The End of The Semester And The End of Another Chapter of My Life

So the title of this blog totally gives it away. Yes it is the end of the semester, and I couldn't be more happy about that, but a lot has changed in the last few weeks that is drawing and end to this chapter of life. It all started about 3 weeks ago,when I got accepted to the University of California at Riverside. I found out on the tuesday before I was supposed to go home for Thanksgiving, and I really didn't know what to do. Yeah I was excited, and so happy that I actually go in. I guess the third time really is a charm with some things in life. Getting accepted didn't bring all fuzzy warm feelings though.

I have been living here in Boise for almost four months now, and have honestly come to absolutely love it here. I love going to Boise State, and I have met some people here that I am pretty sure I will stay in touch with for years to come. I came to find my own niche here and a added a circle of friends that are so fun to be around, and can laugh at anything. Living here I feel like I have grown up a little bit, and learn a little bit more about myself. I had a conversation with one of my friends last night that was I guess unexpected, you could say. This friend told me that he was bummed and kinda upset that I was leaving. Not that I dont think we have a good friendship, but I was kinda shocked at what I was hearing. I mean it is a blessing in my life to have such good friends, and I know that this person and I will be friends for a while to come. Its hard to find loyal friends that you get along with so well. I have come to the point that I will miss these friends more than I am going to miss the bitter cold, and smell of cow dung. Okay and the blue turf I will miss as well.
As I reflect back on my experience of moving to Boise, I smile. I was able to do something that I always wanted to do, attend a University that I love, and will now for sure always be a Bronco Fan, and meet some amazing friends. Moving back home I know without a shadow of a doubt is the best thing for me and for the success of my future, but Boise will always hold a little bit of my heart for the awesome experience it has been for me. In my last few days here, with the burden of finals and ending the semester up strong, I want to thank my Heavenly Father for blessing me with the ability to come here and for my loved ones support and care, and for welcoming people that today at the end of it all, I call my friends. I will miss you all. And dont forget you have a place to stay in CA. Deuces I'm Out

My Talk from Church

So a few weeks ago I get a call, and I get asked to speak in church...... YUCK. Not a huge fan of it, but I said yes, and just kinda went from there. I studied it the entire week and a half it was and I wasnt able to full express my thoughts, So I gave my "Mormon Mom" a call and she pull it all together for me. Studying about this topic made me realize how thankful I am for the loving people in my life and for the gospel knowledge I have in my life now. Here is the final product!

I was going to just summarize this for you all, but I thought it would be best to have it all there.. So enjoy!

In the Church we often sing the hymn, “We Thank Thee, O God, for a Prophet.” President Gordon B. Hinckley expounded on the background of that song in a talk he gave with the same title. He said,

“It was written more than a century ago by a man of humble circumstances who lived in Sheffield, England. He worked in the steel mills and was discharged because he joined the Mormon Church. But there burned in his heart a great and fervent testimony; and out of an overflowing spirit of gratitude, he penned these moving lines. They have become a grateful expression of appreciation for millions over the earth. I have heard them sung in many different languages as a reverent prayer of thanksgiving for divine revelation.

How thankful we ought to be, how thankful we are, for a prophet to counsel us in words of divine wisdom as we walk our paths in these complex and difficult times. The solid assurance we carry in our hearts, the conviction that God will make His will known to His children through His recognized servants, is the real basis of our faith and activity. We either have a prophet or we have nothing; and having a prophet, we have everything.”

I would like to focus today on the last line in that quote, We either have a prophet or we have nothing; and having a prophet, we have everything.” Perhaps I might address more fully the “everything” we really have.

In Amos 3:7 it is written, “Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets.”

The most important blessing we receive by having a prophet of God on the earth today is that of authority.

The Lord gives his prophets, seers, and revelators both the priesthood authority and the keys they need to act in his name. The keys are the right of presidency. President Joseph F. Smith wrote:

“It is necessary that every act performed under this authority shall be done at the proper time and place, in the proper way, and after the proper order. The power of directing these labors constitutes the keys of the Priesthood. In their fullness, the keys are held by only one person at a time, the prophet and president of the Church. He may delegate any portion of this power to another, in which case that person holds the keys of that particular labor.”

Our modern day prophet literally holds ALL the keys necessary for our salvation and exaltation concerning our progress here on earth. He is the key holder of the Aaronic Priesthood which gives him the right to administer in the ordinances of the gospel of repentance and baptism, and allow the ministering of angels. These ordinances then prepare us to receive the Melchizedek ordinances of which he also holds the keys. These Melchizedek Priesthood keys allow us to “know the mysteries of kingdom and the knowledge of God” receiving the higher ordinances of the temple.

