2020 in Review

Well... I didn't make any goals for the year... mostly I just tried to survive, with the rest of the world. ;)  I never could have imagined all that the year would bring.  It wasn't easy, but I was blessed and learned a lot.  It's been interesting to go through a global challenge, but realize that it (and other concerns) created different problems for each of us.  While I'm more grateful than ever for health, a home, a supportive family, food to eat, work to do, good friends, peaceful retreats to the mountains, technology that's helped us stay connected, and the direction of the Spirit, 2020 was kind of a lonely year.  I have a new appreciation for many of the simple and most important blessings in my life.  Here are a few highlights....

Things I Learned

During this unique year, I've been reminded of the importance of:

• recognizing the tender mercies of the Lord 
• being humble
• listening to the voice of the Lord and His Spirit
• studying His words
• listening to others
• seeing people
• being kind
• caring
• looking to God
• praying and fasting
• being patient
• continuing on, pressing forward with faith
• coming unto Jesus Christ and believing in Him
• remembering and trusting that we are in the Lord's hands
• remembering Him (and that He has not forgotten us)
• expressing gratitude 
• giving compliments
• praising God
• being still and quiet
• learning from the journey and any challenges that come
• seeing the good and being the good
• appreciating and feeling connected to generations gone before
• working and waiting
• being united even when we're different and far away
• building and maintaining relationships
• reading good books
• having good conversations and discussions
• visiting beautiful and peaceful places

Family / Relationships
Grandma Kunzler passed away on January 9.  It was a real blessing (more than we knew at the time) to be able to be together with all of her posterity in January to celebrate her life and goodness and remember the things she taught us--love the Lord, love each other, love truth.  Beginning in March, I was grateful for weekly family Zoom calls, as well as outdoor adventures scattered throughout the year.  Even the drive-by visits were nice.  I got to spend Thanksgiving and Christmas with my parents in St. George which was rejuvenating.  I was grateful for regular walks and some hiking trips with friends, as well as a weekly Come, Follow Me study group via Zoom.

Traveling
I missed traveling this year, but luckily I didn't have any plans to go anywhere when the year started, so there was a little less disappointment.  I did get my passport renewed in January, so I'm ready to go when I can again! ;)  Even for an introvert, it was a little claustrophobic to be home so much, but I'm more grateful than ever for my warm and comfortable home, as well as good books and hiking trails.  I'm grateful to have traveled so much last year and look forward to seeing some new places someday (maybe Iceland, Norway, Denmark, Croatia, Thailand, Patagonia, Machu Picchu, and Mt. Kilimanjaro).  

This year, getting out of the house consisted of:

• The office - I was still there in person almost every weekday.  I shifted from Trax to driving to work in March and was grateful for more time in the mornings and less traffic.  I was grateful for chances to observe the construction progress at the Salt Lake Temple.  It really has been a unique year on Temple Square.
• The mountains - I love the mountains.  Even with more people on the trails, I found beautiful places of solitude and peace in some favorite spots--Albion Basin, Willow Heights Lake, Mill D, Lake Solitude, Dog Lake, Timpanogos, the Suspension Bridge, and the Draper trails.
• St. George - I made it to St. George three times this year--Father's Day weekend, Thanksgiving and Christmas.  I'm grateful for a place to get away and relax and be with family.

Reading
This year I read the Book of Mormon three times.  It was such a blessing to study this incredible book this year!  I can't think of anything better to help put life into perspective and deal with the daily challenges.  This year, I was particularly looking for "the great things the Lord hath done... the covenants of the Lord... and Jesus--the Christ, the Eternal God."  I found that and more!  

The Lord is mindful of all of His children--from Lehi, Nephi, Laman, Lemuel, Jacob, Enos, King Benjamin, Zeniff, Abinadi, Alma, Alma the Younger, Amulek, the sons of Mosiah, the Anti-Nephi-Lehies and their sons, Helaman, Mormon, the Brother of Jared, Ether, Moroni, Joseph Smith, to each one of us.  He guided them in the wilderness.  He guides us.  He provides commandments, prophets, His Spirit, light, peace, strength.  We can believe Him and trust Him and follow Him.  He keeps His promises.  He is with us.  If we will listen, see, open our hearts, give place, seek diligently, choose Him, wait for Him... He will be there.  All things testify of Christ.  All that is good comes from Him.  Jesus Christ is THE way, the truth, and the life.

