Jet Mariano

Category: Sacred Reflections

A season of quiet course-correction. I used to run ahead—saying yes to every favor and confusing hurry with help. These reflections pick up where Only Whisper begins: walking at the Lord’s pace, using “miracles of knowledge” to bless, and remembering why I’m here.

  • MIT8: “Loneliness with Righteousness”

    Crescent moon rising above the Taylorsville Utah Temple spire—captured in double exposure before sunrise. 70-200 2.8G mounted on tripod

    Excerpt

    Elder Neal A. Maxwell teaches that the loneliness that sometimes comes with righteousness is where we grow closer to God—and where we learn the courage of “But if not.”

    Intro

    At 6 a.m., Oct 17, 2025, I pulled over at the Taylorsville Temple and framed a moon-over-spire double exposure while listening (again) to Elder Maxwell’s 21 Guidelines for Righteous Living—especially Guideline 20. This week’s trials were real, yet the Spirit kept bringing me back to Daniel 3: God can deliver—but if not, we still will not bow. That truth has turned my fear of workload into faith to move forward with Him.

    Notes from Elder Neal A. Maxwell

    • Righteousness can feel lonely, but that is where we come closer to God.
    • Fidelity means not bowing—even when the fire is hot.
    • God is able to deliver; But if not, disciples still trust and obey.
    • Act in faith now—serve, pray, and work; heaven’s help becomes practical courage.

    Perspective (direct quotes )

    The Story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego
    To emphasize this point, Elder Maxwell recounts the biblical story:

    The Fiery Furnace: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were thrown into a fiery furnace that was heated to such a high temperature that the men who tended the furnace died.

    The Fourth Figure: The scriptures describe the three young men walking around in the midst of the furnace unharmed. The scripture then says, “And there was a fourth figure in the fire and its form was likened to the Son of God.”

    The Promise: Elder Maxwell concludes that when you are passing through these trials and lonely moments, the Lord will be especially close to you.

    They were cast into the fire because they refused to bow to the idol of King Nebuchadnezzar (Daniel 3:16–17). Their loyalty brought them closer to God—the pattern for all discipleship.

    Scripture (Daniel 3:17–18)

    17 If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king.
    18 But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.

    Practice (today, not someday)

    • Pray, then step into the hard tickets and deadlines: God is able—but if not, I still will not bow to fear or compromise.
    • Serve and mentor anyway; courage grows as I lift others.
    • Keep temple focus and steady duty; closer to God is the goal, not merely quick fixes.

    Final Reflection

    Elder Maxwell’s witness reframed my week: **God can deliver—**and often He does. But if not, I can still move forward with Him. As I prayed and worked, impressions came and solutions followed. Either way, the fire became a classroom, and I felt closer to God than ever.

    Pocket I’m Keeping

    “God is able—but if not, I will not bow.”
    If there is a furnace, there is also a Fourth.

    What I Hear Now

    “Trust Me. Whether I calm the fire or walk you through it, you are not alone.”

    Link to the talk

    “21 Guidelines for Righteous Living” — Elder Neal A. Maxwell (YouTube)
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f4bVYkkNeWE&t=300s

    © 2012–2025 Jet Mariano. All rights reserved.
    For usage terms, please see the Legal Disclaimer.

  • “What Have I Done for Someone Today?”

    Captured outside the Mount Timpanogos Temple during peak fall—standing in stillness after a long day, I waited for the sky to open and remind me that light always returns.

    Excerpt

    Autumn reminds me that service is like the seasons—quiet, constant renewal. Even when we’re tired or uncertain, giving of ourselves brings color back to the soul.

    Intro

    This week felt like an uphill climb. Long nights, long thoughts. I could barely rest, yet something inside me refused to quit. I realized once again that when you love what you do—when your work serves a purpose beyond yourself—fatigue fades behind fulfillment.

    Years ago, in another IT assignment, I worked through the night restoring a critical system. No one saw the hours or the quiet prayers between reboots, but the satisfaction came from knowing others could keep working because I did not stop. That same quiet joy has followed me ever since. It’s the joy of standing up, of helping, of serving—whether the task is big or small.

    Notes from President Monson

    “Unless we lose ourselves in service to others, there is little purpose to our own lives.”

    “Man’s greatest happiness comes from losing himself for the good of others.”

    “At baptism we covenanted to bear one another’s burdens, that they may be light.”

    “How many times has your heart been touched as you have witnessed the need of another? How often have you intended to be the one to help—and yet life’s busyness interfered?”

    Perspective

    President Monson’s words reached deep this week. I saw how easy it is to get lost in endless to-dos, alerts, and deadlines—the “thick of thin things.” Service, however, brings focus. When I choose to help, I find peace. When I act, I feel alive again. The Savior’s example is the ultimate model of losing oneself in love and lifting others quietly, consistently, and completely.

    Practice

    Today, not someday, I can serve—by listening more, forgiving faster, and stepping forward even when tired. True discipleship isn’t about grand gestures; it’s in the small, unseen moments where compassion overrides convenience.

    Final Reflection

    Each time I walk past the temple, I’m reminded: service sanctifies. The light that falls upon its walls is the same light that can fill our hearts when we give of ourselves freely. The world doesn’t need our perfection—it needs our presence.

    Pocket I’m Keeping

    When I help someone quietly, heaven notices loudly.

    What I Hear Now

    “We become so caught up in the busyness of our lives… too often we spend most of our time taking care of the things which do not really matter much at all in the grand scheme of things.”

    Link to the Talk

    What Have I Done for Someone Today — President Thomas S. Monson (October 2009 General Conference)

    © 2012–2025 Jet Mariano. All rights reserved.
    For usage terms, please see the Legal Disclaimer.

  • The Unwavering Light (Manila Philippines Temple)

    Manila Philippines Temple — I waited for the exact second the sun aligned with the spire. The light pierced through just as if Heaven itself whispered, “I’m still here.”