His “right to presidency” turns all those keys on our behalf and allows us choose to return back to the presence of our Father.

He also has been given, through the laying on of hands, the same keys that were given to Joseph Smith in the Kirtland Temple. These keys allow for the gathering of Israel and the restoration of the Ten tribes to commence, given by the original key holder Moses, himself. Also given are the keys to the sealing power, binding in Heaven that which is bound on earth, under the direction of Elijah the prophet. This is literally everything!

As you can see it is evident that without a prophet we have nothing, and with him we have everything, as a people, a nation, and a church.

The Lord has always been willing to reveal His will to His children on earth whenever they have been willing to receive it.

President Spencer W. Kimball explained, “For thousands of years there have been constant broadcasts from heaven of vital messages of guidance and timely warnings, and there has been a certain constancy in the broadcasts from the most powerful station. Throughout all those centuries there have been times when there were prophets who tuned in and rebroadcasted to the people. The messages have never ceased.”

Elder Mark E. Petersen taught that the Lord raises up prophets in every age to meet the challenges of the times. He said,

“Did not Moses minister to the particular needs of his people? Did not Jeremiah, Isaiah, and Ezekiel do likewise? Did not Peter and Paul give answers to the immediate problems of their day, tailored to fit the conditions that faced their own neighbors and friends? . . .

“He [God] certainly revealed himself anciently. If he is unchangeable, as the scriptures say, should he not do as much for modern people as he did for the ancients?

“Throughout Bible times he made himself known. Especially when his people began to drift astray did he manifest himself in power to bring them back to the fold.

“This he did through new prophets whom he raised up from time to time, and to whom he gave new revelations, which revitalized and gave added meaning to the divine word previously given.”

More recently President Ezra Taft Benson made the following statement, “"The most important prophet, so far as we are concerned is the one who is living in our day and age. This is the prophet who has today’s instructions from god to us today. God's revelation to Adam did not instruct Noah how to build the ark. Every generation has the need of the ancient scripture, plus the current scripture from the living prophet.”

Through his prophets the Lord will continue to give guidance and counsel which, if heeded, will solve all of the world’s problems and heal all the world’s ills.

Individually with the turning of those priesthood keys, we are given the blessing of divine guidance or the gift of Revelation. Each of us can receive personal revelation regarding issues that concern us personally. In addition to that, our prophet holds the keys of revelation regarding the direction of Christ’s Church upon the earth today. This gift of divine revelation is one of infinite worth. Can you imagine where we would be without the help and guidance from our Father?

In 1965 President Marion G. Romney said, “Our affluent society is filled with much anxiety because the inhabitants of the world ‘. . . seek not the Lord to establish his righteousness, but every man walketh in his own way, and after the image of his own god, . . .’ (D&C 1:16.) I ask you candidly, how could current attitudes of men and nations throughout the world be more accurately described?”

As true as that statement was in 1965, I believe it is an even more accurate description of our society today. Earthly wisdom is not always enough to solve the problems confronting mankind. No sooner does one problem seem solved than a worse one surfaces elsewhere. Wisdom greater than man’s wisdom is needed to solve the problems of our times, we need the direction of God to help us come to the solutions we seek. Our need to hear his voice has never been greater. For this reason we can truly be “thankful for a prophet.”

Holding the keys of the gift of Revelation, our modern day prophets are also known as Revelators. Elder John A Widtsoe explained the function of a revelator as follows:

“A revelator makes known, with the Lord’s help, something before unknown. It may be new or forgotten truth, or a new or forgotten application of known truth to man’s need. Always, the revelator deals with truth, certain truth and always it comes with the divine stamp of approval. Revelation may be received in various ways, but it always presupposes that the revelator has so lived and conducted himself as to be in tune or harmony with the divine spirit of revelation, the spirit of truth, and therefore capable of receiving divine messages.” (Evidences and Reconciliations, p. 258.)

God reveals his secrets to a human revelator, who in turn may reveal those truths to others. Elder Mark E Petersen explained, “People who are not members of this church may not sense the great significance attached to his ministry. Even some Latter-day Saints have not yet discovered it. But the president of the Church is in fact a prophet raised up in these last days to give inspired guidance, not only to Latter-day Saints, but to all mankind everywhere.”

Therefore a prophet becomes a “Watchman on the Tower” or the “Voice of Warning” for all people.

