On Papers and Titles

Over the past couple days and months, I've received some papers that give me new titles and privileges. It took a lot of hard work and several years' time, but people can now refer to me as Dr. Nathan Marc Lunt, PharmD and Nathan Marc Lunt, RPh.

My Degree; Doctor of Pharmacy

My Wall License; Registered Pharmacist in Arizona

These two pieces of paper are proof of a lot of hard work to obtain knowledge in the field of pharmacy. I'm very grateful for the support of family and friends through all the years. I'm also thankful to my Heavenly Father for blessing me with so many great opportunities and for the talents He has given me.

Yet, these two rather large pieces of paper don't really compare to a smaller one that I keep in my wallet. The titles I get from these papers don't compare to a title I was born with.

This morning for the first time in a long time, I went to the temple. I used this tiny piece of paper to show I was allowed to enter:

Once inside, not a soul knew that I was a pharmacist. Not one called me "Doctor Lunt" or anything of that sort. One person recognized my last name and knew my grandpa, but that was it. And yet, not once did I feel unwelcome or less than what I really am: a son of God. They all called me "Brother (Lunt)" and I loved it. As we all wore essentially the same white clothing, I couldn't have told you anyone's profession and that's a very special thing. None of us are any better than anyone else. We're all children of loving Heavenly Parents, siblings to an elder brother, Jesus Christ. Nothing else mattered there in the temple.

I don't need this third piece of paper to prove that I'm a son of God. It only proves my worthiness to enter the temple, not my parentage. Each of us can individually come to know that we are a child of God. Pray to Him; He is there and will listen.

As I sat in various rooms in the temple, hearing precious words, learning and relearning important parts of the plan of salvation, praying to know about my future and my plans, and just meditating, I felt the Spirit kind of reiterate the words of a priesthood blessing I received about a week ago just the night prior to taking one of my licensing exams. I know that Heavenly Father is real and that He has a plan for me. Things will work out for me no matter what happens because He loves me. I really am a son of God. That tiny piece of paper allowed me to enter one of the most beautiful buildings I've ever been in and feel so much peace and serenity, a place where I could once again come to the realization that I am a child of God.

I still have a few more licenses and titles to obtain, some professional, some more family related, but the most important title I have had since birth, and I need no physical proof to know it for myself, is son of God. Nothing else matters nearly so much.

AZ Regional YSA Conference

Last weekend I had the opportunity to attend a Regional YSA Conference for the 5 stakes of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Phoenix, Arizona area. Plenty of people came from all over the state; maybe not as many as the planners had hoped, but it was still a lot of amazing young single adults at one event. It was quite inspiring to see that many people gathered for something that may not always have been “fun,” but it was very influential.

There were a couple dances (More like listen to this live band or this music and if you want you can dance; yeah… I don’t dance and I prefer to preserve my hearing a few more years.), a grand scale service project (we probably packed over 1000 backpacks with school supplies for Native American school children; I had the unglorified opportunity to haul pallets outside to be loaded and put on the trucks but it was good), and lots of food (which totally threw me off my diet a couple times; it’s hard to eat keto when the food provided for you is absolutely packed with carbs, but I think I burned them off pretty well with the service project, walking between speaker locations, singing, and generally being in the Arizona heat. Thank goodness it wasn’t in July!). There were times to talk and socialize (Yes, I did talk with a few girls, thank you very much!) and when you arrive early you can actually sit there and listen to your own thoughts.

The main reason I’m writing (typing?) this is because of the wonderful experience I had with the speakers and with performing as a part of the choir. Pretty much every speaker could have been handpicked just for me as were the musical numbers. It brought a lot of peace, joy, and conviction. Here are my experiences in order and with as much detail as I remember (or want to give you; I can only get so vulnerable out here on the interwebs).

We started Friday night off with the choir singing “Did You Think to Pray?”. It isn’t too much different from how it is in the hymnbook, but it was still a great piece. The choir director for this piece, Ted Sowards, helped us to envision how each verse builds on the last (he described a situation where parents would console their distraught teenager and it was pretty interesting) and encourages you to pray when things get rough. Boy, was that a good start to the conference. The next few talks would be from some people who really did have it rough at some points in their life. Comparatively, I’ve got a cakewalk next to them, and yet I still struggle to pray. I need to get better at that, easy life or difficult.

The first speaker was a girl (Bre Lasley) that showed that God cares about individuals so much and He definitely has a hand in each of our lives. She talked about a Chinese man that still knew about Christ despite communism choking out religion, and then about a family on her mission that had a health miracle due to the prayers of the family and the missionaries. She finished with a terrifying recounting of when she was attacked in her home. She emphasized to us that God does exist and does listen to our prayers. He does protect us and will give us the power to overcome life’s challenges. We can do this through Christ.