    Excerpt

    The sun hid behind the spire—then broke through. That light reminded me of a different storm long ago, when a screen turned blue, and I learned that faith and persistence are built the same way: line upon line, brick by brick.

    Intro

    November 1999. The world was bracing for Y2K. I was working for an aerospace company in Carson, California, getting ready to drive my parents to LAX for their flight to the Philippines. Before leaving, I decided to double-check our Veritas backup on the Exchange 5.5 server running on Windows NT 4.0. Then came the dreaded BSOD—Blue Screen of Death.

    My shift was supposed to end at 4 PM Friday. I didn’t go home until Monday morning. No sleep, no shortcuts—just brick-by-brick rebuilding until email was restored. I missed saying goodbye to my parents, but I kept the company connected.

    Notes from Elder Maxwell

    “You’ve all been in a storm… when you couldn’t see the sun but you knew it was still there. Likewise, in the stormy and dark moments of life know that the Son of God is always there. His light will never go out.”

    That quote became my anchor—both in IT and in life.

    Perspective

    That night taught me more than any certification. There was no Google, no AI, no online forums—just manuals, backups, and faith that the system could rise again. Today, AI fixes in seconds what once took days. But the light that kept me going then still burns now: the belief that persistence itself is a form of faith.

    Practice (today, not someday)

    • When systems—or souls—crash, don’t panic. Pause, breathe, and build.
    • Keep working, even if it’s one file or one prayer at a time.
    • Remember: the Light is constant, even if the screen goes dark.

    Final Reflection

    The Manila Temple photo symbolizes that memory. When the sun broke through the spire, I felt the same quiet assurance I knew in 1999: He never left me. The blue screen, the missed flight, the fatigue—it was all part of learning that perseverance is light in motion.

    Pocket I’m Keeping

    The Light never goes out—only our view of it does.

    What I Hear Now

    “Faith is not seeing the light; it’s working until it returns.”

    © 2012–2025 Jet Mariano. All rights reserved.
    For usage terms, please see the Legal Disclaimer.

  • The Night I Wouldn’t Quit (Seattle Temple, 14°F)

    Seattle Washington Temple — 14°F, suit and tie, icy pavement underfoot. I slipped once, stood again, and framed this shot while the moon played peek-a-boo above the spire. My camera gear cushioned the fall, my faith kept me standing.

    Excerpt

    Sometimes the light we chase nearly costs us everything. But when we stand back up—cold, bruised, and trembling—we find not just the shot, but the story that defines us.

    Intro

    It was 14°F in Seattle. I was dressed in a suit and tie for a wedding when the moon began to play peek-a-boo behind the temple spire. I scouted the icy pavement for the right angle, slipped hard, and hit the ground. My camera backpack broke the fall. Still, I stayed—shot after shot—until my legs began to stiffen from the cold. Gathering what energy I had left, I ran toward the temple’s visitor center. Kind hands brought me into a heated room and warmed me back to life.
    That night reminded me why I rarely back down—from freezing weather, failing systems, or storms that test the soul. The temple stood unshaken, and so did I.

    Why I kept going: It wasn’t skill—it was discipline. A simple, healthy routine and a promise to avoid quick fixes helped me stay steady. I’m not the smartest; I’m just “never say die.” I started from zero, and service keeps me moving.

    Notes from {Speaker}

    • Courage isn’t the absence of cold; it’s pressing the shutter before the light fades.
    • Sometimes the miracle isn’t surviving—it’s still choosing to serve after you do.
    • The temple teaches us that endurance and grace can share the same frame.

    Perspective

    In IT, storms don’t always come from the sky—they come from critical outages, failed updates, and people relying on you at impossible hours. I’ve faced those too—sometimes while boarding flights or crossing oceans. I was in the Philippines before COVID and still handled tickets for a U.S. client. At Incheon Airport, I restored a VM. In Western Samoa, I fixed email for a company thousands of miles away. Once, 29,000 feet above ground, my soft-phone rang mid-flight—Tahiti users couldn’t send email. I helped them anyway.
    You could call me a workaholic. I call it love for helping people.

    Practice (today, not someday)

    • When fatigue hits, serve once more—small acts reignite large faith.
    • Write down one storm you’ve survived and what it taught you.
    • Find a temple—or a quiet place—and let stillness thaw your heart.

    Final Reflection

    My life has felt like a series of tours of duty—local government, universities, law firms, manufacturing, perinatal, and home builders—each relying on me as a “Swiss knife” of IT. After the 2012 recession, I lost clients but not calling. I passed the business to my son and returned to corporate life in 2014.

    “Vacation?” I can’t recall one. Every trip seemed to bring a new emergency. But I’ve learned to see service as my rest—because helping others is where my soul finds warmth. I’ve done this since before Google or AI existed, when documentation came from books and discipline.

    Through it all, the pattern holds—stand a little longer, look for the moon, run for warmth when you must, and let the temple remind you that light is never lost to the cold.

    Pocket I’m Keeping

    Light is rarely free; it asks something of us.

    What I Hear Now

    “If the only thing you take into the storm is faith, it will be enough.”
    “Composition comes back after compassion—first for yourself, then for others.”

    Link to the Talk

    My IT Journey — the long road that led to that frozen night at the Seattle Temple.

    © 2012–2025 Jet Mariano. All rights reserved.
    For usage terms, please see the Legal Disclaimer.

  • MIT8: “The Healing Power of Service”

    Lightning breaks over Saratoga Springs Temple—framed through the open driver’s window, with rain reflections and the flower bed lit by my Tesla.

    Behind the Shot (BTS)

    I waited patiently for the perfect lightning strike, switching my iPhone to video mode so I could later capture the exact frame. I parked strategically, rolled down the driver’s window, and composed the scene—rain-slick path, temple reflection, and the flower bed on the left illuminated by my Tesla’s headlights. I took over fifty shots, braving 55-mph winds and heavy rain until I was drenched to the bone.

