Tag Archive for: Honour

Looking Up

Last weekend, speaking at General Conference, Elder Jeffrey R. Holland gave one of the most moving talks I’ve ever heard.
With his “diminished” yet powerful voice, his brief rendition of 𝐀𝐦𝐚𝐳𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐆𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐞 was electrifying.
A quite remarkable testimony of Jesus Christ that touched my heart.
His spirit filled words, were an incredible witness of truth, “𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘐 𝘴𝘦𝘦.”
And it was a witness that will linger in my soul and millions of others for generations to come.
As we were still processing the spirit of it all, Megan sent this photo of our 10-month-old grandson, Oscar.
There he stood, steadying himself on the TV stand, literally looking up to Elder Holland.
The timing couldn’t have been more perfect.
Oscar, with childlike awe and curiosity, looking up to a man I’ve looked up to for decades.
It was far more than cute.
It was profound.
The Lord asks us to become as little children, not because they know more, but because they see more clearly.
In a world that often pulls our eyes downward, here was a reminder to all of us to keep looking up, to faith, to truth, to those who lead with love and light.
And in that small, ordinary moment in the living room, we caught a glimpse of something eternal: one generation quietly passing on reverence to the next.
Oscar doesn’t know who Elder Holland is yet, but maybe he sees more than we realise, the kind of seeing that only a child can.
Someday he will and he is clearly already tuning in.
And perhaps for Oscar, in his own innocent way, “𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘐’𝘮 𝘣𝘦𝘨𝘪𝘯𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘰 𝘴𝘦𝘦” too.
“One thing I do know, that, whereas I was blind, now I see.” – John 9:25
And when he really does, I hope he knows that his family has always looked up, to apostles, to the Saviour, and to the hope that binds us all together.
Who have you looked up to that helped you see more clearly?

𝐎𝐛𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 – the key that opens every door.

“𝐎𝐛𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 is the key that opens every door.” – C.S. Lewis
Yet, 𝒐𝒃𝒆𝒅𝒊𝒆𝒏𝒄𝒆 is not a positive word these days.
Generally, I have found the Dutch (and I love them) do not want anyone telling them what to do!
𝐎𝐛𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞: “compliance with an order, request, or law or submission to another’s authority.”
From Antwerp to Utrecht, over the last couple of days – I’ve shared a quote from Boyd K. Packer that states “𝐎𝐛𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 is a powerful spiritual medicine. It comes close to being a cure-all.”
From “every door” to “cure-all.”
I want some of that.
Do you?
This is an exciting time to be a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
And even more so to serve as a full time missionary.
We are blessed to able to serve day in, day out with approximately 120 voluntary missionaries here in Belgium and the Netherlands.
They are remarkable.
Each of them has an obedient heart.

𝐎𝐛𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 is a principle of discipline, choice, and trust.

Learning of it, with exactness in our youth is “powerful spiritual medicine” that can and does act as a guide for each of them as they chart their journey through life.
“If you want to learn to fly an aeroplane, learn and follow the laws that govern gravity.
If you want to operate on the human heart, learn and follow the laws that govern the human body.
If you want to be happy, learn and keep the commandments.
It becomes a rather simple formula” – said Russell M. Nelson.
For your journey through life, one of the first things you need to know is this…
“There is a law, irrevocably decreed in heaven before the foundations of this world, upon which all blessings are predicated.
And when we obtain any blessing from God, it is by 𝐨𝐛𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 to that law upon which it is predicated. (Doctrine & Covenants 130:20–21)
Please ponder that thought.
It states unmistakably the fact that there are principles upon which promises are predicated, and that obedience is the key to receiving blessings.
My experience is this – 𝐨𝐛𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 with exactness, always brings safety and inner peace.
I hope that each of us will choose to follow the simple formula of 𝐨𝐛𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 throughout our life.

How do you honour someone?

How do you honour someone?
If you are the Queen, you may confer a title or an honour such as an MBE, OBE, CBE (Member, Officer, Commander of the British Empire) or perhaps a Knighthood or Damehood. There are many others, but these are the most well-known.
Only one of the Ten Commandments comes with a stated promise: “Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee” see Exodus 20:12.
At University, my bachelor’s degree, was given with “Honours” for my extra year of study.
At High School, I was honoured by receiving the school colours for representing the school in various sporting events.
According to the word’s definition, to honour means to treat someone or regard them with special attention and respect, to value, or to esteem highly.
Do you do these things with family members, friends or even complete strangers?
Perhaps it is also about accepting someone as they are and appreciating them for who they are.
What can you do?
Here are my top ten tips to honour someone…
– Treat others with respect
– Cheer someone on
– Listen, listen, then listen a little more
– Celebrate accomplishments
– Be curious and ask questions
– Be understanding
– Serve and help them
– Pay them a compliment
– Show compassion
– Appreciate your differences
You don’t have to be the Queen to bestow an honour.
You can honour someone by the way you act, every day.
Who will you choose to honour today?

Honour, Help, Obey

Growing up in Scotland, I enjoyed going to cub scouts for a while.
At the start of every gathering, we would commence by standing, reciting and learning together the value of the Scout Promise –
“On my honour, I promise that I will do my best
To do my duty to God and to the Queen,
To help other people
And to keep the Scout Law”
All encapsulated in the scout salute – honour, help, obey.
I really enjoyed one week in particular with the cub scouts…. “Bob-a-job” was a well known phrase in the 1970’s.
As a cub scout, I recall doing various jobs for a “bob” a “shilling” or 5p in today’s money. I guess these days that 5p would be worth about £1.50 now. Essentially, through simple tasks, we were gaining the opportunity to do a little work and at the same time, doing something good in the community.
Little things oftentimes make a huge difference – and I believe it did for me. I remember knocking on many doors and giving out a yellow sticker for them to place in their windows – whenever a job was done.
In our lives, there are many opportunities for us to make commitments in each of these three values. By and by, I have learned that there is great safety and power in each principle, by choosing to live them daily.
I hope that we all look for opportunities to honour others, not only to do right, but to do good—not to be seen of others, but because it is simply the right thing to do.
How can you honour someone today?