Today I left my job for the past 3 1/2 years. I was going to be leaving tomorrow, but we've been so slow lately that I spoke to my boss and he let me go early. I packed up my things and said goodbye to everyone I could before heading out the door and making my final half hour commute home. I cried quite a bit before and during that drive.
I'm going full time school (more than, actually) on Monday and playing Mr. Mom every morning this semester. Steph will be writing for the internet during the morning hours. It was hard figuring out what to do for this semester, but we knew leaving my job was the right thing to do. I will miss it, though possibly not all the cold (exposed warehouse work is a little chilly during Utah Winters).
Although it was hard work I will miss it. I learned a lot from that job. They taught me about hard work and leadership and gave me job skills like forklifting, torch-cutting and crane operating that can come in handy during future summer months. I hope they continue to do well.
Onto the new year! I will be doing a lot of school and get to see my kids every day for a few hours in the morning. I have volunteered for breakfast duty the whole semester and have a fantastic new griddle to help out there.
Life is good. Things are working out the way they should and I am grateful to all those who've given us support - tangible and non - on our new direction. Thank you for being there for us.
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Saturday, December 25, 2010
Thanks Everyone
You are all wonderful. My two sets of parents for all their love, support and encouragement. All my grandparents for their desire to give us love and help at any time. Our friends for inviting us to dinners and helping with the children. You anonymous angels who continued to door-bell-
ditch gifts on our steps, which P.S.-I still don't know who you are even though I caught you at the last drop. I just saw the back of a hoodie. I really wanted to say thank you so I'm glad you hadn't run away quite yet. And to all the previously named for the gifts you gave as well (see photo on the right). Each one was thoughtful and special for the kids and us.We may never know just how much you impacted us this season. We didn't feel poor financially (and still don't consider ourselves in that category) going into it, but every dollar made a difference and every gift was a reminder that someone was watching out for us. It also reminds me to be grateful for tithing and loved ones. Tithing, because it makes sure we're taken care of and loved ones because they do the same.
Thank you, thank you, thank you. You are all angels of mercy and treasured children of God. Merry Christmas!
Justin
Sunday, December 19, 2010
Goodbye Sister
As you drove away in the car, the kids and I waived goodbye until you were out of sight. I turned around and Caleb said, "Mommy and Jen going to the store." That's when I started crying. "No, Jen is going back home to where her mommy and daddy live. She won't be living with us anymore."
We went upstairs and stood in your room. I told them you were gone. I don't think they understand yet, but they will feel it soon. Steph and I already do.
Jen, you have been a blessing on our home. It helped my wife to have family here. It helped my children to see their aunt and interact with her. It helped me to learn more about myself and others.
Whatever you may think about how I feel and what your influence was this past year, know that it was of God and a strength to all of us. You are a wonderful person and though we know you are doing the right thing by going back to Tucson, we will miss you. Thank you for being a part of our home and our lives.
Your brother
We went upstairs and stood in your room. I told them you were gone. I don't think they understand yet, but they will feel it soon. Steph and I already do.
Jen, you have been a blessing on our home. It helped my wife to have family here. It helped my children to see their aunt and interact with her. It helped me to learn more about myself and others.
Whatever you may think about how I feel and what your influence was this past year, know that it was of God and a strength to all of us. You are a wonderful person and though we know you are doing the right thing by going back to Tucson, we will miss you. Thank you for being a part of our home and our lives.
Your brother
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Thank You!
We are making a huge change in our lives. I am quiting my very involved job to do full time school. At the same time, my wife left on a week long trip with the baby, I had to study for finals and try to obtain employment for next semester (part time). It was a very stressful and trying time for me and it started with calling in sick and losing 16 hours of work the week before. Anyway, we were a little concerned (me more than Steph of course) and didn't know quite how to help the situation. Then the little miracles started occurring.
Steph's friends all pitched in free of charge to watch the children while I was at work or school and she was away. My employer was very kind and wrote a letter of recommendation for me to get a job at the Math Lab on campus. At the work Christmas party we won a gift card, a jar of money from a guessing game and randomly received a $100 bill in the gift exchange. Then, despite my academic standing, the goverment back paid my grants for this semester. Suddenly our bills were taken care of. I was able to finish my English class with a strong A, my math class with at least a B and do well enough on the Math Lab entrance exam to have a shot at getting in.
Finally, last night I was at home with the kids when a loud knock came at the door. Opening it found a box of food, including a large turkey and trimmings, with a card. It was addressed to the family and offered wishes for a merry Christmas and that this would help. In place of a signature, a $100 bill was folded inside the card.
All this help from God and his servants has not only helped us at this difficult time, but bolstered my faith and resolve to continue onward in school and life. Thank you to all of you, those we know helped and those who wished to remain anonymous. Your kindness still brings tears to my eyes. You are wonderful and are truly angels of God. May He bless you abundantly for all you've done for my family.
Justin
Steph's friends all pitched in free of charge to watch the children while I was at work or school and she was away. My employer was very kind and wrote a letter of recommendation for me to get a job at the Math Lab on campus. At the work Christmas party we won a gift card, a jar of money from a guessing game and randomly received a $100 bill in the gift exchange. Then, despite my academic standing, the goverment back paid my grants for this semester. Suddenly our bills were taken care of. I was able to finish my English class with a strong A, my math class with at least a B and do well enough on the Math Lab entrance exam to have a shot at getting in.
Finally, last night I was at home with the kids when a loud knock came at the door. Opening it found a box of food, including a large turkey and trimmings, with a card. It was addressed to the family and offered wishes for a merry Christmas and that this would help. In place of a signature, a $100 bill was folded inside the card.
All this help from God and his servants has not only helped us at this difficult time, but bolstered my faith and resolve to continue onward in school and life. Thank you to all of you, those we know helped and those who wished to remain anonymous. Your kindness still brings tears to my eyes. You are wonderful and are truly angels of God. May He bless you abundantly for all you've done for my family.
Justin
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
God Watches Over Us All
I meant to post this months ago, but I think I didn't because I was a possible witness and wasn't supposed to talk about it at the time. So here it is from May 9th, 2010:
So last night I went to Smith's in Provo to pick up a couple of things. I passed by a Hollywood video that was closing down and advertising 99 cent DVD's and once I parked I went to see if any were left. Finding nothing there (every one had been sold) I walked over to the store and went inside.
I went towards the Peanut Butter and texted my wife to see what everything I needed to get was and then went to look at the bread. Once she responded I texted again and went to the back aisle. I paused at some bacon in a refrigerator bin and looked through a bunch before a crowd of people rushed by screaming "He's got a gun!" and "Get down!"
The butchers next to me ducked out a back way and I followed them and others hearing shots on the way. Once we were outdoors and safe I came around and waited to give the police the details I had seen and heard.
From the KSL website http://www.ksl.com/?nid=148&sid=10707188 I learned that a man had been shoplifting beer and when confronted by the management became hostile. They marshaled him into an area at the front of the store while calling police. When they arrived they tried using a taser and then the man pulled out his gun and pointed it at them. Fortunately for the officers the shots I had heard were their guns taking the suspect down and not his own gun.
What was amazing to me was when I heard the time on the news clip. It said around 8:40pm is when the cops were called in. My first text was at 8:41 according to my phone. I had barely missed the initial incursion by about the time it took to walk to Hollywood and back to the store. Then my meandering caused me to be at the back when the shooting happened.
God had kept me out of the path of the entire showdown while simultaneously leading me through the midst of it. I was never really worried, but strangely unafraid. My family was glad I was safe as was I and seeing my wife and children that night was slightly more meaningful than normal - though it should be noted we just brought home our new-born daughter a few hours before the incident. It filled me with wonder at how close I had been to harm and yet divinely protected throughout. God truly does watch over us!
So last night I went to Smith's in Provo to pick up a couple of things. I passed by a Hollywood video that was closing down and advertising 99 cent DVD's and once I parked I went to see if any were left. Finding nothing there (every one had been sold) I walked over to the store and went inside.
I went towards the Peanut Butter and texted my wife to see what everything I needed to get was and then went to look at the bread. Once she responded I texted again and went to the back aisle. I paused at some bacon in a refrigerator bin and looked through a bunch before a crowd of people rushed by screaming "He's got a gun!" and "Get down!"
The butchers next to me ducked out a back way and I followed them and others hearing shots on the way. Once we were outdoors and safe I came around and waited to give the police the details I had seen and heard.
From the KSL website http://www.ksl.com/?nid=148&sid=10707188 I learned that a man had been shoplifting beer and when confronted by the management became hostile. They marshaled him into an area at the front of the store while calling police. When they arrived they tried using a taser and then the man pulled out his gun and pointed it at them. Fortunately for the officers the shots I had heard were their guns taking the suspect down and not his own gun.
What was amazing to me was when I heard the time on the news clip. It said around 8:40pm is when the cops were called in. My first text was at 8:41 according to my phone. I had barely missed the initial incursion by about the time it took to walk to Hollywood and back to the store. Then my meandering caused me to be at the back when the shooting happened.
God had kept me out of the path of the entire showdown while simultaneously leading me through the midst of it. I was never really worried, but strangely unafraid. My family was glad I was safe as was I and seeing my wife and children that night was slightly more meaningful than normal - though it should be noted we just brought home our new-born daughter a few hours before the incident. It filled me with wonder at how close I had been to harm and yet divinely protected throughout. God truly does watch over us!
Saturday, October 23, 2010
Tests and Trials
So I am more than a little tired right now. I have had a full week and am out of mental reserves. My life seems to be taking a nose-dive in sensibility and my brain aches from the strain.
Monday we found out my three-year-old son has Asperger's Syndrome - a mild form of autism. It wasn't a real shock since we had suspected it for months, but the hard part came when the psychologist started explaining the road ahead for our little man. Again, it wasn't a huge surprise nor was it all that overwhelming. The part that hit me hard was how everything he described for Caleb's future was in my past.
Now I am not a shrink, nor will I be, but all the evidence (i.e. - asperger's is typically genetic through the male side, the striking similarities between my past and the psychologist's depiction of my son's future, my emotions and thoughts from childhood) points to me having asperger's too. For a day it didn't seem so bad, Caleb has it and I have it, so what? But the stress and anxiety of everything is getting to me now.
As a youth I was obsessed with things. Mostly video games because they are "safe" from the emotions and complications of the world. Then food of course was a favorite. But also social interaction (which may seem weird for an Asperger) was up high on my list. I was never good at it and to this day have issues meeting people and trying new things. My goal was to learn "the rules of engagement" so to speak. Strangely enough, there aren't very many set rules to relationships and so no true "scripts" to follow. Which makes it difficult to do much with other people if you suck at impromptu interaction.
Some who know me would stop and say, "But wait a minute, we know you and you act fine around us." This is mostly true. But it is only because I know you. I still am anxious and worried about what to say and what I've said every time I am around you. A guy at work pointed out that I interact well with customers at work. This is because I have been told almost verbatim what to say to them and how to handle their needs. School is the same - there are ways that are acceptable to interact with teachers. On all of these I open up more as I get to know them, but I can't do well without scripts for the majority of the time and will either zone out or act out to cover the fear.
I could keep doing examples, but I am mostly frustrated at what seems to be one of those "one step forward, two steps back" sort of deals. Over the years my obsession with social cues has built up many a canned response to life situations. I taught myself how to move my face for the right emotion and what to say and so forth depending on the situation. This week, as the anxiety has overwhelmed me (literally - I was unable to reason or breathe a few times), I have found my social "food storage" is depleting and that many of the remaining items have expired - or at least seem to have gone stale. For someone who depends on patterns and knowing just what to do, I am at a loss.
This post isn't really for anyone. I don't think anyone besides my wife and our dear friends (the ones always commenting on this site) read these rants of mine. I just wanted to spit some of this out of my mental mouth so it wouldn't sit fermenting in my head any longer. I am still reading my scriptures and praying and trust the Lord will help as I search out answers and whatever aid I can find. This is just a trial, like we all have in life.
Monday we found out my three-year-old son has Asperger's Syndrome - a mild form of autism. It wasn't a real shock since we had suspected it for months, but the hard part came when the psychologist started explaining the road ahead for our little man. Again, it wasn't a huge surprise nor was it all that overwhelming. The part that hit me hard was how everything he described for Caleb's future was in my past.
Now I am not a shrink, nor will I be, but all the evidence (i.e. - asperger's is typically genetic through the male side, the striking similarities between my past and the psychologist's depiction of my son's future, my emotions and thoughts from childhood) points to me having asperger's too. For a day it didn't seem so bad, Caleb has it and I have it, so what? But the stress and anxiety of everything is getting to me now.
As a youth I was obsessed with things. Mostly video games because they are "safe" from the emotions and complications of the world. Then food of course was a favorite. But also social interaction (which may seem weird for an Asperger) was up high on my list. I was never good at it and to this day have issues meeting people and trying new things. My goal was to learn "the rules of engagement" so to speak. Strangely enough, there aren't very many set rules to relationships and so no true "scripts" to follow. Which makes it difficult to do much with other people if you suck at impromptu interaction.
Some who know me would stop and say, "But wait a minute, we know you and you act fine around us." This is mostly true. But it is only because I know you. I still am anxious and worried about what to say and what I've said every time I am around you. A guy at work pointed out that I interact well with customers at work. This is because I have been told almost verbatim what to say to them and how to handle their needs. School is the same - there are ways that are acceptable to interact with teachers. On all of these I open up more as I get to know them, but I can't do well without scripts for the majority of the time and will either zone out or act out to cover the fear.
I could keep doing examples, but I am mostly frustrated at what seems to be one of those "one step forward, two steps back" sort of deals. Over the years my obsession with social cues has built up many a canned response to life situations. I taught myself how to move my face for the right emotion and what to say and so forth depending on the situation. This week, as the anxiety has overwhelmed me (literally - I was unable to reason or breathe a few times), I have found my social "food storage" is depleting and that many of the remaining items have expired - or at least seem to have gone stale. For someone who depends on patterns and knowing just what to do, I am at a loss.
This post isn't really for anyone. I don't think anyone besides my wife and our dear friends (the ones always commenting on this site) read these rants of mine. I just wanted to spit some of this out of my mental mouth so it wouldn't sit fermenting in my head any longer. I am still reading my scriptures and praying and trust the Lord will help as I search out answers and whatever aid I can find. This is just a trial, like we all have in life.
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Lifting Higher
There come moments in life where a sort of "make it or brake it" point comes along. You know, when all Hell seems combined against you and your will to push forward is ready to snap. These moments are the refiner's fire. They are designed specifically for us to build within our souls the characteristics required for the future and eternity.
Albert R. Lyman once wrote: “Sturdy stuff is not developed in a soft cradle. Strong souls are born in adversity and schooled in hardship, and the great mill of fortune grinds more carefully on the special men and women destined to bear the heaviest human burdens.”
See, that moment when we are ready to collapse, ready to give in to the pressure and the pain that seems all consuming, is actually the moment when we can rise higher than ever before. We are not meant to wallow in the mire for all our existence. We are meant to push on, to fight through the sorrow and the suffering to become what we are meant to be. We can do it. We must do it. Our souls depend on it and others too.
We are destined for greatness, you and I. We are designed by an all knowing and loving creator who knows the best way to mold us into the champions of goodness and light we are to become. Hence it becomes more than critical to push on. When all energy is consumed, when all hope seems lost, when everything is falling apart, that is when the Lord steps in and lifts us higher.
