"I wasn't there for the weeds"

Well, today I finally finished reading Mormon Scientist: The Life and Faith of Henry Eyring. Sister Gruwell purchased it for me as a gift on one of her visits out here this past summer. The book is about the life of renowned scientist Henry Eyring. Written by his grandson, Henry J. Eyring, Mormon Scientist explores Henry's contributions to science and religion, his family heritage, and his paradoxical way of thinking.

Today I was reading the last of four parts in the book entitled "Testament." I was really impressed of a story told by his son, Elder Henry B. Eyring of the Quorum of the 12. I've been thinking about it frequently today. President Eyring relates an account of his dad serving one last time, right before his death, on the local church welfare farm. Henry Eyring was pretty ill in his last year alive. He was the senior high counselor in his stake, and he had the responsibility for the welfare farm. An assignment was given to weed a field of onions, so he assigned himself to go work on the farm.

President Eyring said of his father, "He never told me how hard it was, but I have met several people who were with him that day. I talked to one of them on the phone, and he said that he was weeding in the row next to Dad through much of the day. He told me the same thing that others who were there have told me. He said that the pain was so great that Dad was pulling himself along on his stomach with his elbows. He couldn't kneel. Everyone who has talked to me about that day has remarked how Dad smiled and laughed and talked happily with them as they worked in the field of onions."

Now this is the joke that Henry Eyring told to his son afterwards. He said he was there at the end of the day. After all the work was finished and the onions were all weeded, someone said to him, "Henry, good heavens! You didn't pull those weeds, did you? Those weeds were sprayed two days ago, and they were going to die anyway." President Eyring retells how his father roared. He thought it was the funniest thing. He thought it was a great joke on himself. He had worked through the day on the wrong weeds. They were sprayed and would have died anyways. President Eyring said, "When Dad told me this story, I knew how tough it was. So I asked him, 'Dad, how could you make a joke out of that? How could you take it so pleasantly? He said something to me that I will never forget, and I hope you won't. He said, 'Hal, I wasn't there for the weeds.'"

Having recounted the story, President Eyring drew from it this moral: "Now, you'll be in an onion patch much of your life. So will I. It will be hard to see the powers of Heaven magnifying us in our efforts. It may even be hard to see our work being of any value at all. And sometimes our work won't go well. . . But you didn't come for the weeds. You came for the Savior. And if you pray, and if you choose to be clean, and if you follow God's servants, you will be able to work and wait long enough to bring down the powers of Heaven."

I just loved this story. It made me realize what really is important in life. It also made me realize that some of the stuff that I am engaged in daily will not be important in the long scheme of things. Sometimes we have to do as Henry Eyring did and just laugh off some situations and just remember that "we're not here for the weeds."

Ministering Angels

Well, I've been pondering a lot lately about being an instrument in the hand of God and ministering angels. So, to my great joy Elder Jeffrey R. Holland gave a talk in this last General Conference called "The Ministry of Angels."

Elder Holland states, "From the beginning down through the dispensations, God has used angels as His emissaries in conveying love and concern for His children. . . Usually such beings are not seen. Sometimes they are. But seen or unseen they are always near. Sometimes their assignments are very grand and have significance for the whole world. Sometimes the messages are more private. Occasionally the angelic purpose is to warn. But most often it is to comfort, to provide some form of merciful attention, guidance in difficult times."

As Mormon said to his son Moroni, who would one day be an angel: “Has the day of miracles ceased? Or have angels ceased to appear unto the children of men? Or has he withheld the power of the Holy Ghost from them? Or will he, so long as time shall last, or the earth shall stand, or there shall be one man upon the face thereof to be saved? Behold I say unto you, Nay; for . . . it is by faith that angels appear and minister unto men. . . . For behold, they are subject unto [Christ], to minister according to the word of his command, showing themselves unto them of strong faith and a firm mind in every form of godliness.” (Moroni 7:35-37, 30)

Joseph Fielding Smith taught us that "it is contrary to the law of God for the heavens to be opened and messengers to come to do anything for man that man can do for himself." (Doctrines of Salvation 1: 196)

Along the same lines, Elder Holland went on to say, "When we speak of those who are instruments in the hand of God, we are reminded that not all angels are from the other side of the veil. Some of them we walk with and talk with—here, now, every day. Some of them reside in our own neighborhoods. Some of them gave birth to us, and in my case, one of them consented to marry me. Indeed heaven never seems closer than when we see the love of God manifested in the kindness and devotion of people so good and so pure that angelic is the only word that comes to mind."

