Lesson 9: Is Teaching for Me?

I have come to learn that becoming a teacher is pretty difficult.  There are 20-30 different students that all have different levels and abilities that you need to take into factor and some of the students you would like to go further and others you need to hold back on and help them catch up with the rest of the class. I feel like being a teacher is like spinning multiple plates on balancing sticks at once. I have wanted to be a teacher for years and have done it in my parents classrooms and this semester has just invigorated me to becoming a teacher as well and I am really excited to enter the teaching world. I would say Ive already done volunteer work in the classroom before this class so I wouldnt attribute my decision to this class, but just the service placement has helped in general and I encourage all students to try it before they decide to move forward. I guess my next steps are starting the major next semester and I will be volunteering in the classroom for three weeks I believe, so I will continue my hours in the classroom until I graduate I believe. 

Christ at the Helm

As Elder Dallin H. Oaks has taught us: “It is not enough for anyone just to go through the motions. The commandments, ordinances, and covenants of the gospel are not a list of deposits required to be made in some heavenly account. The gospel of Jesus Christ is a plan that shows us how to become what our Heavenly Father desires us to become.”

True obedience, therefore, is giving ourselves entirely to Him and allowing Him to chart our course both in calm waters and in troubled ones, understanding that He can make more of us than we could ever make of ourselves.


-Von G. Keetch
"Blessed and Happy Are Those Who Keep the Commandments of God"
Oct 2015

Blog Entry #8 Assignment

This blog or portfolio that we are creating with our thoughts and notes written on them is really helpful and effective to help me develop my teaching skills. I had forgotten some of the things or views that I had expressed and love that they are here at my disposal anytime I want. I just wish some of the video and audio assignments that we turned in were all handed in through our blogs that we I can review them years later to either motivate me to be better or laugh and think how foolish I was at the time. I have no idea how on target I am, but I think I am doing good with the teachings and hope that I will be proud of how good I was in this class to help me get a leg up in the teaching industry. Yeah I think having this blog has really helped me dig deeper and understand and apply my service hours and try to see if they were effective and what I want to incorporate and not incorporate into my future career. I think the biggest development I see from my first to last blog post is that there is more than one way to teach. As teachers we are handed a book that has the required teaching criteria's and that we need to present it to students to be able to pass off state testing that occurs at the end of the years. This class has taught me that class doesn't have to be boring and we can be adventurous and explore new and different styles of teaching to help the students learn better than the boring lectures that we've all experienced in our classes at one point in time or the other.

Charity the Pure Love of Christ

1 Nephi 19:9 And the world, because of their iniquity, shall judge him to be a thing of naught; wherefore they scourge him, and he suffereth it; and they smite him, and he suffereth it. Yea, they spit upon him, and he suffereth it, because of his loving kindness and his long-suffering towards the children of men.


Ether 12:33 And again, I remember that thou hast said that thou hast loved the world, even unto the laying down of thy life for the world, that thou mightest take it again to prepare a place for the children of men.

34 And now I know that this love which thou hast had for the children of men is charity; wherefore, except men shall have charity they cannot inherit that place which thou hast prepared in the mansions of thy Father.

Hope for the World

It would be easy to become discouraged and cynical about the future—or even fearful of what might come—if we allowed ourselves to dwell only on that which is wrong in the world and in our lives. Today, however, I’d like us to turn our thoughts and our attitudes away from the troubles around us and to focus instead on our blessings as members of the Church. The Apostle Paul declared, “God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”

None of us makes it through this life without problems and challenges—and sometimes tragedies and misfortunes. After all, in large part we are here to learn and grow from such events in our lives. We know that there are times when we will suffer, when we will grieve, and when we will be saddened. However, we are told, “Adam fell that men might be; and men are, that they might have joy.”

How might we have joy in our lives, despite all that we may face? Again from the scriptures: “Wherefore, be of good cheer, and do not fear, for I the Lord am with you, and will stand by you.”

-Thomas S Monson
Be of Good Cheer
April 2009

Standards and Accountability

In the service placement that I observed standards being taught, I asked the teacher if they came up with their own agenda or they had to go by the book. Some of the activities or lessons they did, in my opinion did not seem like it would be beneficial or effective, more of a time waster. When I asked this question to the teacher I observed she said that she had a book that had lesson plans and activities, but it also had the state standards that the student needed to be able to pass so she would make her own activities to pass off that standard. So for kindergartners they need to be able to recognize the alphabet by the end of the school year, that's a standard. She would play this game with the kids where they would put a bunch of symbols on the floor and have one or two letters and the kids had to hop across the letters to the other end of the room. It seemed very repetitive and not effective to me that the students seemed to just memorize the path from others. Also their success in this activity did not lead to the success in other activities with recognizing the letters they were working on. But this is a standard that the teacher needed to accomplish with the student so she is on the right path, just not executed in the best fashion. Is there certain subject matters that seem to be given more emphasis than others? Absolutely! I was browsing through the state standards and for first grade out of the core subjects, language arts has the most emphasis. It looks like math follows language arts in being the most important taught at that level. What are my thoughts on these two topics being the ones with the most emphasis around them? I think its brilliant. Think about it what are the two things that you need to be good at to get by in life. It is math and language arts. I have never met someone that is successful that is good at history and science, but not math and english. Seems like those that excel in history or science do well in the other areas as well. I agree with this in selection standards that students need to focus on being they are the essential building blocks to careers in our society. The teacher that I am working under thinks that state standards and standardized testing is effective in leading teachers to do the right thing and not to get off topic in what they are teaching their students because sometimes they go way out left field and accomplish nothing that is beneficial to the students learning and success.

Free Dating Advice

Skepticism - anyone can do it

"Skepticism is easy--anyone can do it. It is the faithful life that requires moral strength, dedication, and courage. Those who hold fast to faith are far more impressive than those who give in to doubt when mysterious questions or concerns arise.

