Talk

This is Jonathan's pre-mission talk given in the Sacrament Meeting of the Sherwood Hills Ward, Edgemont North Stake on July 25, 2010.


Greeting

As many of you know, I have been called to serve as a missionary in the California Carlsbad Mission, speaking English. In case you’ve been wondering, I didn’t bribe anyone to call me to a place like that. For those who have been asking, no, I won’t be visiting the Carlsbad Caverns. Those are in New Mexico. I don’t actually enter the MTC until August 4th, so when you see me at church next week, don’t be alarmed, I’m still going on a mission.

I’d like to thank you all for supporting me as I prepare to go out into the mission field. This is a truly amazing ward. From the time I was in primary up until now, I have had outstanding teachers and priesthood leaders, and to each one of them, I would like to say thank you so much, they know who they are.

I have been fortunate to be surrounded by an amazing group of friends throughout my life. We’ve had a lot of fun, but most importantly, they always support me in whatever I may do, and make sure to set me straight when I’m doing something dumb.

Most of all, I’ve been blessed to have a family like the one I have. Immediate family as well as extended family have been there all the time. My aunt and grandparents demanded that they buy something to help me get ready for my mission.

My brothers and sisters are always around to give me support and advice for my upcoming mission. My sister Camille has appointed herself my Missionary Police. “Are you reading your scriptures every day? You should go on splits. Are you riding your bike everyday? Are you getting up at 6:30 every morning? Is your hair in a part? You need to have your hair in a part.” It’s been good to have someone to keep me in line!

My parents most of all have been there all the time. They have supported me every step of the way, through the bad times, and the okay times, and the great times. And I know they will continue to support me in every way they can.

(3:30)

Brothers and sisters, we live in a pretty rotten world. Evil abounds in this world. Satan attacks us as every turn. It is our job to resist those abundant temptations.

Satan was with us in Heaven before we came to this earth. He knows each and every one of us; he knows our strengths as well as our weaknesses. Unlike us, who are now here on this earth with bodies, he did not go through the Veil which made us forget our pre-earth life. He knows exactly where to target us.

President James E. Faust taught that “We need not become paralyzed with fear of Satan’s power. He can have no power over us unless we permit it. He is really a coward, and if we stand firm, he will retreat. The Apostle James counseled: “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” And Nephi states that “he hath no power over the hearts” of people who are righteous.

We have heard comedians and others justify or explain their misdeeds by saying, “The devil made me do it.” Certainly he can tempt and he can deceive, but he has no authority over us which we do not give him.
The power to resist Satan may be stronger than we realize. The Prophet Joseph Smith taught: “All beings who have bodies have power over those who have not. The devil has no power over us only as we permit him. The moment we revolt at anything which comes from God, the devil takes power.” He also stated, “Wicked spirits have their bounds, limits, and laws by which they are governed.” So Satan and his angels are not all-powerful.”

So how do we build up our ability to resist these temptations? One way is by listening to the Holy Ghost and its quiet promptings.

President Faust continues “Satan has had great success with this gullible generation. As a consequence, literally hosts of people have been victimized by him and his angels. There is, however, an ample shield against the power of Lucifer and his hosts. This protection lies in the spirit of discernment through the gift of the Holy Ghost. This gift comes undeviatingly by personal revelation to those who strive to obey the commandments of the Lord and to follow the counsel of the living prophets.
This personal revelation will surely come to all whose eyes are single to the glory of God, for it is promised that their bodies will be “filled with light, and there shall be no darkness” in them. Satan’s efforts can be thwarted by all who come unto Christ by obedience to the covenants and ordinances of the gospel. The humble followers of the divine Master need not be deceived by the devil. Satan does not sustain and uplift and bless. He leaves those he has grasped in shame and misery.”

2 Nephi 9: 28-29

From my own experience, the Holy Ghost is your best friend in a rough situation. Your mind may be clouded and distracted by stress, the heat of the moment, or fatigue. When you are feeling pressured and tempted to do something you might not want to, have the discipline to stop for a minute. Wait for the Holy Ghost to prompt you. Often times, he will tell you to get out of the situation. If you can’t feel the Holy Ghost, you know to get yourself out of there. All you need to do is stop and think twice about things you’re going to do.