One of my big takeaways and something I look forward to studying further next year is the constant invitation to "come unto Christ."  What does that mean?  How do we do that?

In addition to this study, I read 95 books. Here are some of my favorites (in no particular order):

• Saints, Volume 2
• The Divine Gift of Forgiveness by Neil L. Andersen
• The Millennial Messiah by Bruce R. McConkie
• The Gateway We Call Death by Russell M. Nelson
• Eve and Adam by Melinda Wheelwright Brown
• Finding Christ Through the Book of Mormon by Susan Easton Black
• What the Scriptures Teach Us About Adversity by S. Michael Wilcox
• What Seek Ye? by S. Michael Wilcox
• The Founder of Our Peace by John Hilton III
• The Power of Stillness by Jacob Hess, Carrie Skarda, Kyle Anderson, Ty Mansfield
• I Saw a Pillar of Light by Robert L. Millet
• Almighty, Redeemer, and Spirit by David Butler
• Morality: Restoring the Common Good in Divided Times by Jonathan Sacks
• The Warmth of Other Suns by Isabel Wilkerson
• You're Not Listening by Kate Murphy
• Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl
• The Great Influenza by John M. Barry
• Real Change by Sharon Salzberg
• Digital Minimalism by Cal Newport
• The Good Neighbor: The Life and Work of Fred Rogers by Maxwell King
• The Shape of Mercy by Susan Meissner
• While We're Far Apart by Lynn Austin
• If I Were You by Lynn Austin
• A Light to My Path by Lynn Austin
• What the Wind Knows by Amy Harmon
• The Other Side of the Bridge by Camron Wright
• The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind by William Kamkwamba
• Mustaches for Maddie by Chad Morris and Shelly Brown

I was also grateful for those who recognized and shared goodness this year.  With so much that was negative and discouraging, there were many that shared hope in large and small ways.  Those examples in word and deed were inspiring and encouraging to me.

Learning / Service
I learned a lot this year and have a new appreciation for challenges others face.  I found that I needed to be more intentional with service this year.  I could have done more, but I found meaningful one-on-one opportunities to reach out to neighbors and friends and family members, as well as spending time learning about others' trials and giving where I could.  

• Temples - This year I attended the temple regularly in January, February, and March. Since then I have really missed attending the temple, but I appreciate its blessings and peace even more. 
• Service - While I couldn't be at the temple, I made an effort to index more and participate in family history work, part of which was helping to type up some of my Dad's harvested memories, which was really fun.  I have a renewed commitment to consistently write in my journal.  I spent time listening to friends.  I spent time reading and learning about people and organizations that need help.  I'd like to do more next year.  I recognized even more the sacrifices and generosity of others and the small things that people do to lift and inspire others.  I'm grateful for these examples and hope to better express my gratitude next year.
• Church - I enjoyed teaching Sunday School again this year--two classes in person and three classes via Zoom.  My testimony of and love for the The Book of Mormon has grown.  I know this book is the word of God, it brings us closer to Him, and was written for our day.
• Fitness and Nature - Hiking and walking were lifesavers this year.  I tried to avoid weekend hiking crowds, but long summer nights were a great time to explore and find peace.  I worked hard to try to keep myself and others around me healthy.  I hope to work on being even healthier next year.

I'm grateful for all that I've learned this year and am looking forward to a brand new year to keep learning and growing.

The Right Way is to Believe in Christ

I'm grateful for the opportunity to share my testimony today of our Savior Jesus Christ, His mission, His ministry, and His gospel… and the hope that it brings each one of us. 