    Tesla’s Summon feature became my safety net—it allows the car to move itself up to 20 feet in a straight line. I’ve visited this temple many times and know exactly where to park during storms like this. When the lightning finally hit, my car quietly rolled beside me, heater set to 75°, ready to bring warmth after the storm.

    Excerpt

    Setbacks lose their sting when we turn outward. The surest cure for heaviness of heart is to lift another’s. In serving, we find strength we didn’t know we still had.

    Intro

    After proxy endowment at the Saratoga Springs Temple, rain came hard—55 mph winds, lightning cracking over the spire. I was soaked through but determined to capture the moment. This week was one of the toughest—under the weather, training a new engineer, racing the Windows 10 → 11 deadline. Yet, even weary, I pressed on. Elder Neal A. Maxwell once said, “When difficulties come, don’t feel sorry for yourself. Lose yourself in service… When you feel down, lift other people up.” That truth steadied me more than the storm.

    Perspective

    In IT, storms don’t always come from the sky—they come from deadlines, downtime, and people who depend on you. The temptation to withdraw is strong, but the gospel has taught me that light returns when I reach outward. Service becomes medicine: teaching, fixing, lifting, sharing, mentoring. Each act reorders the soul toward purpose. The temple reminded me that the Lord’s work never pauses for weather, and neither should mine.

    Practice (today, not someday)

    When exhaustion whispers, “You’ve done enough,” I’ll answer with quiet action. I’ll keep helping the next person who needs guidance—whether that’s a coworker puzzled by PowerShell or a friend weighed down by unseen battles. The Savior’s healing always flowed outward; so must mine.

    Final Reflection

    The downpour cleansed more than the temple steps—it washed away my self-pity. I realized that serving amid struggle doesn’t drain me; it refills me. My soaked jacket, cold hands, and the warmth of my car’s heater at 75° felt symbolic: heaven never leaves its servants freezing in the storm.

    Pocket I’m Keeping

    “Lose yourself in service.” When the clouds gather again, I’ll remember this night of lightning and light—how the act of giving steadied the heart that was slipping.

    What I Hear Now

    “Lift others. That’s how I’ll lift you.”
    The whisper wasn’t from the wind but from the One who calms it.

    © 2012–2025 Jet Mariano. All rights reserved.
    For usage terms, please see the Legal Disclaimer.

  • MIT8 – Bad breaks and trusting the Lord

    Super Harvest Moon rising through thin clouds over the Draper Utah Temple. Double exposure, short telephoto (70–100 mm f/2.8) on tripod.

    Excerpt
    Setbacks aren’t a verdict; they’re the venue. What feels like a bad break can become a disguised doorway when we trust the Lord’s larger view.

    Intro
    Elder Neal A. Maxwell taught that “bad breaks need not ruin a good man or a good woman… so often in life opportunity comes disguised as tragedy,” and, “trust the Lord, for He sees your possibilities even when you do not.” Those lines met me this week. Sleep was thin, appetite gone, heart stretched—but even the stretch nudged me heavenward.

    Perspective
    There are no super heroes in IT—no capes, no instant rescues. Systems fail, humans tire, plans bend. The real test is not whether I dodge hard things but whether I meet them with faith, honesty, and steady work. Joseph didn’t waste Egypt, and Job didn’t waste ash and silence. I don’t want to waste my own classroom of adversity.

    Practice (today, not someday)

    • Whisper a prayer of trust: “Lord, I choose to keep trying.”
    • Do one quiet act of goodness for someone who can’t repay you.
    • Write a single line of gratitude for help you didn’t expect.
    • Sit in a patch of light—outside or by a window—and breathe until your shoulders lower.

    Final Reflection
    Worry took sleep and appetite, yet the Lord met me in the stretch. He didn’t remove the weight; He strengthened my will and widened my view. A bad break does not define me; how I walk through it, with Him, refines me.

    Pocket I’m Keeping
    “Proving is strengthening.” When the wind rises, roots go deeper.

    What I Hear Now
    Be steadfast. Keep moving toward Me. I know how to carry you.

    © 2012–2025 Jet Mariano. All rights reserved.
    For usage terms, please see the Legal Disclaimer.

  • Hidden in Plain Sight: Camouflage, Storms, and the Light That Never Fades

    Green dragonfly camouflaged among yellow-green croton leaves; wings catch a thin line of light.

    Excerpt

    A dragonfly vanishes into the croton leaves—nearly invisible until the light catches its wings. Even when we can’t see, the Light is still there.

    Intro

    Elder Neal A. Maxwell compared life’s dark weather to a storm where we cannot see the sun but know it is still there. Likewise, in our stormy moments the Son of God remains constant. This image of a camouflaged dragonfly became a quiet parable of that promise.

    Notes from Elder Maxwell

    • “You’ve all been in a storm… when you couldn’t see the sun but you knew it was still there. Likewise… the Son of God is always there. His light will never go out.”
    • Hope is not wishful thinking; it is trust in a steady, unwavering Light.
    • Our task is to keep moving by faith when sight is momentarily withheld.

    Perspective

    Camouflage works because color and pattern mimic the surroundings. Fear does the same—blending truth into the noise until guidance seems gone. But the Light hasn’t moved. Shift your angle, breathe, and let the glare settle; suddenly the wings glint, and direction returns.

    Practice (today, not someday)

    • When anxiety spikes, pause and pray: “I know You’re here even if I can’t see.”
    • Name one current “storm,” then write one way Christ has lifted you before.
    • Look for small glints—scripture lines, kindness, music—that catch the light.

    Final Reflection

    Faith is the discipline of remembering the sun in a storm and the Savior in shadow. The scene may hide Him for a moment; it cannot extinguish Him.

    Pocket I’m Keeping

    “His light will never go out.”

    What I Hear Now

    Hold course. Let Me be your fixed point while the weather passes.

    © 2012–2025 Jet Mariano. All rights reserved.
    For usage terms, please see the Legal Disclaimer.

