Notes - YSA Fireside w/ Elder Oaks

Since I've moved out to Roseville, CA, I've had two meetings with members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles presiding.  A few weeks ago - Elder Andersen came to the Roseville Stake (of which the Roseville YSA ward belongs) for a special stake conference of sorts.  And just two days ago, Elder Oaks came to do a YSA fireside for all the single kiddos in the region.  He came with the Presiding Bishop, Bishop Stevenson.  We've had a stacked deck out here for speakers.

While I should have taken better notes during the Elder Andersen meeting, I was on uncle duty, and mostly my notebook was filled with outlines of small hands and drawings of random animals and trucks.  For the YSA fireside, however, I did take some notes - and I figured I'd post them here for whoever may be interested.  The quotes that I have here are as I best remembered as I wrote my notes - there may be slight discrepancies.

Section 88 and the Effect of Change

It's fascinating to me how the Lord manages to teach us timely lessons but only as we're ready.  He never casts His pearls before swine, and so it is with His teachings.  It's only when we're prepared to receive light that we realize it has been surrounding us all along, and that the Lord, the source of that light, has been waiting for us to recognize it.

I've been out of my comfort zone for the past fortnight-and-a-half.  Being in California means warmer weather, strange roads, smaller YSA wards, and more insight from family I haven't seen as often.  But to me, it also represents a time for considerable self-reflection.  Any change in my surroundings seems to have that effect upon me.  And right now, several changes are underway.

In Keeping an Empty Cup

So I've been in Roseville, California for the past week or so.  Several interesting things have managed to fill my mind since my arrival.

I met two people out here last week who I randomly started talking to about the gospel.  I don't believe it is any easier to talk about religion in California than it is in Utah, but rather I think I'm so dependent on the people around me now that I've become significantly more friendly.  Ironic it is how one's friendliness is indirectly proportional to the number of friends who surround him.  Perhaps that is why the Lord is constantly pulling us out of our comfort zones?

The Hosanna Shout

In light of the Brigham City Temple dedication service coming up this Sunday, I thought I'd do a little reading up on the Hosanna Shout.  In my life, I've only participated in the Hosanna Shout a few times as it's quite the rare occasion that permits its use.

The Hosanna Shout has its roots in the Old Testament.  The ancient Feast of the Tabernacles consisted of a choir that sang psalms including phrases similar to our "Hosanna, Hosanna, Hosanna, to God and the Lamb!"  Rather than waving white handkerchiefs as we do now, they waved palm branches.  The symbolism is the same.  It's a plea for peace and a prayer for salvation - particularly to send the Savior.  Anciently, a priest would pour water from a golden pitcher as the gathered waved their branches to the psalm.  The picture of water represented the sending of the Savior from heaven to earth. [Old Testament Student Manual]

SEOcial 2012

I've just spent a fair bit of time reviewing SEO (Search Engine Optimization).  For those unfamiliar with the term, think of it as online marketing.  Rather than getting people into a store, you're getting people to a webpage.

Background:  SEO is tricky!  It changes every time Google updates their search algorithm.  Each update effectively pulls the rug out from under all these online marketers.  But it's a worthwhile game to get into.