My Sweet Ben

Hello family and friends,

My sweet Ben has quickly deteriorated and his mortal life is coming to an end.

Ben was able to attend the Brigham City Temple Dedication a few weeks ago as his last hoorah out of the house. I can't think of a better activity to choose. It truly was a blessing to be at a sacred event surrounded by family. Ben is now chair-bound from increased pain in addition to fatigue so he hasn't been able to stand or be out of his chair for more than a few minutes. The tumors are growing and causing increased pain and general ill feeling. We are not seeking further treatment. By the power of priesthood blessings, Ben's pain has been controlled this week to a tolerable level that he might enjoy these last days with family and have a peaceful passing.
Ben's faith continues to grow and he is being sanctified as we trust in the Lord that this is his plan. We all continue to learn from this experience as we yield up our hearts to Christ. It is heartbreaking yet peaceful. We hold onto the knowledge that we will be together for eternity after all is said and done. It is hard but all is well.

We have been able to enjoy some wonderful visits with family and friends on top of our own personal time during the last few days. We have been looking at old photographs and videos and reminiscing about the fun times we had. These sweet moments I will cherish forever.

We celebrated our anniversary, or better known as our Thanksiversary, early. We were married the day before thanksgiving so every year we prepare a delicious turkey feast for two for our anniversary. We look forward to this day all year. As we ate dinner we watched our wedding video that brought on tears of joy and tears of sadness.

It is absolutely heartbreaking but we are kept strong and able to endure by holding on to the thoughts of the opportunities and promises that lie in our future when we are reunited.

We love you and are lucky to have such a large amazing group of family and friends.

His will be done and all will be right. 

We would have it no other way.

Peace is with us.

Building Faith

I read this in Ensign September 2012 "Building Faith in Christ" and thought I would share.

Paul includes faith in his list of spiritual gifts (see 1 Corinthians 12:9). Faith indeed comes by the spirit, yet as the Bible Dictionary notes, "Although faith is a gift, it must be cultured and sought after until it grows from a tiny seed to a great tree." There is much we can do to influence and expand the endowment of faith we receive through the Holy Spirit.

I just really liked this. :)

Why are we here?

I just wanted to share this with everyone because I thought it was really cool.

Optimism

I forgot to include my favorite quote in the lesson! This quote from our beloved prophet, Gordon B Hinckley, perfectly describes what I am trying to put into words.

"In my 90 plus years, I have learned a secret. I have learned that when good men and good women face challenges with optimism, things will always work out! Truly, things always work out! Despite how difficult circumstances may look at the moment, those who have faith and move forward with a happy spirit will find that things always work out."

Gordon B Hinckley (1910-2008) Way to be! p84

The Power of Optimism

I created this lesson for my young women (mia maids) and just wanted to share it with you in case it might help. :)

The Power of Optimism

Optimism can change your life!

The word optimism comes from the Latin word “optimus” meaning “best” representing looking for the best in any situation.

Let’s look up the word “optimism” in the topical guide. It says (see cheerfulness; hope). Hope is exactly what optimism emanates. Looking up “hope” in the topical guide we see it says (see also faith; trust). Hope is nurtured by faith, which is not something others can bestow on us. It is something we must find and practice for ourselves.

Definition: Optimism is the tendency to believe, expect or hope that things will turn out well.

How does this relate to the plan of salvation?

What is salvation?

Simply, it means being saved from a bad outcome. In other words, things will work out to make you happy (obviously contingent on obedience).  

What is the plan of salvation also known as?

The plan of happiness.

We were put on Earth to experience joy in addition to being tested. This is not exclusive. We are not here to experience joy OR be tested; it is to experience joy AND be tested.

2 Nephi 2:25 “…and men are that they might have joy.”

So is there a way we can endure our trials AND enjoy life? Of course!