  • Waiting for Wings: Patience, Light, and a Morning Butterfly

    Morning butterfly perched on a dew-tipped blade of grass, reflected in still water as sun rays break through—an image of quiet patience and light.

    Excerpt

    Patience is not indifference—it’s caring deeply and trusting God’s timing. This image came from quiet hours beside dew and light, waiting for a butterfly to choose the leaf.

    Intro

    Elder Neal A. Maxwell taught that patience is “caring very much” while submitting to “the process of time.” It partners with faith, agency, humility, and love. Photographers know that rhythm: you prepare, you wait, you don’t rush the scene—and grace arrives.

    Link to the Devotional

    “Patience” by Elder Neal A. Maxwell (BYU Devotional)

    Notes from Elder Maxwell

    • Patience isn’t passive; it’s faithful submission to God’s wiser timetable.
    • We “run with patience,” not a sprint—enduring well, not merely long.
    • Patience protects agency—we don’t force outcomes or people.
    • It ripens discernment: we learn what matters most and let lesser things rest.
    • Tribulation “worketh patience,” which yields experience and the “peaceable fruit of righteousness.”

    Photo Field Notes

    Early-morning dew, low angle, and stillness. I set a full-frame body with a Nikon 105mm f/2.8G on a spider tripod, remote trigger attached. I hid off-axis, letting the leaf steady and the light settle. The butterfly came only when the world quieted enough to feel safe. Exposure and focus were ready—the rest required waiting.

    Perspective

    Macro work is a sermon in inches. If I keep opening the “oven door,” the scene falls flat. When I trust the light, honor the creature’s freedom, and wait, the frame fills with reverence. So it is with discipleship: God’s work in us is real but rarely rushed.

    Practice (today, not someday)

    • Replace one hurry with one holy pause.
    • Let someone else’s agency breathe; resist “fixing.”
    • Choose one worthy thing and stay with it past the fidgets.
    • Pray, “Let patience have her perfect work in me.”

    Final Reflection

    Patience is obedience prolonged—faith that keeps the shutter half-pressed until grace enters the frame. God’s timing is not late; it is luminous.

    Pocket I’m Keeping

    “Patience makes possible a personal spiritual symmetry.” (Maxwell)

    What I Hear Now

    Wait with Me. I’m shaping both the moment and you.

    © 2012–2025 Jet Mariano. All rights reserved.
    For usage terms, please see the Legal Disclaimer.

  • Sunflower Faith: Strength to Keep Trying

    a monarch resting on a sunflower — a living parable of light, patience, and lift.

    Excerpt

    When trials feel like too much, remember: the Lord proves us to strengthen us. Like a butterfly on a sunflower, we are held up by light we didn’t make and warmth we didn’t earn.

    Intro

    Elder Henry B. Eyring taught that through the glorious Atonement, Jesus Christ knows exactly how to succor us. Strength doesn’t grow in comfort; it grows when we feel stretched beyond what we thought we could bear. If we continue in faith — especially when it feels impossible — we become spiritually stronger.

    Notes from Conference (Oct 5, 2025 General Conference)

    • Christ can succor perfectly because He has felt every mortal challenge.
    • Proving times are strengthening times, not signs of abandonment.
    • Discipleship is continuing — never giving up, always trying again in Him.
    • Faith while it’s hard invites His power to change us.

    Perspective

    God is mindful — of sunflowers and butterflies, and even more of souls. Elder Neal A. Maxwell reminded us that there are more stars than grains of sand, yet “souls matter more than stars.” If heaven attends to sparrows and petals, it will not forget your name, your tears, or your next step.

    Practice (today, not someday)

    • Whisper a prayer of trust: “Lord, I choose to keep trying.”
    • Do one small act of goodness for someone who can’t repay you.
    • Write a line of gratitude for help you didn’t expect.
    • Sit in a patch of light — outside or by a window — and breathe until your shoulders lower.

    Final Reflection

    The Atonement is not just rescue; it is renewable strength. Trials may bend us, but in Christ they do not break us. Keep turning your face to the light. He will meet you where courage runs thin and hope begins again.

    Pocket I’m Keeping

    “Proving is strengthening.” When the wind rises, roots go deeper.

    What I Hear Now

    Be steadfast. Keep moving toward Me. I know how to carry you.

    © 2012–2025 Jet Mariano. All rights reserved.
    For usage terms, please see the Legal Disclaimer.

  • MIT8 – “Watching the river run”

    “watching the river run” — Big Cottonwood Canyon, Utah. Long-exposure fall stream; motion becomes grace.
    Shot very low on a tripod with remote shutter. 4-second exposure at f/11, ISO 200 to smooth the water like silk while keeping the scene crisp.

    Excerpt

    The current is fast and the banks are close—but I can still choose calm. Today I’m learning that peacemaking starts inside me, then flows outward.

    Intro

    This stream looks like my week—swirl, speed, and color. I can’t control every bend, but I can decide the spirit I bring into each conversation.

    Notes from Elder Gary E. Stevenson(Oct 4, 2025 Sat AM GC)

    • Peacemaking is a Christlike attribute that begins in hearts, then homes, then communities.
    • It requires courage and wise compromise without sacrificing principle.
    • Lead with open hearts, not closed minds; extended hands, not clenched fists.
    • Taught by Jesus Christ in scripture and reaffirmed by living prophets today.

    Notes from Elder Kelly R. Johnson(Oct 4, 2025 Sat AM GC)

    • Seek validation vertically, not horizontally.
    • When others try to label us by weaknesses, stand strong in who we truly are—children of God.
    • Identity in Christ anchors peacemaking; it removes the need to win and invites us to love.
    • President Russell M. Nelson has taught that using labels can breed animosity, judging, and division; peacemakers look past labels to divine identity.

    Perspective

    Peace isn’t pretending tensions don’t exist. It’s choosing the Lord’s way—firm in truth, soft in tone, willing to listen, ready to reconcile. Knowing whose I am steadies who I am, so I don’t need to fight for labels or approval.

