Anyone interested in helping FamilySearch begin their second billion records, can start contributing (see the FamilySearch website).

Why help FamilySearch index historical records?

• Indexing helps grow appreciation for one’s family and ancestors.
• Indexing helps others discover their family heritage and contributes to their sense of identity.
• Indexing is very easy to start doing.
• Indexing can be done on the internet while doing other activities (watching movies, etc.)
• Indexing helps families give their loved ones the opportunity to accept important temple ordinances on their behalf. Learn more about temple ordinances.

What an inspiring accomplishment!

Why watch live the big Provo announcement?

• Provo Mayor John Curtis might announce Google Fiber coming to Provo.
• Whatever is announced, it’s going to be important for Provo residents.
• Provo Mayor John Curtis said on his personal blog “for me it will be the single largest accomplishment of my professional career. It should be of no surprise that something of this nature has also come with a large amount of stress. I wake each night several times worried about how it will be received by residents.”

For an interesting commentary about the positive implications Google Fiber would have for Latter-day Saints in Provo, read “Eight Ways Google Fiber in Provo Would Hasten the Lord’s Work.”

I’m so excited to see Provo’s epic announcement live in person today at 1:30 p.m..

Whenever I see depictions of the Savior in film it stirs my heart and helps me to remember all the Lord has done for me.  A couple of weeks ago I learned about the importance of remembering the Lord and what he has done for me.  At stake conference a member of the Seventy shared with us the “R-F” principle.  Basically he explained how if we remember the Lord we will be faithful (remember->faithful), but if we forget the Lord we will likely rebel (forget->rebel).  

Last night I was reminded of the importance of remembering the Lord and what He has done in our life.  The Lord can be involved in and bless our lives to the extent we let Him.

This morning I heard several sirens.  As I walked down to BYU I saw the road closed off.  I saw the SUV which appeared to have it’s doors ripped off of it and the brick home looked like it was about one-third destroyed. The brick house the car hit was the home I walk past almost every day as I walk to and from BYU campus.

At the scene were reporters and cameramen from KSL News and Fox 13 News.

The Google Chromebook’s inability to play Netflix videos has been one of its biggest drawbacks since it was released.  Now Chromebook users can hook up their Chromebook to their smart TV with an HDMI cable and watch high-definition videos through Netflix streaming.

I’ve owned a Chromebook now for several months and not being able to watch Netflix videos was one of its biggest drawbacks.  Now that I can watch Netflix movies, I’m going to stop complaining.

Well there’s the good news- now enjoy!  Go watch the Netflix videos you love on your portable Chromebook!

I’ve heard couples say time and time again how it’s necessary to accept each other despite your differences, but I didn’t think it would apply to our married situation.  And if it did apply, I didn’t think it would be the ideal, but rather a sort of last resort.  

However, tonight I had my eyes opened.  Now, I believe that each person is given unique gifts from God.  Often the best way we can contribute to each other’s lives is to use and refine our unique gifts.  If we allow and support each other in sharing our gifts, we give each other the opportunity to blossom.

So next time someone does something different I challenge you to look for the positive in what they are doing.  Often there are several right ways to do one thing.

LDS members can view the new version of the LDS scriptures for free on LDS.org.

In all honesty, it’s quite nice to not have been moved on with the competition.  As nice as $15,000 would be, it’s nice to not have to worry about doing what others expect you to do in your business.  I feel free to do what I want to!  

Also, today I talked with a person who works for the missionary department.  After talking with him I feel more confident and ready to create and monetize PreparetoServe.com.

This Friday I will talk with CTR Clothing and Missionary Mall to determine possible sponsorship.  I think I will try to go in and make Prepare to Serve incorporated as an LLC business   What a wonderful feeling I have- feeling confident in the direction my life is taking to start my own business doing things that can bless the lives of thousands of people.  What a good day!

-Wednesday February 27, 2013

Interesting facts about lepers

From Sally’s lecture I learned several important lessons about people with leprosy.  People with leprosy want their dignity.  Even more than being completely healed, they want to be productive, helpful members of society.  They do not want to beg.  It was sad to hear about a lady who put her hands in the fire each night to make them worse so she could make more money the next day begging.

Interesting facts about leprosy

• About 95% of people are naturally immune to leprosy- about 5% have a genetic marker that allows them to contract leprosy. It is often those with these markers who live in very poor conditions and have a weakened immune system who contract leprosy.
• If you visit a colony of lepers you will most likely not contract the disease.  If you do, there are multi-drug therapies to cure leprosy.
• Leprosy damages the body by killing nerve endings so you cannot feel pain. Then when you cut a limb or develop an infection, the infection gets worse and eventually limbs can come off without the person feeling their limb decline.
• Dry leprosy is the earlier stage of leprosy before wet leprosy.
• Some in India believe the reason they have leprosy is because God cursed them.  Because of this it can sometimes be difficult for Indians to accept help to cure their leprosy.

How Rising Star International helps lepers

In order to help those with leprosy, Rising Star offers medical and educational services to villages affected by leprosy.  They also give microgrants to lepers to help them make money.  Some lepers become jewelry makers, some wood carvers and others even become barbers.

Instead of simply giving things away to lepers, Rising Star Outreach empowers lepers to care for themselves.  Sally Read believes anything given for free has no value to lepers.

*Featured image of India by Wikimedia’s Ssolbergj.