Month: July 2022

In The Strength of the Lord

But in this thing they were disappointed, for the Nephites did not fear them; but they did fear their God and did supplicate him for protection; therefore, when the armies of Giddianhi did rush upon them they were prepared to meet them; yea, in the strength of the Lord they did receive them. 3 Nephi 4:10 https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/bofm/3-ne/4?id=p10&lang=eng#p10

This phrase really struck me this morning. The story is that of a people who were threatened by a rogue group of bandits basically. The people out aside their differences under the direction of an inspired leader and gathered together in one location for safety and to pool resources against this group of bandits.

When the bandits came to battle the Nephites were prepared to meet them because they had followed their prophets and leaders, they had repented and turned to the Lord. They asked for His help and His strength along with their efforts produced victory and freedom from the bandits.

Am I following the prophet of my day, President Russell M. Nelson? I would say yes I am but I can do better. I can do better in my study of Christ’s life and attributes. I can do Family History every day. I can do better at my calling. I can seek personal revelation and follow those promptings more consistently. I can repent and seek the Lord’s will in my life everyday.

Flowers seen along the Desolation Lake Trail

Oxeye Daisy

Thursday, july 14, I participated in a https://cottonwoodcanyons.org/Cottonwood Canyon Foundation Inavsive Weed activity at Soltitude Ski Resort. A small group of volunteers were educated by CCF staff regarding the issue of invasive plants and weeds that are threatening Big and Little Cottonwood Canyons.

Oxeye Daisy

The National Park Service says this about this seemingly innocent looking daisy: Ox-eye daisy is an aggressive invasive species. Once established, it can spread rapidly by means of roots and seeds into undisturbed meadows, woodlands, and riparian areas. It forms dense stands that tend to displace native vegetation, especially wildflowers.

I learned from Taylor Litwin, the Invasive Weed Specialist at CCF, that this plant actually changes the chemical composition of the soil which is how it displaces native plants.

For over an hour, the small group of volunteers pulled oxeye daisy from around a path at Solitude. We collected three bags of oxeye daisy making a small dent in that area.

My small contribution to removing oxeye daisy
The path after 8 volunteers had pulled oxeye daisy for over an hour.

After working for over an hour to pull inavsisve weeds, Taylor took us to Big Cottonwood Creek running through the property and on a bank of the creek we planted 96 native wildflowers.

Pulling the oxeye daisy was a frustrating experience for two reasons: 1. It was clear that this is a huge problem and would benefit from much more assistance and volunteering. 2. It was easy to pull the plant but it sneakily breaks off at the roots and the roots are very difficult if not impossible to completely remove. So, though it appears we made progress in a small area only time will tell if our efforts are truly efficacious.

Some life metaphors were taken from the experience. 1. Appearances can be deceptive..the oxeye daisy appears like any other daisy but it has a sinister effect on the environment around it. 2. Prevention and education are much easier in the long run than trying to fix the problem after it has already occurred. 3. CCF is a small volunteer organization but it is making a difference one person at a time. 4. Just as the roots of the oxeye daisy can change the chemical composition of the soil, seemingly innocuous habits and choices in life can change our inner parts..heart, mind and soul in ways that prevent growth and stunt our potential and may affect others around us. 5. Removing and replacing oxeye daisy is somewhat like repentance..we can do some of the work but the miraculous grace of the Atonement is the only thing that can truly repair the often unseen but debilitating damage caused by poor choices and bad habits.

I am Part of the Lord’s Grand Plan

As a covenant keeper, you are part of the house of Israel. You have been gathered, and you are a gatherer. The centuries-long epic story that began with a covenant between God and Abraham is building to its climax, and you are a key player. Now is the time when “Jesus will say to all Israel, ‘Come home.’” This is the message of the gatherers: Come home to the covenant. Come home to Zion. Come home to Jesus Christ, the Holy One of Israel, and He will bring you home to God, your Father. Thoughts to Keep in Mind: “Jesus Will Say to All Israel, ‘Come Home’” https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/come-follow-me-for-individuals-and-families-old-testament-2022/29-thoughts?id=p17-p18&lang=eng#p17

My early morning study as the sun is rising is about the descent of the Kingdoms of Israel into sin, their eventual destruction and scattering and now the “gathering” of the Lord’s people.