Proverbs 3:5–6
Something I do, is I try to ask myself, “Will I regret this after I do it?” If the answer is yes, or even a maybe, it’s time to do something else.
Do something else. Satan selects his disciples when they are idle and bored; Jesus selected his when they were busy at their work either mending their nets or casting them into the sea. This alone shows us that we need to stay productive at all times. When we are idle, our thoughts wander. Bad thoughts lead to bad actions. Bad actions lead to sorrow and regret.

(8:50)

As we read in the Book of Mormon, being a Nephite wasn’t easy. The Lamanites attacked over, and over, and over. But for a great part of their nearly 1,000-year history the Nephites resisted. The Nephites were obviously committed. Why didn’t the Lord take the Lamanites away?
There were many reasons. But the bottom line is, life is a test. We are here to prove we will choose the Lord no matter what.
Boyd K. Packer helps us remember the following:
First, God doesn’t tempt us; Satan does.
Second, God allows Satan to tempt us as part of the test. But He limits Satan.
1 Cor. 10:13.
Third, being tempted isn’t a sin. We sin if we give in to temptation.
Fourth, if we fail, it was our own decision. If the temptation seemed too great, it’s usually because we didn’t resist when we had the opportunity. We are often our worst enemies by putting ourselves in a position to fail. Even after Captain Moroni had prepared the Nephites with better armor and city walls, anyone who wandered outside was an easy target.
For example, if immoral thoughts are a temptation, are you avoiding the shows, music, Web sites, and other things that trigger them? Or are you outside the walls, just to see if any Lamanites are around? True commitment to keeping the commandments means we try to live as far from temptation as possible.

Fifth, as we resist current temptations, we gain strength to resist future temptations.
Finally, if you give in to temptation, which we all do sometimes, you can turn back to God through repentance. Resisting temptation is more than fleeing sin; it is pursuing righteousness with all your heart.
We need to show God that even after resisting 1,000 times, we will choose Him the 1,001st time too.


I’d like to end with an analogy I like to think of.
Imagine yourself in a military somewhere. You’re trying to shoot down some walls that fortify your enemies. If their wall is poorly built and maintained, maybe made out of cardboard, held up by toothpicks, it can easily be brought down by a BB gun.

If it is a little stronger than that, you might need to bring in a rifle.

If the enemy has maintained their wall a little better than that, a BB gun and a rifle won’t work, but maybe some hand grenades will, or some cannon balls.

Satan tries to destroy our protective walls. Satan will never give up on us. He’s gonna bring in howitzers, tanks, or missiles—anything to break down our wall. Let’s be smart and reinforce our walls to incredible strength. If he does end up damaging our wall, let us be quick to repent and repair our wall. If we do not, he will send more attacks where our wall is weak, and if we are not careful, bit by bit he will tear us down, and overtake us.

2 Nephi 28: 20-26

Ephesians 6:10-18

Build up your wall with the strength of Christ, and you will not fall captive to Satan.

Bear short testimony

Big Changes

Lots of new things are happening right now. Most of our family is relocating somewhere within the same month. Mom to South Jordan, Joe to Sandy, Camille to another apartment in Provo, Mike and Tara to MD, and I will be entering the MTC next Wednesday, then off to southern California.

It's been weird to shop for all my things for my mission. It's amazing to see how much I'll need, but at the same time how little I'll need. Every time I drive by the MTC, it gets more real, knowing that I'll be there in 5 days. Right now, I'm helping some of my family pack up, and going down my "bucket list". I've been hanging out with my buddies for the last few times, doing things I haven't been able to do much. Went laser tagging with Kevin and David the other day, went mountain biking with Lucy and Camille yesterday (it was still a blast, even though I felt really sick most of the time) , and other things too.

I finished up the temple recommend process yesterday. I will go through the temple for the first time on Saturday afternoon. I feel prepared, though much is unknown.

I guess I will try to enjoy this last week of life being "normal" before we all shift to a new normal.

