Another Talk...always a good thing :)

To realize that things can actually be exactly how they appear, or act, or even seem may be a little out of reach for most of us.  In my life at least, I've noticed people who seem super nice, so friendly, and then you walk away and well.... the horns, the tail, and the pitchfork come out.  In David A. Bednar's talk, "Things As They Really Are", Elder Bednar connects this idea of things being really what they are not only to media, and technology but to our bodies, and overall roles as sons and daughters of God.  He makes it clear that although these great technology of our day can be wonderful and be used to create/discover/event/explore/learn/etc. these things can also be a tool for Satan.  Gosh, it seems that whenever we get something that seems really great.... there is Satan laughing and being overly happy because he sees the potential for evil.  Okay but really quick side story, I actually have talked a bit to Elder Bednar, :o i know, it was a surprise for me as well.  Coming from a small (less than 60 people on an average Sunday) branch in Vermont, I never thought I would get to talk to an apostle, come on, what were the chances? But almost 2 years ago, my small branch was selected with 2 others across America to have a Q&A session (using some sort of Skype program) with both Elder Bednar, and Elder Scott.  We could ask them anything, and they would answer.  It was by far the most spiritual event that has ever happened in my life.  Obviously we still all talk about it because it was such a big deal.  But anyways, back to the talk, :), my favorite section was when Bednar talked about us being the chosen generation.  I remember once at Youth Conference, having a counselor in the stake presidency, bear his testimony of the faith he had in the youth.  That he was confident in the future, and in the fact that the church would continue to grow because he knew us and what kind of people we were.  I remember feeling the Spirit really strong, I felt a personal connection.  I knew the responsibility was mine.  I had an obligation to build up the Church and to do my part.  God kept me back for this time on Earth, He needs me now, and this is the time selected for me to reach my full potential.  It's incredible! Yep, that's all I can say because it makes me... I don't even know how to describe it.  So lesson of this little tale :), can and should we use the internet and online sites, technology etc....  YES!  should we spend 16 hours a day glued to facebook and twitter, and do nothing else... NO!  Okay, i'm glad we got that settled.  :)

Henry B. Eyring... you rock my socks :)

So… first blog post ever, this is very exciting, a momentous occasion.  Oh and it just happens to be on an amazing talk given by Elder Henry B. Eyring.  The talk, entitled A Child of God, focuses mainly on how we can achieve academic success, but also remain humble and not fall into the pitfall of being prideful.  Elder Eyring throughout this talk gives great metaphors for life, originally starting out with almost a war theme, not only telling an account, but referring to spiritual bullets and “casualties”.  Later, continuing on with a medicine metaphor mentioning antidotes and correct dosages.  The body of his talk, however, was in the listing of 5 characteristics or habits among great learners.   But wait; hold a minute, before I get into that whole section, I was so happy that he mentioned the talk about pride given by President Benson.  Short, true side story: Probably around 6 months ago, or longer, I got to attend a Zone Conference in my stake, and actually participate in all the activities and discussion… seriously, just the most amazing experience ever, being surrounded by all the missionaries, but anyways, they discussed this talk in detail.  So… when Elder Eyring mentioned this talk I actually had a copy of it tucked away in my scriptures.   I was probably a little overly excited about it, but it was just really cool that I knew exactly what he was talking about.  Anyways, he listed the five things:

1)    -Welcome correction.  Holy cow, Elder Eyring, what are you trying to do to me?  Who else loves that he gives us something really hard first?  Taking criticism, I know it is something that we must grow to love and it will sincerely help us but… it can be really difficult.  I’ll have to take his advice and try to enjoy “jottings in red ink”.

2)    - Keep commitments.  Getting a little easier, he’s breaking us in.  I always really appreciated this attribute because, well, it sucks when you have plans with someone and they cancel, or you’re in a group project and someone isn’t pulling their wait.  All I thought about when I read this section was… oxen.  Yes, oxen.  I thought about oxen bearing a yoke, and the situations that can happen if someone or well, an animal isn’t doing their part. 

3)      -Work hard.  Easier said than done.  We almost have to fight of that lazy, carnal man all the time.  It’s quite a boxing match on some days.  I do love how he stated, “Life at its longest is short.  What we do here determines the rest of our condition for eternity.”  If you think about that, about life in that context, you realize just how much we do have to work.  We are literally building our mansion above, building mansions isn’t easy.                                                                                                                                                              

4)   -Help  other people.  Gosh, this is so important, when I think about all the people who’ve helped me whether in school or in life or anytime, it makes so much sense to pay it forward.  We all have so much to offer, so much to bring to the table.  It wouldn’t be a great meal if everyone brought… let’s say mashed potatoes (although I would be very happy).  Everyone needs to bring what they have, and allow everyone else to feast upon it. 

5)     - Expect resistance and overcome it.  Elder Eyring is definitely using the sandwich technique to give us these points, starting difficult, being nice in the middle, and then hitting us once again on the bottom bun.  For me in my life, if things come easy usually I don’t appreciate them nearly as much as something I worked really hard for.  Oh and I loved his comment about his mom.  What do we expect?  An answer key?  Life really is a test, a place for us to prove ourselves. 

This talk although being about education and being humble, had the under lying theme of just how lucky we are to be children of God and… to actually know it.  How lucky are we?  If we but remember “who God is and what it means to be his child,” we’ll be protected, we’ll have promised blessings, and we’ll be able to accomplish so much not only in the educational field but in all aspects of life.  It is our competitive edge, our shield against whatever might try to knock us down.  Gosh, just a great talk.  More to come on this blog, so keep reading J