Nothing is better than unhealthy

It has been quite a week. Kaleb and Gregg, thank you for both offering great talks on Sunday. As it turns out both of your talks were a primer for emotional growth opportunities that have presented themselves to me this week. In this post I will be using these two fine brothers’ words with my ponderings and thoughts interjected as I will. If anything in here is profound it is probably from Gregg or Kaleb!

Gregg asked a couple questions that are, in my opinion, essential to a persons eternal growth and happiness. “Do you know who you are?” What makes me the person I am today? I make no apology for my faith Christ or for by belief in the truthfulness of the Plan of Salvation. Do I bring respect and honor to myself, my family, my Priesthood? An honest reflection and not being afraid or complacent in performing a self-inventory of the qualities of my personality that lead me towards or away from a life of respect and honor is essential. I am reminded of a favorite passage from a wonderful book, Le Petit Prince. “On ne voit bien qu'avec le cœur, l'essentiel est invisible pour les yeux." (It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye). There are so many distractions in life. I often find it hard to see exactly where I am and where I am going because life is relative to me, or I am relative to life around me. It is the classic physics example of relative motion. A guy on a glass walled train traveling moving at a high rate of speed drops a ball. To his perspective the ball falls straight down. To a stationary observer standing outside the train the path of the dropped ball is curved. My point is this, how can I, being the guy on the train, accurately describe either my motion (the status of my life) or the dropped balls motion (how I affect the lives of the people around me.)

As Gregg reminded me, we have been given The Gift of the Holy Ghost. Are we using it? How do we use it? How do we know when we feel it? The Holy Ghost is described as being a still small voice. It is up to us to make time for quiet reflection to be able to hear this still small voice. When we do this we will be filled with a desire to be better people and do more good. We will find strength to act on promptings received. We will work to build up the Kingdom of God on the earth.

Toward the end of Gregg’s talk I was impressed with the fact the Gregg found a moment of peace and quiet reflection in which he petitioned his Father in Heaven for help in preparing and presenting his talk. He then got to work and studied, put down his ideas, and organized his thoughts. It was in so doing that the Holy Ghost was able to work in Gregg’s life. Heavenly Father isn’t going to magically make life easy and give anyone a free ride. Gregg provided the motive force; he was anxiously engaged in a good cause. The Holy Ghost was able to prompt and make minor course changes in Gregg’s thoughts leading him to what would be of the most benefit for him and the Fort Apache ward.

Thank you Gregg!

Kaleb’s talk was on forgiveness. I was actually quiet amazed at how complimentary Kaleb’s talk was to Gregg’s. “We are better than we think we are.” So if we have some idea of who we are, guess what, we are better than that or have the potential to become such.

I am drawn back to my previous train, guy, ball, and observer example. Sometimes we are the guy (act / acted upon), sometimes we are the ball (acted upon). The train (course of life / ACT) is never fully under our control, it speeds up, slows down turns left or right. If we are observant maybe we can see changes in the train’s trajectory and plan for them. We can talk to the observer (Heavenly Father) outside the train to find out where we are really going and how to best position ourselves in the train to get the most out of the trip. Sometimes it happens that the ball is not gently dropped to the floor for the sole purpose to demonstrate a principle of physics, but is thrown roughly at the wall, or another passenger on the train. Maybe someone else throws a ball and hits us, maybe that ball hits someone we love. Maybe someone we love takes our treasured precious ball and treats it meanly. Point is mortal life is filled with a near endless supply of opportunity to be misused and to misuse others. As much as people think that bad things shouldn’t happen to good people, it’s just the cost of riding the train.

So what do you do when you are hit square in the head by someone else’s ball? Do you throw yours back at in retaliation. If you can’t find your ball do you grab someone else’s? Or do you take the uncommon option. Do you not retaliate? Do you forgive? “He that does not forgive has the greater sin!” Why is that? Well Kaleb offered an answer. “Hatred festers the soul; it makes it impossible to feel the spirit.” So if we are all bowed up angry with someone we lose contact with our Father in Heaven and we are left to our own devices… with a blindfold on. President Anderson then offered a story in which he was seriously offended by the actions of another. To his credit he followed the counsel of the scriptures and “prayed for them that despitefully use you.” By his own admission his prayers were initially insincere and done just because of his faith in the truthfulness of the scriptures. Over time a wonderful thing happened. A change came over Kaleb’s heart, not longer did he hate this individual, no longer was his heart filled with malice, but rather he was filled with fervent desire for this person’s well being.

Forgiveness may be one of the most difficult aspects of charity to acquire in this life. It may not be easy, but it is worth it!

Thank you Kaleb!

All of this reminded me of a passage from Sun Tzu’s The Art of War.
“The art of war teaches us to rely not on the likelihood of the enemy's not coming, but on our own readiness to receive him; not on the chance of his not attacking, but rather on the fact that we have made our position unassailable.” (Sun Tzu)

We cannot ensure an unassailable position by ourselves in this life. We can only humble ourselves and have faith in Christ and his plan. We have to decide who we are and who we want to become. We have to reach heavenward, and we have to stretch out our arms to those around us. We are all on this train together. We all started from different places but we can all share in the same blessings of the Gospel both in this life and those to come.