Card Exercise: Each girl is given a card folded in half. On the front write “Perception is Reality”

Flip open the card. On one side, write something in life that you are struggling with. It can be anything that is giving you trouble right now. Think of this struggle throughout the rest of the lesson and write down how you are going to perceive this situation differently to help you overcome this challenge.

So HOW do we experience joy through our trials?

1 simple concept can do this. (Note I said “simple” not “easy”.)

We need to change our thinking. Period.

Reality is based on how we perceive life. So if we can change how we perceive life, we can change our reality. Perception is reality.

3 Habits to Change Your Thinking 

(or as I like to call them: The 3 Habits of Highly Effective Optimists) :)

1- Think from the Eternal Perspective

2- Look for the Positive

3- Be Grateful

This WILL take practice and does not mean we will or should NEVER have a bad day. Mourning and sorrow is part of our earthly experience used for our benefit and is good. Optimism can make you happy the rest of the 95% of your life (results will vary).

First, Think from the Eternal Perspective

What do I mean by that?

I often think to myself when I am having a hard time with something “Does this matter in the Eternal Perspective of things?” or even, “Will this matter in 10 years? 6 months?” This can help you make decisions as well as think yourself through hard times. Do you do this? Can you think of a time in the past when this would have been useful?

Next, Look for the Positive

We have all heard the old adage “When one door closes, another door opens.” 

Who said this?

Here is a scriptural reference.

1 Nephi 3:7 “…for I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them.”

Nephi said it… in slightly different wording.

If God closes a door, or allows a door to be closed, he will always open another door that will lead you to happiness. The hard part is learning to see it.

How can we learn to see this invisible path that is lying before us?

Don’t look back. Don’t dwell on what was. Looking back won’t let you see the paths that lie in front of you. Look to the future for hope. The future is only as bright as your faith. Let’s move forward. Everything will work out because of Christ. Live for the future because you can make of it whatever you want.

Changing your future takes new habits of perception. New habits take practice and awareness. Make an effort. Take a step back from the situation and realize all things are possible and look for the positive.

Seem daunting? Well we’re not alone. Romans 15:13 “Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.”

All he asks of us is for us to ask him for help. Ask and ye shall receive.

Think of the way you talk to yourself. Do you take responsibility for your own happiness or do you rely on people and situations around you to make you happy?

Which can you control?

D&C 123:17 “…let us cheerfully do all things that lie in our power; and then may we stand still, with the utmost assurance, to see the salvation of God, and for his arm to be revealed.”

One of my favorite sayings is “Do your best and let God do the rest.”

Here are some characteristics of optimistic people:

1- They think about, reflect on and emphasize the good things in life.

2- They are grateful for all their blessings.

3- They don’t complain when something bad happens.

4- They feel that nothing can hold them back from achieving success and reaching their goals

5- They believe in abundance, fullness, and richness in life

6- They are confident that the world offers plenty of opportunity for everyone to succeed.

(These points [italics added] from Leanne Beattie, Optimism and the Power of Positive Thinking; Original article found at http://www.sparkpeople.com/resource/wellness_articles.asp?id=835)

You can change your thinking with practice. Take that step back.

Third, Be Grateful

#2 on our list of characteristics was having gratitude. Optimists are grateful for the good things in life as well as for their trials. Why in the world would anyone be grateful for adversity?   !

Because they have used it to help them grow and progress, which is why we came to Earth in the first place, to progress. As children of God, we rejoice in progress.

I am grateful for each of my trials because I am a better person after every single event. I grow. I learn and I become happier as I am able to handle the stresses and sorrows of life from a more eternal perspective. Mastery over self can be achieved, not in perfectness yet, but enough to make us happy here on earth. When life hands you lemons…. all you need to do is add a little sweetness to create something great.

Return to the Card Exercise:

How can we overcome the struggle that we wrote down on our card? Discuss. Here are some ideas

1-  Consider if this will matter 3 months from now...10 years…. Eternally?

2- Try to see things from their point of view. Or the Lord’s point of view.

3- Does this person need help themselves? How can I help them?

