Physically Dirty, Spiritually Cleansed

Often times the sacrament isn’t given the necessary importance it deserves. In Alma 5:19 it says, “I say unto you, can ye look up to God at that day with a pure heart and clean hands? I say unto you, can you look up, having the image of God engraven upon your countenances?” 

If a person was to be physically dirty, like coming home from trek for example, do they ever feel guilty for wanting to take a shower? The answer is usually no. Getting rid of the accumulation of sweat and dirt feels relieving! The sacrament is a similar cleansing, except for our spirits. How come we sometimes feel guilty to repent? Or even when we are dirty, why don’t we have that same urgency to repent? The sacrament usually is only 15 minutes long, a similar time frame for taking a shower. Do we partake of the sacrament, but don’t turn on the water? We need to desire the sacrament with the urgency as if we were physically dirty because we are equally spiritually dirty. We need the sacrament so that we may look to God with a pure heart and clean hands. The sacrament is real because our Savior, Jesus Christ atoned for our sins. It is by Him and through Him that we can become clean. 

SOLDIERS

It’s interesting how we classify our Grandparents as inferior in knowledge about the ways of the world simply because they can’t work a remote or set up a voicemail. Do these things constitute knowledge? Does the fact that they can’t work e-mail, Facebook, or smart phones imply that they don’t know how to make it through life successfully? No.

The posing question that I have chosen to research is, “How did the WWII draft affect families?”

Ramon Floid Warner

Mr. Ramon Floid Warner,

You are hereby ordered for induction into the Armed Forces of the United States and to report at Fort Douglas, Utah at 12:30 on August 7, 1944.

My Grandpa, out of High School was inducted into the US Army through the draft. After returning home at the end of the war, years later, in January 1949, he wrote about his feelings for my Grandma Eloise, “I never felt about a girl as I felt about her a very peaceful and comforting feeling. Sure seems good to be living close to God and trying to live his commandments, I don’t know when I’ve been happier. The more I’m with Eloise the more I’m sure she’s the one for me. I hope and pray some day we will be happily married. I would like to spend the rest of my life trying to make her happy.”

They were married in the Manti Temple on June 19, 1950. Shortly after, in January 1952, my Grandpa enlisted in the Army. He wrote:

“Eloise and I both found it very difficult to be separated while I was training at Ft. Benning Ga. Tawnya was just a year old and it was our first real long separation. The following is something I wrote to Eloise from Ft. Benning on February 23, 1953. ‘I think of all the fun we’ve had together, up in Salt Lake City and Pacific Grove. How restricted we were when Tawnya little, but we still had fun. We will really be able to enjoy ourselves in the future. We will have everything a young couple could ask for. Enough money to be comfortable on, a nice car, a sweet little girl, and especially one another. Faith in the Lord, the Church, and the love and faith we have for each other.’ ”

He sent this poem to Eloise dated February 29, 1960. “Each night I take my pen in hand to write a page of two, but what’s the use of writing when I’d rather be with you. I say the weather is fine these days, cool, but nice and clear, And in between the lines I mean, I wish that you were here. I tell you I’ve been busy, but nothing else is new, And all the time I’m thinking how much I’m missing you. So when you get my letters, just skip the writing part and read between the lines instead, I wrote them with my heart.”

Today, there is a similar draft where God calls His soldiers.

Tena Fitzgerald

Sister Tena Fitzgerald,

You are hereby called to serve as a missionary of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. You are assigned to labor in the Houston, Texas mission. It is anticipated that you will serve for a period of 18 months.

You will report to the Mexico Missionary Training Center on Wednesday, June 18, 2014. You will prepare to preach the gospel in the Spanish language.

Having decades of experience, my Grandpa should be one my most valuable resources of information, support, and confidentiality because he knows exactly what it feels like. Don’t be like me and wait until your teacher asks you to write a research paper on your ancestors, because it might be too late to ask. 

My Wood Pulp Investigation

Research: a diligent and systematic inquiry or investigation into a subject in order to discover or revise facts, theories, applications, etc.

Paper: a substance made from wood pulp, rags, straw, or other fibrous material, usually in thin sheets, used to bear writing or printing, for wrapping things, etc.

This is what my assignment refers to. The only problem I am having is I don't have a fact, theory, application, or an "etc." that I feel inclined to systematically inquire about in a thorough investigation. Creating a substance made from wood pulp, rags, straw, or other fibrous material seems like a more probable occurrence as I'm waiting for a revelatory idea to announce its presence. I suspect if I keep typing the answers will come. Perhaps they will creep up my fingertips and puncture my brain. 

How hard can this be? I just need to find something meaningful and jump on the boat and just go for it! There obviously are endless topics and vast resources, I should totally be able to think of ONE thing.

My diligent systematic fibrous material assignment - 1
Me - zip.

Here's to Forever

Salt Lake Temple

Dear Eternal Companion,

“Is his or her attitude, language, and conduct what you would like to live with every day?”
                                                                                                                                       - Elder Robert D. Hales.

Yes, I want to be with you every day. Elder Uchtdorf stated, “Exaltation is the goal. Discipleship is the journey.” Upon hearing the word exaltation, the air was forced out of my lungs. It was as if my living room had become the focal point of the entire universe. I panted heavily, with quivering methodical breaths. I have heard this word for years, but suddenly it gemmed perfectly with all my questions. I knew I wanted an exalted marriage, but it suddenly became a reality.

I have lived my life preparing for one, but soon I’ll need to find you. Elder Hales’s voice echoes in my head, “Are your goals compatible? Do you share the same feelings about the commandments, the Savior, the priesthood, the temple, parenting, callings in the Church, and serving others?”

I want us to set goals with each other, with the greatest one being an exalted celestial marriage. I don’t need chocolate, roses, or poems. I want scripture study, prayer, and testimony. I don’t need a wealthy career, a nice car, or new clothes. I need family priority, children, and temple Saturdays. I don’t need TV, hobbies, or a big house. I need long talks, your time, and a Christ-centered home. I want service, not vacations. I want covenants, not promises.

As we date we’ll talk about goals. I’ll show you my list and you’ll pull out yours. Our wants will become our goals, which will become our reality. I’ll be with you in heaven with eternity in our future and I’ll find unspeakable joy in saying, “I love being with you every day, exalted.”

Two Trees

Picture this: Two Trees.

The tree of life and the tree of knowledge are doorways. 

The tree of knowledge was the doorway to life on earth. After partaking of the fruit from the tree of knowledge, Adam and Eve were able to start having children, thus opening the door for all of humanity. 

The tree of life is the doorway leading back to Heavenly Father. Our goal on earth is to hold fast to the rod, so we can make it to the tree of life.

Each doorway, however, has to be opened. 

The doorway to earth is opened by women. Women have the privilege and responsibility to bear children, opening the way for all of humanity. In an equal manner, men have the priesthood, which allows everyone to make it to the tree of life. We can’t pass through both doorways without both men and women in their equal roles.

I felt the spirit so strongly confirming what I already knew about the divine roles of men and women. I felt a sense of happiness and peace from knowing -- this is an eternal bond. I know this isn’t the best way to word it, but I couldn’t help but think, “This is the most romantic thing I have ever heard.” There seems to be no other form of happiness as great, as having someone who needs you as much as you need them. The fact that you are each reaching for the same goal, to help and lift each other. This is such a beautiful aspect of the Plan of Salvation. I am so thankful for a loving Heavenly Father who gives us so many blessings of “never being alone.” Whether it’s your spouse or Christ only, they are both there every step of the way.