Our Father in Heaven is more loving and kind than we can imagine and He yearns to hold us in the safety and comfort of His arms.  We need to turn to Him.  We know this, because in every act of Jesus’ life, He personified Our Heavenly Father’s love for us. 

A modern-day Apostle, Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, said “in all that Jesus came to say and do, including and especially in his atoning suffering and sacrifice, He was showing us who and what God our Eternal Father is like, how completely devoted He is to His children in every age and nation.  In word and in deed Jesus was trying to reveal and make personal to us the true nature of His Father, our Father in Heaven.   He did this in part because then and now all of us need to know God more fully in order to love Him more deeply and obey Him more completely.”    Thus the first great commandment, “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all they mind, and with all thy strength.”  Or as Jesus later said, “And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God.” (John 17:3)

“To come to earth with such a responsibility . . .” [Elder Holland continued] “... to stand in place of Elohim – speaking as He would speak, judging and serving, loving and warning, forbearing and forgiving as He would do – this is a duty of such staggering proportions that you and I cannot comprehend such a thing.  But in the loyalty and determination that would be characteristic of a divine child, Jesus could comprehend it and He did it.  Then, when the praise and honor began to come, He humbly directed all adulation to the Father.”  “I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me.”  “I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.”  (John 8:38, 28; 6:38)

“The plan of God, the power of God, the holiness of God, yes, even the anger and the judgement of God [people of old] had occasion to understand.  But the love of God, the profound depth of His devotion to His children, they still did not fully know – until Christ came.”  “So feeding the hungry, healing the sick, rebuking hypocrisy, pleading for faith – this was Christ showing us the way of the Father, He who is ‘merciful and gracious, slow to anger, long-suffering and full of goodness.  In His life and especially in His death, Christ was declaring, ‘This is God’s compassion I am showing you, as well as my own.”

When we think of God in this light, with a broader appreciation for His mercy and love, we begin to see life and its lessons more clearly.  Scriptural stories about lost sheep and prodigal children take on added meaning as we begin to grasp His great love for us.

As we learn from Enoch's account in the Book of Moses, ours is literally a God who weeps over us.  He loves us and is pained by our unwillingness to follow His teachings and establish peace.  Can you imagine how beautiful life would be if we all accepted Him as our Father -- and one another as spirit siblings -- and acted accordingly?

Regarding Jesus Christ, I agree wholeheartedly with C.S. Lewis: "I am trying here to prevent anyone saying the really foolish thing that people often say about Him: 'I'm ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher, but I don't accept His claim to be God.' That is the one thing we must not say. A man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher . . . . You must make your choice. Either this man was, and is, the Son of God: or else a madman or something worse. . . . But let us not come with any patronizing nonsense about His being a great human teacher. He has not left that open to us. He did not intend to." (Mere Christianity, p. 40-41)

I hope all of us will come to Him sooner rather than later.  Through His perfect life, Jesus showed us how to live and through His atoning sacrifice, He offers us forgiveness and endless potential.  Someday I'll kneel at His feet to thank Him for what He's done for me.   As the literal Son of God, He alone could overcome physical death and thereby offer a physical resurrection to all.  In ways we can't fully comprehend, He alone was able to suffer for each of our collective sins, the sins of all mankind, thereby paying an unfathomable price.  Through His suffering, He literally purchased the right to intercede for us in our coming day of judgement before our Common Father.  He offers another chance to all who accept Him, all who are willing to obey Him and the ordinances of His gospel.  I will be forever in His debt.   It's my great hope that all of my children and posterity will accept Him.

We believe all that God reveals . . .

"We believe all that God has revealed, all that He does now reveal, and we believe that He will yet reveal many great and important things pertaining to the Kingdom of God." (Ninth Article of Faith of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, emphasis added)

I love this expression, penned so long ago by Joseph Smith. It reminds me of one of my favorite scriptures from The Book of Mormon:

"For behold, thus saith the Lord God: I will give unto the children of men line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little and there a little, and blessed are those who hearken unto my precepts, and lend an ear unto my counsel, for they shall learn wisdom; for unto him that receiveth I will give more; and from them that shall say, We have enough, from them shall be taken away even that which they have." (2 Nephi 28:30, emphasis added)

I’ve certainly found this principle to be true in my own life: the more open and seeking I am of “further light and knowledge”, the more the Lord blesses me.   Although He’s never answered all of my questions at once, He’s always encouraged me along, piece-meal perhaps,“line upon line, precept upon precept.”

When I was teenager and seriously questioning the idea of God speaking to man and engaging in our lives at any level, my dad shared with me what he called his “back burner” philosophy.  He basically said, “Don’t worry about what you don’t yet understand.  Just keep your heart and mind open and ‘put [your question] on the back burner of life.’   Before you know it, you’ll be driving down some country road or doing something totally unrelated and the answer you’ve sought will come to you.  It will just be given to you, if you’re still open to receive it.”   (As was usually the case, dad’s observation proved true.)  The moral of the story, quite simply, was that God gives us what we need when we need it and are ready for it.

