Elder Ballard Counsels Grads To Use The Web To Voice Opinions

Published on Na Leo Ho'omaluhia (http://newsroom.byuh.edu)

Elder Ballard counsels grads to use the Web to voice opinions

By staceh

Created 12/15/2007 - 4:08pm

Stace Hall | University Advancement | 15 December 2007
At Saturday's fall commencement exercises, Elder M. Russell Ballard (pictured with graduate at left) told graduating students they could individually make a difference in perceptions of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by letting their voices be heard using technology.

"May I ask that you join the conversation by participating on the Internet…to share the gospel and explain in simple, clear terms the message of the Restoration," he said.

Ballard, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, explained to the graduates that they and all members of the LDS Church have a duty to help others understand their beliefs. "We are living in a world saturated with all kinds of voices because now, more than ever, we have a major responsibility…to define ourselves instead of letting others define us."

Many misconceptions are held by people throughout the world because of false information they read on the Internet, posted by critics of the Church, Ballard said. He suggested that the tech-savvy generation get involved in "new media," including blogs, Web sites, and social networks to help clear up falsehoods and misunderstandings. "We [Church Public Affairs] cannot answer every question, satisfy every inquiry, and respond to every inaccuracy that exists. Some who seek answers want them to come directly from a member of the Church, like each one of you. They appreciate one-on-one conversations."

Ballard said that the Church may be getting more attention than ever before and that the attention is good as Church members respond to comments and inquiries respectfully and with dignity. "Every disciple of Christ will be most effective, and do the most good by adopting a demeanor worthy of the follower of the Savior of the world."

Though undergraduate work concluded for a couple hundred students on Saturday, Elder Ballard suggested that using the Internet can be very far-reaching. "Your outreach can be international."

Steven C. Wheelwright, president of BYU-Hawaii, also offered motivational advice to graduates. "Each day, make a commitment to put forward your best effort. Do not settle for anything less. New opportunities will open to you because people and organizations need and desire excellence, as does the Lord in building His Kingdom."

"We need to daily assess our thoughts and acts," the ninth president of BYU-Hawaii said, "strengthening those that are developing the aspects of habit and character the Lord would desire, and eliminating and replacing those that would detract from our becoming like the Savior Himself."

Graduates also heard briefly from Elder W. Rolfe Kerr (pictured at right, to the right of Elder Ballard), commissioner of the Church Educational System. Kerr also stressed the importance of example. "The power of example is so crucial, and there is that high expectation that you will be the very best examples as you go into the world… the Lord expects you to play that very important role. Do everything you can to build His Kingdom where you are."

Of the nearly 200 graduates whose BYU-Hawaii schooling concluded this week, over half are from outside the United States, and many of them will likely reflect on the main commencement speaker's remarks. "Four years of studying here has put a foundation for me to go to the next step," said Mongolia native Munkhtur Enkhbold, who graduated magna cum laude in computer science.

"Elder Ballard knows that this school is producing 'genuine gold,' so it's a perfect time for him to remind us of the importance of our message."

:: View video clips of the commencement... [1]

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My Crazy Dog--Becky

This is my crazy yellow Labrador, Becky. She's going to be 3 years old tomorrow (December 19), yet she's still as naughty as a puppy!!! Meanwhile, she learned how to swim two weeks ago and enjoyed swimming very much.

Trial of Faith or something else?

My heart was broken when my boss told me that I was irresponsible about my job and as a result, two students left our class. I've given my very best to my work and try to avoid mistakes while proof reading my students' assignments. I believe that it's possible that I didn't notice some of the "mispelling" of the characters and I'm trying to be as careful as possible while checking my students' homework. Somehow, my boss has been keeping an eye on me all the time since the beginning of the new semester. Although I've known those students for over a year, the new school year is challenging for both my students and myself. They have more homework and things need memorized. Both of us are still trying to get used to this change. Yet, being called irresponsible made me really discouraged and sad about all the efforts I put.
Because of the conflicts between my boss and I, I need to push myself to go to work daily and it's getting more and more difficult now. I'm not sure whether I should hang on or move on and find a new job. I love those students with all my heart and pray for them every day, yet my boss told me that I have poor interaction with them, which isn't TRUE. On my way home, several hymns kept ringing in my mind. One of them says "Fear not, though the enemy deride and courage for the Lord is on our side. We will heed not what the wicked may said but the Lord alone we will obey (Let Us All Press On.)" Another says, "When dark clouds of trouble hang over us and threaten our peace to destroy. There is hope smiling brightly before us and we know that deliverance is nigh (We Thank Thee O God For a Prophet)." Those words brought me comfort and lightened my burden. However, I still need to find a way to cope with this challenge, either to endure this trial or look for a new job. Fortunately, it's a national holiday tomorrow, the Taiwanese Fourth of July, Double Tenth Day, and I'll have time to think about this matter seriously and seek divine help to make the decision.

