Ask God, and Google.

The generation that we live in is different than any other time in history, information is not scarce. In fact knowledge about various subjects can be only one 'search' away. Having such easy access to information is a powerful blessing, it can also help create laziness and reliance. Despite the easiness of access to limitless amounts of information I tend to put more trust in teachers, textbooks and other sources. 

Just yesterday I saw a meme that said "Ask God, not Google." It made me think pretty hard about the things I have been able to learn just sitting here at my desk. I have searched through scholarly journals, magazines, books, blogs, essays and countless numbers of written materials, videos, audio books and probably spent too much time reading about different sports teams and watching funny videos. 

I have been told, by some, to rely on knowledge that I can gain from books, experience, taste, touch and smell. These teachings have concrete evidence and can be tried and tested to better understand if they are true. I have enjoyed learning throughout my life, from understanding simple war strategies used by American minute-men in the Revolutionary War to the valuation of companies through determining their Net Present Value based on forecasted future cash flows. There is more out there to be learned than we can in a lifetime, but so much of it is fun and interesting. 

'Searching' for answers to different questions we have is a valuable tool, if used correctly it can be a very quick and effective way to gain knowledge on particular subjects. 

On the other side I have taken open-note quizzes where the answers can be Googled and plugged in within seconds. It requires next to no thought and little effort to receive 100%. It is a situation where the professor has allowed outside sources to be used, but it does not reflect true understanding of the subjects that are supposed to be learned. 

I have heard many people also teach to put your trust in God and rely on Him for answers that you are seeking. I have been guided and directed in my life through studying the life of Jesus Christ and through prayer as I make important decisions. 

I truly believe that God answers prayers and wants the best for each of His children. I do believe that He makes His answers known in many different ways. And it is not always a good comforting feeling. 

One such example from my life happened just over a year ago. I had been taught my whole life to pray over big decisions and trust in the Lord to help me make the right ones. When I was dating young miss Briana Hales I felt like it would be good for me to pray and ask God if she was the right girl for me to marry. I kind of liked her a little bit and was hoping the answer would be a straight forward "Yes!" I prayed multiple times before I fully understood the answer. It took me a little while to process that it did not matter at all who I married; but it mattered the kind of person I married and the kind of person I was willing to be for her. (She succeeds at being awesome more than I do, but I try.)

If you Google the phrase 'Who should I marry?' you will find a whole bunch of lists describing qualities that are important when deciding who to marry, similar long term goals, liking the other person's family, not having to look nice for each other all the time and many other things. 

Luckily for me Briana was the kind of person who I should marry, she exhibits qualities that compliment my weaknesses, she is kind and is the best person I know. (And she is a total babe.)  Even before I meet her I had thought of many qualities to look for in a potential partner, but those rational thoughts can easily fly out the window when you are dating someone new. Fully understanding what I wanted through trusting God and learning from various sources helped me make the best decision of my life.

Not all the decisions we make will be quite as important as who we choose to marry (or who not to marry, but that is a whole different blog), but many decisions that we make can and should be influenced by our knowledge of the different options available and by the influence of a loving Heavenly Father. 

The information available is a blessing, immerse yourself in it. God can only work with what is there, if you do not know jack squat and expect a profound answer you probably will not get it. If you take the time to learn and educate yourself and ask God what you should do, you will receive powerful answers and confirmation. The information is there, learn it! God is there, ask Him for help.

Ask God, and Google.

or Bing.

Physical Well-Being

Physical fitness is something that seems to be overlooked and undervalued, especially in comparison to one's spiritual or education well-being. I have always felt that taking care of our bodies is one of the biggest responsibilities given to us by our Heavenly Father. Keeping ourselves in good physical condition allows us to grow closer to Him and be more successful and confident in everything that we do. 

Physical fitness encompasses a little bit more than most people typically think, it is achieved through proper nutrition, adequate rest, exercise and hygiene. It is being able to perform work and enjoy recreational time without being overburdened.  

We all know it is important to exercise and stay fit, I encourage you all to make it a priority. If you are having trouble making the time or need someone to exercise with shoot me an email, I will gladly go to the gym, or on a jog, or even do an embarrassing dance video with you! Lets take the time to take care of this gift our Heavenly Father has given us. 

I included a couple paragraphs from this past General Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, by Elder Jorg Klebingat:

2. Take responsibility for your own physical well-being. Your soul consists of your body and spirit (see D&C 88:15). Feeding the spirit while neglecting the body, which is a temple, usually leads to spiritual dissonance and lowered self-esteem. If you are out of shape, if you are uncomfortable in your own body and can do something about it, then do it! Elder Russell M. Nelson has taught that we should “regard our body as a temple of our very own” and that we should “control our diet and exercise for physical fitness” (“We Are Children of God,” Ensign, Nov. 1998, 87; Liahona, Jan. 1999, 103).

President Boyd K. Packer has taught “that our spirit and our body are combined in such a way that our body becomes an instrument of our mind and the foundation of our character” (“The Instrument of Your Mind and the Foundation of Your Character” [Church Educational System fireside, Feb. 2, 2003], 2; speeches.byu.edu). Therefore, please use good judgment in what and especially how much you eat, and regularly give your body the exercise it needs and deserves. If you are physically able, decide today to be the master of your own house and begin a regular, long-term exercise program, suited to your abilities, combined with a healthier diet. Spiritual confidence increases when your spirit, with the help of the Savior, is truly in charge of your natural man or woman.

Help the Poor, with added Benefits for College Students

I have been working with the Brick Oven in Provo over the past few weeks and have been developing a charity to help benefit the homeless in Utah County.

College Students can go into Brick Oven and purchase a $20 gift card within the next couple weeks and receive a College Loyalty card from the restaurant, this gives you 50% on takeout pizza as long as you are a student.

You will receive $20 worth of gift cards that you can use for $40 worth of pizza, and $5 will be donated to help provide a meal for someone in need.


All you need to do is:

1. Go into the Brick Oven and go to the Takeout counter.

2. Purchase gift cards and mention you want to help feed the homeless (gotta say it or it will not help.), and $5 will be given to this cause and you will get discounted pizza as long as you are a student!


There is a limited time to do this, it is really easy and it will benefit you and help families in need. Please take the time to do this and invite you friends, roommates and classmates to participate. We will keep you updated on what we are able to raise!

The gift cards take about 24 hours before you can redeem them. But the 50% discount with the College loyalty card is available immediately. :)

Thank you so much for your help!