Weekend Trip to Ontario: Niagara Falls and Palmyra, New York

     Last weekend (October 12 to 15, 2012) I went to visit Justine Jalaff (Townsend) in Ontario. This trip was my first visit to Ontario and I loved it! Ontario is beautiful in the Fall, bursting with warm colours--red, yellow, orange and brown.

     I visited Niagara Falls and went for a ride on the Maid of the Mist--a ferry that brings passengers close to the Falls. I joined everyone in donning a blue poncho, but I pulled back my hood at times so I could enjoy the full burst of spray and mist created by the powerful tumbling waters. On the Canada side (Horseshoe Falls), the waters churned more gray and fierce.

    The mist and spray created a rainbow! So wonderful. Unfortunately, there were many blue poncho people in the way of the picture.

Blue Poncho People

    I got to know Benny, Justine's husband, better throughout the weekend. He is a very kind, thoughtful, funny man. I am happy for Justine and Benny. They are perfect for each other.

     We all went on the Maid of the Mist together, saw the attractions, and drove down to Palmyra the next day.

     Palmyra is a wonderful place. One of the coolest things in my life. I have grown up in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, seeing pictures of Palmyra, and hearing stories of the coming forth of the Book of Mormon, and then, I have the opportunity to see these things in the flesh. So cool. I would hear other people talking about their experiences in Palmyra and I would make a wish in my heart that I could go someday too. And now I have!

     I didn't take as many pictures of the Smith Farm, I think because I know there are already pictures and paintings of the house, so I took pictures of the surrounding area. I love the big round tree with the red leaves.

     I was most excited to walk into the Sacred Grove. On the way there, Justine said to me, "this is sacred ground, because Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ appeared here." I knew that, but her comment helped to remind me of the sacredness of where I was going. I walked in by myself imagining that the Saviour was by my side holding my hand. I don't know why I did, but it was really special to me. I felt my Saviour close to me as I entered. I didn't have an exciting experience, but I did feel at peace.

     I walked deep into the grove and sat on a bench and prayed in my heart to the Father. I think the most special part was that I was spending time with Him, and I haven't done that for a while, without all the distractions of life. I ponder about how Joseph Smith chose to go to the grove to pray, instead of praying in his room beside his bed. Maybe there were many distractions around and maybe he understood that by going somewhere quiet, somewhere where he could be alone with the Father, somewhere beautiful and quiet and peaceful, he would feel closer to Him.

     I would love to go to a grove of trees to pray every morning and every night, somewhere deep within the trees, away from the distractions of the world, but I live in a city. I live in Edmonton, Alberta Canada, not Palmyra, New York. And that doesn't mean that I can't have sacred and special experiences. It just reinforces to my mind the importance of finding a quiet place, and a quiet time to pray. We can have those Sacred Grove experiences every day where we can feel peace and a closeness with God. And we can have those experiences in "our closets". :)

     I feel the most at peace when I spend time with my Heavenly Father. If I do, these are the times I feel the strongest. I love the words of Apostle Joseph B. Wirthlin: "Do you love the Lord? Spend time with Him." As I remember those words, I remember how much the Lord loves me and wants to spend time with me too.

     All in the all the holiday was rejuvenating. I had so much fun and I met a lot of friendly people.
  

"Camilo" by Said the Whale

I found a fun video through a trail via Diana's post of 

"Lines" by Said the Whale.

I really like the ending of this video (Camilo).

A reason why opposites attract:

We each have something the other lacks that helps the other person.

The boy and girl in this video complete each other. :)

Communication Packages

A painful experience opened my mind to pondering the presentation of words and the power and effect that their presentation can have upon the recipient. I began to imagine communication as wrapped packages or presents exchanged between two or more people. The wrapping of each package can have an effect on the initial reaction/response of the recipient.

Imagine receiving a package wrapped in bright paper, ribbons and bows with each corner neatly folded. The time and effort the sender has taken is easily visible and makes it easier to receive the package with an open and grateful heart.

Then, imagine receiving a package wrapped in a dirty smelly sock. How much harder it would be to accept this package.

