Hello Brothers &
Sisters!
We are excited to be in this
ward and grateful for the welcome and love we have already felt from so many! I
just wanted to take a minute and introduce ourselves.
So, I grew up in Boise, Idaho
& Riley grew up in northern California. We both went to BYU Hawaii where we
met and dated. We got married a year and half ago and love married life. We
lived this past year in Hawaii where Riley finished up school and graduated in
June and then we moved here for his job at Nike. We both love the outdoors,
hiking, and running.
We are also kinda nerds and
love harry potter!
To begin my message I wanted to start with a
quote from the wise headmaster of Hogwarts in JK Rowling’s Harry Potter. He stated:
“We must all face the choice
between what is right and what is easy!”
There are so many choices we
make each day. Some choices are big and significant with larger consequences
and others are small and don't matter too much at all. But choices come and go
throughout our day and add up and define us as people.
This past week my
three-year-old nephew Landon was faced with a very big choice. They had a food
drive for the local refugees and my sister was having Landon help her go
through the pantry in there home to gather up a bag of food to donate. She was
handing him items and he was placing them in the donation bag. They came to the
last box of Kraft MAC & CHEESE.
The three-year-old Landon noticed
and protested and said that he loved the Mac & Cheese and it’s his favorite
and he didn't want to give it away”
My sister paused and
explained about the refugees and how many left there homes and came with just
the clothes on their back and a few belongings and didn't have very much.
Landon wasn’t convinced and
told my sister to just give them some money instead because he didn't want to
part with the Mac N cheese.
Then they watched some Mormon
channel videos about refugees. He was very intrigued and asked more questions.
After these videos and some thought
. . . Landon made the decision himself and went and put the last box of Mac N
Cheese in with the bag of food to donate and then carried the food to the doorstep where the youth
would pick it up later that day.
Decided to donate Mac N
Cheese may seem insignificant to most people in this room, but to a picky three
year old that loves Mac & Cheese it was a REALLY hard choice but turned out
to be a character building experience.
There is a quote that states:
“History turns on small
hinges, and so do people’s lives. Our lives will depend upon the decisions
which we make—for decisions determine destiny”
I have been thinking about the many choices and decisions we
make in our daily lives and the consequences of those choices. President Monson
said concerning choices,
“Some are trivial. Some are far-reaching. Some will make no
difference in the eternal scheme of things, and others will make all the
difference.”
According to Dr. Joel Hoomans of the Leading Edge Journal,
“Various internet sources estimate that an adult makes about
35,000 remotely conscious decisions each day (in contrast a child makes about
3,000). This number may sound absurd, but according to researchers at Cornell
University3, we make 226.7 decisions each day on just food alone.
Each choice carries certain consequences - good and bad. This
ability to choose is an incredible and exciting power that we have each been
entrusted with my our Creator.
During out last stake conference in Hawaii there was a teacher
that we both admire that gave a powerful talk. He gave a quote in his talk that
has really stuck and become a motto for me and Riley.
He quoted: “We all have to choose to either suffer the pain of
regret or the pain of discipline.”
At the time we heard this talk, Riley and I knew our time in
Hawaii was coming to an end. Graduation was around the corner and with that
came the responsibility for him of final exams, homework, and class time. We also
had jobs and other responsibilities. On top we needed to figure out our post
Hawaii plans and future and make time to apply for jobs and network. It just
seemed like there was so much to do, but we also didn't want to regret our time
in Hawaii and not getting out and enjoy the beauty of the island.
We decided to be disciplined: To suffer the pain of getting up
at 5:30am. To be disciplined in out jobs and work and to not waist away time.
We had a bucketlist of things to do before we left and were able to accomplish
so much as we put forth the extra effort and made sacrifices.
I remember one particular Saturday. We had a full day of work
and things we had to do but also knew it was one of the last Saturdays in
Hawaii and really wanted to snorkel!
The only time that we could was at 6am... We woke up and got on
our swimsuits and drove over to one of our favorite spots. It was freezing, but
was one of the best and memorable mornings of snorkeling I have ever had, and
we were back in for church cleanings at 8am.
There is something so satisfying and rewarding when you are
disciplined in your choices. We must be disciplined to always choose the right.
Joseph Smith taught, “Happiness is the object and design of our
existence; and will be the end thereof, if we pursue the path that leads to it;
and this path is virtue, up-rightness, faithfulness, holiness, and keeping all
the commandments of God.
In second Nephi, Lehi teaches his son Jacob about agency and the
ability to choose.
"Wherefore, men are free according to the flesh; and all
things are given them which are expedient unto man. And they are free to choose
liberty and eternal life, through the great Mediator of all men, or to choose
captivity and death, according to the captivity and power of the devil; for he
seeketh that all men might be miserable like unto himself." Nephi2:27
Satan wants us to be miserable. His plan was never about agency,
but he seeks our agency. We must always remember that the opposing forces will always
place doubts in our minds when we make important life decisions. Good thing we
have the Holy Ghost to help guide.