As if the first speaker’s topic wasn’t heavy enough, the second was a man (Chris Williams) that lost most of his family to a drunk driving incident. Earlier in his life, he had accidentally run over and killed a young boy and could find peace despite his regret. Now he could find that same peace to forgive the driver and to understand that he would see his family again.

The first couple of speakers when over a bit on the time, so Devin G Durrant wasn’t able to speak very long. Honestly, I was kind of in awe at the first two talks that I don’t remember much of what Elder Durrant spoke. He pretty much just encouraged us to keep strong and to follow the same advice as the first speakers (find our strength in Christ and seek the peace that He provides). He did get to speak in a small group in place of another speaker, but I didn’t not attend that small group.

As was very fitting of the apparent theme for that session, we sang “Master, the Tempest is Raging” as a closing hymn. It was a different arrangement than in the hymnbook, but very nicely done. It started almost dark and low, but it built up to a peaceful ending where the Savior has rescued the person on the sea. The world is like a raging sea, very chaotic and dangerous. However, when we call upon our Savior, just like He calmed the ancient seas (He did create them after all) He can calm our souls and the world around us (He created those, too). No power of man or demon is enough to best God. It’s always amazing to me when the music fits the talks so well. It’s a good sign that Someone is inspiring the people that put these things together.

A ”dance” occurred at this point, but that’s not important. Back to the action on Saturday.

We started off by listening to Steve Young (yes, the quarterback for BYU and the 49ers). Even the people that you think are perfect have their struggles. He didn’t get married until he was 38 (and he knew all along that he was a “menace to society,” but so much for those words, Brigham Young. I’m still not rushing anything. I’m fine with my "menace" status.) He also suffered from depression and separation anxiety throughout much of his adult life, even as a professional football player. He focused on his strengths and wanted to see how far he could go. He never let anything (not even being a famous NFL star) come between him and coming closer to God. Fear never ruled his life.

Next was a sister who also didn’t get married until later in life. In fact, Sister Mary N Cook (a former Young Women’s leader) married so late that she started off her marriage with grandchildren. That never stopped her from living her life. She remained steadfast and prepared herself for anything that the Lord wanted of her. She repeated often the words “Live Ye” as found in Ezekiel 18:32. She encouraged us to always be grateful and steadfast, and to continue with always learning. She had experiences with her education and professional life that made her an ideal candidate (not her husband; it was really her they wanted to call) for a mission in Mongolia. Happiness can be found in growing and showing gratitude.

Third, we listened to former governor of Utah, Mike Leavitt. As governor he had to make a lot of big decisions for his state. He compared decisions to the gears in a clock. The big ones move a lot easier when the little ones are made. As young adults there are lots of decisions to be made (education, career, marriage and where to do all three as well as plenty of other big decisions). As we (1) lay out our thoughts and options, (2) shrink the uncertainties, (3) seek the counsel of others, and (4) plan to decide all while (5) praying earnestly for help from our Heavenly Father our choices will work out for good. He won’t make the decision for us (we will always have our agency), He will bless our efforts and decisions if we make them with Him. We need to have a routine for our decisions just like shooting a free throw or making a putt. As we are deliberate with our decisions, they will work out.

The last speaker for Saturday morning was President Clark Gilbert, of BYU-Pathways. To keep it short, he also focused on education. It is essentially a commandment to continue learning. We are children of God and He wants us to continue to learn and grow to become like Him. All learning is important, religious and worldly.

We had lunch and then the service project. It was a lot of work, but I think it went well. After the project was finished we went on to several other speakers. We had a lot of choices as to where to go, so I didn’t get to hear all of them, but I was incredibly blessed to hear the three that I did.

I started with Jimmer Fredette (yes, the basketball player for BYU, the NBA, and now in China). He talked about growing up and playing for BYU to make the transition to playing in the NBA and in China. He knew he had to have some decisions made beforehand, before there was any pressure to make the wrong choices when living his life in the spotlight. He knew he wasn’t going to drink or go to parties in Playboy Penthouses. He knew it was going to make him different and that was okay. He was doing what Heavenly Father would want from him. He is thinking of the long-term and doesn’t get caught up in the ways of the world. It was also pretty cool to see Jimmer participate in a shooting contest with some people in the crowd. He won, even in a tight dress shirt.

