My November Stockpile
Here are random things to post but that don’t deserve their own post:
- A quick finance lesson: There are two people you always overpay, the mafia and the babysitter. The mafia for is for obvious reasons. No one wants to get fitted for Quikrete shoes on the edge of a bridge.
And overpaying the babysitter ensures that you’ll always have a high quality babysitter available. To me, parenting is the most important duty I have. If I am going to put someone in my place to do that for an evening I want to make sure I get the best there is available. If that means doubling what other families pay, that seems worth it to me.
- I’ve certainly felt an increased appreciation for the seership of the church leadership lately. For decades they have taught to preserve the family unit and to be wise with your finances. Looking at the state of the world today, how prophetic does that seem now?
Of course, we’d all be wise to take this as a reminder to listen even more now so we can be prepared for tomorrow.
- I have a new goal. I want to own something that is 100+ years old. It doesn’t need to have high monetary value, but I really want it to have a great history. Something I can really trace back and understand the path that it took to my possession. I’ll keep you informed as this progresses.
- We’re about 11 weeks from Stucki boy #2. I’m so excited.
The Weak Become Strong
There is a scripture in the Book of Mormon that I read a couple weeks ago and just couldn’t get out of my mind.
In the later chapters of Alma, Moroni is preparing for the attacks of the Lamanites. He is preparing the different cities by building walls, towers and digging ditches. Then in the description of steps, we read that “in their weakest fortifications, [Moroni] did place the greater number of men; and thus he did fortify and strengthen the land…”
Moroni found their collective “soft spot” and faced it head on with the most power that he could. This seems like such an obvious principle, but the more I thought about it, the more I realized that this is a hard thing for people to do. In this case, the setting was a physical war, but this of course applies to so many aspects of life. Whatever the setting, it’s never easy to determine and admit the gaps in your life.
In my case, I’ve had two great fears in running my company. If either were to happen, it would have handicapped and possibly shut down my company. It was easy for me to ignore these fears because I didn’t understand one, and I had no control over the other. (Or so I thought.)
But, after reading the way that Moroni prepared, I was determined to face these weak spots and place the most attention there. I wrote them down, made lists on ways I could prepare and avoid them, educated myself and worked through the problems. Two weeks later, one has been eliminated and the other has been planned for and would not be anywhere near as catastrophic if it occurred. It’s an incredible relief.
Indeed, looking at my weak spots now would put one much in the place of the Lamanites when they tried to attack the formerly weak cities:
But behold, to their astonishment, the city of Noah, which had hitherto been a weak place, had now, by the means of Moroni, become strong, yea, even to exceed the strength of the city Ammonihah. – Alma 49:14
It’s wonderful the way that the Book of Mormon can inspire in so many aspects of life.
Where are the weak spots in your life? They can be moral, financial, personal or physical. Instead of stressing about them, take some time to write them down and eliminate the weakness in your life.
Don’t Let It Happen On Your Watch
The other day I was eating at my favorite place in Las Vegas, Sammy’s Dog House. It’s an outside stand where you order and then sit outside and chow your dog.
As I was sitting there, someone on the other side of the parking lot started honking their horn. And honking. And honking. And honking.
After one minute of honks, my thought was, “Man, I wish that annoying goober would pipe down.”
Then after 3 minutes of honking, I realized that the person might be in trouble. I pulled myself away from my Chicago Dog and Ranch fries (so good) and walked across the parking lot.
I wish I had something really awesome to report, but of course the honking stopped right as I neared the location. I looked at the different cars to see if someone was inside of one unresponsive, but saw nothing out of the ordinary. I returned to my dog and fries.
When I got back, there were four old folks enjoying their food. I saw them watching me and reported, “You know, after a while you just have to go check. But I didn’t see anything.”
One of the older ladies said, “I was real impressed that you went and did that. We were just sitting here mad at the person for ruining our lunch not thinking that someone may need help.”
I told them that you always hear about those stories where a kid was kidnapped amidst a group of people because no one stepped up to ask what was going on and I didn’t want that happening on my watch.
She was impressed enough to offer to buy my lunch. When I told her I eat there free, she offered a nice grandma hug instead.
I bring this up only to remind everyone how good it feels to watch out for others. Though there wasn’t anything to be found, it’s a satisfactory feeling to even try. And, as the elderly folks showed, failure to watch out for others brings a tinge of guilt.
There is a phrase from a Elder Holland talk that has always stuck with me. It is in reference to when God asks Cain where his brother Abel can be found. Cain answers, “I know not: Am I my brother’s keeper?”
Maybe the answer to that question is….”No, Cain, you are not expected to be your brother’s keeper. But you are expected to be your brother’s brother.”
It Takes Work To Remember
Last night I went to sleep with a canker sore in my mouth that hurt so bad it seemed to define my existence. Today, I woke up and it was all healed. I had completely forgotten about it until I saw the numbing medicine on the counter.