    Practice (today, not someday)

    Stop: rehearsing comebacks; seeking validation from reactions and “likes.”
    Start: pray before hard talks; state principles clearly, then ask sincere questions; offer one olive-branch action (thanks, brief apology, or specific help); write “I am a child of God” at the top of today’s notes.

    Final reflection

    Rivers carve rock not by force but by steadiness. Peacemaking works the same—courageous, principled, and patient because my identity is anchored in Him.

    Pocket I’m keeping

    Extended hands, not clenched fists—rooted in the quiet confidence of a child of God.

    What I hear now

    Be brave and gentle. Hold to truth. Let peace start in your heart and flow to your words.

    © 2012–2025 Jet Mariano. All rights reserved.
    For usage terms, please see the Legal Disclaimer.

  • Soul-Stretching Days: Learning to Let God Shape Me

    Night setup: Nikon 14–24mm f/2.8G on tripod • Manual/Bulb • 30-second exposure • f/2.8 • ISO 2400

    Excerpt
    It struck on a day I never expected—like the day I lost my father, on my birthday. The same jolt ⚡️ twice. Bitter and sweet at once.

    Intro
    Some experiences arrive unannounced and unforgettable. The day held joy—time with loved ones, a wonderful dinner, thoughtful gifts 🎁 (I treasure shirts and cologne and keep them for years). Yet the soul-stretching overshadowed the sweetness, and the ache still lingers.

    Notes from Elder Neal A. Maxwell
    • “It takes time to prepare for eternity.”
    • God customizes our curriculum—He gives what we need, not always what we like.
    • Discipleship is daily; steady choosing matters more than dramatic moments.
    • Meekness is strength under control.
    • Cheerfully submit: trust His timing and tutoring.
    • Be grounded and settled in Christ to endure well, not just long.

    Perspective
    The lingering pain doesn’t mean I failed; it means the lesson matters. Like completed IT projects etched in memory, some days don’t fade—they shape.

    Practice (today, not someday)
    • Pause to breathe and pray before I speak.
    • Trade rumination for one small act of service.
    • Write three lines of gratitude (including a gift I’ll lovingly keep).
    • Use meek words with firm boundaries.

    Final Reflection
    Bitter because it hurt. Sweet because love showed up. Both can be true while God stretches my capacity for trust and kindness.

    Pocket I’m keeping
    “Customized by a loving Father.” Not random storms—tailored tutoring.

    What I hear now
    Be still. Do the next right thing. Let Me do the shaping.

    © 2012–2025 Jet Mariano. All rights reserved.
    For usage terms, please see the Legal Disclaimer.

  • President Russell M. Nelson (1924–2025) — A Tribute | Marked In Time

    One of yesterday’s frames at Deseret Peak. Thank you, President Nelson, for teaching me where peace lives—inside the temple, inside covenants.

    Excerpt

    Nearly eight years he pointed us to Christ, the temple, and higher thinking. I saw one change up close: the move from LDS.org to ChurchofJesusChrist.org—sacred identity, careful work, and no lost mail.

    Intro

    Last night I felt both loss and gratitude. President Nelson’s invitations—think celestial, be a peacemaker, focus on the temple—have become a rhythm for me. One moment from his ministry is personal: I was on the support email engineering team during the transition from LDS.org to ChurchofJesusChrist.org and the updated Church symbol. Behind the scenes, we prayed, planned, and tested so identity would be clear and messages wouldn’t drop. MX, routing rules, list servers, SPF, DKIM, and countless aliases—all touched, all safeguarded so the Lord’s work could keep moving without a missed heartbeat.

    Notes from President Nelson

    • Correct the name of the Church and center everything on Jesus Christ.
    • Focus on the temple; go more often; live inside your covenants.
    • Home centered, Church supported worship; two hour Sunday schedule.
    • From home teaching to ministering—people over checklists.
    • Accelerate temple building; take covenants to more of God’s children.
    • Keep the Restoration moving; methods can adjust while doctrine remains.
    • Peacemakers needed; lift our gaze—think celestial.

    Witness — two moments that shaped him

    • 1976 flight: in a small prop plane, an engine “burst open and caught on fire,” the aircraft dropped in a spiral, the flames went out, and they landed safely.
    • 2009 Mozambique: armed robbers put a gun to his head and pulled the trigger—“the gun did not fire”—and he and Sister Wendy felt the Lord’s peace and protection.

    Foundation parallel — Salt Lake Temple and spiritual earthquakes

    President Nelson used the renovation of the Salt Lake Temple’s foundation as a living parable. Engineers are reinforcing stone to withstand earthquakes and time; likewise, we take “extraordinary measures” to strengthen our personal spiritual foundations so we can stand steady when life shakes.

    “Whenever any kind of upheaval occurs in your life, the safest place to be spiritually is living inside your temple covenants.”
    A simple promise, and it matches my experience: when I live inside covenants, spiritual earthquakes don’t topple me—they tutor me.

    Perspective — direct quotes

    “I promise that increased time in the temple will bless your life in ways nothing else can.”
    “Whenever any kind of upheaval occurs in your life, the safest place to be spiritually is living inside your temple covenants.”

    Practice — today, not someday

    • Temple rhythm: two visits a week when possible, with time to linger in the Celestial Room.
    • Ministering: one person to love and lift this week—quietly.
    • Peacemaking: choose the soft answer once a day.
    • Think celestial: make one decision with eternity in mind.

    Final Reflection

    Deseret Peak yesterday surprised me—the far drive, the light under the arch, and a whisper I needed. Layton’s pools, Syracuse’s grasses, Taylorsville’s familiar glow, Saratoga Springs where I first learned to notice the nudge—each room speaks differently, yet the message is the same: build on Christ. President Nelson’s legacy feels very close to the ground for me—temples and small daily choices that shape a life. Foundations strengthened. Identity clarified. The work moves forward.

    Pocket I’m Keeping

    Safest place spiritually—inside my temple covenants.