We won't achieve greatness by giving up or giving in. We are given that honor when we have fought the good fight, when we have finished the course and we have kept the faith (see 2 Timothy 4:7).
Don't give up.
Albert R. Lyman once wrote: “Sturdy stuff is not developed in a soft cradle. Strong souls are born in adversity and schooled in hardship, and the great mill of fortune grinds more carefully on the special men and women destined to bear the heaviest human burdens.”
See, that moment when we are ready to collapse, ready to give in to the pressure and the pain that seems all consuming, is actually the moment when we can rise higher than ever before. We are not meant to wallow in the mire for all our existence. We are meant to push on, to fight through the sorrow and the suffering to become what we are meant to be. We can do it. We must do it. Our souls depend on it and others too.
We are destined for greatness, you and I. We are designed by an all knowing and loving creator who knows the best way to mold us into the champions of goodness and light we are to become. Hence it becomes more than critical to push on. When all energy is consumed, when all hope seems lost, when everything is falling apart, that is when the Lord steps in and lifts us higher.
We won't achieve greatness by giving up or giving in. We are given that honor when we have fought the good fight, when we have finished the course and we have kept the faith (see 2 Timothy 4:7).
Don't give up.
Sunday, May 23, 2010
Process of Revelation
My last post was a bit more unstructured than I usually care for, but it was what I was going through in my personal pursuit of truth and therefore was appropriate for this blog. I feel that I should explain one item to also help clarify a point that I wish to make.
Years ago on my mission a member of a ward I was in told me, "You'd make a great child psychologist." This stuck in my head and I couldn't shake it for a couple of weeks. I took it to the temple and asked the Lord if it meant that was what I should do. Would that be a good thing? The answer was, in the best way I can describe it, Sure.
This lead me to decide to go to Brigham Young University to pursue my degree. I had met many people who had been mislead by popular psychology and didn't want to add to their problems. I figured learning from the Lord's college would overcome those issues and enable me to better help the populous. After my mission ended I met my wife, got married and moved up here to Provo, Utah.
Over time I found that I didn't want to be an academic researcher or book writer (which is mostly what a PhD in psychology gets you); I wanted to help children and families. This caused me to modify my major to Marriage, Family and Human Development in order to guide me later towards an advanced degree in Marriage and Family Therapy. I prayed and asked and again was given more or less, Okay, as an answer.
During that time I got a job working for a company assisting the mentally disabled. While it was a good job and I learned a lot about people and life, the most important thing I learned was I was in the wrong field. I didn't cope with other peoples' problems well at all. If they didn't improve and do better I was sunk. It is not good for your therapist to become critically depressed over your depression.
With time on my hands (I had failed a course in my field and been put on probation at school) and some talking with my wife we looked at my strengths. I did well in math and understood science fairly easily so we tried Civil Engineering. Surely this was a better choice? Talking with the Lord yielded the reply Go for it. We went at it which enabled me to find the motivation and resources to re enroll in school and remove myself from the bad academic standing. Yet I found myself in a hole again after one and a half semesters.
We had other important revelations we were trying to understand at the time and mentioning them to others just caused many to doubt we felt the spirit at all once they proved false in one manner or another. They lovingly suggest I stop trying to interpret the Lord's will. This makes it all seem like I can't understand the spirit for myself or my family. It appears as though I am more lost than I was before. That would be further from the truth than many realize.
These past five years I have gone non-stop at trying to learn the Lord's will for me. I have battled sickness, infirmities, depression, financial burdens and more while pleading continually with the Lord to strengthen and enable me to serve and save my family. He has done so and on the way taught me about the process of revelation.
The Lord speaks to each of us and guides us. We only have to tune in and listen correctly. While I have been wrong on many points from revelations in the past I have become better at discerning truth from error and my own will from the Lord's. Occasionally the two line up. More often than not I find myself trying to find the Lord from being a little off course. I am not like Mozart with music when it comes to the spirit. I have to be schooled and taught how to hear correctly over time. But isn't that the way most of us are?
A few weeks ago I was told clearly by God what I was - I am a teacher. I took that and applied it to my life and found a career that was in line with that and my strengths. I asked God if that was okay because I wanted to do it and desired it. This time the answer was Yes, that is a great choice. The most important part was that I chose and did it in a way that incorporated his will for me and my deepest desires and hopes.
I ran with what I had before and called it the Lord's will for me. It was my way of showing faith. I over interpreted things for certain, but I did the best I could with the material given. When I had a confirmation (or at the least not a negation) I went full steam with it. I prayed and hoped and wished it to be his will each time. The truth was His will was to guide me along and lead me to where I needed to be.
It took years but He has guided me to this point in a way that I couldn't have understood until now. He wants me to choose a career that will enable me to be happy, help others and provide for my family. He has helped me find it. I am sure of it as I am sure that He lives and loves us all.
This is truth.
Years ago on my mission a member of a ward I was in told me, "You'd make a great child psychologist." This stuck in my head and I couldn't shake it for a couple of weeks. I took it to the temple and asked the Lord if it meant that was what I should do. Would that be a good thing? The answer was, in the best way I can describe it, Sure.
This lead me to decide to go to Brigham Young University to pursue my degree. I had met many people who had been mislead by popular psychology and didn't want to add to their problems. I figured learning from the Lord's college would overcome those issues and enable me to better help the populous. After my mission ended I met my wife, got married and moved up here to Provo, Utah.
Over time I found that I didn't want to be an academic researcher or book writer (which is mostly what a PhD in psychology gets you); I wanted to help children and families. This caused me to modify my major to Marriage, Family and Human Development in order to guide me later towards an advanced degree in Marriage and Family Therapy. I prayed and asked and again was given more or less, Okay, as an answer.
During that time I got a job working for a company assisting the mentally disabled. While it was a good job and I learned a lot about people and life, the most important thing I learned was I was in the wrong field. I didn't cope with other peoples' problems well at all. If they didn't improve and do better I was sunk. It is not good for your therapist to become critically depressed over your depression.
With time on my hands (I had failed a course in my field and been put on probation at school) and some talking with my wife we looked at my strengths. I did well in math and understood science fairly easily so we tried Civil Engineering. Surely this was a better choice? Talking with the Lord yielded the reply Go for it. We went at it which enabled me to find the motivation and resources to re enroll in school and remove myself from the bad academic standing. Yet I found myself in a hole again after one and a half semesters.
We had other important revelations we were trying to understand at the time and mentioning them to others just caused many to doubt we felt the spirit at all once they proved false in one manner or another. They lovingly suggest I stop trying to interpret the Lord's will. This makes it all seem like I can't understand the spirit for myself or my family. It appears as though I am more lost than I was before. That would be further from the truth than many realize.
These past five years I have gone non-stop at trying to learn the Lord's will for me. I have battled sickness, infirmities, depression, financial burdens and more while pleading continually with the Lord to strengthen and enable me to serve and save my family. He has done so and on the way taught me about the process of revelation.
The Lord speaks to each of us and guides us. We only have to tune in and listen correctly. While I have been wrong on many points from revelations in the past I have become better at discerning truth from error and my own will from the Lord's. Occasionally the two line up. More often than not I find myself trying to find the Lord from being a little off course. I am not like Mozart with music when it comes to the spirit. I have to be schooled and taught how to hear correctly over time. But isn't that the way most of us are?
A few weeks ago I was told clearly by God what I was - I am a teacher. I took that and applied it to my life and found a career that was in line with that and my strengths. I asked God if that was okay because I wanted to do it and desired it. This time the answer was Yes, that is a great choice. The most important part was that I chose and did it in a way that incorporated his will for me and my deepest desires and hopes.
I ran with what I had before and called it the Lord's will for me. It was my way of showing faith. I over interpreted things for certain, but I did the best I could with the material given. When I had a confirmation (or at the least not a negation) I went full steam with it. I prayed and hoped and wished it to be his will each time. The truth was His will was to guide me along and lead me to where I needed to be.
It took years but He has guided me to this point in a way that I couldn't have understood until now. He wants me to choose a career that will enable me to be happy, help others and provide for my family. He has helped me find it. I am sure of it as I am sure that He lives and loves us all.
This is truth.
Saturday, May 22, 2010
I Just Want To Do What Is Right
All I really want in life is to do the right thing. Call it a personality quirk or a long-standing devotion to principle, but I can't make a move without knowing I'm on the correct course. I have read account after account in the scriptures of what happens to people who don't follow the Lord's counsel in all things and the few circumstances where someone does.
Nothing scares me more now than the future for me and my family. I never had to worry before about myself since most jobs afford a person the money needed for self-sustainment, but not very many supply the funds for a family. How will I be able to pay for their existence? How will I take care of their needs?
Yet there comes another factor - what other needs are there besides money? I have spiritual and mental nourishment to consider. They need me in the home so a long hour job, even with good pay, is out of the question. So what do I do?
The harder part is that asking the Lord requires faith, which I lack so often including now. I have been so wrong so many times on revelation and spiritual insight that basing career and family decisions off of it seems ludicrous and worthless from the world's perspective. Wrong before equals wrong again.
My father reminded me of such moments from the past and asked me to not trust my "feelings" on this one. He has valid points. I'm a nearly 27 year old man with a wife and three children who hasn't even made it through half of college yet. I was in tears during and after our conversation, not for his lack of understanding, but for the pain and anguish I felt over my poor abilities to discern the Spirit correctly.
I JUST WANT TO FOLLOW GOD'S PLAN FOR ME!!! Why does that have to be the hardest thing just to discover? I am reading and studying and praying and though I am sure I could do all those things more often and better I am doing them! Doesn't that count for something? Doesn't it mean anything?
I really just want God to come and tell me it will all be okay. That I was wrong before, maybe not on all things, but that I'll be okay now. I exposed too much of the spiritual parts of my past to others that all my flaws in that department are on display and I am now unable to find any ground to stand on when talking to them. I am left on my own.
I believe I am following the right course. I have hope that I have heard the Spirit even if it is only for a moment. I will take what I can and move forward. I just wish it didn't sting so bad and that, perhaps, I had just kept my mouth shut all those times when I thought I had felt the Spirit and even those times when I really had. I think that will have to be the way from now on.
Nothing scares me more now than the future for me and my family. I never had to worry before about myself since most jobs afford a person the money needed for self-sustainment, but not very many supply the funds for a family. How will I be able to pay for their existence? How will I take care of their needs?
Yet there comes another factor - what other needs are there besides money? I have spiritual and mental nourishment to consider. They need me in the home so a long hour job, even with good pay, is out of the question. So what do I do?
The harder part is that asking the Lord requires faith, which I lack so often including now. I have been so wrong so many times on revelation and spiritual insight that basing career and family decisions off of it seems ludicrous and worthless from the world's perspective. Wrong before equals wrong again.
My father reminded me of such moments from the past and asked me to not trust my "feelings" on this one. He has valid points. I'm a nearly 27 year old man with a wife and three children who hasn't even made it through half of college yet. I was in tears during and after our conversation, not for his lack of understanding, but for the pain and anguish I felt over my poor abilities to discern the Spirit correctly.
I JUST WANT TO FOLLOW GOD'S PLAN FOR ME!!! Why does that have to be the hardest thing just to discover? I am reading and studying and praying and though I am sure I could do all those things more often and better I am doing them! Doesn't that count for something? Doesn't it mean anything?
I really just want God to come and tell me it will all be okay. That I was wrong before, maybe not on all things, but that I'll be okay now. I exposed too much of the spiritual parts of my past to others that all my flaws in that department are on display and I am now unable to find any ground to stand on when talking to them. I am left on my own.
I believe I am following the right course. I have hope that I have heard the Spirit even if it is only for a moment. I will take what I can and move forward. I just wish it didn't sting so bad and that, perhaps, I had just kept my mouth shut all those times when I thought I had felt the Spirit and even those times when I really had. I think that will have to be the way from now on.
Sunday, May 16, 2010
Complacency
I was reading in the second book of Nephi this morning and had come to one of the most oft quoted passages by missionaries (at least the combative ones) - chapter 28. Many times on my mission I saw the fulfillment of these verses through the investigators and members of other churches. It was always amazing to me to see how accurate, if not word-perfect, they would be in citing (albeit unintentionally) words of an ancient prophet without having ever read them. Today, however, I was impressed by a new application of the verses.
"And they deny the power of God, the Holy One of Israel; and they say unto the people: Hearken unto us, and hear ye our precept; for behold there is no God today, for the Lord and the Redeemer hath done his work, and he hath given his power unto men;
"Behold, hearken ye unto my precept; if they shall say there is a miracle wrought by the hand of the Lord, believe it not; for this day he is not a God of miracles; he hath done his work," (2 Nephi 28:5-6).
As if they had been written anew these verses lept off the page and into my mind illuminating past encounters; not with investigators and non-members, but with the membership of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Certainly I've seen this referenced to support why the Christian churches at large do not have miracles claiming those died out with the ancient apostles. Yet look at what is said by many right around us today!
I have heard several times from the mouths of members that shortly after the Church was restored the day of mighty miracles had ceased. They insist that it is no longer needed. Contrast that with the words of Moroni:
"And if there were miracles wrought then, why has God ceased to be a God of miracles and yet be an unchangeable Being? And behold, I say unto you he changeth not...and the reason why he ceaseth to do miracles among the children of men is because that they dwindle in unbelief, and depart from the right way and know not the God in whom they should trust," (Mormon 9:19-20).
How sad is it then if our lives have no miracles! They come by our faith and devotion to the "only true God, and Jesus Christ whom [he] has sent," (John 17:3). This is not to say that angels will visit us daily and new scriptures will be put into our hands on a regular basis. It does mean, however, that miracles should be occurring frequently in our lives to some degree. Births of children, sustaining through difficult and trying times, fulfillment of promises whispered long ago are all examples of miracles that can happen to each of us.
The chapter of course didn't stop there.
"There shall also be many which shall say: Eat, drink, and be merry; nevertheless, fear God - he will justify in committing a little sin; yea lie a little, take the advantage of one because of his words, dig a pit for thy neighbor; there is no harm in this; and do all these things, for tomorrow we die; and if it so be that we are guilty, God will beat us with a few stripes, and at last we shall be saved in the kingdom of God.
"...They have all gone out of the way; they have become corrupted.
"...they rob the poor because of their fine clothing; and they persecute the meek and the poor in heart, because in their pride they are puffed up.
"....Wo unto them that turn aside the just for a thing of naught and revile against that which is good and say that it is of no worth!
"....Wo be unto him that crieth: All is well!
"...that saith: We have received, and we need no more!
"...for unto him that receiveth I will give more; and from them that shall say, We have enough, from them shall be taken away even that which they have," (2 Nephi 28:8, 11, 13, 16, 25, 27, 30).
How many people in our lives have we met or known who are caught in these sins? How many of us suffer from at least one of these problems? Isn't it strange to think of "robbing the poor" because we wear fine clothing or feeling at ease since "all is well?" It shouldn't be.
Paraphrasing President Kimball - Our lives are like our shoes - to be worn out in service. The law of consecration demands we give our all to the work and glory of God. We are returned what is needed. Holding on to riches and fine things of the world could very well cost us our eternal glory. Brigham Young once said, "The worst fear that I have about [members of this Church] is that they will get rich in this country, forget God and his people, wax fat, and kick themselves out of the Church and go to hell. This people will stand mobbing, robbing, poverty, and all manner of persecution, and be true. But my greater fear for them is that they cannot stand wealth; and yet they have to be tried with riches."