Two months ago I was so tired of the irritation and work it took to have good sight and wear contacts that I was ready to pay nearly anything to avoid it. I had PRK surgery and now I don’t even remember what it was like to wear contacts. I don’t even realize I’m without the contact removal in my nightly routine.
Two weeks ago I wanted so badly to be in better tune with the Spirit so I could help a loved one in a time of need. I prayed fervently for it. Yesterday I caught myself thinking, “I guess it’s okay to skip one day of scripture study because I’m really making progress on this work project.”
My point is that humans are incredibly good at forgetting things that just recently were a big focus point in their lives. The scriptures are full of examples of “how quick the children of men do forget the Lord their God, yea, how quick to do iniquity, and to be led away by the evil one.”(ref) One of the saddest scriptures I know refers to the end of the thousands years that Christ will rule on this earth in righteousness and satan will be bound. After all that time with the Savior, the thousand years will end and men will “again begin to deny their God.” (ref) How is that even possible to forget after all that time?
I think that writing in your journal is the best way to fight our forgetful nature. But I also believe that remembrance is a gift of the Spirit that should be prayed for constantly….if we can remember to do it.
Thankful For The Holy Ghost
I’m so grateful to have a knowledge of the true nature of the Godhead. I am careful not to take it for granted. Put plainly, I am a literal son of my Heavenly Father. I love and worship him. Jesus Christ is my older brother and has a personal relationship with me. If I do right, that relationship is capable of saving me from sin. And as the third member of the Godhead, The Holy Ghost guides me in all truth and “witnesses of the Father and the Son.”
I’ve thought a lot about the Holy Ghost this month. I think I should do it more often. His role is so special. I love the idea that He serves to be present and strong but at the same time so inconspicuous as to deflect all attention to the Father and the Son. We’d all be wise to mirror him in that.
“All good people can feel the influence of the Holy Ghost, but only those who are baptized and who receive the gift of the Holy Ghost by priesthood authority have the right to His constant companionship throughout life….Your ability to enjoy this divine gift depends on your obedience to God’s commandments, as the Holy Ghost cannot remain with those who do not live according to God’s teachings.”
I feel deeply for those people who lose His companionship because of disobedience. Perhaps we’ve all had our times when we are less worthy to receive his promptings. But it’s important that we regain worthiness and make our way back.
Recently I’ve been praying that the Holy Ghost would prompt me when I’m in company with someone who has lost His companionship. It isn’t important why they’ve lost it. It’s much more important that they have everything they need to regain it. Especially the desire that is necessary but so often lost. My prayer has been answered at appropriate (and surprising) times and I’m so glad for the opportunity to serve. In the process, it has helped me to better understand the Holy Ghost and His process of communication. I hope this becomes a pattern in my life.
If you have not yet received the gift of the Holy Ghost, may I invite you to seek baptism and confirmation by those who have the authority to offer the Gift.
If you’ve lost the companionship of the Holy Ghost, I hope you’ll begin now to regain it.
If you feel His presence in your life, take time today to cherish and strengthen it.
Recognize The Miracles In Your Life
J.E. Littlewood was a professor at Cambridge University. He published work that used mathematics to minimize miracles.
In short, Littlewood’s law teaches that “a miracle is defined as an exceptional event of special significance occurring at a frequency of one in a million; during the hours in which a human is awake and alert, a human will experience one thing per second (for instance, seeing the computer screen, the keyboard, the mouse, the article, etc.); additionally, a human is alert for about eight hours per day; and as a result, a human will, in 35 days, have experienced, under these suppositions, 1,008,000 things. Accepting this definition of a miracle, one can be expected to observe one miraculous occurrence within the passing of every 35 consecutive days — and therefore, according to this reasoning, seemingly miraculous events are actually commonplace.”
I hope I never become so bleak to believe this.
Take the time to recognize the miracles in your life. Keep a record of them. Don’t pass them off as coincidence or commonplace.
A Mission of Memories
One of the nice things about working from home is you can spend time on your personal projects while still working. This week I started scanning pages from the journal that I kept while serving as a Mormon missionary in San Francisco, CA. I’m only 200 pages into the 800 page behemoth of a book but it has been an enjoyable process.
As I go thru the pages of the book, I have so many memories. Not only do I think about the people, the places and the work, but I also remember my thoughts, my goals and what I didn’t know in the early days of service.
It’s impossible to accurately describe what a mission is like for someone. The highs are so high and the lows are hard and trying. I know of nothing else like it and I wish everyone could experience it.
A mission never leaves you. While scanning and reading, I’ve had my memory refreshed on daily activities, but without those details I still think of my mission everyday. I still regularly have dreams where I’m still in the mission field. It’s wonderful.
And now back to the scanning…
My Thoughts On Martin Luther
This morning I was reading The 95 Theses written by Martin Luther in 1517. As I read it, I was filled with such a strong feeling of God and his dealings with his children throughout time.
For those who aren’t familiar with Martin Luther, he was a monk in Germany in the early sixteenth century. In a trip to Rome, he climbed the Scala Sancta to free his grandfather from purgatory. (These “Holy Stairs” are still there in Rome. I saw them while I was there, though we didn’t take the time to climb them.)