Keeping with the sports theme, I changed places to go listen to Brian Banks, a former MLB player and World Series winner. He was drafted right out of high school but decided to serve a mission and then went to BYU. He knew he wanted to serve a mission for much longer than he wanted to be a professional baseball player. After an up and down career bouncing between the minors and majors, he was on a World Series Championship team and retired. All along the way he knew he was in the places that Heavenly Father wanted him to be. He was able to have a few missionary experiences that would not have happened if he hadn’t been moved down to the minors. If we seek first the kingdom of God, we will be in the right place. He is now a pediatric dentist because he felt he needed to keep doing what the Lord wanted him to do. He encouraged us to stay in the “clubhouse” that is the church and the relationships that we can develop there.

I almost moved for my third speaker but I’m glad I didn’t. The final workshop speaker was Walid Kaakoush. He was born and raised in Lebanon as a Muslim. He was taught all his life to hate Jews and Christians. When he moved to the United States he made friends with members of the Church while playing soccer and attended his first meeting on a bet. Eventually he was baptized which caused him to be disowned by his family. He couldn’t deny it though. He served a mission, continued to play soccer, became a seminary/institute teacher, and has always stayed with the Church. Heavenly Father knew who he is and never left him alone in any of his decisions or trials.

More food and socializing followed by a live band and a dance. It made for a very long Saturday, but one of the best I’ve ever had.

Sunday was pretty much amazing. I didn’t record any names (and I can’t look any of them up) so you just get some of my thoughts, messages from the Spirit, and the notes that I took. Here goes:

• Don’t take counsel from fears but draw on spiritual experience you already have. Have faith in the things you already know. This will help in making decisions in life.
• Repentance is the opportunity to change and rise up to attain your full potential.
• Read the Book of Mormon to tap into the power of God. It took His power to translate it and the power is still there. Treasure it up each and every day to find peace.
• The Lord knew Joseph (Smith)’s name. He knows yours too and everything you are going through.
• Look up and see where you are. Be steadfast and immovable. Heavenly Father can continue to guide us as we are steadfast and immovable and help us through struggles and shortcomings. Staying a member of the Church allows you to become so much more.
• God is always there and will always love you. See what a change in your “lens” can let you see to become and achieve. Use the “lens of gratitude” in all things, even the bad.
• The Lord doesn’t care about the past but where you are now and where you are headed. The savior is always welcoming. All He asks is a broken heart and a contrite spirit.
•  He lives to grant me rich supply. He lives to guide me with his eye. He lives to comfort me when faint. He lives to hear my soul's complaint. He lives to silence all my fears. He lives to wipe away my tears. He lives to calm my troubled heart. He lives all blessings to impart. (The speaker quoted the entire second verse of “I Know That My Redeemer Lives.”)

After this speaker, we (the choir) sang “My Kindness Shall Not Depart from Thee.” Probably the most powerful song of the conference. Definitely the most difficult, but oh so worth it. It’s by Rob Gardner. Look it up if you have never heard of it before. It’s based on scripture found in Isaiah Chapter 54 and Doctrine and Covenants Section 121. Just like “Master, the Tempest is Raging,” it’s about finding the peace and love that the Lord provides. Even when we sin or the very gates of hell seem to swallow us up, He is there. He is always there. And He’s never going to leave us. Thanks to Taylor Hudson for directing this one and helping me to feel this one.

The closing speaker was supposed to be Elder J. Devn Cornish, but he was not able to make it for health reasons. In his stead we were able to listen to Elder John C. Pingree. However it worked out, it did work out. And it was a great talk. Here are some notes I took:

• Don’t be afraid to ask His help even for the “small” things. “Why haven’t you asked for my help?”
• “God knows you specifically and has a specific plan for you.” You have been called to do things even before you came here that only you can do. To Moses (and to you) He says, “Thou art my son [daughter]. I have a work for thee.” Reread and continue to read your patriarchal blessing.
• Look for other people’s true value and worth. None of the worldly measurements really matter. Jesus Christ had none of these but He was the greatest.
• Ask, “God, what do you want me to do? What is my purpose?”
• We all have spiritual gifts. Read Doctrine and Covenants Section 46 about gifts of the Spirit. Ask others what your gifts are. See how your gifts can bless others. To Ammon it was said, “Be patient and diligent in suffering and I will make thee an instrument in my hands.”
• Having challenges and difficulties is how Heavenly Father helps us grow. He needs you where you are now. You are a child of God; you have spiritual DNA. Have the faith to step up and become what He wants you to be.

Of course, the choir had to end on a strong note. What song is stronger than “The Spirit of God”? It was the arrangement by Mack Wilberg, which is amazing. I’ve never tried to sing so loud in my life, I think, but I was certainly feeling the Spirit at that point.

