Would To God That It Were True

Today I was reading on Gospelink.com and I came across a book by Elder Vaughn J. Featherstone, called Commitment.  At the end of the last chapter is written a beautiful quote by "Honest Abe" (Hint -- Our Fifth US President):
   
"[Elder Featherstone] once heard president Harold B. Lee quote Abraham Lincoln in about these words: If a man had a tightrope and stretched it across Niagara Falls, then he commenced to attempt to cross the tightrope, carrying in his arms everything you treasured as priceless and dear, you would not be yelling at him trying to get him to lose his balance and fall. You would be kneeling and praying with all of your soul that he would make it. So it is with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Every soul on the earth who has heard the message ought to kneel and pray with all his or her heart that it is true. They ought to say, "Would to God that it were true."  


Wow.  He truly understood what we as members believe, and more importantly, what we value most in this life.  I just thought I'd share that, because it isn't every day that you hear a US President say something of this nature.  Gratefully, I know that the message that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints shares with the world is, in fact true.  That knowledge of course came only through a leap of faith, much like the one described by Pres. Lincoln.  (mormon.org)  

LOVE CAME KNOCKING

By Mabel Jones Gabbott

(An awesome poem I found from the Improvement Era, 1944)

LOVE came knocking at my heart,
But found therein an angry word,
With riled resentment built around,
So that his knock could not be heard.
Faith touched my shoulder one bright day,
But I shrugged on, quite unconcerned;
I had no need of God, I thought,
And faith walked by and never turned.
Peace sang her tuneful melody
Into my soul. I heard too late,
For I was brooding o'er a wrong
And heaping fancied hurt on hate.
Now love is gone, and faith is lost,
And peace is far away and frail.
Dear God, another chance, I pray,
And vision that I may not fail.

This poem teaches me not to dwell too much on my mistakes as to miss the opportunities that invite me to forgive myself and to ultimately let love in.  Good lesson.    

Sir, Give Me This Water

Today we had a performance for a bunch of high ranking officials in the marine corps here at our barracks.  I thought it went pretty well.  Our concert was for the most part pretty solid.  Then, we formed a marching block... so we could march.  And then after getting into position near the south end of the parade deck closest to the commandants house, we played the music for the color sequence (grand ole flag, national anthem, etc.)  Next, we stood in place while the names of all 28 guests of honor were... honored, as we played flag officers march which is for all generals of the navy/marine corps along with any government official (SEO, or Senior Executive Officer) that equals similar rank in their particular career field.  I mean, some of these people have been working toward they are now for longer then I'm alive, and then some.  My hats off to these people who have sacrificed so much to serve their country and those that are within their spheres of responsibility.  

I've felt a definite change in attitude today toward my experience here with this premier marching unit.  I felt proud to be apart of something so much greater than I can fathom, and to have been able to see the fruits of my labors (in part) already, as this (my) first summer parade seasons nears it close.  It's also a knowledge that all of the opposition that I've personally faced has been an opportunity to gain strength and endurance for even greater heights to climb, and that all things can work together for good if I have faith in Christ and his atonement, for me.  

Last night, I was reading over many of the journal entries from my mission, and I was reminded of the power of God that was manifest daily, either in the lives of the people that we taught, or in our own hearts in the process.  Tonight, I was reading in my Spanish Bible right before our performance, and I came across the section about the living waters that Christ offers to all that believe in him.  A peaceful feeling came over me as I pondered upon the words of the Samaritan woman at the well, in reply to Christs invitation..  "Sir, give me this water, that I thirst not, neither come hither to draw."  Her confidence in his words of promise are encouraging to me because they inspire hope that I can know where to turn for the truest source of peace, and joy that I seek in this life, full of so many empty promises and cheap substitutes for long-lasting happiness.  He is the source of light, strength, and encouragement that I need to keep going, even "when (all) other sources cease to make me whole" (Where Can I Turn For Peace"). 

So to sum up my experience this evening, I feel grateful for a renewed sense of meaning and purpose, and for the evidence of faith (from my mission) that rekindled the flame that lately, has been fighting desperately to merely survive.  Just goes to show what a little mustard seed can do to change your day, (mustard seed = faith :)  Well, that's about all folks.  Too tired to continue..  Over and out.