Some of the ministering angels that I have seen in my own life are my mom and my second mama, Sister Gruwell. They are always on the look out for others and always serving others. I am convinced that God is aware of our needs and concerns and prepares and inspires others to be his ministering angels. Just the other day, I was in the middle of a long week of midterms and assignments and I wasn't doing as well as I thought I should be. I started doubting myself and wondering if pre-dental was really the right major for me. I am usually not the type of person to get discouraged or be pessimistic. So anyways, literally while walking home from school while pondering this in my mind, my mom called out the blue. And it wasn't any typical call that my mom makes to me. She seriously started the conversation by saying that she was just looking up some statistics about employment and good jobs and how she felt that I had made the right choice in choosing my career. It was the most random thing, but I know it was no coincidence. I still couldn't believe how she just "randomly" called me so I asked her if anyone told her to call me, but she reassured me that nobody had.

Also, I have had the chance to be this instrument in the hand of the Lord to others. I remember about 6 months after I got home from my mission, I wanted to call and check up and say hi to a convert who got put as Branch President right when I let my last area. When I called him, he was so confused as to why I was calling him. He also asked if anybody told me to call him, but I had to assure that I just wanted to say hi. He related to me of how he had been fasting for the past week about a problem that one of the members had in the branch. He didn't know what to do or where to go to so he told me how he went to God to send him an answer. So anyways, he said that he had just prayed again to know what to do, and then that's when I called. I had been in the branch presidency for a little while so I was aware of certain situations, so I gave him the best advice I could. He said that was just the answer he needed. I don't write this to be self righteous or boast in myself, but to show how we can be ministering angels. To be honest, I don't recall receiving a distinct impression to call him, instead it was just God using me to bring to pass his work and glory.

Elder Robert D. Hales pleaded, "That you and I might realize that we have the power and responsibility to help those in need, as ministering angels for the Lord Jesus Christ is my prayer." (April 1986 General Conference)

I wish I had more time to write other miracles I have seen of ministering angels (from both sides of the veil). I testify that ministering angels are real, and I know that we all can be ministering angels.

I can't believe I'm actually doing this. . .

Alright, the time has finally come that I am actually starting a blog. Dang I feel like a girl now. haha. The real reason I'm starting this blog is for myself, as a study journal/ everyday journal. I must admit that I have been awful in my journal writing as of late, in fact I haven't written in it since I finished my mission. . . . sad I know. So I figured I would start again before I forget the spiritual and important things that are occurring in my life daily.

One of my favorite quotes from Joseph Smith is "When the Lord commands-Do it!" This became a reoccurring theme on my mission. In fact it got to the point that I carried around a small little black notepad and I would write down little impressions and revelations that I would receive. . . then I would do them.

While I was in the MTC Elder Richard G. Scott told us to write down these words: "For the rest of my life I wwill consistantly seek to learn by what I see, hear, and feel. I will write down the important things I learn and I will do them." He went on to say, "If we apply that principle it will create a purposeful life." (11/24/05)

President Henry B. Eyring stated, "My point is to urge you to find ways to recognize and remember God’s kindness. It will build our testimonies. You may not keep a journal. You may not share whatever record you keep with those you love and serve. But you and they will be blessed as you remember what the Lord has done. . . Tonight, and tomorrow night, you might pray and ponder, asking the questions: Did God send a message that was just for me? Did I see His hand in my life or the lives of my children? I will do that. And then I will find a way to preserve that memory for the day that I, and those that I love, will need to remember how much God loves us and how much we need Him. I testify that He loves us and blesses us, more than most of us have yet recognized. I know that is true, and it brings me joy to remember Him." (oct. 2007)

So there it is-- thats my goal, to try and write as frequently as possible, so I will save these insights and tender mercies of the Lord.