Showcasing the Power of MN Nice!!! Super Bowl Crew 52 NAMES published in the Star Trib

I had the honor and pleasure of volunteer with the MN Super Bowl Hosting Committee for Super Bowl 52. I supported groups of volunteers during the Super Bowl Live event on Nicollet Mall during the Bold North Festival. What a blast it was to work along side some of the nicest advocates of the state and region.  Cheers to you MN!!!!

What If My Testimony Isn't What I Think It Should Be?

I think it is safe to say that people of faith have always been faced with this question at least once in their mortal journey. I can honestly say that this concept has been a more consistent friend than a stranger throughout my life.

Well, what DO you BELIEVE? |  How did YOU come to BELIEVE that? | How CAN you grow that belief?

The foundation of a testimony is a hope or belief in something that we cannot see. As defined in True to the Faith, testimony begin with the following principles and then grows from there.

1. God, our Heavenly Father, lives. He knows and loves us.
2. Jesus is the Son of God. He lives and completed the infinite Atonement thereby making it possible for us to be forgiven of our sins/mistakes.
3. Joseph Smith is a prophet of God being called to restore the gospel.
4. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is the Savior's true Church on the earth today.

These principles are the beginning of a testimony journey and it's facilitated by the influence of the Holy Ghost.

"A testimony is a spiritual witness given by the Holy Ghost. ..." -True to the Faith (2004), 178-80

John 14:26

26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. 

As we work to grow our individual testimonies, please make sure to practice the advise of Elder Dallin H. Oaks. Our sharing of testimony will strengthen them.

"...some testimonies are better gained on the feet bearing them than on the knees praying for them." (Testimony, General Conference, April 2008)

Every one can gain a testimony and that testimony will be as unique as they are and for good reason. The purpose of our testimonies shared are to grow them and also to strengthen the testimonies of others around us.

Doctrine and Covenants 46:12-14

11 For all have not every gift given unto them; for there are many gifts, and to every man is given a gift by the Spirit of God.
12 To some is given one, and to some is given another, that ALL may be profited thereby.
13 To some it is given by the Holy Ghost to know that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, and that he was crucified for the sins of the world.
14 To others it is given to believe on their words, that they also might have eternal life if they continue faithful.

Monotune Piano or click HERE

Our testimonies are made up of statements of belief on principles learned. 

2 ways that I look at this analogy and not limiting the various insights that can be observed:

1. The keys are the testimonies of those we associate with, being founded upon the principles mentioned above. They make for a rich melody and each plays an equally important role in the sound heard.
2. The keys represent principles of the gospel and the range of musical application varies based upon our belief of those principles. For some they are just beginning to grow their testimonies and believe that God lives and is our loving Heavenly Father. Even with the one note the piano player played with rich dynamic. So too our testimonies can be rich and vibrant notwithstanding the number of principles we have gained a testimony of.

So what happens when I face questions or doubts about what I believe?

or CLICK HERE

Click HERE to hear the words of Elder Jeffery R. Holland, one of the modern apostles in the LDS Church.

"...belief was always the first step toward conviction and that the definitive articles of our collective faith forcefully reiterate the phrase “We believe.”

"...hold fast to what you already know and stand strong until additional knowledge comes."

"I am not asking you to pretend to faith you do not have. I am asking you to be true to the faith you do have."

"...fan the flame of your faith, because all things are possible to them that believe."

So if you don't get much from this article, I hope you know that more likely than not - you DO have a testimony.

Here are the CliffNotes version:

1. Testimonies are personal statement of belief, which understanding comes through the influence of the Holy Ghost.
2. Testimonies are as unique as you are and for good reason.
3. Never underestimate the power of belief.
4. Hold to what you DO know and Start with what you DO have.
5. What we know will always trump what we do not know.
6. "The size of your faith or the degree of your knowledge is not the issue—it is the integrity you demonstrate toward the faith you do have and the truth you already know.” - Elder Holland, Lord, I Believe

If you do not have a firm testimony, do that which is necessary to obtain one. 

-President Thomas S. Monson, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints

Random Character

If you ever find yourself in need of some character (did you see what I did there) - please feel free to leverage some of mine.


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10 Places In Minnesota You Thought Only Existed In Your Imagination

Life In All Its Glory

A quick thought I wanted to share this morning. Some of you know that my dear Grandmother, Thelma Curtis, passed away in the early morning of May 25th. She is am amazing woman who blessed my life with an unconditional love and kindness that only a grandmother can. Some may also know thatMariAnne and I are expecting our 5th child in September - a little girl. There is a lot of these "circle of life" moments going on in the greater Youngquist family tree. This isn't to mention various health scares and triumphs.