In the book of Moses we read of an intimate experience as Enoch was called to be the Lords prophet, seer, and revelator of his time. We can use this experience to compare the prophets of old to that of our modern day prophets.

In Moses Chapter 6: 31-38 we read:

31 And when Enoch had heard these words, he ^abowed himself to the earth, before the Lord, and spake before the Lord, saying: ^bWhy is it that I have found favor in thy sight, and am but a lad, and all the people ^chate me; for I am ^dslow of speech; wherefore am I thy servant?

32 And the Lord said unto Enoch: Go forth and do as I have commanded thee, and no man shall pierce thee. Open thy ^amouth, and it shall be filled, and I will give thee utterance, for all flesh is in my hands, and I will do as seemeth me good.

33 Say unto this people: ^aChoose ye ^bthis day, to serve the Lord God who made you.

34 Behold my ^aSpirit is upon you, wherefore all thy words will I justify; and the ^bmountains shall flee before you, and the ^crivers shall turn from their course; and thou shalt abide in me, and I in you; therefore ^dwalk with me.

35 And the Lord spake unto Enoch, and said unto him: Anoint thine eyes with ^aclay, and wash them, and thou shalt see. And he did so.

36 And he beheld the ^aspirits that God had created; and he beheld also things which were not visible to the ^bnatural eye; and from thenceforth came the saying abroad in the land: A ^cseer hath the Lord raised up unto his people.

37 And it came to pass that Enoch went forth in the land, among the people, standing upon the hills and the high places, and cried with a loud voice, testifying against their works; and all men were ^aoffended because of him.

38 And they came forth to hear him, upon the high places, saying unto the ^atent-keepers: Tarry ye here and keep the tents, while we go yonder to behold the seer, for he prophesieth, and there is a strange thing in the land; a ^bwild man hath come among us.

Our modern day prophet is called of God, not because of status but by the qualification of worthiness. He becomes the mouth piece for the Lord, directed by the Spirit. He holds the keys of the priesthood from which all power flows. He sees as God sees not as man sees. He preaches repentance and expounds doctrine that oft times is not the popular view of society, therefore men may be “offended because of him.” He not only testifies of Christ through the spirit of prophesy, but officiates in all the sacred ordinances of the gospel. And finally I am happy to declare of President Thomas S. Monson, “a wild man hath come among us.” I am grateful he does not bend to the will of the people but stands strong for truth and voices the will of the Lord.

President J. Reuben Clark, Jr. related an experience he had and teaches a great lesson in the following statement he made in 1948:

“Sometime ago a pamphlet came across my desk which unfortunately I threw away. On the outside page it was stated, ‘We need a prophet,’ and as I read it then, and as I think of it now, I think how blind the world is. We have a prophet, an American prophet, one who spoke our language, one who was imbued with Christian ideals, and that prophet gave us the great righteous principles of which we know and of which the world partly knows; he gave them in our own language over a hundred years ago. . . .

“Now our Prophet, Joseph Smith, and the prophets since his time—and there has always been a prophet in this Church, and prophets, and you sustain the brethren here, conference after conference, as prophets, seers, and revelators—the Prophet himself, through the Lord by revelation, gave certain great principles that would save the world if the world would but listen. We do not lack a prophet; what we lack is a listening ear by the people and a determination to live as God has commanded. That is all we need. The way has been made perfectly clear.”

This lesson is still timely for us as well, we have a prophet what we need to do is listen to him and do his will. How do we do this?

Delbert L. Stapley, of the Council of the Twelve, helps us to understand better how we can do it, he says,

“To get a clear picture and a clear understanding of what is expected of us, we should study the four standard works of the church. We should also study the writings of the prophets, including those of the Prophet Joseph Smith, down to the present time. We must abide by the teachings, not only of the dead prophets, but also of the living prophets.”

In conclusion, how thankful I am for a prophet. I know because we have a prophet on the earth today we have everything. I know that we need to learn what our prophets have asked of us, and listen to their words and do the will of the Lord as give to us through them.

Awesome Article on Prop 8

I know that Prop 8 is a very heated and sensitive topic, But I read this article, and it really is a good one. It bashes no one in any way and only poses a thought promoting question. Please take a few minutes to read it over, make a comment on it, give it a thumbs up if you like it, and take a look at others comments as well. There is a great comment from Lisa Murphy that everyone needs with vital first hand school board information regarding prop 8... Enjoy guys!!!!

