Smooth Sailing

¹Crew noun

: A competitive sport “based on propelling a boat (racing shell) on water using oars.”

Sam’s passion is crew.  She describes herself at her first practice as “the worst of the beginners.” Through dedication and hard work she has transformed into a skilled rower. “Crew teaches me to never give up.” She practices for several hours 6 times a week. She is aiming to compete in college. There are several reasons why she loves crew; it is competitive and challenging. But most of all, it involves teamwork. Another definition states crew as “a group of persons involved in a particular kind of work or working together.” Sam’s teammates spend so much time together during the season they get to know one another exceptionally well. She quotes a common saying “crew friends are true friends because they’re your only friends.”

         “Rowing is spiritual for me. One of the coaches told me how in sync we have to be is impossible. Anticipating someone’s actions while they are doing it is almost impossible so you have to be really connected with everyone on your boat.”

Just as success in crew is determined by the unity of the participants, our ability to perceive the promptings of the spirit is determined by our unity with God. We have to be aware of our spiritual awareness and connection to the Holy Ghost. If we aren’t careful, we can be come numb to its promptings. Just as Sam continually works towards unity with her team through practice, we must be seeking the Spirits voice through prayer, scripture study and church attendance. Learning to hear the voice of the Spirit is a lot like learning a new sport. At the beginning we can feel like the worst of the beginners. As a missionary I stress over being able to discern “Is this me? Or is this the spirit?” As we spend each day learning to listen our ability improves. Although it may never be smooth sailing, the journey brings us closer to our Heavenly Father.

“Pray always, that you may come off conqueror; yea, that you may conquer Satan, and that you may escape the hands of the servants of Satan that do uphold his work.” –Doctrine & Covenants 10:5

Stand Ye in Holy Places

“Sometimes being strong can be a very lonely thing.”  As latter day saints our beliefs are criticized and critiqued on every hand. We were called to be a “peculiar people” in the Latter-days. The standards we defend and uphold are contrary to the ways of the world.

"For the Strength of Youth"   

^ Click link for more detail on the standards we live by

We believe in being

honest, chaste, benevolent, virtuous & in doing good to all men;

indeed we may say that we follow the admonition of Paul---

We believe all things, we hope all things, we have endured many things

&  we hope to be able to endure all things.

If there is anything

virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy,

we seek after these things.

Alex is a graduating senior from Northern Virginia.  She says "the hardest thing about being an lds woman today is all of the criticism I feel like I receive from people just because I'm different. it's hard to know that so many people think that I believe in nonsense and that I'm devoting my life to something that's not real or true when I know that what I'm doing is right."

When we do stand strong in our beliefs we will face opposition. In Acts chapter 5 we learn of the apostles being persecuted for preaching the gospel they say in verses 41-42:

"And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name. And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ."

Where did they receive the strength to rejoice in their persecution and continue to press forward in faith? Alex says her strength comes from knowing who she is. "Knowing how much my Heavenly Father loves me gives me enough strength to stand up for what I believe in.  Sometimes when I'm having doubts I just think about the blessings that I will receive when I do what is right; eternal life, being with my family again, and happiness."

I know that what we have is worth fighting for. Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father did appear to Joseph Smith. The priesthood authority to preform miracles is active on the earth once again! Temples make sacred ordinances such as the sealing of families possible. We have so much to fight for. Never forget what is truly important; "Let us run with patience the race that is set before us." Hebrews 12:1

"Be Ye Therefore Perfect"

I have always admired my niece Rylee. When I was in college I wrote an acronym for the names of the living prophets in order that started "My Pretty Perfect Niece" (Monson, Packer, Perry, Nelson).  She is beautiful, talented and an accomplished dancer.  More than this she is a beloved daughter of God who knows her purpose and has a desire to put the gospel first in her life. 

I remember one of Rylee's first dance performances on an outdoor stage in Antelope, California. She tapped to "it's a hard knock life." Now she does ballet and contemporary with the company at the Northern California Dance Conservatory. Dancing takes discipline and control-- it also takes constant correction and critiquing of your own body shape and movement.  She said "In dance you're always in front of a mirror correcting your body or comparing yourself to other dancers. You want what you are doing to be perfect." The gospel has kept this from overcoming her life and controlling her happiness. She remembers that "Jesus Christ was the only person to walk this earth that was ever perfect." His command to "Be ye therefore perfect" has always filled me with a sense of impending doom. How will I ever live up to that commandment? Even when I try my hardest I still fall short. Rylee said "He knows and we know that we can't be perfect so we were given the gift of repentance to help us along the way." The gift of repentance shows his love for us because he wants us to continually be working towards perfection. He doesn't expect it from us right now, but he does expect us to try.

One way that we show our effort and willingness to be perfected is by making prayer and scripture study a part of our life. Rylee dances anywhere from 2 1/2 to 4 hours every day along with her normal hectic duties as a 16 year old high school student with three younger siblings. She has found peace through the storm by clinging to the basics:

"I've always had a strong habit of prayer. No matter how tired I am at night I always say a prayer before I go to sleep. For morning prayers I like to set my alarm with the title Morning Pray as a nice little reminder. For scripture study it's nice to have seminary to keep me on track. I like to do my own personal study when I'm in the car on the way to seminary. I also like to set aside time on Sundays to read my scriptures and ponder in my backyard. It is very peaceful."

We are our hardest critic. We cannot keep putting ourselves down when we don't reach the high expectations set for us by others or by ourselves. We must trust in the grace of Jesus Christ and the infinite wisdom of our Father in Heaven. Rylee has a beautiful perspective on this self-detrimental philosophy of comparison. She said "One of my favorite quotes is " comparison is the thief of joy". We are all unique different individuals. We were all given different qualities and talents. Why would you want to be just like someone else? How boring would it be if we are all the same? Love yourself and love others. The only person we need to please is Heavenly Father. True beauty comes from with in. We should focus more on developing who we are rather than how we look. True happiness comes from doing the right thing, serving others, and the gospel.

Make a goal to eliminate negative thoughts, to eliminate comparison. Treat yourself as Heavenly Father would treat you. We are all his beloved Children!