This conference was one of the best things I could have done this summer. Being part of the choir also really helped to bring the Spirit into my life more abundantly. Music has a way of doing that. The conference was such an amazing, uplifting experience. I hope its effects will linger for a while. Even if it doesn’t solve my “YSA” (emphasis on the S) problem, it will have been well worth my time. If nothing else was made clear during this conference it is that I know that I am loved and that my Heavenly Father and Savior care for me. I’m not perfect, and neither do They expect that of me, but I can do and become great things with Their help.

Improving Ourselves - A Journey to Perfection

One of my most memorable seminary lessons was in my junior year of high school while studying the New Testament. As we began studying the lives of Christ and his disciples it really stood out to me how very little we know about the early years of Jesus. We have the story of His birth and that in his toddler years He moved to Egypt and then to Nazareth. We have Him in the temple, teaching the people and answering (not asking) their questions. And that about sums it up. Next thing we know he’s getting baptized and tempted and turning water into wine.

The best scripture we have is this one from the Gospel of Luke (2:52): “And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.” Boom. His entire childhood, teenage years, and twenties summed up in one sentence. Thirty years in one verse.

And yet my seminary teacher was able to spin an entire lesson out of it. He broke each of those statements down: “increased in wisdom” (He was learning his trade and about the world around Him.), “in stature” (He grew physically.), “and in favor with God” (He learned spiritual lessons and His role in Heavenly Father’s plan.), “and man” (He was social, becoming known by the people in His hometown.) Here is an excellent, well-rounded pattern for our lives.

Each year most of us make “New Year Resolutions.” Most years mine is to make no other resolutions. It’s really easy to keep. But why should I use the New Year to do it? Shouldn’t I be doing it all the time? Well, yeah. Do I? Nope. I do, however, try to pattern my goals in life after this scripture about Jesus’ formative years. I try to keep up on my studies, always learn new things, and develop my talents. I try to eat healthy and exercise or play sports from time to time. I try to keep up with prayers and scripture study and Church meetings and callings and developing spiritual talents and just life, the universe, and everything. And I try to be a little more social than I usually am, keeping my house, room and car clean for guests, attending FHE and other activities, and maybe going on some dates. I’m not perfect, so I’m often very short of my goals, but I’m working on them.

How are you, my dear brothers and sisters, doing on your New Year Resolutions? On January 17^th was “National Ditch Your Resolution Day.” How many of you even lasted that long? Or did you wait to do it on the Lunar New Year (yesterday, the 28^th)? How many are still going? Wherever you’re at, let me tell you, brothers and sisters, that you can still work on things that will make you a better person, that will bring you closer to Christ and following His example. You can do it.

As I thought about what to talk, this was my driving impression: not getting discouraged and finding the strength and faith to do the things we want to improve. As we think about all of the things we want to accomplish in life or as we look at others in their seemingly perfect lives, it can get a little depressing. May I offer my thoughts on this and implement the doctrine of the Church and the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I will take much of my inspiration from this last General Conference and even the General Women’s Session. Yes, some real men do actually read and listen to it just like the sisters can read and listen to the Priesthood Session. Sometimes the Women’s Session sounds nicer and is very uplifting.

First, remember that you are a beloved son or daughter of our Heavenly Father. The Family: A Proclamation to the World states, “Each is a beloved spirit son or daughter of heavenly parents, and, as such, each has a divine nature and destiny.” Many of the sisters will remember reading/reciting the Young Women’s theme that begins, “We are daughters of our Heavenly Father, who loves us, and we love Him.” Never forget that. It has been said by President John Taylor, and many others of our prophets and apostles have been fond of saying, “We are gods in embryo.” We have so much potential. If we follow the Gospel of Jesus Christ we can live with God again and become like Him. Think spiritual DNA: Divine Nature and Attributes. We all have them, everyone on this Earth. All have that potential.

One way to find some of the potential that our Heavenly Father sees in us is to receive and study our patriarchal blessings. There are many promises given through such a blessing that are specifically given only to you. Sure, everyone’s blessing probably talks about doing some very general things in life (missions, careers, families, callings), but there are some very specific phrases and blessings that will have special meaning to you.

Second, I would admonish you never to compare yourself with others. Sister Jean B. Bingham said in her talk in the Women’s Conference, “Sometimes, we look at what others might have or be and feel we are less in comparison. We become focused on the Pinterest or Instagram versions of life or caught up in our school’s or workplace’s preoccupation with competition. However, when we take a moment to “count [our] many blessings,” we see with a truer perspective and recognize the goodness of God to all of His children.”

