THE SINCERE DESIRE TO CHANGE

Everyone that Sister Lindsay and I  meet on our mission, whether they are already members of the Church or not, is traveling on their own personal lifelong journey in this world. Along the way, each of us is certain to come in contact with other individuals and interact with them perhaps just briefly, or maybe intermittently over a much longer period of time. In a few instances some of those relationships can even last a lifetime.

In real life we have experiences, acquire habits, and develop attributes that shape our character. In short, every day we are in the process of becoming who we will ultimately be when our sojourn on the planet earth is completed. As it relates to those other folks who pass through our lives, they can be an influence for good or ill; and it is a really good idea to seek the company of men and women who have the ability to lift our spirits while encouraging us to become the best of what Heavenly Father wants us to be here on earth.

But what happens when we have not always made the best choices in terms of the company that we keep, the habits that we adopt, or the way we use our time and abilities? The spirit may be willing to change, but the flesh is weak. David O. McKay (1873–1970), President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, clearly stated: “The purpose of the gospel is … to make bad men good and good men better, and to change human nature.”

We have been working with a particular Church family locally where the husband has had a problem for some years with alcohol. He has sincerely wanted to stop drinking because he knows that it isn't good for him physically, it sets a poor example for his family in his role as a husband and father, it wastes money that is needed for household food and clothing, and it is keeping him from growing spiritually in his relationship with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.

It has taken some time to get to the point where this man has finally realized and accepted the fact that he cannot solve this problem with alcohol by himself. He has tried and failed, then tried and failed again . . . many, many times. The scriptures tell us that the natural man is an enemy to God; and because of the probable danger that it can destroy us along the way if we don't get the help that we need, the natural man is also our own worst enemy as well!

One of the greatest tests in mortality is to recognize and accept the fact that not even God expects us to overcome our weaknesses, sins, and shortcomings by ourselves. Everyone born to earthly parents is tempted by the flesh. We are by nature fallen creatures subject to sin, corruption, and death. That is why The Plan of Salvation was established before this world was even created; and within the plan itself, provision was made for us to have a Savior who would atone for our mistakes, transgressions, and sins if we would repent and accept the Him as our personal Redeemer.

Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles has taught that the gospel of the Savior is not simply about avoiding bad in our lives; it also is essentially about doing and becoming good. And the Atonement provides help for us to overcome and avoid bad and to do and become good. Help from the Savior is available for the entire journey of mortality—from bad to good to better and to change our very nature.

Now begins the journey to healing for this man as he enrolls in an addiction recovery program at Church and begins to accept the offer for real help from the Lord to alter his priorities and to change his nature. We will work closely with him to encourage him to rely more fully upon the strength that is offered by the Savior. May Heavenly Father bless him to stay the course and find his joy and happiness in the fullness of the gospel.

THE MOURNERS LEFT VERY QUICKLY

Today while visiting an elderly faithful member of the Church in a Baltimore hospital, we heard a most unusual true story during our conversation with Keith who is the patient's son. He told us about his very first experience with death more than 60 years ago. I should point out that America was a much different place in the early 1950s as Sister Lindsay and I can personally attest to based upon our own life's experiences from way back then. People of color were mostly identified as Negroes; and in much of society, segregation between the races was relatively common.

Keith's grandfather was working as a custodian at a local public school; and one of his co-workers, a Negro, had just passed away. Grandfather decided that he should take Keith who was just a young child and attend the man's viewing that was being held at the deceased person's residence, an old country farmhouse.

The viewing was held in the front room of the house

When the little boy and his grandfather arrived to pay their respects, the front room was filled to capacity with family, neighbors and friends of the deceased; but the two of them were the only white people present. The simple wooden casket was positioned over two heavy boards that extended into the room through a window from outside that had then been closed to keep the lumber in place. 

The people were all singing gospel music and swaying in rhythm together; when all of a sudden, without any warning, the casket began to move up and down irratically as if the departed had come back to life. Startled and perhaps a bit frightened, the mourners collectively scrambled out of the house as quickly as they could make their way through the front door.

Keith and his grandfather were suddenly and unexpectedly all alone. When they walked outside the building, the two of them discovered what had caused the casket to move. A very large hog had determined that those heavy boards holding the casket in place inside also made an excellent backscratcher when  rubbed from underneath where they overhung the building outside!

MAN'S SEARCH FOR HAPPINESS

All things being equal . . . they aren't!

As a belated honeymoon trip in 1964 Sister Lindsay and I attended the New York World's Fair on Long island with our two best friends; and as a part of that wonderful adventure, the four of us spent some time together at the Mormon Pavilion. This was our first meaningful interactive experience with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and it included our viewing of a Church video called Man's Search for Happiness.

Given the fact that we have now been members of the Church for almost 45 years, it is significant that the message presented in that film to us and countless other World's Fair visitors at that time so long ago still rings true today . . . people are still seeking happiness in their lives, but they don't necessarily know where to find it or how to hold on to it.

