Repentance = Seeking God’s Mercy

March 25, 2015 2 Comments

first aidIt didn’t take long before I heard the groans of my students as I displayed, in bold, big letters, the word, “repent”. They were then asked to list other words that came to mind. Sin, embarrassment, bishop, confess, pain, mistake, unworthy, discouragement, hell, hopelessness were among the words most listed. There were a few who listed Atonement, Christ, joy, and change, but the overwhelmingly, most-picked words were negative and their comments certainly reflected that my students believed repenting was no fun. Read more of this post

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Stake Conference Twitter Notes

November 9, 2014 1 Comment

twitternoteHere are my twitter notes from our Stake Conference held November 9, 2014. Sunday included a broadcast from SLC.

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My soul delighteth in chiasmi

February 9, 2014 1 Comment

scripsOne of the literary devices frequently used in ancient scriptures is what is known as “introverted parallelism” or, as its more commonly known, a chiamus. (kahy-az-muhs) Consider the following example:

“He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.” (Matt. 10:39) Read more of this post

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Age adjustments, phone calls and answered prayers

October 13, 2012 3 Comments

Anyone who follows me on Twitter (@LDSTroy) or my blog knows that I love to tweet during General Conference (#LDSConf). I admit, with some nerdy embarrassment, that I have been a part of the #TwitterStake since its beginning. Not only is it a way for me to take notes but I get to see everyone else’s notes. There are more “notes” than anyone could ever read but at the very least, it keeps me awake and alert through all of conference.

So when Conference started and President Thomas S. Monson offered his opening remarks, I was listening and tweeting – for a few seconds. When his comments switched to missionary work and the age adjustment for both young men (18) and young women (19), I was stunned.

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A Year Ago Today – Galilee

March 31, 2012 Leave a comment

March 30, 2011

Mt. of Beattitudes

Jill sitting on the traditional site of the Sermon on the Mount

Close to the height of His popularity, Jesus delivered the Sermon on the Mount, which included the Beatitudes.  It is perhaps the most read of Jesus’ teachings and introducing something more than what the Law of Moses had become.  It moved the focus from things we do – our behavior, to the feelings and motives we have.  If we have correct motives, if we develop the attributes of Christ, our Christian acts will follow – a by-product of who we have become. Read more of this post

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Come Listen to Living Prophets

March 28, 2012 Leave a comment

 

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Mormonism 101 Infographic

March 13, 2012 Leave a comment

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Nephi’s Journey, Our Journey

November 24, 2011 4 Comments

In the second book of Nephi we get a wonderful glimpse into the humanity of Nephi.  His father Lehi had just died and the murmurings of his older brothers had reached an all-time high. One can imagine Nephi heading to his favorite spot of refuge – a mountain top, a forest – a place where he could ponder and pray. There, “in the space of not so many verses”, we witness Nephi taking a profoundly common, mortal journey – a series of phases similar to the stages of grief. Read more of this post

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What I learned at a Christian retreat

October 31, 2011 3 Comments

The boys who attended the retreat.

My junior and senior years of high school were spent in a small South coast town in Oregon. Though I was the only active member of the Church in my class, I spent my time with other, very devoted Christians. Who I am today is certainly a reflection of those friends. None of us were perfect but we were good kids. Part of our social experience was a non-denominational youth program called Young Life. Like the Mormon mutual, this group would get together weekly at someone’s home, sing songs, eat food and have a brief spiritual thought. Read more of this post

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Young Women’s Camp may be God’s secret weapon

August 8, 2011 12 Comments

Photo: Megan Louise Carter

Though hidden from most males in the Church, Young Women’s Camp, also known as Girl’s Camp, is one of the Church’s most successful programs and could be Heavenly Father’s secret weapon. My involvement with Girl’s Camp began many years ago when my mother, a Young Women’s leader, asked me to pick up girls from camp. As an 18 year-old, this wasn’t a horrible assignment.  The thought of being the first boy the girls had seen in a week overshadowed the long, four-hour drive. My dreams died a slow death on the narrow roads of the coastal range in Southern Oregon due to bad directions and I never made it to camp. In fact, the girls arrived home before I did. Read more of this post

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