Mission Talk

Many of you have been asking for a copy of my mission talk from this last Sunday. Here it is:

As many of you know, I have been called to serve as a missionary in the California Carlsbad Mission, speaking English. In case you’ve been wondering, I didn’t bribe anyone to call me to a place like that. For those who have been asking, no, I won’t be visiting the Carlsbad Caverns. Those are in New Mexico. I don’t actually enter the MTC until August 4th, so when you see me at church next week, don’t be alarmed, I’m still going on a mission.

I’d like to thank you all for supporting me as I prepare to go out into the mission field. This is a truly amazing ward. From the time I was in primary up until now, I have had outstanding teachers and priesthood leaders, and to each one of them, I would like to say thank you so much, they know who they are.

I have been fortunate to be surrounded by an amazing group of friends throughout my life. We’ve had a lot of fun, but most importantly, they always support me in whatever I may do, and make sure to set me straight when I’m doing something dumb.

Most of all, I’ve been blessed to have a family like the one I have. Immediate family as well as extended family have been there all the time. My aunt and grandparents demanded that they buy something to help me get ready for my mission.

My brothers and sisters are always around to give me support and advice for my upcoming mission. My sister Camille has appointed herself my Missionary Police. “Are you reading your scriptures every day? You should go on splits. Are you riding your bike everyday? Are you getting up at 6:30 every morning? Is your hair in a part? You need to have your hair in a part.” It’s been good to have someone to keep me in line!

My parents most of all have been there all the time. They have supported me every step of the way, through the bad times, and the okay times, and the great times. And I know they will continue to support me in every way they can.

(3:30)

Brothers and sisters, we live in a pretty rotten world. Evil abounds in this world. Satan attacks us as every turn. It is our job to resist those abundant temptations.

Satan was with us in Heaven before we came to this earth. He knows each and every one of us; he knows our strengths as well as our weaknesses. Unlike us, who are now here on this earth with bodies, he did not go through the Veil which made us forget our pre-earth life. He knows exactly where to target us.

President James E. Faust taught that “We need not become paralyzed with fear of Satan’s power. He can have no power over us unless we permit it. He is really a coward, and if we stand firm, he will retreat. The Apostle James counseled: “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” And Nephi states that “he hath no power over the hearts” of people who are righteous.

We have heard comedians and others justify or explain their misdeeds by saying, “The devil made me do it.” Certainly he can tempt and he can deceive, but he has no authority over us which we do not give him.

The power to resist Satan may be stronger than we realize. The Prophet Joseph Smith taught: “All beings who have bodies have power over those who have not. The devil has no power over us only as we permit him. The moment we revolt at anything which comes from God, the devil takes power.” He also stated, “Wicked spirits have their bounds, limits, and laws by which they are governed.” So Satan and his angels are not all-powerful.”

So how do we build up our ability to resist these temptations? One way is by listening to the Holy Ghost and its quiet promptings.

President Faust continues “Satan has had great success with this gullible generation. As a consequence, literally hosts of people have been victimized by him and his angels. There is, however, an ample shield against the power of Lucifer and his hosts. This protection lies in the spirit of discernment through the gift of the Holy Ghost. This gift comes undeviatingly by personal revelation to those who strive to obey the commandments of the Lord and to follow the counsel of the living prophets.

This personal revelation will surely come to all whose eyes are single to the glory of God, for it is promised that their bodies will be “filled with light, and there shall be no darkness” in them. Satan’s efforts can be thwarted by all who come unto Christ by obedience to the covenants and ordinances of the gospel. The humble followers of the divine Master need not be deceived by the devil. Satan does not sustain and uplift and bless. He leaves those he has grasped in shame and misery.”

2 Nephi 9: 28-29

From my own experience, the Holy Ghost is your best friend in a rough situation. Your mind may be clouded and distracted by stress, the heat of the moment, or fatigue. When you are feeling pressured and tempted to do something you might not want to, have the discipline to stop for a minute. Wait for the Holy Ghost to prompt you. Often times, he will tell you to get out of the situation. If you can’t feel the Holy Ghost, you know to get yourself out of there. All you need to do is stop and think twice about things you’re going to do.