There is a disturbing tendency among all of us to sit back and enjoy the ride when life seems to be going well. We plateau, so to speak, for ages and don't move until we reach the other end and notice ourselves descending (if we notice at all). It is dangerous to sit back and say "all is well" for it is our duty and privilege to continue progressing infinitely until that glorious day when we are lifted up to our God and King. Yet this cannot and will not happen if we are complacent in our lives.
We cannot excuse our sins in the least degree. Others doing something does not create the freedom for us to do the same. Consequences exist regardless of peer pressure. We cannot look upon those we deem Peter Priesthoods and Molly Mormons with hostility without casting ourselves down to Hell. Regardless of their "apparent" attitudes, they are trying to do what is right and to mock and demean them only destroys our own souls.
It all boils down to this, and this was the big theme I saw while reading: we cannot sit idly by and hope we are going to Heaven in the end. Salvation is free, but at what cost? Shall we take the gift of the resurrection and just ignore the other proffered to us by Christ? Exaltation is not a free ride and will not be given to any, but those who have faithfully endured to the end and sacrificed for the kingdom of God. Those remaining on the spiritual couch of life will find that they are unfit to exercise any power in the next life past what they have done here.
I sincerely hope and pray that I will not be numbered among those unworthy to stand at the last day. My prayers are also with my family and friends that they too may find the strength of character needed to overcome the world and it's lies. Even those I know not yet or not well enough I yearn for their success in this school called life. All of us are capable and have the chance, I hope we take it. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
"And they deny the power of God, the Holy One of Israel; and they say unto the people: Hearken unto us, and hear ye our precept; for behold there is no God today, for the Lord and the Redeemer hath done his work, and he hath given his power unto men;
"Behold, hearken ye unto my precept; if they shall say there is a miracle wrought by the hand of the Lord, believe it not; for this day he is not a God of miracles; he hath done his work," (2 Nephi 28:5-6).
As if they had been written anew these verses lept off the page and into my mind illuminating past encounters; not with investigators and non-members, but with the membership of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Certainly I've seen this referenced to support why the Christian churches at large do not have miracles claiming those died out with the ancient apostles. Yet look at what is said by many right around us today!
I have heard several times from the mouths of members that shortly after the Church was restored the day of mighty miracles had ceased. They insist that it is no longer needed. Contrast that with the words of Moroni:
"And if there were miracles wrought then, why has God ceased to be a God of miracles and yet be an unchangeable Being? And behold, I say unto you he changeth not...and the reason why he ceaseth to do miracles among the children of men is because that they dwindle in unbelief, and depart from the right way and know not the God in whom they should trust," (Mormon 9:19-20).
How sad is it then if our lives have no miracles! They come by our faith and devotion to the "only true God, and Jesus Christ whom [he] has sent," (John 17:3). This is not to say that angels will visit us daily and new scriptures will be put into our hands on a regular basis. It does mean, however, that miracles should be occurring frequently in our lives to some degree. Births of children, sustaining through difficult and trying times, fulfillment of promises whispered long ago are all examples of miracles that can happen to each of us.
The chapter of course didn't stop there.
"There shall also be many which shall say: Eat, drink, and be merry; nevertheless, fear God - he will justify in committing a little sin; yea lie a little, take the advantage of one because of his words, dig a pit for thy neighbor; there is no harm in this; and do all these things, for tomorrow we die; and if it so be that we are guilty, God will beat us with a few stripes, and at last we shall be saved in the kingdom of God.
"...They have all gone out of the way; they have become corrupted.
"...they rob the poor because of their fine clothing; and they persecute the meek and the poor in heart, because in their pride they are puffed up.
"....Wo unto them that turn aside the just for a thing of naught and revile against that which is good and say that it is of no worth!
"....Wo be unto him that crieth: All is well!
"...that saith: We have received, and we need no more!
"...for unto him that receiveth I will give more; and from them that shall say, We have enough, from them shall be taken away even that which they have," (2 Nephi 28:8, 11, 13, 16, 25, 27, 30).
How many people in our lives have we met or known who are caught in these sins? How many of us suffer from at least one of these problems? Isn't it strange to think of "robbing the poor" because we wear fine clothing or feeling at ease since "all is well?" It shouldn't be.
Paraphrasing President Kimball - Our lives are like our shoes - to be worn out in service. The law of consecration demands we give our all to the work and glory of God. We are returned what is needed. Holding on to riches and fine things of the world could very well cost us our eternal glory. Brigham Young once said, "The worst fear that I have about [members of this Church] is that they will get rich in this country, forget God and his people, wax fat, and kick themselves out of the Church and go to hell. This people will stand mobbing, robbing, poverty, and all manner of persecution, and be true. But my greater fear for them is that they cannot stand wealth; and yet they have to be tried with riches."
There is a disturbing tendency among all of us to sit back and enjoy the ride when life seems to be going well. We plateau, so to speak, for ages and don't move until we reach the other end and notice ourselves descending (if we notice at all). It is dangerous to sit back and say "all is well" for it is our duty and privilege to continue progressing infinitely until that glorious day when we are lifted up to our God and King. Yet this cannot and will not happen if we are complacent in our lives.
We cannot excuse our sins in the least degree. Others doing something does not create the freedom for us to do the same. Consequences exist regardless of peer pressure. We cannot look upon those we deem Peter Priesthoods and Molly Mormons with hostility without casting ourselves down to Hell. Regardless of their "apparent" attitudes, they are trying to do what is right and to mock and demean them only destroys our own souls.
It all boils down to this, and this was the big theme I saw while reading: we cannot sit idly by and hope we are going to Heaven in the end. Salvation is free, but at what cost? Shall we take the gift of the resurrection and just ignore the other proffered to us by Christ? Exaltation is not a free ride and will not be given to any, but those who have faithfully endured to the end and sacrificed for the kingdom of God. Those remaining on the spiritual couch of life will find that they are unfit to exercise any power in the next life past what they have done here.
I sincerely hope and pray that I will not be numbered among those unworthy to stand at the last day. My prayers are also with my family and friends that they too may find the strength of character needed to overcome the world and it's lies. Even those I know not yet or not well enough I yearn for their success in this school called life. All of us are capable and have the chance, I hope we take it. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Life Revisited
When I was a younger man I decided what I wanted to be when I grew up. I knew I wanted to have plenty of money, since we never did growing up, and I wanted to help people. A doctor seemed right up my alley. Shortly after this decision I was visited by a prompting from the Spirit which I neither recognized nor heeded. I still remember that moment.
A decade later and I have learned more and seen more than I had imagined. Not in a tour de earth or scholastic sense, but in a life lessons way. My abilities in various fields are not lacking and I was told by the Spirit years ago that I would be good at whatever I choose to do. But prestige (PhD) has never been a good enough reason and money is no longer the driving force. So what did I learn and what am I going to do about it?
I learned that following God is best. To never choose an option that removes me from his grace. To always stay true to myself and to the gospel. To follow the guidance of the Spirit when given and to put my family first.
Elder Henry B Eyring, speaking on the family, once said, "The difference in cost between what the world tells you is necessary and what your children really need could allow you the margin in time that a father and mother might need with their children to bring them home to their Heavenly Father," (The Family, BYU Speeches, 1995). That verse is pure gospel. Think of all the things we don't really need. TV, movies, big houses, and even things like dishwashers, cars, in home laundry machines and so forth can be done without if needed. And possibly not having to work the extra long shift at the demanding job to pay for them would provide the opportunities for a family to stay together.
Stephanie and have been talking about this idea of more time at home verses more money. We have agreed completely that my presence at home is far more important than unnecessary luxuries.
With that let me go back ten years and explain what the aforementioned prompting said. I had been reevaluating my future career options since the prospect of a decade in school, especially after high school, coupled with long hours seemed a little too far out there; so the doctor thing was out the window. But what to do now?
In the briefest of conversations I felt the idea thrust upon me: You could be a teacher. That was it. There was no fanfare, no forced opinions and certainly no angelic visitations. Just a simple and clear thought. I, of course, dismissed it immediately as I had seen my parents suffer with poor pay checks, demanding schedules and often dreary summer jobs to make ends meet. Why would I inflict that on myself and my future family
A week and half ago I felt another prompting: You are a teacher. I have been teaching various gospel classes for years now in different callings. They have been the joy of my life outside my family. Nothing makes me happier than to help another person learn and grow in some respect. I have even taught things like math on the side. I don't seem to be able to get away from it and it has finally broken through to me what this all means.
I AM A TEACHER! I don't know what I will be teaching plus the financial burden will be hard and the effort great, but I know that the best thing for me is to teach in some way. Even just thinking about it makes me feel at peace and like I finally understand part of who I am.
The part that is best for me is that it really is my choice. God never told me to do it. He just allowed me chances to experience it and learn for myself who I was and what makes me happy. He told me years ago that I would do well at whatever I chose to do and I choose this - teaching.
Now all that is left is to figure out what to teach; oh, and finish school...
A decade later and I have learned more and seen more than I had imagined. Not in a tour de earth or scholastic sense, but in a life lessons way. My abilities in various fields are not lacking and I was told by the Spirit years ago that I would be good at whatever I choose to do. But prestige (PhD) has never been a good enough reason and money is no longer the driving force. So what did I learn and what am I going to do about it?
I learned that following God is best. To never choose an option that removes me from his grace. To always stay true to myself and to the gospel. To follow the guidance of the Spirit when given and to put my family first.
Elder Henry B Eyring, speaking on the family, once said, "The difference in cost between what the world tells you is necessary and what your children really need could allow you the margin in time that a father and mother might need with their children to bring them home to their Heavenly Father," (The Family, BYU Speeches, 1995). That verse is pure gospel. Think of all the things we don't really need. TV, movies, big houses, and even things like dishwashers, cars, in home laundry machines and so forth can be done without if needed. And possibly not having to work the extra long shift at the demanding job to pay for them would provide the opportunities for a family to stay together.
Stephanie and have been talking about this idea of more time at home verses more money. We have agreed completely that my presence at home is far more important than unnecessary luxuries.
With that let me go back ten years and explain what the aforementioned prompting said. I had been reevaluating my future career options since the prospect of a decade in school, especially after high school, coupled with long hours seemed a little too far out there; so the doctor thing was out the window. But what to do now?
In the briefest of conversations I felt the idea thrust upon me: You could be a teacher. That was it. There was no fanfare, no forced opinions and certainly no angelic visitations. Just a simple and clear thought. I, of course, dismissed it immediately as I had seen my parents suffer with poor pay checks, demanding schedules and often dreary summer jobs to make ends meet. Why would I inflict that on myself and my future family
A week and half ago I felt another prompting: You are a teacher. I have been teaching various gospel classes for years now in different callings. They have been the joy of my life outside my family. Nothing makes me happier than to help another person learn and grow in some respect. I have even taught things like math on the side. I don't seem to be able to get away from it and it has finally broken through to me what this all means.
I AM A TEACHER! I don't know what I will be teaching plus the financial burden will be hard and the effort great, but I know that the best thing for me is to teach in some way. Even just thinking about it makes me feel at peace and like I finally understand part of who I am.
The part that is best for me is that it really is my choice. God never told me to do it. He just allowed me chances to experience it and learn for myself who I was and what makes me happy. He told me years ago that I would do well at whatever I chose to do and I choose this - teaching.
Now all that is left is to figure out what to teach; oh, and finish school...
Sunday, May 2, 2010
The Upside of Failing
I went downstairs last night to check on my son. It had been a particularly difficult past two days and I was spent. My grades had come in, and they were bleak, my finances were still as messy as ever and I had tried to install our $35 garage sale dishwasher only to discover that I couldn't make it all fit leaving our kitchen a disaster for six or seven hours before my neighbor who is a plumber came and fixed it in 15 minutes (the part I was stuck at in less than five).
Anyway...I was feeling quite down and tired. My son, sitting on my bed watching Disney's Meet the Robinsons immediately climbed on my lap and curled into my arms. A minute later the quote that first got me hooked on that film came on: "To Lewis and his brilliant failure; may it lead to success in the future." That moment is so powerful. The boy spends the rest of the movie realizing what that means and then the even more empowering phrase "Keep moving forward" taken from the words of Walt Disney himself.
Everything about that movie screamed hope to me last night. It spoke of heartache and trial and how we are led on from that point. The closing scenes, the ending music, it all spoke of peace and love. That is the message I needed to hear. It is the one that we all need to hear.
I read part of a Liahona article afterwards: "We ought to realize that no matter what we've done in life, no matter what we do, God and Christ still love us just as much as they did before we failed," (Lowell L Bennion, "Overcoming Our Mistakes," Tambuli, Jul 1981, 47). Even at this moment, that simple line showers my soul with the spirit of our Heavenly Father. They do love us and want the best for us and will always love us, even if we fought against them with every part of our being.
This morning I continued my quest for enlightenment by searching for the words of others on the subject. One of the best was from Theodore Roosevelt who said, "Far better it is to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs, even though checkered by failure, that to take rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy much nor suffer much, because they live in the gray twilight that knows neither victory nor defeat," (Quoted in The Strenuous Life).
I am reminded of the words of John Mayer who sang, "It's better to say too much, than never to say what you need to say," (Say). Our lord said similar to through the Apostle John in Revelation when, speaking to the head of the Laodicean church, he said, "I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth," (Revelation 3:15-16). We cannot be fence sitters. They are worse than those who choose evil. Think on that.
Life's a journey and no single event makes it or brakes it. It is the sum total of who are at the end, which will be made up of all our experiences on the way, that determine the next life. It really is "all about the climb." We have to try and since we're flawed we'll make mistakes along the way. For most of us we'll make them every day. But that is what the atonement is for. Just like learning to play the piano takes hours of earsplitting practice and more patience than many of us have, life requires nothing less. Michael Jordan, considered by many the greatest basketball player ever, put it simply when he said, "I've failed over and over and over again in my life and that is why I succeed."
Finally I was looking for a lyrics page to copy down some of Miley Cyrus's song The Climb for another quote on the topic of failure. Turns out I couldn't select just part of the song. When I first heard it months ago I actually felt the Spirit bear witness to my soul that the words she was proclaiming through song were true. That song has forever been embedded in my heart for its power to remind me of what life is about. I posted it here to let it do so to others.
Anyway...I was feeling quite down and tired. My son, sitting on my bed watching Disney's Meet the Robinsons immediately climbed on my lap and curled into my arms. A minute later the quote that first got me hooked on that film came on: "To Lewis and his brilliant failure; may it lead to success in the future." That moment is so powerful. The boy spends the rest of the movie realizing what that means and then the even more empowering phrase "Keep moving forward" taken from the words of Walt Disney himself.
Everything about that movie screamed hope to me last night. It spoke of heartache and trial and how we are led on from that point. The closing scenes, the ending music, it all spoke of peace and love. That is the message I needed to hear. It is the one that we all need to hear.
I read part of a Liahona article afterwards: "We ought to realize that no matter what we've done in life, no matter what we do, God and Christ still love us just as much as they did before we failed," (Lowell L Bennion, "Overcoming Our Mistakes," Tambuli, Jul 1981, 47). Even at this moment, that simple line showers my soul with the spirit of our Heavenly Father. They do love us and want the best for us and will always love us, even if we fought against them with every part of our being.