Twenty years ago, this very day, was my first full day in the mission field.  I was on the other side of the world and excited to learn and to share.  I was humbled, and overwhelmed, and felt inadequate, but I was full of faith in Him and grateful for the message of joy and hope we were sharing.  Of the places I've visited and people I've met in my life since then, Korea and Koreans still hold a special place in my heart. ;)

One thing I heard a number of times as a missionary, and something I'm sure many of you have heard in other places and situations in your life (and maybe increasingly so today), is the idea that... all roads lead to the top of the mountain... it doesn't really matter which one you take or what you believe.  As someone who enjoys hiking, I don't mind a new trail every now and then, but today I'd like to share with you my firm testimony of our Savior, Jesus Christ who truly is "THE way, the truth, and the life."[i]

As I was turning the page in the Come, Follow Me manual last week (after having studied Moroni 1-6), I noticed that the title of the lesson for those chapters was… "to keep them in the right way."  I hadn't focused on that phrase in my study, but it caught my attention because I had just read 2 Nephi 25:28-29, which says:  "... the right way is to believe in Christ and deny him not; for by denying him ye also deny the prophets and the law.  And now behold, I say unto you that the right way is to believe in Christ, and deny him not; and Christ is the Holy One of Israel; wherefore ye must bow down before him, and worship him with all your might, mind, and strength, and your whole soul."[ii]

This was also an important part of Moroni's message: "I, Moroni, will not deny the Christ... None were received unto baptism save they took upon them the name of Christ, having a determination to serve him to the end.... their names were taken, that they might be remembered and nourished by the good word of God, to keep them in the right way..."[iii]

There are many things we think about and strive to do, even as disciples of Christ, but these verses helped remind me of the simple, plain, straight, and narrow way.  As we believe in Christ and deny Him not, we are "in the right way."  He will be the author and finisher of our faith.  As we press forward, steadfastly focused on Him, we can have eternal life.  I'm grateful to know that path, that trail, the right way... even Jesus Christ. 

So, what does it mean to believe in Jesus Christ and to deny Him not?  What does it mean to take His name upon us and serve him with determination to the end?  I think for each one of us there may be a slightly different answer in any given moment... something the Spirit teaches us to focus on... but, in general, I think believing in Christ includes…  

·         learning of Him (who He is, what He does, why He does it), 

·         striving to hear His words and the voice of the prophets,

·         seeking and following the Spirit’s direction,

·         keeping His commandments,

·         remembering Him always,

·         making and keeping covenants,

·         having a broken heart and a contrite spirit,

·         humbly striving to know and do His will,

·         looking for His hand, His handiwork, and His miracles all around us,

·         acknowledging His blessings, His grace, His mercy, His justice,

·         desiring to follow Him,

·         repenting,

·         coming to Him with our concerns,

·         trusting Him and relying on Him,

·         courageously standing as a witness of Him and His goodness,

·         not losing hope in His promises to us,

·         avoiding distractions and keeping Him the focus and most important priority in our lives,

·         rejoicing in Him,

·         sharing our hope in Him with others,

·         looking for ways to love and minister,

·         going about doing good,

·         working diligently,

·         remembering the great things He has done for us and those that have gone before,

·         praying always,

·         giving thanks in all things,

·         inviting others to come to Him,

·         and remaining steadfast in faith in Him.

President Nelson gave a talk at BYU in August 1998 titled "Gratitude for the Mission and Ministry of Jesus Christ.”  In this talk he identifies our Savior’s two objectives as (1) His mission and (2) His ministry.  President Nelson teaches that Jesus’ mission was His Atonement.  He refers to 3 Nephi 27:13-14 as the Lord’s mission statement, when Jesus said: “I came into the world to do the will of my Father, because my Father sent me. And my Father sent me that I might be lifted up upon the cross; and after that I had been lifted up upon the cross, that I might draw all men unto me.”

I love that clarity!  Jesus' mission was the Atonement; it was why He came to earth.  Isaiah reminds us that “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.”[iv]  Without Jesus fulfilling His mission there would be no hope for us.  But He did and there is hope!  He is hope! 

Prophets had this hope before Jesus was born.  I love King Benjamin’s testimony of the Savior’s mission.  In Mosiah 3, he shares with his people what an angel taught him.  The angel said: “I am come to declare unto you the glad tidings of great joy… For behold, the time cometh, and is not far distant, that with power, the Lord Omnipotent who reigneth, who was, and is from all eternity to all eternity, shall come down from heaven among the children of men, and shall dwell in a tabernacle of clay, and shall go forth amongst men, working mighty miracles, such as healing the sick, raising the dead, causing the lame to walk, the blind to receive their sight, and the deaf to hear, and curing all manner of diseases… And lo, he shall suffer temptations, and pain of body, hunger, thirst, and fatigue, even more than man can suffer, except it be unto death; for behold, blood cometh from every pore, so great shall be his anguish for the wickedness and the abominations of his people. And he shall be called Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Father of heaven and earth, the Creator of all things from the beginning… And lo, he cometh unto his own, that salvation might come unto the children of men even through faith on his name; … And moreover, I say unto you, that there shall be no other name given nor any other way nor means whereby salvation can come unto the children of men, only in and through the name of Christ, the Lord Omnipotent.”[v]