Words are like packages that carry within them information and emotion—an exchange of ideas and understanding—but do we always understand? The words are not the important part of communication. Instead, the meaning behind the words and the emotions conveyed by them is the core to our understanding.

But the way we present our communication, can set us up for the success or failure of being understood. Even if the speaker has something to say that is important and or true,if it was said in a negative/offensive way, the recipient may have already hardened their heart to whatever the speaker has to say and completely disregard the message. Or,if we joke about what we mean, the importance of the message becomes less so and the recipient may disregard it because they perceive it was unimportant.

Sometimes harsh words are said to wound and inflict, and most of the time, behind the hurtful words is a wounded heart. A wounded heart can be weak, but it can also be malleable, and in that state the heart has an opportunity to be changed and shaped. When we communicate negatively, this negates the ability to change the heart into something better and instead hardens the heart. The spirit of contention, whose purpose is to tear down, destroy and make all men miserable,  can easily overwhelm if we let it in and quickly lock our hearts to the spirit of forgiveness.

On the other hand, kindness builds and strengthens. Great power comes from bridling our passion. It is a mistake to think that restraint is a weakness. I would rather be secure and stable than let passionate emotion rage forth and create a chaos of my life. I would rather people respected me than be afraid of me. I would rather people loved me because I loved them instead of because I was “right”.

Be careful of the desire to tell someone off, show them up, or give them a piece of your mind. These seem so satisfying, but are self-gratifying, and are only ways to nurse pride and lose respect. There are better ways to communicate frustration and anger, without attacking.

Perfection in and through Jesus Christ

A recent experience motivated me to make a study of perfection—of the requirements to enter into the Kingdom of God. My purpose is to clear the confusion I felt and to clear any misconceptions others may have of placing a time limit on perfection.

Nephi states, “Wherefore, if ye have sought to do wickedly in the days of your probation, then ye are unclean before the judgment-seat of God; and no unclean thing can dwell with God, wherefore, ye must be cast off forever. (1 Nephi 10:21).

First, we must recognize that Nephi tells us that “we must be cast off forever” if we “have sought to do wickedly” in this life. Earnestly striving to build His Kingdom is far different from seeking to do wickedness.

Also, Nephi was not perfect, and he expresses his weakness in words we can relate:

   “Nevertheless, notwithstanding the great ^agoodness of the Lord, in showing me his great and marvelous works, my heart exclaimeth: O ^bwretched man that I am! Yea, my heart ^csorroweth because of my flesh; my soul grieveth because of mine iniquities.

   “I am encompassed about, because of the temptations and the sins which do so easily ^abeset me.”

   “And when I desire to rejoice, my heart groaneth because of my sins; nevertheless, I know in whom I have ^atrusted.

   “My God hath been my support; he hath led me through mine ^bafflictions in the wilderness; and he hath preserved me upon the waters of the great deep.”

Matthew cautions us to “[w]atch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak” (26:41).

Nephi groaned because of his sins, and often we may hear ourselves say something like, “What is wrong with me? Why do I keep making the same mistake?” When we express such consternation, we represent how “the spirit indeed is willing,” but we fall into temptation because “the flesh is weak.”

But, we have the atonement. Alma teaches that “there can no man be saved except his garments are washed white; yea, his garments must be purified until they are cleansed from all stain, through the blood of him of whom it has been spoken by our fathers, who should come to redeem his people from their sins.” (5:21) He cleanses us, and he makes up for our imperfections. For this purpose, Jesus Christ came into the world so that we could be cleansed from all iniquity and return to live with God again. 

Bishop Shipley gave a talk last Sunday where he taught us the importance of faith in the atonement in order for the atonement to work for us. Both Corihor and Sherem were not saved because they did not have faith in the atonement. On the other hand Zeezrom and Alma the younger were saved because they did have this faith.

One final point I wanted to make is that we must be resurrected before we can become perfect. Elder Russell M. Nelson explains that “Jesus attained eternal perfection following his resurrection” and that “[r]esurrection is requisite for eternal perfection” (Perfection Pending, October 1995 General Conference).