Newly Called Apostle & 2nd Counselor in the First Presidency

Church President Names New Leaders

SALT LAKE CITY 6 October 2007 The 97-year-old leader of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, President Gordon B. Hinckley, has selected an accomplished educator to be a member of the three-man First Presidency that constitutes the highest governing body of the Church.

The selection of Elder Henry B. Eyring, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, was announced Saturday morning at the first of five sessions of the semi annual General Conference of the Church that attract more than 100,000 people to the Conference Center in downtown Salt Lake City. Millions more tune in to broadcasts around the world.

My New Shoes

Truth is That PLAIN and SIMPLE

While studying the Book of Alma 32 in the Book of Mormon, this two verses caught my attention.

31 ...every seed bringeth forth unto its own likeness

35 O then, is not this real? I say unto you, Yea, because it is light ; and whatsoever is light, is good , because it is discernible, therefore ye must know that it is good; ...

I know that we are all children, beloved sons and daughters, of our Heavenly Father and created in His own image. I also know that the Book of Mormon is indeed words of God and Another Testament of Jesus Christ and Prophet Joseph Smith is a prophet of God.

What should be the title for the thoughts today?

Date: September 26, 2007.
It's another brand new day or another special day in my life. Well, first of all, it's my little brother's 23 year old birthday. Horray! Then, it's the 1st working day of the week because of the Mid-moon festival break. I was overwhelmed by stress from work last week and became very ill. Thanks to Heavenly Father's blessing, I'm getting much better now. Anyway, with Heavenly Father's help, I was managed to get my work done today and be able to help one of the kids who can't afford to go to the English class. Sometimes, life doesn't seem to be fair. One of my students and her younger brother are under the custody of their father, so their mother treats them different from their older sister. Her mother would pay for their older sister's English class but not for her. Maybe that's why Heavenly Father wants me to continue working in the cram school as a teacher, to be a blessing to those in need. I'm not boasting but grateful to be able to help someone in need. I simply hope and pray that I'll be able to reach out to those students who are in need and love them as Heavenly Father loves them.

壓力(Stress) 與信心的考驗(Trial of Faith)

