SUSTAINING OTHERS IN THE TIME OF NEED

Electric utility trucks on their way to the northeast

 

Sometimes we witness things (even as adults) that overwhelm us with a sense of awe. It's as if we may not believe what we see with our eyes, but it is real just the same! Today, Sister Lindsay and I had such an experience while driving south on Interstate 95.

 

The highway traffic in the northbound lanes headed towards New York City was heavy but not with the normal complement of tractor trailers, SUVs, and passenger cars, which you would normally expect to see. Instead, we witnessed a steady stream of electric utility trucks coming from the south, all of them headed for the hurricane-ravaged states of New Jersey, New York, and Connecticut. These trucks passed us mile after mile in an almost continuous procession. By their markings, it was obvious that these vehicles had come from many different places, but their focused mission objective was the same. It was a visual moment for us to remember with a heartfelt sense of appreciation for what is right about America, especially when we as a people face a difficult, life-threatening situation that endangers the well-being of our fellowmen.

Days after Hurricane Sandy has come and gone, most of the aftermath of the storm's destruction remains including the lack of electricity for millions of people in the northeastern part of the U.S.; hence the need for power crews from across America to restore service as soon as possible continues to be an urgent priority.

Helping others in need is not new nor is it limited to calamities associated with the weather or other natural disasters. There are both temporal and spiritual trials in this life for all of us. Just as there are many good people who respond unselfishly to assist individuals involved in a physical crisis, so also there should be fully committed valiant souls who come to the rescue during a spiritual storm in someone's life, too.

Those of us who profess to be Christians must surely recognize that . . . unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required (see Luke 12:48). As members of the Lord's Church, we are intended by Him to be a light unto the world in times of spiritual darkness. Satan wishes to extinguish the bright light of our testimony; but we must continue to have the gospel shine through us for family, friends, and all of our brothers and sisters whether or not they have yet received Jesus Christ as their Redeemer.

Robert D. Hales of the Quorum of the Twelve reminds us that there is more to life than saving ourselves. We are commissioned to lift and to strengthen all those around us because the Lord wants us all to return back to Him together.

Brightly Beams Our Father's Mercy

Philip Paul Bliss (1838-1876)

 

Brightly beams our Father's mercy from his lighthouse evermore,

But to us he gives the keeping of the lights along the shore.

 

Dark the night of sin has settled; loud the angry billows roar.

Eager eyes are watching, longing, for the lights along the shore.

 

Trim your feeble lamp, my brother; some poor sailor, tempest-tossed,

Trying now to make the harbor, in the darkness may be lost.

 

Let the lower lights be burning; send a gleam across the wave.

Some poor fainting, struggling seaman you may rescue, you may save.



 

Without the guiding light of the Holy Spirit who testifies of truth in all things we would be alone in this dark and dreary world. May our countenance as full time missionaries always reflect the light of Jesus Christ so others may recognize whom we serve here on earth.

CHURCH MEMBER REQUEST FOR ASSISTANCE

 

 There was an unforeseen storm-related problem here in Baltimore

 

In the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy the Maryland Baltimore Mission elders and sisters have had limited opportunities to be engaged in their normal proselyting activities. Virtually all of the public transportation system was shut down for the past two days, and it wasn't considered prudent for the missionaries to be walking around the city due to fallen debris from  trees and other storm-related damage to buildings.

 

The young elders, ever wanting to be of service to those in need, started calling Church members to see if anyone needed their assistance in cleaning up yards or helping with possible water issues in their basements. Locally, between the Chesapeake Bay plus lots of rivers in this area, there is a lot of water in and around Baltimore City. Amazingly, even though some of our people live at or very near the water's edge, no serious water or wind damage problems were reported that would give the elders an opportunity to help.

 

While these young men were contemplating what else they might be able to do, their telephone rang with a request from a Church member. Thinking that they now finally had a chance to do something to help someone in need, they asked, "What can we do to assist?"

 

"The power is out at our house," the man responded, "and Baltimore Gas & Electric is uncertain how long it will be before the electricity comes back on. We have a pet turtle, and we are worried that he won't survive if it gets too cold in his tank. Could you possibly babysit him until BG&E gets the power problem resolved?"

 

"We're sorry," the elders responded, "but it is against mission rules for us to have pets in our apartment."

