Author Archives: James V.

Lorenzo Snow: It will be turned to your advantage

President Lorenzo Snow taught, “My young friends, there is an opportunity for you to become great—just as great as you wish to be. In starting out in life you may set your hearts upon things very difficult to attain to, but possibly within your reach. In your first efforts to gratify your desires you may fail, and your continued efforts may not prove what may be termed a success. But inasmuch as your efforts were honest efforts, and inasmuch as your desires were founded in righteousness, the experience you obtain while pursuing your hearts’ desires must necessarily be profitable to you, and even your mistakes, if mistakes you make, will be turned to your advantage.” Lorenzo Snow Teachings of the Presidents of the Church Chapter 6: Becoming Perfect before the Lord: day by day

Lessons from a Public Relations Major

What good is being a public relations major?

When I was interviewing for the position I currently have with the Church (Product Manager for Web Analytics and Feedback), it inevitably came up that I graduated as a Communication: Public Relations major. My to-be boss asked, “Is web analytics in line with your career goals, or is somewhat of a side track?”

That wasn’t the last time that was asked, too. As I have thought about my answer, here is what my public relations training has helped me bring to the table:

  • Big picture thinking – Public relations requires you take a step back and not just consider the promotional efforts, but, for example, how this or that announcement will have an effect on a given segment of your audience. In my current role, I get to see the trends and holistic experience.
  • Research –  Good public relations is founded on a clear understanding of what your stakeholders and audiences value and being able to communicate that effectively–which means research and evaluation. Your qualitative and quantitative data drive solid decision-making because you can tell the full story.
  • Integrated Marketing Campaign – In some respects, this might be unique to my particular opportunity,  but I learned so much from working with advertising, creative, and journalism students in creating an integrated marketing campaign. As the account executive, it taught me how to evaluate our organizations talents and strengths and put them to use. I learned the power of synergy and the ability to see the moving parts and account for them.
  • Interpersonal Skills – Can you have good relations without it? From team collaboration, presentation after presentation, meetings with stakeholders, negotiating strategy, accounting for organizational behaviors, you learn to find the right approach that adds value through relationships of trust.

Above all, being a public relations major taught me how to look at the world around me and identify how I, my cause or my organization can make a lasting contribution.

Thoughts on the Brother of Jared

Yesterday during sacrament meeting I was reminded of the story of the brother of Jared.  As he goes before the Lord,  he is very aware of his own shortcomings and weakness.  Just a few verses prior,  the Lord chastised him for failing to call upon the Lord.

It also reminds me of the BYU professor who was upset at his kid,  told him to go to his room until he was told he could come out and then he forgot. Hours later the child came out with a sobbing-stutter,  “Daddy,  can we ever be friends again?”

So many times we feel as though we have been sent to our room spiritually,  and we’re brutally aware of our shortcomings,  but there we are,  in need of the Lord’s grace and assistance.

But here is the bold faith of the Brother of Jared, 

“We are unworthy before thee; because of the fall our natures have become evil continually; nevertheless, O Lord, thou hast given us a commandment that we must call upon thee, that from thee we may receive according to our desires” (Ether 3:2).

And so he asks the Lord to touch those 16 stones,  and in a wonderful moment,  the Brother of Jared receives so much more than he ever could have hoped to have come out of this experience.  He becomes one of the first to see Jesus Christ as he will appear in His mortal ministry.

I find so much hope in this account.  In so many ways we are like the Brother of Jared,  in need of some light for our journey. We know our weaknesses and shortcomings,  we may have even made big mistakes in the past,  but not withstanding,  we need that light.

When we look throughout the Book of Mormon,  is there any prayer for help that goes unheeded in the Book of Mormon? It’s beautiful. And as is so wonderfully portrayed in this story,  so often the Lord’s response far exceeds our humble hopes. Much like the father in the story of the prodigal son, we often find the Lord runs to our aid when we take those steps in His direction.

So,  like the Brother of Jared, when we come forward with our best effort, much like those simple stones, there is no reason we can’t see the finger of the Lord bring light into our lives.

Kreed’s Baby Blessing [Family Blog]

Smiles for Daddy!

Worn out after the blessing.

Grandma and Grandpa Lovell wore Olivia out on Friday morning!

Ready for church.

Three generations

Highlight of the pictures? When the sister taking our picture asked Erik if his COUSIN Amberlee was his girlfriend or his wife.

Grandma and Grandpa Valentine

Grandma and Grandpa Lovell

The two grandpa’s from whom James Kreed gets his name.

Big Kreed and Little Kreed

And Monday morning, Olivia is ready to make a mess for Mommy 🙂

via Blogger http://valentineslovehere.blogspot.com/2013/03/kreeds-baby-blessing.html

And so it begins… [Family Blog]

My daily help is officially gone. Mom, Erik, and James helped give me about two weeks home with help at least half of each day. I am so thankful for the help I got upon arriving home including meals and even just company when going out for a walk. James is back at work now, and I have two precious souls in my care. Now things get interesting.

Yup, Olivia just woke up and Kreed is fussing. They are amazingly in tune to each others’ schedules.

…

Over a week later, I am finally finishing this blog post. PICTURES!!

