Friday, December 27, 2013

The Parable of the Unwise Lumberjack

 Photo: The Lumberjack

There was a young man who was known for great strength.
Working hard as an ax man, in the high Rocky mount's
he was strong, yes indeed, but a mind, in short length
was something he lacked. small flaw, But counts!

On with the story. This man in his brute
went forth to cut trees, he was in an attempt
to gather a prize! the  great braggers loot 
to he that, felling the most, had forth went! 

To break this great record, the man and his might,
twenty-one trees must be down by the nights fall
he set out at dawn to start on his quest. th' light
of noon day found nine trees left to fall!

When night fall had come he found that the goal
had been missed by three trees in his midst!
Three trees short he took courage! His prize bowl
was in reach! Work through lunch with ax in fist!

Another days work found him short of the prize.
and again and again! 'till he fell down in rage
“I cannot!” he cried “I have come to despise
this forest and work and the whole cutting page!”

He wanted to quite but thought “one more try!”
he asked his best mate, “what else can I do?
I am strong, I work hard, till my mouth becomes dry”
the response he received was simple to do!

His friend in his wisdom knew just what was wrong!
“after each tree you cut take five minutes or so
to sharpen your ax, you see it's not long!”
confused, and annoyed he left and did go!

The next day he tried just what he was told
sharpened his ax after each fallen tree
and wouldn't ya know when his count unrolled
thirty-two trees was the total cut by he

oft times we work hard it important and true!
But take time to work smart, I promise 
that you, like this man, will find  time to
follow the council to work smart and wise
   -Elder Forsyth


The Lumberjack

There was a young man who was known for great strength.
Working hard as an ax man, in the high Rocky mount's
he was strong, yes indeed, but a mind, in short length
was something he lacked. small flaw, But counts!...

On with the story. This man in his brute
went forth to cut trees, he was in an attempt
to gather a prize! the great braggers loot
to he that, felling the most, had forth went!

To break this great record, the man and his might,
twenty-one trees must be down by the nights fall
he set out at dawn to start on his quest. th' light
of noon day found nine trees left to fall!

When night fall had come he found that the goal
had been missed by three trees in his midst!
Three trees short he took courage! His prize bowl
was in reach! Work through lunch with ax in fist!

Another days work found him short of the prize.
and again and again! 'till he fell down in rage
“I cannot!” he cried “I have come to despise
this forest and work and the whole cutting page!”

He wanted to quit but thought “one more try!”
he asked his best mate, “what else can I do?
I am strong, I work hard, till my mouth becomes dry”
the response he received was simple to do!

His friend in his wisdom knew just what was wrong!
“after each tree you cut take five minutes or so
to sharpen your ax, you see it's not long!”
confused, and annoyed he left and did go!

The next day he tried just what he was told
sharpened his ax after each fallen tree
and wouldn't ya know when his count unrolled
thirty-two trees was the total cut by he

oft times we work hard it important and true!
But take time to work smart, I promise
that you, like this man, will find time to
follow the council to work smart and wise
-Elder Forsyth


Thank you Elder Forsyth for the parable! It is so true that we need to both work hard and to work smart. For we all can use brain and brawn!

Saturday, December 21, 2013

The Parable of the Rusty Tool



A Gardener came out to his shed to prepare his garden for springtime. The tools-the shovels, rakes, and clippers-shook in anticipation! The had been waiting for this time during the long winter months. The tools had been preparing for this day. They had oiled themselves to get rid of rust and made sure all of their edges were nice and sharp.

There was one particular tool, his name was Sam the shovel. He was a big and bulky shovel but was the gardeners favorite tool to turn the hard soil after the cold snowy months. Sam was also perfect for moving potting soil and manure to the gardens and pots. Joy filled Sam the shovel as the gardener used him to prepare the many gardens around his home. After a couple days of hard work the soil was loose, dark, and healthy. The gardener put the shovel away and he was full of joy and pride for the work he had done.

As the time went by Sam the shovel watched from the inside of the shed as the gardener used his small shovels, hand held tools, and clippers. He saw the others tools outside admiring the luxurious flowers and plants. Sam became discouraged...He thought he was a terrible tool. He was too big and bulky to enjoy the same work the other tools did. He became angry that he could never work with the flowers and plants. All he got to see was hard soil and manure.  "This is all so pointless-my job is unappreciated and unimportant."

The shovel continued to dwell on these negative thoughts for the rest of the season. Winter came again and all of the gardener's tools were put away. They chatted about the wonderful work they were able to do and all the beautiful colors. The talk only made the shovel more and more bitter.Convinced of his lack of worth, Sam the shovel hid from the other tools and let himself become dull and rusty.

That next Spring the Gardener again opened his shed. He looked at the shovel with disappointment. For how was he able to prepare his garden without the tool he needed to turn the soil. The Gardener asked the shovel what had caused him to be unprepared for the work. Sam told him of how he was unimportant and how the other tools got to see beautiful flowers and fruits from the work that they did and he did nothing.

The Gardener listen patiently and replied: " I have a very special and specific purpose for you Sam. I do not need you to be an other tool. Each of my tools is no more important than another. But I can't accomplish my purpose without any one of you. This is not your work or theirs but it is mine.I need you to be a capable tool in my hand."