The angel’s teachings not only testify of the Savior’s Atonement, but also Jesus’ second objective that President Nelson identifies as His ministry.  Beyond His mission of the Atonement, Jesus also offered an example of the importance of love, ordinances, prayer, knowledge, and enduring to the end.  After discussing each of these, President Nelson says this:  "Surely the best evidence of our adoration of Jesus is our emulation of him."[vi]  I love that!  Jesus Christ is the only way.  He also showed us the way.  The best way we can show our love for Him is by trying to follow Him and be like Him. 

I appreciated the #LighttheWorld invitation earlier this month to identify Christlike examples around us.  That invitation helped me pause to think about some of the attributes and characteristics of the Savior and then recognize where I see them in others.  It also made me think about what it means to take upon us the name of Jesus Christ. 

Jesus Christ heals, He is an advocate and mediator, He offers peace, He finds stillness, He creates beauty, He is obedient, He is humble, He is kind, He is steadfast and immovable, He is meek, He is merciful, He is just, He feeds the hungry, He visits the sick, He sits with one person, He listens, He teaches, He sees people and their needs, He helps others see, He gives His time, He has compassion, He blesses, He prays, He seeks to know and do His Father’s will, He calms, He forgives, He waits patiently, He cheers, He frees us, He fulfills, He calls, He softens hearts, He cares, He mourns with friends, He comforts, He strengthens, He eases burdens, He gathers people, He remembers, He loves, He touches, He walks with us, He comes, He invites us to come, He brings light, He leads, He delivers, and He lifts us up! 

These are also characteristics I observe in family members, friends, and others…  

·       I will never forget a sweet experience I had when visiting my brother’s family in New York City a few years ago.  We were on the subway and someone on our car was asking for money.  Most were ignoring this man’s pleas.  My sweet 4-year-old nephew happened to have a dime or a nickel in his hand and kept watching this man with real concern.  He didn’t say anything but turned to look at his mom a couple of times and after a few seconds of thinking about what to do, he walked across the car and handed this coin to this man.  Suddenly everyone seemed to be paying attention.  The spirit in that entire section of the car was lifted.  This man and everyone nearby couldn’t help but smile.  Obviously, this dime or nickel wasn’t going to save him, but someone seeing him seemed to bless all of us.

·       I also think of my sister and brother-in-law who show up when they know I need help—whether that’s spending a couple of hours putting together a treadmill or bringing their children by to brighten my day from the car windows. 

·       I think of my parents who share light with everyone on their path—whether that’s listening to me, being positive and kind to everyone they meet, or sharing with others.

·       I think of my aunt who had brain surgery earlier this year.  Things haven’t gone as smoothly as she’d hoped, but she continues forward rejoicing in the Lord and His goodness.

·       I think of friends who pray for each other and send uplifting and encouraging text messages.

·       I think of health care and other essential workers this year who have offered kindness and hope in difficult times.

I'm grateful for good examples.  I'm grateful for His example and goodness.  I hope we can each see people around us being like Jesus and maybe even share with them those Christlike attributes we observe.  Then, with His help, we can work to incorporate these attributes and characteristics in our lives, too.  Like Moroni invited us this week, we can “pray unto the Father with all the energy of heart, that [we] may be filled with [His] love.”[vii]

In October 2017, Elder Christofferson taught, “As we partake of the sacramental bread and water… we would do well to consider how fully and completely we must incorporate His character and the pattern of His sinless life into our life and being… We cannot be content to remain as we are but must be moving constantly toward ‘the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ.’”[viii]  And President Howard W. Hunter once taught, “The real Christmas comes to him who has taken Christ into his life as a moving, dynamic, vitalizing force.”[ix]  

