Category Archives: Just Marc

No matter how dirty we get…

17 Saturday Nov 2012

Posted by in Just Marc

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

,

It was the evening of August 17, 1990 just outside of Ludwigsburg, Germany. I was a young missionary on my way from Tamm to Freiberg on my bike with my companion. A member in our local church had invited us to dinner and we had decided to take a shortcut on a dirt road through many fields. Because of the rains, the dirt roads had apparently become muddier than we had expected as the stuff immediately built up on our tires and fenders to the point where it had become impossible to pedal any farther.

We got off our bikes and tried almost in vain to push our bikes through the deep, slippery mud. My shoes began to feel as if they weighed a ton as the mud built up on them, it had gotten so bad. I had to pick up my bike, lift it in the air and set it down a foot or two ahead of me and take a few steps just to move forward. This process lasted about a half hour. We finally made it down the hill under a twilight sky. Dark clouds raced along as we began to take as much mud off as humanly possible with a stick. After another fifteen minutes, we took off and reached a paved road where there were puddles of water. I took advantage of them by riding slowly to remove as much extra mud as possible.

We arrived at Br. Burger’s home where we enjoyed his hospitality and a nice meal while he sprayed our bikes down in his yard until almost all the mud was gone. That was a very nice gesture, which I had not expected, but welcomed it gladly. After enjoying an evening with his family, we took our leave and raced on our bikes through more fields, but this time on paved roads until we arrived home about twenty minutes later.

There are many roads in life and depending on the choices we make, we can find ourselves stained from the filthy things of the world. Along the way, we learn from our mistakes and we can try to remove those stains ourselves, but there is One who can completely wipe away all of them until we are clean. With Him we can find shelter. When we partake of what He nourishes us with, we will never hunger or thirst again.

A friend shared with me one of his own experiences as missionary, which he has allowed me to share here, which is relevant to the theme of this entry:

“When I started my own journey it was partially motivated by my desire to simply have the Spirit with me more fully. I kept thinking back to my mission and longing for the days that the Spirit was my constant companion. As a result I started by taking a look at the mission rules, incorporating them into my life, then moving forward from there. While this certainly helped something was still missing. After some prayerful pondering I remembered how diligent I had been when it came to service. I took advantage of every opportunity to serve, whether it was my companion, my neighbor or some stranger on the street. I did it with gratitude in my heart, without complaining, even finding similarities between my service and the atonement.

For example. I had a comp that never did his dishes. It drove the rest of us crazy. One day while I was praying I felt prompted to start doing his dishes for him, so I did. The next day, I did the same, simply being obedient to the Spirit. By the end of a week I was getting a little frustrated and I thought, “This guy keeps using the same stuff, getting it dirty everyday, then I clean it. If I keep doing his dishes, he’ll never do them. He has to learn.” As soon as the thought came the Spirit revealed to me the lesson. We are all like the dirty dishes. The moment the Savior cleanses us, we just get dirty all over again. But does He complain or does he simply wash the dishes again? In that moment I learned one of the most poignant lessons of my entire mission, simply by washing dishes.

Anyway, back to service. Surely it should be much easier to serve family and friends rather than some guy you got stuck with for a couple of months! As I have tried to incorporate this back into my life I have felt that this is a vital step in the process. But a warning, if you pray for opportunities to serve, they will most certainly come! Be prepared! But I can honestly say that the selfless act of serving others with a humble and willing heart is one of the most Christlike things we can do in this life.”

Note: My dear wife asked me to state that the above picture is not from our kitchen.

All that glitters

15 Thursday Nov 2012

Posted by in Just Marc

≈ 3 Comments

Tags

,

It has been a while since I’ve updated my blog. There has been so much on my mind and it’s not for lack of material, but rather for lack of organizing everything in my mind into bite-sized digestible posts. This year has almost come to a close and I have learned so much and so much has happened to me in this time and in the last few years and I struggle to share everything that I desire to share, but will do so as the Spirit dictates. Perhaps I can save others the heartaches that I endured.

I began chasing wealth at a young age. I thought that wealth was a good litmus test for being blessed and favored of the Lord. I think many Christians think this is true: If I am gainfully employed, providing all the necessities and comforts in life for my family and myself, etc, then it is because I am blessed. To a certain degree, perhaps it is true. I’ve built businesses. I’ve expanded into many cities. I’ve lived in a big house on a hill with a manicured lawn and garden. I’ve spent more money on things that I don’t need than I care to remember. But I was sorely lacking in what mattered most–a personal, real, tangible relationship with the Lord.

