I won't say that I'm a perfect driver, but I still have a long list of driving pet peeves. Please consider and share with others. We can change the world; one traffic law at a time.

1. Speed Limits

                In order to avoid being hypocritical, I will make my statements on the matter brief. Go the speed limit. If the sign says 25 go 25. If the sign says 45 go 46.

2. Left Lane vs. Right Lane

                If you don’t want to heed the advice given above, remember to stay in the right line. The left lane is meant for passing and getting places. If you intend to take your time, stay right.

3. Tailgating

                Tailgating is stupid and annoying. Just stop. The only thing that is more excruciating than the slow driver in front of you is paying the traffic ticket for a rear end collision.

Note for the Tailgatee: Just let off the gas. Eventually they’ll get the point.

4. Turn Signals

                Last I checked this wasn't an optional add-on for your vehicle. Use them. It’s not that I really care where you are going because I don’t. It’s just that it’s really easy to flip a lever up or down and if you can’t do that maybe you shouldn't be driving.

5. Stop Signs

                You know those big red signs that you slow down for and then quickly check for cops before taking off again? It takes one second longer to just stop completely and then go again. Not to mention the complete satisfaction you’ll feel when you've followed one of the simplest of driving laws.

6. 4-way Stops

                It’s like the whole stop sign thing, but with a twist. Instead of one big red sign, there are four of ‘em! Wowzers! I know what you’re thinking. That’s a lot of big red signs and I’m a little overwhelmed. It can seem tricky at first, but it’s only a matter of counting. Once you've stopped at the big red sign, allow all the other cars who stopped before you to proceed, then it’s your turn. If more than 10 cars have gone before you, you’re doing it wrong.

                When approaching a 4-way stop, don’t believe that by coming into it faster and then quickly stopping, you will be guaranteed the right to go first. Four way stops aren't a matter of aggression nor are they an opportunity to "pay it forward". Don’t try to be the nice guy. 4-way stops work on a straight up, first come, first serve basis. Keep it that way.

7. Cell Phones

                Allow me to let you down gently. DESPITE YOUR OWN PERSONAL OPINION OF YOURSELF, YOU STINK AT MULTITASKING. Talking on your cell phone while driving is just a bad combination.

8. Bikers in the Road

                This one is for the bikers that think they can cut the mustard when it comes to “big boy roads.” I have no beef against bikers using the roads, but if you ride in the middle of the lane without following the speed limit, go back to the sidewalks. Big boy roads are for big boy bikers.

9. Shared Left Turn Lane

                Note the terms “shared” and “*turn lane” in the phrase “shared left turn lane”. By dissecting these key words, we discover that one must also yield to opposing traffic using the same lane while also realizing that it is meant for turning left.

*Not to be confused with the terms “passing lane” or “merging lane”

10. Conversations in the Middle of the Street

                I don’t care how long it has been since you last talked with that buddy of yours who just happened to be checking his mailbox at the same time you were driving past, but you have no right to stop your car in the middle of the road, roll down your window, and begin catching up on each other’s lives. I will not just ignore it and go around you. I will wait (and honk depending on my mood) until you get the point. If you want to talk, pull over.

11. Crosswalks

                This message goes out to both parties at fault.

Pedestrians: Crosswalks were made for you to use. Traffic is required to yield to you at crosswalks, so use them to your advantage. Stop jaywalking.

People in Cars: Stop at crosswalks. Don’t think that you can just blow by it. You are bigger than pedestrians, but you aren't bigger than the law.

12. Honking

                Car horns are meant for road rage, not for saying “hi” to the guy across the intersection. If you’re happy while you are using your horn, YOU ARE DOING IT WRONG.
This is a little speech I wrote for my high school baccalaureate. Though it was intended for high school graduates, I believe this message is appropriate for everyone.

"Our lives could be compared to a giant road trip. This trip is unique as a lot of uncertainty lies within where you are headed next. We travel through windy mountain passes of adversity and spend countless hours driving along the desolate plains of heartache. Interspersed are glorious vistas of achievement, success, and happiness; graduation being one of those moments. Sometimes the next planned stop seems a great distance away. We ask, “Are we there yet”, a little bit too much, as if we’re wishing our days away. In this long and tiring road trip we call life, we sometimes forget to find joy in the journey.
I have grown to love musicals as I have participated in theatre throughout high school. In the musical entitled, The Music Man, one of the characters states, “You pile up enough tomorrows, and you’ll find you’ve collected a lot of empty yesterdays.” We need to be working today and everyday as we pursue our goals. Switching over to movie quotes, a favorite line from Kung Fu Panda goes like this, “Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, but today is a gift. That is why it is called the present.” Let us embrace the present. Thomas S. Monson, a prominent religious leader, stated, “Find joy in the journey now… There is no tomorrow to remember if we don’t do something today.” As we graduate from high school, let us remember that our journey is not over. We cannot stop here.
Our journey continues. There are many sites left to be seen. There are opportunities for growth; Education, weddings, families, anniversaries, and careers. It’s scary, intimidating, and overwhelming at times to continue on, but we cannot stay where we are now. Sure, we don’t always know what’s around the next bend, but it will be okay if we focus on what matters most. There is great counsel found in Proverbs 3: 5-6 which read, “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” Monson continued to say, “Let us relish life as we live it, find joy in the journey, and share our love with friends and family. One day each of us will run out of tomorrows.” Please don’t spend your life asking, “Are we there yet?” Live your life where there is always now. It is my hope and prayer that we will all find joy in the journey as we continue on our way through life."