I was reminded of the film this week because there are two street carnivals operating within a few miles of where we are living in Baltimore. Man's Search for Happiness depicts just how easy it is for individuals to place value on items of little worth such as the prizes that can be won at a carnival rather than investing in those eternal things that lead to salvation and eternal happiness.

This Ferris wheel has no meaningful destination 

We stood outside the fence at the carnival for a few minutes and watched individuals and families lined up at the ticket window paying a $2 admission plus $40 to obtain $50 (such a bargain) worth of tickets that would pay for short rides that lasted about five minutes each. From our external vantage point, we could see that inside the enclosure there were also many games of chance and a large variety of overpriced food for sale. It did not appear that many of those in line could really afford to spend that amount of money for such trivial amusements; however, they were doing it anyhow.

Richard G. Scott, an apostle in this final dispensation tells us, "When faith is properly understood and used, it has dramatically far-reaching effects. Such faith can transform an individual’s life from maudlin, common everyday activities to a symphony of joy and happiness. The exercise of faith is vital to Father in Heaven’s plan of happiness. But true faith, faith unto salvation, is centered on the Lord Jesus Christ, faith in His doctrines and teachings, faith in the prophetic guidance of the Lord’s anointed, faith in the capacity to discover hidden characteristics and traits that can transform life. Truly, faith in the Savior is a principle of action and power."

Man's search for happiness can only be found and sustained when we look beyond what the world has to offer and seek first the Kingdom of God and embrace gospel truth with all of our heart, might, mind, and strength. Then, Our Father in Heaven will bless us with all that He has; so we can be happy in this life and the life to come.

But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: (Matthew 6:20)

LEARNING TO SPEAK BAWLAMARESE

Sister Lindsay and I were unaware when we accepted our mission call to the Maryland Baltimore Mission that we were being assigned to a foreign-speaking mission. Senior missionaries who are serving in foreign-speaking assignments spend two weeks at the Missionary Training Center in Provo, Utah to help them become familiar with the new language and culture. Since we were only at the MTC for five days, the Missionary Department apparently didn't realize when we were there last September that Bawlarmarese is a language spoken here that only somewhat resembles English.

Welcome to what some folks call Charm City . . . Balamer, Murlan

It is absolutely essential to know how to pronounce the location where we are serving our mission, which is Balamer, Murlan. You might be interested to know that our mission also includes the city of Napolis (Annapolis), the seat of the Murlan gubmint (government) where the gubner (governor) lives and works.

Although we traditionally refer to other adult members in the Church as Brother and Sister, for the local latter-day saints that can be a bit awkward since the universal title for everyone in this town, regardless of gender or age, is Hon. The word Hon is interchangeable with any name, and people that you have never previously met will immediately call you Hon. The word is also frequently used at the end of a conversation such as . . . "We'll see you again next week, Hon."

Balamer's unusual dialect shares at least some characteristics with neighboring Philadelphia. Since my mother was a 6th generation Philadelphian, listening to people speak in this area sometimes reminds me of my youth when our family would visit relatives in Mom's hometown. The native residents in the metropolitan area will readily tell you that they don't have an accent, but they feel everyone else does!

Sister Lindsay and I were surprised to discover just how much warter (water) there is in and around the city. Warter obviously played a significant role in this area during the War of 1812 after the British burned Warshinn (Washington), our nation's capitol, which is just 40 miles south of  Balamer. It was here that Francis Scott Key wrote the words that became De Stor Spangelt Banner Antem (the Star Spangled Banner Anthem) as he watched the British bombard Fort Mikenry (McHenry) in the harbor.

Within the Chesapeake Ward boundaries, there are many different communities such as Aoberlee (Overlea), Dundock (Dundalk), and Spaars Point (Sparrows Point) where the huge Bethlum (Bethlehem) Steel industrial complex is still operating. From a religious perspective, many different faiths are represented, but a significant number of Calf Licks (Catholic) call Balamer home. Unfortunately, there is considerable crime in the area, and we have to admit that we have never before seen so many uniformed pleece (police).

We admittedly don't always know zackly (exactly) what people are saying, but we are learning as we go. You could travel all over the erf (earth) and not find another place quite like Balamer.

WE WORSHIP THE RESURRECTED LORD

Azaleas in bloom at Easter near Baltimore

The budding trees, flowering bulbs, and brightly blossoming bushes loudly proclaim that spring has arrived in Maryland. The landscape is bedazzled in 40 shades of green. And as it turned out, all of this beautiful natural splendor arrived as it should have in time for Easter worship. From an earlier era, a thoughtful Martin Luther penned these reflective words: "Our Lord has written the promise of the resurrection, not in books alone, but in every leaf in spring-time."