4- Do I need to humble myself?

So once we develop habits of optimism, how do we keep it?

Moroni 8:26 “...Because of the meekness and lowliness of heart cometh the visitation of the Holy Ghost, which Comforter filleth with hope and perfect love, which love endureth by diligence unto prayer, until the end shall come, when all the saints shall dwell with God.”

We must be diligent in our prayers and commandments to keep the Holy Ghost with us, nurturing our optimism, and we will be able to endure to the end. We must keep in constant communication with the One that brings us happiness. If you do not nurture your optimism (this also applies to your testimony, hope and faith) it will become easy for it to slip away without you even knowing.

WHY be optimistic?

1-We ALL have 1 thing in common. We may not all have the same ideas but we all want to be happy. Optimism allows you to be happy most of the time, even throughout life’s trials.

2- Optimists live longer.

3- Optimists are healthier.

4- Optimists handle stress better.

5- Optimists have brighter futures.

6- Optimism is contagious. You may have no idea how your optimism can impact or even change the lives of others.

7- Optimists can gain eternal life. 2 Nephi 31:20 “Wherefore, ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men. Wherefore, if ye shall press forward feasting upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life.”

This quote from our beloved prophet, Gordon B Hinckley, perfectly describes what I am trying to put into words.

"In my 90 plus years, I have learned a secret. I have learned that when good men and good women face challenges with optimism, things will always work out! Truly, things always work out! Despite how difficult circumstances may look at the moment, those who have faith and move forward with a happy spirit will find that things always work out."

(Gordon B Hinckley (1910-2008) Way to be! p84)

His will be done in all things. We can still be happy.

Perception is reality.

If you can change how you perceive things then you can change your reality and your life.

Go To THE Source

My first reference for my research on what I should be eating is the Handbook on Life so I figured that this really was the only place to start- to get the correct foundation right off the bat. Of course, everything is open to personal interpretation. Here is mine after much pondering and thoughtfulness.


If you don't know already, I belong to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.
I believe in a few books of revelation in addition to the Bible, namely The Book of Mormon, The Pearl of Great Price and the Doctrine and Covenants.
The Doctrine and Covenants are modern day revelations given to the prophet, Joseph Smith, who restored the priesthood and gospel back to the earth after the great apostasy. These revelations consist of a wide variety of topics, one of which educates us on how to stay healthy in both body and spirit.
 Here is the original text in its entirety.
This "diet" is called 'The Word of Wisdom'.

{If you click on any of the following hyperlinks, it will take you to the entire original text. From there you can click on an individual hyperlink and it will describe that particular footnote in a popup box without leaving the page. Way cool!} 

Revelation given through Joseph Smith the Prophet, at Kirtland, Ohio, 27 February 1833 (see History of the Church, 1:327–29). As a consequence of the early brethren using tobacco in their meetings, the Prophet was led to ponder upon the matter; consequently, he inquired of the Lord concerning it. This revelation, known as the Word of Wisdom, was the result. The first three verses were originally written as an inspired introduction and description by the Prophet. 

1–9, The use of wine, strong drinks, tobacco, and hot drinks is proscribed; 10–17, Herbs, fruits, flesh, and grain are ordained for the use of man and of animals; 18–21, Obedience to gospel law, including the Word of Wisdom, brings temporal and spiritual blessings.

 1 A ^aWord of Wisdom, for the benefit of the council of high priests, assembled in Kirtland, and the church, and also the saints in Zion—

 2 To be sent greeting; not by commandment or constraint, but by revelation and the ^aword of wisdom, showing forth the order and ^bwill of God in the temporal salvation of all saints in the last days—

 3 Given for a principle with ^apromise, adapted to the capacity of the ^bweak and the weakest of all ^csaints, who are or can be called saints.

