Almost three months ago I extended an invitation to all my reader (s). It was a simple request. I invitedyou to say at least one prayer a day asking to see yourself as Heavenly Father sees you. For thirty days.
It has been close to 90 days since I extended this invitation. Did you do it? Did you remember? Did you choose not to?
I accepted this call myself. Almost every night as I voiced my prayer, I offered up this sincere petition. Just uttering the words brought a surge of confidence into my soul.
I’m not perfect. I make a lot of mistakes. I will never be smooth and cool but will always be rather awkward and clumsy. There are a lot of things I don’t know and will never know how to do. I’m not brave. I’m not good at small talk. Sometimes I fail. Sometimes I fall.
But…
I know that I am a daughter of God here for a reason. I will trust in Him. And I will be more than enough to see this task through. I know I have the potential to succeed. I know that I am loved.
This seems like a timely talk hitting on some key points causing confusion. Personally, I don’t get all the hubabaloo concerning this. All the talks and doctrine I have ever listened to make it perfectly clear to me.
All I can say to those argumentative folks not getting it is: “That’s not how it works. That’s not how any of this works” (quoted from an e-surance commercial of all places).
Perhaps you have some questions about the Priesthood and/or Priesthood holders? Check out this talk by Elder Oaks.
There are three things in my life I keep close to my heart. One is my family. Sure, I can make fun of them and tease them but you had better not. Two is my membership in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. And three is my home state of Wyoming (see rule for number one). Nothing turns me off faster or makes me become more defensive than someone mocking my state or hometown. Especially if that someone hails from that one state to the southwest right next to us.
My town happens to sit in a valley between two small mountains. I get tired of hearing how unimpressive our mountains are. I admit, neither one tops the double digit k range. But here are some things to think about before you turn up your nose in disdain.
There are a lot of mountain snobs amongst us. The general consensus seems to be a mountain is not a “real” mountain if it is below 10,000 feet (3048 m). That seems a bit unfair. I mean, 5280 feet is one mile (1609 m) – straight up. That’s one mile closer to heaven, after all. Both of the mountains in the vicinity of my town reach higher than that.
White Mountain runs north and south on the west side of town. It does not tower over town like the Wasatch Mountains over Salt Lake City. But, the peak does reach 7,623 ft (2,323 m). Really, that is nothing to sneeze about, mockers. The highest point is a rock formation called Pilot Butte that stretches to 7,949 ft (2,423 m) in elevation. But the thing to remember is, my town is located in the Rocky Mountains. We sit at 6,759 ft (2060 m) above sea level. So, of course an extra 800 ft is not going to look too impressive.
Aspen Mountain south of us looms to 8,657 ft (2,639 m). And Wilkins Peak reaches 7,650 ft (2,332 m). For the snobs out there, I admit, all under the 10,000 benchmark. But c’mon, still far enough up to take someone’s breath away. Literally.
To compare, Salt Lake City, Utah is only at 4,327 ft (1,320 m) above sea level. The Wasatch mountains highest peak only reaches 11,928 ft (3,636 m). Just barely over the 10,000 ft snob rule. And that’s just the highest peak. The Oquirrh (pronounced Oaker) Mountains that run parallel on the other side of the valley only reaches 10,620 ft (3,240 m) at the highest peak. So yes, when the valley is so near sea level (not even a mile high) the mountains are going to look quite imposing.
I used Wikipedia for all my numbers. Saturday I spent the day on my mountain. She may not be as big as some, but she’s good enough for me. Enjoy the videos!