This morning I continued my quest for enlightenment by searching for the words of others on the subject. One of the best was from Theodore Roosevelt who said, "Far better it is to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs, even though checkered by failure, that to take rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy much nor suffer much, because they live in the gray twilight that knows neither victory nor defeat," (Quoted in The Strenuous Life).
I am reminded of the words of John Mayer who sang, "It's better to say too much, than never to say what you need to say," (Say). Our lord said similar to through the Apostle John in Revelation when, speaking to the head of the Laodicean church, he said, "I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth," (Revelation 3:15-16). We cannot be fence sitters. They are worse than those who choose evil. Think on that.
Life's a journey and no single event makes it or brakes it. It is the sum total of who are at the end, which will be made up of all our experiences on the way, that determine the next life. It really is "all about the climb." We have to try and since we're flawed we'll make mistakes along the way. For most of us we'll make them every day. But that is what the atonement is for. Just like learning to play the piano takes hours of earsplitting practice and more patience than many of us have, life requires nothing less. Michael Jordan, considered by many the greatest basketball player ever, put it simply when he said, "I've failed over and over and over again in my life and that is why I succeed."
Finally I was looking for a lyrics page to copy down some of Miley Cyrus's song The Climb for another quote on the topic of failure. Turns out I couldn't select just part of the song. When I first heard it months ago I actually felt the Spirit bear witness to my soul that the words she was proclaiming through song were true. That song has forever been embedded in my heart for its power to remind me of what life is about. I posted it here to let it do so to others.
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Honoring Parents
It is an interesting fact of life what happens to the children of the rising generation. If the parents do all they can and the children are receptive, they grow to outshine their parents in righteousness. If the parents fail in their responsibilities and the children are not corrected then they are cursed.
As we grow older, we grow in knowledge too. We see things in our parents that we couldn't see when younger. This does not give us the right to insult nor demean our parents. We must be respectful and give them honor. Our good points are in large measure due to their efforts and our flaws often our own.
While studying the writings of Nephi, I began to see this truth behind the ancient prophet's words. Lehi was a good and noble man; a prophet of God. Yet, as we watch the growth of Nephi during his trip from Jerusalem to the promised land we see his progression blossoming well past his righteous father. After Lehi dies, Nephi assumed the role of prophet and was able to lead, preach and defend his people.
But despite his spiritual ascension, Nephi speaks no ill of his father or mother. Only once does he mention Lehi complaining and again only once Sariah. He reveres his parents and defers to the words of his father often in the 1st book he writes. Nephi paints his father in such a wholesome light that what we are left with is a masterpiece example of honoring parents. In contrast we can look to the behavior of Laman and Lemuel to see an ugly portrait of insults and backbiting towards their father.
Naturally we will do better than our own parents if we try. That is life. We take the good things they gave us and add to them. But we will forever be indebted to them for every ounce of goodness and love they gave; perhaps even for the ill that caused us to grow and learn. It would not only be foolish, but contrary to the command of God to speak negatively concerning their manner of raising us. For the Lord has said "honor thy father and thy mother that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee," (Mosiah 13:20).
By revering our parents for the growth they accomplished and for the strength they enabled within us we gain a foothold on the rocky trail of life and propel our generations further along. When the rising generation after us is grown, whatever progress we have obtained will be theirs and they will be even more righteous than we could ever hope to be in this life. Remembering that will empower us with the love and respect God demands of us for our earthly progenitors. We will know that we have been blessed infinitely by being raised in their homes and being taught in their ways for the Lord will use our experiences and acquired talents to bless the lives of many of his children.
As we grow older, we grow in knowledge too. We see things in our parents that we couldn't see when younger. This does not give us the right to insult nor demean our parents. We must be respectful and give them honor. Our good points are in large measure due to their efforts and our flaws often our own.
While studying the writings of Nephi, I began to see this truth behind the ancient prophet's words. Lehi was a good and noble man; a prophet of God. Yet, as we watch the growth of Nephi during his trip from Jerusalem to the promised land we see his progression blossoming well past his righteous father. After Lehi dies, Nephi assumed the role of prophet and was able to lead, preach and defend his people.
But despite his spiritual ascension, Nephi speaks no ill of his father or mother. Only once does he mention Lehi complaining and again only once Sariah. He reveres his parents and defers to the words of his father often in the 1st book he writes. Nephi paints his father in such a wholesome light that what we are left with is a masterpiece example of honoring parents. In contrast we can look to the behavior of Laman and Lemuel to see an ugly portrait of insults and backbiting towards their father.
Naturally we will do better than our own parents if we try. That is life. We take the good things they gave us and add to them. But we will forever be indebted to them for every ounce of goodness and love they gave; perhaps even for the ill that caused us to grow and learn. It would not only be foolish, but contrary to the command of God to speak negatively concerning their manner of raising us. For the Lord has said "honor thy father and thy mother that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee," (Mosiah 13:20).
By revering our parents for the growth they accomplished and for the strength they enabled within us we gain a foothold on the rocky trail of life and propel our generations further along. When the rising generation after us is grown, whatever progress we have obtained will be theirs and they will be even more righteous than we could ever hope to be in this life. Remembering that will empower us with the love and respect God demands of us for our earthly progenitors. We will know that we have been blessed infinitely by being raised in their homes and being taught in their ways for the Lord will use our experiences and acquired talents to bless the lives of many of his children.
Friday, April 16, 2010
Motes, Beams and the Spirit: A Thought
I was reflecting on the parable of the mote and beam and found myself drawn by its symbolism. We usually see the obvious picture: Don't try to help another overcome a small sin when we are suffering from a large one; but I think we often miss some of the more hidden context. For instance, a mote and a beam are both wood and both represent sin on some scale. Second, just as the two are different in nature, a mote is a random speck while a beam is a purposeful piece of building supply, so are our sins by nature. Some suffer from one sin, some from another. We are thereby counseled to not only take care of large sins before aiding others in their repentance, but all our sins.
Obviously this engenders another issue. We all sin all the time which makes a sinless state impossible to achieve. This is overcome by the Holy Spirit which cleanses us as we repent as well as in those moments when we are doing our best to follow the will of the Lord. In those brief periods of time we find ourselves full of power and wisdom beyond our own. This is the only time we have any hope of qualifying to assist our fellowmen in this area of life.
Naturally this should remove all of us, except priesthood leaders, from the path of correcting brothers and sisters. We just need to live our own lives and continue to cleanse ourselves from our own sins so we can prepare to meet God. This also enables us, should the opportunity arise and fall within our jurisdiction, to give that rare piece of help in love and kindness when required.
Obviously this engenders another issue. We all sin all the time which makes a sinless state impossible to achieve. This is overcome by the Holy Spirit which cleanses us as we repent as well as in those moments when we are doing our best to follow the will of the Lord. In those brief periods of time we find ourselves full of power and wisdom beyond our own. This is the only time we have any hope of qualifying to assist our fellowmen in this area of life.
Naturally this should remove all of us, except priesthood leaders, from the path of correcting brothers and sisters. We just need to live our own lives and continue to cleanse ourselves from our own sins so we can prepare to meet God. This also enables us, should the opportunity arise and fall within our jurisdiction, to give that rare piece of help in love and kindness when required.
Monday, April 12, 2010
Personal Scripture Power
I was feeling a bit down and hadn't discovered any relief. The feelings of doubt, pain, and sorrow kept pouring into my soul and adding upon my already troubled mind. Though I knew truth and had faith I wasn't able to conquer the destroyer in this battle of wills and I saw myself succumbing soon if I did not find a source of strength.
In my hour of need I turned to scripture. First to the words of President Boyd K. Packer from our most recent general conference since I had missed that particular session. His voice on the power of the priesthood that we need to obtain was full of might and majesty as one comes to expect from the apostles of the Lord. One line I enjoyed in particular was, "It might seem hopeless; it is monumentally difficult; but it is not only possible, but certain that we will win the battle against Satan," (The Power of the Priesthood, April 2010 Conference).
Next I turned to my reading in the Book of Mormon. I opened to chapter 17 of first Nephi. The very first verse stopped me, "And we did travel and wade through much affliction in the wilderness," (1 Nephi 17:1). Wade through much affliction? Seemed like an interesting word choice. I looked down at the footnote and ended up turning to Psalm 69. I read, "Save me, O God: for the waters are come in unto my soul. I sink in deep mire, where there is no standing: I am come into deep waters, where the floods overflow me. I am weary of my crying: my throat is dried: mine eyes fail while I wait for my God," (Psalms 69:1-3).
This riveted me to the page and I read the whole thing absorbing it as I saw all my complaints and struggles manifest in the words of one from so long ago. When I finished I returned to Nephi and reading on discovered that this wading through the mire had gone on for eight years! Eight years of trials and tribulations. Eight years of Laman and Lemuel conspiring and plotting and "repenting" again and again, but never fully. What a difficult time that must have been.
It reminded me of a passage I had read for my lesson last Sunday in the Marriage and Family Relations Class I am teaching. Elder Neal A Maxwell said, speaking of raising children, "Do not, however unintentionally, make things worse by removing the requirement for reasonable work as part of their experience, thereby insulating your children from the very things that helped make you what you are!" (Ensign, May 1998, 38). Nephi and his righteous family were who they were in the end because of the experiences they went through - such as eight years of trial in the wilderness. Imagine how less powerful and faithful they would have been without those moments.
Using the footnotes again I went back to Psalm 69 and then to D&C 122 where the Lord tells the Prophet Joseph Smith to remember that he is suffering so greatly because, "All these things shall give thee experience, and shall be for thy good. The Son of Man hath descended below them all. Art thou greater than he? Therefor hold on thy way, and the priesthood shall remain with thee; for their bounds are set, they cannot pass. Thy days are known, and thy years shall not be numbered less; therefore, fear not what man can do, for God shall be with you forever and ever," (D&C 122:7-9).
I went back and finished 1 Nephi 17 and saw reflected in his words all I was going through and how I should approach it. I saw my trials and subsequent triumphs. I saw power in the priesthood. I beheld a glimpse of the future for me and my family and knew that any struggle I was going through would "be but a small moment," (D&C 121:7) yet absolutely crucial in my development as a man of God.
My soul is alight now with the fire of faith and the flame of the Spirit of God. I know I am doing the right thing and holding out with patience for the Lord will bring his promised blessings and strengthen me and my family for eternity. May all of you, as well as I be granted the power to do so, in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
In my hour of need I turned to scripture. First to the words of President Boyd K. Packer from our most recent general conference since I had missed that particular session. His voice on the power of the priesthood that we need to obtain was full of might and majesty as one comes to expect from the apostles of the Lord. One line I enjoyed in particular was, "It might seem hopeless; it is monumentally difficult; but it is not only possible, but certain that we will win the battle against Satan," (The Power of the Priesthood, April 2010 Conference).
Next I turned to my reading in the Book of Mormon. I opened to chapter 17 of first Nephi. The very first verse stopped me, "And we did travel and wade through much affliction in the wilderness," (1 Nephi 17:1). Wade through much affliction? Seemed like an interesting word choice. I looked down at the footnote and ended up turning to Psalm 69. I read, "Save me, O God: for the waters are come in unto my soul. I sink in deep mire, where there is no standing: I am come into deep waters, where the floods overflow me. I am weary of my crying: my throat is dried: mine eyes fail while I wait for my God," (Psalms 69:1-3).
This riveted me to the page and I read the whole thing absorbing it as I saw all my complaints and struggles manifest in the words of one from so long ago. When I finished I returned to Nephi and reading on discovered that this wading through the mire had gone on for eight years! Eight years of trials and tribulations. Eight years of Laman and Lemuel conspiring and plotting and "repenting" again and again, but never fully. What a difficult time that must have been.
It reminded me of a passage I had read for my lesson last Sunday in the Marriage and Family Relations Class I am teaching. Elder Neal A Maxwell said, speaking of raising children, "Do not, however unintentionally, make things worse by removing the requirement for reasonable work as part of their experience, thereby insulating your children from the very things that helped make you what you are!" (Ensign, May 1998, 38). Nephi and his righteous family were who they were in the end because of the experiences they went through - such as eight years of trial in the wilderness. Imagine how less powerful and faithful they would have been without those moments.
Using the footnotes again I went back to Psalm 69 and then to D&C 122 where the Lord tells the Prophet Joseph Smith to remember that he is suffering so greatly because, "All these things shall give thee experience, and shall be for thy good. The Son of Man hath descended below them all. Art thou greater than he? Therefor hold on thy way, and the priesthood shall remain with thee; for their bounds are set, they cannot pass. Thy days are known, and thy years shall not be numbered less; therefore, fear not what man can do, for God shall be with you forever and ever," (D&C 122:7-9).
I went back and finished 1 Nephi 17 and saw reflected in his words all I was going through and how I should approach it. I saw my trials and subsequent triumphs. I saw power in the priesthood. I beheld a glimpse of the future for me and my family and knew that any struggle I was going through would "be but a small moment," (D&C 121:7) yet absolutely crucial in my development as a man of God.
My soul is alight now with the fire of faith and the flame of the Spirit of God. I know I am doing the right thing and holding out with patience for the Lord will bring his promised blessings and strengthen me and my family for eternity. May all of you, as well as I be granted the power to do so, in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Earmarking Revelation
You ever get tired of those pesky congressmen? They tell the media how important some legislation is and then before it passes add on dozens of tiny little clauses that have nothing to do with the original issue. It drives me batty every time! How can they excuse the ridiculous amount of time spent lobbying for their pet projects when a quick and effective decision on the main issue would lead to time available later for their non-essentials? Anyway, this isn't a political blog...
My thoughts are on the parallels between the legislative world and the induction into our lives of personal and general revelation. How often do we find ourselves tagging on non-essentials to revelation? I feel it is more common than we think. For instance when a general time period is given, such as "the great day of the Lord is nigh at hand," (D&C 43:17), do we tack on a specific such as Y2K or 2012? Can we learn to distinguish between our own selfishly driven ideas and the pure truth as given by the Lord?
It may sound cruel, but we do it all the time. The Lord allows us a glimpse into the infinite and we start adding on to it. When a prompting or blessing is given we should write it down and keep it like we received it. We may need to prepare for the future or internalize something from it, but we shouldn't bog ourselves down by changing the original heavenly message with our earthly thinking thereby tainting the spiritual outcomes that may come of it later.
Remember Laman and Lemuel? They were told by a prophet of God that they were to go to Jerusalem and get the brass plates from Laban. Without any specifics they went up and tried one way, which failed, and "were about to return to [their] father in the wilderness," (1 Nephi 3:14). After a stirring speech, Nephi rouses enough courage for a second shot, but their contempt, spiritual laziness and continual addendums to the revelations of the Lord overcame them insomuch that "they did smite [Nephi and Sam] even with a rod," (1 Nephi 3:28). Somehow they had added to the revelation that they "should go unto the house of Laban, and seek the records, and bring them down...into the wilderness," (1 Nephi 3:4), the clause that if it didn't work after one or two tries that it wasn't a real revelation.
Another example comes from the story of Oliver Cowdery and his attempt to translate the Book of Mormon. He desired to do the same as Joseph and asked as much of him. With the Lord's approval he set about the task, but then failed. What happened?
In the process of revelation and in making important decisions, fear almost always plays a destructive, sometimes paralyzing role. To Oliver Cowdery, who missed the opportunity of a lifetime because he didn't seize it in the lifetime of the opportunity, the Lord said, "You did not continue as you commenced." Does that sound familiar to those who have been illuminated and then knuckled under to second thoughts and returning doubts? "It is not expedient that you should translate now," the Lord said in language that must have been very hard for Oliver to hear. "Behold, it was expedient when you commenced; but you feared, and the time is past, and it is not expedient now," (Cast Not Away Therefore Your Confidence, Jeffrey R. Holland, BYU Speeches, March 1999).