 4 Behold, verily, thus saith the Lord unto you: In consequence of ^aevils and designs which do and will exist in the hearts of ^bconspiring men in the last days, I have ^cwarned you, and forewarn you, by giving unto you this word of wisdom by revelation—

 5 That inasmuch as any man ^adrinketh ^bwine or strong drink among you, behold it is not good, neither meet in the sight of your Father, only in assembling yourselves together to offer up your sacraments before him.

 6 And, behold, this should be wine, yea, ^apure wine of the grape of the vine, of your own make.

 7 And, again, ^astrong drinks are not for the belly, but for the washing of your bodies.

 8 And again, tobacco is not for the ^abody, neither for the belly, and is not good for man, but is an herb for bruises and all sick cattle, to be used with judgment and skill.

 9 And again, hot drinks are not for the body or belly.

 10 And again, verily I say unto you, all wholesome ^aherbs God hath ordained for the constitution, nature, and use of man—

 11 Every herb in the season thereof, and every fruit in the season thereof; all these to be used with ^aprudence and ^bthanksgiving.

 12 Yea, ^aflesh also of ^bbeasts and of the fowls of the air, I, the Lord, have ordained for the use of man with thanksgiving; nevertheless they are to be used ^csparingly;

 13 And it is pleasing unto me that they should not be ^aused, only in times of winter, or of cold, or ^bfamine.

 14 All ^agrain is ordained for the use of man and of beasts, to be the staff of life, not only for man but for the beasts of the field, and the fowls of heaven, and all wild animals that run or creep on the earth;

 15 And ^athese hath God made for the use of man only in times of famine and excess of hunger.

 16 All grain is good for the ^afood of man; as also the ^bfruit of the vine; that which yieldeth fruit, whether in the ground or above the ground—

 17 Nevertheless, wheat for man, and corn for the ox, and oats for the horse, and rye for the fowls and for swine, and for all beasts of the field, and barley for all useful animals, and for mild drinks, as also other grain.

 18 And all saints who remember to keep and do these sayings, walking in obedience to the commandments, ^ashall receive ^bhealth in their navel and marrow to their bones;

 19 And shall ^afind ^bwisdom and great ^ctreasures of ^dknowledge, even hidden treasures;

 20 And shall ^arun and not be ^bweary, and shall walk and not faint.

 21 And I, the Lord, give unto them a promise, that the ^adestroying angel shall ^bpass by them, as the children of Israel, and not slay them. Amen.

This seems pretty self explanatory to me. 

 My interpretation:

God has given us the guidelines to be as healthy as we can. Whether for the temporally practical and physiological reasons or for spiritual reasons by just being blessed with health for following his word, we can gain much from following these principles.

God created the body. I trust that he knows how to run it. I choose God's team.

It appears to me that we are meant to live a "vegetarian" lifestyle consisting of grain, fruit, nuts, seeds, and herbs, etc. However, our merciful God has created for us a backup plan in times of winter and famine or anytime we cannot harvest from the earth. For these times has God reserved for us and granted us permission to eat the beasts of the earth and the fowls of the air. This makes a lot of sense to me because we would not be eating the animals of the Garden of Eden (had we stayed there) and were our bodies not meant to be healthy whether in the Garden or out of it?  We were created in the image of our Father and therefor our bodies are eternal and meant to live under any conditions the Father puts us in. (D&C 29:34)

When God gave us dominion over the beasts of the field, I don't think farming animals for meat is what he had in mind (I could be wrong- this is my interpretation). He is telling us to use them sparingly only when we really need it to survive.

 What an omniscient and loving God to give us the information we crave and need in this day of information overload.

Maybe I am reading into this a little too much, but I don't think so.

If God hands be a textbook and says read this and follow it, I think I'm gonna do it to the best of my abilities.

I only regret that I didn't consider this earlier.

My two cents.

That said, there is a scripture that states as long as you eat "with faith" meaning according to what you believe is correct and not against what you think is correct, you will be blessed for that and not be condemned. Rom. 14:21 (20–23)
So go forth, interpret and eat as you will. :)

Our Vegetarian Journey

We would like to take you on our journey to becoming vegetarian (or more accurately Lacto ovo vegetarian meaning we still eat dairy and eggs).

