The past few months have been full of spiritual growth. I would be remiss if I did not give credit where credit is due. Heavenly Father, in all His wisdom and love, has allowed this spiritual growing and has blessed me as I "seek [His] face." It would be impossible for me to fully thank Heavenly Father for His goodness and mercy just as it would be impossible to fully thank Jesus Christ for His atoning sacrifice and deliverance from sin and death. The last few weeks have been great weeks of and for spiritual growth. I have learned a lot and I am so much happier today than I have been for years. I have begun diligently reading in the scriptures which has brought about much change and much understanding. I have been blessed to have a wealth of spiritual promptings, inspirations, and revelations. I have had the good fortune of having the best family on the planet. I have been so blessed to be surrounded by some of the most wonderful people in the world.
I could never do this alone. Although it may feel like it at times, I am extremely happy that I am not asked to "go it alone." I have a bishop, Bishop Farnsworth, who is a spiritual giant and truly a man of God. His two counselors, Brothers Dodson and Thomas, are great examples of family men. All three are fine examples for all of us men in the Mt. Mahogany Young Single Adult (YSA) Ward.
We recently had our Alpine YSA Summer Summit which had been explained to us as an "EFY-type" event organized for the single adults aged 18-31 in the north Utah County area. It took place Friday through Sunday evening. The events began Friday evening with a carnival, ward tug-o-wars, "speed-dating", and the night concluded with BYU's Divine Comedy. Saturday was comprised of a 5k run, an opening keynote speech by Robert Millet, two hours of workshops (6 different 1 hour classes of which you could select 2), lunch and a service project, and a concluding keynote speech by Mike Schlappi...all of this before 3 p.m. We adjourned until later that evening when there was a Peter Breinholt concert (guest appearance by Ryan Shupe). Following the concert, there was a dance held outside of the school where the concert was held. The Summer Summit concluded with a devotional on Sunday evening. Scott Anderson, institute teacher extraordinaire, spoke on the wondrous blessings of the Gospel, especially the Atonement of Jesus Christ. It was a great meeting and I am so glad that I had the opportunity to attend. However, I most likely would have avoided it had it not been for the wonderful people surrounding me in life.
Several weeks ago, Brother Thomas shared a message in ward council regarding the upcoming Alpine YSA Summer Summit. He related the story of the Brother of Jared when the Lord confounded the languages at the Tower of Babel. It was asked of the Lord that He not confound the language of Jared and his friends and family. They also inquired where they should go. The Lord replied, "go to...and there will I meet thee." (Ether 1:41-42) Brother Thomas and Bishop shared that this was the feeling they got in regards to the Summer Summit. Bishop stated, and then reiterated it to the whole ward in Sacrament Meeting and Sunday School, that the Summer Summit had been organized under inspiration. He said that the Spirit was going to be at the Summer Summit and it was up to us to meet Him there. Bishop also said, "don't be too concerned with what you're going to get out of this...be concerned with what you might be able to contribute. This helped me focus on what I could do to better the experience for others in attendance.
A strange thing happened, however, which made me think of the words of Christ, "but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel's, the same shall save it." (Mark 8:35) Several times during the weekend, I wanted to leave and go home to what was comfortable, "remember Lot's wife." (Luke 17:32) I might not have lost my mortal life if I had returned home on any one of those occasions but I would have surely missed out on several spiritual experiences and would have lost the life that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ wanted for me. I am very happy to say that I stayed all weekend. Several times I had the opportunity to reach out to someone in need. However, I know that many, many more times I felt the hands stretched out to me, bearing me up in my times of need. Several people helped me and, though it may sound cheesy, I will forever be grateful. I was filled with so much happiness and felt the Spirit so strongly this weekend that I was often brought to tears.
I was hesitant before Brother Thomas and Bishop Farnsworth bore testimony of the importance of being at this activity. I could not deny the power with which they spoke. I knew that it was true. This was a great opportunity for me to grow and to learn. I signed up to go within minutes after our ward council meeting without knowing if I could even have the time off of work. I knew that I belonged at the Summer Summit and that it was my duty to be there. I actually thought to myself, "If you can't get work off for this, then you shouldn't be working there anyway." I don't know if I would have had the faith to quit my job if it had come down to that. I'd like to think, knowing what I now know, that I would have gladly walked away. Luckily for me, it did not come down to that. I believe that most decisions in life will not be very dramatic. However, when it does come time for the dramatic decision, it is my hope that we can each rise to the occasion and choose to be on the Lord's side.
Gratitude fills my body, my soul, as I think of the Savior rising to the occasion for each and every one of us. It is my personal belief that He took upon Him every pain (read sorrow, illness, disease, addiction, etc.) as it is experienced by each individual person. He didn't suffer for us in general and He doesn't bear us up "in general." There is no doubt in my mind that He loves us all. I am so thankful for Him and for His perfect love for me.
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