Welcome Back: Talents and Opportunities

Hi! Welcome back!

The reason why I started writing again is because of this talk. I realized that I have a talent that I have not shared for a long time. It's not writing, I can tell you that but sharing my thoughts and my testimony, I believe, are my talents. I have been pretty good at writing in my journal recently, and my wife and I have been motivating and encouraging each other to write every night.

Anyways, I had some thoughts and I wanted to share them with you. You who may not read this ever or may not read this until years later. It doesn't matter to me. This could just be for me to vent.

Before I got married, most of my thoughts and concerns that I wanted to vent were about dating and just future plans. Now it's all about future plans. There is a job/career that I would love. However, the only thing that's preventing me from getting that job is degree. Many of you don't know but I have started a Master's degree in Student Affairs in January. It will help me move forward and advance my career.

This particular position I want might possibly become available as soon as April. I know the supervisor and he has told me that he would consider me for at least an interview if the position becomes available. However, due to an unforeseen event, there is an extra person in the office that might prevent them from hiring another person when the opportunity arises. It is frustrating because this person, I believe, does not deserve the position and I really really really REALLY want this position! All the time, all I ask for is an opportunity. An opportunity to talk about myself, my talents and skills, and my potential. When that is taken away from me, I get frustrated.

I tell myself that God has a plan for me. I know He does but it's always frustrating when there is something that could benefit not only you but so many people through you but you don't even get a chance to try out for it. That's the most frustrating part.

Although I complain like this, I know that He will comfort me and give me something that's better. Something that He has in store for me. I need to be patient as I always needed to be.

Posted by Q K 0 comments

Read More

A Particle of Faith (Updated)

I would like to tell you a story about myself. My family and I moved to the US when I was 13. I didn’t speak English at all but we somehow managed to join the Church a few months after moving here.
When I got baptized, I didn't know much about the Church. I even hated going to church and three hours of church were torture. However, as I started to make friends, I loved going to church just so that I could hang out with friends.

In the Church, we focus on “studying” the scriptures. We talk about how we shouldn’t merely read the scriptures but dive into them and try to understand the gospel and God’s will for us. However, for a young boy who didn’t speak English, I could care less about that. Maybe, you would say that I lacked faith, and that’s OK.

I never voluntarily read the scriptures to know that the Church and the teachings of the Church were true; although, I never doubted that they were true. Maybe I was too young or naïve not to question things of the Church. Maybe it was a blessing and a gift from God.

When I was first motivated to read the scriptures, was during seminary. My seminary teacher gave his students a prize every year if we attended seminary, memorized all the scripture masteries, and read the entire book of that year. I, of course, being an overachiever (and Asian) did all those things.

However, I can't say that I really studied the scriptures during those years but I just read them to say that I read all of them. I only had enough faith to read the scriptures. Perhaps, it was the same with attending church and doing other church related things. I only had enough faith to merely go through the motions.

What came out of just going through the motions is amazing, though. My last year in high school, we were studying Doctrine and Covenants. I was once again just reading the scriptures when I came across these verses:

"And now, after the many testimonies which have been given of him, this is the testimony, last of all, which we give of him: That he lives!
"For we saw him, even on the right hand of God; and we heard the voice bearing record that he is the Only Begotten of the Father—
"That by him, and through him, and of him, the worlds are and were created, and the inhabitants thereof are begotten sons and daughters unto God." (Doctrine and Covenants 76:22-24)

These verses hit me so hard! All the things I learned at church just connected like chains. I knew they were true. I knew that Joseph Smith was truly called of God and that the Book of Mormon was true. I was merely reading the scriptures but I still got a strong confirmation from the Holy Ghost.

Alma 32:27 states, "But behold, if ye will awake and arouse your faculties, even to an experiment upon my words, and exercise a particle of faith, yea, even if ye can no more than desire to believe, let this desire work in you, even until ye believe in a manner that ye can give place for a portion of my words."

Missionaries ask people they teach to do exactly this! Experiment! Exercise just a particle of faith! Some people have enough faith to read the entire chapter after the first appointment. Some only have enough faith to read a pamphlet. Some, enough to only pray. It doesn’t matter as long as they are exercising their faith.