Here is the link....... http://hubpages.com/hub/My-Questions-About-Prop-8-In-California

Jennifer Kelly Beisner: Remembering My Aunt Tobe

Jennifer Kelly Schutz was born October 7, 1969 to her parents Jack and Carole, and to two loving siblings, a sister, Susan, and a brother, Michael. She was a cute little baby and had beautiful blue eyes. Jennifer was always a special person and she did require some special attention. At the age of 12 she was diagnosed with Diabetes, and from what I remember, she wasn't too fawned of it. Her growing up years were already somewhat difficult with her parents going through a divorce with her siblings and her right in the middle. Jennifer was to say the least a bit rebellious; there are some crazy stories to go along with it all too.

She graduated from Indio High School in 1986, and began her journey of life. Her journey took her many places and into many different things. Jennifer struggled with a lot of battles in her life, and she let those things really dictate the things she did. In the early 90's she was treated at UCLA for the eating disorders that plagued her. She was able to complete the treatments, and was doing really good for a while. Her great grandmother, known to everyone as Gramsy, died shortly after, which affected her in many ways. She felt very close to her and in a sense felt lost with having her gone. Again, Jennifer in her own way bounced back from her trials and went on with life. Anyone that Jennifer came in contact with shortly realized the type of person she was. She loved having her schedule of things to do in a day, and made a routine that she stuck to 150%; and any deviation from that routine resulted in an irritated Jennifer. She just liked to have things the way she wanted them, and it was her way of staying stable. Thats just the way she was.

Jennifer was very blessed in her life to have loving parents that really took care of her very well. She was able to do things and have the things that some people can only dream of. She lived in beautiful places and homes, always had a nice clean car to drive and never really wanted for anything, although, everyone knew there was something new she always had her eye on.

Jennifer has had an affect on everyone that she ever came into contact with. Each of their lives have been affected by simply knowing her. Jennifer passed away last year, tomorrow will actually be a year to the day, however today would have been her 39th birthday, and my purpose in writing this. Jennifer is my mom's baby sister, my aunt, who in no words could I ever express how much she meant to me. In the last few years we had the chance to become very close, we became best friends I guess you could say. We talked on the phone more than you could ever imagine and it happened frequently on a daily basis. We were very comfortable talking to each other about just about anything. I never realized how much I enjoyed talking to her until I no longer had the opportunity. The day I found out she had died, I felt like I lost a huge part of me. It had been a long time since I was that upset about something and at first I wasn't sure how I was going to deal with it. I missed my aunt, my friend, and our relationship.

In the following weeks after her death, I came to a realization that has really helped me through it all. Jennifer always pushed me to do my best in everything, and encouraged me to reach for all of my dreams and make them happen. She was always there to support me in every endeavor I took part of, whether she thought it was the best thing for me or not, she was always behind me. I realized that none of that has changed. She may not be a phone call away anymore, but she is still there for me supporting me the same way she always had.

I learned a lot of things from my relationship with my Aunt Tobe, I don't think that she ever realized how much she helped me. I was able to help her on many occasions to lighten her load, and spend time with her at her best times and her not so best times. All in all we had a lot of fun times. There isn't a day that has gone by since, that she hasn't been on my mind. Songs that I call, her songs will come on the radio and I can vividly recall her rocking out to them and playing them loudly, or seeing things that remind me of her, or place we went together, its all something I deeply cherish.When good things have happened it is still my first instinct to call her and tell her all about it. And it could be just a simple small little detail, but she was always happy for me.

I will never forget her smile when she was happy for me. Her laugh is still ever present in my mind and I remember how much my friends and I were able to make her laugh. And she laughed at us a lot. The happy times are what I remember the most, and even every memory that I have whether it was in good times or bad, can always bring a smile to my face because of who Tobe was. I love Jennifer still more than ever, and I know that she will always remember the friendship and relationship we had, and still always be there to tell me, " loving ya Jay!

Conference Weekend Pictures

I would have moved these around but I havent figured out how to do that yet....

Long but fun Conference Weekend.

This last weekend was General Conference for church, which was AWESOME!, I listened to the talks I missed, and the whole thing was a good learning experience for me. I know that I have the reputation of not paying attention due to my "Munchhausen Syndrome A.D.D. on-sets", but I really did pay attention to the talks and got a lot out of them. When I look at what General Conference is usually about, there are I guess some categories that all the talks fall under.
1. Emotional Talks- Ones that make you act.
2. "The Ripper" Talks- Ones that make you say yikes!
3. The F.O.B. Talks- Ones you can barely understand.... HUH?
4. The "Yes, I totally agree" Talks- Ones you catch yourself nodding your head to.
5. The Hit Home Talks- Ones that make you feel like you are being talked to directly.