MANY STORMS ARE RAGING IN THE LIVES OF MEN

Storm damaged pier at Ocean City, Maryland

 

Even though it is late in the hurricane season, there is no denying that Hurricane Sandy, which has been nicknamed "Frankenstorm" because of its close proximity to Halloween, is a massive storm that could have a very dramatic impact on the lives of millions of people in coming days. The attitude and efforts of individuals and families regarding how they handle their preparations for this forecasted adverse weather varies greatly.

 

While some folks merely view all of this negative publicity and broad warnings of dire weather-related consequences as an inconvenience in their busy schedules, others are seriously involved in doing whatever they can to minimize the effects of the storm as it pertains to their personal safety and the protection of their property.

 

Just as there are physical storms that affect all of us at one time or another in this world such as hurricanes and other difficult weather conditions that can have devastating effect upon life and material possessions, so also there are storms in life that will impact us individually or as families, sometimes with great intensity and all consuming refiner's fire.

 

Elder Neil L. Andersen of the Quorum of the Twelve says that like the intense fire that transforms iron into steel, as we remain faithful during the fiery trial of our faith, we are spiritually refined and strengthened.

 

The gift of faith is a priceless spiritual endowment. Our faith is centered in God, our Father, and in His Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Redeemer. The Lord confirms that the divine source of our strength and our bright future beyond this life and the grave is grounded in the knowledge of our true relationship with Heavenly Father and His Only Begotten Son:

 

And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent. (John 17:3)

 

Elder Anderson  continues, "These fiery trials are designed to make you stronger, but they have the potential to diminish or even destroy your trust in the Son of God and to weaken your resolve to keep your promises to Him. These trials are often camouflaged, making them difficult to identify. They take root in our weaknesses, our vulnerabilities, our sensitivities, or in those things that matter most to us. A real but manageable test for one can be a fiery trial for another.

 

"How do you remain 'steadfast and immovable' during a trial of faith? You immerse yourself in the very things that helped build your core of faith: you exercise faith in Christ, you pray, you ponder the scriptures, you repent, you keep the commandments, and you serve others."

 

There are times when God removes the storm from our path, but more often He strengthens us to be able to endure the trials associated with those personal tempests. If Heavenly Father could not spare His Son from the afflictions of mortality that allowed Him to gain the ultimate victory over sin and death, then why should we believe that we can be spared those things we need to endure that allow us to grow and become more like the Savior?

 

Master, the Tempest is Raging

Text: Mary Ann Baker (1874)

 

Master, the tempest is raging! The billows are tossing high!

The sky is o'er-shadowed with blackness. No shelter or help is nigh.

Carest thou not that we perish? How canst thou lie asleep

When each moment so madly is threat'ning a grave in the angry deep?

 

Master, with anguish of spirit I bow in my grief today.

The depths of my sad heart are troubled. Oh, waken and save, I pray!

Torrents of sin and of anguish sweep o'er my sinking soul,

And I perish! I perish! dear Master. Oh, hasten and take control!

 

The winds and the waves shall obey they will: Peace, be still, peace, be still.

Whether the wrath of the storm-tossed sea or demons or men of whatever it be,

No waters can swallow the ship where lies the Master of ocean and earth and skies.

They all shall sweetly obey thy will: Peace, be still; peace, be still.

They all shall sweetly obey thy will: Peace, peace, be still.

IS THERE ANYONE OUT THERE WHO WILL HELP ME?

 When we are in trouble, help often comes from an unseen source

 

The story is told about a hapless fellow who found himself dangling precariously off the edge of a cliff. Unable to escape this difficult predicament by himself, he desperately called out for assistance. "Help! Help! Is there anyone out there who will help me?"

Suddenly, he heard an unseen voice who calmly said, "Let go, and I will save you."

 

Looking around but seeing no one, he wondered whether his mind was playing tricks on him.

Again, the voice repeated the simple instruction:  "Just let go, and I will save you."

 

Casting his eyes downward to the rocks below, the man cried out again, "Is there anyone else who will help me?" 

_________________________

Faith is defined in the scriptures by both the Apostle Paul and Alma the Prophet as having a desire to believe those things that are true and yet unseen. Sadly, in this unbelieving materialistic world, the only thing that many people believe is what they can see, touch, and feel. As members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Sister Lindsay and I have come to understand that "believing is seeing." In real life situations involving trials and trouble, having faith in Jesus Christ  precedes the miracles that come into the lives of those of God's children who truly believe.