On changing a life:
You can’t go from reverse to forward with out passing through neutral. You can’t go from unhealthy to healthy with out being neither in between. It is only scary going into neutral until you realize you can’t move forward with out that necessary step.

Are you ready? ... you weren't ready...

Home Teaching is the Law of Moses of the Dispensation of the Fullness of Times.

Your dogma wants steak

One of the dynamics that I have noticed in our peculiar society is that Church lessons no matter the setting tend to follow a similar / familiar pattern. The same topics are addressed in the same way. The same questions are asked, with an approved list of acceptable answers. * If anything written this far has offended you there is a disclaimer at the bottom. * I should note that us Mormons do not have a lock on this dynamic as I initially noticed it in my youth in a Sunday school class at my Grandfather’s non-denominational church. One of the things that continually gets me in trouble is that I think too much. I think things to death. I have a need to understand “why?” It is not enough for me to know the answers; I have to know how to apply them.

An example from my youth.
Q. What is the greatest gift of God?
A. Grace.

What does that mean? How does knowing the correct response foster faith sufficient to change a life for good? I know it is by divine design that we progress line upon line progressing in knowledge and wisdom. Living the Gospel, in my, potentially erroneous opinion should not be easy. A parrot can fulfill the measure of its creation by vocalizing a conditioned response to conditional stimulus, I think more is possible / expected of us.*

We are admonished to feast upon the words of Christ. Feast is a big word. I have found in my life times, unfortunately recently applies, where I am a Gospel snacker. Just popping in the Heavenly kitchen and grabbing some spiritual fruit snacks or maybe a gospel granola bar and then traipsing off on my way.

That’s not right. That’s not feasting. What is feasting? A feast is anticipated. There is an amazing amount of preparation that goes into a feast, both individually and collectively. Specialties that are not common fare are lovingly prepared. A feast isn’t a feast without being surrounded by friends and family. You want to share the best you have with your loved ones. You can’t do it right alone. The food wouldn’t taste as good. The laughter, wait what laughter. I have the best story, oh wait, there is no one to hear it. Who is going to help me clean all this up?

In my mind every time Saints gather together a feast upon the words of Christ is possible. Too often it feels like we get together and maybe one person has prepared a spiritual dish and every one else has words: Turkey, lasagna, salad, pie, mashed taters… wonderful words that invoke memories of nourishment past, but are hollow representations of the actual spiritual vittles. How much more is possible, how better spiritually nourished could we all be if we all came prepared to share the best we have to offer. In my previous example the question was asked, what is the greatest gift of God? How much more worth to the souls of God’s children would it be to discuss grace. I know this example is from a different denomination, work with me here.

What is grace?

Simple answer it is the realization of the work and glory of God(s); to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man. How was that done? Short answer; The Atonement. Why was that necessary? Because of the Fall of man. Why did man fall? Because Adam and Eve partook of the fruit of the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil. Why? That man might be. So where were we then? In the pre-existence, without bodies, without a probationary state in which we could choose if we would do all that the Father commands. Why would that be necessary? Turns out there is a rather elegant plan enacted to give us intelligences every experience and opportunity to progress to be like the Father. Why? Because he is our Father in Heaven and we are his children. I am weak. I am not a wonderful person by any stretch of imagination, but even I love my sons and I am doing everything I know how to do to raise them to be strong, righteous men.
Heavenly Father is omnipotent, he is honorable, and he is the perfect man, the perfect father. He wants what is best for his children. He knows the most efficient means to raise us to be strong, like him.

So I will let you decide.

What is the greatest gift of God?

Grace.
God is our Father. We are his children. He has lovingly and established a means for us to grow, to learn, to stand on our own feet. He has provided a perfect older brother to make sure if we want to we can return home. He has provided friends and family to teach us. He has provided us opportunities to succeed and fail. He even trusts us to help. He wants us to succeed, be happy, be a family. He has given us every thing we need. Susan W. Tanner, Young Women general president makes a beautiful point “If young women know of God's love for them, it will influence and shape all of their thoughts, feelings, and actions. They will understand they have a mission to perform in this life. They will have confidence in their ability to make responsible, righteous decisions.” I think that can be applied to everyone.



