As I awoke this morning, while still lying in bed I looked around my room and saw one titled given to me recently and another title that I have always had. The “Doc Davis Brother of the Year” titled brought a smile to my face and great memories of my fraternity brothers. The other title was not written, but came as I caught the gaze of the picture of Christ I have in my room. That title, although not written with the picture, is written in my heart—I am a Child of God. It is in the reflection of that title that set into motion a wonderful teaching session of self-realization and prayer.
I have been given many titles in my life. I was first of all born a twin to my brother Bud. I am the younger brother of Sonny and Sara. I am the son of Tim and Laurie. I once was a North Park Owl, an Alice C Harris Husky, a Bear River Bear, a Utah State Aggie and now a Texas A&M Aggie. I was a Cub Scout, a Boy Scout and now an Eagle Scout. I have been called a friend, a colleague and at times a team member. I was once the Utah FFA State Vice President. I’ve carried the Ambassador title for Utah State and even the ASUSU Administrative Assistant. I now have my name outside this office titling me as a Graduate Assistant. All of these titles, and many more, are very important to me and have helped shape me into BTM, but there are others that are more important and carry a much more importance to me.
For two years, I carried the title of Elder Munns as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in the south of France. It was there that I truly came to understand my title of Son of God. In the countless hours of prayer, scripture study, knocking doors and missionary service, I began to understand what it meant to be a Child of God. I reflect often on my mission and there is literally not a day that goes by that I do not think about my mission and the wonderful things it taught me. In an essence that I do not really understand, it was on my mission that my life began. It was there that the spirit taught me truths and filled my heart with an understanding of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
This past summer was the closest thing to my mission that I have experienced since my return five years ago. I was taught by the Lord more truths and had many moments of true realizations. I have tried to capture those experiences in this blog and share them with my family. In reflecting both on my mission and summer in Uganda and recent events, I know now more than ever I have the sacred responsibility to live up to a couple titles I have let slack in recent years. First, I am a Child of God, and as his Son, I hold the holly Melchizedek Priesthood. I must stand and be true to the light that has been given to me. I must “be thou an example of the believers.” I recognize that in my mistakes, I may be given other temporary titles, but the Lord is shaping me into what He has planned for me. I apologize for those moments in my life when I did not live up to these most important titles in my life. I want to start anew, and live each moment truly understanding who I am. I know that I will struggle from time to time, but I also know that this gospel I strive to live is a gospel of forgiveness.
Writing in remembrance of 9/11 President Thomas S. Monson stated, “Tragedies are not merely opportunities to give Him a fleeting thought, or for momentary insight to His plan for our happiness. Destruction allows us to rebuild our lives in the way He teaches us, and to become something different than we were.” On this day of memorial, I am committing to rebuild my life in the way that I have been taught, as a Son of God.