Valentine’s Present

We had a lot of fun with a Kleenex box.

It’s snowing tissues!!!

Breakfast with Uncle Erik when he came to help.

Sometimes having a brother isn’t all that fun.

Awful picture but fun mommy time.

Eating the bubbles.
Love that happy smile

She almost always puts James’ hats on backwards
Being a phone bum with her daddy

Mommy’s shirts are also dresses.

Her baby has a diaper.

Walkin’

Chillin’ with her best buddy, Tessa

Feeling like a big girl when Mommy let her sit in the big people chair.

By the end of the day she is always wearing just one sock.
Mom, stop it.

Open Eyes

Tough Guy

Flirting with Mommy 😉

Oh, look! A sleeping baby picture!

Napping

Hi, Mommy!

Apparently Kreed has a comfy bottom

Kreed’s nose…

Olivia’s nose!

More snuggles!

Olivia always needs to know where baby is…

via Blogger http://valentineslovehere.blogspot.com/2013/03/and-so-it-begins.html

Stand Firm and Realize the Promises

In this quote President Lorenzo Snow speaks on how understanding our gospel convenants and being true to them can overcome any disappointment or doubt and help us realize all the Father has,

“Where is there cause to mourn? Where is there cause for the Saints to wear long faces? Where is there cause for weeping or repining? There is none; but it is life or death that is set before us; principalities and powers are ours if we continue faithful; sorrow and banishment if we disregard the gospel.

“What can we wish for more than is comprehended in our religion? If we will stand firm upon the rock and will follow the Spirit that has been placed in our bosoms, we shall act right in the way of our duties, we shall act right to those who are placed over us, we shall act right whether in the light or in the dark.”

Lorenzo Snow
Teachings of the Presidents of the Church
Chapter 5: The Grand Destiny of the Faithful

Not Particular Concerning Them

President Lorenzo Snow taught,

“I had not been in this Church [very long] when it was clearly shown to me what a man could reach through a continued obedience to the Gospel of the Son of God. That knowledge has been as a star continually before me, and has caused me to be particular in trying to do that which was right and acceptable to God. … It seems, after all the education that we had in things pertaining to the celestial worlds, that there are some Latter-day Saints who are so well satisfied with simply knowing that the work is true that when you come to talk to them of our great future they seem surprised, and think it has nothing to do particularly with them.”

Lorenzo Snow
Teachings of the Presidents of the Church
Chapter 5: The Grand Destiny of the Faithful

Some thoughts on revelation

This past week I had an opportunity to gain a few insights about revelation. I believe the better we can understand revelation the more time we can spend more time doing his will. The Lord certainly has His own timetable, but in order to be able to be quick to observe, we need to recognize revelation for what it quickly.

Looking in the scriptures, there seems to be a diacotomy under what circumstances revelation is given. I think it helps us recognize how revelation is given line upon line.

In the first group we see revelation given that declares the final destination or the end result in a situation at which we can or will arrive at. Nephi and his brothers were commanded to go back and get the plates, but did not receive much more guidance than that. These are opportunities to be anxiously engaged.

The second grouping involves revelation centered around what the next step should be.  We work line upon line as we come to understand the Lord would have us do. When Moses led the children of Israel out of Egypt, there were many times the Lord spoke with Moses, instructing him on what was needed. Most notably, at the edge of the Red Sea,  we know that it was by revelation that Moses led the Children of Israel through the Red Sea on dry ground (see D&C 8:2-3).

In Doctine and Covenants 26, we find another example:

Behold, I say unto you that you shall let your time be devoted to the studying of the scriptures, and to preaching, and to confirming the church at Colesville, and to performing your labors on the land, such as is required, until after you shall go to the west to hold the next conference; and then it shall be made known what you shall do.

Experience with Both
There is a great over-aching plan of Salvation that affects each one of us. The Lord has the whole thing laid out before him, but in His infinite wisdom (and even mercy) He reveals the parts that pertain to us bit by bit, thus allowing the most amount of growth. Sometimes that takes the form of knowing the goal and growing through the process of getting there.  Other times it is knowing what the next step is without fully being able to anticipate the full impact of that direction.

Elder Bednar taught,

The gradual increase of light radiating from the rising sun is like receiving a message from God “line upon line, precept upon precept” ( 2 Nephi 28:30). Most frequently, revelation comes in small increments over time and is granted according to our desire, worthiness, and preparation. Such communications from Heavenly Father gradually and gently “distil upon [our souls] as the dews from heaven” ( D&C 121:45). This pattern of revelation tends to be more common than rare and is evident in the experiences of Nephi as he tried several different approaches before successfully obtaining the plates of brass from Laban (see  1 Nephi 3–4). Ultimately, he was led by the Spirit to Jerusalem, “not knowing beforehand the things which [he] should do” ( 1 Nephi 4:6). And he did not learn how to build a ship of curious workmanship all at one time; rather, Nephi was shown by the Lord “from time to time after what manner [he] should work the timbers of the ship” ( 1 Nephi 18:1).

Revelation is a continual process of seeking and understanding God’s will and developing the faith and character necessary to fulfill it.  We can trust there is great purpose in the time and effort it takes.