An Unexpected Journey

It's a dangerous business, going out your door. You step onto the road, and if you don't keep your feet, there's no telling where you might be swept off to.

- Bilbo Baggins

  Our life on earth can be a strange one. We sometimes find ourselves in odd places and situations, and it can be hard to keep your feet. If there is one thing you can expect from life, it's the unexpected. What do we do when life's straight paths begin to curve? How do we keep our feet?

  One of my favorite books is The Hobbit. The Hobbit is the story of Bilbo Baggins, who is a very successful and comfortable person, who likes nothing more than sitting in his house and eating great food. Bilbo hates adventures, the very thought makes him feel uncomfortable. But one day an adventure falls in his lap, full of danger, mystery, and a whole bunch of dwarves. And to his own surprise Bilbo takes it!

  Sometimes we feel like Bilbo Baggins; We feel comfortable and content with the things we have, and we don't want anything to change.  Though if we never change then we never grow! We don't always find ourselves coming home to 13 dwarves and a wizard eating all your food, but sometimes life throws us an opportunity and we need to take it. Leaving the comfort of our homes, or jobs, or our circle of friends can be hard; but when nothing is ventured, nothing is gained. 

  Bilbo found life-long friends, a pile of gold, and joy in his unexpected journey. Who knows what you'll find on yours! If we can recognize these adventures when they happen, and take advantage of the opportunities God gives us, we will find our own lasting happiness. Who knows! You may even find your own pile of gold, or maybe even find some friends, a long the way.

This is our one and only chance at mortal life—here and now. The longer we live, the greater is our realization that it is brief. Opportunities come, and then they are gone. I believe that among the greatest lessons we are to learn in this short sojourn upon the earth are lessons that help us distinguish between what is important and what is not. I plead with you not to let those most important things pass you by as you plan for that illusive and nonexistent future when you will have time to do all that you want to do. Instead, find joy in the journey—now.

- Thomas S. Monson

Dedicated to Chris "The Degn" Petersen

The Atonement

  Atonement. The word describes the setting “at one” of those who have been estranged, and denotes the reconciliation of man to God. Sin is the cause of the estrangement, and therefore the purpose of atonement is to correct or overcome the consequences of sin.

 Sin is a natural side effect of life, there are no perfect people nor could their be. As we learn and grow in this life we will make mistakes, and we will learn from them. Only Christ lived perfectly, and he died perfectly, and in doing so He prepared the way for us. He did everything our Father in Heaven asked him to do, and he paid for all the mistakes we will ever make.

 Jesus suffered for you. He suffered for everyone. The prophet Alma wrote of Christ: "And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people. And he will take upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities."*

  Jesus Christ understands you completely, he felt all the pain you will ever feel so that he can have compassion on you. He can help you through any problem in your life because He has already been there. As we rely on the Atonement of Jesus Christ, He can help us endure our trials, sicknesses, and pain. We can be filled with joy, peace, and consolation. All that is unfair about life can be made right through the Atonement of Jesus Christ. In paying the penalty for our sins, Jesus did not, however, eliminate our personal responsibility. We must show that we accept Him and that we will follow His commandments. Only through the gift of the Atonement can we return to live with God.

  We all depend on the Savior; none of us can be saved without Him. Christ’s Atonement is infinite and eternal. Forgiveness for our sins comes with conditions. We must repent, and we must be willing to forgive others. Jesus taught: “Forgive one another; for he that forgiveth not … [stands] condemned before the Lord; for there remaineth in him the greater sin” and “Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.” -Dieter F. Uchtdorf

  I know that is is only through the atonement that my sins can be forgiven. But the atonement isn't just for the times when you feel guilty, or the times when you think you've messed up. The atonement is always there, it is always available, and it is always ready to help you. The atonement is there to be used, and all it takes is a sincere desire to follow the example of your Savior. Have faith in Jesus Christ, do your best to live like he did, repent when you mess up, and you will feel the atonement work in your life. I promise you.


*Alma 7:11-12