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.

Standing Up for Truth

Sometimes it can be tough deciding when and how to defend your beliefs. It's not easy to say or do something that might offend close friends or the people you associate with even though it's the right thing to do.

Carrie Prejean is Miss California, a graduate of Vista High School here in San Diego County and currently a student at San Diego Christian College. She was a finalist in the recent Miss USA pageant. During the interview question portion of the competition, she was asked how she felt about legalizing gay marriage. She responded, "In my country, in my family, I think that I believe that a marriage should be between a man and a woman. No offense to anybody out there, but that's how I was raised."



She wasn't chosen to be Miss USA and some believe that her response was the reason she lost the crown. All over the internet, radio, and TV people are criticizing her for her comments and beliefs. Does she regret how she answered the question? Not at all. At a church in San Diego today, she was quoted as saying the following:

“I don't take back what I said. No way I wasn't going to stand up for what I believe in"

“This is how I was bought up to believe. We have to be strong and true to our faith and our beliefs.”

“Are you going to stand up for what you believe or are you going to compromise to win Miss USA.”
(SD Union Tribune article)

Miss Prejean is not a Mormon, but she certainly is a great example of standing up for what you believe to be right even in the face of strong opposition.

It can be very discouraging when the people around us don't support our beliefs or values. We should keep in mind though that whenever we feel alone and in despair, we can turn to the Lord for help and courage to lift us up.



I love my children very much. I want them to hold firmly onto the true principles of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I hope they can stand up for what's right like Miss California did. I believe it's the only way to be truly happy in this difficult world.

.

Celebrating on Easter Sunday

Easter Sunday. Some celebrate this day with egg hunts, candy, toys, or fancy dinners. I would rather have my family try to remember that this is a day to celebrate the Atonement and Resurrection of the Saviour. There has been no greater gift offered to every human being than that of repentance and a hope of eternal life through the suffering and sacrifice of Jesus Christ. What a truly wonderful message this is!

The tomb where the body of Jesus Christ is believed to have been laid.
© 2009 Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.

At this Easter season of hope and renewal we testify of the glorious reality of the atonement and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. The empty tomb brought comforting assurance and provided the answer to the question of Job, “If a man die, shall he live again?” (Job 14:14).

Because of the Savior’s resurrection we will overcome death and become the beneficiaries of His mercy and grace. In a world of trouble and uncertainty, His peace fills our hearts and eases our minds. Jesus is in very deed “the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6).

We give our sure witness that Jesus is the Christ. Though He was crucified, He rose triumphant from the tomb to our everlasting blessing and benefit. To each member of the human family He stands as our Advocate, our Savior, and our Friend.

The First Presidency of the Church (President Thomas S. Monson and his counselors, President Henry B. Eyring and President Dieter F. Uchtdorf)

In the following video, Elder Jeffrey R. Holland describes the Savior’s solitary journey to overcome sin and death and testifies of the resulting blessings to all mankind.

"He is risen! He is risen!
Tell it out with joyful voice.
He has burst his three days’ prison;
Let the whole wide earth rejoice.
Death is conquered; man is free.
Christ has won the victory."
("199: He Is Risen!,” Hymns of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, no. 199)

I invite you to think about these things, to pray about them and allow the Holy Ghost to bear witness that these messages are true. I have done so and testify that they are.

April 2009 General Conference

This was General Conference weekend. There were many wonderful messages from the general authorities of the church. I don't have anything to add other than to invite you to go to the archives to review and study their words, especially the words of our living prophet, President Monson.

http://lds.org/conference/sessions/display/0,5239,23-1-1032,00.html

I'm so grateful for the technology that makes it possible to go back and experience the spirit of General Conference. What a wonderful blessing it is.

A Peculiar People

In the 1960s there was a show about a very odd group of people known as the Addams Family. Over the years, it has been recreated in cartoons, comics, movies, TV reunions and revivals. I still prefer, though, the original black and white version. The opening to the show is a classic.

Despite their unusual appearance, the family was rather quite conventional. The parents, Gomez and Morticia, loved their two children, Wednesday and Pugsley, and would do anything to ensure they were well cared for. Grandmama and Uncle Fester were extended members of the family who also helped to take care of family matters. Lurch was the menacingly tall butler with a soft heart. Visitors to the Addams mansion were always warmly welcomed. Gomez was quite generous with his abundant wealth and gladly gave huge amounts of money to friends and worthy causes.

On the other hand, there aren't too many families who blow up model trains, light up light bulbs by sticking one in their mouth, have a lion as a pet, or include a torture rack in their rec room. To the outside world, the Addams household was weird and unusual. They were not like everyone else.

It seems to me that in some ways, we as members of the Church, are often viewed as though we are also just as strange. Our standards, values, and morals don't always go along with those of society at large. And, as the years go by and society's standards stray farther from those we hold dear we may find ourselves appearing more and more odd. For example, our views on same-sex marriage, chastity, alcohol, Sabbath day activities have already put us at odds with various groups of people.

It shouldn't matter to us, however, what other people think or say about us. What matters is what the Lord has said to us:
"But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy."
(New Testament, 1 Peter 2:9 - 10)

Paul suffered greatly and was persecuted for his beliefs. That didn't stop him from believing.
"For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek."
(New Testament, Romans 1:16)

And, if we are ridiculed or unpopular because of what we believe to be true the Lord has promised us his blessings and protection.
"Therefore, fear not, little flock; do good; let earth and hell combine against you, for if ye are built upon my rock, they cannot prevail."
(Doctrine and Covenants, Section 6:34)

Try not to be discouraged by what friends or people may say about you because of who you are and what you believe. The Addams family was a happy bunch of people and they didn't care what anybody thought about them either. The Lord will bless you for your faithfulness. I believe that with all my heart.