But it should not surprise us that faith is not valued by society. The world has a long history of rejecting that which it does not understand. And it has particular trouble understanding things it cannot see. But just because we cannot see something with our physical eyes does not mean it doesn’t exist."

-Dieter F Utchdorf
"Be Not Afraid, Only Believe"
Oct. 2015

Diversity in Today’s Schools

In the classroom I am placed there are students that are English Language Learners that may struggle with learning the language. How do the teachers of Timpanogos Elementary Handle these students in being able to understand English and the content that is being taught? Easy! Timpanogos Elementary is one of many schools in the area that have a dual immersion program. Dual immersion is where the students are learning Spanish and English at the same time. This helps those Spanish students catch up as the English students develop a second language. Well how do they go about that? The classes are formed to the best of their ability to creating a half Spanish speakers and half English speakers.  Well how do the teachers go about this? Some classrooms have teachers that are fluent in both languages while other classrooms have two teachers where they are only allowed to speak in the language that they were hired for. So a Spanish teacher may know English, but they can only talk with that teacher in Spanish. I like this school and how it helps most of those students that struggle and turn it into a strength for all those that are trying to learn a second language. It seems to me that it is a good decision that levels the educational playing field between all the students. 

Lesson 5: History of American Education

Some of the historical landmarks I am seeing in the classroom that I volunteer in are the following:

Section 504. I see that there is a student that has difficulty in being able to form thoughts and place in on paper in a written format. Most people can pick up a pencil and write on whatever topic on the drop of a dime. This student struggles so the teacher allows this student when writing papers to draw out what story they want them to write about and put their thought process into creating a fictional story. This helps the student get their brain moving and the pictures are used as a key to help them in the creation of their story when they actually type it up.

American Disabilities Act. The school that I volunteer at is a triple story building and there are many steps to get up to all the floors. Those students that have wheelchairs there are elevators and doors that provide access for those that need such accommodations.

Individuals Disabilities Act. I am not an expert on all the laws that go into helping students that are at a disadvantage compared to their peers, but I feel like this law is the most helpful for those that struggle in their learning. This allows the teacher to build IEPs to the students own personal situation and be able to accommodate and structure lessons toward that student. I have seen this the strongest in the class that I observe in. I saw some students in the resource room that were first graders that were learning letters as if they had never seen the letters before when I know that students should be introduced to those letters in kindergarten but with this law teachers can help students get caught up that may be behind others.

Schools have progressed so far from what they were a hundred years ago, Brown vs Board of Education was a landmark that includes all races in the process of learning an education and that all are entitled to it and I believe this can even extend to those students that may be disabled. Even schools are helping those of different cultures that may be at a disadvantage due to language barriers be able to overcome their differences so that they can learn the topics taught in school. The school that I observe is a duel language enrollment which students learn English and Spanish and this is good for those students that have no idea about english and helps those born here to learn a second language. I think this is good to help students not feel ostracized for their language differences and puts all students on the same level as each other. 

Engaging Learners in Today’s Classrooms

I was able to see the use of technology. Students would trace their name over and over to get into the rhythm and precision they would need to make a legible name that they would need to use in their futures. Sometimes the students would get bored over the repeated and dull tasks so the teacher would then place the students on iPads and there was a game/app that students would practice tracing letters and words to help them in their writing abilities.

Another use of engaged learning was another activity with the use of names. Instead of tracing the letters in the name the teacher had them afterwards as a reward dump dozens of tiles with letters on them and the students would search through the mess and find the letters in their names. This would help them become familiar with what letters are in their name and what letters they need to anticipate in the creation of it.

The last activity I found interesting was one where the teacher was trying to get this special needs student to write a short story. The student was very intimidated and could not formulate their story like most people normally do on paper with pencil. So the teacher gave the student paper and pencil and they would draw out a story similar to a comic book or picture book and then use that as an outline in the creation of their short story.

One activity that I found was engaged in learning, but I didn't think it engaged the learning part, just the engaged part. The teacher every week would try to teach the students new letters of the alphabet, They would play this game with the students where they would scatter the letter they were focusing on with other cards that had symbols such as % $ & # signs and students would need to hop of the letters that they were mastering. So the first week they needed to hop on the letter M across the carpet. Then the next week the teacher could have them hop on both or one letter being M and P this week. I feel like the activity did not stretch the learning and that it was just a game that required remembering patterns as the students would jump to different letters and miss every now and then. Plus I thought it was not good to have other symbols when they should be using all letters to develop the ability to differentiate between letters.

Should we still have older leaders in the church?

"Some people have suggested younger, more vigorous leaders are needed in the church to address effectively the serious challenges of our modern world. But the Lord does not use contemporary philosophies and practices of leadership to accomplish his purposes. We can expect the president and other senior leaders of the church will be older and spiritually seasoned men. The Lord’s revealed pattern of governance by councils in his church provides for and attenuates the impact of human frailties.

These ordinary men have undergone a most extraordinary developmental process that has sharpened their vision, informed their insight, engendered love for people from all nations and circumstances, and affirmed the reality of the restoration (of the Gospel),” Bednar went on to say. “I have witnessed repeatedly my brethren striving diligently to fulfill and magnify their responsibilities while struggling with serious physical problems. These men are not spared from affliction. They are blessed and strengthened to press forward valiantly while suffering in and with affliction.”

-David A Bednard
Oct 3, 2015

Creating Productive Learning Environments

Describe a time your cooperative teacher has offered choice to students.
 In the classroom that I observe there is a boy that is different and has a problem where he likes to talk and talk and talk. This student not only likes to talk, but when the teacher says something like about plot and character in a story this student will go on about a toy he has at home, so totally unrelated topics. The teacher I observe has come to use the following method to help this student. The teacher gave this student a container of coins, those coins each allow the student to say a comment when they wish to. So when the student wishes to say something to the teacher and it may be unrelated to the topic or if he is interrupting her while doing something she will ask the student, "So and so, is this worth a token?" then the student will think about it and most of the time they think no it's not, but then other times they use it for things they find important or what they really wanna talk about.