One day you will find yourself not having enough faith to go on; to study the scriptures or pray like you once did. However, Alma invites us to exercise a particle of faith; even if that means that you only have enough faith to read one verse a day. So if you find yourself in that situation where you only have enough faith to read a verse or to say, “Father, I can’t do this,” do it. Whatever you can muster, whatever you can do at that moment, just do it. As I was blessed with an amazing experience for my small effort, you will also receive the same blessing of feeling God’s love for you. “Now behold, would not this increase your faith? I say unto you, Yea.” (Alma 32:29)

My faith was increased through that experience. I can’t say that I really studied the scriptures after that; however, my testimony has grown. This also doesn’t mean that I didn’t struggle from time to time. We all have trials. We have good days and bad days. What makes bad days bearable is when we exercise our faith and do what is right. I can’t think of a bad day when I felt worse by reading the scriptures or praying.

“Because of your diligence and your faith and your patience with the word in nourishing it, that it may take root in you, behold, by and by ye shall pluck the fruit thereof, which is most precious, which is sweet above all that is sweet, and which is white above all that is white, yea, and pure above all that is pure.” (Alma 32:42)

Brothers and sisters, this fruit, explained by Elder Bednar, is the blessings of the Atonement of the Savior. As you hold on to the iron rod, the word of God, and continue forward, you will experience the blessings of the Atonement, even the eternal life.

Let us all press forward with whatever faith that we have. The road toward the fruit will bring you happiness and life eternal. If you only have enough faith to face the right direction, that’s a good start. Now, please hold on to the rod given to you and take a step forward toward the direction you are facing.

God loves you even when you don’t feel like He does. He loves you and always has and always will. Please, take the seed, plant it, and nourish it. He will bless you more than you realize or you can recognize. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Related Post
"Feast Upon the Words of Christ"

Posted by Q K 0 comments

Read More

Opposition: Good and Evil/Yin and Yang

"For it must needs be, that there is an opposition in all things... Wherefore, all things must needs be a compound in one; wherefore, if it should be one body it must needs remain as dead, having no life neither death, nor corruption nor incorruption, happiness nor misery, neither sense nor insensibility.
"And if ye shall say there is no law, ye shall also say there is no sin. If ye shall say there is no sin, ye shall also say there is no righteousness. And if there be no righteousness there be no happiness. And if there be no righteousness nor happiness there be no punishment nor misery. And if these things are not there is no God. And if there is no God we are not, neither the earth; for there could have been no creation of things, neither to act nor to be acted upon; wherefore, all things must have vanished away." (2 Nephi 2:11, 13)

I have written a few posts related to this topic of an opposition in all things; however, today I want to dedicate this post completely on this topic.

The Book of Mormon teaches that there is an opposition in all things as you can read from two verses above. Without the existence of one, there is no existence of the other. Simply put, if there is evil, there is no good. How would you state that something is good when there is nothing to compare?

Let's think about Adam and Eve: they were in their innocence not knowing good or evil. If Adam and Eve were never tempted, they would have stayed in that state and we would not have the opportunity to come to this earth. We need both good and evil and that is just the way life is.

On one of the posts under Related Posts, I have said this, "We believe in opposition in all things, right? If we believe that we have to experience sorrow to know happiness, why do we try so hard to push sorrow away from our lives?"

Dr. Jordan B. Peterson, a professor of Psychology, at the University of Toronto talks about Yin and Yang in one of his YouTube videos. Yin and Yang, as you know, symbolize good and evil, chaos and order, etc. The importance of this symbol is that both white and black share the same space without one overcoming the other. Moreover, you see a white and black dot in each other's area.

What does this mean? Dr. Peterson, and I as well, believes that mental illness develops through too much of one of these two things. Yes, too much of good/order is bad. There has to be a balance between the two. Also, he states that chaos can turn into order and order turn into chaos as symbolized with the dots. The meaningful life can be found on the border of chaos and order.

What does this have to do with the gospel? EVERYTHING. In the LDS culture, it seems to me that many people seek order. That's a given. We want a happy life, we believe that the gospel brings us happiness, we want to be perfect, we don't want to make a mistake, we want to love others, etc. We NEVER want to make mistakes, to repent, to feel hatred toward others, to feel the influence of Satan, to feel like there is something lacking with our testimony, etc. I understand that you want to be good; however, perhaps you are getting yourself too much into order and it's turning into chaos.

