, after a long illness supported with
the patience and the hopes of a Christian.

The benevolence of her heart,
the sweetness of her temper, and
the extraordinary endowments of her mind
obtained the regard of all who knew her, and
the warmest love of her intimate connections.

Their grief is in proportion to their affection
they know their loss to be irreparable,
but in the deepest affliction they are consoled
by a firm though humble hope that her charity,
devotion, faith and purity have rendered
her soul acceptable in the sight of her
REDEEMER.

Dinners at Home

I love eating with my family :) I love elbows on the table. I love sitting next to my left-handed brother and dodging arms with him as we eat. I love being in a little circle facing faces that are dear to me. I love the food my mother prepares. I love hearing about everyone's day. All of it--even the spilled milk (which I don't think has ever been cried over). There's something so warm about coming together--it's a symbol of unity each day. It's like planets in their own orbits coming at least once daily into line.

Christ loved eating with people, too. He did it all of the time, even with thousands. Throughout time, eating together has been a symbol of unity and communion--it means sharing the substance of life with others. In my New Testament class, we also learned that eating with others in the time of Christ implied a certain type of covenant (or promise): the host promised protection and the guest promised loyalty. When Christ instituted the last supper, such a covenant was made. Yet, the disciples abandoned or denied Christ and broke their part of the covenant. In the last chapter of John, Christ meets with the disciples again to eat: to make a new covenant. He instructs the disciples to go out and share the gospel with the world and this time they prove faithful.

When we take the sacrament we are covenanting with God to follow Him and keep His commandments. Likewise, perhaps we covenant in some small way with our families as we eat with them--we promise to protect and be loyal to one another, just as people did of old. Let's come together more and be one. Let's protect one another better and be more loyal both to each other and to God. Let's be a covenant people.

*This is a family photo from a road trip some of my siblings (the youngest was still a little baby) and I took with my dad. We're not necessarily at a table, but we are eating together! Eating cereal on the top of a van is a pretty fun bonding experience :)

Something Neat to Investigate: The Religious Studies Center

This is just a short little post about BYU's Religious Studies Center. The center publishes various books and research about Mormons, the Bible, the Book of Mormon, temples, history, and more. They also have a really interesting blog that I keep up with. The most recent post is from a religion professor writing on Good Friday. I found it to be especially good to reflect on around Easter time. One of my favorite points that was brought up was the idea of the cross being also a symbol of life (a Tree of Life bearing the fruit of eternal life). As Christ says in John 12:32, "And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me." As Christ was lifted up, He became high enough to lift the rest of us, too!

Here is the link for the center's website: http://rsc.byu.edu/
and here is the one for their blog: http://rsc.byu.edu/blog/

Happy Easter!

The Bread of Life & Being Shepherds

Throughout the accounts of Jesus's life we can read about him gathering the people and teaching them and feeding them. The other day I was studying one of these accounts and something new struck me. Nearly every time when Christ desired to feed the people who had gathered around him there appeared to be not enough food--only a few loaves of bread and some fish. Yet every time Jesus was able to take the little that was visibly there and feed thousands. When Jesus feeds five thousand with five loaves and two fish as recounted in John 6 there is a very important verse. In verse 12 we read that after everyone had eaten "they were filled." Not only physically, but spiritually. The thing that stood out to me this time that never had before is that so often we might not think Jesus is enough. He tells us that he is the bread of life and that he can fill and save everyone but we might think to ourselves--how can one individual do this? How can one fill so many? Every time Jesus fed the people physically he was teaching them spiritually saying something like, "Just as I am able to feed you physically even though to you what I have doesn't seem enough, so also can I feed you spiritually though I am just one man." He can feed us in every way that we need. That's one of the miracles of Christ and it's one that is eternal--it didn't end when he ended his mortal ministry. I think that is so amazing and I appreciate the powerful symbolism of these accounts.

Talking about Christ gathering and teaching the multitudes makes me think of how this has never stopped in His Church. Today he still gathers everyone to be taught and spiritually fed and taught through his spirit and through those called to teach in His name.

This weekend, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will hold a semi-annual General Conference where we will be taught by modern-day apostles as well as by God's prophet who are called to act as shepherds in Christ's behalf. God's called prophet on the earth today is Thomas S. Monson and I very much look forward to hearing his words. I think it is so wonderful and amazing that Christ continues to feed us and gather us as his sheep. I can really feel the warmth and strength that comes into my life as I'm taught about the gospel--General Conference is sort of like New Year's in the sense that it's a good time to sit back and reflect on our lives and goals. My family is in town and we'll be able to attend conference together in Salt Lake City which should be really neat!

*Our painting today is by an artist named Lars Justinen. The painting is entitled the parable and has the caption: "'No man ever spake as this man spake' according to the Gospel of Matthew. This painting illustrates a group of diverse people gathered around Christ as He shares with them the truths about God and His love for people." I liked it because it showed Christ teaching the way I believe he would--in a loving way right up close with the people.


PS- Here's a link at which you can learn more about General Conference! http://www.mormon.org/mormonorg/eng/basic-beliefs/glossary/glossary-definition/general-conference