    What I Hear Now — direct quotes

    Focus on the temple.
    Think celestial.

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  • Marked in Time — “Focus on the Temple”

    Deseret Peak Utah Temple at sunset—sunbeams radiating behind the spire; foreground includes a ONE WAY sign and sweeping curve leading to the grounds.

    Excerpt

    There’s one way that never fails: return to the temple. Time there refines the soul and tunes it to Christ.

    Intro

    The sun dropped behind the Oquirrhs and the rays split the sky while I stood by a road sign that simply read ONE WAY—its arrow bending toward the House of the Lord. That felt exactly right. My weeks are fuller and messier than I can say, yet the path that steadies me is singular: one way to the Celestial Room. I need that room every week. Every temple where I’ve lingered long in that quiet has offered a different whisper—no adjectives in English quite fit, only awe and a desire to stay.

    Notes from President Nelson

    • The Savior appeared to the Nephites at the temple—His house is filled with His power.
    • The Lord is accelerating temple building and access across the earth.
    • Increased time in the temple blesses life in ways nothing else can.
    • The temple helps gather Israel and spiritually refine disciples.
    • A living prophet invites us to focus on the temple in ways we never have before.

    Perspective — direct quotes

    “I promise that increased time in the temple will bless your life in ways nothing else can.”
    “It is significant that the Savior chose to appear to the people at the temple.”

    Practice — today, not someday

    1. Weekly Celestial Room: plan one session each week and leave time to linger.
    2. Temple-first calendar: schedule temple time before the week fills with everything else.
    3. Gathering habit: bring a name or help someone get to the temple each month.

    Final Reflection

    The sign says One Way. President Nelson’s promise makes the direction clear: choose the temple, and the Lord will shape the heart in ways nothing else can. Windows glowed, rays fanned the sky, and I felt the familiar nudge—be here often, let Christ refine you.

    Pocket I’m Keeping

    “One way to peace and power this week: go to the temple.”

    What I Hear Now — direct quotes

    “Focus on the temple.”
    “He is making His temples more accessible.”

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    For usage terms, please see the Legal Disclaimer.

  • MIT8 – “The Temple and Your Spiritual Foundation”

    Deseret Peak Utah Temple — blue hour after a 4:30 PM proxy endowment. Foundation steady, heart steady.

    Excerpt

    When life shakes, covenants hold. The temple is where Jesus Christ strengthens my foundation so I can stand steady through any upheaval.

    Intro

    I drove west to Tooele Valley for a late-afternoon proxy endowment at the new Deseret Peak Temple. It became a 5‑hour sacred errand—2 hours round‑trip, 2 hours in ordinance and 30 quiet minutes in the Celestial Room, and 1 hour making photographs at last light. President Nelson’s words about foundations felt tailor‑made for this day.

    Notes from President Nelson

    • The Salt Lake Temple’s seismic retrofit is a living parable: strengthen the foundation to withstand future shaking.
    • Our safest spiritual place is inside our temple covenants.
    • The temple centers us on Jesus Christ—His doctrine, ordinances, and power.
    • The Restoration continues; methods adjust by revelation while doctrine remains.
    • If distance or health limits attendance, rehearse your covenants and let Him teach you.
    • Go more often, not less; the temple becomes safety, solace, and revelation.
    • Build now—before the spiritual earthquakes come.

    Perspective — direct quotes

    “Whenever any kind of upheaval occurs in your life, the safest place to be spiritually is living inside your temple covenants.”
    “How firm is your foundation?”
    “Everything taught in the temple increases our understanding of Jesus Christ.”

    Practice — today, not someday

    1. Foundation checks: After each temple visit, write one way I’ll anchor to Christ this week.
    2. Covenant rehearsal: Set a weekly 10‑minute block to review the promises I’ve made and the power He offers.
    3. Regular appointments: Put the next proxy session on the calendar before leaving the parking lot.

    Final Reflection

    Looking through the arch toward a glowing House of the Lord, I felt why foundations matter. The drive, the ordinance, the quiet—each pressed me deeper into the covenant path. Cameras can’t capture the weight of peace, but they can remind me where it’s found. President Nelson’s plea is mercifully simple: strengthen the foundation now. The shaking will come; Christ holds.

    Pocket I’m Keeping

    “Safest place to be—inside my temple covenants.”

    What I Hear Now — direct quotes

    “If ye are prepared ye shall not fear.”
    “How firm a foundation.”

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  • Marked In Time – “Stand in Holy Places”

    Layton Utah Temple — late afternoon, sun crowning the spire; shallow haze for a soft halo; foreground reds as a living border. iPhone, 26mm equiv.

    Excerpt

    In a shifting world, God’s laws don’t move. Standing in holy places anchors my heart and tunes my ears to revelation—often quiet, always real.

    Intro

    I came to the Layton Temple in July needing steadiness. Technology breaks, schedules slip, even good plans go sideways. Inside the temple, the noise falls away. President Monson’s call to “stand … in holy places, and be not moved” landed fresh. I felt why the Lord invites us to keep covenants and come back often—the temple is where He re-centers the soul.

    Notes from President Monson

    • God’s commandments are constant; they are commandments, not suggestions.
    • Prayer is our lifeline; God answers—in ways we recognize as we practice.
    • The world’s moral compass drifts, but Christ’s gospel holds steady.
    • Revelation comes when we’re worthy, willing, and in the right places.
    • Holy places (temples, homes, sacrament) give peace to weather life’s storms.
    • Inspiration is to be trusted and acted upon.

    Perspective — direct quotes

    “The Ten Commandments are just that—commandments.”
    “Our Father in Heaven is the same yesterday, today, and forever.”
    “Watch and pray always.”
    “Stand … in holy places, and be not moved.”

    Practice — today, not someday

    1. Temple time: schedule my next endowment/initiatory before I leave this post.
    2. Daily prayer slots: five quiet minutes morning and night—no phone, just scripture and a kneeling prayer.
    3. Holy ground at home: set a small, uncluttered spot for scripture, journal, and temple card—use it daily.

