Who are Stars?

This past week, I took the kids to Comic-Con here in San Diego. We waited in long lines and braved huge crowds, but even so, it was fun seeing all the media blitzes for movies, toys, and video games. The kids had an especially great time collecting lots of giveaways and promotional freebies. The highlight of their day though was being able to meet actual movie and television stars.

When I was younger I used to attend as many science fiction conventions as I could. It was very exciting being able to meet celebrities up close. These days, however, the excitement is no longer there. I've come to the realization that these famous people are really nothing more than just that, people with a job. It just happens that their job puts them in view of millions of people. But in reality, being on the small or big screen doesn't make them any smarter, wiser, or more morally upright than anyone else. They are perhaps quite talented in many respects, but celebrity status in and of itself doesn't qualify a person for emulation by the masses.

On the other hand, there are people on this earth who have spent many years exercising faith and being obedient to the commandments of the Lord. They carry with them a special spirit and are special witnesses of the Lord Jesus Christ. They are called by the Lord to be prophets, seers, and revelators.

"And Ammon said that a seer is a revelator and a prophet also; and a gift which is greater can no man have, except he should possess the power of God, which no man can; yet a man may have great power given him from God. But a seer can know of things which are past, and also of things which are to come, and by them shall all things be revealed, or, rather, shall secret things be made manifest, and hidden things shall come to light, and things which are not known shall be made known by them, and also things shall be made known by them which otherwise could not be known. Thus God has provided a means that man, through faith, might work mighty miracles; therefore he becometh a great benefit to his fellow beings."
(Book of Mormon, Mosiah 8:16 - 18)


"I have seen the same miracle in the service of President Monson as he received the call to preside as the prophet and President of the Church and to exercise all the keys of the priesthood in the earth. Revelation and inspiration have come to him in my presence, which confirms to me that God is honoring those keys. I am an eyewitness. They are keys of a priesthood which is, in the Lord’s words, 'without beginning or end.'”
(Henry B. Eyring, “The True and Living Church,” Ensign, May 2008, 20–24)

"The fact of the matter is that God is revealing His will as He did anciently. He is guiding His Church through His appointed servants."
(Gordon B. Hinckley, “The Quorum of the First Presidency,” Ensign, Dec 2005, 46–50)


These are truly special men worthy to be our examples and our leaders. I have met a few of them personally and can say that it is both an exciting and a humbling experience. They are humble, caring, loving men. There is hardly a television or movie star that can even come close to matching the greatness of their calling and position nor the humility of their service.

While it is good to meet them in person, I no longer get excited about meeting film stars nor do I feel it is worth spending money to obtain their autograph or to take a photo with them. I believe that the real stars here on earth are the Lord's servants, his prophets, seers and revelators. It is exciting to meet them and hear their words which are the Lord's words to us in these days. I can testify that these are truly men of God. I hope that you will study their words and come to feel that special spirit that testifies of their divine calling.

The Fourth of July

Independence Day is one of my favorite holidays. It's not because of the church breakfast, the potlucks and barbecues, nor even the dazzling fireworks displays. Of course, I love that part of the holiday, but the Fourth of July means so much more. It's a time to reflect on how this nation has been greatly blessed by God. We enjoy freedoms and liberties that are hard to find anywhere else in the world.

"Therefore, it is not right that any man should be in bondage one to another. And for this purpose have I established the Constitution of this land, by the hands of wise men whom I raised up unto this very purpose, and redeemed the land by the shedding of blood."
(Doctrine and Covenants, Section 101:79 - 80)

Ever since the war for independence, many thousands of souls have sacrificed even their lives to maintain and protect our freedoms. We should be thankful to them. We should also thank Heavenly Father for the blessing of living in this land and for every comfort and convenience we enjoy.

The final verse of my favorite patriotic hymn describes perfectly how I feel about these United States of America:

Oh, beautiful for patriot dream
That sees beyond the years
Thine alabaster cities gleam,
Undimmed by human tears!
America! America!
God shed his grace on thee,
And crown thy good with brotherhood
From sea to shining sea.
(Hymns, America the Beautiful, no. 338)

Father's Day 2009

My oldest daughter sent me a Father's Day card in the mail. It made me cry for joy, not because of the artwork or the printed message on the inside. It was her handwritten words that touched me. I won't share them here though.

I don't mind not getting breakfast in bed, elaborate cards, neckties (ok, I could use a new tie), a fancy homemade dinner. All I really want is for my kids to appreciate all the sacrifices, the hard work, and the prayers on their behalf. Morning and night and several times in-between, I ask my Heavenly Father to take care of my children. I want them to stay close to the Gospel of Christ. Whatever else they aspire to in this life, if they continue strong and true in the faith, it'll make me happy.

May the words of the church hymn True to the Faith have special significance as you ponder the greatest gift you could give on Father's Day:

"True to the faith that our parents have cherished,
True to the truth for which martyrs have perished,
To God’s command,
Soul, heart, and hand,
Faithful and true we will ever stand."
(Hymns, True to the Faith, no. 254)

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Codes and Commandments

In the first of Disney's "Pirates of the Caribbean" movies, Elizabeth Swan is captured and taken aboard the cursed Black Pearl. She invokes the "pirate's code" and declares "parlay" in order to bargain for her life. Afterwards, when things don't go completely as she hoped, she confronts Captain Barbossa and demands he follow the pirate's code. His response to her is, "the code is more of what you'd call 'guidelines' than actual rules."

As Christians, we live by a much higher code than that of pirates. We call our code of conduct the commandments. While some people like to think of Heavenly Father's commandments as guidelines, He expects us to follow them fully like laws.

The purpose of following the commandments is not to bind us down, nor to take away our freedom. They are actually a protection against behaviors and actions that could be harmful to us physically, emotionally, and spiritually. In fact, the Lord promises that we will be blessed in many different ways when we are obedient to His laws.

