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TheDiscipleMD

I started writing in April of 2007. That year my wife and I had traveled from Maryland to Utah to spend time with three of our five grown children. I had procured tickets to General Conference that year and it was there at the Conference Center that I felt impressed to embark on a project that I named “The DiscipleMD.” My writings are imperfect! Nevertheless, it is now been read in over 110 countries around the world.

As I sat waiting in the Conference Center with my wife for the Sunday morning session to begin, I glanced down the aisle to view my children. One son was seated with his wife, another with a girlfriend, and my only daughter was there with her then fiancé. Like most parents, I marveled at how fast time had gone by and that my children were now grown. They were becoming “independent.” I recall thinking that my influence was slowly diminishing in their lives. At that moment it occurred to me that I could continue to influence their lives for the good with modern technology. I could accomplish this by communicating with them daily via email. I committed right then that when I returned home, I would begin to send out a weekday inspirational message.

At first, my messages consisted of a scripture or perhaps an inspired entry from one of my journals. Sometimes it was part of an old letter I had received from a grandparent, my parents, or even an old romantic letter I had written to their Mother. On occasion, it was a quote from a church leader. As time passed, I began to recount stories of my youth, tying them into gospel principles. My children are avid sports fans so I started to tie in sports themes or personal experiences with athletics. Since I have spent most of my life in church leadership, I began to intermix inspiring stories of a personal nature that were uplifting and testimony-building. There are so many stories of inspiration in the lives church members. I once recall one of my siblings complaining to my Mother that she saw the gospel in everything. She didn’t deny it. What I have found out is that my mother was right. The influence of the gospel of Jesus Christ is found in all aspects of our lives. The Savior was a great teacher because he taught parables that resonated with the common man. He could relate simple stories that all could understand. I have found the more simple the story, the more profound the message.

Over time, my siblings and extended family found out I was sending out daily messages and asked if they could be included in the email list. On many occasions, I have received a response back from someone in the family who write, “Thanks for that message. I needed that today!” I guess that is why I keep going. I believe I am doing some good. One of my sons told me that he uses my messages in his church assignments and that it is nice to have them stored in his phone where he can access them in a moment’s notice. I often talk with my children about the gospel and nary a discussion goes by without “The Disciple” being mentioned. Over the years, I have approached almost every subject under the sun.

The greatest beneficiary of my messages has been me. It has given me reason and purpose to write down my thoughts. Because I use a lot of personal experiences, it has become somewhat of a journal. It has driven me to the scriptures on a daily basis. Often I find myself overwhelmed with the spirit while in the mist of writing. At times I find myself in tears as I recall past experiences. Memories come flooding back into my mind as I search for a daily message to impart. I often read my messages to my wife verbally when I get home from work. It’s become a daily habit. More times than I can remember, I get emotional as I read them to her. She listens patiently and usually says, “That’s a good one!” each time I finish. She has given me tremendous support over the past years with my writings. She believes that it connects our family and she encourages me to continue.

For those of faith who may stumble across my words, I hope one of my messages may bring a ray of understanding or hope to your life. I named my website “TheDiscipleMd” because I was born and raised in Maryland. I have a great love for this state. I have the Maryland Flag imposed in the “D” of “MD” as proof. Secondly, I added the “MD” to “The Disciple” as a subtle hope of my prayer that my messages might bring some “healing” to those who search for Jesus Christ. In Him is the real power to heal.

I guess what has motivated me in writing is the knowledge that my life on this earth is limited. The loss of several of my siblings and in-laws at young ages during the past few years has reminded me that my life could abruptly end without notice. If that should happen, how long will my testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ live on? Certainly, it will live on in my children but I have hopes that my words will influence their generation, the next generation, and the next. My testimony can have a powerful impact for good for centuries if I take the time to write it down. After all, the scriptures are simply the inspired thoughts and interaction of men with deity written down for all to read.

There is no reason that my influence for good has to go with me to the grave. I have hopes, as did Jacob, whose final words were, “…to the reader I bid farewell, hoping that many of my brethren may read my words. Brethren, adieu” (Jacob 7:27)