從去年八月底在安親班上班至今已經一年多了,那時帶的是二年級的學生,雖然沒經驗,但因著天父的幫助也就這樣熬過來了.但一年後,原本二年級的孩子升上了 三年級,除了他們學校重新分班換了新導師外,課業也從原來的國語,數學,生活變成國語,數學,自然,社會四科,然後一週有三天的時間是上整天,功課也相對 變多了,原以為可以在兩週內漸漸適應這樣的改變,沒想到壓力大到我的免疫力降低,而染上感冒,也因為這樣,感冒不像以前很快就好; 而這個星期四,我整個人真的很不舒服,似乎我的手腳不再聽從大腦的命令,整個人變的很遲緩而且睡覺時還會突然全身發熱而很難受,雖然一直告訴自己我需要上班,但身體在告訴我,我需要休息,所以我打電話去請假,但是因為六年級老師也請假,縱使我 發燒整個人很不舒服,主任依舊要我硬撐著去上班. 出門前,我跪下來祈求天父幫助我可以平安的抵達安親班,然後盡力將孩子的功課看完. 我很感激天父這樣的祝福,讓我將功課看完,只是途中主任進來要檢查我看過的學生作業,那讓我覺得不受尊重(我自己的感覺是這樣,也許他只是真的想幫忙,並沒有其他意思), Anyway,當我好不容易騎車回到家,整個人都攤掉了,徹底被壓力給打敗了;這樣的狀況一直持續到星期六早上上完英文家教才好多了.然後週末我就盡量讓自己放鬆,休息,別再去想工作的事情.今天下午花了兩個多小時研讀經文,從那當中我感受到聖靈,心中覺得很平靜,也或許因為這樣的感覺,讓我一直在房間看經文而不想停下來. 不知道假期放完後,重返工作的我是否可以很坦然的面對來自工作的壓力而不會因為壓力再次生病,或者出狀況. 我想我所能做的就是繼續運用對基督的信心來面對生活中種種的挑戰與考驗( Alma 36:3 And now, O my son Helaman, behold, thou art in thy youth, and therefore, I beseech of thee that thou wilt hear my words and learn of me; for I do know that whosoever shall put their trust in God shall be supported in their trials, and their troubles, and their afflictions, and shall be lifted up at the last day. 我兒希拉曼啊,看阿,你還年輕,因此,我懇請你聽我的話,向我學習;我確實知道,凡信賴神的,必在他們的考驗.他們的災禍和他們的苦難中得到支援,並在末日被高舉)而我也相信如同神眷顧在苦難中的阿爾瑪與他的歸信者們,所告訴他的話語(Mosiah 24:13-14, And it came to pass that the voice of the Lord came to them in their afflictions, saying: Lift up your heads and be of good comfort, for I know of the covenant which ye have made unto me; and I will covenant with my people and deliver them out of bondage.

14 And I will also ease the burdens which are put upon your shoulders, that even you cannot feel them upon your backs, even while you are in bondage; and this will I do that ye may stand as witnesses for me hereafter, and that ye may know of a surety that I, the Lord God, do visit my people in their afflictions. 事情是這樣的,他們受苦的時候,主的聲音臨到他們說:抬起頭來,寬心吧!因為我知道你們與我立的約;我要與我民立約,救他們脫離束縛. 我也要減輕你們肩上的重擔,即使你們身受束縛,也不覺背上有重擔;我必這樣做,使你們今後可為我做見證,確知我,主神,的確再我人民苦難時拜訪他們.)
最後我要感激神,我們的天父因著祂對我的愛以及我對祂的信心使我的軟弱變成堅強. (Ether 12:27, 37, And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them. ...And because thou hast seen thy weakness thou shalt be made strong, even unto the sitting down in the place which I have prepared in the mansions of my Father. 如果世人到我這裡來,我必讓他們看見自己的弱點. 我賦予世人弱點,使他們得以謙卑;我給所有在我面前謙抑自己的人的恩典是充分的;因為如果他們在我面前謙抑自己,並對我有信心,我必為他們使軟弱的東西變成堅強.)
PS. The complete English version will be added soon.

瘋狂阿智媽晨間福音研究所的第一天

Date: September 19, 2007.
一想到星期三早上6:30的福音研究所課程,前一晚就會督促自己要趕緊把事情完成早點休息, 加上從上週五開始的感冒,就儘量讓自己能多休息多補充營養.昨天因為放颱風假(Typhoon Wipha)整晚都睡的很穩; 不過今天嘛,就不知道為什麼早上2:00就醒了,而且接下來縱使睡也睡不沉,本想說既然這樣,不想因為睡眠不足而上課情緒暴躁,就直接把鬧鐘改設為上班時間,沒想到自己最後還是四點多起床看經文了.雖然如此,很尷尬的是這麼早起床竟然還有辦法上課遲到10分鐘...唉...
不過早起上福音研究所,真的幫助我在靈性上充電,準備好迎接一天的工作,儘管身體還是因為沒睡飽而很疲倦. 到達安親班一看到桌上還有還沒批改的作業,加上只有一小時不到的時間,壓力就來了,好險,今天的進度都因著神的祝福而順利完成,特別的是,正當我要逐一核對名單看哪個學生沒交作業的時候,腦海中就出現其中一個孩子的名字,而看著作業也確定就是那個孩子沒交的時候,心中充滿著無限感恩的感覺,因為天父的幫助,讓我能夠按部就班很快的就把事情完成. 想想如果沒有認識天父和祂所預備的救恩計畫,人生會變成什麼樣子呢? English version will be added soon......