Oliver added doubts and fears to his revelation from the Lord. He earmarked it to the point that he could not sustain the faith needed to translate. Aren't we all like this? We cannot let ourselves succumb to extra thoughts that destroy the powerful witnesses we are meant to gain from revelation in its pure form. God wants us to succeed and we must do so by following his word and only his word. We can do it and it just requires a little faith. May we all have such faith, in our Lord's name, Jesus Christ, amen.
My thoughts are on the parallels between the legislative world and the induction into our lives of personal and general revelation. How often do we find ourselves tagging on non-essentials to revelation? I feel it is more common than we think. For instance when a general time period is given, such as "the great day of the Lord is nigh at hand," (D&C 43:17), do we tack on a specific such as Y2K or 2012? Can we learn to distinguish between our own selfishly driven ideas and the pure truth as given by the Lord?
It may sound cruel, but we do it all the time. The Lord allows us a glimpse into the infinite and we start adding on to it. When a prompting or blessing is given we should write it down and keep it like we received it. We may need to prepare for the future or internalize something from it, but we shouldn't bog ourselves down by changing the original heavenly message with our earthly thinking thereby tainting the spiritual outcomes that may come of it later.
Remember Laman and Lemuel? They were told by a prophet of God that they were to go to Jerusalem and get the brass plates from Laban. Without any specifics they went up and tried one way, which failed, and "were about to return to [their] father in the wilderness," (1 Nephi 3:14). After a stirring speech, Nephi rouses enough courage for a second shot, but their contempt, spiritual laziness and continual addendums to the revelations of the Lord overcame them insomuch that "they did smite [Nephi and Sam] even with a rod," (1 Nephi 3:28). Somehow they had added to the revelation that they "should go unto the house of Laban, and seek the records, and bring them down...into the wilderness," (1 Nephi 3:4), the clause that if it didn't work after one or two tries that it wasn't a real revelation.
Another example comes from the story of Oliver Cowdery and his attempt to translate the Book of Mormon. He desired to do the same as Joseph and asked as much of him. With the Lord's approval he set about the task, but then failed. What happened?
In the process of revelation and in making important decisions, fear almost always plays a destructive, sometimes paralyzing role. To Oliver Cowdery, who missed the opportunity of a lifetime because he didn't seize it in the lifetime of the opportunity, the Lord said, "You did not continue as you commenced." Does that sound familiar to those who have been illuminated and then knuckled under to second thoughts and returning doubts? "It is not expedient that you should translate now," the Lord said in language that must have been very hard for Oliver to hear. "Behold, it was expedient when you commenced; but you feared, and the time is past, and it is not expedient now," (Cast Not Away Therefore Your Confidence, Jeffrey R. Holland, BYU Speeches, March 1999).
Oliver added doubts and fears to his revelation from the Lord. He earmarked it to the point that he could not sustain the faith needed to translate. Aren't we all like this? We cannot let ourselves succumb to extra thoughts that destroy the powerful witnesses we are meant to gain from revelation in its pure form. God wants us to succeed and we must do so by following his word and only his word. We can do it and it just requires a little faith. May we all have such faith, in our Lord's name, Jesus Christ, amen.
Faith and Works - Personally
This is an essay I wrote for my New Testament Class. During the experience I had to delve into my soul and so this piece, while not the best literarily, is a part of me and my truth.
There is a debate oft posed between born-again Christians and some Latter-day Saints surrounding the grace of Christ. Are we saved by grace or works? Or is it a combination of the two? For years I have known it was mostly works and tried to defend my views. I was wrong.
During my missionary years I fortified the idea of self-perpetuation. Sure I included God in the mix, but He was always a foot note to the task. It was laden on me to find His sheep and that would only happen if I were doing everything possible and doing it right. In the end I left the mission field with around a dozen baptisms and no true appreciation of my Savior.
Don’t misunderstand me! I truly love this work and this gospel. I know it is divinely inspired and that it has power and authority. What I lacked was the personal testimony of how the savior fit into all of this. Obviously he is the central figure in the plan of salvation and the key to resurrection and exaltation, but that didn’t come with a one-to-one attachment in my mind. He was the Savior of the world as a whole, not of me individually.
In my mind I treasured up two verses of scripture to support my view. First from James: “Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone,” (KJV James 2:17). Then I used Nephi’s words when he said, “we know that it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do,” (2 Nephi 25:23, emphasis imagined in my mind years ago). Together it was so obvious: grace is a gift unto those with faith which is dead without works requiring our all. Shortening the statement yielded the following idea – grace is a reward to those who give it their all. This was okay since our all is too short of the mark anyway and therefore it is Christ who technically saves us in the end.
That held up fine until five years after my mission when I was in a religion class with Brother Richard D. Draper. He told a parable of little boy who worked hard all summer to save enough pennies for the circus and finally on the last day had exactly enough to go in, but succumbed to temptation before reaching the Big Top by buying a penny sucker. The man at the counter checked the pennies individually and found the boy short. It was made clear that he had no chance to obtain another penny for the show. That’s where Brother Draper excused us until the next class – two days later!
Walking out of that testing center classroom I found a penny on the floor. I found myself yearning to give it to the poor little boy when the parable translated to real life and I found myself sorrowing for my own sake and the countless spiritual pennies I had squandered and could never get back. For two days I agonized over this penny and carried it wherever I went.
The next class we talked of the Savior and his atonement. The boy was offered the missing fee in exchange for the lollipop which the man threw into the trash. It solved the story, but not me. Here it is months later and the truthfulness of this doctrine is only now sinking in. As I sit writing this essay I feel the pains of inadequacy both in my righteousness and in my understanding.
It is through Paul’s teachings that I am gaining a truer appreciation of what my Savior has done for me. In his epistle to the Romans he stated, “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God. Therefore being justified only by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus…Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith only, without the deeds of the law,” (JST Romans 3:24, 27). This verse alone clears up a great deal of my mistaken ideas. For instance, rereading Nephi and attaching an earlier verse we discover, “it is only in and through the grace of God that ye are saved,” (2 Nephi 10:24). His use of “after all we can do” was not to imply a requirement, but a fact that what we do is as nothing in the face of what Christ does for us. Yet this is just the beginning of Paul’s impact.
Time and time again Paul speaks of the negative influences upon the saints that are directly sourced from the Judaizers. In Galatians he tells the saints to “be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage,” (KJV Galatians 5:1). It isn’t that the Law of Moses was base or unhelpful, but that the misapplication of it was destructive. What a true statement! In my life I have continually directed my efforts to vain and inappropriate emphasis on the commandments.
We cannot and will not work our way into heaven. We must try to live the teachings of the gospel and strive to be better constantly for that is the attitude of a saint. Yet despite any good we may accomplish in this life, we all “have sinned, and come short.” I am learning this slowly and through great repetition.
Moreover, we cannot expect perfection in this life nor anytime soon following it. In the epistle to the Hebrews we are admonished, “Let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith,” (KJV Hebrews 12:1). My futile efforts to obtain perfection through my own works have been my downfall time and time again. I finally learned this semester that I am not expected to do everything at once. I had to drop a class and consequently my status as a full time student. However as the Lord said to Joseph Smith, “Do not run faster or labor more than you have strength and means provided,” (D&C 10:4).
I am trying to rely on the Lord for my strength now. He knows my capabilities and my weaknesses. He knows my potential. He offers eternal life to me for the price of following him. Not that I earn it, but that Christ is giving it to me and asking, in exchange, for a comparatively worthless piece of agency. I know I can give it to him and hope to do so forever more.
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Experimenting with Faith
I have been in the midst of an experiment these past several months. The details are too personal to share in general, but the journey and methods are too worthwhile not to expound on. They have enlightened and enriched my soul and continue to strengthen my resolve and faith.
Months ago I felt impressed with a piece of personal revelation. This simple feeling carried with it a lot of consequence, but not a lot of evidence. It even seemed that over the next few months it was more contradicted than upheld. Days and weeks passed with further lack of support. I wondered what was going on and if I had misinterpreted something and spoken incorrectly.
Further, I worried about how to resolve it since the time period had not passed and the signs of its truthfulness had not come. The time came where I began to not only ask if it was right, but what was I supposed to be learning from all of this regardless?
"But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him," (Hebrews 11:6).
For certain this was the concern. I needed to have faith, but faith must be in truth to be worth anything. Alma, speaking to Korihor, said, "I am grieved because of the hardness of your heart, yea, that ye will still resist the spirit of truth, that thy soul may be destroyed," (Alma 30:46). This is a fact in the gospel. Christ said, "And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free," (John 8:32). So I was not needlessly worried. Clinging to truth is fundamental.
The issue grew and grew within me and I stressed over it time and time again. What was I involved in? If it was of God it was good, but if it was not then I was in trouble. Which was it? Finally I began to remember the words of Alma I had discovered before my mission:
"Now, as I said concerning faith - that is was not a perfect knowledge - even so it is with my words. Ye cannot know of their surety at first, unto perfection, any more than faith is a perfect knowledge. But behold, if ye will awake and arouse your faculties, even to an experiment upon my words, and exercise a particle of faith, yea even if ye can no more than desire to believe, let this desire work in you, even until ye believe in a manner that ye can give place for a portion of my words," (Alma 32:26-27).
Life is hard and trying and uncertain and it cannot be solved in a moment. We do not gain truth instantaneously like downloading a computer program. "For he will give unto the faithful line upon line, precept upon precept; and I will try you and prove you herewith," (D&C 98:12, see 11-12). It is a divine mandate that we learn a little at a time not all at once.
With all this came the answer to the unspoken question - why do we learn this way? Why can't answers be shown unto us and the faith we strive for given to us by miracles and signs?
"Yea, there are many who do say: If thou wilt show unto us a sign from heaven, then we shall know of a surety, then we shall believe. Now I ask, is this faith? Behold, I say unto you, Nay; for if a man knoweth a thing he hath no cause to believe, for he knoweth it. And now how much more cursed is he that knoweth the will of God and doeth it not, than he that only believeth, or only hath cause to believe, and falleth into transgression?" (Alma 32:17-19).
God is gracious enough to allow us time to learn so we have time to grow. We cannot progress in an instant from men who are not "even as much as the dust of the earth," (Mosiah 2:25) to "inherit thrones, kingdoms, principalities, and powers, dominions, all heights and depths," (D&C 132:19). It just doesn't work.
I have learned that the point of this whole endeavor, regardless, is to understand how to receive revelation and know of its truth. We must experiment upon the word we receive, by the voice of others or the Spirit of God, in order to obtain the sure knowledge we seek. It takes time and patience, but in the end it "yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness," (Heb 12:11) and the salvation of our souls. I hope all of us can do this and pray so in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
Months ago I felt impressed with a piece of personal revelation. This simple feeling carried with it a lot of consequence, but not a lot of evidence. It even seemed that over the next few months it was more contradicted than upheld. Days and weeks passed with further lack of support. I wondered what was going on and if I had misinterpreted something and spoken incorrectly.
Further, I worried about how to resolve it since the time period had not passed and the signs of its truthfulness had not come. The time came where I began to not only ask if it was right, but what was I supposed to be learning from all of this regardless?
"But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him," (Hebrews 11:6).
For certain this was the concern. I needed to have faith, but faith must be in truth to be worth anything. Alma, speaking to Korihor, said, "I am grieved because of the hardness of your heart, yea, that ye will still resist the spirit of truth, that thy soul may be destroyed," (Alma 30:46). This is a fact in the gospel. Christ said, "And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free," (John 8:32). So I was not needlessly worried. Clinging to truth is fundamental.
The issue grew and grew within me and I stressed over it time and time again. What was I involved in? If it was of God it was good, but if it was not then I was in trouble. Which was it? Finally I began to remember the words of Alma I had discovered before my mission:
"Now, as I said concerning faith - that is was not a perfect knowledge - even so it is with my words. Ye cannot know of their surety at first, unto perfection, any more than faith is a perfect knowledge. But behold, if ye will awake and arouse your faculties, even to an experiment upon my words, and exercise a particle of faith, yea even if ye can no more than desire to believe, let this desire work in you, even until ye believe in a manner that ye can give place for a portion of my words," (Alma 32:26-27).
Life is hard and trying and uncertain and it cannot be solved in a moment. We do not gain truth instantaneously like downloading a computer program. "For he will give unto the faithful line upon line, precept upon precept; and I will try you and prove you herewith," (D&C 98:12, see 11-12). It is a divine mandate that we learn a little at a time not all at once.
With all this came the answer to the unspoken question - why do we learn this way? Why can't answers be shown unto us and the faith we strive for given to us by miracles and signs?
"Yea, there are many who do say: If thou wilt show unto us a sign from heaven, then we shall know of a surety, then we shall believe. Now I ask, is this faith? Behold, I say unto you, Nay; for if a man knoweth a thing he hath no cause to believe, for he knoweth it. And now how much more cursed is he that knoweth the will of God and doeth it not, than he that only believeth, or only hath cause to believe, and falleth into transgression?" (Alma 32:17-19).
God is gracious enough to allow us time to learn so we have time to grow. We cannot progress in an instant from men who are not "even as much as the dust of the earth," (Mosiah 2:25) to "inherit thrones, kingdoms, principalities, and powers, dominions, all heights and depths," (D&C 132:19). It just doesn't work.
I have learned that the point of this whole endeavor, regardless, is to understand how to receive revelation and know of its truth. We must experiment upon the word we receive, by the voice of others or the Spirit of God, in order to obtain the sure knowledge we seek. It takes time and patience, but in the end it "yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness," (Heb 12:11) and the salvation of our souls. I hope all of us can do this and pray so in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Timing
I was loading a semi-truck yesterday and getting very frustrated. It was the third day in a row where I was late at work and it was taking a toll on me. Anger welled inside of me and I was less than hospitable. I really couldn't seem to calm down about the situation. Why was my time being constricted like this? I had a lot to do both with homework and family, wasn't that more important?
Certainly, if nothing else, I had the right to be angry and impatient; right?
"When we are unduly impatient we are suggesting that we know what is best--better than does God. Or, at least, we are asserting that our timetable is better than His. Either way we are questioning the reality of God's omniscience as if, as some seem to believe, God were on some sort of postdoctoral fellowship and were not quite in charge of everything." (Neal A. Maxwell, Patience, BYU Speeches, Nov 27, 1979).
Apparently not. The truth of the matter is God is in charge of everything. He is the one who designed the plan in which we are participating. It is to Him we promised, long ago, to follow through with the blueprints He gave us. Sometimes we forget that we must have faith, not only that something is what God wants for us, but that it is also good because of it - that what He wills is the best and will bring us the must joy.
If God lets things happen so that I am late at work, through no fault of my own, then that is where He wants me to be at that time. How dare I suggest that in my weak and inexperienced position He should bend His omniscient will to mine. That may sound harsh, but it is true. We cannot become impatient and frustrated by circumstances without insinuating that the previous is true.