What has your cooperative teacher done to make students feel loved and safe?
There has been cases of bullying going on in the classroom. I have not seen anything nor is anything I've heard been on the level of what harsh and cruelty we see from bullying in the news, but the teacher has in the middle of lesson plans several times and changed the topic to anti-bullying to help students learn to respect one another. The teacher has used lists of positive words and the students would say sentences towards one another using those words. The teacher has used object lessons to show the impact of teasing each other. The teacher has tried to change the perspective of students so that they understand what they are doing is wrong. When the teacher does this side lessons it does help, but these students are 3rd graders and it doesn't seem to stick and they need to be reminded constantly.

How does your cooperative teacher recognize students’ skills?
 The teacher that I am volunteering with shows her love for the students in her class through praising the students on their good work, obedience, and good attitudes. I think she does this for two reasons. 1, to re-enforce the behavior that the student is doing so that they know this is what is expected and that they should continue to do in their studies in the classroom. 2nd I think that the teacher does this so that other students can see that the teacher is approving the action from the student and that other students should try to mimic that behavior in their own routines in the classroom.

How People Learn

Which learning theory does the teacher in your service-learning placement seem to use the most? Provide examples from your observations to support your claim. Also, how does your teacher address the developmental level(s) and the individual learning preferences of her/his students?

Right now I am in a Special Ed classroom trying to do my service hours for my exceptional students class. I love my class that I volunteer with and have very little difficulties with the service assignment. The teacher I am job shadowing uses Behaviorism to re-enforce desire to learn as well as behave properly.  The method the teacher uses in this can be from as small as "Billy (named changed), you need to finish reading your book otherwise you can't go out to recess" to as much as a chart that the students receive stamps for that give them free time when they reach a certain amount.

The teacher I am job shadowing also helps the students by playing to their strengths in their learning preferences. There is a student I am working with closely that is very visual in his learning style.  We are trying to help this student be able to write short stories.  The student has trouble coming up with stories on their own so the teacher allows this student to draw out their own story then take that drawn out story and type it up on the computer.  The student still has difficulty spelling, but they are seeing that they can write and this individual is seeing that they have many ideas that they can put down on paper that they thought they didn't have once before.

Service Learning Assignment

I plan on doing my observation hours at Timpanogos Elementary School.  I chose this school because I pass it daily on the way to my job after my own schooling hours at UVU and it reminds me daily of my years as a student and how I wish one day to enter into those hallways and contribute back as an educator, mind you I have never attended nor stepped foot in Timpanogos Elementary School.  

What I have found to be interesting and exciting to hear about Timpanogos Elementary School is two things.  First Timpanogos Elementary School wishes to further students education and learning through use of technology where they provide every two students a computer where they collaborate and work together on projects.  I think the use of technology is great in which these students are using their resources wisely as well I like the thought of having two students work together that way they can keep each other accountable of going on anything inappropriate or harmful to the student, plus Im sure the school has firewalls and restrictions on websites. The other program that Timpanogos Elementary School seems to use as a strength in their students learning is dual language enrollment where the classrooms are taught 50/50 in English and Spanish.  The classrooms are created (to the best of their ability) with half native English speakers and half native Spanish speakers and the students help each other grow and develop fluency in a second language.  I think this is the best age group for individuals to learn a second language and this is really exciting to me to hear about this and am very curious to see how successful it is and if the results are positive. The schools website says that one of the results of doing this helps students overcome and accept differences between different cultures.

My understanding of the Student Service Learning assignment that I have been given is that I need to find a school which I have decided upon Timpanogos Elementary and I will go there between 2-3 hours a week and observe and also teach or go one on one with students in helping them learn to see if this is a good career choice for me.  Going into another teachers classroom will also be able to help me get a first look at another teacher in their classroom and be able to take from their style what I wish to implement and not take in for my own future teaching style and lesson schedule. I am excited for this assignment, I am just not looking forward to how busy I will be with school, work, personal life and these hours on top of everything.

Following the Pioneers

"Many of our challenges are different from those faced by former pioneers but perhaps just as dangerous and surely as significant to our own salvation and the salvation of those who follow us. For example, as for life-threatening obstacles, the wolves that prowled around pioneer settlements were no more dangerous to their children than the drug dealers or pornographers who threaten our children. Similarly, the early pioneers’ physical hunger posed no greater threat to their well-being than the spiritual hunger experienced by many in our day. The children of earlier pioneers were required to do incredibly hard physical work to survive their environment. That was no greater challenge than many of our young people now face from the absence of hard work, which results in spiritually corrosive challenges to discipline, responsibility, and self-worth. Jesus taught: “And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell” (Matt. 10:28)."


-Dallin H. Oaks
"Following the Pioneers"
OCTOBER 1997

Lord is it I?

"None of us likes to admit when we are drifting off the right course. Often we try to avoid looking deeply into our souls and confronting our weaknesses, limitations, and fears. Consequently, when we do examine our lives, we look through the filter of biases, excuses, and stories we tell ourselves in order to justify unworthy thoughts and actions.

But being able to see ourselves clearly is essential to our spiritual growth and well-being. If our weaknesses and shortcomings remain obscured in the shadows, then the redeeming power of the Savior cannot heal them and make them strengths."


-Dieter F. Uchtdorf
“Lord, Is It I?”
October 2014

Espionage Chasing Game

I wanted to share one of my favorite games from my college years that we would play at the church on weekends!



Espionage requires at least two (possibly more) teams of three people each, plus at least one referee. The most unusual part of the game is that the players don't know which team they are on. Teams change with each round.