 
I’ve tried to teach my own children that it’s good to question – in fact, it’s essential that we question – the most important issues of life.  God only answers questions that we ask.  He’s not going to chase us down forcing truth upon us.   It’s therefore critical that we not close our hearts or minds and become cynical.  If we do that, if we say, “We have enough”, we’ll lose what we once had.

Sometimes people criticize early church leaders for early statements that conflict with later statements, suggesting perhaps that they were never chosen or inspired to declare truths from God  -- however, in my mind, such evolution is completely natural and consistent with every other principle of truth we learn whether through the scientific method or through divine revelation.  Questions beget answers for those who seek them and are open to receive them.  We have to ask questions and act in faith to discover "the next step."  This is a practical reality as well as a spiritual truth.

Like Joseph Smith, Brigham Young taught “Our doctrine and practice is . . . to receive truth no matter where it comes from.”  (Discourses of BY, pg. 11)   Whether from science, art, or religion, truth is truth and all, ultimately, comes from God.  That’s why we should all be eager for additional revelation: God knows infinitely more than we do and is willing to share His knowledge with those who seek it IF they are sincere in their quest and willing to act on the truths He reveals to them.  (Moroni 10:3-5)   In the grand scheme of things, some truths are obviously more valuable than others and should therefore be sought more fervently.  (For example, does God live?  Is He really my Heavenly Father, interested in me?)   Joseph Smith summed it up well when he said that a man could learn more from five minutes of open vision than by reading all the books that had ever been written.

Jesus said, “That which is of God is light; and he that receiveth light, and continueth in God, receiveth more light; and that light groweth brighter and brighter until the perfect day.” (Doctrine & Covenants 50:24).

Of course, that “perfect day” will be when we stand in Heavenly Father's presence along with our Savior, Jesus Christ, to once again experience what we have always known: we are His children, He is real, and He loves us more than we can comprehend.  He wants us to learn and be happy.  He wants us to listen to Him and obey His counsel so He can give us more opportunities than we can currently imagine.    It's a promise that, like any gift, benefits only those willing to receive it.  I hope we will.

Inter-generational warfare?

When I was a child, my father was a chaplain in the USAF and during a scripture study session, he shared a teaching that "the time will come when children will rise up against their parents and parents against their children.” This seemed like a strange thing to me and I asked him what he thought it meant. He replied, “I’m not sure exactly but my best guess is that it will have to do with money. What else divides people more than money?”

Well . . . at the time, I sloughed off the lesson not thinking it particularly relevant to me or my life – but oh! How things have changed!

In my generation, we’re seeing a real tension develop between generations that has never been seen before. Young adults are expressing resentment towards their grandparents' generation for government debt and social entitlement programs that threaten to enslave younger generations for the rest of their lives. Meanwhile, the parents of those young people are looking to those very same grandparents – their own parents – with a mixture of love and frustration: gratitude and respect for their own care and upbringing yet frustration and anxiety over the prospect of caring for those parents physically, emotionally, and financially as they age – all while those adults children are trying to support their own children in college and financially prepare for their own dream of retirement.

Can we “do it all at once”? Can we “have it all” as some people say? Time will tell.

Meanwhile, my generation needs to initiate serious conversations with our parents and with our children about the future, what it may bring, and what we'll need to do to be prepared.  Money is merely a medium to fuel opportunities in life -- but for that very reason, it's critical that families speak candidly about their intertwined future and how they'll prepare for what's ahead.  Some things just shouldn't be left to chance . . .

The Blessing of Friends

What does friendship mean to you?

My wife often reminds me that life’s great task is “clasping hands and making it back home together.” As much as that may betray her passion for preschool age children, it also reveals a true principal for those who understand that none of us can succeed entirely on our own. And who would want to?

Friendships are one of life’s great blessings. True friends uplift us, bear with us, and enrich our lives in countless ways.

I have the good fortune of being a twin and always having had a “side-kick.” While that presented its own set of challenges, it also brought with it many advantages. Unfortunately, it may have initially blinded me to the isolation some people feel whose environment or developmental circumstances have restricted them from forming friendships with positive companions.

My wife and I have become particularly aware of this as we've learned about the challenges related to Autism – or “life on the autism spectrum” as it’s more accurately described. Those with characteristics of autism often experience what some call “mind blindness” or an inability to “read” the unexpressed social cues that constitute so much of human interaction. Consequently, these individuals tend to live their lives on the periphery of society, close to the action but never fully “fitting in” despite often being very gifted in other ways. (One person “on the spectrum” describes her life as being like “an anthropologist [living] on Mars.”)

Nevadans are very fortunate to have a new resource in town: a local chapter of Best Buddies International. Since opening its office in mid-July, Jason Smith, the state director, has already received international attention for quickly securing the largest donation in the program’s history as well as quickly establishing contacts in many area schools.

Best Buddies was created by Anthony Shriver of the famous Shriver family, founders of Special Olympics and other charitable organizations. Best Buddies pairs “neuro-typical” individuals with those who have developmental differences, similar to a “Big Brothers / Big Sisters” program for the Special Needs community. Participants commit to weekly contact and bi-weekly, self-determined activities with their “buddy.” In addition to screening participants for eligibility in the program, Best Buddies staff also provides on-going support to those involved.

