Bring Healing Light into Your Life - Part One

Good Morning or Good Afternoon or Good Evening, this post focuses on highlights of a BYU (Brigham Young University) devotional speech in June 2024 and it's called "Bring Healing Light into Your Life" by Kimberly O. Jenkins. This post is part one. This post should take about five minutes to seven minutes to read from start to finish. 

Kimberly has mentioned the following;

"While attending BYU during my freshman year, I took a larger class load than maybe I should have. That semester my midterms happened to all line up in the same week. I remember attending a general education class in a large lecture hall in the Benson Building with hundreds of other students. Knowing he was giving a midterm that week, the professor started class by asking everyone to stand up if they had at least two midterms that week. 

Most of the class stood. He then asked who had at least three midterms, and many people sat down. By the time he got to six midterms, I was the only person in the room left standing. The professor pointed at me and said to the rest of the class, “See, no matter how bad your week is, her life is worse.”

I believe the professor meant to comfort everyone in that class, but I am not sure he had fully thought out how the last person left standing was going to feel. At that moment I felt so pressured and overwhelmed, wondering if I was good enough to be here at BYU. 

I know I am not the only person who has had that feeling. As President C. Shane Reese boldly emphasized: We proudly and energetically embrace our charge from prophets and apostles to “dare to be different” and to “become the BYU of prophecy.” Our students and programs consistently rank among the most competitive in thenation.

With prestige also come the pressures and self-expectations that push us to be our very best. In some situations it can also cause us to doubt if we are enough.

So how do we overcome the inadequacy we all feel at times in our lives? When life is so busy, demanding, and overwhelming, how can we find peace and purpose? How do we see God in our lives even in the darkest moments?

Today I want to speak to those who are feeling burdened or overwhelmed and share a message about the healing light that can help us find peace and purpose during challenges. I will discuss how finding this light requires being willing to work, recognizing miracles, and serving others.

Miracles Often Require Work

The first principle I want to share is that miracles often take work and patience. Elder M. Russell Ballard taught that we must do more than pray - we must act in faith. He said:

Praying for justice, peace, the poor, and the sick is often not enough. After we kneel in prayer, we need to get up from our knees and do what we can to help—to help both ourselves and others. ... 

With limited funding and only four weeks until the launch, they had to quickly find a solution. The team of faculty and students immediately got to work. They tried everything, but where a miracle was needed, all they seemed to find were more unanswered questions.

... In the students’ struggles there came growth, learning, and insight. ... As Professor Kent L. Gee later remarked about the experience: ... The Lord didn’t make it easy, but He certainly made it possible. I don’t know that the Lord cares about rockets, but He cares about the BYU students and who they are becoming. This experience convinced me of that.

Similarly, it is not always an instantaneous process to let light into our lives. It is more of a process requiring effort and action. It takes trying and then trying again. And it is going to work a little differently for each of us. ... the scriptures teach that Jesus Christ “is the light and the life of the world; yea, a light that is endless, that can never be darkened.”

It can seem too simplistic for me to say, “Let that light shine upon you.” I get it - there are moments when we all feel as if we are standing there, our arms outstretched, thinking, “I have my SPF 100 on; I’m ready for the light. Where is it?”

Just like the brother of Jared, though, sometimes the way we let light shine in our lives isn’t the way we might have originally planned. Often the Lord requires us to take action. He asks that we walk the beach, come up with ideas, collect rocks, and then come to Him in humility, asking for help.

I promise every single one of you, no matter your situation, that the Lord can provide a way for His light to fill your life. You are enough, and He will help you.

"It's not always an instantaneous process to let light 
into our lives. It's more of a process requiring effort
and action."

Recognizing Miracles

The second principle is that sometimes miracles are subtle, and we might miss them if we aren’t looking. When we think of miracles, it is easy to think of the big stories, such as those we see in the New Testament: the feeding of the five thousand, the blind men who received their sight, and the young woman who was brought back to life. It can be easy to miss the more subtle miracles.

As part of my job here at BYU, I introduce many important people to BYU’s College of Computational, Mathematical, and Physical Sciences. One of my favorite facilities to show them is the BYU anechoic chamber. This research space has special foam pyramids on the walls, ceiling, and floor. All this padding blocks most of the echoes and sound reverberation in the room.

When you walk in, the background noise of everyday life is cut out. You don’t hear cars driving on the street, air flowing through vents, or even the faint hum of the building’s electricity. It is a new level of silence that most people have never experienced. As you stand in the room, you start to notice noises that used to be imperceptible. 

You might notice your breathing, your stomach gurgling, or even the sound of your heartbeat in your ears. Those noises were always there, but without the distractions of everyday sounds, they are now perceptible. By removing all the ambient noise, the anechoic chamber allows researchers to better measure and understand the sound of whatever they are studying.