It wasn’t until several years ago that I began to feel an inexplicably strong sense of urgency, but for what, I couldn’t tell. But it gnawed at me ceaselessly. I learned through foolish pride that I was paying a price for grand things where moth and rust corrupt–worldly riches. I ignored that still small voice for so long and leaned on my own wisdom. It cost me almost everything.

I no longer chase success. I don’t care for wealth or money. I no longer live in my big, six bedroom home on a hill with a view. I had forgotten to put it all on the alter and as a result, I lost it the hard way. Today after a hard lesson in humility, I realize that God had been answering a prayer I offered over twenty years ago. Let he that hath ears hear. Today I have put everything on the altar. I have sold much of what I own and given away just as much, if not more. I have no need for extra sofas, televisions, bed sets, furniture, etc. I am still in the process of donating more things that I don’t need or use, that I know will help others. I have developed a genuine love for everyone around me. My heart breaks to see someone in pain, someone ignored, someone passed by, someone hungry or naked.

I live in a small home now, just perfect for my needs. I am employed in a very strong company with excellent benefits, I own a small business that earns more than I spend with it and I spend most of my free time volunteering, serving in various capacities and/or studying the scriptures and gospel doctrine. I have learned to let go of the world and all that glitters. I am more wealthy than I ever have been in my life. There are yet unfulfilled promises waiting to be kept. The greatest treasure that man can achieve, if he is willing to put all that he has on the altar of sacrifice and that is eternal life.

To the reader, I ask this: What do you spend your free time doing? Watching football? Offroading? Boating? Playing the latest video games? What are your most prized possessions? Four wheelers? Trophies? That shiny new car on your driveway? Now the real question: Would you give it all away for greater treasures?

One man did. A king:

Alma 22:15  And it came to pass that after Aaron had expounded these things unto him, the king said: What shall I do that I may have this eternal life of which thou hast spoken? Yea, what shall I do that I may be born of God, having this wicked spirit rooted out of my breast, and receive his Spirit, that I may be filled with joy, that I may not be cast off at the last day? Behold, said he, I will give up all that I possess, yea, I will forsake my kingdom, that I may receive this great joy.

Indeed the Lamanite king received his greatest desire. And before he died, he did truly give his kingdom away. I realize today that I was compelled to be humble. I was bitter for a small while and I foolishly thought that I was being punished, but in reality, the Lord spent twenty years teaching me a lesson that did not need to take so long to learn at a great cost. But He gives us our freedom to choose. And I chose the world. But He did not forget a sincere desire that I had long forgotten. I won’t spell it out here, but i will leave you with one more scripture from my favorite prophet who walked the path that we all sooner or later follow, if our hearts are true:

2 Nephi 32:4 Wherefore, now after I have spoken these words, if ye cannot understand them it will be because ye ask not, neither do ye knock; wherefore, ye are not brought into the light, but must perish in the dark.
5. For behold, again I say unto you that if ye will enter in by the way, and receive the Holy Ghost, it will show unto you all things what ye should do.
6. Behold, this is the doctrine of Christ, and there will be no more doctrine given until after he shall manifest himself unto you in the flesh. And when he shall manifest himself unto you in the flesh, the things which he shall say unto you shall ye observe to do.

I am still learning…

Oh, how lovely was the morning!

22 Monday Oct 2012

Posted by in Just Marc

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

, ,

April 10, 2009. It’s just a few weeks into Spring, about the same time that a young teen-aged boy entered this same grove of trees just 190 years before. I knew right away that this was unlike any outdoor hiking trip that I had ever been on and I’ve been on many of them. I’d always felt a wonderful sense of beauty in God’s creation. Being out on a lake fishing or camping in the woods and being ‘one’ with nature, soaking it all in is one thing, but in that grove, maybe this is one time that I couldn’t see the forest for the trees. Some of the oldest trees I walked past might have been mere saplings when Joseph Smith walked the same ground. Only six trees have been identified as being old enough that they were still growing in 1820. These have come to be known as the “Witness Trees.” Still, the feeling was one of utter tranquility, calmness and love.

