The Power of Porter

Where should I go to school? Which major should I choose? What will my career be? Is a mission right for me? Who should I marry? So… you’re worried about the future? Welcome to the club.  Let me start with the question about serving a mission. Whatever your circumstances, there is no greater joy than missionary work. Being a set-apart representative of Jesus Christ is life changing, I believe for eternity. If you’re on the fence about serving, or think there’s anything that could even remotely compare to the growth, joy, and power that comes from missionary service, get your butt off the fence. Satan owns the fence. Fear not. Choose to go serve. You won’t regret it. As for the rest of those big questions… BYU has had speech after speech, devotional after devotional on these topics. Honestly, in all my studying, I still haven’t found a one-size-fits-all answer that makes the fear go away. The unknown is scary. Change is scary. I want more than anything to do God’s will. I’ve literal...

Since the Prophet’s most recent talk, I’ve found myself reflecting deeply on my standing before God. Would I feel peace in His presence? Would I be comfortable if He literally came to visit me? A little while ago, my cousin shared a poem. As you read it, consider your own life. If Jesus Came to Your House  “If Jesus came to your house to spend a day or two  If He came unexpectedly, I wonder what you'd do.  Oh, I know you'd give your nicest to such an honored guest And all you food you'd serve to Him would be your very best  And you'd keep assuring Him you're glad to have Him there  That serving Him in your own home is joy beyond compare.  But when you saw Him coming would you meet Him at the door?  With your arms outstretched in welcome to your Heavenly Visitor?  Or would you have to change your clothes before you let Him in?  Or hide some magazines and put the Bible where they'd been?  Would you turn off the radio and hope He hadn't hea...

If I have ten pieces of candy and give five away, I’m left with five. Simple math. But there’s something amazing about the gospel: the math is backwards.   If we share love it doesn’t diminish. It multiplies. The more we give, the more we receive. Instead of running out, we overflow. This same paradox applies to obedience and freedom. The world sees God’s commandments as restrictions, like chains that limit our choices. But in reality, obedience is what sets us free. (A bird is only free to fly   if it respects the laws of flight and moves within the truths of reality, like gravity.) True freedom isn’t the ability to do whatever we want. True freedom is the peace that comes from knowing what really matters and living in harmony with God’s will. God’s commandments are not arbitrary but are simply revelations of things as they really are. If we build on a sure foundation, we will stand. If we don’t, we will fall. It’s not God arbitrarily blessing some and punishing others. It’s ...