    Final Reflection

    In July I brought a hurried heart to the Layton Temple and left carrying peace. President Monson reminded me that God’s laws don’t flex with culture, and that revelation often whispers when I’m where He wants me to be. The temple slowed me to the Lord’s pace. It didn’t erase my problems, but it reframed them. I can face outages, delays, and disappointments without losing center. Holiness isn’t escape; it’s alignment. When I choose the Lord’s places, I hear the Lord’s voice.

    Pocket I’m Keeping

    “Stand in holy places, and be not moved.” One line to carry into every room this week.

    What I Hear Now — direct quotes

    “The work of righteousness shall be peace.”
    “Draw near unto me and I will draw near unto you.”

    A Moment That Marked Me — Frankfurt, 1987 (Monson)

    President Monson told how, during the Frankfurt Germany Temple dedication, he felt a clear impression to call Peter Mourik as the first speaker—even after being told Brother Mourik wasn’t in the building. Trusting the Spirit, he announced him anyway. At that very moment, Brother Mourik felt prompted across town to drive to the temple and walked in as his name was called. This experience witnesses that worthy, timely impressions can be trusted—the Lord coordinates details we cannot see.

    Advantages of Standing in Holy Places (my takeaways)

    • Clarity: Temples tune the heart; choices sort into wise vs. unwise.
    • Protection: Covenants set boundaries that keep me safe when the world blurs lines.
    • Power to Act: The Spirit gives courage to do right things in the right order.
    • Peace: The promised effect of righteousness is quietness and assurance forever.
    • Memory: Heaven records; the temple helps me remember who I am and whose I am.

    Link to the Talk / Source

    Official text: Stand in Holy Places — President Thomas S. Monson.

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    For usage terms, please see the Legal Disclaimer.

  • MIT8 — “Don’t You Quit” (Disneyland Fireworks)

    Sleeping Beauty Castle during the fireworks, framed by the Partners statue. Tripod + remote shutter, long exposure on the 14–24mm f/2.8G. Manual focus, no flash.

    Why this fits Elder Holland

    Elder Jeffrey R. Holland: “Don’t you quit. You keep walking. You keep trying. There is help and happiness ahead… Some blessings come soon, some come late… but they come.”
    Fireworks are a patience test. You compose in the dark, wait through false starts, and trust the next burst will fill the sky. That is discipleship in miniature: keep your place, stay steady, believe light is coming.

    Pocket I’m keeping

    When life feels like a long exposure with nothing on the sensor yet, don’t touch the tripod. Hold your ground. Keep praying, keep working, keep walking. The frame will fill.

    BTS (how I made it)

    • Arrived early to anchor composition on Walt & Mickey leading to the castle and sky
    • Tripod low, remote shutter to avoid vibration; manual focus set before showtime
    • Long exposure to “draw” fans and heart-shapes in the air; no flash to keep ambient color
    • Wide at 14–18mm to include crowd, statue, castle, and sky in one story

    Final reflection

    Walt’s “dreams come true” meets Elder Holland’s “don’t you quit.” Courage starts the dream; covenant faith finishes it. Stay close to Christ and keep moving—light always finds the faithful.

    © 2012–2025 Jet Mariano. All rights reserved.
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  • MIT8 — “Roses, Stone, and Sky”

    Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland framed by morning roses and a still moat. Low-angle composition, layered foreground-to-background for color, structure, and reflection.

    Intro

    The castle is storybook stone, but the roses are living color. Faith is like that—rooted, seasonal, and bright against whatever feels immovable.

    Excerpt

    I framed this low in the rose bed to stack three layers: blooms, castle, and reflection. The flowers pull you in, the bridge and turrets anchor the middle, and the sky opens the scene. The castle gets most of the attention, but the roses do the inviting.

    Notes from the Devotional

    “Make Jesus the light of your life. And then by his light, see everything else.” — Elder Neal A. Maxwell
    When the Light is first, everything else makes sense.

    Perspective

    “Sometimes it is better to be left out than to be taken in… It is better for you to be alienated from the gang than to be alienated from God.” — Elder Maxwell
    Beauty is not popularity; it’s alignment. Choose the view that keeps you closest to the Light.

    Practice (today, not someday)

    “Obeying is one of the best ways of exploring.” — Elder Maxwell
    Honor park rules and guests. Work within limits: arrive early, stay off the beds, wait for gaps in foot traffic, and compose from the edge.

    Final Reflection

    “Trust the Lord for he sees your possibilities even when you do not.” — Elder Maxwell
    The bloom you notice is rarely the only one ready to open. In time, a whole garden appears.

    Pocket I’m Keeping

    “Be very careful about what you let come inside your storehouse of memories. Those memories will be there for a very long time.” — Elder Maxwell
    I want a storehouse full of color and peace—moments of quiet light with people I love.

    Behind the Shot

    • location: Sleeping Beauty Castle, Disneyland
    • approach: arrive early; look for still water in the moat for a clean reflection; use flowers as a foreground frame
    • composition: very low angle, flowers as leading foreground, bridge arches and turrets for structure, negative space in the sky
    • settings (starting point): 16–24 mm, f/8–f/11, base ISO, shutter as needed; confirm nearest bloom focus; keep verticals natural
    • etiquette: stay out of the beds; don’t block paths; be quick and kind with guests and cast

    © 2012–2025 Jet Mariano. All rights reserved.
    For usage terms, please see the Legal Disclaimer.

  • MIT8 — “The Dog With the Keys”

    Pirates of the Caribbean, Disneyland — the dog with the keys. Captured from a moving boat, manual exposure, 24mm at f/2.8, high ISO, no flash allowed.

    Intro

    The pirates beg; the dog holds the keys. It’s funny—and it’s a mirror. The way out is often right in front of us, but we still have to earn it: patience, timing, and steady hands in the dark.