The talks of this conference made me feel hopeful about the future and gave me some other good guidelines to make it all successful. I think that is what conference is all about. Elder Wirthlin, made everyone laugh with stories of his childhood, and his sports days as a young man. President Utchdorf explained to each of us how to be full of hope and faith. President Monson gave us all the encouragement to live life to the fullest and to be happy and have joy. Elder Holland, who I will be honest, am not normally a huge fan of his talks, but I think that his talk in the Saturday Afternoon Session, was my favorite. I could go on and on about all of the talks and how good they were.

Besides the fun that General Conference actually added to the weekend, it was awesome to see my friends too. Brooke, Mandi, Todd and Andrea came up from California, and we had a ton of fun. I will just post some pictures rather than try to write it all out. I was sad the weekend had to end, cause I didn't want to come back to Idaho alone, I would have rather gone home with everyone else, but it was a nice break to see everyone.

Just when you thought I would never write again.. I surprised you!

I totally meant to be writing on here more, but for some reason I always forget I even have this thing. The last few weeks have been interesting and actually full of a lot of traveling. I went to the UCLA- BYU, shame of a college football game in Provo, which was fun even if I hated it at the same time. It was really nice to see some of people I knew down there and spend some time with a few that are just plain fun to be around. I drove down after school that friday and it was a long drive, but I think its because I was really anxious to see everyone. I went to Aunt Dee Dee's first, but she had no clue I was coming, so it was a good surprise for her. We went out to dinner with Molly and her beotch, Nick. The next morning we woke up too freaking early and went to Bmans game, which was so cool, he is an awesome little football player and I mean he is the smaleest guy on the team, but he is faster than all of them too. Then headed off to hell aka LaVell Edwards Stadium, I was glas it was over. Went out to dinner with Shellito and her boo at Kneaders, YUM! After that I headed up to Salt Lake and went to Sueann and Steve's to have cake for the Spenis' birthday. Found out Kelly and Brandon are expecting another little one in the spring, talked with Steve and Sueann for a long time and it was nice. After a few hours, headed over to Speen and Brookes to check out all of the hard work that Speen has put into their house, he has done an awesome job, then I went back to sleep at Sueann and Steves. Sunday was kind a lazy day for me, I slept in and did a little homework , ate some dinner then hit the road.

Then last weekend I went to my favorite place.......... HOME! Well its my fav right now, cause I have the best family ever! It was a busy freaking weekend though, my Aunt Cindy got married and it all turned out awesome, even if everyone well all the loud ones were sauced, typical of my crazy family. I was beat freaking tired, and I had to share my bed and wasnt too happy about it. So i ran around all day and I mean ALL day friday, ended up getting back to town at around 5:30 or so. Then I went and some more family, my adopted family for a couple hours late that night. Then back to my parents house to sleep, woke up early and got to work for the last things that needed to be done for the wedding. My parents freaking worked their butts off to get everything done. I wish I had a picture of the courtyard, I will have to get one from Myles so everyone can see it, then I had to take off to the bank for my dad and then I got a haircut, Andrea you are the bomb, and then hung out with "the dad" aka Greg, and helped him with going shopping. We had fun at the store. I really enjoy spending time with him, he is awesome and we always seem to have some fun together. Then back to the wedding to get yelled at every five minutes by my loving Tia, who is a NAZI, when it comes to wedding planning. Love ya but next time I'M OUT! So everything went horrible with the ipod that had all of the music on it for the entire wedding. But being the amazing person that I am.... "ugh, I took care of it!"(see if you can guess the movie) and it all fell into place. Then the booze started to hit everyone and it was all down hill from there. I peaced out to find some sanity, brought Greg some Tri-tip and stayed there for a while and then went back to my parents in hopes my lovely bed would waiting for me, I was wrong, and bitter, but just went to sleep. Woke up early again and helped my Dad a little bit and then got dressed for church. Church was good, then I went home and cooked white sauce for Diana, and everyone else benefited from it too cause they got to eat some too. It was cool to hang out some of the people from church. I stayed the night because I knew I didnt have a place to sleep at my parents.

WOw draggin on.......... So monday was full of adventure too, had ham shop, YUMMY, packed, went to the airport, my flight was all jacked up, ended up staying another night, enjoyed dinner and time I got to spend with my Dad, then left early the next morning. LOng couple weekends but fun times.