When Ben first said to me that he wanted to stop eating meat, I was frankly surprised. I didn't think he would EVER think about that. He's a meat-n-potatoes kinda guy. But laying in a hospital bed for a week due to cancer complications from growing tumors tends to change your mind about things like this.

Lately we have been seeing more and more information regarding meat and its potential links to cancer. It seems to keep appearing everywhere lately. 

Is it a sign?

 Is it purely coincidence?

Both?

Either way, I tend to follow my gut on things that seem to be presenting for a reason.

We figure, "What if?"

What if The China Study is correct and not eating meat can reverse cancer?

What if meat does cause cancer and weaken our body's ability to fight it?

What if I could be free of cancer just by not eating meat?

When you're right in the middle of battling cancer, you will eventually be willing to try anything to stop the suffering. Plus, you don't need meat to be healthy so why not give it a try if it could save your life and the quality of it?

Would I do this if Ben didn't have cancer?

Honestly, probably not. I love food. But I love Ben more and it is worth it to me and it is worth it to Ben.

A little history.

Ben had cancer in 2002. Synovial sarcoma. It was a tumor in his shoulder that grew extremely fast. It went from undetectable to a grapefruit size within a month. He was diagnosed a few months after we were engaged and he started chemo the monday after we were married. After chemo, radiation and surgery, Ben was free of the cancer. The chemo didn't seem to affect it at all and the radiation did not shrink it either. The surgery was the only thing that seemed to work. 

One year passed. Then 3 years. Then we were at Ben's 5 year cure date celebrating his victory over cancer.

Fast forward 8 years, just enough time for Sara to finish her education. Ben's tight breathing provoked a chest x-ray which showed a baseball size tumor in his left lung.

This was a big shock. How could it be back? It's been 8 years?

Over the next year and a half, Ben would suffer through multiple hospitalizations, 2 lung surgeries and would find another completely different aggressive cancer in his thyroid, which also resulted in a surgery to remove his thyroid and the surrounding lymph nodes. During this time as well as following it Ben would have multiple ER visits in addition to radioactive iodine therapy and more chemotherapy that he had previously swore he would never do again because of how traumatic it was. Cancer changes things.
Now we are looking into the hospital room where the doctors can't figure out why Ben has such severe abdominal pain, is swelling all over his body, can't breath and can't keep anything down. Call it divine intervention or just a smart doctor, an echocardiogram is ordered to look at the function of his heart. The echo technician quickly called down to the doctor that would read the report to make sure he didn't go home before reading it. Very shortly after, Ben's cardiothoracic surgeon came to the hospital room and stated that Ben needed to have fluid around his heart drained because he had cardiac tamponade, so much extra fluid around his heart that it was collapsing his right atrium. Left untreated this is fatal.

Following the drain placement, Ben felt "funny" in his chest but it was a good funny because he could now breath easier and he started getting better from then on. The pain in his abdomen subsided. The emptiness he felt after the draining was a result of a long process of fluid accumulation that was caused by the cancer in his lung, now encroaching on his heart and displacing it to the right side of his body. Additionally, the cancer has spread from his lung down through his diaphragm and into his abdomen pushing his spleen out of position and compressing his stomach.

And through all this we still have hope. We still have plans for our future.

We recognize all the prayers in Ben's behalf and know they have helped.

We believe that God gave us the ability to keep ourselves as healthy as possible as well as help cure ourselves. So we are going to do our part in trying to heal Ben and then leave the rest up to God. 

His will be done in all things.

But we will do all we can and if that means trying a different food lifestyle then that is what we will try. 

So I invite you to join us in our journey towards vegetarianism and health.

I have quickly noticed how much our society depends on meat.

I have my own opinions on meat quality now compared to what we used to eat and think that maybe meat was fine to eat at one time, but is it still fine to eat now that we are trying to "mass produce" meat using hormones and such?

