Author: Will

Categories
God’s Hand Miracles Tender Mercy

Salesforce Expert Appears

At work, I’ve been working on InMoment’s Salesforce managed package. In particular, I’ve been working to resolve security issues that have been identified be a static code analyzer.

The people we have on the team, me include, just aren’t skilled and experienced enough to solve these issues. It’s been really frustrating to try to resolve things way out of my league.

I’d been praying for help for days and on 7 March 2024, Ryan Milyard reached out to me on Slack. Ryan is a Salesforce admin & developer that works in the revenue operations group of the InMoment Review Trackers business; he is not part of Engineering. Ryan had been given my name from someone and was reaching out to see if I knew anything about a new user he was working with.

I didn’t know anything about the new user Ryan was asking about, and when it was clear I couldn’t help, I asked Ryan if he knew anything about the particular error I was looking at. Within 6 minutes, Ryan came back with a brief explanation and 5 bulleted ideas of the root cause. I was super impressed and asked if Ryan would be open to helping me more formally. He agreed.

The next day we met and brainstormed some more solution ideas. None of them worked, but it got Ryan involved.

I’ve spent the last couple weeks working with Ryan and a couple days ago we cracked the code on the last remaining big security issue. It was a miracle. On Monday evening, I was ready to give up. I was so frustrated. Before I went to bed, I left Ryan a note with my most recent findings and struggles. Tuesday, mid-morning, Ryan replied. At that point, I had already decided I was moving to other things. Something about the reply inspired me to try one more time. Ryan’s thoughts spurred some ideas. We chatted back and forth a bit, and within a few hours we had a solution that maintained functionality and produced a clean security scan.

Heavenly Father answered my prayers. He orchestrated whatever he needed to to have Ryan reach out to me. Without Ryan’s help, my team would still be stuck.

Categories
God’s Hand

Engine Delivered

The truck engine needed to be delivered to the machine shop so it could be rebuilt. So, I borrow Richard Spiker’s trailer and loaded up the engine this afternoon. I thought I did a good job to get it level and securely strapped down. Right before I left, Joey and Livy asked to come along. I was reluctant at first, but agreed to let them come along. I’m so glad they did.

We decided to avoid the freeway just in case we had any issue. That proved to be wise. As we drove along the bumpy road by the American Fork park ‘n ride, Joey called out, “Dad, I think you should stop and look at the engine.” We had bounced enough on that bumpy road that the engine had shifted, some of the wood supports had moved, and half the straps had come loose. I went to secure it all again, but couldn’t lift the engine and move the wood at the same time. I quickly recruited Joey to move the wood as I heaved the engine. After clamping down the straps once more, we were on our way.

After Livy asked many times, “are we there yet”, we finally arrived at Cleggs in Orem. It was 5p and we had an hour to spare. I texted Bob Cosier and he helped us back the trailer in the receiving bay. We unloaded the engine pretty quickly and I went to the front desk to do a little paper work.

It was at the front desk that I was informed that the shop was very backed up and I was only able to leave the engine at that time because Bob has basically called in a favor. I was told that they should have asked me to come back at the end of March. What a miracle. I was also told that the cost of the engine would be at least $3500. That is $1000 more than Bob originally quoted me. I’m a little disappointed by that, but Bob said he’d revisit it in the morning. I’m hoping that the cost will end up a lot closer to the original estimate.

While at the shop, I also met Roger. It turns out he’s been working there for 21 years and is the specialist that will rebuild my engine. While the front desk guy was telling me it would take weeks before they could get to the engine, Roger was yelling from the back that he had nothing to do and he’d tare it down tomorrow. It was fun to hear the banter back and forth. I think this was another miracle that the timing was such that Roger has time. We’ll have to wait and see; will the engine be ready in 1 or 4 weeks, or more. Regardless, I spoke with Roger for a few minutes as he mounted the engine and returned my chain. His words were comforting and he assured me that the engine would be so well rebuilt and clean that I wouldn’t even recognize it. It turns out also that I had left a lot of extra things on it; to which, Roger assured me wasn’t an issue and that he’d have them all cleaned up. It was a blessing the meet Roger.

I’m grateful for the hand of the Lord in my life. It was really evident today. I look forward to the miracles that the Lord will work in the coming days.

