Setting Goals...

After reading my sister in law's blog about her goals I have had the impression that I need to do the same thing. Over the last year since I have been home from my mission I must admit my goal setting has not been as consistent as it should be. I was reminded of this during personal study this week as I am going back through "Preach My Gospel". Currently I am studying the section on using time wisely, I thought it would be important to go back over this as school is starting tomorrow and I have working almost full-time. As I was studying the section of setting goals this quote stuck out to me "When one learns to master the principles of setting a goal, he will then be able to make a great difference in the results he attains in this life." ( Elder M. Russel Ballard). So I have determined that goals are something that will help us to become more like our Heavenly Father, and will help us to make the most out of this life.

As I thought about what goals I need to set for this semester of school, I remember a zone conference in which my mission President taught the importance of setting goals. There were a couple of things that he spoke to us that stuck out, but the one that stuck to be the most important to me was when he used the acronym S.M.A.R.T. He pointed out that when we set goals in our lives the have to be Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, and Time bound. I remember that the time that I study most in high school was right before the test, because I knew that "Judgment Day" was right around the corner. So as I set goals for this semester of school and life I am trying to remember this principle of goal setting and making the most of the life.

My goals for this semester are going to fall under three categories...educational, spiritual, and personal. I have thought this over and think that these categories will cover all of the areas in my life which I feel like that I need to progress in.

Personal:
1). Run at least 6 miles a week. I feel that if I do this I may be able to drop off the pounds that I have gained from being married, and also take better care of my body.
2). Walk with my wife every night. I have made this a goal as I know that this will increase our time with each other and help us to keep communicating with each other about the things that are going on in our lives at that moment in time. An added benefit to this is that we both enjoy it very much, and love spending time with each other.

Spiritual:
1). Daily scripture study and prayer. I have realized how important it is to keep this a priority in my life, as the blessings that come from it are vital in my life. I also have found that if I put Heavenly Father first my studies and personal life improve.
2). Attend the temple every week with my wife. I love the spirit that is in the temple, along with the chance that I get to be in the house of the Lord. I personally feel that this is the best date that you can have with your spouse.

Educational:
1). Carry a 4.0 this semester! I know that this is probably going to be one of the toughest goals that I am setting this semester but it is needed. I feel that in order to accomplish this goal I need to cut media down to almost nothing, so I am only allowing myself one hour of television a week, and one outing. That outing of course during the fall is going to be BYU football games!
2). Complete all the readings and homework the day before class, so that I will be able to review the material that the professor is teaching and not be hearing it for the first time.

These are my goals for this semester and of course they are S.M.A.R.T. I know that the principle of setting a goal is not easy but it is important. I also know that I can do all things if I remember the Lord, and put my mind to it.

The House of The Lord

While I was waiting for the dedication of the Oquirrh Mountain Temple, some thoughts came to me of the First Temple dedication that I attended. A little over 9 years ago I witnessed the dedication of the Palmyra Temple, at that time I was only a youth I did not know the lasting impact that it would have on me. Now as I think about it I did not know that while I was there listening to President Hinckley dedicate the sacred building, and that one day I would take out my own endowments there and then be sealed to my spouse for all eternity within that Temple.

As I though about those memories I became extremely grateful for the example that I have had from my parents and grandparents. I can remember being taken out of school with my siblings Jennifer, Elisabeth, and Adam to watch angel Moroni be placed on top of the Temple. I remember my father during the open house showing us the mirrors in the sealing room and explaining to each of us the meaning of being together forever. I can remember on the day of the dedication my father taking us to the Stake Center early so that we could prepare for the special occasion that was going to be happening. As I thought about these memories, I realized something that I have never realized before, but the importance of being an example.

I then thought of the example that Christ set for me, and where I stood in following His example. I thought about how the Temple helps us with that, teaching us the characteristics of Godliness. It was then that I became extremely grateful for the righteous examples that I have all around me.

"The temple is a house of God, a place of love and beauty..." I love The House of The Lord, and the special spirit that is there that brings peace into my life. I encourage everyone to make special time in which you can go there and feel that same spirit. For the Temple is not just for the endowed Latter-Day Saint, but for everyone. President Hunter stated " In the Lord's own words he has made the Temple the center of every LDS home." Great blessings will attend us as we serve in the house of the Lord, and maybe the greatest blessing we will see in our lives will be the example that we set for our children and future generations.

Where ever thou art...Act thy part

As I read the email that my mother in law sent me this morning I can not help but to think of the actions that I should be doing to help my family and myself in progressing Spiritually and Temporally. The email contained a commitment, and also a document concerning those Saint's involved in the Huan's Mill Massacre. The commitment was to learn how we could apply the teachings of the article to our lives through prayer.

The article gives an important insight to how some of the Saint's acted to leaving their proprieties and heading to Far West Missouri, as their dwelling in Missouri started to become more hostile. The Prophet Joseph asked all the Saint's to gather in Far West but was confronted by some of the Saint's who wanted to stay at their homes with their property. Jacob Huan was one of those wishing to stay, he came up and argued with the Prophet on the manner of staying at Independence Missouri. Joseph told Brother Huan that he could decide for himself, but that if Brother Huan wanted to save his life that he should always do as he was commanded by the Lord.

I have been thinking about how I can do my part in the things that I am commanded. There are many commandments that we as Latter-Day Saints need to remember and follow, some as simple as reading the scriptures, praying daily, and going to church. Other commandments being a little more complicated as we may not see the blessing in following that council.

The article went on to teach the importance of following our living Prophets, and Apostles along with those of the past. I started to think about what I am doing to follow them, and how am I not following them in my life. Food storage is one of those that I found I can improve on. My wife and I are now buying an additional 6 cans for food storage every time we go shopping. This might not seem like a big thing to do but it helps with the motto "Where ever thou art...Act thy part".

What more can we do to "Act our part"? I encourage all who read this, even though there may not be a lot of you to find what things in your life you can do to become a more dedicated servant of Jesus Christ. We might find big things and also small things that we can change to correct the path that we are following. I also encourage all of us to keep an Eternal perspective on our lives. To go and serve your fellow Brothers and Sisters, and also share with them the simple truths of the Fullness of the Gospel. Great blessing lay in our path as we seek to follow the council of our Father in heaven, and His servants that He has given to us today.

It is my prayer that all of us throughout the entire world may grow closer in our relationships that we may preserver peace and establish the Lord's kingdom. I know that the Lord will bless us in special ways as we pursue this cause and that the Lord will help us accomplish the things that He Lord has commanded. And finally that all of us may act our part...wherever we are in the world today.

Article concerning Huan's mill...http://www.scribd.com/doc/4019837/Modern-Day-Repeat-of-Hauns-Mill