I just don't have all the answers but that's ok. 

The benefit would greatly outweigh any risk or trouble if these theories and studies are accurate.

So, I would love to hear if you have some creative vegetarian meal ideas or delicious ways of cooking veggies. I'll share what I come across. :)

ADDENDUM: Please see my addendum HERE.

"Come What May, and Love It"

This is a little long but it is well worth the read.

~

Supplement from Conference talk

"Come What May, and Love It"

by Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin

The way we react to adversity can be a major factor in how happy and successful we can be in life.

When I was young I loved playing sports, and I have many fond memories of those days. But not all of them are pleasant. I remember one day after my football team lost a tough game, I came home feeling discouraged. My mother was there. She listened to my sad story. She taught her children to trust in themselves and each other, not blame others for their misfortunes, and give their best effort in everything they attempted.

When we fell down, she expected us to pick ourselves up and get going again. So the advice my mother gave to me then wasn’t altogether unexpected. It has stayed with me all my life.
“Joseph,” she said, “come what may, and love it.” I have often reflected on that counsel.

I think she may have meant that every life has peaks and shadows and times when it seems that the birds don’t sing and bells don’t ring. Yet in spite of discouragement and adversity, those who are happiest seem to have a way of learning from difficult times, becoming stronger, wiser, and happier as a result.

There may be some who think that General Authorities rarely experience pain, suffering, or distress. If only that were true. While every man and woman on this stand today has experienced an abundant measure of joy, each also has drunk deeply from the cup of disappointment, sorrow, and loss. The Lord in His wisdom does not shield anyone from grief or sadness.

For me, the Lord has opened the windows of heaven and showered blessings upon my family beyond my ability to express. Yet like everyone else, I have had times in my life when it seemed that the heaviness of my heart might be greater than I could bear. During those times I think back to those tender days of my youth when great sorrows came at the losing end of a football game.

How little I knew then of what awaited me in later years. But whenever my steps led through seasons of sadness and sorrow, my mother’s words often came back to me: “Come what may, and love it.”

How can we love days that are filled with sorrow? We can’t—at least not in the moment. I don’t think my mother was suggesting that we suppress discouragement or deny the reality of pain. I don’t think she was suggesting that we smother unpleasant truths beneath a cloak of pretended happiness. But I do believe that the way we react to adversity can be a major factor in how happy and successful we can be in life.

If we approach adversities wisely, our hardest times can be times of greatest growth, which in turn can lead toward times of greatest happiness.

Over the years I have learned a few things that have helped me through times of testing and trial. I would like to share them with you.

Learn to Laugh
The first thing we can do is learn to laugh. Have you ever seen an angry driver who, when someone else makes a mistake, reacts as though that person has insulted his honor, his family, his dog, and his ancestors all the way back to Adam? Or have you had an encounter with an overhanging cupboard door left open at the wrong place and the wrong time which has been cursed, condemned, and avenged by a sore-headed victim?

There is an antidote for times such as these: learn to laugh.

I remember loading up our children in a station wagon and driving to Los Angeles. There were at least nine of us in the car, and we would invariably get lost. Instead of getting angry, we laughed. Every time we made a wrong turn, we laughed harder.

Getting lost was not an unusual occurrence for us. Once while heading south to Cedar City, Utah, we took a wrong turn and didn’t realize it until two hours later when we saw the “Welcome to Nevada” signs. We didn’t get angry. We laughed, and as a result, anger and resentment rarely resulted. Our laughter created cherished memories for us.

I remember when one of our daughters went on a blind date. She was all dressed up and waiting for her date to arrive when the doorbell rang. In walked a man who seemed a little old, but she tried to be polite. She introduced him to me and my wife and the other children; then she put on her coat and went out the door. We watched as she got into the car, but the car didn’t move. Eventually our daughter got out of the car and, red faced, ran back into the house. The man that she thought was her blind date had actually come to pick up another of our daughters who had agreed to be a babysitter for him and his wife.