I am humbled and grateful for life in its many forms and the joy and sadness that we enjoy. It is through these experiences that our lives can become rich and full. It is in the Holy Temple(s) and the home that these familial relationships are cultivated into eternal bonds and can endure into the eternities.

As it is sad to have Grandma gone - we know that this is not her end. We will see her again, for which I am eternally grateful.

CS Lewis said it best in The Last Battle;
“And as He spoke, He no longer looked to them like a lion; but the things that began to happen after that were so great and beautiful that I cannot write them. And for us this the end of all the stories, and we can most truly say that they all lived happily ever after. But for them it was only the beginning of the real story. All their life in this world and all their adventures in Narnia had only been the cover and the title page: now at last they were beginning Chapter One of the Great Story which no one on earth has read: which goes on for ever: in which every chapter is better than the one before.”

Here is the final aha moment/thought - 

If I Could

In Between Dreams Album, Jack Johnson

A brand new baby was born yesterday

Just in time

Papa cried, baby cried

Said "Your tears are like mine"

I heard some words

From a friend on the phone

That didn't sound so good

The doctor gave him two weeks to live

I'd give him more if I could

You know that I would now

If only I could

You know that I would now

If only I could

Down the middle drops one more

Grain of sand

They say that

New life makes losing life easier to understand

Words are kind

They helped ease the mind

I'll miss my old friend

And though you gotta go

We'll keep a piece of your soul

One goes out

One comes in

You know that I would now

If only I could

You know that I would now

If only I could

My inner child is shouting for joy...I just have dust in my eyes

I'm Batman...

I must say I have been a fan of comic heroes for as long as I can remember. The strength, power, courage and ability to make the hard decision.

Today Disney released a high-res image of the latest iteration of Spiderman for the greater MCU (Marvel Comic Universe). This is the third franchise to push this character in a different direction. 

All variants were a lot of fun and have pushed the limits of movie magic to promote Spidey powers. The last 17 years have given us 3 different spider men, 5 feature films spawning cartoon after cartoon which continues to captivate child audiences.

This latest Hollywood offering gives us yet another take of the suit and pays sweet homage to a mask with eyes that add an element of emotion to a previously emotion-less face. 

Click on image to see in all it's high-resolution glory.

If you can remember the follies of the Power Rangers and the cheesy acting down to communicate feelings by body language without the use of facial expressions. I marvel at the years the Power Rangers have been able to keep young audiences in rapture.

Click on image to see in all its high-resolution glory.

This is a new push within the superhero movie genre to reach a level of pure material integrity within live-action features. The success of Deadpool is a prime example of the pupil-less eyes and expressive eyebrows and facial acting.

Well done, Hollywood or should I say Marvel - and by Marvel, I mean Disney. 

A great need for a political candidate who can and will UNITE

A political rant from an issue-focused voter with leanings toward the GOP. This may be a bit negative however I want to be clear on my position.

I would rather vote for Hilary before I vote for Trump. #republican #GOP #nottrump #GodBlessAmerica (honestly - I would most likely vote independent)

I heard one comment during this primary process - a lady stated that she sincerely felt that Trump had the chops to compete against Hilary during the general. Sometimes I feel like some people may be basing their voting choice simply on name recognition rather than focusing on political record or even candidate principles/values.

This week has been one of great interest politically. MN had its caucuses. I was unable to attend as I was away on business. The President of our great nation is one that is in office to unite and direct for sustainable growth and unity.

I feel completely bombarded with a political environment with messages of malice and senseless bickering. The largest source of this in my mind is connected with and coming from Donald Trump. This man ascended to fame through cut-throat (some say ruthless) business deals and by generating artificial drama to elicit a shock 'n awe response within the public's eye.

Yes, Trump has been successful (monetarily) but at what cost? Look at his family, look at the relationships he maintains, look at his record, look at his commitment to leave something better than when he found it. I fear if this man does win the GOP nomination or even the general election - it will cause great harm to a positive and sustainable future for our country. I can't imagine the damage that will be done not to mention the potential harm to our country's foreign policy.

This IS NOT the man I want to follow nor do I want him to represent this great country. He does not have the principles or the demonstrated ethics of one to be the leader of the free world.

My vote will go to a candidate who has a demonstrated ability to handle tough situations without losing sights of honesty, integrity, family values, truth, and a commitment for doing the right things for the right reasons regardless of the consequences. This includes making the hard decisions to ensure long-term success and improvement of our country, infrastructure, etc.

This elections year I commit to vote #sintrump. For those that don't habla espanol - the translation of "sin" is "without."