One of the defining characteristics of the Lord's Church is how we handle the challenges facing families and individuals who need financial assistance together with basic needs such as food and other commodities. Unlike government-sponsored welfare programs that tend to become long term systems of entitlement benefits, the Church emphasizes self-reliance through provident living. We do our best to help those in need  by giving them a hand up rather than a hand out. The Church never wants to diminish a person's self-esteem, so much of the help provided comes in the form of instruction and counsel from well-qualified members who can assist with budget planning, training, and words of encouragement.

Latter-day Saints believe in being prepared and self-reliant. We believe in preparing educationally for employment, in preparing financially for a rainy day, and in preparing temporally for natural disasters or other challenges. Most important, we believe in preparing spiritually for the Second Coming of Jesus Christ and for living with our Father in Heaven again. This approach to preparedness is called provident living.

Elder Robert D. Hales of the Quorum of the Twelve provides this wise counsel:  “All of us are responsible to provide for ourselves and our families in both temporal and spiritual ways. To provide providently, we must practice the principles of provident living: joyfully living within our means, being content with what we have, avoiding excessive debt, and diligently saving and preparing for rainy-day emergencies.”

QUIANA JONES AT THE WASHINGTON DC TEMPLE

 

Roland Huebner, Quiana Jones, & Pat Huebner outside the DC Temple

 

Today was a beautiful October day with the trees proudly showing off their brightly colored leaves in the nearby woods surrounding the Washington DC Temple in Kensington, Maryland. The distinctive smell of fall was in the air, and the weather was picture perfect for anyone who had reason to be outside. Being outside and having a camera as well, I took a number of pictures!

For full time missionaries there is an occasional day of service now and again that stands out as being very special, and today was one of those memorable times to be remembered. For the past few months Sister Lindsay and I have been teaching a series of temple preparation class lessons to Sister Quiana Jones who is a member of the Chesapeake Ward in order to prepare her to go to the House of the Lord for the first time.

Sister Jones' life has been closely entwined with those of our good Church friends, Roland and Pat Huebner since she was a young teenager here in Baltimore about fifteen years ago. The Huebners consider Quiana to be almost like another daughter in their family, having taught her the principles and ordinances of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ as she matured into the wonderful adult woman that she is today. Like so many of us, Quiana is a convert to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and has a vibrant testimony of the truthfulness of the Savior's mission as the Redeemer of mankind. Sister Jones is the third individual we have been able to take to the temple for the first time during our 14 months of missionary service in Baltimore.

So why is it important for Church members to prepare to go to the temple?

 

Elder Russell M. Nelson of the Quorum of the Twelve tells us "A temple differs from other houses of worship. Unlike chapels, the temple is closed on the Sabbath so that people can attend church and be with their families on that hallowed day. Temples are open for sacred work on other days of the week. A temple is literally the house of the Lord, reserved for ordinances of eternal significance. Those ordinances include baptisms, marriages, endowments, and sealings.

 

"Each temple is symbolic of our faith in God and an evidence of our faith in life after death. The temple is the object of every activity, every lesson, every progressive step in the Church. All of our efforts in proclaiming the gospel, perfecting the Saints, and redeeming the dead lead to the holy temple. Ordinances of the temple are absolutely crucial. We cannot return to God’s glory without them."

 

The ordinances performed in the temple are sacred. Each temple ordinance is not just a ritual to go through, it is an act of solemn promising between Heavenly Father and His children who live here on earth during mortality.

 

There is a law, irrevocably decreed in heaven before the foundations of this world, upon which all blessings are predicated— and when we obtain any blessing from God, it is by obedience to that law upon which it is predicated. (Doctrine & Covenants 130:20-21)

THESE MISSIONARIES ARE AN INTERESTING BUNCH

 

 For the most part, missionaries live a simple life without many frills

 

Having raised eight sons and daughters of our own, all of whom have served as full time missionaries for the Church, it is amazing to think that after all of these years, we can still be surprised at some of the things we discover visiting the young elders and sisters in their apartments each month. In some instances we recognize that with their limited available resources, these innovative missionaries are living proof that necessity is still the mother of invention.
 