 My older brother has a picture hanging in his room of the Sacred Grove which he received after serving on the Hill Cumorah Pageant Work Crew. Below the picture is a quote that reads, “What happened here changed the world. Let it change your life.” This quote is a stirring reminder to me of the significance of the restoration and the effect it has on the world and each of our lives.

Preach my Gospel states, “As Joseph sought truth among the different faiths, he turned to the Bible for guidance. He read, “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him” (James 1:5). Because of this passage, Joseph decided to ask God what he should do. In the spring of 1820 he went to a nearby grove of trees and knelt in prayer.” He described his experience in Joseph Smith History 1:16-17: “I saw a pillar of light exactly over my head, above the brightness of the sun, which descended gradually until it fell upon me. . . . When the light rested upon me I saw two Personages, whose brightness and glory defy all description, standing above me in the air. One of them spake unto me, calling me by name and said, pointing to the other—This is My Beloved Son. Hear Him!” (Joseph Smith—History 1:16–17).  Joseph was told that none of the churches contained the fullness of Christ’s gospel. Christ’s church was restored to the earth again by the hands of Joseph Smith.

Following in the footsteps of my older brother, I applied and was accepted to be on the Hill Cumorah Pageant Work Crew. While on the work crew, I had the opportunity to visit many of these historical sites. Before we arrived in Palmyra though, we were encouraged to memorize The Standard of Truth which says, “Our missionaries are going forth to different nations…. The Standard of Truth has been erected; no unhallowed hand can stop the work from progressing; persecutions may rage, mobs may combine, armies may assemble, calumny may defame, but the truth of God will go forth boldly, nobly, and independent, till it has penetrated every continent, visited every clime, swept every country, and sounded in every ear, till the purposes of God shall be accomplished, and the Great Jehovah shall say the work is done.”  This statement made by Joseph Smith is incredibly profound. God’s work cannot be stopped. The efforts made by Joseph Smith’s persecutors failed because Joseph was truly called as a prophet of God to restore this gospel on the earth.

I would like to share a few experiences I had while serving in New York. I had the opportunity to go to the Sacred Grove three times while in Palmyra. Each time, I felt a remarkable peace as I sat and thought about the beauty of the gospel. The spirit felt in the grove allowed me to feel closer than ever before to my savior. One afternoon, after walking through the grove, all 26 members of the work crew and the leaders climbed into the upper room of the Smith’s log home and read through Joseph Smith History about the restoration. I couldn't help but think how amazing it was that such a large task was put into the hands of a farm boy living in very humble circumstances. After reading Joseph’s account, we all walked back to the Hill Cumorah. This was a very humbling experience for me. I never put into perspective the distance that Joseph had to walk to retrieve the plates. It was a very long, hot walk. It was much harder work than I had ever imagined. This served as a lesson to me that good things require hard work and sacrifice. It is worth the hard work and sacrifice that is necessary to gain a testimony of this gospel.

Though the gospel has been restored to the earth and has changed the world, we still need to let it change our lives. Ultimately it is up to each individual to decide whether or not they accept this gospel. We need to read and study the book of Mormon and gain a testimony for ourselves that it is true. We cannot rely on others testimonies. They can be a remarkable strength, but only if we have already laid the foundation. You don’t have to go to these places to receive a testimony. A testimony can be grown anywhere as long as you invite the spirit and have an open heart.

I know that this gospel is true. I know what I have felt while reading my scriptures and I cannot deny those feelings. The first vision really happened. Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ did appear to a 14 year old boy in the Sacred Grove and he restored the gospel to the earth again. The Book of Mormon is another testament of Jesus Christ. We have a living prophet on the earth today, Thomas S. Monson, who leads and guides us through the direction of Jesus Christ. The restoration has changed the world. “Let it change your life.”
1. Perform on Broadway

My dream show would be War Horse. Second would be Newsies. (Although I would have to learn how to dance for that one...)

2. Write a book.

I'm thinking a political satire, but I would prefer if it had nothing to do with politics.

3. Drive a tractor.

One of those big yellow ones... with the bucket.

4. Get Married.

Yeah. Give it a few years.

5. Be the host of a clean, comedic news show.

Sort of like Stephen Colbert meets John Stewart meets Mister Rogers.

6. Tie-dye a shirt.

(Completely out of food stains)

7. Be John Bytheway.

But not. I'm still gonna be Mitch Clarke, but I want to be an inspirational speaker like him.

