5 in 1

Last night it I attended my daughter's induction to Junior Beta. A club at school that she was selected to be a part of because she is a good student and an even better child.

I was there with my wife and my son to support her. One of my daughter's best friends at school as also inducted and her parents and sister were there also. One of the students helping in the induction is on my soccer team. I also saw some people from our church that were there to support their daughter.

After the induction I realized (learned) that in that instance I was 1 person but had 5 different roles (titles). I was a father to my daughter and son, I was a husband to my wife, I was a friend to the Young's, I was a soccer coach to a student and I was a Bishop to the Ghanhems. I am just one person but I realized last night that in that brief hour I represented 5 different things to the different groups of people I was with.

I have learned over the last year or so that I can not do this (life) alone. I was thankful for the talk given in Priesthood session by President Eyring (if memory serves me) regarding how it is OK to realize you can not do it alone becuase you can't. You need help from our Heavenly Father and his Son Jesus Christ. I find myself in my daily prayers telling my Father in Heaven that I do not and can not do it alone. When I say "it" I mean: be a great husband, be a great father, be an adequate Bishop, go to work and provide for my family, be my children's soccer coach, be a good friend, help my neighbors, do good in the community, etc..... I was grateful to hear President Eyring's words that it is OK to admit you can not do it alone.

Promises, Contracts, Oaths

I work in sales. I have been doing it for over 6 1/2 years now and it can be frustrating for a lot of reasons. I have learned over the years that even if someone signs a contract and agrees to fulfill the commitments outlined in the contract it really does not mean very much to them. I have people take contracts and tell me they are going to return them at least one or two times a month. These are big contracts worth thousands of dollars over the lifetime of the deal. I do my best to follow up with the clients and try to get them to sign the contract and return it. Most tell me that they are going to send them back in. Some actually do but most do not. Even after they turn in a signed contract it still means nothing until they pay.

I am not sure if it is because I was raised different or my values but I believe that if you sign a document you should do all you can to fulfill that agreement. This concept has really bothered me the last several years and especially this year as I have 4 contracts that are still out standing the season has begun and the people still tell me they are going to sign and pay.

I compare and contrast my work life with my church life a lot and this scenario reminded me of the story in 1 Nephi when Nephi kills Laban, puts on his armour, retrieves the plates and then walks out with Zoram. It amazes me that all that took place between Nephi and Zoram was a verbal agreement (oath). Nephi says Zoram will be free if he comes and stays with Nephi and his family. Zoram agrees and it goes on to say that all their fears were gone.

I wish people's words meant more than the do and for that matter, I wish a signed contract meant something.