In the last general conference Elder Scott D. Whiting taught, “Becoming as Jesus Christ is will require changing our hearts and minds, indeed, our very character, and doing so is possible only through the saving grace of Jesus Christ… Christlike attributes are gifts from a loving Heavenly Father to bless us and those around us. Accordingly, our efforts to obtain these attributes will require heartfelt pleas for His divine assistance.”[x]

President Hunter gave some wonderful examples of becoming more like Jesus Christ, when he invited us in a 1994 Christmas message to… “Mend a quarrel. Seek out a forgotten friend. Dismiss suspicion and replace it with trust. Write a letter. Give a soft answer. Encourage youth. Manifest your loyalty in word and deed. Keep a promise. Forgo a grudge. Forgive an enemy. Apologize. Try to understand. Examine your demands on others. Think first of someone else. Be kind. Be gentle. Laugh a little more. Express your gratitude. Welcome a stranger. Gladden the heart of a child. Take pleasure in the beauty and wonder of the earth. Speak your love and then speak it again.”[xi]

All of these are examples of believing in Christ and denying Him not, helping us to “stay in the right way.” 

I love the Book of Mormon and the powerful witness it provides that Jesus is the Christ!  During this uniquely challenging year, I have been so grateful to be studying it more deeply.  Its teachings of Jesus Christ and His mission and His ministry have provided peace and direction and an increase of the Spirit in my life. 

I’d like to close today with the beautiful story of Christmas as told in 3 Nephi 1.  Here we find powerful examples of people who, like Moroni, would not deny the Christ.  They were watching for the sign of Jesus’ birth here on the American continent: “Behold, they did watch steadfastly for that day and that night and that day which should be as one day as if there were no night...  Now it came to pass that there was a day set apart by the unbelievers, that all those who believed in those traditions should be put to death except the sign should come to pass, which had been given by Samuel the prophet. Now… when Nephi... saw this wickedness of his people, his heart was exceedingly sorrowful. And… he went out and bowed himself down upon the earth, and cried mightily to his God in behalf of his people, yea, those who were about to be destroyed because of their faith… And it came to pass that he cried mightily unto the Lord all that day; and behold, the voice of the Lord came unto him, saying: Lift up your head and be of good cheer; for behold, the time is at hand, and on this night shall the sign be given, and on the morrow come I into the world, to show unto the world that I will fulfil all that which I have caused to be spoken by the mouth of my holy prophets.”[xii]

In April 2017, President Nelson taught, “True disciples of Jesus Christ are willing to stand out, speak up, and be different from the people of the world.  They are undaunted, devoted, and courageous… There is nothing easy or automatic about becoming such powerful disciples.  Our focus must be riveted on the Savior and His gospel.  It is mentally rigorous to strive to look unto Him in every thought.  But, when we do, our doubts and fears flee.”[xiii]

I testify that Jesus Christ did come.  He was born in a humble place.  He came to do the Father’s will.  He came to save all of us.  He came to provide the way for us to return home to our Heavenly Father.  He came to set an example for us to follow.  We can find joy and peace as we diligently strive to follow Him, stand as witnesses of Him, and share the blessings of His gospel and our Heavenly Father’s plan with others.  He invites each one of us to come unto Him.  When we do, He promises to walk with us and show us the way.  I know He lives and loves us.  I know He is the way, the truth, and the life and that every good thing comes from Him, and I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

---

[i] John 14:6.

[ii] 2 Nephi 25:28-29.

[iii] Moroni 1:4, 6:3-4.

[iv] Isaiah 53:6.

[v] Mosiah 3:2-17.

[vi] Russell M. Nelson, “Gratitude for the Mission and Ministry of Jesus Christ,” BYU Devotional, Aug. 18, 1998.

[vii] Moroni 7:48.

[viii] D. Todd Christofferson, “The Living Bread Which Came Down from Heaven,” General Conference, Oct. 2017.

[ix] Howard W. Hunter, “The Real Christmas,” BYU Devotional, Dec. 5, 1972.

[x] Scott D. Whiting, “Becoming like Him,” General Conference, Oct. 2020.

[xi] Howard W. Hunter, “The Gifts of Christmas,” First Presidency Christmas Devotional, Dec. 4, 1994.

[xii] 3 Nephi 1:8-13.

[xiii]  Russell M. Nelson, “Drawing the Power of Jesus Christ into Our Lives,” General Conference, Apr. 2017.