The game is traditionally played at night in a home and the surrounding yard. At the beginning, before the first round, players are taken around and shown a large number of places (locations) and objects. Locations include some inside the house and some outside.

When a round starts, one or more kids are chosen to be the referees (which can be more fun than being on the teams). The referees get together in a room, determine who will play each role on each team, and then invite each other player in one at a time to tell them what they need to know. Once everyone is told, the referees start the round with an invocation (prayer) and turn out the lights.

Each team has three roles. The Captain knows two locations, the meeting place and the jail, plus a password. The meeting place is always inside and the jail is always outside. The Captain may arrest players by touching them while saying "I arrest you". Captains are immune to arrest. Once arrested a player may not speak and must go with the captain to the captain's jail. The player must remain there until touched by a player who says they are free.

The mate knows two locations, the meeting place and the goal, but not which is which.

The yeoman knows an object (the totem), the password, and the jail(s) of the other team(s).

The purpose of the game is to get the totem to the goal. Success requires identifying the other members of your team (no small feat). Once you have done so, the mate or yeoman, but not the captain, may pick up the totem and move it to the goal. The captain must then call out that his team has won. The referee(s) then turn on the light and check the claim. Incorrect claims mean the captain's team loses, while correct claims win.

This is a game with many opportunities for winning by deluding the other team into thinking you are part of their team.

This is supposed to have created by a secret society with threats to prevent members from telling. Girls were supposed to be forbidden to play (though we always played with them).

THE BOLL WEEVIL MONUMENT

In Enterprise, Alabama, there is a monument erected to the boll weevil. This pest, which almost ruined the cotton industry and threatened to destroy the South, is honored not because of its destroying past but because it helped to build the South. How? Because it forced the farmers to forget about cotton and begin to experiment with other crops. Today, the South flourishes because of sweet potatoes, peanuts, and a variety of other crops. The dreaded boll weevil, the enemy, actually did the South a good turn. The bad break became a good one. The diversification of crops made the South a versatile economy that was not dependent upon the rise and fall of a single product.

The Lord’s Wind

Years ago, as a young missionary, I was assigned to a group of seventeen small islands in the South Pacific. At that time, the only means of travel between islands was by sailboat. Because of misunderstandings and traditions, it was difficult to find people willing to listen to us. However, one day a member told us that if we would be at a certain harbor on a particular island when the sun set the next day, a family would meet us there and listen to the discussions.

What joy that news brought! It was like finding a piece of gold. I was working alone at the time but quickly found four other members who were experienced sailors who agreed to take me to this island the next day.

Early the next morning the five of us started out. There was a nice breeze that moved us swiftly along the coast, through the opening in the reef, and out into the wide expanse of the vast Pacific Ocean.

We made good progress for a few hours, but as the sun climbed higher and the boat got farther from land, the wind began to play out and soon quit altogether, leaving us bobbing aimlessly on a smooth ocean.

Those familiar with sailing know that to get anywhere, you need wind. Sometimes there are good breezes without storms and heavy seas, but often they go together. Sailors do not fear storms, for they contain the lifeblood of sailing—wind. What sailors fear is nowind, or being becalmed.

Time passed. The sun got higher, the sea calmer. Nothing moved. We soon realized that unless something changed, we would not arrive by sundown. I suggested that we pray and plead with the Lord to send some wind. What more righteous desire could a group of men have? I offered a prayer. When I finished, things seemed calmer than ever. We continued drifting.

Then one of the older men suggested that everyone kneel and all unite their faith and prayers together, which we did. There was great struggling of spirit, but when the last person opened his eyes, nothing! No movement at all. The sails hung limp and listless. Even the slight ripple of the ocean against the side of the boat had ceased. The ocean seemed like a sea of glass.

Time was moving, and we were getting desperate. This same man now suggested that everyone kneel again in prayer and each person in turn offer a vocal prayer for the whole group. Many beautiful, pleading, faithful prayers ascended to heaven. But when the last one finished and everyone opened their eyes, the sun was still burning down with greater intensity than before. The ocean was like a giant mirror. It was almost as though Satan was laughing, saying, “See, you can’t go anywhere. There is no wind. You are in my power.”

I thought, “There is a family at the harbor that wants to hear the gospel. We are here in the middle of the ocean and want to teach them. The Lord controls the elements. All that stands between us and the family is a little wind. Why won’t He send it? It’s a righteous desire.”

As I was so wondering, I noticed this faithful older brother move to the rear of the boat. I watched as he unlashed the tiny lifeboat, placed two oars with pins in their places, and carefully lowered it over the side.

He looked at me and softly said, “Get in.”

I answered, “What are you doing? There is hardly room for two people in that tiny thing!”

“Don’t waste any time or effort. Just get in. I am going to row you to shore, and we need to leave now to make it by sundown.”

I looked at him incredulously, “Row me where?”

“To the family that wants to hear the gospel. We have an assignment from the Lord. Get in.”

I was dumbfounded. It was miles to shore. The sun was hot, and this man was old. But as I looked into the face of that faithful brother, I sensed an intensity in his gaze, an iron will in his very being, and a fixed determination in his voice as he said, “Before the sun sets this day, you will be teaching the gospel and bearing testimony to a family who wants to listen.”

I again objected, “Look, you’re over three times my age. If this is to be, let me row.”

With that same look of determination and faith-induced will, the old man replied, “No. Leave it to me. Get in the boat. Don’t waste more time talking. Let’s go!” At his direction we got into the boat, with me in the front and the old man in the middle, his feet stretching to the end of the boat, his back to me.

The glazed surface of the ocean was disturbed by the intrusion of this small boat and seemed to complain, “This is my territory. Stay out.” Not a wisp of air stirred, not a sound was heard except the creaking of oars and the rattling of pins as the small craft began to move away from the sailboat.