    Excerpt

    No flash, no tripod, no second chances—just a drifting boat, dim lantern light, and the moment you either catch or miss. I rode the attraction several times, dialed in manual settings, and waited for the boat to line up with the dog and the bars. The frame finally clicked when the scene, the motion, and my breathing all settled together.

    Notes from the Devotional

    “Righteousness has to become a matter of reflex.” — Elder Neal A. Maxwell
    When the light is low and everything moves, you don’t have time to analyze; you respond because you’ve practiced. That’s true for cameras and character.

    Perspective

    “Don’t be discouraged if, in your lifetime, you seem surrounded and outnumbered.” — Elder Maxwell
    Surrounded by bars? Sometimes the key is closer than it feels. Keep your eye on it—and keep reaching.

    Practice (today, not someday)

    “Obeying is one of the best ways of exploring.” — Elder Maxwell
    Honor the rules of the ride—no flash photography is allowed—then explore within those limits: open your aperture, raise ISO, steady your body, and work the timing on each pass.

    Final Reflection

    “Believe in yourself not only for what you now are but for what you have the power to become.” — Elder Maxwell
    Low light doesn’t mean no light. There’s enough light to grow if you learn how to see it.

    Pocket I’m keeping

    “Be very careful about what you let come inside your storehouse of memories.” — Elder Maxwell
    This frame reminds me to stock my mind with moments earned by patience and restraint, not shortcuts.

    Behind the Shot

    • location: Pirates of the Caribbean, Disneyland
    • camera: full-frame body, 24mm f/1.4G
    • settings: manual, f/2.8, high ISO, shutter fast enough to freeze boat bobble
    • constraints: moving boat, dim practicals, absolutely no flash allowed
    • approach: rode multiple times, pre-focused, timed shutter as boat paralleled the dog

    Tips if you want this shot

    1. flash is not allowed on this ride—respect the rules, the show, and other guests
    2. use manual exposure; start around f/2.8, 1/125s, ISO 6400–12800 and adjust
    3. stabilize with breath control and elbows tucked; shoot short bursts as the boat glides parallel
    4. ride again; patience is part of the art

    © 2012–2025 Jet Mariano. All rights reserved.
    For usage terms, please see the Legal Disclaimer.

  • Dreams Come True (On Quiet Nights at the Castle)

    Sleeping Beauty Castle after closing, colors breathing against a quiet walkway. Handheld patience, not luck.

    Story
    I didn’t grow up thinking “bucket list.” I just liked being with my family and carrying a camera. During my consulting years we were blessed with no-blockout annual passes to Disneyland and Disney California Adventure. I only share that to explain why we have so many pictures there—and so many good memories. The park was our long walk after a long week.

    I wasn’t chasing rides. Most nights I was chasing light. My kids and my wife did their favorites, and I did mine: “it’s a small world” for the melody I can’t shake and “Soarin’” for the way it makes your heart feel bigger than your chest. Between those two, I was usually off finding a quiet corner to photograph, waiting for the crowd to thin the way a tide pulls back.

    We spent more than a few Christmas Eves at the Disneyland Hotel and Christmas Day in the park—again, not to show off, just to be together somewhere that made us smile. In other seasons, when I worked with an aerospace team and later in perinatal healthcare, our groups sometimes held Christmas parties at Disneyland. I’d still slip away for a few minutes, because the castle looks different every night, and the fireworks give you one more excuse to try again.

    A lot of those photos are still on old memory cards from three cameras. I know—process them already. But there’s something honest about leaving a few dreams unwrapped. The parks taught me that: you don’t need a louder life; you need a longer patience.

    Walt said, “All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them.” For me, courage looked like staying five minutes longer, carrying a tripod when my back complained, and coming back when the last shot failed. It’s a small practice, after all—but small things add up.

    If you see Disney or temple photos here, that’s what they’re made of: family time, a stubborn camera strap, and the quiet belief that good light rewards people who are kind and who stay.

    © 2012–2025 Jet Mariano. All rights reserved.
    For usage terms, please see the Legal Disclaimer.

  • Keep Going When the Odds Say “Not Today”

    Monsoon rain, no guarantee, and a low chance of lightning. I framed Mokoliʻi between the bougainvillea, promised myself “ten more minutes,” and waited. The sky answered with a single crack of light. Most breakthroughs arrive between patience and presence. Keep going.

    Intro

    Hawaiʻi is famous for warm trade winds and sudden monsoon rain—but not for lightning. That’s why I stayed anyway. Between gray bands of rain, a single bolt cracked over Mokoliʻi, and the island lit up like a punctuation mark on the horizon. Some shots don’t happen until you’ve already decided to keep waiting.

    Excerpt

    “We cannot expect life to be a first-class experience unless we face some first-class challenges.” – Elder Neal A Maxwell

    Notes from the Moment (BTS)

    • Place: Windward Oʻahu, looking toward Mokoliʻi.
    • Weather: Fast-moving cells; rain/sun/rain cadence.
    • Approach: Pre-framed the island between bougainvillea and palms; stayed sheltered and watched the cloud build. Shot short bursts when thunder rolled; reviewed only after the storm passed.
    • Tip: On days when odds look low, decide ahead of time how long you’ll stay. The decision to wait removes the temptation to quit early.

    Perspective

    Lightning over Mokoliʻi is a reminder that rarity isn’t impossibility. Breakthroughs often arrive in the minutes after most people pack up. The skill isn’t just technical; it’s endurance plus attention—staying present long enough for grace to show.

    Practice (today, not someday)

    • The “Ten More Minutes” rule: when you feel like leaving—stay ten more.
    • Pre-frame & wait: set one composition and guard it. Let the moment walk into your frame.
    • Write one sentence: “I’m still here because ______.” (Name your why.)

    Final Reflection

    Storms don’t always bring danger; sometimes they bring definition. Keep going. The bolt you’re waiting for may be one cloud away.

    Pocket I’m Keeping

    “Rarity is not a reason to quit—only a reason to stay.”

    © 2012–2025 Jet Mariano. All rights reserved.
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