We all had a good laugh over that. In fact, we couldn’t stop laughing. Later, when our daughter’s real blind date showed up, I couldn’t come out to meet him because I was still in the kitchen laughing. Now, I realize that our daughter could have felt humiliated and embarrassed. But she laughed with us, and as a result, we still laugh about it today.

The next time you’re tempted to groan, you might try to laugh instead. It will extend your life and make the lives of all those around you more enjoyable.

Seek for the Eternal
The second thing we can do is seek for the eternal. You may feel singled out when adversity enters your life. You shake your head and wonder, “Why me?”

But the dial on the wheel of sorrow eventually points to each of us. At one time or another, everyone must experience sorrow. No one is exempt.

I love the scriptures because they show examples of great and noble men and women such as Abraham, Sarah, Enoch, Moses, Joseph, Emma, and Brigham. Each of them experienced adversity and sorrow that tried, fortified, and refined their characters.

Learning to endure times of disappointment, suffering, and sorrow is part of our on-the-job training. These experiences, while often difficult to bear at the time, are precisely the kinds of experiences that stretch our understanding, build our character, and increase our compassion for others.

Because Jesus Christ suffered greatly, He understands our suffering. He understands our grief. We experience hard things so that we too may have increased compassion and understanding for others.

Remember the sublime words of the Savior to the Prophet Joseph Smith when he suffered with his companions in the smothering darkness of Liberty Jail:

“My son, peace be unto thy soul; thine adversity and thine afflictions shall be but a small moment;"
"And then, if thou endure it well, God shall exalt thee on high; thou shalt triumph over all thy foes.”1

With that eternal perspective, Joseph took comfort from these words, and so can we. Sometimes the very moments that seem to overcome us with suffering are those that will ultimately suffer us to overcome.

The Principle of Compensation
The third thing we can do is understand the principle of compensation. The Lord compensates the faithful for every loss. That which is taken away from those who love the Lord will be added unto them in His own way. While it may not come at the time we desire, the faithful will know that every tear today will eventually be returned a hundredfold with tears of rejoicing and gratitude.

One of the blessings of the gospel is the knowledge that when the curtain of death signals the end of our mortal lives, life will continue on the other side of the veil. There we will be given new opportunities. Not even death can take from us the eternal blessings promised by a loving Heavenly Father.

Because Heavenly Father is merciful, a principle of compensation prevails. I have seen this in my own life. My grandson Joseph has autism. It has been heartbreaking for his mother and father to come to grips with the implications of this affliction.

They knew that Joseph would probably never be like other children. They understood what that would mean not only for Joseph but for the family as well. But what a joy he has been to us. Autistic children often have a difficult time showing emotion, but every time I’m with him, Joseph gives me a big hug. While there have been challenges, he has filled our lives with joy.

His parents have encouraged him to participate in sports. When he first started playing baseball, he was in the outfield. But I don’t think he grasped the need to run after loose balls. He thought of a much more efficient way to play the game. When a ball was hit in his direction, Joseph watched it go by and then pulled another baseball out of his pocket and threw that one to the pitcher.

Any reservations that his family may have had in raising Joseph, any sacrifices they have made have been compensated tenfold. Because of this choice spirit, his mother and father have learned much about children with disabilities. They have witnessed firsthand the generosity and compassion of family, neighbors, and friends. They have rejoiced together as Joseph has progressed. They have marveled at his goodness.

Trust in the Father and the Son
The fourth thing we can do is put our trust in our Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ.
“God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son.”2 The Lord Jesus Christ is our partner, helper, and advocate. He wants us to be happy. He wants us to be successful. If we do our part, He will step in.