The old man bent his back and began to row. Dip. Pull. Lift. Dip. Pull. Lift. Each dip of the oar seemed to break the resolve of the mirrorlike ocean. Each pull of the oar moved the tiny skiff forward, separating the glassy seas to make way for the Lord’s messenger. Dip. Pull. Lift. The old man did not look up, rest, or talk, but hour after hour he rowed and rowed and rowed. The muscles of his back and arms, strengthened by faith and moved by unalterable determination, flexed in a marvelous cadence like a fine-tuned watch. It was beautiful. We moved quietly, relentlessly toward an inevitable destiny. The old man concentrated his efforts and energy on fulfilling the calling he had from the Lord—to get a missionary to a family that wanted to hear the gospel. He was the Lord’s wind that day.

Just as the sun dipped into the ocean, the skiff touched the shore of the harbor. A family was waiting. The old man spoke for the first time in hours and said, “Go. Teach them the truth. I’ll wait here.”

I waded ashore, met the family, went to their home, and taught them the gospel. As I bore testimony of the power of God in this church, my mind saw an old Tongan man rowing to a distant harbor and waiting patiently there. I testified with a fervor as great as any I have ever felt that God does give power to men and women to do His will if they will have faith in Him. I told the family, “When we exercise faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, we can do things we could not otherwise do. When our hearts are determined to do right, the Lord gives us the power to do so.”

The family believed and eventually was baptized.

In the annals of history, few will be aware of this small incident. Hardly anyone will know about this insignificant island, the family who waited, or the obscure, old man who never once complained of fatigue, aching arms, painful back, or a hurting body. He never talked about thirst, the scorching sun, or the heat of the day as he relentlessly rowed uncomplainingly hour after hour. He referred only to the privilege of being God’s agent in bringing a missionary to teach the truth to those who desired to hear. But God knows! He gave him the strength to be His wind that day, and He will give us the strength to be His wind when necessary.

How often do we not do more because we pray for wind and none comes? We pray for good things and they don’t seem to happen, so we sit and wait and do no more. We should always pray for help, but we should always listen for inspiration and impressions to proceed in ways different from those we may have thought of. On the boat, five men prayed, but only one heard and acted. God does hear our prayers. God knows more than we do. He has infinitely greater experience than we have. We should never stop moving because we think our way is barred or the only door we can go through is closed.

No matter what our trials, we should never say, “It is enough.” Only God is entitled to say that. Our responsibility is to ask, “What more can I do?” then listen for the answer, and do it!

-John H Groberg

Oct 1993

The Lord's Wind

Elder Perry’s Last Advice to Church Members

At Elder L. Tom Perry’s funeral in the Tabernacle today, Elders Dallin H. Oaks and M. Russell Ballard both delivered heartfelt tributes to their colleague and friend. During his address, Elder Ballard related the following:

“Three days prior to his passing, Elder . . . Oaks and I called on Elder and Sister Perry. We had a tender visit, and as always, Elder Perry spoke of his love of the members of the Church, and his great anxiety and concern for their spiritual well-being.”

Elder Oaks remembered Elder Perry saying, “I just worry about what is going on in the world! How did we get mixed up in this mess?” Elder Perry continued, “Worldwide morals are declining. At the same time, we have populations all over the world that are suffering. We have lost our good, strong Christian beliefs—it is just a tough time.”

Then Elder Oaks said, “As was typical of Elder Perry, he did not linger on the negative.” He smiled as he recalled these words from a dying apostle: “We have a lot of great talented help in the Church! These young kids who come along—I just love them. They’re strong!”

Elder Ballard recounted the advice that Elder Perry wanted the people of the Church to hear. “[I wish I] could get every member of the Church to go and partake of the sacrament, and when they took the bread, they’d ask themselves, ‘Who am I? What am I doing? How am I living? Where am I going? What should I be accomplishing?’ as they renew their covenants with the Lord.” He finished, “The minute they’d pick up the bread, something [would] happen.”

In those final quiet days, Elder Perry delivered this final testimony to his brethren in the apostleship. “Jesus is the Christ, the Savior of the world. Everything depends on Him. We’d better find a way to stay close to him, and if [we] can’t, there’s not much hope. [He] is what we need.”

Stay by the Tree

Heeding those who do not believe in Christ will not help you find Him. Searching ‪#‎spaciousbuilding‬ for knowledge will not lead you to truth. It’s not posted there. Only the Savior has “the words of eternal life.”Everything else is just words.

-Kevin W. Pearson
"Stay by the Tree"
April 2015

Where Justice, Love, and Mercy Meet

Jeffrey R. Holland tells a story of how we all can related to the Atonement.

Without safety ropes, harnesses, or climbing gear of any kind, two brothers—Jimmy, age 14, and John, age 19 (though those aren’t their real names)—attempted to scale a sheer canyon wall in Snow Canyon State Park in my native southern Utah. Near the top of their laborious climb, they discovered that a protruding ledge denied them their final few feet of ascent. They could not get over it, but neither could they now retreat from it. They were stranded. After careful maneuvering, John found enough footing to boost his younger brother to safety on top of the ledge. But there was no way to lift himself. The more he strained to find finger or foot leverage, the more his muscles began to cramp. Panic started to sweep over him, and he began to fear for his life.

Unable to hold on much longer, John decided his only option was to try to jump vertically in an effort to grab the top of the overhanging ledge. If successful, he might, by his considerable arm strength, pull himself to safety.

In his own words, he said:

“Prior to my jump I told Jimmy to go search for a tree branch strong enough to extend down to me, although I knew there was nothing of the kind on this rocky summit. It was only a desperate ruse. If my jump failed, the least I could do was make certain my little brother did not see me falling to my death.