"And moreover, I would desire that ye should consider on the blessed and happy state of those that keep the commandments of God. For behold, they are blessed in all things, both temporal and spiritual; and if they hold out faithful to the end they are received into heaven, that thereby they may dwell with God in a state of never–ending happiness. O remember, remember that these things are true; for the Lord God hath spoken it."
(Book of Mormon, Mosiah 2:41)

Unfortunately, there are people who like to take shortcuts and obey only partially, or when it is convenient, or treat the commandments like loose guidelines. Imagine what it would be like if everyone followed the traffic laws like guidelines, instead of obeying them completely. It might look something like this Goofy cartoon.

I'm glad that we have the commandments to help keep us safe from the dangers of the world. Many times the danger is not obvious or immediate, but we should place our trust in the Lord that his words will bless us and guide us to eternal life. I pray that you'll exercise faith by learning about God's commandments and follow them to the very best of your abilities. I know that you'll be blessed as you do so.

Givers and Takers

Among the many mysterious ojects in the universe one of the most intriguing are what are called "black holes". They start as massive stars 10 to 15 times the size of our own sun. At the end of their life, the star collapses in on itself leaving behind a small object with gravity so strong nothing can escape it, not even light. A black hole orbiting around a companion star would suck the gases and matter from that star into itself until nothing is left of the star. Anything and everything that gets near it is pulled inside.

Conception of a black hole pulling gas off of a nearby star. Credit: ESA/NASA

In contrast to a black hole, consider our own sun. This shining bright star gives light and life to everything on the earth. It maintains balance within the solar system. It radiates light, heat, and energy. Without the sun, the earth would be a cold, lifeless rock in space.

Sun Sky - Noel James Celfi Gallery Photos

While some people are like the sun, others are like black holes. I'll call them "givers" and "takers." Givers share what they have, radiate warmth, and give life to others around them. Takers not only receive, but they take anything and everything that they can.

The apostle Paul described "takers" in this way:
"This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away."

(New Testament, 2 Timothy 3:1 - 5)

As a black hole devours all matter and energy into itself, takers also take away the light of Christ, and replace it with selfishness and hatred. They are all about what they can get out of life.

This is in direct contrast to what we as Christians should be like. The Savior taught us this:
"A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another."

(New Testament, John 13:34 - 35)

Mosiah further explained it in the Book of Mormon:

"...humble yourselves even in the depths of humility, calling on the name of the Lord daily, and standing steadfastly in the faith.... And behold, I say unto you that if ye do this ye shall always rejoice, and be filled with the love of God, and always retain a remission of your sins; and ye shall grow in the knowledge of the glory of him that created you, or in the knowledge of that which is just and true. And ye will not have a mind to injure one another, but to live peaceably, and to render to every man according to that which is his due. And also, ye yourselves will succor those that stand in need of your succor; ye will administer of your substance unto him that standeth in need; and ye will not suffer that the beggar putteth up his petition to you in vain, and turn him out to perish."

(Book of Mormon, Mosiah 4:11 - 16)

My hope is that you will work towards becoming a brilliant shining giver, rather than a dark, all-consuming taker.

My Mom

"The work of a mother is hard, too often unheralded work."
(Jeffrey R. Holland, “‘Because She Is a Mother’,” Ensign, May 1997, 35)

I'd like to take the opportunity this Mother's Day to honor my own mother. She has always been a great example of selfless love, patience, courage, compassion, kindness, meekness, faith, nurturing, and sacrifice. Even now in the midst of a debilitating disease, she remains positive and cheerful. She used to sing and play the piano. How I wish I coud hear her voice sing again, and her hands play the beautiful music of my grandfather.

President Monson perfectly described my mother when he said the following in April General Conference of 1992:

"Mother, who willingly made that personal journey into the valley of the shadow of death to take us by the hand and introduce us to birth—even to mortal life—deserves our undying gratitude. One writer summed up our love for mother when he declared, 'God could not be everywhere, and so He gave us mothers.'

While on the cruel cross of Calvary, suffering intense pain and anguish, Jesus 'saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son! Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother!' (John 19:26–27.) What a divine example of gratitude and love!

My own mother may not have read to me from the scriptures; rather, she taught me by her life and actions what the 'Good Book' contains."
(Thomas S. Monson, “An Attitude of Gratitude,” Ensign, May 1992, 54)

I thank Heavenly Father for my Mom and everything she taught me, both by example and by her words. I hope that my daughters will someday be as good a mother to their children as my own mother was to me. And may my son find a mate as worthy as my Mom.

I love you, Mom.

Loving to Laugh

Some people who are unfamiliar with our church are surprised to learn that we like to laugh and have a good time. We have church dances, birthday parties, wedding receptions, anniversary celebrations, and so on. We watch funny television shows and movies. There is a scripture in the Book of Mormon that assures us that the Adam's transgression in the Garden of Eden was necessary in order for us to enjoy life.

"Adam fell that men might be; and men are, that they might have joy."(Book of Mormon, 2 Nephi 2:25)

Of course, "joy" means much more than just being entertained or having a good laugh. On the other hand, life without laughter would be rather dull. Each of us has various trials to endure in life and laughter helps us get through the tough times.

Here's a clip from an old Disney movie, "Son of Flubber", which I think is incredibly funny!:



That was good, clean humor, without obscenities, sexual references, or vulgarities. That's what makes me laugh.



If we're not careful, we can actually get carried away, although not up to the ceiling. It's important to be mindful not to laugh at another person's expense nor in a manner that would offend. Humor that is enjoyed and shared by everyone is the best kind and I believe that it is a gift from Heavenly Father to us so that we can have joy. I love to laugh.