Precious Doe

[Vickiana Sconyers]

WhenI began my studies at BYU after my mission, I was pretty much set on becoming a teacher. My father and two of my brothers were teachers, so I thought that would be my path. I started in that direction with great anticipation. I completed a good number of classes in my major. Then, after a day of substitute teaching at a local high school, I felt like I should take another path. I dreaded the call to my parents to let them know I was changing my major. The problem was I had no idea what I was changing it to! Does that sound familiar to any of you?

I have told you about my missionary service, my marriage to Lucia, our family, my university studies, and my career. I share these things with you simply to make the point that we all have multiple demands on our time through the different seasons of life. Your loving Heavenly Father knows this, and He wants to help you succeed. He will give you appropriate guidance in all aspects of your life; you just have to trust Him enough to ask and then to act.

And see that all these things are done in wisdom and order; for it is not requisite that [you] should run faster than [you have] strength. And again, it is expedient that [you] should be diligent, that thereby [you] might win the prize; therefore, all things must be done in order.8

As your life changes and evolves, so should your view about your time and how you spend it. I have found that those who do not make adjustments to preserve the most important priorities often become frustrated and even resentful. Time is a precious gift given to you by your Heavenly Father. You have a sacred responsibility to manage it wisely.

Ever since I can remember, I have enjoyed hunting. I went hunting as a young boy, as a teenager, as a young adult before and after my mission, and even in the early years of our married life. I ate, drank, and slept hunting. I would spend countless hours preparing for hunting trips. Then, when hunting season arrived, it would consume most of my time off from work, taking me away from my family for days on end. When family, church, and work responsibilities increased, I did not adjust my life accordingly.

After a while, Lucia could sense something had to change. To her credit, she was very patient with me. I found out later that her greatest faith, hope, and prayers were that somehow Heavenly Father would help me see what was happening. One day He finally did.

That day came while I was on a hunting trip. I found myself alone with plenty of time to think. My mind immediately went to Lucia and our children. I had a revelatory realization of their importance in my life. I also realized that hunting was taking me away from them and from my opportunities to serve in the Church. While I was pondering these things, the Spirit whispered to my heart and mind that it was time to put aside hunting for a season.

I have to say, I was a bit stunned by the direct nature of this message from the Holy Ghost. I was so stunned that I immediately began to resist these feelings. I started to rationalize: Hunting was important to me. I have a right to pursue my interests. Anyway, a few hunting trips a year are not a big deal.

The Spirit softly but consistently countered those thoughts. I continued with my rebuttal: Why should I have to minimize something that was so near and dear to my heart? There had to be some middle ground, I thought.

Upon returning from that trip, I sat down with Lucia and told her about my experience. I let her know this was not the right time of life to allow hunting to consume so much of my time. There were many more important things to do.

There are three things that need your utmost attention as you go through life: the Lord, your family, and your work. Remember, you only have a certain number of hours available to you every day. The amount of time required by each of these important aspects of life will ebb and flow over time. Just make sure you keep the proper perspective on the important things. If you take care of those three things, usually everything else takes care of itself.

My brothers and sisters, I plead with you to make time for the Lord! Make your own spiritual foundation firm and able to stand the test of time by doing those things that allow the Holy Ghost to be with you always.10

You might say that I am being too hard on social media. After all, many of the leaders of the Church have social media accounts, including me. But notice how they use social media. Their purpose is to inspire us to think a little deeper and a little more purely. I believe their hope is to extricate us from this meaningless Dead See Scroll and to help us seek something higher and holier.

Brothers and sisters, it has been wonderful to spend some time with you today. I hope some of the things I said will help you as you navigate the use of your precious time here on earth. I love you! I see in you a divine nature. The torch of the ongoing Restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ will be passed to you in order to prepare a people to receive the Savior when He comes again. I pray you will take this torch and add to it the brightness of your individual testimony.

WHAT IT IS

Created after more than seven years of development, this lipstick is our most advanced lipstick formulation to date. With a serum-like texture and intensive skincare benefits, it instantly adheres to lips giving them a three-dimensional and contoured look. Infused with diamonds, 24-karat gold and superior skincare ingredients for lips that are instantly plumped, moisturized and empowered by the richness and radiance of precious jewel tones.

WHAT IT DOES

Envelops lips in an extraordinary level of sensory luxury. Lips are instantly plumped, contoured, and conditioned with superior skincare benefits, diamonds, and 24-karat gold. Precious jewel tones empower confidence and self-expression.

INGREDIENTS Advanced Lip-Empowering Formula applies like a serum to achieve three-dimensional, contoured, ideal lips.Precious Lakesis Complex promotes plumpness and elasticity. Combined with intensely moisturizing Aqua-in-Pool, it delivers enriching lip care. Gem-Inspired Pigment Color Complex provides intense, amplified color and radiant glow. Diamond powder pigment and 24K-gold powder boost radiance while diminishing dullness. Light Empowering Enhancer, our exclusive hybrid skincare and makeup technology, controls light on the surface and beneath skin to minimize concerns and amplify radiance.Premium Argan Oil, rich in Vitamin E, provides moisture for smoother lips.

DLA Troop Support manages/issues NSN orders of precious metals. Visit the Troop Support website for contact information or to find out more about this program. This process is usually completed by contacting them directly and supplying a MILSTRIP with a valid/signed supply contract stating the authorization to order the precious metals.

The DoDM 4160.21 vol. 2 requires all DoD Components to identify additional precious metal generating activities. Once identified, the Precious Metals Recovery Program (PMRP) is required to evaluate those activities and, if economical, provide funding/equipment for the DoD components to recoup the precious metals from the activity.

In accordance with Title 9 Chapter 97A, the Vermont Department of Public Safety is required to certify precious metal dealers in the State of Vermont beginning on January 1, 2015. Businesses wishing to continue operating as precious metal dealers must submit an application prior to January 2015. Failure to obtain certification may result in penalties. For more information review 9 Chapter 97A.

The Department of Public Safety is now accepting applications. To apply, download the application, complete the required fields, and send to the Vermont Department of Public Safety with a nonrefundable payment of $200. The fee collected under this section shall fund the administration of the precious metal dealer certification process.

The Department of Public Safety will also implement a statewide stolen property notification system, to provide timely notification concerning the reported theft to precious metal among precious metal dealers and law enforcement agencies throughout Vermont. When your license is approved; your email address will automatically be added to the stolen property notification system.

License applications are to be submitted online via the Licensing Sales and Tracking System. If you do not have an account for the Licensing Sales and Tracking System or have issues accessing your account, please contact preciou...@riag.ri.gov.

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