Categories
Temple & Family History

Trek for Someone

In late June 2024, many youth will be participating in Trek. As part of each participant’s spiritual preparation, they are invited to find a pioneer ancestor to trek for.

Finding a pioneer ancestor is very simple. Follow these few steps:

  • If prompted to do so, sign in to Family Search by selecting ‘Sign in with Church Account‘.
    • If you don’t have a church account, please create one. Remember Temple & Family History consultants can help.
  • Sign in with your church account username and password.
  • You’ll be redirected to Family Search. You should now be signed in and presented with a list of ancestors that crossed the plains to the Salt Lake valley.

Congratulations! You’ve made it. Enjoy learning about your pioneer ancestors and consider selecting one of them to trek for.

Categories
God’s Hand

Entering the Temple

The impression I had this morning is that there will be a time in the future where a government issued aid will be required to enter the temple. I saw a large sign stating as much as I entered the temple.

Categories
God’s Hand

Air travel

I woke up this morning with the impression that air travel will soon be suspended.

Categories
Mission Willy France, Lyon

Week 3 | Destination England MTC

Travel to Preston, UK MTC
Travel to Preston, UK MTC

Bonjour !  

Sorry I didn’t write while at home MTC but now I’m in England and will start! 

This week has been a party. The journey to the MTC was wild. But I’m super grateful to be here and super glad to be able to learn in person. My companions Elder Smith and Elder Shapiro are pretty neat guys and it’s nice to be with them.

Monday and Tuesday were travel days. I left SLC with 5 other missionaries from Utah to Chicago. We met up in Chicago with 2 other elders which was nice and were supposed to fly to Frankfurt Germany from there. But after sitting on a plane for 2 hours we were told to get off because of a hydraulic leak. So we had to collect all our luggage and then carry it all the way across the airport to another terminal. We were reassigned to fly to Portugal which is cool. Once we got to the terminal though we learned that Elder Whitt (who is a legend) was not on our same flight. So me and him had to zoom back across the airport with his bags to get him on our flight then zoom back with a few minutes to spare. I was a little disappointed we got our flights changed cause I was supposed to fly on a double decker plane which is one of my dreams but after the long time in Chicago we were just happy to get out of there. After being in Portugal for an hour we then flew to Manchester and then drove to the MTC. Getting there 6 hours after we were supposed to. Even though we were late we were received with open arms and it’s been a blast since.

Air Travel
Air Travel Distances
Manchester, UK Airport

Wednesday was more of an orientation day that flew by and Thursday was the first real day of a normal schedule. Class is fun and my teacher brother Ferrer is awesome. Learning French is an experience for sure but it will be fun after I can fully speak it. I was asked to be a district leader which I’m hoping will be a great opportunity to serve the lord and those in my district. We also had a guest speaker on Thursday night, an area 70 came and shared a message about the priesthood. 

Friday is Pday which was good. It was nice to have a break after a lot of information during the first few days. All the missionaries had the wonderful opportunities to go to the Preston England temple. It was amazing to do a session with other missionaries and afterwards I was able to sneak in to do some inisitories with Elder Whitt. After that we walked into Chorley which is a small town about a 15 minute walk from the MTC. Talked to the fam for a little bit then took a much needed nap. Had dinner then watched a MTC devotional which was neat but I had already watched it last week during at home MTC so that was funny. 

Snow @ the MTC
First Trip to Preston, England Temple
Touring Chorley, UK

MTC food is not too bad and they got Nutella packets so no matter what happens I’ll be okay. My district is a blast and meeting all the other missionaries in the MTC is super cool. Lots of them are leaving this coming Tuesday so after that it’ll feel pretty empty. But we’ll party it up.

God loves us. The first rule in the MTC is know you are loved. I love this because it’s so simple yet so powerful. Remember you are loved:) 

I love you all and miss everyone so much but am very grateful to serve the lord! Have a great week!

-Elder Jensen 😃

Mission photo album: https://photos.app.goo.gl/mMNLtaPJGjWYfXWt8

Categories
Book of Mormon

Teachings of Jesus

Be Merciful

Be merciful to receive mercy. – 3 Nephi 12:7

7 And blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.

Be Pure in Heart

How do I become pure in heart? It’s your motivations, they need to be pure.