"I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.
 So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.
 Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour.
 For we are labourers together with God..."
- 1 Corinthians 3:6-9


Brothers and Sisters-Do not feel like you are an pointless tool-Heavenly Father has a plan for every single one of us. he doesn't need you to be any one but YOU! Don't try to be a different "tool" our gardener already has that one! All he asks is for you to be "sharp and rust free."

We are all tools in the garden of the Lord-We each have a specific purpose-Are you ready to fulfill it?

Saturday, December 14, 2013

My Conversion Story

Conversion is something a lot of Latter-Day Saints talk about. I grew up thinking it is the exact moment when someone comes to the realization that the church is true. I remember when I was little sitting and listening to stories in The Bible or The Book of Mormon. These people would see angels and the earth would shake. The had these incredible miracles and after they knew of the truthfulness of the message of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Little Sister Smedley believed with all her heart that this would happen to her.
I truly thought that this was conversion. I thought it was a single moment in time where it just hit you that all of this gospel is true.

and so I waited and waited...

Nothing happened...

no angel and no earthquakes. The spirit never slapped me in the face. I never had an experience where I prayed for spiritual confirmation and I was "overcome" with the answer.

Spoiler Alert!!
Brothers and Sisters. This is not conversion!
Then...what is conversion?
excellent question!

According to the Bible Dictionary;
"(Conversion) Denotes changing one’s views, in a conscious acceptance of the will of God"

"If followed by continued faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, repentance, baptism in water for the remission of sins, and the reception of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands, conversion will become complete and will change a natural man into a sanctified, born again, purified person—a new creature in Christ Jesus"

 "Complete conversion comes after many trials and much testing...to labor for the conversion of one’s self and others is a noble task"

On Lds.org it also defines conversion:



"Conversion is a process, not an event. Conversion comes as a result of righteous efforts to follow the Savior. These efforts include exercising faith in Jesus Christ, repenting of sin, being baptized, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end in faith."

According to this definitions-Conversion is not a one time event. In fact it is the opposite! Conversion is a process and it doesn't come for free and its not easy.
Everything I marked in red shows the importance of effort, work, and how conversion takes time.

But conversion is so worth the task!
you get out of life what you put in! Easy isn't and will never be worth it!

So that being said my conversion story is not a specific time because it still goes on today. I am converted daily as I continue to improve and follow God's commandments.

However...I would like to share you a little piece of my conversion.
The time I came to realize that my Heavenly Father is mindful of me and loves me.

Once upon a time I had too much on my plate. I was going to school full time, working a part time job, and doing an internship full time. I was so stressed and I never had time for myself. I was so busy that I never saw my family or my friends. I have never felt more alone...
I remember at one point feeling so low, unloved, unappreciated, tired, and I didn't know where to turn.
I had no one to turn to..but then I remembered all of the times people had told me that our Heavenly Father is always there. So I got down on my knees for the first time in a very long time and cried and plead with my Father in Heaven. I begged to feel love...anyone's love.

After that prayer I thought came to my mind. Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ love me. I had heard that over and over again but it wasn't until this moment that I truly felt that they did care and that they were aware of me.

It was almost overwhelming. That night I felt as if I was being wrapped up in spiritual blanket because I knew for a fact that Heavenly and our brother Jesus Christ loved me with a perfect love.
This is what conversion is. Not an angel coming down and striking us to the ground and we instantly know that everything is true. No, conversion is a journey we take. We learn and gain a testimony each day.
Every day I am converted as I read and pray.

I just want everyone to know that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is God's true church and the only church that contains the fullness of the gospel. I know for a fact. I know that you can know this to.

"Behold, I speak with boldness, having authority from God; and I fear not what man can do; for perfect love casteth out all fear"
-Moroni 8:16










Tuesday, December 3, 2013

Thanksgiving

So I missed the last three days of Thanksgiving on my blog...and I know this will be super late but I just wanted to do one more post to end my Thanksgiving adventure.

This Thanksgiving was the first one that I have spent away from home. I had a good time and stuffed myself as usual but it was weird and a little hard to not have my family there. It just didn't seem like it was Thanksgiving.
Also as we have been walking around and talking to people here in Gainesville, Florida I have noticed a trend. Almost everyone expressed gratitude or just simply brought up their family. Most of the people we talked to were away from home and going to college here at the University of Florida.
There is something in common with me and all the students here. They noticed how much they appreciate and love their families now that they are away from them. I guess we really don't notice a good thing until it is gone.
I love the holidays because they truly help us to evaluate where our focus is at. Now is the time of year we spend the most time with our families.

Have you ever wondered why family is so important?
Because if you look at most animals there is not as much interest in their family group. We need our families. We need their love, support, and encouragement.
Families are so important to us because we are part of Heavenly Father's family. God is our father of our spirits. Everything about the true gospel is families! Every single point of doctrine can be pulled back to families.

The gospel of Jesus Christ is the only way we can have peace and happiness in our families in this life and in the eternities! I witness as the Lord's missionary and representative that this is true.

I challenge whoever sees this post to visit familysearch.org! It is a family history site that is fun and free!