Prayers and Action

Ok everyone, this is the last week to submit your questions.  So if you are reading this now, text your husband or wife for a quick question.  I know, I know, its an extra step, but you never know who it could help.  (See this post for the full details).  Back to the blog...

So LDS.org had a great article recently from a blogger about #PrayforAmerica and what the real meaning is.  If you didn't read it, here is a summation:

This world needs more than a vain repetition.  It needs men and women of faith.  It needs those who will stand up for truth and righteousness even when evil and sadness surround us.

So in the article's inspired theme, I will add a prayer and a testimony.
I pray that we can heal from the pain we have felt over these last few months.  I feel like my black mourning band has seen more time on my badge than should ever do.  I pray we can be uplifted by the revelation of our Lord.  I pray that we will feel the power of the gospel to teach and bless others.  I pray that the Lord will bless your families and protect them from the evil in the world.

I bear my testimony that the Lord has a plan for us.  Even in the darkest hour, the Lord is there.  Those who struggle to understand this concept need love and encouragement to show them the truth.  We are all children of God.  I know this to be true.  Even the worst person you know matters to Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.  I testify that you matter to the Lord.  Your service in your career along with your faithfulness in the gospel provide hope and guidance for this world.  I testify that this gospel is the only way you can find the complete happiness the Lord has promised all His children.  I testify that Jesus Christ loves you (even if you don't love yourself).

I hope you find the joy this week.  Commit yourself to do something more than wishing on a star and I know you will find the joy.  Remember, faith without works is dead!

Godspeed, LEOs.

-LDS Sheepdog

Readers' Choice Topic - Alone

While I await more responses for my Q&A for spouses, I have gotten a lot of questions from readers about what to do when they are faced with a lack of support from their family, friends, church members, or their community.  Seriously, this is like the number one question brought up to me.  So if you feel you are alone in this, I encourage you to write me.  Your concerns and advice actually help me answer questions others have and are the reason this blog has as many topics as it does. (My email is at the bottom of the page under profile)

I think most of us feel the duty of our jobs and see it as a honorable and valiant service to our fellow man.  If you are in an especially Mormon population, you probably see the "American spirit" of first responder jobs in the media or over the pulpit.  And yet after we begin this job, all the "atta-boy" and "what a noble profession" turns into, "Can't you tell your work you need few Sundays off?" or "You shouldn't be so aggressive at work" or "How are you supposed to raise a family with your schedule?"  Where did that support go?

The reality is that while as a whole there are standards to live by, but sometimes those get blended into a culture.  I think some people (myself included) have at one time or another looked at the "standard" LDS household:

NOT the real family.  These people are probably nothing like what I describe below...

Met the LDS standard family.  Husband and wife in the temple a few months after his mission.  Only LDS schools for them.  Children right away and career immediately for Dad.
Dad works at a 9-5 steady job with personal interaction at work, but no moral conflict with his work activities.  He maintains a quiet and pleasant demeanor and probably works under a great boss who understands he needs time off for family at the drop of a hat.  No weekend work is done because he only chooses a profession that refuses to do so.  He is home to assist with a large family of well behaved children, and holds a "major" church calling which he performs again with no work conflict.  Heck, he might even work for the church offices or something.  He has friends but only "Christian" ones or "more religious" ones.  Debating with friends is off limits.
Mom is a stay-at-home wife and mother who raises her kids to go to a school that is morally righteous.  She does not work because that would be against an undocumented commandment to be at home with the kids full time.  She holds a large calling and ensures that any of her "free time" is spent only in service and scripture study.  She hosts several blogs but only works on them while the children are asleep or studying.  She refuses to interact with anyone that might question the morals of her family.

Ok, a little extreme.  And really this says nothing about them other than an outward appearance.  This family is not standard.  This family is culture.  But culture is not a standard.

Think of the 4th Article of Faith.  Those are the standards.  I would venture to say that most of you have not and will likely never meet the above listed mold.  And even if you did, that is not important.  What is important is your relationship with Heavenly Father.  What is important is your personal growth toward Eternal Life.  Repentance is important.  The Family Proclamation is important.  Your life and your family's life should be based on the Principles and Ordinances of the Gospel, not an idealistic idea.

If you are still worried you are doing something contrary, put it to this rubric:

1 - Are you (and your spouse for those married) counseling consistently with the Lord?

All of us are working in the same direction, just on our own personal growth path.  If what you are doing is looked at by others as wrong or different, that matters extremely little (unless what you are doing is actually wrong, of which you pretty much already know you are doing it incorrectly).  What matters is that you are in the solid triangle of you, your spouse, and the Lord.  No spouse?  Make it a solid rod of you and the Lord.  Just as no one can tell you what your testimony is, no one can make life decisions for you.

2 - Are you studying, not just searching, the gospel principles?

This blog is not doctrine.  Even some of the greatest literature written is not doctrine.  The scriptures and gospel teachings which are in harmony with Latter-Day revelation and prophets are doctrine.  Go to your Heavenly Father in active prayer AND searching of these works for guidance and you will find answers and comfort.

3 - Are you actively participating in the work of the Lord?

Again, I have had many of you contact me discussing very personal and difficult struggles.  One of the common themes is a fear of not fitting in or a lack of support (especially with recent events).  My answer (and one reiterated by all the prophets): participate!  Sign up for the activity you know you could do, but have to rearrange a few calendar items.  Volunteer to host a family for dinner.  Take the calling, or offer yourself for a calling.  If you only expect to be acted upon, you will likely be left wanting.

4 - Where is your faith at?

Believe in the Lord.  Believe in His plan.  Know that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ are on your side.  Build your testimony of the Lord, not in temporal things.  If you need more faith, exercise it.  LDS.org puts a lot of information on the website weekly and if you haven't looked at it, there is a ton of relevant, actual gospel principles taught. Only you know what needs to be improved in your life so ponder and reflect on what you need.

I hope this helps ease some of the anguish I read.  If not, message me!  We are all in this world together for a reason.  And if there is one last thing I could say to you on this matter (at least for this post), it is that I care about all of you.  In fact, I would venture a guess that everyone else reading this blog besides you cares about you as well.  Don't despair.  Take courage!

Godspeed, LEOs.

-LDS Sheepdog

Never Forget... Who

Today is another day of those lumps in the throat and the uncomfortable conversations with loved ones.  I have always found it healing to find ways to make myself and others decompress from these kind of days through laughter but today, I will take another approach I also know well.  Because let's face it, laughter alone is not going to bring comfort.

On my way to a Ward Council meeting, I was met with the newest tragedy in Baton Rouge.  Having a friend who's spouse works there, I felt that pit-in-the-stomach feeling.  I (like many of us) tried to re-engage myself in the work to avoid lingering on the pain.  Days like today often bring more prayer and pondering.

I prepared for the sacrament sometime later and finally looked at the bulletin my kids had tossed around most of the meeting.  On the front were these words:

Never forget, even for an instant, Who you serve and Who is in charge. -Elder Oaks

Never forget.  This morning, I slipped up and forgot.  I forgot that there is a Godhead continually molding myself and anyone willing into something better.  I forgot that the pain and the struggle of this life was already suffered by our Savior.  I forgot that my Heavenly Father knows where we should be going and all that He asks is to have faith in His plan and do it.

And guess what?  Heavenly Father didn't stop there.  Next up was Sunday school where we discussed the plight of Alma and Amulek in prison under the most terrible conditions.  They cried out, "How long shall we suffer these great afflictions, O Lord? O Lord, give us strength according to our faith which is in Christ, even unto deliverance." (Alma 14:26)  I was reminded of Joseph Smith's cry of a similar plight.  I pondered the cries of those lost to this kind of hate.  I pondered the cries of the children and spouses left behind.  And then again, my child grabbed the bulletin and tossed it next to me.  Never forget.

I forgot, but the Lord still has a plan.  We don't have to despair.  We can repent of our shortcomings because that is how we get better.  Never forget is the goal, but it is only when we no longer care to remember that our lives truly fall into despair.


So my fellow LEOs, mourn with those that mourn.  Comfort those who stand in need of comfort.  Dig deeper in your faith.  Serve with more earnest in righteousness.  And never forget... unless you do, then try again.

Godspeed LEOs.

-LDS Sheepdog

If you haven't talked to your spouse or know someone who has an officer spouse with questions, please send them to this blog.  Don't know what the heck I am talking about?  Go to the previous post Here.  I am hoping to get some good discussion and spiritual uplifting from all of you but I only have one spouse (contrary to what some outside our faith would believe).

Spouse Q&A (Well the gathering part for now)

Seeing as I posted earlier, I thought it would be nice to get some real interaction.  So this week, have a heart to heart and ask your spouse what questions they have had while you have been employed in such a great cause.  You can email (contact is listed but if you get lost, its under my profile) or use the comment area to ask.  After we get the questions, I will post what I can so we can all work together to better ourselves, our relationships, and our closeness to the Lord.  The post may not be for a week or so in case some people are sheepish (bad pun) about responding.  If you know someone who has a burning question they could be answered by all of our experience, direct them here or send it in for them.  This blog was made for all of us!

Stay strong out there.  The Lord loves you and supports you.  Find comfort in that small but important fact.

Godspeed, LEOs.

Peace in War

I needed to post today. No fanfare, no pictures, nothing more than a few paragraphs to help in some small, little way to ease the pain everyone is feeling. All the death and mourning these past days makes me feel like the description of the wailing in darkness found in 3 Nephi before the Lord's arrival. But today reiterated a few verses I have had burned in my mind ever since reading it:

"And in that day shall be heard of wars and rumors of wars, and the whole earth shall be in commotion, and men’s hearts shall fail them, and they shall say that Christ delayeth his coming until the end of the earth.

And the love of men shall wax cold, and iniquity shall abound."
Doctrine and Covenants 45:26-27

I think all of us have been thinking what Joseph Smith said:

"O God, where art thou? And where is the pavilion that covereth thy hiding place?

How long shall thy hand be stayed, and thine eye, yea thy pure eye, behold from the eternal heavens the wrongs of thy people and of thy servants, and thine ear be penetrated with their cries?

Yea, O Lord, how long shall they suffer these wrongs and unlawful oppressions, before thine heart shall be softened toward them, and thy bowels be moved with compassion toward them?

O Lord God Almighty, maker of heaven, earth, and seas, and of all things that in them are, and who controllest and subjectest the devil, and the dark and benighted dominion of Sheol--stretch forth thy hand; let thine eye pierce; let thy pavilion be taken up; let thy hiding place no longer be covered; let thine ear be inclined; let thine heart be softened, and thy bowels moved with compassion toward us.

Let thine anger be kindled against our enemies; and, in the fury of thine heart, with thy sword avenge us of our wrongs.

Remember thy suffering saints, O our God; and thy servants will rejoice in thy name forever."
Doctrine and Covenants 121:1-6

But the Lord responded already to Joseph and to us in verse 7-10:
"My son, peace be unto thy soul; thine adversity and thine afflictions shall be but a small moment;

And then, if thou endure it well, God shall exalt thee on high; thou shalt triumph over all thy foes.

Thy friends do stand by thee, and they shall hail thee again with warm hearts and friendly hands.

Thou art not yet as Job; thy friends do not contend against thee, neither charge thee with transgression, as they did Job."

We all are hurting but we can find peace in each other. Everyone matters to the Lord and we should matter to each other. Take courage, search the scriptures, have faith, and serve others.

May we mourn with those that mourn and comfort those who stand in need of comfort.
Godspeed LEOs.

-LDS Sheepdog

Let Freedom Ring

Tomorrow is Independence Day.  Many of us will have to work this weekend and a day cleaning up a lot of weird and predictable calls: fireworks (usually comes out as shots heard), drunk in public, arguing, underage shenanigans, etc.  Some of us will be lucky enough to enjoy a family or friend party to celebrate.  Either way, let me take a moment to help us re-center what this holiday should represent and how better we can fulfill it.

We came to this earth having fought for freedoms before the earth was in existence.  This holiday may be for a single country to officially celebrate, but this was no coincidence or happenstance of people saying, "enough!"  This day represents the culmination of all the Lord's works in bringing a country he could re-instate His church in.  And represents a wave of change for His gospel to be founded worldwide.  We will always have issues with the secular world on freedoms.  But we are not secular beings only.  There is a spiritual purpose to our existence and our callings.

Many men and women died bringing about this day of celebration.  But they did not die in vain.  They now prepare to enter their Eternal glory.   It is up to each one of us to stand up to fight for the freedom of agency.  It has been the core fight of Satan to get us to a point where our agency is used for evil.  Fight back as the warriors of old have done.  Many knew they would never see that glorious day of the resurrection while they still took breath on earth.  Many lived in times where they were hunted down and slaughtered for their beliefs.  Many watched all their family perish from the evils of the world.  And yet, they still fought for freedom.  Not just for the place we now call the USA, but for all mankind.  This is why (I believe) we have taken on tyrants and mobs in places the USA has had no reason to be in.  To further the availability for others to make choices. 

Again, I will say that the USA is not perfect and has made some poor choices even recently.  Poor choices however just further the evidence of a Heavenly Father who knows His children and makes me proud to see "In God We Trust" on my currency.  We must trust that the Lord is leading us.  We must trust that our faithful observance to the Plan of Happiness/Salvation will not only help us grow, but help all of our siblings here on this huge planet.  Agency matters to this plan.  We matter to this plan.

So take whatever time you can tomorrow and ponder the reasons you are proud to have and protect freedom.  Ponder the sacrifices made for our freedoms (not just the ones we read about in high school).  God bless America!

Godspeed, LEOs.

-LDS Sheepdog