“Giving him enough time to be out of sight, I said my last prayer—that I wanted my family to know I loved them and that Jimmy could make it home safely on his own—then I leapt. There was enough adrenaline in my spring that the jump extended my arms above the ledge almost to my elbows. But as I slapped my hands down on the surface, I felt nothing but loose sand on flat stone. I can still remember the gritty sensation of hanging there with nothing to hold on to—no lip, no ridge, nothing to grab or grasp. I felt my fingers begin to recede slowly over the sandy surface. I knew my life was over.

“But then suddenly, like a lightning strike in a summer storm, two hands shot out from somewhere above the edge of the cliff, grabbing my wrists with a strength and determination that belied their size. My faithful little brother had not gone looking for any fictitious tree branch. Guessing exactly what I was planning to do, he had never moved an inch. He had simply waited—silently, almost breathlessly—knowing full well I would be foolish enough to try to make that jump. When I did, he grabbed me, held me, and refused to let me fall. Those strong brotherly arms saved my life that day as I dangled helplessly above what would surely have been certain death.”

-Jefffrey R Holland
April 2015
Where Justice, Love, and Mercy Meet

Burnt Toast

Blessings/Promises of the BoM

Blessings/Promises the Book of Mormon will give those that read from it

• The spirit of reverence will increase; mutual respect and consideration for each other will grow. 
• The spirit of contention will depart. 
• Parents will counsel their children in greater love and wisdom. 
• Children will be more responsive and submissive to the counsel of their parents. 
• Righteousness will increase. 
• Faith, hope, and charity—the pure love of Christ—will abound in our homes and lives, bringing in their wake peace, joy, and happiness”

The Lord Himself has stated that the Book of Mormon contains the “fulness of the gospel of Jesus Christ” (D&C 20:9). That does not mean it contains every teaching, every doctrine ever revealed. Rather, it means that in the Book of Mormon we will find the fulness of those doctrines required for our salvation. And they are taught plainly and simply so that even children can learn the ways of salvation and exaltation. The Book of Mormon offers so much that broadens our understandings of the doctrines of salvation. Without it, much of what is taught in other scriptures would not be nearly so plain and precious.¹⁶

We testify that when used together, the Bible and the Book of Mormon confound false doctrines, lay down contentions, and establish peace. 

If we really do our homework and approach the Book of Mormon doctrinally, we can expose the errors and find the truths to combat many of the current false theories and philosophies of men.

-Ezra Taft Benson

Lord's Day

Why has God asked us to honor the Sabbath day? The reasons I think are at least threefold. The first has to do with the physical need for rest and renewing. Obviously God, who created us, would know more than we do of the limits of our physical and nervous energy and strength.

The second reason is, in my opinion, of far greater significance. It has to do with the need for regeneration and the strengthening of our spiritual being. God knows that, left completely to our own devices without regular reminders of our spiritual needs, many would degenerate into the preoccupation of satisfying earthly desires and appetites. This need for physical, mental, and spiritual regeneration is met in large measure by faithful observance of the Sabbath day.

The third reason may be the most important of the three. It has to do with obedience to commandments as an expression of our love for God. Blessed are those who need no reasons other than their love for the Savior to keep his commandments. The response of Adam to the angel who asked Adam why he made a sacrifice unto the Lord is a model for all. Responded Adam, “I know not, save the Lord commanded me.” (Moses 5:6.)

A more recent miracle occurred at the Wells Stake Welfare Tannery some years ago where hides of animals were tanned into leather. On regular workdays, the hides were removed from the vats and fresh lime placed in the vats, after which the hides were returned to the lime solution. If the hides were not turned on holidays, they would spoil. But the change was never made on Sunday, and there were no spoiled hides on Monday. Explained J. Lowell Fox, the supervisor of the tannery at the time:

“This brought a strange fact to our minds: holidays are determined by man, and on these days just as on every week day, the hides need to have special care every twelve hours. Sunday is the day set aside by the Lord as a day of rest, and He makes it possible for us to rest from our labors as He has commanded. The hides at the tannery never spoil on Sundays. This is a modern-day miracle, a miracle that happens every weekend!” (Handbook for Guide Patrol Leaders, Salt Lake City: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1964, p. 37.)

What if the world ran out of oxygen for 5 seconds?

Please be conscious of our planet!!!

Hardest things to say in life...

Satan and the Logan Temple President

This is a relative of mine on momma Kirkman's side of the family. 

Logan Temple President Marriner W. Merrill was sitting in his office one morning in the early 1890's when he heard a commotion outside. Stepping to the window, he saw a great congregation of people coming up the temple hill, some on foot, and others on horseback and in carriages. President Merrill's first thought was, "What will we do with so many people? If we fill every room in the temple, it will not begin to hold them all."

The riders tied their horses up at the hitching posts or turned them loose on the temple corrals, and walked complacently about the front grounds, without seeming to have much purpose in mind. They were rather an odd looking group, and were dressed quite shabbily.

They made no effort to enter the temple, so President Merrill went out to greet them and see what he could do for the group. He said to their leader: "Who are you, and who are these people who have taken possession of the temple grounds unannounced?"

He answered: "I am Satan, and these are my people." Brother Merrill asked: "What do you want, and why have you come here?" Satan replied: "I don't like what is being done in the Logan Temple and have come to stop it." That was a bit of a shock to President Merrill, and he answered: "No, we will not stop it. This is the work of the Lord and must go on. You know that you or any one else can not stop the work of the Lord."

"If you refuse to stop it, I will tell you what I propose to do," the adversary said. "I will scatter this congregation of people throughout these valleys, and we will keep people from coming to the temple. We will whisper in their ears and discourage them from attending the temple. This will stop your temple work."

President Merrill then used the power of his priesthood and commanded Satan and his followers to depart from holy ground. He said that within four or five minutes there was not a person, horse or buggy in sight. They just disappeared into thin air and were gone.

Then for the next ten or twelve years we could have closed the Logan Temple, for very little work was accomplished. In one full year, the number of endowments done totaled only 5,121, while in our day we have done, 3,064 in one day. Where all ordinances for the year equaled but 20,110, today we have done 15,456 in one day, and a total of 1,808,265 for the full year.