The only person with whom you should ever compare yourself is yourself. Are you better today than you were yesterday? Than last week, last month, last year? Are you becoming the better person you want to be?  I essentially want to copy and paste all of Elder J. Devn Cornish’s talk “Am I Good Enough?” right now, but a small part will have to suffice.

“Please, my beloved brothers and sisters, we must stop comparing ourselves to others. We torture ourselves needlessly by competing and comparing. We falsely judge our self-worth by the things we do or don’t have and by the opinions of others. If we must compare, let us compare how we were in the past to how we are today—and even to how we want to be in the future. The only opinion of us that matters is what our Heavenly Father thinks of us. Please sincerely ask Him what He thinks of you. He will love and correct but never discourage us.”

It is discouraging to compare ourselves with others. To quote President Uchtdorf’s two-word counsel, “Stop it!” Each of us has talents given to us by our Heavenly Father through His Spirit. You don’t have to be the best at anything to be good at something.

Finally, I would talk about how we can accomplish our goals. None of this happens overnight. It takes our whole life of continually following Jesus Christ. We won’t be perfect in this life, but it is something to strive toward even as we continually fall short. The commandment still stands, “Ye should be perfect even as I, or your Father who is in heaven, is perfect.”

I feel that we too often try to do too much as millennials. We think we have to be perfect, that we have to fit the mold, and get it all right now. It gets discouraging when we fail or are told by others that we are failures for not being as far as they think we should be. We need to focus on what makes us true millennials just like President Nelson taught last year. Like he taught us just this month, we have many wonderful examples to follow including our Latter-day Prophets, and especially that of Jesus Christ as we learn of Him, to help us to become our great potential.

The Apostle Paul told the Philippians, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” (4:13) We really can. As we learn of Christ like we have been assigned, we will grow closer to Him and we will gain spiritual strength to do many things. That doesn’t mean that we get some faith and suddenly do all things, though. King Benjamin told us that we should not run faster than we have strength. Paul had to start the Corinthians with milk and not meat. Joseph Smith learned line upon line, and precept upon precept.

When talking to patients about making lifestyle changes to improve their medical conditions, there are often many different options. Bacterial infection, sure: just put this antibiotic cream on it or take this twice a day until it’s gone and hope it starts getting better in a couple days. But with complex, chronic conditions, like high blood pressure, diabetes, depression, and insomnia, there are lists of things that can be told to the patient (diet, exercise, medications, counseling, sleep hygiene and so on) that it gets overwhelming. In a class we were told to plan no more than three to five changes for a patient. Yes, you want to recommend everything and make them better instantly, but these things take time.

It’s the same with making changes in our lives to achieve our goals. We would like to do everything all at once, but it will be overwhelming and daunting. Try to make small changes over time and you’ll see the results. A phrase that I like from my patriarchal blessing is “in due time.” I don’t need to rush anything and everything. If I’m working towards my goals and Heavenly Father’s plan for me, I will achieve them in His time.

Going back to President Uchtdorf, in the Women’s Conference in his talk “Fourth Floor, Last Door”, the title story at the end of his talk illustrates that it is by constant persistence and endurance to the end that we achieve what we are meant to do. Two missionaries had a rough day knocking doors in Germany. They started at the bottom of a four-story building, knocking on doors and getting rejected all the way up. It wasn’t until they knocked on the very last door of the fourth floor that they found an apartment with a little girl and her widow mother. After reading the Book of Mormon the next few days, they were baptized shortly after. A certain deacon caught the eye of that little girl in sacrament meeting. That deacon was Dieter Uchtdorf, and it was his wife Harriet that had opened that last door. See how persistence pays off?

I have always liked the analogy about the smelting of silver. It is after a good deal of time and much heat that the impurities are taken out to get pure silver. At the end of it all, you can see your reflection in pure silver and it’s often used as the backing for mirrors. After a life of living through trials and striving to achieve our goals, it is our hope that Christ can see His countenance in us. Another analogy would involve diamonds. It takes a lot of heat and pressure over time to create diamonds from pure carbon. Even after that they aren’t the best that they can be until they have been cut to show their clarity and brilliance. After we have been through this process, we can have Christ’s light shine through us and we will become perfect.

Moroni concludes the Book of Mormon by saying, “Come unto Christ, and be perfected in him, and deny yourselves of all ungodliness; and if ye shall deny yourselves of all ungodliness, and love God with all your might, mind and strength, then is his grace sufficient for you, that by his grace ye may be perfect in Christ.”

Our Heavenly Father truly loves us and wants the best for us. If we will follow our Savior’s example, live the Gospel, and strive to achieve our goals, we will be able to live with God again as perfect, eternal people. Until that time, let us work towards it.