Changed Men Can Change the World

“When you choose to follow Christ, you choose to be changed. The Lord works from the inside out. The world works from the outside in. The world would take people out of the slums. Christ takes the slums out of people, and then they take themselves out of the slums. The world would mold men by changing their environment. Christ changes men, who then change their environment. The world would shape human behavior, but Christ can change human nature . . . Yes, Christ changes men, and changed men can change the world.” --Ezra T. Benson

Last year when I called my mother to tell her that I had been called to serve as Relief Society President, her response was, "Good. This will be good practice for the real world." I have to admit that I was a little taken back. It seems that the bubble that exists in Provo, Utah is often viewed as a mere training ground for young people who one day want to do great things. You know, one day we'll be in REAL wards and in REAL situations where people REALLY need help, right?

Well, my experience in Happy Valley has lead me to the firm understanding that I am living in the REAL world, zoobies and all. The people and experiences surrounding me right now are as real as they will ever be, and I can not wait for a future moment to start making a difference and changing the world. I would submit to all of you (yes, all two or three of you who love me enough to read the thoughts of my soul) that the real purpose and work in life which each of us needs to be engaged in is most vital right here with those people immediately surrounding us. BYU is NOT simply a training ground. We are not here simply to learn and then one day go forth to serve. Living the Gospel of Jesus Christ can not wait until we have a degree or land the job we want. God needs good men right now to change the world, even in Provo.

What good is it to study to become a world-shaking leader or humanitarian if I can't push aside my own agenda today to help those around me? How can I expect to change the world one day if I'm not flexible enough today to change my busy schedule in order to serve? It all starts here and now, and it starts with Change. It's not enough to solve my own problems or to help to solve the problems of others. Solving problems isn't the long-term goal; Change is the long-term goal.

So, get out there and serve. Reach beyond yourself. Open your eyes and see that every single day the Lord needs people to make a difference. He needs you; He needs me. We can not afford to be caught up in the common self-absorbed culture of college life. Yes, school is important, but even a college degree can not trump the importance of serving a child of God. I hope that I am never so busy or so important that I can't push my personal or professional life to the side for a moment to help someone.

So, let's start. Christ changes men, and changed men really can change the world.

New Shoes and Chocolate Sundaes

What is love?...I can't fight this feeling anymore...I want to know what love is...Unbelievable sights, indescribable feelings...Living in a powder keg and giving off sparks...

You know, after nearly half a decade of the hustle and bustle of BYU co-ed life, I find myself wondering, 'What is love, anyway?' The answer remains the same as it has for the last four years of my life: Real love is like new shoes and a chocolate sundae. Really? Now, I don't want you to mistake me for a shopaholic or fashionista of any sort--heaven knows that until one week ago it had been over three years since I purchased a new pair of jeans--but, let me explain how the search for and landing of real love is not too different from a hunt for a perfect pair of shoes followed by a dessert that never gets old.

You all know what it feels like . . .you seriously need a new pair of shoes. You have been saving your money for the big purchase, and you make your trek to the mall with full commitment to find THE pair of shoes you want and need. After all, where there is a will, there is a way, right? You begin to shop. You look at a thousand different pairs of shoes in fifteen stores, but you find nothing that you are in love with. You consign yourself, out of obligation to fulfill your commitment, to start trying on some pairs, hoping that your initial impression was just wrong and that somehow you will magically adore the shoes once they are on your feet. Nothing. Nothing sings to you, nothing fits right, nothing turns that light on. Nothing gives you that "New Shoes" feeling. You start formulating some back-up pairs of shoes . . . you know, the pair that will just have to do even though they are not exactly what you want (not to mention the fact that they are WAY overpriced.)

Now, if you have ever been in this position before, you may be familiar with that empty frustration that begins to seep into your heart. But, when all is said and done, you know that you need a new pair of shoes. At this point you may begin to doubt your own sanity/conceitedness. How is that out of the thousands of shoes you have looked at you can't find just one that makes you want to throw down your money and take the dang pair home? Could your expectations for that pair of shoes be just a little too lofty? My mother would certainly say yes.

But then, just as you are about to give up in defeat, you decide to check one last rack of one more store. And there, shining like justice, are THE pair of shoes you have been looking for. Not even the vast, virtual shopping potential of the internet could have provided you with something you desired more. You don't know how to explain it, but you knew it when you saw the shoes. They were for you, and they were 40% off. Suddenly an intense feeling of relief and satisfaction encompasses you. How on earth did you ever doubt yourself? You found your pair of shoes, and with no hesitation you make the purchase. The usual doubt, analyzing and uncertainty that you feel about buying any other pair of shoes is gone as you buy the shoes with absolute confidence.

Do you know this feeling? The complete relief, joy, excitement and comfort found in finding the pair of shoes that you desperately needed, saved for, searched for, and, despite failed efforts, knew somewhere existed. This is the "New Shoes" feeling.

So the search goes on. Love IS a many splendid thing, and finding that one person who takes away the hesitation and anxiety from making a commitment is worth more than a grand shopping trip. Love isn't always brilliant or dignified or even obvious. And, like that pair of shoes that has been sitting for who-knows-how-long on the sale rack, the person who you love may not be right for anyone else. But they are yours, and you know it.

And once you've found the one that makes you WANT to give up being single in order to share your life with them, that love grows and gets better with time. It is like the best chocolate sundae you've ever had, but you never get sick of it, and it never gets old.

So to those of you who claim that marriage and commitment is death, I say: You just haven't found your new shoes yet. Maybe you haven't even been looking. But, when you do find them--and you will--love will become something more than a great mystery or a line on your to-do list. Love will keep you alive.