* I in no way mean to disparage any of the lessons or faithful service from countless instructors that volunteer their time to teach the Gospel. I am in no way attempting to pass judgment or condescension upon anyone. I am only attempting to describe a phenomenon as an engine of discussion. If I have in any way offended anyone in the slightest measure if humbly offer my sincere apology. **

** I will have this disclaimer reviewed by the many options of legal counsel available to me in the Ward. If any portion, or all of this disclaimer is found to be incomplete or lacking in anyway I reserve the right to change and modify the aforementioned disclaimer in whole or in part. ***

*** If you are not laughing now, maybe you should not be here. ****

**** Wait, wait, wati, of course you are welcome to stay and please in no way feel that you are not wanted here. Welcome friend. *****

***** If you are still offended… “Lighten up Francis!” ******

****** Consider this an opportunity to grow in your life and religion, you just might thank me later.

Not mine, a cookie if you know who it is

Puisqu'on ne vivra jamais tous les deux
Puisqu'on est fou, puisqu'on est seuls
Puisqu'ils sont si nombreux
Même la morale parle pour eux
J'aimerais quand même te dire
Tout ce que j'ai pu écrire
Je l'ai puisé à l'encre de tes yeux.
Je n'avais pas vu que tu portais des chaînes
A trop vouloir te regarder,J'en oubliais les miennes
On rêvait de Venise et de liberté
J'aimerais quand même te dire
Tout ce que j'ai pu écrire
C'est ton sourire qui me l'a dicté.
Tu viendras longtemps marcher dans mes rêves
Tu viendras toujours du côté
Où le soleil se lève
Et si malgré ça j'arrive à t'oublier
J'aimerais quand même te dire
Tout ce que j'ai pu écrire
Aura longtemps le parfum des regrets.

The sunrise will always dispell the darkness

Anybody who has spent any time at all talking with me about life knows that I have a deep seated surety in the black and white nature of eternity and by transference the actions people do in this life. As you can imagine this has created a fertile field of conflict with me trying to fit in and stumble my way through life. My dearest friend has labored forty or so years in trying to get me to view the world with a less polarizing lens. A colleague at work has repeatedly tried to instill in me the mantra “it’s not black, it’s not white, it’s just life.” I have been so sure my outlook was the more perfect of the “two” options I may have missed countless opportunities for learning and growth. Due to lessons consequent to humbling mortal experiences, I have recently had to concede to the fact that I am not yet supremely all knowing, and maybe my perspective may be flawed. I can credit much, if not all, of the tumult of my life to this dichotomous outlook.

The Scriptures are terribly clear on mans’ fate where the Law is concerned, one example comes from 2 Nephi 2: 5. And men are instructed sufficiently that they know good from evil. And the law is given unto men. And by the law no flesh is justified; or, by the law men are cut off. Yea, by the temporal law they were cut off; and also, by the spiritual law they perish from that which is good, and become miserable forever. I think it is often the case that people get caught up on the apparent hopeless nature of that passage, I know it is for me. It is hard to get my mind all the way around the Atonement enough to fully trust it. I could fill pages with Scripture references on a way and mean to overcome that hopelessness, but I think I will only mention one or two that speak to how mercy answers the ends of the law 2 Nephi 9 :10. O how great the goodness of our God, who prepareth a way for our escape from the grasp of this awful monster; yea, that monster, death and hell, which I call the death of the body, and also the death of the spirit. So there is a way, but how is it done? Alma 12:33-34 answers how. But God did call on men, in the name of his Son, (this being the plan of redemption which was laid) saying: If ye will repent, and harden not your hearts, then will I have mercy upon you, through mine Only Begotten Son; Therefore, whosoever repenteth, and hardeneth not his heart, he shall have claim on mercy through mine Only Begotten Son, unto a remission of his sins; and these shall enter into my rest.

As such no mortal (other than Christ) can be right all of the time, or possibly expect others to. (Romans 3: 23) For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

I don’t think it is coincidence that the answer to the black and white question is found in Christ’s Atonement. We are counseled to learn and grow. As we learn we gain understanding , knowledge and perspective but only a very few have been given a complete knowledge of the mysteries of God, at some point you reach the end of your abilities and have to reach out and rely on Heavenly Father.

After we have progressed line upon line gaining wisdom and stature with God and man, until we have proven ourselves worthy to obtain all that the father hath, then and only then can we see clearly to act upon and judge correctly and wisely concerning right action in others. Until such time we should not unrighteously judge our, or others actions. We should strive to be filled with a broken heart and a contrite spirit with our hearts always pouring out to our Father in Heaven in prayer: that we might be able to live our lives by faith and not rely on our own understanding, that our hearts and minds will be ever mindful of our weakness, continually repenting and ever trusting in the infinite nature of Christ’s Atonement. That we be baptized and willfully covenant to submit to living the law of the Lord. Be committed to the obligations accepted by us even if that means we do not have every blessing of the Gospel realized in mortality. That we might obtain and live worthy of the Gift of the Holy Ghost that we might be comforted and know how the Lord would have us succor those within our stewardship and influence.

At the end of the day, it doesn’t matter if we are right or wrong because in mortality an argument can be made for both not matter what you do. Joseph Smith Jun. was promised his name would be held for good and evil among the world. He was only one man, how can there be so many differing conclusions to the accomplishments of his life. The same will most likely be true with each and every one of us. Our actions will be judged good or bad and that is as it should be, and honestly we shouldn’t give a damn what people think good or bad. It is most important to be committed and actively engaged in the Gospel plan, and the only opinions that really matter there are those of Heavenly Father and Christ.