8. Go Heliskiing.

Jump out of a helicopter and ski down untouched powder. Yep. That sounds nice.

9. Have a family.

They're gonna be cute.

10. Install a laser-tag system in my house.

For family reunions.

*Not in any particular order
While I was in Palmyra, I had the wonderful opportunity to attend sacrament meeting on the Hill Cumorah. The spirit was amazing even though we were all exhausted. (I believe at one point we counted 15 of the 26 work crew members sleeping during the meeting. I'm no math major, but that seems like a fairly large portion.) Those that stayed awake had the chance to hear some amazing talks. There were three standout statements/analogies that I thought I would share with the guys that fell asleep and the rest of the world. They really touched me and I hope that they can inspire you as well.

1. We must paddle through adversity.


The brother giving this talk explained that while kayaking in a turbulent river, the only way to maintain complete control over the rapids is to paddle faster than the current. Though the water may be intimidating and unknown, it is completely conquerable as long as you are the one in control. As soon as you stop paddling, the river will take you where it wants. (And often times it isn't where you'd like to be.) He compared this kayak trip to our life which is full of relentless challenges and temptations. As long as we keep paddling forward, we can direct ourselves through the difficult times, but when we decide to float, we lose our control. We don't want to let life sweep us away. The world is way too scary to float.


2. We are spiritual beings.


I loved the perspective I gained with this one. We truly are sons and daughters of our Heavenly Father. He sent us here to gain a body, so we could be tested through trial and grow as a result of those challenges. Though life is hard at times, we can turn to our Heavenly Father for comfort, peace, and help. He loves us and wants us to return to live with him and we can. When challenges come, you need to remember that you are a child of God and he will help you if you let him.


3. We must enjoy to the end.


This one is such a simple truth. Life is full of so much joy. Why miss it?
I had the opportunity to be on the Hill Cumorah Pageant Work Crew last summer and it was awesome, so I applied to do it again and was selected to return as a district leader for the 2013 Work Crew. The Work Crew is in charge of constructing the stage for pageant before the cast arrives and then they help out with backstage special effects and spotlights during the run of the show. We then take the stage down after the cast leaves. It is a crazy amount of work, but totally worth it.

During the month we are there, we stay in a garage behind the hill which we call the wind tunnel because it has a garage door at each end to allow for air to move through. (It gets pretty stuffy and smelly with 26 guys living in there.) A bit of fresh air is always nice!
 We sleep in bunks. You become pretty close friends with the rest of the crew when you live together for a month...


 That's a picture of the day room where we gather for daily lessons and evening devotionals. It's pretty cozy when we're all crammed in there.
 Our food tent and our caterer, Rod. He keeps us alive while we are busy constructing the stage. Mealtimes were always a favorite of mine. I LOVE food!!! (And Rod made good food.)

This was our play area. Once rehearsals start, the work crew has more time to relax. I was on the light crew so I had more time during the day than the ground crew because we could only practice once the sun went down. Apparently it's tough to see spotlights shining in broad daylight. Who knew.

 We all showed up the first day ready to work!
 Here is the stage before it starts to look like it does during performances. The facing on the side really does make it look like rock. That's stage 5 as posts and beams. They use a lift to put in a few of the beams because the posts are too tall to reach from the ground.

 The leaders put in the grand staircase while we go eat. It is much too heavy to put in without a forklift.
 We had the opportunity to visit a lot of the church history sites while we were there. This is the Joseph Smith Log Home. The first Sunday we were there, we all went to the second story of the cabin and read the account of the Angel Moroni appearing to Joseph Smith in that very room. The spirit there was incredibly strong. We then got to walk 3 miles back to the Hill Cumorah to understand the trip that Joseph had to take to get the gold plates. It was very humbling to see the work that went into restoring this great gospel to the earth.
 This is the 2013 Hill Cumorah Pageant Light Crew. We became very good friends. The harnesses kept us safe as we climbed up our towers.

We got to go to the Palmyra Temple 3 times for baptisms. I love the spirit I feel while I am in the temple. Being with all of the other members of the crew was the cherry on top.
We went on a tractor ride with the primary. It was AWESOME. Those kids are crazy funny are so excited about life. They are a good example to me of something to strive for.
 The sister missionaries who trained us and the rest of cast to interact with the audience before the show started. They were awesome as usual and always had a smile on their face no matter how early it was. (They met with us at 7 am for three days because we weren't able to make it to the afternoon cast training sessions.)

This past month was marvelous! I made a lot of great friends and my testimony of the gospel was strengthened immensely. I love the spirit I felt while I served on sacred ground. I feel like I have grown a ton. I am now even more excited to serve my mission! It couldn't come soon enough!!!
I'm so tired! This week has killed me. Today was half decent. I received an academic letter, went to voice lessons, and then hung out with my siblings. We went disk golfing, ate at Wendy's, and watched "We Are Marshall." Twas good fun. Overall life is remaining only mildly stressful, but we'll see what the next few weeks bring to the table.

Where's Stu?