What then can we do to balance the two? While you do your best to become a perfect, charitable person, recognize that you are a human being. You make mistakes, you can have ill feelings toward others, you can feel your testimony dwindle, etc. It's OK. Life isn't over. This is the time when you have to change/put your other foot in chaos and make some changes. (Yes, chaos doesn't necessarily mean evil.) You can change your routine of scripture study, change the way you pray, change what you pray for, change the way of thinking, etc. People need to change all the time to survive.

Lastly, I want to point out the life of the Savior. He was a perfect Being who obeyed all the commandments of the Father; however, was His life "perfect," without problems/sadness? No, and you know that. He was mocked by His own people, was betrayed by one of His best friends, saw His friend die, bled at every pore of His body, was crucified with nails into his hands and feet, and was forsaken by His Father and was left utterly alone. He became the Savior, the Christ, because He experienced all these things. If you want to be like Christ, don't run away from chaos, mistakes, or trials. Let them be a part of your life so that you can become a better, newer, ever changing person.

Related Posts
Opposition in All Things
Accepting
Mental Illness and Agency

Posted by Q K 0 comments

Read More

Halloween Fun!

Posted by Q K 0 comments

Read More

The Hand of God

Usually, on Saturdays, we get up and go to the Smith Fieldhouse to run/walk around the indoor track. However, it takes a lot of motivation (or just Emma slapping our face or squeezing our nose) to get out bed when we all want to stay in bed.

Last Saturday, September 24, it was raining. The temperature has finally gone down enough that we didn't need to turn on the A/C overnight and we were cozy and warm in our bed. We contemplated whether we should go running or not but decided that we should.

It was just a normal Saturday morning for us; we all got dressed and put some warmer clothes on Emma and a blanket over her in the car seat. We all hopped in the car and started to pull out of the driveway.

But something was different today. As we waited for all for the road to clear before pulling out, we noticed a woman waiting at the bus stop which was in front of a house next to ours. She was actually walking toward us. We didn't think much of it since we just thought that she was waiting for the bus. However, when we completely pulled out of the driveway and were on the road, she approached our car. I rolled down the window of the passenger seat (Alysha's side, which now I think about it, I am pretty sure Alysha got rained on due to the open window. Sorry, Alysha) and this woman started to speak with her broken English but quickly changed to Spanish. I understood enough that she needed a ride to the D.I.

We chatted a little bit on the way to the D.I. She told me that she's from Peru and that for some reason, the bus wasn't coming and she needed to be at work in 10 minutes. She was so grateful for the ride and also commented how pretty Emma is.

After giving this sister a ride, we headed to the Smith Fieldhouse to find out that there was PowWow going on and we decided that it would be impossible to run around the track so we headed home.

We were so grateful for the opportunity to serve this sister and also the Father in Heaven. I am grateful that we were able to answer her prayer and that we motivated ourselves to go work out even though we didn't get to. It didn't matter to us that we didn't work out. We were filled with gratitude and marveled at the tender mercies of the Lord.

"...when we speak of those who are instruments in the hand of God, we are reminded that not all angels are from the other side of the veil. Some of them we walk with and talk with—here, now, every day. Some of them reside in our own neighborhoods. Some of them gave birth to us, and in my case, one of them consented to marry me. Indeed heaven never seems closer than when we see the love of God manifested in the kindness and devotion of people so good and so pure that angelic is the only word that comes to mind." -Elder Jeffrey R. Holland-

I hope that we all can be instruments in the hand of God and become His ministering angels.

Posted by Q K 0 comments

Read More

The Amazing Power: Trials vs. Blessings

I have talked about this many times in the past but I decided to revisit this thought.

We have trials in our lives. That's something that we can't get away from and you will have a trial of some sort one way or another. Some trials would be very difficult to deal with; some would be easy to resolve. However, the consequences of these trials depend solely on you.

Elder Anderson said during a Conference talk, "...Fiery trials are designed to make you stronger, but they have the potential to diminish or even destroy your trust in the Son of God and to weaken your resolve to keep your promises to Him." If trials are "designed" to make us stronger, why do we feel weak and lose hope when we face trials?

I 100% believe that people have potential and power that they don't realize. I also believe that time is not linear, but holistic. This means that you have the power to change your past. Of course, that sounds absurd and impossible. Yes, it is impossible and absurd; however, you do that all the time!