When I toured the farm, My family and I were the only ones there in our group. The skies were dingy and cloudy and the wind brought intermittent flurries of snow, but that wasn’t going to stop me from walking the grove until I had had my fill. My sister and her family had visited several times before so after a quick walk they went back to the car out of the cold weather. My wife followed soon after. I literally had the grove all to myself and it was such a wonderful experience. I walked through it for what may have been a half hour or so, as I communed with the Lord. I felt that the He was pleased with me and my efforts in life and I also knew that He was mindful of me and my determination to serve Him.

For a little while the clouds cleared up, casting rays of sunlight through, as if the heavens opened up just a little for me. The snow stopped and I took pictures of various scenes, including the sun through the tree tops, still partially covered by clouds. I felt the Holy Spirit stronger in one area of the grove than anywhere else, and I pictured Joseph Smith kneeling there. Perhaps that was the spot that he had once predetermined to visit.

As the trail led me to one of the exits, the clouds began to gather again and the wind began to blow the snow in as if the Lord was personally ushering me out. It was so tranquil and I did not want to leave but my family waited for me in their cars on the other side of the farm. I could feel the world again as I set foot outside the grove, noting for the very first time the sounds of my footsteps on the trail as I exited.

As I walked back to the car on the trail by the farm and the log house, I noted the Palmyra temple across the highway up on a hill. I wonder if Joseph ever saw it in one of his many visions. Talk about the course of the Lord being an eternal round! His work of the restoration continues where it all began! We drove across the highway up to the temple and I stood there looking past the clearing, down at the farm and the grove on the far side. I wonder how many angels attend these hallowed grounds, watching over all those who visit. This will definitely have been the highlight of my vacation.

Replica of Joseph Smith’s home around 1820.The Palmyra Temple, just west of the Smith farm.

A hummingbird and a prayer

28 Friday Sep 2012

Posted by in Just Marc

≈ 5 Comments

Tags

, ,

I really try not to put a big light on myself as a person and I don’t care what critics and naysayers think about me. But I do not shy away from holding up my light rather than hiding it under a bushel. The light that I hold up is my Savior, Jesus Christ, and what He has done for me in my life. And maybe one day, I will share everything that I have seen and heard, but today I feel impressed to share one small experience.

It was May 6, 2008 when I was in my garage doing some work, as well as in the yard getting my sprinkler system fixed. I heard something, which startled me and when I looked up I saw a hummingbird hovering around the ceiling. It was the rapid flapping that had caught my attention. It flew back and forth trying to find a way out. The garage has a twelve foot high ceiling so the top of the main garage door opening, which was shielded by the open door, which hung above me, was a good four feet below the ceiling line.

It darted back and forth and it didn’t take long to realize that there was no way it would find it’s way out. I grabbed my snow shovel and lifted it up to try and guide it in the right direction, but all I managed to do was frighten it. Still I tried gently coaxing it for a while, hoping that I could get it to fly low enough to see the giant 8’x16′ garage door opening and fly outside. It just wasn’t working. I kept trying to think of different approaches, but there simply wasn’t one that wouldn’t hurt it or even scare it more.

I know that the Lord is aware of all His creatures including this little hummingbird. I figured the simplest, though not necessarily the easiest way to do this was to take it in my hand and walk outside with it and release it. I prayed to God and I told Him that I couldn’t think of any other way to help it. Anything that finds its way into my garage eventually dies from the heat in the summer and I didn’t want the the hummingbird to die, too, so I asked for help. I needed this little bird to trust me.

Just as soon as I had prayed, the hummingbird landed on a wire hanging above the motor of my garage door opener. It sat there and just looked at me. I knew this was my chance. I slowly climbed up on the hood of my car and crawled up the windshield towards it as it looked straight at me. By now I was just a few feet away from it. I reached past the garage door motor and wrapped my hand around its little body. I braced myself, being in a awkward position, to keep from falling or sliding off my car and with my other hand I gently unwrapped its tiny feet from the wire as it did not seem to want to let go.

I was elated as I looked at the little guy just barely poking its head through my fingers. I couldn’t get over how tiny it was inside my hand. I carefully climbed back down my car and walked outside as it peeked through my fingers. It was a beautiful iridescent green in color. I opened my hand and watched it fly away. It was such a cool experience! I was thankful that God answered my prayer and I know that He cares about all of His creatures, even as tiny as a hummingbird. Because of this and many other personal experiences, I know that anything that we ask of God is granted us, if it is expedient in Him, if we ask in faith. Not all prayers are answered as quickly. I’ve literally spent hours at a time on my knees praying before finally receiving an answer. This particular experience at this particular point in my life reassured me that God is aware of me.

