Ways to “Come Unto Christ”

The invitation “come unto Christ” is an invitation to become like Him. Here are some examples of ways I can become like Him:

• Accept or seek out every good thing that comes from Heavenly Father
• Don’t accept or seek out things that are “evil gifts”
• Don’t touch things that are not clean (spiritually speaking)
• Wake up
• Be alert
• Keep temple covenants
• Do what I can to strengthen the stake and ward I am in
• Enlarge the borders of my capacities, friendships, love
• Repent and turn to Christ to make up for where I cannot make up, and eventually become perfect with His help
• Deny myself of ungodliness; spoil myself with godliness
• Love Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ with every corner of my mind
• Love Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ by using my physical and spiritual strength to do good things
• Love Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ with the power that comes from being able to be the only one to make choices for my life

When I come to Christ completely, I then qualify for the grace He offers those who do. His grace is enough that I can be perfect—not alone, but “in Him.” By leaving evil and loving God, I meet His standard for receiving His reward: helping me where I have fallen short and thereby making me perfect.

My Favorite Chapters in the Book of Mormon (Part 1)

Here is a list of my favorite chapters in the Book of Mormon as of right now, and also why I like them:

• 1 Nephi 8 (because its metaphors give clear direction for the journey of my life)
• 2 Nephi 2 (because of its explanation of God's plan for my return to Him, and the doctrine of agency)
• 2 Nephi 9 (because of its explanation of what Christ did on my behalf)
• 2 Nephi 29 (because it reminds me to embrace all good and to not try to limit God)
• 2 Nephi 31 (because of its clear direction with actual words spoken by both Jesus Christ and my Heavenly Father)
• Jacob 2 (because it teaches me priorities and how to interact with other people)
• Jacob 4 (because it gives a clear definition of truth)
• Mosiah 3 (because of its explanation of the type of person I should become)
• Mosiah 4 (because of its record of people repenting and the result)
• Mosiah 18 (because it give an example of unity between members of the Church)
• Mosiah 24 (because it gives an example of a good way to respond to difficult circumstances)

People I Admire

Here’s a list of some of the people I admire:

• Steve Jobs (his vision and pursuit of the most correct and best answers)
• Bill Watterson (maintaining the integrity of his work, not chasing money, not pursuing the spotlight)
• Gordon B. Hinckley (his positivity)
• Thomas S. Monson (his selfless service)
• Russell M. Nelson (his attention to detail and great life work)
• My dad (his integrity and willingness to give his time)
• My mom (her pursuit to show love to her children in her unobtrusive way)
• My boss, D.G. (his thoughtfulness and ability to remain calm)

Coming Soon to Theaters

 

Do They Know I Love Them?

A few weeks ago I was feeling down. After trips home to visit my family, I have often felt discouraged and unloved. Even though I knew logically that this was because of my thoughts and not what was actually true, it was still how I felt. I felt like I made an effort to show interest in the lives of my family members, but that this was not reciprocated—at least not to the degree that I preferred.

We have a group text with the members of my family on it. I decided to stop being involved in the text group as much shortly after the latest visit home. After a few days, my parents noticed and checked with me to see how I was doing. I told them that the text group was similar to visiting home—I just got lost amid a sea of other people. 

My parents’ response was to make a sudden trip to drive out of state to visit me. I didn’t want them to feel obligated to come, but they came anyway. I felt a little awkward when they first arrived because we didn’t really have plans, and I didn’t feel we could just hang out at my apartment all day since I have roommates. But we ended up going out and about and having a great time together, enjoying the fall weather and visiting nostalgic locations. 

In thinking about that experience today, I thought to myself about how much that action made it clear to me that my parents love me. And I thought further, what if I made sure that people I love have absolutely no doubt that I love them? 

I think it is easy for me to assume that people I love know that I love them. I certainly try to show interest when I am around them, and I try to help them in ways that at can at other times. For example, sometimes I try to help financially where I see an opportunity. Just as I knew logically that my family loved me, the actions my parents took left no doubt that they loved me.

If I wanted to be sure that those I love knew with absolute certainty that I love them, what would I do? 

The Books I Currently Own

Here is a list of all the books I currently own as of Saturday, November 13, 2021 (not including manuals or digital ebooks—only physical books). I have divided the books into three lists: those that I have read, those I have partially read, and those I have not read.

Books I own that I have read:

• The Book of Mormon, The Doctrine and Covenants, and the Pearl of Great Price (Triple Combination); by multiple authors
• The Book of Mormon; by multiple authors, translated by Joseph Smith, Jr. 
• The Doctrine and Covenants; by multiple authors
• The Pearl of Great Price; by multiple authors
• Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets; by Joanne (J. K.) Rowling
• The Magician’s Nephew; by Clive Staples Lewis
• The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe; by Clive Staples Lewis
• Prince Caspian; by Clive Staples Lewis
• The Horse and His Boy; by Clive Staples Lewis
• The Voyage of the Dawn Treader; by Clive Staples Lewis
• The Last Battle; by Clive Staples Lewis
• The Lord of the Rings, Part Three: The Return of the King; by John Ronald Reuel Tolkien
• Saints, Volume 1: The Standard of Truth; by multiple authors
• Howard W. Hunter; by Eleanor Knowles
• Becoming Steve Jobs: The Evolution of a Reckless Upstart into a Visionary Leader; by Brent Schlender and Rick Tetzeli
• Steve Jobs; by Walter Isaacson (I listened to an audiobook of this one)
• Exploring Calvin and Hobbes: An Exhibition Catalog; by Bill Watterson and Jenny E. Robb
• There's Treasure Everywhere; by Bill Watterson
• Homicidal Psycho Jungle Cat; by Bill Watterson
• The Hiding Place; by Corrie Ten Boom (I listened to an audiobook of this one)
• Man’s Search for Meaning; by Viktor E. Frankl
• The Complete Calvin and Hobbes: Book One; by Bill Watterson
• The Complete Calvin and Hobbes: Book Two; by Bill Watterson
• The Complete Calvin and Hobbes: Book Three; by Bill Watterson
• The Complete Calvin and Hobbes: Book Four; by Bill Watterson

Books I own that I have partially read:

• The Holy Bible (King James Version); by multiple authors
• Jesus the Christ; by James E. Talmage
• Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith; compiled by Joseph Fielding Smith
• The Miracle of Forgiveness; by Spencer W. Kimball
• Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows; by Joanne (J. K.) Rowling
• To the Rescue: The Biography of Thomas S. Monson; by Heidi S. Swinton
• Saints, Volume 2: No Unhallowed Hand; by multiple authors
• The Art of the Jungle Book; by Ellen Wolff
• How to Become a Former Asthmatic; by Paul Sorvino
• The Story of My Life; by Helen Keller
• The Total Money Makeover; by Dave Ramsey

Books I own that I have not read:

• Much Ado About Nothing; by William Shakespeare
• King Lear; by William Shakespeare
• Twelfth Night; by William Shakespeare
• Macbeth; by William Shakespeare
• Richard III; by William Shakespeare
• Walden and Civil Disobedience; by Henry David Thoreau
• Ezra Taft Benson: A Biography; by Sheri L. Dew
• Narrative of the Live of Frederic Douglass, an American Slave, Written by Himself; by Frederic Douglas
• Just Mercy; by Bryan Stevenson