Similarly, you and I are surrounded by miracles, but we might not always see them because we are distracted by all the other things going on in our lives. You will notice in the New Testament stories that when Jesus Christ performed a miracle, He often told the recipient that they had been forgiven of their sins. Perhaps He did this because He doesn’t want us to forget the very miraculous nature of the gifts you and I are blessed with every day.

The Atonement of Jesus Christ means that we all can be forgiven of our sins. As a very imperfect person who frequently makes mistakes, I can attest to what a miracle that is. The Atonement of Jesus Christ also gives us strength. As Elder David A. Bednar said, “The enabling power of the Atonement of Christ strengthens us to do things we could never do on our own.”

Pay attention to the miracles in your life. While we are all here having a very human experience full of trials, disappointments, grief, fear, and pain, we can also feel joy and peace in those moments. We are all blessed with miracles. God is constantly telling us that we can do this, but it sometimes takes a spiritual anechoic chamber for us to hear Him."

I would like to encourage you to look forward to the next post because the next post will be continuing highlights from the same devotional speech. 

Stay Tuned. 

"New Year, New Me"

Good Morning or Good Afternoon or Good Evening, this post should take about several minutes to read from start to finish. Happy a little belated New Year. 

Are you one of those type of people to say or post "New Year, New Me" at the beginning of each year? It's completely okay if you are one of those type of people who does it.

We often hear or read posts from people whether it's from a relative or from a friend or from someone else that we know to say "New Year, New Me" at the beginning of each year. I feel that saying is a lie because it's definitely a new year but it doesn't sound realistic for saying "New Me". 

I don't believe in saying "New Year, New Me." Let me explain my reason why. 

By the end of each year; not everyone accomplish every single goal (all short-term goals and all long-term goals) that they've made at the beginning of the year. Some people make some adjustments to several or some of their short-term goals and long-term goals to make easier for them to say that they've accomplish those goals. Some people have high expectations of accomplishing their short-term goals and long-term goals at certain time frames, some people don't think about making back up short-term goals or long-term goals if their goals aren't achievable throughout the year, and so forth.

"New Year, New an even better version of me"

I often like to say "New Year, Same Me and look forward to what the year has in store for me."

I always look forward to new year because I always like to think about what short-term goals and long-term goals that I have accomplished throughout the previous year and think about the short-term goals and the long-term goals that I would like to accomplish throughout the new year. 

I would admit I don't always make back up short-term goals and long-term goals throughout the year.

What are some examples that we can say instead of "New Year, New Me" at the beginning of each year?

We can say; "New Year, Same Me, Better Habits" or "Focusing on Growth, Not Perfection".

We can say; "New Year, More Me" or "Setting Intentions, Not Rules."

We can say; "Rest and Reset" or "Evolving, Not Replacing." 

If you're one of those people who does say it, and if you prefer continue saying it or posting it each year; that's completely okay because that's your choice. 

I would like to encourage you to stay tuned until the next post. 

Stay Tuned. 

A Time to Choose - Part Two

Good Morning or Good Afternoon or Good Evening, this post focuses on highlights of ab BYU (Brigham Young University) Devotional Speech and it's called "A Time to Choose" by Elder Thomas S. Monson in January 1973. He was a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles at the time when he has shared this devotional speech. This post is part two. This post should take about five to seven minutes to read from start to finish.

Elder Monson has mentioned the following; 

"Labor

Then, number three, I will labor. It’s not enough to wish, it’s not enough to dream, it’s not enough to promise, it’s not enough to pledge. Literally, we must do. ... And Nephi declared, “I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded” (1 Ne. 3:7). It was James who summed up this lesson: “Be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves” (James 1:22).

No better example of laboring in the vineyard of God can be found than Elder LeGrand Richards, a special person in the hearts of all of the Latter-day Saints everywhere. ... Did you know, for example, that there is never a day when Elder Richards is free from pain, that his hip bothers him constantly? Did you know that he’s excused from kneeling in our prayers but never accepts the excuse, that he kneels right with everyone else, although one can tell from his face that it brings him physical pain? 

And then, at the conclusion of the prayer, one will be on one side and one of us on the other, and we’ll lift him to his feet, and he’ll thank us. Each week he’s out to a conference in the far reaches of the Church, building and lifting, obedient to the counsel of the apostle Peter. “Be ready always,” said he, “to give…every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you” (1 Pet. 3:15).