Remember the words of the scriptures:
"Rest in the lord, and wait patiently for him," (Psalms 37:7)
"I WAITED patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry," (Psalms 40:1)
"Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof: and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit. Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry: for anger resteth in the bosom of fools. Say not thou, What is the cause that the former days were better than these? for thou dost not enquire wisely concerning this." (Ecclesiastes 7:8-10)
It would be best if we all adopted the philosophy, "Be still my soul, thy wise, thy heavenly friend, through thorny ways leads to a joyful end," (Be Still My Soul, Hymns #124). In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
Certainly, if nothing else, I had the right to be angry and impatient; right?
"When we are unduly impatient we are suggesting that we know what is best--better than does God. Or, at least, we are asserting that our timetable is better than His. Either way we are questioning the reality of God's omniscience as if, as some seem to believe, God were on some sort of postdoctoral fellowship and were not quite in charge of everything." (Neal A. Maxwell, Patience, BYU Speeches, Nov 27, 1979).
Apparently not. The truth of the matter is God is in charge of everything. He is the one who designed the plan in which we are participating. It is to Him we promised, long ago, to follow through with the blueprints He gave us. Sometimes we forget that we must have faith, not only that something is what God wants for us, but that it is also good because of it - that what He wills is the best and will bring us the must joy.
If God lets things happen so that I am late at work, through no fault of my own, then that is where He wants me to be at that time. How dare I suggest that in my weak and inexperienced position He should bend His omniscient will to mine. That may sound harsh, but it is true. We cannot become impatient and frustrated by circumstances without insinuating that the previous is true.
Remember the words of the scriptures:
"Rest in the lord, and wait patiently for him," (Psalms 37:7)
"I WAITED patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry," (Psalms 40:1)
"Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof: and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit. Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry: for anger resteth in the bosom of fools. Say not thou, What is the cause that the former days were better than these? for thou dost not enquire wisely concerning this." (Ecclesiastes 7:8-10)
It would be best if we all adopted the philosophy, "Be still my soul, thy wise, thy heavenly friend, through thorny ways leads to a joyful end," (Be Still My Soul, Hymns #124). In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
Saturday, March 6, 2010
Running Fast
During the past two weeks the pressures of school, home and work took their toll on me. I enrolled in 12.5 credit hours this semester and was trying to balance that inbetween the demands of my wife and kids and the requirements of my full time job. This had seemed manageable in my mind when I signed up for it, but I wasn't really paying attention to the Spirit.
"And see that all these things are done in wisdom and order; for it is not requisite that a man should run faster than he has strength. And again, it is expedient that he should be diligent, that thereby he might win the prize; therefore, all things must be done in order." (Mosiah 4:27)
I'm sure that many, like myself, have heard these words or their synonyms many times. It has been easy for me to understand this principle in the physical sense because I have had asthma since I was very young child and it severely limits my speed and endurance in sports. What it has never correlated to with me is my mind.
For some reason I have entertained this belief that I can handle all things if I put my mind to it. It probably stems from such passages as:
"I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." (Philip 4:13)
"And I said unto them: If God had commanded me to do all things I could do them. If he should command me that I should say unto this water, be thou earth, it should be earth; and if I should say it, it would be done." (1 Nephi 17:50)
But remember, that to be understood properly we must always take things in context. Both Paul and Nephi were talking about God given mandates and as Nephi said earlier, "I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded, for I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them," (1 Nephi 3:7). See, the trick is that God has to command it. If he hasn't approved it, then you do not have the assurance that he will enable you to see it through.
I feel the best example that correlated to my problem is that of the Prophet Joseph Smith. He had a divine calling - translate the Book of Mormon. This was a crucial part of the restoration and has been a blessing to millions since its completion. Surely timing was of the essence and the faster the better, right? Yet listen to the words of the Lord on the matter:
"Do not run faster or labor more than you have strength and means provided to enable you to translate; but be diligent unto the end," (D&C 10:4)
Even a work as important as the Book of Mormon had to be done in its proper time and place. The same applies to us today with our goals. I desperately want to finish college and do it quickly, but it is not the best for me to run at an all out sprint through the academic world. I don't have the strength nor means. My other responsibilities require enough of me that I must maintain a slower, though steady, course that ensures completion without destruction.
I know now what this means in my life and pray that others may find these truths reflected in their own. May the Lord bless you with the wisdom to know your limits, for he said, "I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them." (Ether 12:27). I pray this will be so, in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
PS - I dropped a class and went to 3/4 time. It was the best decision I've made academically.
"And see that all these things are done in wisdom and order; for it is not requisite that a man should run faster than he has strength. And again, it is expedient that he should be diligent, that thereby he might win the prize; therefore, all things must be done in order." (Mosiah 4:27)
I'm sure that many, like myself, have heard these words or their synonyms many times. It has been easy for me to understand this principle in the physical sense because I have had asthma since I was very young child and it severely limits my speed and endurance in sports. What it has never correlated to with me is my mind.
For some reason I have entertained this belief that I can handle all things if I put my mind to it. It probably stems from such passages as:
"I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." (Philip 4:13)
"And I said unto them: If God had commanded me to do all things I could do them. If he should command me that I should say unto this water, be thou earth, it should be earth; and if I should say it, it would be done." (1 Nephi 17:50)
But remember, that to be understood properly we must always take things in context. Both Paul and Nephi were talking about God given mandates and as Nephi said earlier, "I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded, for I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them," (1 Nephi 3:7). See, the trick is that God has to command it. If he hasn't approved it, then you do not have the assurance that he will enable you to see it through.
I feel the best example that correlated to my problem is that of the Prophet Joseph Smith. He had a divine calling - translate the Book of Mormon. This was a crucial part of the restoration and has been a blessing to millions since its completion. Surely timing was of the essence and the faster the better, right? Yet listen to the words of the Lord on the matter:
"Do not run faster or labor more than you have strength and means provided to enable you to translate; but be diligent unto the end," (D&C 10:4)
Even a work as important as the Book of Mormon had to be done in its proper time and place. The same applies to us today with our goals. I desperately want to finish college and do it quickly, but it is not the best for me to run at an all out sprint through the academic world. I don't have the strength nor means. My other responsibilities require enough of me that I must maintain a slower, though steady, course that ensures completion without destruction.
I know now what this means in my life and pray that others may find these truths reflected in their own. May the Lord bless you with the wisdom to know your limits, for he said, "I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them." (Ether 12:27). I pray this will be so, in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
PS - I dropped a class and went to 3/4 time. It was the best decision I've made academically.
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
New Name
When I first started this blog I felt to name it "Faith Preceeds the Miracle." It was during a spell check that I realized that was not only incorrect, but that Spencer W. Kimball had already taken that title for a book "Faith Precedes the Miracle" with the correct spelling of 'precedes'. I left the title, now spelled correctly, until today.
Last night I was thinking about the entrees I'd written so far and the ones I wanted to write soon and realized that this blog's title should correlate with what it is truly about - Pursuing Truth. Of all the things I care about, nothing is more important to me in the world of learning than to obtain a thorough and complete understanding of the gospel of Jesus Christ. I hope that this blog will reflect that pursuit and will be of use to me and others now and in the future.
Last night I was thinking about the entrees I'd written so far and the ones I wanted to write soon and realized that this blog's title should correlate with what it is truly about - Pursuing Truth. Of all the things I care about, nothing is more important to me in the world of learning than to obtain a thorough and complete understanding of the gospel of Jesus Christ. I hope that this blog will reflect that pursuit and will be of use to me and others now and in the future.
Sunday, February 28, 2010
The Pursuit of Truth
On Friday I was chatting with a colleague and told him of my experience with the blog and how it had been a bit more than I bargained for when I discovered the truth about the R-rated movies from general authority quotes. He was hesitantly inquisitive about what I learned and I shared the quote in "R-rated Movies" from Bishop H Burke Peterson. After I finished and said my feelings on it he told me of his collection of edited R-rated movies and said, "Next time I ask, don't tell me."
Aren't we all like that sometimes - especially within the LDS church? See, we know that the road ahead isn't easy. It requires sacrifice and hard work almost every time we learn a new commandment or doctrine of the gospel. We desire, it seems, to avoid moments of instruction just to ensure that we won't be "caught with guile," (Alma 18:23).
But what are we doing to ourselves in those moments? Is it worth not hearing the word of the Lord so we can avoid new requirements and expectations? I thought about this, reflecting on my life before my mission and how little I exerted myself towards anything. Not surprisingly, "nothing ventured, nothing gained," seemed to prove itself true constantly. So I thought to myself, What are we to do? Then the scriptures started flooding into my mind.
"There is a law, irrevocably decreed in heaven before the foundations of this world, upon which all blessings are predicated—And when we obtain any blessing from God, it is by obedience to that law upon which it is predicated," (Doctrine and Covenants 130:20-21). This simple and profound truth dictates the movement of the world. When we follow gospel laws - knowingly or not - we are blessed (further blessings are obviously obtained for the conscience adherence to a law). When we do not follow gospel laws - knowingly or not - we are cursed or at least not blessed.
As far as accountability is concerned the words of Mormon ring clear, "For behold that all little children are alive in Christ, and also all they that are without the law. For the power of redemption cometh on all them that have no law; wherefore, he that is not condemned, or he that is under no condemnation, cannot repent," (Moroni 8:22). We are to be judged according to the truth that we know. It is the only condition that our thoughts, words and deeds will be pit against during judgment. This does not, however, give us entitlement to blessings (or the absence of cursings) despite our behavior. We can only obtain such by adhering to the laws they are predicated on.
For example: in America it is considered commonplace for young men and boys to engage in pornography and promiscuous activities. Yet from modern prophets we've learned that such behavior is destructive and debasing. Youth and adults who participate in such exploits are far more likely to treat women with disrespect, be unfaithful to spouses and even become abusive, than their chaste counterparts. Their adherence to the law - though unknown - still carries consequences. Their condemnation at the judgment will depend on the level of understanding they had, but their current state of being still is dependent on what laws they are following.
If we want to obtain the blessings promised we must adapt our behaviors to the laws of God and "true doctrine, understood, changes attitudes and behavior. The study of the doctrines of the gospel will improve behavior quicker than a study of behavior will improve behavior," (Boyd K. Packer, “Do Not Fear,” Liahona, May 2004, 77–80). Therefore the pursuit of truth should be the goal of all of us. It is as the Savior said, "And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free," (John 8:32).
To those unwilling to move ahead I echo the words of Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, "it is not better to remain outside the Church nor to reject a mission call nor to put off marriage and so on and so on forever," (BYU Speeches of the Year, March 1999). We must seek after, adhere to and cleave unto truth for it ennobles and enlightens and it is what will lift us up when centered on Christ and his atonement. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
Aren't we all like that sometimes - especially within the LDS church? See, we know that the road ahead isn't easy. It requires sacrifice and hard work almost every time we learn a new commandment or doctrine of the gospel. We desire, it seems, to avoid moments of instruction just to ensure that we won't be "caught with guile," (Alma 18:23).
But what are we doing to ourselves in those moments? Is it worth not hearing the word of the Lord so we can avoid new requirements and expectations? I thought about this, reflecting on my life before my mission and how little I exerted myself towards anything. Not surprisingly, "nothing ventured, nothing gained," seemed to prove itself true constantly. So I thought to myself, What are we to do? Then the scriptures started flooding into my mind.
"There is a law, irrevocably decreed in heaven before the foundations of this world, upon which all blessings are predicated—And when we obtain any blessing from God, it is by obedience to that law upon which it is predicated," (Doctrine and Covenants 130:20-21). This simple and profound truth dictates the movement of the world. When we follow gospel laws - knowingly or not - we are blessed (further blessings are obviously obtained for the conscience adherence to a law). When we do not follow gospel laws - knowingly or not - we are cursed or at least not blessed.
As far as accountability is concerned the words of Mormon ring clear, "For behold that all little children are alive in Christ, and also all they that are without the law. For the power of redemption cometh on all them that have no law; wherefore, he that is not condemned, or he that is under no condemnation, cannot repent," (Moroni 8:22). We are to be judged according to the truth that we know. It is the only condition that our thoughts, words and deeds will be pit against during judgment. This does not, however, give us entitlement to blessings (or the absence of cursings) despite our behavior. We can only obtain such by adhering to the laws they are predicated on.
For example: in America it is considered commonplace for young men and boys to engage in pornography and promiscuous activities. Yet from modern prophets we've learned that such behavior is destructive and debasing. Youth and adults who participate in such exploits are far more likely to treat women with disrespect, be unfaithful to spouses and even become abusive, than their chaste counterparts. Their adherence to the law - though unknown - still carries consequences. Their condemnation at the judgment will depend on the level of understanding they had, but their current state of being still is dependent on what laws they are following.
If we want to obtain the blessings promised we must adapt our behaviors to the laws of God and "true doctrine, understood, changes attitudes and behavior. The study of the doctrines of the gospel will improve behavior quicker than a study of behavior will improve behavior," (Boyd K. Packer, “Do Not Fear,” Liahona, May 2004, 77–80). Therefore the pursuit of truth should be the goal of all of us. It is as the Savior said, "And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free," (John 8:32).
To those unwilling to move ahead I echo the words of Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, "it is not better to remain outside the Church nor to reject a mission call nor to put off marriage and so on and so on forever," (BYU Speeches of the Year, March 1999). We must seek after, adhere to and cleave unto truth for it ennobles and enlightens and it is what will lift us up when centered on Christ and his atonement. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Reasons Revisted
After having the encounter with a friend over the R-rated movie issue I talked about in my last blog I recognized something about these blogs. I know no one is really reading them and probably won't read this one. It seems that the original question of "is this for me or for others" has been answered.
But that is only part of these blogs. While I thought initially these would just stand on their own, they now are clearly a part of something greater. I have a goal to achieve a thorough understanding of the gospel of Jesus Christ as taught by the scriptures and Modern Prophets and apostles. To do that I have to explore new topics, write out ideas and find quotes and passages that not only illustrate the point, but provide the authority essential to maintaining its integrity.
I am dedicating myself to doing just this,regardless of whether others read these entries or not. This is to be a resource in my quest for self perfection and helping others which is a part of my patriarchal blessing. If you read these blogs, I hope they will help you. Thanks for participating in my journey.
But that is only part of these blogs. While I thought initially these would just stand on their own, they now are clearly a part of something greater. I have a goal to achieve a thorough understanding of the gospel of Jesus Christ as taught by the scriptures and Modern Prophets and apostles. To do that I have to explore new topics, write out ideas and find quotes and passages that not only illustrate the point, but provide the authority essential to maintaining its integrity.
I am dedicating myself to doing just this,regardless of whether others read these entries or not. This is to be a resource in my quest for self perfection and helping others which is a part of my patriarchal blessing. If you read these blogs, I hope they will help you. Thanks for participating in my journey.
Sunday, February 21, 2010
R-rated Movies
Wow. I thought this one was a cut and dry subject in the LDS community. Since I was a youth the counsel to not see R-rated movies has been drilled into my head. I once went against that counsel as a teenager and felt so guilty about that before my mission I had to talk to the bishop and swear to never see that film again in its unedited form.
Yesterday, as has happened before, a friend spoke of their disdain for this rule. Others have done likewise telling me how it wasn't spoken as a commandment from a prophet of God and didn't work anyway since the ratings system is flawed. I finally had to say something, even if it is just in this blog.
What is it about this Church that its people can't reconcile what a prophet of God or his fellow laborers have said with what the membership should do in their lives? I often hear people justify not listening to the prophet by saying, "It was only a suggestion," or "It's just a guideline and I'm mature enough to understand it." Where on earth did the prophet, the apostles or seventy ever stand up and say, "By the way, this is just a good idea. Don't worry about living it completely,"? When an authority of God even casually mentions something, we would be wise to look into it if not follow it, but when several have said it and preached it, it is not just a passing whim or fancy; it is doctrine.