“When we speak of the gathering, we are simply saying this fundamental truth: every one of our Heavenly Father’s children, on both sides of the veil, deserves to hear the message of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. …
“Anytime you do anything that helps anyone—on either side of the veil—take a step toward making covenants with God and receiving their essential baptismal and temple ordinances, you are helping to gather Israel. It is as simple as that.” President Russell M. Nelson

I try to remember this everyday because if I can remember and act in accordance, I am blessed, my family is blessed and the Lord blesses the lives of the people with whom I interact. I know the Lord blesses me greatly and I am humbled by His patience with me and His great love for me.

My wonderful friend Gerrie
Idaho Falls Temple with my parents, Max and Serena Watt
Hiking at Desolation Lake with Nicole and Gil

Ministering

Rise and Walk by Simon Dewey

President George Albert Smith (1870–1951) said of ministering to others: “Our eternal happiness will be in proportion to the way that we devote ourselves to helping others.” The Divine Mission of Jesus Christ: Minister https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/ensign/2014/06/the-divine-mission-of-jesus-christ-minister?id=p7&lang=eng#p7

I have been studying from a work book called Learn of Me by Stephanie Dibb Sorensen. She put together scriptures talks and articles about the life and attributes of the Savior based off Topical Guide references on Jesus Christ. I started this study in Septmeber, 2021.

In January 2017, President Russell M. Nelson of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints gave this advice: “Commence tonight to consecrate a portion of your time each week to studying everything Jesus said and did.” He suggested using the Topical Guide to do this. President Nelson in General Conference April 2017 related that he had done this challenge and he had become, “a different man,” as a result of his intensive study.

At first, I only did the study on Sundays but more recently I have tried to do it every day even if just for a few minutes. I am currently studying the attributes of Jesus Christ from a series in 2014 printed for Relief Society Visiting Teaching lessons.

This particular attribute of ministering is one that I have struggled to do consistently in my life. I tell myself that I am here to serve others but far to often my daily actions are selfish and focused on my needs.

Even at work where it is my job to minister to the needs of the sick, I have to make a conscious effort to focus on the needs of the patient and their families versus my need to get ‘my work’ done.

I really love the verse quoted above by President Smith and know that my life has been most rewarding when I am immersed in the ministering to others such as during my mission working in a refugee camp in Thailand, during the time my children were young and sporadically since then when doing intensive service for my Church callings. The other times I truly feel like I am ministering are the nights my family and I make and serve dinner to homeless youth in Salt Lake City.

Navajo Taco and Scone Night at Homeless Youth Resource Center

The effort to serve and the feeling of being of service are worth the ‘sacrifce’ of self, time and resources. I will keep working on developing this attribute in my life every day.

Sunday Morning Study

Abiding in God and Repairing the Breach https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2017/10/abiding-in-god-and-repairing-the-breach?lang=eng

In reading from Learn of Me a study guide on Jesus Christ in the Topical Guide, this morning I was directed to this talk by Sis. Neill F. Marriott. She asks several insightful questions that I plan on pondering today.

1. How are we going to wholeheartedly accept His invitation to draw near to Him and thus enjoy the blessings He longs to give us in this life and in the world to come?

2. Do we trust Him enough to abide in Him and walk with Him?

3. What matters to you? What is lasting to you?

4. Can you feel the depth of the love running through Their preparations for your joy and growth?

Sis. Marriott uses this scripture from Isaiah 58:12. “And they that shall be of the shall build the old waste places; though shalt raise up the foundations of many generations; and thou shalt be called the repairer of the breach and the restorer of the paths to dwell in.”

I want to be a repairer of the breach and build up waste places. Waste places and breaches in people’s hearts and souls and relationships as well as waste places in lives and our environment. Our Heavenly Father’s love is the truly the key to life and growth.

“When we give our heart to the Father and the Son, we change our world–even if the circumstances around us do not change.” Neill F. Marriott

My Front Lawn- A Waste Place