According to Alma, we are resurrected before we are judged:

23 But God ceaseth not to be God, and mercy claimeth the penitent, and mercy cometh because of the atonement; and the atonement bringeth to pass the resurrection of the dead; and the resurrection of the dead bringeth back men into the presence of God; and thus they are restored into his presence, to be judged according to their works, according to the law and justice.” (Alma 42:23)

Yes, “no unclean thing can dwell with God,” but we are made clean through the blood of the Lamb.

President Spencer W. Kimball states that “[w]ere it not for the blessed gifts of repentance and forgiveness this would be a hopeless situation for man, since no one except the Master has ever lived sinless on the earth” (Miracle of Forgiveness 20).

Although there is not a time limit in this life for perfection, there is however a time limit for repentance: “This life is the time to repent. That is why I presume it will take a thousand years after the first resurrection until the last group will be prepared to come forth. It will take them a thousand years to do what it would have taken but three-score and ten to do in this life” (11).

As long as we have faith in the atonement, repent, keep our covenants and strive to live worthy, enduring to the end, our hearts single to serving God, we will be saved at the last day and enter into the Kingdom of God to dwell with Him.

Related Talks:

“Perfection Pending” Russell M. Nelson, October 1995 General Conference

·   “What Does It Mean to Be Perfect?” Cecil O. Samuelson, January 2006 New Era

The Faith Bicycle

This morning as I rode through the ravine, deep in thought, I somehow started thinking, “how is riding a bicycle like the gospel?” The question then turned into another: How is faith like riding a bicycle?

These are my thoughts:

Each trial in its uniqueness is a hill of differing sizes and inclines. In order to overcome each hill and reach the top, we must continue pedaling—keep using faith. We must utilize our faith if we are to succeed in our goal. And what is the ultimate goal? God and perfection, or eternal life.

Do we care to reach that goal? And what about each goal along the way? Why bother pedaling without a goal in mind? Something to do?

We all pedal for one reason or another. What is your reason? The only danger is when we stop pedaling altogether, stop fighting, and give up. Sometimes our trials are so treacherous and steep we feel we cannot endure. Losing faith along these inclines is easy. We might have to get off our bike and walk with it, but we must never let go of faith, or we will lose our transportation to the eternities. Hold fast and cling tight.

The great blessing of each incline is that each arduous push of the pedals and each step upwards build muscles we could not obtain by walking an easy road. Each step allows you to grow closer to perfection and close to God.

The next time we reach a similar hill we will be stronger and we will be able to pedal with greater ease.  The journey is not easy but it is definitely worth it.

The Kingdom of God and perfection, is the destination. We can’t transport ourselves, and thank goodness! The journey is necessary to build the spiritual muscles needed to do and perform our work in the Kingdom of Heaven. Perfection, obtained only in the eternities, is a process. This period of development is why everyone must go through every hill and every climb, and pass every trial God gives them. But we don’t have to do it alone. Our bike, or, our faith in God, and His aid will help us on our way.

"Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ—that is the first principle of the gospel. We must go forward. God expects you to have enough faith, determination, and trust in Him to keep moving, keep living, keep rejoicing. He expects you not simply to face the future; He expects you to embrace and shape the future—to love it, rejoice in it, and delight in your opportunities." (Elder Jeffrey R. Holland)

True Love

 Like in the fairytales, true love is real.

     However, it is not so commonly occuring or easy as eyes meeting across a ballroom or a magical kiss. While I woke up this morning a few thoughts approached me and I began to ponder: love is not found through lust and true love requires work. 

                                     

     Sometimes we attempt to find love through the expression of physical intimacy but that is not how it is found. Instead, physical intimacy can squelch true love.

Love is not easy; however, it is not a complicated ten-chalkboard-long math equation either.

        We can definitely pray for love, have hope for love, and be grateful for love, but to feel and show true love takes action.

Prayer is always the first step—to get on our knees is the foundation for success, but we will have only a foundation unless we pick up the tools provided for us by the Saviour and start building Love.

True love takes time.

