One of my favorite quotes from George Washington has to do with industry: "It's wonderful what we can do if we're always doing." I finished something last night, something I've been working on for almost four years--law school. As I drove home from the law school I was impressed to consider the amount of sacrifice those around me, especially my wife and kids have committed to helping me accomplish my goal. Then the GW quote sprung to my mind--"if we're always doing." The work of the kingdom, and of any worthwhile endeavor moves forward on the power of sacrifice, motivation, and as I've most recently discovered, tailored attention in the form of spiritual faith. We really can do all things of which we are commanded, if we'll make the decision to forgo those things that don't really help us get there. As I was struggling to put the finishing touches on a few papers and complete some work projects I mentioned how busy I was to a friend and he, meaning well, suggested I not watch so much TV. I haven't followed a show in four years, no American Idol, no Dancing with the Stars, no Lost, none of it. I don't share this to brag, I share it to inspire. If I can knock out law school while working full-time, teaching seminary, and traveling 100K miles and 60 nights a year you too can accomplish those things of greatest worth in your life!
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
A Thought on Success
One of my favorite quotes from George Washington has to do with industry: "It's wonderful what we can do if we're always doing." I finished something last night, something I've been working on for almost four years--law school. As I drove home from the law school I was impressed to consider the amount of sacrifice those around me, especially my wife and kids have committed to helping me accomplish my goal. Then the GW quote sprung to my mind--"if we're always doing." The work of the kingdom, and of any worthwhile endeavor moves forward on the power of sacrifice, motivation, and as I've most recently discovered, tailored attention in the form of spiritual faith. We really can do all things of which we are commanded, if we'll make the decision to forgo those things that don't really help us get there. As I was struggling to put the finishing touches on a few papers and complete some work projects I mentioned how busy I was to a friend and he, meaning well, suggested I not watch so much TV. I haven't followed a show in four years, no American Idol, no Dancing with the Stars, no Lost, none of it. I don't share this to brag, I share it to inspire. If I can knock out law school while working full-time, teaching seminary, and traveling 100K miles and 60 nights a year you too can accomplish those things of greatest worth in your life!
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Mumbai and the Last Days
Ok, not literally the last days because we all know there is a lot of work to be done before the REAL last days are upon us, but I cannot but help feel an unfettered rage well up inside me over the recent attack in Mumbai. As I reflected on how much I appreciate my own safety and that of my family, it occured to me that much of what is happening in the war on terror we have seen in our hemisphere, it was just a couple of thousand years ago in the closing chapters of the Book of Mormon. Mormon recounts the scene for us in Mormon 4:11-14:
11 And it is impossible for the tongue to describe, or for man to write a perfect description of the horrible scene of the blood and carnage which was among the people, both of the Nephites and of the Lamanites; and every heart was hardened, so that they adelighted in the shedding of blood continually.
12 And there never had been so great awickedness among all the children of Lehi, nor even among all the house of Israel, according to the words of the Lord, as was among this people.
13 And it came to pass that the Lamanites did take possession of the city Desolation, and this because their anumber did exceed the number of the Nephites.
14 And they did also march forward against the city Teancum, and did drive the inhabitants forth out of her, and did take many prisoners both women and children, and did offer them up as asacrifices unto their idol gods.
The press in the US and UK was pretty merciful in describing the scene of last weeks attack. The Israeli and Indian press was not as reportedly most of the bodies appeared to have been tortured. What happened in India can happen anywhere in world, and it takes rough and ready men (and sometimes women) to do the deeds necessary to keep fanatics like this at an arms distance. So what's the answer? For those of you in uniform--keep up the good work. For those of you who have sons, daughters, husbands, wives, parents or grandparents in uniform--support them with all you've got. We need to pray for strength, wisdom, and even foreknowledge (intel dumps from the Highest level clearance there is ...the Holy Ghost) to ensure we're at our best when our time comes to fight tyranny and these abominations where ever we find them.
St. Patriot
The press in the US and UK was pretty merciful in describing the scene of last weeks attack. The Israeli and Indian press was not as reportedly most of the bodies appeared to have been tortured. What happened in India can happen anywhere in world, and it takes rough and ready men (and sometimes women) to do the deeds necessary to keep fanatics like this at an arms distance. So what's the answer? For those of you in uniform--keep up the good work. For those of you who have sons, daughters, husbands, wives, parents or grandparents in uniform--support them with all you've got. We need to pray for strength, wisdom, and even foreknowledge (intel dumps from the Highest level clearance there is ...the Holy Ghost) to ensure we're at our best when our time comes to fight tyranny and these abominations where ever we find them.
St. Patriot
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