• If a light switch on the wall flickers on and off, you use duct tape to keep it in the "on" position and then add an extension cord in the wall outlet with an on/off switch
   
• If a piece of furniture in the apartment is damaged, you hold it together with duct tape
 
• When a venetian blind has a broken slat, duct tape makes it appear to be right again

Look carefully at the picture above, and it is quite apparent that one bed is taller than the other. Due to missionary transfers, sometimes a two bedroom apartment for four elders may only have two young men in it for a while. When this happens, the remaining missionaries typically will take the mattresses from the unused bedroom and stack them on their own beds. We assume that the elder who sleeps in the high bed must take a flying leap to get on top of all of those mattresses at night.

 

Not all of the places where our missionaries live are modern garden-style apartments. Indeed, in the inner city of Baltimore, we have four elders who live in an older building that was a downtown hotel some years ago. With its 14-foot ceilings and 10-foot tall windows, there are certain challenges in trying to make this place feel like "home" after a long day out and about the city. Last month when we entered this apartment we found the couch turned upside down and the cushions missing. Why? The missionary in charge decided that the couch cushions were needed in the bedroom where he stuffed them in those tall windows to block out the street lights at night to help the elders sleep better. The simple explanation for why the couch was upside down was to ensure that the missionaries would not spend too much time sitting down when they had other work to do.

 

The elders frequently provide service to Church members who are moving from one place to another by helping them load and unload the truck and by doing whatever they can to set-up beds, carry furniture and boxes. As a result, it is not uncommon for the people they help to offer the missionaries surplus items that the family no longer needs. We have found everything from keyboards to chairs, tables, and sofas in apartments following the "good turns" performed in helping others.

 

There are lots of other strange and unusual things that have been found in the apartments including bowling balls, a skateboard, fireworks, 33 rpm vinyl records, a rubber snake, and even a sizable collection of automobile hubcaps that covered an entire wall of a room. When elders complete their missions and go home or are transferred to another proselyting area, they frequently leave items of clothing behind. Sister missionaries (especially from California) almost always buy a heavy coat to use here in Maryland during the winter months; but then, they give it to the mission for another sister rather than carry the garment home where it might never be worn again.

LIFE IS A SERIES OF PHOTOGRAPHS

 

 

So tell me friend, can you see what I see?

 

Thanks to modern digital technology, there are more pictures being taken in the world today than ever before, but how those images are displayed and used are much different than was ever possible in previous generations. When I was a boy growing up in the 1940s and 1950s, I first developed a great desire to take photographs of the people, places, and events that represented my world. Our family's finances were such, however, that having a camera of my own was out of the question until I was in high school; and even then, the camera that I could afford then was only a "box" camera with very limited capability to take sharp quality images.

 

Throughout the decades when we were raising our large family, I owned a number of cameras, each successive one a bit better and more technically complex than its predecessor. With these camera, I took thousands of pictures of our children and the places we visited. It wasn't until I was within a few years of my retirement before I was finally able to purchase much better photography equipment.

 

When taking landscape pictures or photographs of places, I try to capture the feeling of actually being there, so anyone looking at the image can see through the lens of my camera what I have seen with my eyes. On those occasions when I have been successful, a few people have told me that they can picture themselves actually being in the photograph. Just like Sister Lindsay and me, my camera is also serving a mission. It goes with me just about everywhere recording images of missionaries and the places where we serve in the Maryland Baltimore Mission.

Who else might be taking pictures of what we are doing on earth and carefully storing them for future review? Because there is no place on earth where we might ever be that isn't known to Our Heavenly Father and knowing that our lives are an open book to our Creator, it's worth considering that everything that we have ever thought, said, or done is being recorded in Heaven as a complete series of photographs representing our full mortal experience from our birth until our death. That thought having been expressed, is there anyone among us who would not like to have some of those pictures removed because what is displayed  depicts our sins and other shortcomings.

The Plan of Salvation authored by God the Father before the creation of this earth and presented to all of His spirit sons and daughters in the Great Council in Heaven before Satan's rebellion provided for a Savior, because Heavenly Father knew that man in his natural state is an enemy to God. The Savior, even Jesus Christ, is the Redeemer of the World; and it is through His atoning sacrifice that our sins will not only be FORGIVEN . . . we are promised that they will also be FORGOTTEN!

This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them; and their sins and iniquities will I remember no more. (Hebrews 10:16-17)

 

If our sins and iniquities are no longer remembered by the Lord, then those images that show us in the poorest light when we have either done the wrong thing or failed to do the right thing, the sins of commission or omission, will be forever removed. Picture yourself in the Kingdom of God. How great shall be our joy to know that we have been forgiven and allowed to enter into the presence of the Lord.