Christian L. Olsen lived only a half mile from the temple, and he said any time he said out loud that he was going to the temple, something happened to keep him away. One evening he said to the boys: "Tomorrow we will finish grinding out molasses, and then I'd like to spend a week in the temple." The mill was operating perfectly that evening, but the next morning the main wheel was broken. The more they repaired the machine, the more things broke and went wrong with it. He finally spent the full week making repairs so the only day's grind of molasses could be completed. He did not get to spend the week in the temple.

Another time when he planned a day in the temple, he got up to milk his cows and the corral gate was open. He spent the day hunting the cows in the west fields. Still another time, the corral gate was open again and the horses were gone. It took two days to find them in Logan Canyon. He said: "Anytime I wanted to go to the temple, I soon learned that I could not say it out loud. I got up, milked my cows, set the bucket down and ran. And then I could get there without any trouble."

Eight girls left Garland in a white top buggy one morning at 4am, to do baptisms in the temple. Just as they arrived on the west mountain where they could see the temple, a wheel came off the buggy. Before they reached Logan, they had had trouble with all four wheels, a hame strap had broken, the yoke came apart, and there was one delay after another every few minutes. They finally reached Logan at 5pm, after the baptisms were done and the font had been emptied. Some of the men were still there, the font was refilled, and the girls were baptized. They said that Satan followed them all the way to Logan that day.

The evil one's power and influence are real. He knows the value of temple work and would do anything in his power to keep people away. But he failed to recognize the faithfulness and devotion of the Saints in this area, for they were not easily discouraged.

The doctrine is not ours

Today during the afternoon session of the 185th session of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints general conference there was a group of people that opposed the sustaining of church leaders. It shocked many, but I find counsel in the following quote.

"The doctrines are His, not ours. The power is His to delegate, not ours to manipulate!"

– Elder Neal A. Maxwell 

“Murmur Not”
Oct 1989



No matter how much pressure the church or the prophet receives from the world, the doctrine will not change nor will the will of the Lord.

Woman Raised by Lesbian Couple: 'I Ached Every Day For a Dad'

Click on link

Woman Raised by Lesbian Couple: "I Ached Every Day for a Dad"

Crying ≠ Spirituality

President Howard W. Hunter (1907–1995) offered a caution with regard to emotions in testimonies:

“Let me offer a word of caution on this subject. … I get concerned when it appears that strong emotion or free-flowing tears are equated with the presence of the Spirit. Certainly the Spirit of the Lord can bring strong emotional feelings, including tears, but that outward manifestation ought not to be confused with the presence of the Spirit itself.

“I have watched a great many of my brethren over the years and we have shared some rare and unspeakable spiritual experiences together. Those experiences have all been different, each special in its own way, and such sacred moments may or may not be accompanied by tears. Very often they are, but sometimes they are accompanied by total silence” (“Eternal Investments”

Japanese say you have three faces

Whats the difference between Prophet, Seer, Revelator?

Elder John A. Widtsoe summarized the role of prophets in these words:

“A prophet is a teacher of known truth; a seer is a perceiver of hidden truth, a revelator is a bearer of new truth. In the widest sense, the one most commonly used, the title, prophet, includes the other titles and makes of the prophet, a teacher, perceiver, and bearer of truth.

“One who bears the title of prophet, and they who sustain him as such, are first of all believers in God, and in a divine plan of salvation for the human family; and, secondly, they commit themselves to the task of bringing to pass the purposes of the Almighty. They believe that the children of men are capable of receiving and obeying truth. Were it not so, the title ‘prophet, seer, and revelator’ would be empty, hollow words. As it is, they are clarion calls of the Church of Christ to a world walking in the dim shadows of misunderstanding.” (Evidences and Reconciliations, pp. 258–59.)

We go forward.

Chase that which has value

Think about those who you are trying to please

The blessings will always come

"The Lord’s delays often seem long; some last a lifetime. But they are always calculated to bless. They need never be times of loneliness or sorrow or impatience. Although His time is not always out time, we can be sure that The Lord keeps His promises."

-Henry B Eyring
Where Is the Pavilion
Oct 2012

Gap between the world and the church

As we continue to wait for the Millenium to arrive the teachings of the church will become further distant from the teachings of the world.  As this change continues there will be times where we will need to firmly plant our feet and stick up for our beliefs.

Our Identity and Our Destiny

When was the last time we prayed for a gift of the Spirit that would lift us above our mortal weakness and further our pursuit of godhood? Again and again the Lord has both invited and promised, “Ask, and it shall be given you” (Matthew 7:7).


Why is it so critical to have a correct vision of this divine destiny of godliness of which the scriptures and other witnesses so clearly testify? Because with increased vision comes increased motivation. Elder Bruce R. McConkie wrote, “No doctrine is more basic, no doctrine embraces a greater incentive to personal righteousness . . . as does the wondrous concept that man can be as his Maker.”31 And why not possible? Do not all Christian churches advocate Christlike behavior? Is that not what the Sermon on the Mount is all about? If it is blasphemous to think we can become as God, then at what point is it not blasphemous to become like God—90 percent, 50 percent, 1 percent? Is it more Christian to seek partial godhood than total godhood? Are we invited to walk the path of godhood—to “be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect”—with no possibility of ever reaching the destination?


As we better understand our potential destiny, our level of self-worth and confidence and motivation is greatly heightened. Youth will understand that it is shortsighted at best to take easy classes and easy teachers rather than ones that will stretch them toward godhood. They will catch the vision that it is godhood, not grades, for which they are striving.


How could we not have increased faith in God and in ourselves if we knew He had planted within our souls the seeds of godhood and endowed us with access to the powers of the Atonement? “Godhood?” If not, the critic must answer, “Why not?”