Curious to know what they actually said about R-rated films? I was. I figured, Maybe I'm wrong. So many people seem to have justifiable reasons for ignoring this counsel; at least in part. Perhaps they have a valid point. There was only way to find out. Go read some quotes and talks. Here is the summary (and I emphasize summary because they don't talk about it only once or twice).
President Benson said:
"Consider carefully the words of the prophet Alma to his errant son, Corianton, Forsake your sins, and go no more after the lusts of your eyes. (Alma 39:9) The lusts of your eyes. In our day, what does that expression mean? Movies, television programs and video recordings that are both suggestive and lewd....We counsel you young men [and women] not to pollute your minds with such degrading matter, for the mind through which this filth passes is never the same afterwards. Don't see R-rated movies or vulgar videos or participate in any entertainment that is immoral, suggestive or pornographic. Watch those shows and entertainment that lift the spirit and promote clean thoughts and actions," (April Conference, 1986; Quoted in Ensign May 1986, p. 45, emphasis added).
Presiding Bishop Peterson:
Elder Robert L Simpson (Assistant to the Council of the Twelve):
President Hartman Rector, Jr. (President of the First Council of the Seventy):
How can we, with any true degree of honesty, say that we are following the counsel of living and modern prophets when we ignore such a simple and profound statement? We cannot - for it is clear that those representing the Savior wish us to avoid such things.
Some still say these are only guidelines and that the standard has changed and it is more open to interpretation. STANDARDS DO NOT LESSEN OVER TIME! They are built upon and strengthened, but not diminished. God does not say on one day, "Do not have sexual relations outside marriage," and on the following, "As long as you really love each other, it is okay." He does not change and will not change. As the world gets more wicked the bar will be raised to match and keep us out of filthiness.
Christ's new law was not less than the Law of Moses - it was harder. He told them that it was no longer enough to not kill; even anger was a sin. Acting on sexual desire was still bad and it was now just as bad to look and lust after. It is the same here. We were once counseled by authorized servants of God to not watch R-rated movies and the standard has not slackened, but become more strict. Read the message from the pamphlet For The Strength of Youth (which by the way, this document was prepared and approved by the First Presidency and Counsel of the Twelve):
"Do not attend, view, or participate in entertainment that is vulgar, immoral, violent, or pornographic in any way. Do not participate in entertainment that in any way presents immorality or violent behavior as acceptable," (For the Strength of Youth, 2001).
Brothers and sisters the admonition is not only clear it is absolutely irrefutable. We do not watch R-rated movies and we must carefully screen the others. To those who do not have the same rating system as in America the same standards and rules apply: don't watch movies glamorizing gratuitous sex, violence or moral abandonment. The best counsel is to avoid it if unsure.
Remember there will be those like Bishop Peterson spoke of who subtlety lead us away from the truth, but the counsel was clear then and is stronger now: No R-rated movies and those with milder ratings should be approached cautiously. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
Yesterday, as has happened before, a friend spoke of their disdain for this rule. Others have done likewise telling me how it wasn't spoken as a commandment from a prophet of God and didn't work anyway since the ratings system is flawed. I finally had to say something, even if it is just in this blog.
What is it about this Church that its people can't reconcile what a prophet of God or his fellow laborers have said with what the membership should do in their lives? I often hear people justify not listening to the prophet by saying, "It was only a suggestion," or "It's just a guideline and I'm mature enough to understand it." Where on earth did the prophet, the apostles or seventy ever stand up and say, "By the way, this is just a good idea. Don't worry about living it completely,"? When an authority of God even casually mentions something, we would be wise to look into it if not follow it, but when several have said it and preached it, it is not just a passing whim or fancy; it is doctrine.
Curious to know what they actually said about R-rated films? I was. I figured, Maybe I'm wrong. So many people seem to have justifiable reasons for ignoring this counsel; at least in part. Perhaps they have a valid point. There was only way to find out. Go read some quotes and talks. Here is the summary (and I emphasize summary because they don't talk about it only once or twice).
President Benson said:
"Consider carefully the words of the prophet Alma to his errant son, Corianton, Forsake your sins, and go no more after the lusts of your eyes. (Alma 39:9) The lusts of your eyes. In our day, what does that expression mean? Movies, television programs and video recordings that are both suggestive and lewd....We counsel you young men [and women] not to pollute your minds with such degrading matter, for the mind through which this filth passes is never the same afterwards. Don't see R-rated movies or vulgar videos or participate in any entertainment that is immoral, suggestive or pornographic. Watch those shows and entertainment that lift the spirit and promote clean thoughts and actions," (April Conference, 1986; Quoted in Ensign May 1986, p. 45, emphasis added).
Presiding Bishop Peterson:
"Now, my brothers and sisters, beware of loose thinkers, be they peers or teachers. The subtlety of their influence can be disarming and destructive. Regardless of what others may do, there should not be any X- or R-rated movies that we participate in viewing or talking about. Shun them as you would the plague. A good movie with only a little pornography or vulgarity is not a good movie; it is satanic," (Bishop H. Burke Peterson, BYU Speeches Oct 25, 1983, emphasis added).
Elder Robert L Simpson (Assistant to the Council of the Twelve):
"It goes without saying that all X- and R-rated movies are automatically eliminated," (October Conference, 1972; Quoted from Ensign, Jan 1973, p112).
President Hartman Rector, Jr. (President of the First Council of the Seventy):
"Do not attend R- or X-rated movies," (October Conference, 1972; Quoted from Ensign, Jan 1973, p130).
How can we, with any true degree of honesty, say that we are following the counsel of living and modern prophets when we ignore such a simple and profound statement? We cannot - for it is clear that those representing the Savior wish us to avoid such things.
Some still say these are only guidelines and that the standard has changed and it is more open to interpretation. STANDARDS DO NOT LESSEN OVER TIME! They are built upon and strengthened, but not diminished. God does not say on one day, "Do not have sexual relations outside marriage," and on the following, "As long as you really love each other, it is okay." He does not change and will not change. As the world gets more wicked the bar will be raised to match and keep us out of filthiness.
Christ's new law was not less than the Law of Moses - it was harder. He told them that it was no longer enough to not kill; even anger was a sin. Acting on sexual desire was still bad and it was now just as bad to look and lust after. It is the same here. We were once counseled by authorized servants of God to not watch R-rated movies and the standard has not slackened, but become more strict. Read the message from the pamphlet For The Strength of Youth (which by the way, this document was prepared and approved by the First Presidency and Counsel of the Twelve):
"Do not attend, view, or participate in entertainment that is vulgar, immoral, violent, or pornographic in any way. Do not participate in entertainment that in any way presents immorality or violent behavior as acceptable," (For the Strength of Youth, 2001).
Brothers and sisters the admonition is not only clear it is absolutely irrefutable. We do not watch R-rated movies and we must carefully screen the others. To those who do not have the same rating system as in America the same standards and rules apply: don't watch movies glamorizing gratuitous sex, violence or moral abandonment. The best counsel is to avoid it if unsure.
Remember there will be those like Bishop Peterson spoke of who subtlety lead us away from the truth, but the counsel was clear then and is stronger now: No R-rated movies and those with milder ratings should be approached cautiously. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
Monday, February 8, 2010
A Thought: 40 years
In priesthood the Elder's quorum presidency spoke on the "revised" emphasis from the First Presidency and the pursuit of Zion. They used the example of the children of Israel and their fear of seeing the Lord on Mount Zion.
It struck me that we are like the Children of Israel in our faith. They had to wander 40 years in the wilderness to kill off the wicked older generation who came from Egypt in order to give the next generation a chance to found the kingdom of Israel correctly. This letter was first given in 1995 and is being revised 14 years later. Are we going to take another 26 years to own up to this and watch our children become that generation while we are slowly "killed" off to no longer prevent their entrance into the kingdom? Or are we going to step up and be that generation so that we might find our own way in thus enabling the children further in their efforts than they would on their own?
It struck me that we are like the Children of Israel in our faith. They had to wander 40 years in the wilderness to kill off the wicked older generation who came from Egypt in order to give the next generation a chance to found the kingdom of Israel correctly. This letter was first given in 1995 and is being revised 14 years later. Are we going to take another 26 years to own up to this and watch our children become that generation while we are slowly "killed" off to no longer prevent their entrance into the kingdom? Or are we going to step up and be that generation so that we might find our own way in thus enabling the children further in their efforts than they would on their own?
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Entertainment versus Exaltation - Part One
This blog might be one of the more selfish ones that I write since it hinges on a lot of personal study, reflection and change. I hope it will be of worth to you as well as myself. It will be a multi-part work in the end.
Almost two decades ago, my parents gave me a video game system as a gift. We had very few games for it and the graphics were similar to poorly drawn cartoons, but even coupled with my poor playing skills these things mattered little to me. I loved that system.
As time went by, more games were added and eventually more systems. I developed a bond with the video game world. If I was hurt or upset it would accept me into its varying worlds and allowed me a form of forgetfulness that I attributed to peace. The solace I found there only required time, though the price grew higher throughout the years.
When I got to high school the games were there. I left school work to play them if I did feel at ease. Of course it left the school work undone which added to the stress of life and drove me back to the games again. This cycle led to a lack of social life, poor grades and a lack of self-esteem outside the pixel world.
What disturbed me and has driven me to write this entry is how difficult it was to give up the games even though they contributed nothing of value to my life. It took a lot of introspection, gospel insights and new motivation to break away from their grip. I want to share not only the path I took, but also the teachings from my faith surrounding this topic. Please allow me a little indulgence.
My first real hint, other than my parents, was from Elder M Russel Ballard in the October conference of 2002. I had already been called as a missionary, received my endowments, and was waiting to leave for the Missionary Training Center in November. During this priesthood session address, I, like so many young men that night, felt ripped apart. What a presentation. You could not deny the truth of his words as he boldly declared, "Please understand this: the bar that is the standard for missionary service is being raised. The day of the 'repent and go' missionary is over."
Just moments after this legendary phrase was uttered, Elder Ballard hit me with another spiritual sucker punch. He said to limit "the amount of time spent playing computer games. How many kills you can make in a minute with a computer game will have zero effect on your capacity to be a good missionary." In a moment all the actual preparation I had put into leaving flashed in front of my mind and it paled in comparison to the investment I had made in video game entertainment.
While in my first area on the mission, I found that the problems didn't just disappear. After two more missionaries were added to the area a member family invited us over for dinner. Once the pizza and salad was eaten he invited all four of us to play a video game. Over an hour later I left feeling absolutely ashamed.
Several times since then I have reflected on the phrase, "see that ye serve him with all your heart, might, mind and strength, that ye may stand blameless before God at the last day, " (D&C 4:2). All of my faculties were somewhere else for that hour plus of time. I was not blameless.
I vowed at that point never to let video games interfere with my life again. For my mission I kept my word expect once when it was actually a good moment to sit with a less active member and we talked almost all the time (we played for around 15 minutes). When an investigator gave me a newer game as a gift I put it in my trunk and decided to figure out what to do with it later.
By the time I returned from the mission I had decided to give them up entirely. What worthy purpose had they ever served in my life? I told my family my decision and after being laughed at watched myself fall right back into where I'd been before.
Marrying Stephanie brought great hope and love into my life. I saw our future as both promising and full of joy. Nothing would come between us. Then we got a video game system as a wedding gift.
I am reminded that while I feel horrible about who I was, I was not as bad as many men become and certainly not abusive. What hurts me is knowing that I placed a high value on those games. They meant a lot to me and I would continue to go to them for solace rather than turning with heartfelt communication to my eternal companion when troubles arose; even troubles between the two of us. I did not understand fully the counsel to "let nothing in life take priority over your wife—neither work, recreation, nor hobby," (Russel M Nelson, April Conference 1999).
Continued on Entertainment versus Exaltation - Part Two...
Almost two decades ago, my parents gave me a video game system as a gift. We had very few games for it and the graphics were similar to poorly drawn cartoons, but even coupled with my poor playing skills these things mattered little to me. I loved that system.
As time went by, more games were added and eventually more systems. I developed a bond with the video game world. If I was hurt or upset it would accept me into its varying worlds and allowed me a form of forgetfulness that I attributed to peace. The solace I found there only required time, though the price grew higher throughout the years.
When I got to high school the games were there. I left school work to play them if I did feel at ease. Of course it left the school work undone which added to the stress of life and drove me back to the games again. This cycle led to a lack of social life, poor grades and a lack of self-esteem outside the pixel world.
What disturbed me and has driven me to write this entry is how difficult it was to give up the games even though they contributed nothing of value to my life. It took a lot of introspection, gospel insights and new motivation to break away from their grip. I want to share not only the path I took, but also the teachings from my faith surrounding this topic. Please allow me a little indulgence.
My first real hint, other than my parents, was from Elder M Russel Ballard in the October conference of 2002. I had already been called as a missionary, received my endowments, and was waiting to leave for the Missionary Training Center in November. During this priesthood session address, I, like so many young men that night, felt ripped apart. What a presentation. You could not deny the truth of his words as he boldly declared, "Please understand this: the bar that is the standard for missionary service is being raised. The day of the 'repent and go' missionary is over."
Just moments after this legendary phrase was uttered, Elder Ballard hit me with another spiritual sucker punch. He said to limit "the amount of time spent playing computer games. How many kills you can make in a minute with a computer game will have zero effect on your capacity to be a good missionary." In a moment all the actual preparation I had put into leaving flashed in front of my mind and it paled in comparison to the investment I had made in video game entertainment.
While in my first area on the mission, I found that the problems didn't just disappear. After two more missionaries were added to the area a member family invited us over for dinner. Once the pizza and salad was eaten he invited all four of us to play a video game. Over an hour later I left feeling absolutely ashamed.
Several times since then I have reflected on the phrase, "see that ye serve him with all your heart, might, mind and strength, that ye may stand blameless before God at the last day, " (D&C 4:2). All of my faculties were somewhere else for that hour plus of time. I was not blameless.
I vowed at that point never to let video games interfere with my life again. For my mission I kept my word expect once when it was actually a good moment to sit with a less active member and we talked almost all the time (we played for around 15 minutes). When an investigator gave me a newer game as a gift I put it in my trunk and decided to figure out what to do with it later.
By the time I returned from the mission I had decided to give them up entirely. What worthy purpose had they ever served in my life? I told my family my decision and after being laughed at watched myself fall right back into where I'd been before.
Marrying Stephanie brought great hope and love into my life. I saw our future as both promising and full of joy. Nothing would come between us. Then we got a video game system as a wedding gift.
I am reminded that while I feel horrible about who I was, I was not as bad as many men become and certainly not abusive. What hurts me is knowing that I placed a high value on those games. They meant a lot to me and I would continue to go to them for solace rather than turning with heartfelt communication to my eternal companion when troubles arose; even troubles between the two of us. I did not understand fully the counsel to "let nothing in life take priority over your wife—neither work, recreation, nor hobby," (Russel M Nelson, April Conference 1999).
Continued on Entertainment versus Exaltation - Part Two...
Entertainment versus Exaltation - Part Two
Even after Caleb came into our lives I had the games. There is a picture of him lying next to me while I am holding a controller. As I think of the image the words of the family proclamation flash into my mind. "Successful marriages and families are established and maintained on principles of faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, work, and wholesome recreational activities," (The Family: A Proclamation to the World, emphasis added).