Proverbs 3:5–6

Something I do, is I try to ask myself, “Will I regret this after I do it?” If the answer is yes, or even a maybe, it’s time to do something else.

Do something else. Satan selects his disciples when they are idle and bored; Jesus selected his when they were busy at their work either mending their nets or casting them into the sea. This alone shows us that we need to stay productive at all times. When we are idle, our thoughts wander. Bad thoughts lead to bad actions. Bad actions lead to sorrow and regret.

(8:50)

As we read in the Book of Mormon, being a Nephite wasn’t easy. The Lamanites attacked over, and over, and over. But for a great part of their nearly 1,000-year history the Nephites resisted. The Nephites were obviously committed. Why didn’t the Lord take the Lamanites away?

There were many reasons. But the bottom line is, life is a test. We are here to prove we will choose the Lord no matter what.

Boyd K. Packer helps us remember the following:

First, God doesn’t tempt us; Satan does.

Second, God allows Satan to tempt us as part of the test. But He limits Satan.

1 Cor. 10:13.

Third, being tempted isn’t a sin. We sin if we give in to temptation.

Fourth, if we fail, it was our own decision. If the temptation seemed too great, it’s usually because we didn’t resist when we had the opportunity. We are often our worst enemies by putting ourselves in a position to fail. Even after Captain Moroni had prepared the Nephites with better armor and city walls, anyone who wandered outside was an easy target.

For example, if immoral thoughts are a temptation, are you avoiding the shows, music, Web sites, and other things that trigger them? Or are you outside the walls, just to see if any Lamanites are around? True commitment to keeping the commandments means we try to live as far from temptation as possible.

Fifth, as we resist current temptations, we gain strength to resist future temptations.

Finally, if you give in to temptation, which we all do sometimes, you can turn back to God through repentance. Resisting temptation is more than fleeing sin; it is pursuing righteousness with all your heart.

We need to show God that even after resisting 1,000 times, we will choose Him the 1,001st time too.

I’d like to end with an analogy I like to think of.

Imagine yourself in a military somewhere. You’re trying to shoot down some walls that fortify your enemies. If their wall is poorly built and maintained, maybe made out of cardboard, held up by toothpicks, it can easily be brought down by a BB gun.

If it is a little stronger than that, you might need to bring in a rifle.

If the enemy has maintained their wall a little better than that, a BB gun and a rifle won’t work, but maybe some hand grenades will, or some cannon balls.

Satan tries to destroy our protective walls. Satan will never give up on us. He’s gonna bring in howitzers, tanks, or missiles—anything to break down our wall. Let’s be smart and reinforce our walls to incredible strength. If he does end up damaging our wall, let us be quick to repent and repair our wall. If we do not, he will send more attacks where our wall is weak, and if we are not careful, bit by bit he will tear us down, and overtake us.

2 Nephi 28: 20-26

Ephesians 6:10-18

Build up your wall with the strength of Christ, and you will not fall captive to Satan.

Provo City Champions!

This past Tuesday was the city championship for my team. It was a double-elimination tournament, and my team hadn't lost yet in the tournament. The other team, the Reds, was the team we had beaten the previous game. They had won their next game to get back to the championship. Both pitchers did very well, except their pitcher had one really bad inning, in which we strung together lots of hits and a few walks, and scored 6 runs. We ended up winning a tough-fought game, 7-5, to win the city championship. I am so proud of my team! They have worked very hard in practice this season and everyone has improved a lot.

Next week we have the state tournament. Luckily, since we were the #1 seed in our league, we get to play in Provo instead of traveling somewhere else. The tournament is a pool-bracket style, similar to the World Cup, so we will play at least three games, and then hopefully more if we are fortunate enough to advance. Wish us luck!!

Mission Call

I just realized I didn't announce my mission call.

I have been called to the California Carlsbad Mission. I will be speaking English and enter the MTC on August 4th.

There are two temples just outside of my mission- San Diego Temple, just to the south, and Newport Beach Temple, just to the north. The mission home is in Vista, about 20 minutes east of Carlsbad.

