Nolan Speaks

According to His Word

Speaks — Sun, 17 Jul 2011 06:35:23 +0000

Tonight I’m writing because I need to, and I hope to write more as time goes on. I find that by writing down my thoughts I come closer to discovering myself and learning who I am. Too often I lose myself and forget why I’m here and what my eternal goals are.

As I was reading in the Book of Mormon tonight, I came across Alma 62:51, “And they did pray unto the Lord their God continually, insomuch that the Lord did bless them, according to his word, so that they did wax strong and prosper in the land.”

This is the penultimate verse in a lengthy account of Moroni, Helaman, and Paharon fighting against the Lamanites and the Kingmen. The Lamanites have been driven from the land and many of the Nephite dissenters have been converted back to the Lord. The Nephite civilization is prospering once again and have reached what I consider a pinnacle in their livelihood and prosperity.

What catches my attention most about the verse is the small section that says, “…the Lord did bless them, according to his word…”

It’s evident in the scriptures that the Lord is always honest and true to His word. When He says you’ll be blessed, you’ll be blessed. When He says you’ll be destroyed, well, He does that too (though He always provides ample opportunities for repentance).

I ask myself, When have I been blessed according to God’s word? As I ponder that question, I realize I am blessed substantially every day with health, family, a clear mind and a desire to succeed, and countless other generosities. To me, the greater question is when haven’t I been blessed and why? When it comes down to it, any blessings I haven’t received have been because I lack faith both in myself and in the outcome. That’s something I want to change, big time.

With greater faith comes a greater conviction. With a greater conviction my integrity increases. As my integrity increases my desire to do what’s right strengthens, and as I do what’s right I become a true disciple of Christ.

The idea of being rewarded for righteous behavior seems nice, but I hope that in time my conviction goes beyond Pavlovian instincts and my actions and desires are driven not by fear and reward, but by a pure love for the Master. I believe the only way to have that pure love is to learn to trust Him, align my desires with His desires, study His life and teachings, and most of all, do as He would do.

Time and time again we have been promised great blessings for our righteous desires and actions, and always according to His word, it is done.

Related deliberations:

Acquiring Spiritual Guidance

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Post tags: Blessings, Book of Mormon, Christ

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I Realized What My Life Was Missing

Speaks — Wed, 27 Apr 2011 05:13:56 +0000

Seven months ago I sat in a dimmed room during Sunday School with the Young Men and Women of my ward. At the time I was the Young Men’s secretary. The bishop of my ward was teaching the lesson that day. I always appreciated the Bishop’s lessons. He’s a gentle, kind, and loving man who has a sincere interest for the youth in our ward.

He began by telling us we were going to watch a video that had touched him deeply about our prophet, President Thomas S. Monson. I was intrigued. When President Hinckley died, I felt a deep loss; his words of council always seemed to be directed right at me, and I grew to love him. But for some reason I was having a hard time connecting with President Monson. I knew he was our prophet, but I still hadn’t received that spiritual confirmation in my own heart that it was true.

As I reflect, I think the seeds of doubt stemmed back a few years when I read some “anti-mormon literature” that pointed out a number of faults and had some very convincing arguments against him. Ever since then those seeds have been trying to take root and sprout in my head. And I admit, my testimony faltered a little during that time.

As I sat in that dimmed room, he was now my prophet, and I still doubted him.

The bishop talked a little about the role of a prophet and bore his testimony of President Monson, and then he proceded to play the 60-minute DVD of President Monson’s life, “On the Lord’s Errand“.

Almost instantly I felt my heart softening, and before too long the seeds of doubt that I had been wrestling with were lifted from my mind. From that point on, I only wanted to know more about this man. I felt a strong desire to learn about his life, especially his character that I had so easily doubted before.

As the movie progressed, the spiritual reassurance that this man was a prophet of God continued to expand in my chest until I could no longer contain my tears. They trickled down my cheeks and onto my suit’s dusty lapel; I tried to hide it by casually swiping my sleeves across my eyes and squinting, like I couldn’t see. That never fools anybody, but it’s feels good to think it does.

President Monson’s life unfolded before my eyes, and I realized that he was a man of integrity, of goodness, and that he deeply cares and purely loves the sons and daughters of God. As interviewees spoke they related story after story of how President Monson had taken time out of his busy life for them. They had all been greatly blessed by his unselfish kindness.

And that’s when the spirit hit me like a ton of bricks. That’s what I was missing in my life. I had spent too long thinking about me that I had forgotten about others. I had been so focused on what I needed, what I wanted, and what I “deserved,” that I became blinded to those around me who were in need. I felt ashamed that my attitude had been so off course. How many times had the spirit tried to prompt me, but because I was so self-absorbed, I had missed it?

In one section of the video, President Monson said that there was no sweeter feeling than to receive a prompting from the Lord, follow it, and later find out that it had been an answer to someone’s prayer (paraphrased). I made a commitment to serve others, to forget myself and seek service opportunities. More importantly, I re-committed myself to the Lord that day. I wanted to be nearer to the man who had sacrificed it all for me.