8 And blessed are all the pure in heart, for they shall see God.

Be a Peace Maker

9 And blessed are all the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God.

Endure Persecution

10 And blessed are all they who are persecuted for my name’s sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 And blessed are ye when men shall revile you and persecute, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake;
12 For ye shall have great joy and be exceedingly glad, for great shall be your reward in heaven; for so persecuted they the prophets who were before you.

Categories
Book of Mormon

Helaman 3

  • Three years of peace (43-45 years of the reign of the judges).
  • Many dissenters moved north traveling “an exceedingly great distance” until “they came to large bodies of water and many rivers.” (v4)
    • Could this be the Great Lakes area in North America?
    • After asking Heaven Father in prayer if the Nephites and Lamanites lived in the United States and Great Lakes areas, the thought in my mind was, “Yes”.
  • This land in the north had previously been inhabited and called “desolate”.
  • After moving northward, the people spread out “insomuch that they began to cover the face of the whole earth“.
    • What did the whole earth include?
    • “…from the sea south to the sea north, from the sea west to the sea east.”
    • What was this area? Seems like the Great Lakes fits the description.
  • “35 Nevertheless they did fast and pray oft, and did wax stronger and stronger in their humility, and firmer and firmer in the faith of Christ, unto the filling their souls with joy and consolation, yea, even to the purifying and the sanctification of their hearts, which sanctification cometh because of their yielding their hearts unto God.”
    • Action
      • Fast & pray often
      • Stronger humility
      • Firmer faith in Christ
        • Firm: “solid, almost unyielding”, “steady but not excessive power or strength”, “showing resolute determination and strength of character”, “strongly felt and unlikely to change”, “steadfast and constant”
      • yielding their hearts unto God
    • Result
      • “filling their souls with joy and consolation”
      • “the purifying and the sanctification of their hearts”
  • It’s interesting that at this time there is an increasing gap between the righteous and the wicked. The wick are becoming more wicked while the righteous are becoming more righteous.
    • In this case the wickedness is measured in the degree of pride that was in the hearts of some of the people.
Categories
Book of Mormon

Alma 61 – Pahoran’s Reply

  • A rebellion has been led by the king-men against Pahoran and the freemen.
  • Pahoran has been driven out of Zarahemla and is residing in the land of Gideon.
  • Pahoran now has enough support to battle the king-men, but they will not come out against him.
  • The king-men have created an alliance with the Lamanites. The agreement includes the king of the king-men becoming king over all the land of the Nephites once the Lamanites have conquered it.
  • Pahoran and his people are not interested in bloodshed, but they are willing to defend themselves and their freedom unto death.
  • Pahoran believes that if “we should put our trust in [God], and he will deliver us.”
  • Pahoran asks Moroni to bring enough of his army to defeat the king-men and restore the peace.

Lessons Learned

  • Issues within can ultimately destroy and at the very least create considerable problems.
    • Obviously, this story takes place among a group of people, but I think there is some application within ourselves, marriages, families, communities, wards, etc.
  • We need to make sure not to neglect the “inner vessel” as to avoid these kinds of issues.
Categories
Book of Mormon

Alma 57

  • The 2060 stripling warriors fought diligently to help retain the city Cumeni. During the battle, many of the Nephites were slain and 200 of the sons of Helaman “fainted because of loss of blood.” But, none of the sons of Helaman were killed.
    • “25…according to the goodness of God, and to our great astonishment, and also the joy of our whole army, there was not one soul of them who did persish;”
    • “26 And now, their preservation was astonishing to our whole army, yea, that they should be spared while there was a thousand of our brethren who were slain.
      And we do justly ascribe it to the miraculous power of God,
      because or their exceeding faith
      in that which they had been taught to believe–
      that there was a just God, and whosoever did not doubt, that they should be preserved by his marvelous power.”
      • The Nephites recognize and attribute the miracle to God
      • The sons of Helaman were recognized by all in the army to have “exceeding faith” that
        • God is just
        • God could and would preserve them
    • “35… And blessed is the name of our God; for behold, it is he that has delivered us; yea, that has done this great thing for us.”
      • Recognize and praise God for delivering the Nephite army.