Why He Stands Back

Journal entry for today:

"I was driving home from eating sunday dinner with my family (Orem, to my apartment in Provo), and this fireside came on. I have no idea who the speaker was. But he told a story, something like this:
When President Kimball was a young man, before he was 'President' Kimball, he rushed to the hospital to be with his three-year-old son. When he arrived at his son's room, he rushed to his son's side. His son said, 'Daddy, if you just hold me, I'll be alright.' But some members of the medical staff asked President Kimball to stand at the door, explaining that they weren't sure how severe the case was, and how contagious it might be. As he walked back to the door, his son cried out, 'Dad, why can't you just stay here and hold me?' President Kimball, overcome, ran to his son's side, but this time was escorted out of the room, and the door was locked. He stood in the hallway, with his hands pressed up against the glass, as his son cried, unable to understand why his father would not just come and hold him.
How does God feel when I suffer? I imagine he stands at the veil, with His hands pressed up, wishing He could hold me and say, 'Everything will be ok. I'm right here. I'm your Father, and I love you.'

New Temple. So Excited!

Provo, Utah "Tabernacle" Temple

I am so excited for this temple to be built. I live walking distance from the site, and from the existing Provo Temple. Timpanogos Temple is only about thirty minutes away as well. It will be so wonderful to have the opportunity to attend.

To learn all about the announcement and the church's plans for this new temple, visit this (unofficial) link.

Billings

I served as a missionary in Billings, Montana about one year ago, and spent six months there. Just as a disclaimer, it is impossible to talk about that experience comprehensively in a blog format. I kept a detailed journal and took lots of pictures, but I don't feel it's necessary to talk about the experience in detail. Suffice it to say, it was one of the greatest times of my life. I learned more about myself, others, and the gospel than at any other time in my life. I think it would almost be a shame to try to describe it all in detail. I had many sacred experiences, and also many terrible days. But altogether, when I think about my time in Billings, Montana, I am filled with gratitude and awe at the miracles and mercies that God showed to me and to those I was able to help.
There are so many faces that pass through my mind when I think about Billings. There were so many wonderful members of the Church, and so many investigators. There were those who were baptized, and those who slammed the door in my face. I can still remember details of streets and houses, and when I look at a map, memories flood back as I scan over the different areas I've been. It was 24/7, consecrated work with one purpose: to invite others to come unto Christ.
I decided I like the prezi idea, so I made another presentation for Billings.

Billings on

Harder Not to Suffer

This is a copy of an email sent out by Erin Heffelfinger, who is a close friend of mine. I met Erin while serving as a missionary in Montana. My companion and I were led by the Spirit to find her mother, and over the course of seven months we witnessed the conversion of their entire family. See the "Conversion Stories" tab, and also Erin's Conversion.


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I don't have a picture of the view from the M..this will do.

Over the weekend I hiked the M two nights in a row. The first we were up there until about 1:30 AM and the second night we reached the top at exactly midnight. Many conversations were had. Laughing, crying, serious conversations, silly conversations. But perhaps the most profound of all was one I had with a close friend. He asked me simply, "How have you been doing, really?" I’m not sure how I came up with my answer but I believe it was truly inspired.

I looked down into the valley illuminated by city lights as if dancing with an orchestra of sounds and movements. I said I couldn't decide what was more beautiful. Watching each person and each of their stories. Their dreams, their hopes, their excitement, their disappointments, etc. Watching what it really meant to be human and to be living. Each individual one little world of thought and experiences. Or If I wanted to stop them for just a moment and show them the world around them. Rather than focusing on the step behind them or the step in front of them, or even focusing on what was happening right then; I wanted them to see the person behind them, in front of them, and beside them. Realize their connection to each individual, and look beyond the cliché notions of living and really start to see truth and beauty of the world. Then I realized ... this must be what God sees. My friend looked at me puzzled.