He who descended below all things will come to our aid. He will comfort and uphold us. He will strengthen us in our weakness and fortify us in our distress. He will make weak things become strong.3

One of our daughters, after giving birth to a baby, became seriously ill. We prayed for her, administered to her, and supported her as best we could. We hoped she would receive a blessing of healing, but days turned into months, and months turned into years. At one point I told her that this affliction might be something she would have to struggle with the rest of her life.
One morning I remember pulling out a small card and threading it through my typewriter. Among the words that I typed for her were these: “The simple secret is this: put your trust in the Lord, do your best, then leave the rest to Him.”

She did put her trust in God. But her affliction did not disappear. For years she suffered, but in due course, the Lord blessed her, and eventually she returned to health.

Knowing this daughter, I believe that even if she had never found relief, yet she would have trusted in her Heavenly Father and “[left] the rest to Him.”
ConclusionAlthough my mother has long since passed to her eternal reward, her words are always with me. I still remember her advice to me given on that day long ago when my team lost a football game: “Come what may, and love it.”

I know why there must be opposition in all things. Adversity, if handled correctly, can be a blessing in our lives. We can learn to love it.

As we look for humor, seek for the eternal perspective, understand the principle of compensation, and draw near to our Heavenly Father, we can endure hardship and trial. We can say, as did my mother, “Come what may, and love it.” Of this I testify in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Notes
1. D&C 121:7–8.
2. John 3:16.
3. See Ether 12:27.
© Ensign, Nov 2008, 26–28

Well Said.

This is a great clip of a Latter-Day Saint Harvard student being interviewed. It is a little long but she says some great things. Enjoy.

Click Here.

The Book of Mormon by Dr. Seuss

Thanks Aspen! This is cute. Enjoy.

What if Dr. Seuss Wrote the Book of Mormon?
by K. Taylor

Nephi:
Of goodly parents I was born
I've never drunk, I've never sworn
This is Lehi, he's my dad
Laman, Lemuel, they are bad
And who is this?
Why this is Sam.
Sam:
Yes, this is Sam, Sam I am
Laman:
That Sam I am, that Sam I am
I do not like that Sam I am
Sam:
In a tent, my father dwelt
Laman:
And it's so hot, I think I'll melt
Lemuel:
Our father's brain is out of whack
Laman:
Yeah, it's too hot, I'm going back
Lehi:
Then go and get the plates, my dear
Laman:
On second thought, I'm staying here
Nephi:
You said you'd leave and go away
Now all you want to do is stay?
Lemuel:
That Nephi always gets his way
Laman:
Here we are in this damp cave
Sam:
We would not be here if you'd behave
Nephi:
I will go and I will do
There's the angel, that's my cue
Laban's had too much to drink
Now he'll lose his head, I think
Nephi:
Look what I found, a brother from the quorum
Sam:
We will take him home, we will call him Zoram
Laman:
Our gold and silver we have spent
I do not like it in this tent
Lemuel:
I cannot read the Liahona
I must have drunk too much Corona
Laman:
We hate it here, we have no lives
Lehi:
Then go back to the city and get some wives
Lehi:
A tree, a tree, I see a tree!!
The fruit is white, the fruit is free!
A floating building, could it be?
Why do they laugh and stare at me?
Laman, Lemuel, come and see!
Laman:
We will not eat your precious fruit
Lemuel:
We will not wear a tie and suit
Laman:
We will not help you build your boat
Lemuel:
We do not think that it will float
Laman:
No not this boat, it will not float
Not even in a shallow moat
I do not care what Nephi wrote
Lemuel:
We will not eat your fruit I say
Laman:
We will not eat it on a tray
Lemuel:
And we won't eat it in a tent
Not even if your clothes you rent
Laman:
We'd rather have a can of spam
L&L:
We will not eat it, Sam I am
Sam:
You do not like it, so you say
Try it, try it, and you may
Try it and you may I say
Laman:
Sam, if you will let us be,
We will try it, you will see
L&L:
Say, we like this fruit of life
Sorry that we caused such strife
You've saved us from an awful jam
Thank you, thank you, Sam I am!