How many people can trace their membership in the Church to an introduction from Elder LeGrand Richards, particularly through that classic of his, A Marvelous Work and a Wonder. Earlier this summer, for example, I had a weekend free. Yet the Spirit prompted me to fulfill a responsibility. I boarded the plane for San Francisco, and there met with our branch of single people in San Francisco, and then boarded the plane to go to Los Angeles, where I might have the opportunity to meet with our young adult leadership in the southern California area. As I sat down, the seat next to me was empty. However, there occupied that seat eventually a most beautiful young lady. I noted that she was reading a book. As one is wont to do, I glanced at the title: A Marvelous Work and a Wonder. I said to her, “Oh, you must be a Mormon.”

She responded, “Oh, no. Why would you ask?”

I replied: “Well, you’re reading a book written by a very prominent member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.”

She said, “Is that right? A friend gave this to me, but I don’t know much about it. However, it has aroused my curiosity.”

Then I wondered. Should I be forward and say more about the Church? And the words of Peter came again, to be ready at all times. And I decided that this was the time when I should bear my testimony. I told her that it was my privilege years ago to have assisted Elder Richards in printing A Marvelous Work and a Wonder. I told her of this great man. I told her of the many thousands of people who had embraced the truth after reading that which he had prepared. Then it was my privilege, all the way to Los Angeles, to answer her questions relative to the Church—intelligent questions, that came from a heart which was seeking the truth. I asked if I might have the opportunity to have missionaries call upon her. I asked if she would like to attend our branch in San Francisco. Her answers were affirmative. Upon returning home I wrote to President Irven G. Derrick of the San Francisco Stake and passed along to him this information. Can you imagine my delight when, about a month ago, I received a call from President Derrick, in which he said, “Elder Monson, I thought you would like to know that today Yvonne Ramirez, a stewardess with United Airlines, a young lady who sat next to you from San Francisco to Los Angeles, a young lady to whom you said that it was not coincidence that you sat next to her and that she was reading A Marvelous Work and a Wonder on that trip, has become the newest member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.” I was overjoyed.

I realize that I have a responsibility to labor.

Love

And then that final pledge: I will love. Do you remember the answer which the Savior gave to the inquiring lawyer who asked, “Master, which is the great commandment in the law?”

And he replied, “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself” (Matt. 22:36–39).

It was Shakespeare who wrote, “They do not love who do not show their love.” How might you and I demonstrate our love for God and love for our fellowmen? Through obedience to God’s commands and the counsel of his servants. We have the privilege to obey the law of tithing, to obey the code of morality, to obey in each facet of our lives the word of our Heavenly Father.

There is a poem, a very beautiful classic - it’s almost a song - ”How do I love thee?” ... Our Heavenly Father can appreciate our love for him by how well we serve him and how well we serve our fellowmen.

By Love Serve One Another

Four pledges for the new year: I will listen, I will learn, I will labor, I will love. As we fulfill these pledges, we can have the guidance of our Heavenly Father and in our own lives experience true joy. Now, I don’t simply mean that we should make a wish, or that we should dream a dream, but rather determine to do that which we pledge to accomplish. 

We can, if we will. It was Henry Ford, the industrialist, who declared, “Whether you think you can, or whether you think you can’t, you’re right.” Now, shall we go forward with such resolutions? Can we change our practices if such need changing? I declare that we can.

... I testify today that when the Savior spoke those words recorded in Revelation he was giving you and me counsel to help us be true to our pledge this new year. Remember his words? “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him” (Rev. 3:20). My prayer today is that we will have listening ears, that we might in turn hear his knock, appreciate the invitation of our Lord, and have the wisdom to open wide the doorway to our heart and the portals to our mind, that Jesus Christ might come in unto us. Shall we make room for him in our hearts? Shall we provide time for him in our lives? Once again the choice is yours, and the choice is mine, remembering that our choices, our decisions, determine our destiny.

God bless you in your new semester, bless you in every part of your lives. I leave with you my testimony that God lives, that Jesus is the Christ, that our Heavenly Father hears your prayers, that he will guide you in your determination to serve him and keep his commandments as you listen, as you learn, as you labor, and as you love.

I declare that we are led by a prophet of God, even President Harold B. Lee, a man from whom we can learn important lessons, a man who teaches all of us the beautiful lesson of humility. When we see President Lee stand and hear him say to the membership of the Church and to people everywhere, “I am not the head of the Church. 

... I thank my Heavenly Father too for the privilege which has been mine today to have by my side here on the stand my sweetheart, even my wife, who brings me joy, to have by her my mother, who gave me birth and taught me in those tender years, and our daughter, who is representative of each of you here today, a student at Brigham Young University. I express my gratitude to the Lord and to our Heavenly Father and ask our Father’s blessing to be with each of you. In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen."

I hope you enjoy reading this devotional speech as much as I did, and I encourage you to stay tuned until next time. Here's the link to the Devotional.

https://speeches.byu.edu/talks/thomas-s-monson/time-choose/

Stay Tuned.