Wholesome implies, "Conducive to moral or general well-being," (Random House Dictionary, 2010). Recreation is "refreshment by means of some pastime, agreeable exercise, or the like," (Random House Dictionary, 2010). Putting the two together forms the definition that I believe was implied: "Refreshment, conducive to well-being, by means of some pastime." Sadly, Caleb was getting nothing out of it and I was not being refreshed. Video games take, they don't give back.
With the ever mounting pressures of school coupled with the demands of family life the gaming finally hit a nerve I could no longer ignore. Speaking specifically to fathers, Harold B Lee said, "The most important of the Lord's work that you will ever do will be the work you do within the walls of your own home," (Strengthening the Home [pamphlet 1973], 7). I felt the import of that calling as I watched my son begin to grow and develop and then my daughter too. They were in my care. God had entrusted them to my wife and I for protection and learning. I knew then that I had to let the games go if I ever wanted to be what God needed me to be.
I took the games to a store and traded them in for cash. Though I had wanted to buy movies with it to ease the pain, the money ended up going to family needs and I never saw it again. It was a much better ending anyway because the addiction to games is just part of the problem. Entertainment as a whole is dangerous without the proper perspective.
For me video games are not an option. Like the people of Ammon I have buried my weapons of war and they will remain there. I will not take them up again. But media in general poses another problem.
"Therefore, choose only entertainment and media that uplift you. Good entertainment will help you to have good thoughts and make righteous choices." (For the Strength of Youth, 2001). Entertainment is not anymore evil in nature than is a television set or a radio. The evil creeps in from the misuse of such things, whether that is overuse or inappropriate content.
Filth is ever present in our media today. Even as good Christian people we often miss the foul ingredients that are embedded in the shows, movies and games we watch. I think of the words of Alma about his son, Corianton's, sin. He asked if Corianton knew sexual misconduct is the worst "yea, most abominable above all sins save it be the shedding of innocent blood or denying the Holy Ghost?" And then he went on, "For behold, if ye deny the Holy Ghost when it once has had place in you, and ye know that ye deny it, behold, this is a sin which is unpardonable; yea, and whosoever murdereth against the light and knowledge of God, it is not easy for him to obtain forgiveness; yea, I say unto you, my son, that it is not easy for him to obtain a forgiveness." (Alma 39:5-6).
Drawing from his words, we have the three worst sins we can commit: Denial of the Holy Ghost, Murder, and Adultery. These are prevalent in all our media today. In fact, our criteria for ratings is largely based on the last two. Denial of the Holy Ghost, while generally referring to the ultimate sin of lying in the face of God, is also a process of getting to that heinous act by ignoring the promptings of the spirit and denying God's existence.
These three sins are in almost every film out there in the world today. Practically all modern shows and cinema deny God in order to pursue another end. It can be that pleasure is the ultimate experience, that only survival of the fittest is truth or even that there is no truth and existence itself is a misappropriated belief. There are thousands of these variants playing every hour on the hour on television stations across the world. They sell us these lies at the price of time and values. This makes it absolutely critical to choose the best entertainment.
I look back at the definition we set up earlier. Entertainment must be refreshing and good to our souls (body, mind and spirit). Sometimes we need a good movie or book to provide a little relief from the world and express things of the soul. A concert or set of music can provide the same thing. Many different options are available and can be pursued if done in wisdom and in order, not in the spirit of glutting ourselves upon it.
Entertainment is not required for salvation, but our sanity may be saved at times by it. It is not tied directly to exaltation, but it isn't denied either. It requires a balance that the world sadly does not understand. We cannot let ourselves become slaves to the television shows and movies of the day.
We must dedicate our lives to following the Savior and his teachings which ask us to give our heart and soul to him, not idols of metal and glass. He wants to bless us and has great desires to uplift us, but cannot do so if we continually shut out the Holy Ghost by the misuse of media.
I love the Lord and am trying to do more to follow him. I hope and pray he will aid all of us in rising above the filth of the world and becoming the saints of God he asks us to be. I say this in his sacred name, Jesus Christ, amen.
Wholesome implies, "Conducive to moral or general well-being," (Random House Dictionary, 2010). Recreation is "refreshment by means of some pastime, agreeable exercise, or the like," (Random House Dictionary, 2010). Putting the two together forms the definition that I believe was implied: "Refreshment, conducive to well-being, by means of some pastime." Sadly, Caleb was getting nothing out of it and I was not being refreshed. Video games take, they don't give back.
With the ever mounting pressures of school coupled with the demands of family life the gaming finally hit a nerve I could no longer ignore. Speaking specifically to fathers, Harold B Lee said, "The most important of the Lord's work that you will ever do will be the work you do within the walls of your own home," (Strengthening the Home [pamphlet 1973], 7). I felt the import of that calling as I watched my son begin to grow and develop and then my daughter too. They were in my care. God had entrusted them to my wife and I for protection and learning. I knew then that I had to let the games go if I ever wanted to be what God needed me to be.
I took the games to a store and traded them in for cash. Though I had wanted to buy movies with it to ease the pain, the money ended up going to family needs and I never saw it again. It was a much better ending anyway because the addiction to games is just part of the problem. Entertainment as a whole is dangerous without the proper perspective.
For me video games are not an option. Like the people of Ammon I have buried my weapons of war and they will remain there. I will not take them up again. But media in general poses another problem.
"Therefore, choose only entertainment and media that uplift you. Good entertainment will help you to have good thoughts and make righteous choices." (For the Strength of Youth, 2001). Entertainment is not anymore evil in nature than is a television set or a radio. The evil creeps in from the misuse of such things, whether that is overuse or inappropriate content.
Filth is ever present in our media today. Even as good Christian people we often miss the foul ingredients that are embedded in the shows, movies and games we watch. I think of the words of Alma about his son, Corianton's, sin. He asked if Corianton knew sexual misconduct is the worst "yea, most abominable above all sins save it be the shedding of innocent blood or denying the Holy Ghost?" And then he went on, "For behold, if ye deny the Holy Ghost when it once has had place in you, and ye know that ye deny it, behold, this is a sin which is unpardonable; yea, and whosoever murdereth against the light and knowledge of God, it is not easy for him to obtain forgiveness; yea, I say unto you, my son, that it is not easy for him to obtain a forgiveness." (Alma 39:5-6).
Drawing from his words, we have the three worst sins we can commit: Denial of the Holy Ghost, Murder, and Adultery. These are prevalent in all our media today. In fact, our criteria for ratings is largely based on the last two. Denial of the Holy Ghost, while generally referring to the ultimate sin of lying in the face of God, is also a process of getting to that heinous act by ignoring the promptings of the spirit and denying God's existence.
These three sins are in almost every film out there in the world today. Practically all modern shows and cinema deny God in order to pursue another end. It can be that pleasure is the ultimate experience, that only survival of the fittest is truth or even that there is no truth and existence itself is a misappropriated belief. There are thousands of these variants playing every hour on the hour on television stations across the world. They sell us these lies at the price of time and values. This makes it absolutely critical to choose the best entertainment.
I look back at the definition we set up earlier. Entertainment must be refreshing and good to our souls (body, mind and spirit). Sometimes we need a good movie or book to provide a little relief from the world and express things of the soul. A concert or set of music can provide the same thing. Many different options are available and can be pursued if done in wisdom and in order, not in the spirit of glutting ourselves upon it.
Entertainment is not required for salvation, but our sanity may be saved at times by it. It is not tied directly to exaltation, but it isn't denied either. It requires a balance that the world sadly does not understand. We cannot let ourselves become slaves to the television shows and movies of the day.
We must dedicate our lives to following the Savior and his teachings which ask us to give our heart and soul to him, not idols of metal and glass. He wants to bless us and has great desires to uplift us, but cannot do so if we continually shut out the Holy Ghost by the misuse of media.
I love the Lord and am trying to do more to follow him. I hope and pray he will aid all of us in rising above the filth of the world and becoming the saints of God he asks us to be. I say this in his sacred name, Jesus Christ, amen.
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Divorce is not the Answer
There is nothing so heart wrenching as the thought of friends and family not remaining together. I know that the divorce rate in this country has increased dramatically the past several decades and that it is almost considered the "norm" for people to go through it since - according to statistics - more than one half of all marriages will end in divorce. I know that there are cases where such a move is not only warranted, but actually the best move - usually due to abuse. And I firmly know that - barring such abuse - divorce is an ugly, pernicious sin that is destroying our society and the world at large one family at a time.
Remember what the scriptures tell us about marriage:
"What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder." (Matt 19:6, Mark 10:9)
"For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and cleave to his wife." (Mark 10:7)
"Thou shalt love thy wife with all thy heart, and shalt cleave unto her and none else." (D&C 42:22)
"Neither is the man without the woman, neither the woman without the man, in the Lord." (1 Cor 11:11)
When are we as a people, LDS or not, going to stop making excuses and recognize that we are being lazy and careless with one of the most sacred treasures of eternity?
"Marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God," (Family Proclamation).
It is sacred. It is holy and good. It is designed not only to further society through the bearing and proper raising of children, but to ennoble and uplift the spouses to more exalted spheres of existence. The disintegration of such a union does not come from God. It is rooted in the selfish and unmotivated thoughts and actions of its members.
"Too many who come to marriage have been coddled and spoiled and somehow led to feel that everything must be precisely right at all times, that life is a series of entertainments, that appetites are to satisfied without regard to principle. How tragic the consequences of such hollow and unreasonable thinking!" (Gordon B Hinckley, Ensign, May 1991).
One does not simply "fall out of love." Such a change of direction is the result of not putting the effort and time necessary into the endeavor; letting self override the relationship. Divorce courts are full of documents stating "irreconcilable differences" as the source of the distress. That is nothing more than an admittal of laziness and defeat on the part of the couple. Their problems are the result of the disease of selfishness. This disease has a cure, but it is not in the courts.
"The remedy for domestic problems and irritations is not divorce, but repentance," (Elder Stephen L. Richards, quoted by Boyd K Packer, BYU Speeches 1963).
Let me illustrate with an idea...
Imagine if even just one of the guilty party were to stop and think for a moment. Realizing what they were doing and coming to the knowledge that in large measure they were wrong, they try to change their ways.The initial change might be one-sided - one spouse doing all the work to head in the right direction, but only a completely emotionless and wicked person would be unable to see the truth in a heartfelt and honest attempt to save relationship.
The work will be hard and uncomfortable. It will require effort and dedication on both their parts. But after time the miracle occurs. Communication is resumed. True feelings, not petty surface tension, but real deep and honest emotions, are shared. They remember the reasons they married and the joy they once had. Things progress onward and forward from there as the two continue striving to be one.
I cannot tell you how strongly I feel about this moral plague. It burns deep within me and fuels a desire to shout these thoughts and feelings to those I know struggling with it in their lives. I long to help and to bring them back to the light of the gospel wherein the righteous can find peace. Only through the truths that are contained within its scope can true happiness, in marriage especially, be found.
I hope that people read this for what it is worth. God never said that any part of our existence would be a walk in the park. In fact Christ spoke of heartache, pain and suffering for those who followed him. But the promise is sure - the "afflictions shall be but a small moment; and then, if thou endure it well, God shall exalt thee on high," (Doctrine and Covenants 121:7-8).
We are to partake in all the Father has for us if we will just endure. Push forward with faith and behold the miracles of life spread out before you. God will always provide a way. I promise this, as have many apostles and prophets of this and former dispensations, in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
SEE ALSO
Dallin H Oaks, "Divorce" http://www.lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?hideNav=1&locale=0&sourceId=ec21b5658af22110VgnVCM100000176f620a____&vgnextoid=2354fccf2b7db010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD
Gospel Library, Gospel Topics, "Divorce"
http://www.lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?locale=0&sourceId=1d7f0bbce1d98010VgnVCM1000004d82620a____&vgnextoid=bbd508f54922d010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD
Remember what the scriptures tell us about marriage:
"What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder." (Matt 19:6, Mark 10:9)
"For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and cleave to his wife." (Mark 10:7)
"Thou shalt love thy wife with all thy heart, and shalt cleave unto her and none else." (D&C 42:22)
"Neither is the man without the woman, neither the woman without the man, in the Lord." (1 Cor 11:11)
When are we as a people, LDS or not, going to stop making excuses and recognize that we are being lazy and careless with one of the most sacred treasures of eternity?
"Marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God," (Family Proclamation).
It is sacred. It is holy and good. It is designed not only to further society through the bearing and proper raising of children, but to ennoble and uplift the spouses to more exalted spheres of existence. The disintegration of such a union does not come from God. It is rooted in the selfish and unmotivated thoughts and actions of its members.
"Too many who come to marriage have been coddled and spoiled and somehow led to feel that everything must be precisely right at all times, that life is a series of entertainments, that appetites are to satisfied without regard to principle. How tragic the consequences of such hollow and unreasonable thinking!" (Gordon B Hinckley, Ensign, May 1991).
One does not simply "fall out of love." Such a change of direction is the result of not putting the effort and time necessary into the endeavor; letting self override the relationship. Divorce courts are full of documents stating "irreconcilable differences" as the source of the distress. That is nothing more than an admittal of laziness and defeat on the part of the couple. Their problems are the result of the disease of selfishness. This disease has a cure, but it is not in the courts.
"The remedy for domestic problems and irritations is not divorce, but repentance," (Elder Stephen L. Richards, quoted by Boyd K Packer, BYU Speeches 1963).
Let me illustrate with an idea...
Imagine if even just one of the guilty party were to stop and think for a moment. Realizing what they were doing and coming to the knowledge that in large measure they were wrong, they try to change their ways.The initial change might be one-sided - one spouse doing all the work to head in the right direction, but only a completely emotionless and wicked person would be unable to see the truth in a heartfelt and honest attempt to save relationship.
The work will be hard and uncomfortable. It will require effort and dedication on both their parts. But after time the miracle occurs. Communication is resumed. True feelings, not petty surface tension, but real deep and honest emotions, are shared. They remember the reasons they married and the joy they once had. Things progress onward and forward from there as the two continue striving to be one.
I cannot tell you how strongly I feel about this moral plague. It burns deep within me and fuels a desire to shout these thoughts and feelings to those I know struggling with it in their lives. I long to help and to bring them back to the light of the gospel wherein the righteous can find peace. Only through the truths that are contained within its scope can true happiness, in marriage especially, be found.
I hope that people read this for what it is worth. God never said that any part of our existence would be a walk in the park. In fact Christ spoke of heartache, pain and suffering for those who followed him. But the promise is sure - the "afflictions shall be but a small moment; and then, if thou endure it well, God shall exalt thee on high," (Doctrine and Covenants 121:7-8).
We are to partake in all the Father has for us if we will just endure. Push forward with faith and behold the miracles of life spread out before you. God will always provide a way. I promise this, as have many apostles and prophets of this and former dispensations, in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
SEE ALSO
Dallin H Oaks, "Divorce" http://www.lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?hideNav=1&locale=0&sourceId=ec21b5658af22110VgnVCM100000176f620a____&vgnextoid=2354fccf2b7db010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD
Gospel Library, Gospel Topics, "Divorce"
http://www.lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?locale=0&sourceId=1d7f0bbce1d98010VgnVCM1000004d82620a____&vgnextoid=bbd508f54922d010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD
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