JUNE 16, 2020 UPDATED 1/24/23
I want to bear my testimony, we all learn in our own way in our own time, that is what it tells us in Isaiah 28 9-11. I’ve learned over the last 30 years from extremely specific heroes to me and self-revelation that you need a foundation Family, Faith, being an example, thanks Bishop Brian Seager. It’s okay to question things, learn, constantly expand your knowledge, and always teach with your heart and or by the spirit. Thanks President Syd James. Have conviction in what you believe, honor your priesthood, Thanks President John Wheeler. Always have unconditional love in your heart, and be able to forgive our trespassers, Thanks Bishop Jared Hansen. Always look for the positive, have a tender heart, but be stern with life and challenges because it will get better, Thanks Bishop Trent Tripple. Be present at the time you need to be, be an example on and off the gospel field, Thanks President Brent Christensen. Stay focused, work hard, train when you need to, I love you, Dad. And the last part Your most important relationship will be directly with your god, and his grace is enough if you tell him the desires of your heart and work hard, Thanks Rod Enos. Now that sounds great, but even with that I have struggled knowing what I needed to do, because of so many challenges and heartaches life can be difficult at times. This is what I have learned we are meant to go through all this stuff like it or not it’s what makes us who we are. And we need to give up the ghost (what we are chasing). Disappointment or not none of us are meant to be perfect, and that means we are talented in our own way. I will give you an example. I had played sports since I was 6 or 7 every year basketball, football, baseball, at school little league and camps all the way up to my senior year. This is what all the effort and practicing and pain was for, a great senior year and maybe some opportunities for college. But before my senior year I rolled a car six times and crushed both lungs and had a fractured knee and broken femur. My senior year was done, and I held on to that forever, because I was chasing a ghost that I never got to enjoy all that hard work. The funny thing is I did as the doctors said I would not have made it if I wasn’t in good shape, and later in my life I was told that again, when I caught a virus that shut down my heart in a week. I had to have a transplant. Yes, we do want to return home with honor, but how we do that is learning from our journey. I had learned to focus and train and work hard and every year before I go up for my checkup I do just that to get ready. We also need to serve as much as we can. I am a recovering addict from opioids. After my transplant I got hooked, and finally one day I said enough and went to rehab, and now have been clean for 2 years. Yes, the recovery was nothing I would wish on anyone, but I can tell you that the feeling I get from the service and clarity I have for my family takes away any minor pains that I still have. And I serve as much as I can today. A lot of us have financial struggles to and I could blame it on my challenges, but that will not work because again I was chasing the ghost of being comfortable with worldly things. I was not disciplined enough to say no at times before putting in the needed work, which means that we have been told the most important work that we will ever do is within the walls of our own home. So be disciplined enough to build that foundation and only reward yourself when you know that foundation is safe. I also want to say BE YOURSELF, Thanks Ryan Harris. My testimony is that we are on this earth to learn, to grow, and to love and we can only do that by being ourselves. And to clarify it doesn’t matter how much money you have or your profession, what matters is how rich with love you are from your family and that you were a good husband, wife, father, mother, son, daughter, brother, or sister that’s what you want to be good at. And utilize your talents, which is extra. With what I have said I want to finish with this. Above all keep your PERSONAL relationship with God strong. The world and even church can keep us so busy that we let that relationship slide. If you have the love of your family, and you yourself have love in your heart to give, life challenges will come and go. We just must remember to stop chasing those things in life that you assume you need to be perfect at and know that if your feeling anxiety or disappointment about never being able to break through without challenges that those actual challenges is how we break through life and return home with honor. There is not one person that is not amazing at who they are, you just must find those things, which basically means feeding the good things in life and starving the bad, so you have the time to find them. I love our heavenly father, and my elder brother Jesus Christ. I know the atonement what a sacrifice that we MUST acknowledge. I believe that service and love are keys to fellowship. And I will do better whenever and wherever I can.
In the name of Jesus Christ AMEN
Ron Lind
AKA Tin Man