This week I have learned that it is near impossible to prepare a
talk about “choosing the right” and not have the classic primary song “choose
the right” stuck in your head most the day!
I want to share these lyrics with you because they have been
such a part of my life this past week.
1. Choose the right when a choice is
placed before you.
In the right the
Holy Spirit guides;
And its light is forever shining o'er you,
When in the
right your heart confides.
2. Choose the
right! Let no spirit of digression
Overcome you in the evil hour.
There's the
right and the wrong to ev'ry question;
Be safe thru inspiration's pow'r.
3. Choose the
right! There is peace in righteous doing.
Choose the right! There's safety for
the soul.
Choose the right in all labors you're pursuing;
Let God and heaven be
your goal.
I especially love that last line! Truly, returning to our Father
in Heaven is our goal. We are on earth to be tested and tried. To use our
agency wisely and keep the commandments—its so simple and basic. Yet so many
choices are in front of us it is not always so clear.
President Monson gave a talk on choices and I wanted to share a
portion of the talk:
We are surrounded—even at times bombarded—by the messages of the
adversary. Listen to some of them; they are no doubt familiar to you: “Just
this once won’t matter.” “Don’t worry; no one will know.” “You can stop smoking
or drinking or taking drugs any time you want.” “Everybody’s doing it, so it
can’t be that bad.” The lies are endless.
Although in our journey we will encounter forks and turnings in
the road, we simply cannot afford the luxury of a detour from which we may never
return.
Decisions are constantly before us. To make them wisely, courage
is needed—the courage to say no, the courage to say yes.
Whether you wear a green T-shirt or a blue one makes no
difference in the long run. However, whether you decide to push a key on your
computer which will take you to pornography can make all the difference
in your life. You will have just taken a step off the straight, safe path.
May we keep our eyes, our
hearts, and our determination focused on that goal which is eternal and worth
any price we will have to pay, regardless of the sacrifice we must make to
reach it.
No temptation, no pressure, no enticing can overcome us unless
we allow such. If we make the wrong choice, we have no one to blame but
ourselves.
Eternal life in the kingdom of our Father is the goal. Such a
goal is not achieved in one glorious attempt but rather is the result of a
lifetime of righteousness, an accumulation of wise choices, even a constancy of
purpose. As with anything really worthwhile, the reward of eternal life
requires effort.
Close quote.
President David O. McKay said, “The greatest battle of life is
fought out within the silent chambers of your own soul. The crown of character
is self-control.”
Brigham Young said, “The sooner an individual resists temptation
to do, say, or think wrong, while he has light to correct his judgment, the
quicker he will gain strength and power to overcome every temptation to do
evil.”
Joshua did not say, “Choose ye sometime this year that you will
serve the Lord.” He said: Choose you this day!
Decide now. Stay out of the devil’s territory. Don’t flirt with
evil and stay away from that line... Or as my husband probably would relate it
to sports:
“Don’t give Satan any home field advantage by being places you
shouldn’t be.”
I love what Clayton Christensen says, “It is easier to do right
100% of the time than it is to do right 98% of the time.” Its so true.
I just wanted to close with one personal story that has been
valuable in my life. When I was 7 years old. . . almost 8 years old. I was in
the shopping mall with my mom. I
remember being in JCpennys and seeing such a beautiful ring. It was enclosed in
a box that opened and closed. Kinda like a wedding ring! I remember asking my
mom if we could buy it and she said “no” and continued doing her shopping. I
really wanted that ring though… I knew stealing was wrong, but I was also
pretty smart and knew when I was baptized that my sins would be washed clean.
So Satan convinced me and I convinced myself that stealing it would be OKAY because I’m not
quite 8 yet and don’t know better... I took the ring out of the box and
slipped it in my jean pocket. Pretty classic kid theft story. . that night I
couldn't take out the ring or really look at it, guilt hit me. I knew I made the wrong choice and knew I
would go to jail when they found out.
I went into my mom sobbing and confessed and learned about
repentance and we went through the process and returned the ring! Happy ending!
The thing that stands out in the story and why I wanted to share
it was the thought that came into my 8 year old head: “I could steal now and
repent and be baptized later and clean.”
How many times does Satan still use this old trick... “sin now,
procrastinate now, lie now, cheat now,
wait-to-repent-a-little-longer-it’s inconvenient now” He’s a pretty
clever guy.
But, we are here NOW in sacrament meeting to come together and
repent and rededicate ourselves to follow Christ and choose the right today. I
hope the spirit has spoke to you this past week during conference and now and
we can all strive together to be more obedient and faithful Saints.
I’m so grateful for this gospel and church. So grateful it’s here
in Japan and around the world! I know happiness truly comes from obedience. I’m
grateful for the BOM, prayer, and the spirit that help lead and guide me along
the way.
In the name of Jesus Christ: Amen!
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