Here are some pictures of places in my mission. I am very excited!!

Carlsbad

Laguna Beach

San Clemente

Miramar USMC base

More Carlsbad

Legoland is in Carlsbad

And some of the desert as well (Palm Desert)

Newport Beach Temple

San Diego Temple

Anticipation and Tournament game

I can't wait for my mission. I don't have time to get a job, but yet I need something fresh to do. If I wasn't coaching little league, this would be a rough summer!

Speaking of which, my team is doing very well. With an 8-2 record, we clinched the #1 seed overall and have an automatic state tournament berth. Last night we had our first city tournament game, and we played the Cubs. The Cubs play dirty. The are extremely aggressive on the basepaths, and that has no place in little league. The catchers are generally not good enough to throw out the runners stealing second and third, let alone the 2nd and 3rd baseman good enough to catch the ball every time. But, this team steals on every pitch. Walks turn into doubles and sometimes triples or home runs. It is very aggravating and as close to cheating as you can get without actually breaking a rule. They beat us the first game of the season, and we beat them quite soundly the second game of the season because they had a rough pitching game, and our pitcher pitched a gem. This time, they scored 5 runs in one inning and 3 in another, thanks to their relentless base running. Our kids were getting down, and to make things worse, we got the worst umpire in the league. I hate having to yell at umpires, but I had to protect my team from some of the absurd calls he was making, so I gave him an earful a few times. Tim (the head coach) and I urged our team to keep their chins up and go and play hard. We ended up getting lots of great hits, lots of smart baserunning, and some phenomenal pitching. We were down two runs going into the last inning, and they had to switch pitchers because the other one had already filled his alloted outs for the day. We got a few walks, some more great hits, and loaded the bases, down one run. The pitcher walked in the next run, so it was a tie game. The next batter was Austin, who is a very nice kid, and sometimes he bats like he is a nice kid. This time, he saw a pitch and hit it through the infield and brought in the winning run. Final score was 9-8. Boy it felt good to beat that coach again! I don't put any blame on their players, but instead on their head coach. There were 2 coaches from other teams that congratulated Tim and I and also thanked us for beating them. Our next game will be on Thursday night.

Other than that, I've just been cleaning up the yard a bit to get ready to sell our house, and getting ready for my mission. I got three shots yesterday, and have to go back for two more in a month, and then another one in the MTC. I will get my clothes later this week or next week.

Mission and the Month of May

I apologize that I haven't been consistently blogging about the events of my life. In all honesty though, not a lot has happened that is worth blogging about. I have a pretty simple life as it is right now.

First things first. I finished up my semester at the U about a month ago. I got an A on my final research paper in my academic writing class. That was quite rewarding for a large amount of work. Today, I found out I made the Dean's List because I had higher than a 3.5 GPA. Granted, I had only 5 classes: three of which were pep band, symphonic band, and racquetball. But, I also had a meteorology class and a writing class, and a 4-hour-per-day commute on top of that. With the easy classes, I am still very excited to have that accomplishment.

My little league team is doing quite well so far! We are 4-1 and tied for first place in the league. We beat the only remaining undefeated team in our last game 10-4. Our season is only halfway done, and then we go into post-season tournaments. The kids are a ton of fun to work with. I'm thinking of going into elementary education if sports writing doesn't work out for me. I love working with kids.

The mission paper process is now over. It took about two months to complete them at a leisurely pace. I had to fill out all the information anyone would ever know about me, figure out how health insurance would work around the world, schedule and make a doctor's appointment and 3 dentist appointments (one was just a teeth cleaning), and of course, two interviews with my bishop and stake president. The stake president interview was intimidating, just for the fact that he's the stake president! I'm so happy my papers have finally been submitted to the Church, and I am so excited to find out where I will live the next two years of my life!

Camille ran the Daybreak triathlon this past weekend. I was so proud of her! That is no small feat to complete that, and without training especially. Maybe I will do one of those someday. Maybe.

Tonight, I went bowling with a good friend. We both bowled awfully, but I had a wonderful time. The final score was 68-58. Good times.

Well, that is all for now. I will try to blog when something remotely exciting comes up!