I have since read President Monson’s biography, listened to and studied many of his talks, and gained a testimony that he is the God’s prophet today. I have prayed about it and received that personal spiritual confirmation promised in Moroni 10:3-5, that it is true.

Although that video was meant for the youth that day, I’m grateful I was there. I desperately needed it. I needed something to jump start my spiritual paralysis and wash away the fallacious seeds that had been planted years ago.

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Acquiring Spiritual Guidance

Speaks — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 05:24:19 +0000

Today I spent some time studying a talk given by Elder Richard G. Scott called, “To Acquire Spiritual Guidance.” (Read it here.) Elder Scott is one of the 12 Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. As part of my study, I wanted to summarize some thoughts.

Elder Scott began with a few questions.

“What can you do to enhance your capacity to be led to correct decisions in your life?”
“What are the principles upon which spiritual communication depends?”
“What are the potential barriers to such communication that you need to avoid?”

Throughout his talk, he discussed the answers to these questions through quotations and experiences of others and also some of his own personal experiences. Here I am adding my thoughts to his.

“Never … arise in the morning without bowing before the Lord and dedicating myself to Him during that day.”

I rarely miss my morning prayers, but many of them are far from effective, I’m sure. My mind is still in the ‘roll out of bed, figure out where I am’ stage when I begin my prayer, which doesn’t help at all. I’ve found myself a few times repeating the same line multiple times. I’m sure God is thinking, “Okay Nolan, I get point; what else?” I think it’s important to specifically dedicate myself to God and His service. Also for me to pray for spiritual guidance, for opportunities to serve, for opportunities to receive personal revelation, and even with an increased spiritual awareness to be in tune with the Holy Spirit. It’s been my personal experience that when I pray with sincerity, especially for the opportunities to serve and increase my testimony, that I find those opportunities throughout the day. And as an added bonus, I typically am happier and less abrasive during the day when I take a sincere moment out of my morning to speak with God.

» Finish reading Acquiring Spiritual Guidance at NolanSpeaks.com. »

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Hole in the Sky

Speaks — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 17:02:34 +0000

Early this morning while the fog hung low and the sun hovered low above the city skyline, it looked as if someone had paper punched the sky right where the sun was, leaving nothing but a large white hole. For a minute or two I imagined an entirely new world behind the sun–on the other side of the sky–a world accessible for only a few minutes before the sun rose any higher. This morning, if my car had been a rocket ship, I would have flown through the sun.

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I am Thankful for…

Speaks — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 04:36:23 +0000

I am thankful for…

A merciful God.
A wonderful wife who also happens to be the world’s best homemaker.
Wonderful children who smile all day long and make me smile.
The gift of knowledge.
Clothes on my back and shoes on my feet.
Enough bread on the table to keep my family satisfied and happy.
To be a provider.
To love and to be loved.
A new washer and dryer.
Caramel popcorn and cream soda.
A daughter who’s finally learning to use the potty.
Fruit snacks.
The strength to carry on carrying on.
Scriptures and the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Flip flops.
Hot tubs.
Delicious food and two hands to cook it with.
Prayer and personal revelation.
Personal accountability and responsibility.
Spell check.
Fresh bread with butter and honey.
Classical music.
Human expression.
Art & dance.
Nature’s beauty.
Poetry.

Related deliberations:

Presidential Truffles

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Tomorrow, a New Life

Speaks — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 03:18:47 +0000

Before I go to bed, I’ll share what’s on my mind. I don’t have as much control over my life as I like to think. It’s interesting how many times emotions or external factors can play a role in changing my behavior, even when I least expect them or don’t want them to. I’d like to be a person who doesn’t waver or doubt himself or allow a small breeze to bend him clear to the ground. I’d like to be a person who makes the right choices because I want to, not because I should. I want to live each day without regrets. And if I were that person, each day would be brighter, each hour happier, and each minute friendlier. Tomorrow will be that day.

Image courtesy of Sustainability.

Related deliberations:

I Realized What My Life Was Missing

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Presidential Truffles

Speaks — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 18:10:20 +0000

I was walking to the other side of the office today with the intention of troubleshooting a few software errors with GB and EL, but when I passed by the president’s (WN’s), office I saw a shiny, metallic blue wrapper peeking out from a bowl on his desk. I quickly glanced to the right and then to the left–nobody was watching. A few steps later my head, like a parrot, was cocked over a bowl of expensive, gourmet chocolate truffles; they were all looking at me, begging me to eat one. I picked one up and rolled it around in my hands; my mind quickly flickered to an image of Gollum admiring his birthday ring and whispering, “My precious.” Even the wrapper’s metallic crinkle turned the corners of my lips up into a tight smile.

I tucked the presidential truffle tightly in my left palm and briskly trekked back to my desk, forgetting my original purpose. There I sat staring at my precious. Delighted with my treasure, I unwrapped it slowly, giddy with anticipation. Milk chocolate laced with a dark chocolate doily-like pattern, my favorite. One bite. Two bites. Three bites, and it was gone.

And now I have heart burn and a sore throat from eating chocolate too early in the morning. Stupid, delicious truffle.

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