For example, let's say that you missed a bus in the morning to go to work. That is terrible!! You are late to work because you missed that bus. However, you come to find out at work that there was an accident and the people on that bus were injured. You realize that you were so fortunate to have missed that bus.

Do you see what just happened? The person in that example just changed the past from a trial to a blessing. I believe that Joseph Smith would not view all the trials in his life as the worst experience ever, but as blessings, life lessons, and opportunities to grow.

That's the power that I am talking about. YOU have the power to change your past and turn it into something amazing, something beautiful!

“Your success and happiness, both now and in the eternities, depend largely on your responses to the difficulties of life.” (True to the Faith)

I am not saying that it is SO easy to make a decision to turn your trials into a blessing. It is NEVER easy! I would never go up to a person who experienced something so awful such as sexual assault or abuse to get over themselves and turn that event into a blessing. NEVER! However, what I am trying to portray is that people have the power to turn something into an opportunity to grow, to seek God, and find joy in life. As the Lord said:

"Ye cannot behold with your natural eyes, for the present time, the design of your God concerning those things which shall come hereafter, and the glory which shall follow after much tribulation.
"For after much tribulation come the blessings. Wherefore the day cometh that ye shall be crowned with much glory; the hour is not yet, but is nigh at hand.” (Doctrine and Covenants 58:3-4)

God gives us trials so that we can grow. God has given me many trials that I needed in order for me to seek Him, trust Him, and learn of Him.

Lastly, I want to end this post with a quote by Elder Anderson:

“When faced with a trial of faith—whatever you do, you don’t step away from the Church! Distancing yourself from the kingdom of God during a trial of faith is like leaving the safety of a secure storm cellar just as the tornado comes into view.”

Posted by Q K 0 comments

Read More

Decions Determine Destiny

Dear readers,

I will probably be writing off and on from now on.

I am currently reading "To the Rescue," a biography of President Thomas S. Monson. One of the chapters is titled, "Decisions Determine Destiny." In the chapter, he says, "There are factors within you and within me even basic principles with which we have been imbued from our creation, which seem to call out and demand of us our best. Those particular years and those cravings and those bits of inspiration seem to be telling you and me, 'Seek the best in life. Look for opportunities where you can be of greatest service.'"

An excerpt from my journal:

"Every decision you make determines your destiny. You have control over your future!

"When I decided not to pursue a career in rad. tech. I made a decision that would forever change my life. I will probably never have to work on the weekends. I will be deeply rooted at Brigham Young University and get the education for free.

"Who knows? Maybe I will find something else or change my destiny through other decisions. I pray, though, that all the decisions will be inspired and would lead me to be of greatest service to those around me, especially my family."

The Currant Bush
Recently, I was reminded of this story of the Currant bush by Elder Hugh B. Brown. I am not going to summarize the story because you can watch or read it. However, the most important part and what I want to talk about is this: "I am the gardener here. I know what I want you to be.”

The decisions we make shapes our destiny because it helps us become who we are supposed to be. I do not think that I would be a bad person for becoming a rad tech; however, it wouldn't provide me with opportunities that I now have with other opportunities that my current job will bring. It helps me become who God wants me to be.

Conclusion
Getting to where I am now, in the Dean of Students Office as an Executive Secretary, was a really frustrating, disappointing, and miserable experience. You can read all about it here...which shows that I didn't even write about how I changed my job...or they changed it for me. I got promoted! Yay!! From Campus Scheduling to the Dean of Students Office!

Anyways, I know that God's hand was in my life and he had guided me to make the correct choices that would help me become who He wants me to be.

Posted by Q K 0 comments

Read More

Story of Chris: Service

Story
I almost wrote a post a few weeks ago about a man I saw on the bus. He's Korean and I have seen him around on BYU campus. He is blind and carries a pole/stick with him. However, I have never talked to him.

A few weeks ago when I saw him, I was overwhelmed with compassion because he reminded me of my dad. I thought, "What if my dad were in the same situation as he is?" In a foreign country, no one to help him and so helpless. I am ashamed to say that I didn't talked to him that day.

Last Saturday, Alysha and I went to Smith's and I saw the same man going into the store guided by a security man.