Edit: It’s been over a year since I published this post that the Lord taught me why He gave me this experience. Like the hummingbird, I have always struggled to be attentive. And although I am a tiny part of this world, I am not insignificant. Most importantly, it has taught me the importance of being still so that I can know God. I have learned to recognize His hand in my life. That little hummingbird, prone to getting itself into trouble is me.

 

The Brigham City Temple

22 Saturday Sep 2012

Posted by in Just Marc

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

, , , , ,

The Temple and its purpose has been an integral part of the gospel of Jesus Christ since the days of the ancient prophets of the Old Testament. Indeed Moses was commanded to build a tabernacle so that He could dwell among the congregation of  Israelites as He lead them to their promised land.

Exodus 25:8  And let them make me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them.

The Lord also instructed Solomon to build a temple–a house of the Lord, which was completed about 1,000 BC and stood until it was destroyed by fire during the Babylonian conquest approx. 600 BC. It was rebuilt thereafter under Cyrus, who allowed the Jews to return to Jerusalem and later under Darius roughly 500 BC.

Ezra 1:2 Thus saith Cyrus king of Persia, The Lord God of heaven hath given me all the kingdoms of the earth; and he hath charged me to build him an house at Jerusalem, which is in Judah.

The temple at Jerusalem was central to the life of the Jews where sacred ordinances were performed for the benefit of man. Jesus Christ spent time as well teaching therein as did His apostles.

Luke 19:47 And he taught daily in the temple…

Acts 5:42 And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.

Not long after Jesus ascended into heaven, the temple was destroyed again by the Romans in 70 AD. His apostles had all, except for John, been killed because of their faith. Temple ordinances and the authority to perform them had become lost, but would not be lost forever. Isaiah prophesied that the temple would return in the last days.

Isaiah 2:2 And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the Lord’s house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it.
3 And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.

Like the temple at Jerusalem, which was built on Mount Moriah, thus being called the mountain of the Lord’s house, a temple was built in the top of the mountains after the latter-day saints were killed, persecuted and driven from state to state until they migrated to what is now the state of Utah, settling in the Salt Lake Valley along the Wasatch Mountains. This range spans 220 miles from Mt. Nebo on the south end near Nephi all the way to the craggy Sheep Rock point in Soda Springs, Idaho on the north end. Since then many temples have been built along this western range of the Rocky Mountains as well all around the globe among all nations as the Lord intended:

Mark 11: 17 And he taught, saying unto them, Is it not written, My house shall be called of all nations the house of prayer?

Today in the temple, the Lord communes with those who, with a broken heart and contrite spirit, come unto Him. The ordinances therein, being ceremonial, are merely the “endowments” or the “gifts” that we are given, which prepare us for the actual event, which is returning to His presence. He does this just as He did with the Israelite congregation who followed Moses through the wilderness who abode His laws–prerequisites for such divine blessings.

Some ordinances include baptism for those who have died without the gospel of Jesus Christ in their lives–

1 Corinthians 15:29 Else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? why are they then baptized for the dead?

–Because He died for everyone, not only those who believe in His name or know Him. A loving God is no respector of persons and esteems all of us equally. For this reason, Jesus Christ preached to those souls who went to prison rather than paradise after He was crucified.

1 Peter 3:18 For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:
19 By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison;
20 Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water.

Like the the apostles of old, who taught in the temple, so are we taught in our temples today and prepared to return to a loving Father in Heaven. One of the most important ordinances that only happen in the temple are being sealed to our families for time and all eternity. It was in a temple that I was sealed to my wife, Lori, for time and all eternity and not just until death do we part. The gospel of Jesus Christ was designed to bring us all back to our Father’s kingdom to dwell with Him throughout eternity. It has been a great blessing to watch the temple being built the last couple years. The Brigham City Temple will be dedicated to the Lord’s work tomorrow, September 23, 2012. It will be open on Tuesday, September 25th for its first session. I have reserved a morning session and I look forward to communing with the Lord therein and very often after that.

My parents visited very recently and the day before they flew back to Texas, we had a small window of opportunity to do a quick photo shoot. It was still relatively early in the morning and I hoped it wouldn’t be too dark and overcast. It was a bit darker than I had hoped, but the cloudy overcast made quite a beautiful backdrop for the pictures we took that morning:

The Brigham City Temple

Lori and me:

Dad and Mom:

All of us: