President Monson - CES Fireside

On Sunday I attended the CES fireside in the Marriot Center. President Monson was speaking. Candice got us seats in the fourth row on the floor of the Marriot Center. It was awesome being so close!

My stake president (President Echohawk) conducted the meeting. Elder Nelson and his wife were in attendance, as well as President Samuelson and his wife (President of BYU) and Elder Russell Osguthorpe (a Seventy and Director of the CTL where I worked - so I have met him often). What was also cool is that the closing prayer was given by Bryon McKay - the Elder's Quorum President in my ward. He got President Monson's autographed talk. :)

President Monson gave a good talk that has given me a lot to think about. He spoke about how great things are expected of us and when we consider the choices we need to make in this life, we need to think about our preparation that we need to make to be able to make those choices correctly, because when the time for decision arrives, the time for preparation is over.

He first spoke of the fact that our preparation began in the pre-existence. Then as we came to earth during our first 8 years of life, when Satan has no power to tempt us, a lot of preparation occurred then, because what is placed in the brain during this time is typically there to stay, with the ages of 2 and 3 being the most influencial.

He then spoke of how we are preparing ourselves as we study and that real effort is required in order to reap bountifully. He encouraged us to really learn to think because a man who cannot think is not an educated man.

He spent the remainder of his time talking about a more important aspect of preparation: spiritual preparation, which involves developing a solid testimony, through 4 main steps (desire, study, prayer, the doing of God's will). While we know that doubt and faith cannot exist in the mind at the same time, faith implies trust and reliance on the Lord. He gave 4 hints for achieving our great expectations:

1. Avoid the pitfalls/detours

• whatever you read/watch has an impact on you; if it is questionable - don't watch it.
  

2. Beware of the flashy start and the fade out finish

• endure/persevere
• work will win when wishy-washy won't
• a second effort is often required - ie. don't give up; keep trying
  

3. Help others

• see others from the right perspective
• we won't be asked how many positions in the church we held, but rather how many we have helped
  

4. Seek the help of the Lord

• make room for Him in our lives before all else
• He then will teach us the way of truth
  

Basketball

Recently I've had the opportunity to watch a few basketball games - so much fun! My first was at the beginning of the month. BYU played a team that is ranked 6th in the nation so it was a close game. We cheered so much!! It was cool to see that Elder Holland and Elder Perry were in the audience.

I love the stunts they get up to at halftime. :)


Last week I went to watch a Jazz game in SLC with some friends. The Jazz won....easily. During the game they throw out prizes to the crowd and so at one point a small Jazz basketball was being thrown in my direction. But, Ryan, being 6'9" caught it first. It was really funny because thinking about it, I had no chance of ever catching it with him nearby. So, Allison got the ball. :) President Monson watched this game too from his box. Here is a picture of President Monson. (click on it to enlarge)