Alysha and I didn't have much to buy but since we were used to Smith's in Murray, we had no idea where anything was so it took awhile before we found everything we needed. In the meantime, I kept watching that Korean man, and he took his time walking around and looked for things. According to Alysha, there were people who would get frustrated with him because he moved so slow. He moved slow because he had to examine things. No one stopped to ask him if he needed help. His quiet excuse me's to people who passed by him seemed to be only heard by me.

When we finally found everything we needed, I told Alysha that I feel bad for just leaving. She is so sweet, kind, and always supportive of me. She urged me to go help him and told me that she would be in the car changing Emma's diaper. I am so grateful for her and her support.

I finally walked over to him, who was at the produce section of the store, and asked him if he needed some help. He was very grateful and told me that he needed some mushrooms. By this point, he told me that his name was Chris Lee. When I took him where the mushrooms were, I asked him if he wanted them already cut or whole. He wanted them cut. I thought to myself that that would be easier to cook with and that he wouldn't have to cut them himself. He then proceeded to ask him if they were $1.99. When I told him that they were $3.99 and the cheapest ones were still over $1.99, he returned them to me and told me that he didn't want them.

Upon returning the mushrooms back on the shelf, I asked him if he wanted something else. Tofu. That was in his price range so he decided to get it. When I asked him if he needed anything else, he told me that was it. All he wanted was tofu and mushrooms. I couldn't just let him leave with tofu so I offered to pay for the mushrooms. He asked, "Really?" Yes, I would. After we got them, I turned to him and said, "Do you need anything else? I will pay." He thanked me profusely as we went to get some things that he wanted. When we were almost done, I realized that Alysha had the keys with Smith's card on the key ring. That's when I asked her if I could pay for Chris and she was once again supportive of helping him.

We gave him a ride to his apt. When I helped him carry his groceries inside, I saw his apt. His tiny apt that was smaller than my bathroom. A small stove, small counter top with a small sink, a fridge, a lounge chair, a plastic table, and other random things filled up his apt. He never stopped thanking me. I wish I could help him more but my own circumstances doesn't allow me to help him more than I did unfortunately. However, I am glad that I was able to help him as much as I did.

When I got back in the car, I apologized to Alysha for taking so much time and money but she told me that there was no need to apologize for doing a good deed. How can I not love this girl! I married the most wonderful girl in the world!

Today, I have sent a referral to the missionaries to go visit Chris. From what I could tell, he has been to the Korean ward, has been in the US for five years, doesn't go to school, doesn't really work, gets money from his family in Korea, and is all alone. If you see Chris (he is Korean, is tan, wears sunglasses, and has a pole that is wrapped), please offer to give him a ride or give him any kind of service you can.

Lesson
There are so many people we can and should help. There are refugees, homeless people, and people who are in need. This particular man is dear to my heart, perhaps, because he is Asian and reminds me of my dad.

We talk a lot about service and helping others. However, how many of us (both you and I) pass by people like Chris in the aisle of a grocery store frustrated that he is going slow? How many of us pass by him without asking to help?

Perhaps, we are too busy with our own life that we do not look around us and do not see others who are in need. Perhaps, we are too focused on our own problems that we don't notice others who are in need.

Today, stop what you are doing and look around you. Is there someone who clearly needs a ride? Is there someone who doesn't have enough money to pay for a small amount of groceries? Is there someone who needs help carrying groceries? Let's look around and serve.

Posted by Q K 1 comments

Read More

Birth and Atonement

Today, I was reading 1 John 5 and I came across these verses:

"For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world:and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.
"Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?
"This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth." (1 John 5:4-5)

This may seem not much to you but I thought it was interesting that they made a point that Christ had to be born just like all of us. This may sound a little graphic but baby Jesus was born by "water and blood." He was a mortal who overcame the world, trials, evil, and even death. Once He had suffered all these things and was resurrected, He became perfect.

We, too, were born by "water and blood." We, too, have the potential to become perfect: full of glory and having all the attributes that God and Jesus Christ possess. However, we, unlike Christ, cannot overcome the challenges, trials, and death (alone).

Garden of Gethsemane by Simon Dewey

I don't know if you noticed the title of this post but you might wonder what do water and blood have to do with the Atonement? Everything. Christ who suffered in the Gethsemane sweated "great drops of blood." Through His sacrifice or should I say through His blood, it is possible for us to repent, change our nature, and become like God and Jesus Christ.

During the process of repenting, we make a covenant with the Lord through baptism (by water) and then through the Atonement (by blood), we are able to offer up our natural man and become a saint.

When we were born, we were pure and innocent but the whirlwind comes and beats us down and we slowly become tainted by the world. However, through Christ, we are born again and become pure once again. This time, the whirlwind and the world cannot bring us down because through His blood, we can be made white whenever we desire.

Posted by Q K 0 comments

Read More

Hymns: Peace to Our Little Emma

Not too long ago, Alysha told me that she plays some of Mormon Tabernacle Choir songs to calm Emma down. I can't remember if it was her idea or I just decided to do it but I started singing hymns to Emma at night so that she would fall asleep.

I started with "I am a Child of God" and she loved it! She became very calm and started to fall asleep in my arms. Perhaps, it's just because she is tired. However, last night for some reason, she just started wailing! It was as if she was really scared/terrified of something. I just took her and do the same thing that we always do to put her to sleep: bouncing on the exercise ball and turn off all the lights.

She becomes more and more
Asian when she gets tired.

She was still crying and very fussy but when I started singing "I am a Child of God," she was calming down but still fussy. I continued singing hymns for a while and she fell asleep (not for long but she wasn't fussy anymore.) I think it is so cool that this little human would feel the Spirit and would receive peace from it. Some may argue that it's the sound of the song that she enjoys. I doubt that. I don't enjoy my own voice when I sing so I don't think she is enjoying it either. However, it really is the Holy Ghost that she feels when I sing and I feel it too.

"The singing of hymns is one of the best ways to put ourselves in tune with the Spirit of the Lord." -Elder Dallin H. Oaks-

Posted by Q K 0 comments

Read More

New Job, New Path

I was going to write about how I got this job that I have now but it was too long so I am going to make it really short and sweet.

I worked at the Intermountain Medical Center for about 11 months. I wanted to become a radiologic technologist; however, I didn't like the idea of working and going to school full-time when we were going to have a baby. I didn't want to miss anything. I didn't want to miss our little Emma growing and learning new things. I wanted to be there to experience and enjoy all of it.

Thus, I began my search for a new job. At times, it was frustrating, disappointing, discouraging, and depressing. However, I knew I had to keep trying: trying to find the right job, right career, and right path. For a while, I wanted to go into business management and perhaps get a degree in MBA. I guess that wasn't what the Lord had in mind for me.

After many interviews and sending off lots and lots of resumes, I was offered a job as an imaging scheduler at TOSH. It would be a desk job and would pay a little better than the job I had previously. I thought that I would just stick with it until I find something better. During that time, however, I also had an interview at BYU as an office specialist.

While TOSH was deciding whether they wanted to hire me or not, I had an interview at BYU on a Tuesday and a few hours after the interview, they invited me to a second interview the next day. During the second interview, I met with an assistant dean of the department and learned what I could do to move up in the department. I thought that this would be the best opportunity for me to get more education and have a stable career. I really wanted this job.

However, something that I feared would happen happened. TOSH offered me the position as an imaging scheduler. I really wanted that job at BYU but I wasn't sure I was going to get it. I decided that I would tell TOSH that I would accept the job and then if BYU offered me their position, I would just call them back and reject it and take the job at BYU. (This is exactly what I did with the rad tech assistant position (my previous position) almost a year ago now.) And that is exactly what happened.

BYU called and offered me the position that I have now. It is salaried with great benefits. I love, love, love working at BYU. I love the people I work with, the environment I am in, the possibilities, and everything. Perhaps, I am so "infatuated" with this job because it's something new; however, I don't think I will regret the decision and regret not going into the rad tech program.

Just to tell you a little about what I do now, I personally deal with all the off-campus people wanting to have a luncheon or a meeting at BYU (everyone else has their own responsibilities) and we all basically reserve rooms on campus for events. It is a desk job; however, it is never boring...except when we have finals since we can't schedule anything during finals. Thus, I am writing on my blog.

Posted by Q K 0 comments

Read More

The Book of Mormon: Of God or Of Satan

I was studying for a lesson I will be teaching this Sunday to the young men in our ward and I came across this talk by Elder Tad R. Callister.

He talked about how his great-great-grandfather had studied the Book of Mormon to know for himself if it is true or not. However, the way he approached this self-discovery was worth mentioning. He told himself that the Book of Mormon is either "written by God or the devil, and I am going to find out who wrote it."

Elder Callister goes on and says in his talk that "...there is no middle ground. It is either the word of God as professed, or it is a total fraud." No middle ground! It's not possible form God or maybe the prophets wrote it; it's either from God or not. Simple as that.

We don't to wonder whether it could be from God or not for days, months, or years. We have to decide right now whether it is from God or not. If you are still struggling to find the testimony of the Book of Mormon yourself, I would invite you to read it, ponder every word of it, and pray. Elder Callister's great-great-grandfather read the book twice in 10 days to find out for himself. How willing are you to find out for yourself?

To end, I would like to quote this scripture:

"But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, This fellow doth not cast out devils, but by Beelzebub the prince of the devils.
"And Jesus knew their thoughts, and said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand:
"And if Satan cast out Satan, he is divided against himself; how shall then his kingdom stand?" (Matthew 12:24-26)

 Would Satan publish a book that is against him and invite people to do good?

I know the Book of Mormon is true and it invites everyone to do good and to believe in God and His Son, Jesus Christ. It is of God. I know it, and you can know it for yourself as well.

Posted by Q K 0 comments

Read More

"The Tongue is Fire"

For one, hello everyone. Kyoo is back! ...well, kind of. I finally got a desk job where I might be able to update the blog once again. Also, I will be working on updating my wife's and my new blog so we will see how much updating I will be doing.

Anyways, I was reading from James in the New Testament this morning and came across this very insightful scripture:

"And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.
"But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.
"Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be." -James 3:6, 8, 10-

Out of all the body parts, Paul taught that the tongue is the one would defile our whole body. I don't think he meant that the tongue is the only thing that would defile the body; however, I thought it deserved some pondering.

"But the tongue can no man tame..." I don't necessarily think that we can't control what we say; however, it's something that everyone struggles to control and use. Before we could think about not saying something, it is already out in the open, completely exposed, no way of taking back, just...out.

And then Paul says that "out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing." How true that is! The priesthood holders give blessings, we pray for those around us, and we preach the word of God. Then, with the same mouth, we turn around and judge others, say negative things about others or about ourselves, and swear/cuss.

As I have mentioned multiple times in the past, I do not claim to be perfect. I need to be working on this for sure. What I am doing and hoping to do is to raise the awareness of all of us so that we ALL do our best to work on our weaknesses.

What I believe that could help us is changing ourselves, our very nature. If we didn't have any malice or bad intentions in the first place, we would not be "cursing" or our tongue would be "full of deadly poison." We must do our best to become, as we have heard many times, like Christ who would never let His tongue rule Him and defile His body.

To end, I found this quote by Brigham Young, who said:

"Let not thy tongue give utterance to the evil that is in thine heart, but command thy tongue to be silent until good shall prevail over the evil, until thy wrath has passed away and the good spirit shall move thy tongue to blessings and words of kindness.... When my feelings are aroused to anger by the ill-doing of other, I hold them as I would hold a wild horse, and I gain the victory."

Posted by Q K 0 comments

Read More

The Worth of Your Soul

"Remember the worth of souls is great in the sight of God;
"For, behold, the Lord your Redeemer suffered death in the flesh; wherefore he suffered the pain of all men, that all men might repent and come unto him.
"And he hath risen again from the dead, that he might bring all men unto him, on conditions of repentance.
"And how great is his joy in the soul that repenteth!" -Doctrine and Covenants 18:10-13-

When people read this scripture, they think about how they could bring others to Christ and how they would receive so much joy. However, there is one thing that people forget or do not realize: "the worth of souls" means everyone's worth, not just "others'." It means you! You are a part of that everyone. Your worth is great in the sight of God! Your worth, as well as others', is Christ. He has saved us with His life. He has redeemed us with His life. He has suffered it all so that we can reach our full potential.

What is your worth? What is your potential? How are you reaching your potential? Remember your worth! Remember your potential! You are to be a god(dess)! Listen to Elder Neil L. Andersen's warning: "In our weakened moments, the adversary seeks to steal our spiritual promises. If we are not watchful, our injured, child like spirit will retreat back into the cold, dark crust of our former bloated ego, leaving behind the warm, healing light of the Savior." Don't fall for Satan's lies. You know who you are: a child of GOD!

However, don't think that it is easy to achieve your potential. President James E. Faust has said:

"Your strength and identity will come from honoring your priesthood, developing your talents, and serving the Lord. Each of you will have to work very hard to qualify for your eternal potential... It will require all of your strength, stamina, intelligence, and courage." (General Conference, Oct. 1995)

You have to work hard but it will be so worth it.

How are you "qualifying" for your eternal potential?

Related Posts
Worth of Souls
Mending the Heart; Healing the Soul
Everyone Is a Child of God

Posted by Q K 0 comments

Read More

What's Your World Like?

Hello, readers! I am back in business again after hearing from some of you and how much my blog has uplifted you. Thank you for your support!

Let's start this again!

My wife and I were talking about how when she told her employer and co-workers that she is learning Korean and that she knows how to read but doesn't understand anything, they were very confused because they didn't understand how that could be possible. How is that not possible?

For example, can you read "hypothalamohypophysis" and not know what it means? Probably. If you know how to read a word in English and not know what that means, how is it impossible for someone to know how to read and not understand in another language? What about "avec"? Can you read it? Do you know what it means?

I do not believe that people are ignorant...actually I might think that a little bit. However, I do think that people are so attached/engulfed to/in their own world/paradigm that they have a hard time looking past what they know. If they were to take one step outside of their world and try to understand, they would be more understanding and patient toward others.

Think about it: when you see someone who asks a lot of questions in class, does he/she really understand English if he/she is not from the US or does that person really having a hard time understanding? Just because you understand it, doesn't mean everyone does. I am not saying that I am perfect at understanding or empathizing with people; however, what I am saying is that we need to look at our world, our paradigm and evaluate if we are trapped in our own world/box and are not willing to come out.

Even me talking about the story above about my wife's co-workers says that I am in my own world. However, if we were to recognize and accept it, we would be more willing to open up to others and at least try to understand other people's world.

Posted by Q K 0 comments

Read More

Dear Readers...

I am so happy to read emails and comments from you! I didn't know how many of you read my blog and how much I can help you (in)directly!

It is true that I haven't written in a (very...VERY) long time but I hope to write more because I know that I can help and hopefully uplift some of you.

However, I might have to change my blog...to this (I still haven't decided whether I should keep this or not).

You may wonder why that might be. Well...I've gotten married. I know, I still can't believe I am married but I am! I got married on August 23, 2014 in San Diego, CA to a lovely girl named, Alysha (thus, the new blog is called Q&A). There's nothing on that blog...yet. We've been procrastinating for a while but we will update it...sooner or later. Until then, I will keep working on this blog.

Thank you, everyone for your support and your kind comments.

Sincerely,

Q

Posted by Q K 0 comments

Read More

"Help Thou Mine Unbelief"

An excerpt from Thursday, March 6, 2014:

"Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.
"And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief." -Mark 9:23-24-

I believe in the Father and His Son. I believe that They are guiding me each day. I believe that They will provide a way for me to accomplish Their will for me. I don't fully comprehend or fully believe how or why things don't work out. I have doubts at times. However, this father of the child with a "dumb spirit" asked the Lord to help him believe more than he does, trust Him more, and draw on the powers of heaven. He has given his weakness to the Lord to be strong. Then what did the Lord do? He blessed this father for his humility, faith and honesty.

When we do our best, give our best to the Lord, He does not turn us away but blesses us. However, we must acknowledge our limitations and ask Him to help us do more, become more, or believe more. He does not expect us to be perfect on our own; He expects us to be perfect through Him.

Elder Holland gave a talk based on that story. He invited us to hold onto what we know when trials and doubts come. Also, we need to acknowledge what we do not know and should ask for help. There are so many profound concepts and quotes, and I wish to write some:

"...imperfect people are all God has ever had to work with. That must be terribly frustrating to Him, but He deals with it."

"Honestly acknowledge your questions and your concerns, but first and forever fan the flame of your faith, because all things are possible to them that believe."

All things are possible when you believe, even the increase of your faith. When you focus on what you know during times of concerns and doubts, the Lord can bless you with a sure knowledge and will enlighten you because of your faith. What you didn't believe, what you didn't know will become clear and sure.

Posted by Q K 0 comments

Read More