People around the world associate many different symbols with their celebration of Easter, some of them related to the Son of God while others are not. Much of Christianity seems focused on signs pertaining to Jesus' crucifixion such as His unfathomable suffering at Gethsemane and Golgotha, the crown of thorns, the red robe, or the cross itself. But what is it about Easter that sets it apart from everything else that has ever occurred in the history of mankind on the face of this earth? As members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we testify that we worship the resurrected Lord rather than the crucified Christ. Our definitive symbol of Easter is the empty tomb.

Easter says you can put truth in a grave, but it won't stay there.

                                                          - Clarence W. Hall

Since the creation of man, no fact of life has been so certain as death at the close of mortality. When the last of life’s breath is drawn, there is a finality comparable to no other finality. Gordon B. Hinckley, a prophet in this last dispensation has noted, however, that death is not final. Though it seems so when its dark shroud overshadows mortal life, to those who accept the Christ and His eternal mission there is light and comfort, there is assurance, there is certainty.

"Of all the victories in human history," President Hinckley suggests, "none is so great, none so universal in its effect, none so everlasting in its consequences as the victory of the crucified Lord who came forth in the Resurrection that first Easter morning."

And now, after the many testimonies which have been given of him, this is the testimony, last of all, which we give of him: That he lives! For we saw him, even on the right hand of God; and we heard the voice bearing record that he is the Only Begotten of the Father -  that by him, and through him, and of him, the worlds are and were created, and the inhabitants thereof are begotten sons and daughters unto God. (D&C 76:22-24)

And to Mary Magdalene was given the special privilege of being the first witness to see that Christ had indeed been resurrected on that first Easter morning . . . the tomb was empty!

WE ARE CHRIST'S HANDS

During the span of years we call a lifetime, our hands are engaged in doing many things. Small infants may wrap a tiny hand around the finger of a parent or an older sibling for assurance. Toddlers will hold the hand of someone for stability as they begin to walk. With our hands, we learn how to eat, dress ourselves, write, play, work, and develop our various God-given gifts and talents. As we grow older, the aging process may require us to receive a helping hand to do certain things that we can no longer do by ourselves.

Hands were created to give & receive friendship & love

Dieter F. Uchtdorf, Second Counselor in the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, tells us that during the bombing of a city in World War II, a large statue of Jesus Christ was severely damaged. When the townspeople found the statue among the rubble, they mourned because it had been a beloved symbol of their faith and of God’s presence in their lives.

Experts were able to repair most of the statue, but its hands had been damaged so severely that they could not be restored. Some suggested that they hire a sculptor to make new hands, but others wanted to leave it as it was—a permanent reminder of the tragedy of war. Ultimately, the statue remained without hands. However, the people of the city added on the base of the statue of Jesus Christ a sign with these words: “You are my hands.”

As professed followers of the Savior, we must be willing to use our hands to help and save spiritually. All about us both within the Church and in our neighborhood communities there are many individuals and families that need spiritual help. God's great work and glory is "to bring to pass the immortality and eternal live of man" (Moses 1:39).

Love is a fruit in season at all times, and within reach of every hand.

                                                                                                                 - Mother Teresa

As we offer a saving hand to less-active members, to part-member families, and to those not of our faith, we invite all to “come unto Christ.” Every one of us is surrounded by those in need of our attention, our encouragement, our support, our comfort, our kindness. May we prayerfully each day seek out those in need that we might be the hands of the Lord in helping and saving His children.

ICE CREAM SOCIAL

Did you want one scoop or two . . . or three or four?

Twice each year on the first weekend in April and October, a General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is convened in Salt Lake City, Utah and broadcast to millions of members in Church buildings and homes worldwide via satellite, radio, and Internet in many different languages. The general priesthood meeting on Saturday evening is one of the five sessions of the conference and is specifically intended for the boys and men.

When each of my five sons turned age twelve and began attending the priesthood session with me, we established a family tradition of going out for ice cream together after the meeting. Our trip to the local ice cream store was not unique to our family, however, because there were quite a few other dads in our Church congregation in Frederick, Maryland who did the same thing with their boys too.

It was only when we moved to Greensboro, North Carolina in 1987 that we realized that the idea of Fathers taking their sons out for ice cream after the Saturday night conference was apparently a common experience throughout the Church (at least in the United States). But the practice has since evolved into an ice cream social in many wards, which generally occurs immediately before the Saturday evening meeting. I have fond memories of those special times eating ice cream with my boys.

Here in the Chesapeake Ward in Baltimore, Maryland where Sister Lindsay and I are serving our mission for the Church, the time honored tradition of having an ice cream social is also practiced but with an interesting twist. At this activity, there are generally one or two men who concoct their own unique ice cream varieties for others to enjoy (if you are brave enough to do so). At this past weekend's event, for instance, the special flavor of the day was bacon ice cream.

Some missionaries can eat their weight in ice cream!

The six young missionaries with whom we serve in the ward had plenty of ice cream to eat at the social; and when the Church meeting was over two hours later, they each carried leftover pint containers of frozen dessert with them (between two and four boxes) back to their apartments for later consumption. These young men burn lots of calories walking every day and certainly have healthy appetites.