In his article “Love Takes Time” Marvin J. Ashton shares a relatable story: “Upon returning home from his day’s work, [a] father greeted his boy with a pat on the head and said, “Son, I want you to know I love you.”

     The son responded with, “Oh Dad, I don’t want you to love me, I want you to play football with me.” Here was a boy conveying a much-needed message.”

Marvin J. Ashton also states the importance of building love: “True love is a process. True love requires personal action. Love must be continuing to be real. Love takes time. Too often expediency, infatuation, stimulation, persuasion, or lust are mistaken for love. How hollow, how empty if our love is no deeper than the arousal of momentary feeling or the expression in words of what is no more lasting than the time it takes to speak them.”

In dating relationships and even at times in marriage, love is sometimes sought for in the expression of physical intimacy. How mistaken are we if this is where we think we will find it. This “arousal of momentary feeling” inevitably pushes love farther from the heart and replaces it with lust. Self-esteem is lowered, confidence in ourselves and in each other dwindles. Trusting smiles are replaced with regretful silences or angry words of blame and our hearts become impenetrable with barriers of distrust and guilt. Giving way to selfishness and greed opens up a Pandora’s Box.

Little do we realize that in these unfortunate moments the expression of inappropriate physical intimacy pushes us farther away from the one we say we love. Trying to save a relationship through physical intimacy slowly but surely destroys it; lust is like the silent yet deadly carpenter ants which burrowing and feeding creates weaknesses in our foundation. The structure of the relationship becomes precarious and if not corrected will crumble and fall.

Lust mocks love. How Satan laughs and rejoices as he succeeds in confusing us with his imitation and steals the light from our eyes. We are blinded to true love as we willingly give up our agency in the expression of lust in the search for love.

Lust is a poison. Lust destroys. Rather than uniting and saving, inappropriate physical intimacy causes a relationship to fail. The only thing that succeeds, the only thing that lasts is Charity. Charity is the greatest of all, the pure love of Christ, and the only thing that cannot fail. It is the only thing we can rely on. Everything else must and will fail.

Don't wait for love--create love.

True love must be developed with kindness, service, patience, respect, prayerful understanding, and all of the little acts of time spent, genuine concern, patient listening and sincere repentance and forgiveness.

True love doesn't go missing. Like a car that hasn't had an oil change in years and has remained unused rusting in the ditch, or a plant without sunlight or water which then dies, love, if not provided with maintenance and nurturing, will get rusty, sick or die. Love takes work.

 

Being intimate can be one of the most beautiful expressions of love, but when it is used to find love, or even rediscover a love that once was there, it becomes sickening. Nevertheless, I believe the more we truly love one another the more exquisite and beautiful the expression of physical intimacy—not the other way around. Inasmuch as love and lust are polar opposites, moving towards one separates us from the other. Physical intimacy can be a beautiful way of expressing true love, but only when that love is built and established on a sure foundation.

With true love, like in the fairy-tales, we can live happily ever after.

Little Droplets

    One of my joys is how a rainy day can transform the world outside and allow things to be seen from a different perspective. The tone and mood shifts; the indoors becomes a cozy refuge for those who love to stay warm, or, outside is a chilling attraction, for those who love to get wet and dance in the rain.



     I love how the rain paints every single thing it touches, deepening each shade, and how leaves and petals become rest stops for little droplets.

    These images are some of others that I have captured on one rainy day.

And, I'm not sure how this relates but when I thought of "deepen" I thought of the following quote by Ezra Taft Benson (so I just thought I'd throw it in here):

“Men and women who turn their lives over to God will discover that He can make a lot more out of their lives than they can. He will deepen their joys, expand their vision, quicken their minds, strengthen their muscles, lift their spirits, multiply their blessings, increase their opportunities, comfort their souls, raise up friends, and pour out peace.”

     Heavenly Father created this world, and He created you. He knows what to do, how to care and comfort you, even if you feel like you've been beaten, robbed and thrown in a ditch, friendless and comfortless, without hope and waiting for death.

   Like the good Samaritan, He will rescue you.