Perhaps we could suggest three answers for the critic’s consideration: Maybe man cannot become like God because God does not have the power to create a divine-like offspring. It is beyond his present level of comprehension and intelligence.


“Blasphemous,” responds the critic. “He has all knowledge and all power.”


Perhaps then He has created a lesser offspring because He does not love us.


“Ridiculous, absurd,” is his reply. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son” (John 3:16).


Well, perhaps God has not planted within us the divine spark because He wants to retain godhood for Himself; He is threatened by our progress. He can only retain His superiority by asserting man’s inferiority.


“No, no,” laments the critic. “Have you ever known a loving, kindly father who didn’t want his children to become all that he is and more?”


And so it is with God, our Father.


I testify there are no ordinary people, no ciphers, no zeros—only potential gods and goddesses in our midst. While many witnesses testify of this truth, the most powerful of all are the quiet whisperings of the Spirit that confirm both to my mind and to my heart the grandeur and truth of this glorious doctrine. As Jacob so taught, “The Spirit speaketh the truth and lieth not. Wherefore, it speaketh of things as they really are, and of things as they really will be” (Jacob 4:13).


I pray we will recognize our true identity as literal sons and daughters of God and grasp a vision of our divine destiny as it really may be. I pray we will be grateful to a loving Father and Son who made it so. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.


-Our Identity and Our Destiny
Tad R. Callister

Living one’s life with real intent

Worldwide Devotional for Young Adults

Click link above!!! I fast forwarded to my favorite parts but the whole talk is insightful!

The Significance of the Sacrament

“In my judgment the sacrament meeting is the most sacred, the most holy, of all the meetings of the Church. When I reflect upon the gathering of the Savior and his apostles on that memorable night when he introduced the sacrament; when I think of that solemn occasion my heart is filled with wonderment and my feelings are touched. I consider that gathering one of the most solemn and wonderful since the beginning of time.

“There the Savior taught them of his coming sacrifice, which in their bewilderment they could not understand. He plainly told them of his death and that his blood should be shed, and this was said in the very hour of his agony for the sins of the world. It was a very solemn occasion; there the sacrament was instituted, and the disciples were commanded to meet together often and commemorate the death and sufferings of Jesus Christ, for his sacrifice was for the redemption of the world.

“He was about to take upon him the responsibility of paying the debt brought upon the world through the fall, that men might be redeemed from death and from hell. He had taught the people that he was to be lifted up that he might draw all men unto him, and that all who would repent and believe in him, keeping his commandments, should not suffer, for he would take upon himself their sins.”

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The person who absents himself from a sacrament meeting week after week and month after month, and nothing prevents him from coming, is not loyal to the truth. He does not love it. If he did, he would be present to partake of these emblems—just a little piece of bread, a little cup of water. He would want to do that to show his love for the truth and his loyal service to the Son of God.

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I have the feeling, I’d like to be wrong but I don’t think I am, that a very, very large percentage of the members of the Church do not realize what it means to eat a little morsel of bread, drink a little cup of water in remembrance of the shedding of the blood of our Savior, Jesus Christ, and his sacrifice upon the cross.

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… If we fully appreciated the many blessings which are ours through the redemption made for us, there is nothing that the Lord could ask of us that we would not anxiously and willingly do.

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If we could see the Savior of men suffering in the garden and upon the cross and could fully realize all that it meant to us, we would desire to keep his commandments and we would love the Lord our God with all our heart, with all our might, mind and strength, and in the name of Jesus Christ would serve him.

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I have seen two members of the Church sitting together [in sacrament meeting], enter into a conversation, stop long enough for the blessing to be asked on the water or on the bread, then start again on their conversation. … That is shocking to me, and I am sure it is to the Lord.

It is our duty to carefully and thoughtfully consider the nature of [the sacrament] prayers when we hear them offered in our meetings. There are four very important things we covenant to do each time we partake of these emblems, and in partaking, there is the token that we subscribe fully to the obligations, and thus they become binding upon us. These are as follows:

1. We eat in remembrance of the body of Jesus Christ, promising that we will always remember His wounded body slain upon the cross.

2. We drink in remembrance of the blood which was shed for the sins of the world, which atoned for the transgression of Adam, and which frees us from our own sins on condition of our true repentance.

3. We covenant that we will be willing to take upon us thename of the Son and always remember Him. In keeping this covenant we promise that we will be called by His name and never do anything that would bring shame or reproach upon that name.

4. We covenant that we will keep His commandments which He has given us; not one commandment, but that we will be willing to “live by every word that proceedeth forth from the mouth of God.” [D&C 84:44.]

Do you think a man who comes into the sacrament service in the spirit of prayer, humility, and worship, and who partakes of these emblems representing the body and blood of Jesus Christ, will knowingly break the commandments of the Lord? If a man fully realizes what it means when he partakes of the sacrament, that he covenants to take upon him the name of Jesus Christ and to always remember him and keep his commandments, and this vow is renewed week by week—do you think such a man will fail to pay his tithing? Do you think such a man will break the Sabbath day or disregard the Word of Wisdom? Do you think he will fail to be prayerful, and that he will not attend his quorum duties and other duties in the Church? It seems to me that such a thing as a violation of these sacred principles and duties is impossible when a man knows what it means to make such vows week by week unto the Lord and before the saints.


-Joseph Fielding Smith
Chapter 6: The Significance of the Sacrament

God the repairman?

"If prayer is only a spasmodic cry at the time of crisis, then it is utterly selfish, and we come to think of God as a repairman or a service agency to help us only in our emergencies. We should remember the Most High day and night---always---not only at times when all other assistance has failed and we desperately need help. If there is any element in human life on which we have a record of miraculous success and inestimable worth to the human soul, it is prayerful, reverential, devout communication with our Heavenly Father" 

-Howard W. Hunter

"Hallowed Be Thy Name,"Ensign, November 1977