As he reached the top of the stairs, he felt so strongly that it wasn’t right that we would have to pay money and do this act in order to free his grandfather. This was a spark that directed him for the rest of his life. He taught that people don’t buy their way out of purgatory. They believe in and follow Christ.
Luther didn’t have intentions of starting a church. His motivation was to re-align the Roman Catholic Church to follow what was written in the Bible. However, the misaligned pope and cardinals felt the threat and tried to stop it. Luther eventually declared doctrine (e.g., 95 Theses) that more closely aligned with the Bible, he translated the bible to German so everyday people could read it rather than only listen to their priests. People were inspired. He was excommunicated from the church. Those who found comfort in the teaching of Luther formed the Protestant church that we know today.
Why does this apply to me and strengthen my testimony?
Luther encouraged people to think for themselves. He spurred Europe out of “The Dark Ages” and cracked the door open for light. Luther didn’t have authority, nor did he claim it. Some of his doctrine wasn’t correct because he leaned completely on understanding and not revelation. But the work that he did was absolutely critical in the exit from the Apostasy and the restoration of the Christ’s Church and His Priesthood. God started long, long ago so the proper foundation could be set by 1820 and he could begin the restoration of all things.
The story of Luther is amazing. There is much more than can be written in a blog post. Put the movie “Luther” in your Netflix queue and watch it. It’s great.
A Mighty Man Fallen
James E. Faust, Second Counselor in the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, passed away this morning.
From the official church newsroom:
President Faust, 87, had served in the First Presidency since 1995 and as a General Authority of the Church for 35 years. A Church statement today said that President Faust had died of “causes incident to age.”
President Faust was appointed second counselor in the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on 12 March 1995. The First Presidency is the highest presiding body in the government of the Church.
I’ve always enjoyed the talks given by President Faust. They are full of both humility and doctrine. I’m saddened by the news, but can’t help but picture those on the other side of death quite ecstatic with the entrance of a spiritual giant.
My Fatherhood Checklist
At the end of every month, I write what I call a “Thought Paper.” I pick out something that has been on my mind that month and get it out on paper. I’ve been doing it for years and it has been a wonderful thinking tool.
As you would imagine, this month fatherhood has been on my mind. What is expected of a father? How can I surpass the expectations?
I decided to write, “My Fatherhood Checklist.” In it, I listed six principles that I think a son should rightfully learn from his father. Mothers help teach these principles. So do school classes and church meetings. But my conclusion was that fathers should see to it that these six principle are taught and that a son understands them. Or to make it more personal for me, if my son doesn’t know these principles as he grows up, I am specifically at fault and should be held accountable.
My paper is long. Here is a summary of the six principles:
1) The Priesthood of God is a call to serve. It is to be used to bless and help others. Use it as the scriptures instruct. Accepting the Priesthood holds you to a higher standard. It is your commitment to serve when you are called as a missionary and in any other calling issued from the Church. God will bless you all your life and you have a duty to help bless others. Follow righteous Priesthood holders like the prophet and the twelve apostles.
2) Being wise with your finances will save you trouble and heartache. Work an honest job for your money. Always pay your tithing first, then your savings account, and then your bills. If you don’t have enough for your bills, change your lifestyle. A budget should be kept and money should be tracked. Schools don’t teach this, but it’s absolutely critical. Media will teach you to live on credit but debt is an incredible burden to have on your shoulders.
3) Pornography is as dangerous as a drug. Avoid it at all costs. When others may tell you it is “normal” or “healthy”, know that your father and your Heavenly Father are of an opposite opinion. Avoid it like you would a deadly disease. It teaches disrespect for women and portrays an inaccurate view of the world. It makes you idle in progression. If you do slip, find help from me or your bishop as soon as you can.
4) Respect women. Treat them with kindness. Even in the hard times, always be respectful. This applies to all women, not just the ones that attract you. And more than any others, respect your mother and your wife.
5) Patience is a prized characteristic. Do all you can to learn it. It will make you a better father, a better leader and a better person. It will save you from being both offensive and offended. It will help you control your temper. It will allow you to lead in times of emergency or uncertainty. The more you are patient, the easier it is to do.
6) Learn from history and the experience of others. Learn to love history. There have been so many people who have succeeded and failed, learn from them. Read how cities were created and destroyed. Learn about intelligent and successful women and men and absorb their characteristics. Read The Book Of Mormon and the restortation of the Gospel thru Joseph Smith to see how God deals with His people. When you rub shoulders with giants of past, you become one in the present.
There is a lot more a father should teach his children, but these are the six that I chose as absolutely critical. If from no where else, these principles must come from the father. I’d love to hear what’s on your list.
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About Me
My name is Brian Stucki. I live in Las Vegas with my wife Candace and my sons Cole and Will. Other interests include my company, my religion, sports, and learning about history.
Feel free to contact me.