While creating lasting friendships of great depth, Best Buddies simultaneously helps our community see “differently-abled” individuals in a healthier light – as individuals with much to contribute to society and every bit as “human” in their needs as each of us.

Kayla Brown-Cestero, Best Buddies first program coordinator in Las Vegas, has been working with area schools coordinating awareness efforts and establishing “student chapters” to be led by student-participants. As you can imagine, Special Education coordinators throughout the school district are very excited about this new program as are all those who grasp its potential for good in our middle schools, high schools, and colleges.

Mr. Smith and his team are now hiring additional support staff and training volunteers to establish adult-Buddy programs and even “e-Buddy” relationships for those who can’t commit “in-person” time during traditional hours.

A dear friend of mine, Keen Ellsworth, has told me how his wife, Sunny, created a friendship during high school with a young man who has developmental impairments – and how that friendship has lasted over the years to bless his entire family. Little do we know how “small and simple things [may bring] great things to pass.” (Alma 37:6)

Are your teenage children looking for opportunities to serve in a fun and meaningful way? Have them contact Best Buddies. Your entire family may be blessed by the good that comes from it.

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I'm Chairman of the Advisory Board for Best Buddies of Nevada. Visit http://www.bestbuddiesnevada.org/ for local information or http://www.bestbuddies.org/ to read heart-warming testimonials from participants and family members of those who have benefited from Best Buddies.

The Strength of Commitment

It’s in the family setting that the furnace of life’s experiences often reveals individuals’ true character . . .

Lloyd and LaPrele George met and married while students at BYU. With the exception of time spent in military service and school, the George’s have lived their entire married-life in Las Vegas.

While many people have heard of Lloyd and Laprele’s vast public accomplishments, their most significant achievements were realized “within the four walls of their home.” It was there that their private victories and greatest rewards were realized – victories that could only result from an unwavering commitment to life’s most important values: God, family, and country.

Principally known for his service as a federal judge, Lloyd also served as student body president of BYU and as a fighter pilot in the USAF before graduating from Berkley Law School. He was appointed US District Judge for the District of Nevada in 1984 after many years of service in less visible judicial appointments. An accomplished vocalist, LaPrele is mostly known for her musical gifts, participation in the Desert Chorale, and her twenty years of service to Las Vegas in the presentation of a live Nativity drama each year at Christmas. Little has been known of their family life or of their great service to what we now affectionately call the “Special Needs community.”

Three of the Georges’ four children were born by the time Lloyd graduated from Berkley. Unknown to many is the fact that their first son, Douglas, was born with multiple medical conditions that affected his health, hindering his mental and social development and his ability to communicate verbally. To this day, “Dougie”continues to live with his parents and participate daily in Opportunity Village work routines and the associations that bring him joy.

A quiet, refined, and diligent woman, LaPrele became everything Lloyd ever hoped for in a wife and mother of his children. Her quiet strength encouraged many in the early days of the Clark County Association of Retard Children (CCARC), the forerunner to Opportunity Village. In addition to co-signing the mortgage on CCARC’s first building, the Georges continued inspiring others both inside and out- of the Special Needs community . . . and all through quiet example.

Douglas was born in a time when the intellectually disabled were less understood and often shunned. In those days, many parents relinquished disabled children to institutions and returned to a more “normal”, less-demanding, life.

Bouyed by their understanding of the gospel and the promise of eternal families, the Georges welcomed Dougie with all of his differences – just as they would each child that would later enter their home. Douglas was part of the family. Accordingly, any who socialized with the Georges at church or in the neighborhood simply came to appreciate the joyful blessing named “Dougie.” As current County Commissioner Rory Reid and other friends of the George children can attest, Dougie’s life was the family’s life – even down to teenage carpooling to Opportunity Village.

While discussing the challenges of their early years, the George’s were surprised to learn that the divorce rate among parents of children with disabilities has now risen to 86%. While life’s challenges often divide families, they can just as frequently unite them -- a blessing the George’s learned by choice and experience. Perhaps great insight came from the words of the Master who said regarding a visually-impaired man and his parents, “Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be manifest in him.” (John 9:3)

One of the Georges’ greatest pleasures is the realization that their children, Michelle, Sheri, & Steve, were never embarrassed by their brother’s differences but instead were active in his life and supportive of his interests and development. Each family member loves “Dougie” for his unique abilities: making them laugh, smile, and persevere.

Should you ever visit the George’s ward or perhaps the Walter’s Campus of Opportunity Village, be sure to greet Dougie. And when you drive past the imposing federal courthouse that bears Judge George’s name, remember the greater legacy he shares with LaPrele: that of a family united.

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Lloyd & LaPrele George were honored November 7 - 8, 2008 by Opportunity Village for their years of commitment to individuals who have intellectual disabilities. I served as Chairman of the Honoree Committee. Visit http://www.opportunityvillage.com/.