Terrible as and Army with Banners

15 Friday May 2015

Posted by in Faith, Opposition, Patience, Power, Prison, Trials

≈ 1 Comment

We’ve all seen the movie scene where the hero or heroes walk in super slow motion through explosions, train wrecks, the concrete runway to a space ship, gunfire, or other dramatic and death defying scenery while some amazingly crafted music plays amid slow and deliberate helicopter thumping above that causes us all to drool and think to ourselves “these guys are so awesome”.  I’ve done it, you’ve done it, and your mom has done it.  That’s why it’s in the movies, over and over again.

Variations on this theme could include the super slow motion impact of a Russian boxing glove causing spittle and blood to erupt from Rocky Balboa’s mouth, or maybe his blood stained face hitting the mat and bouncing like a rubber kickball.

The point is, these scenes are designed to stir deep feelings in us. And they work.  What they try to depict is great power, strength, the will to overcome, or absolute show-stopping beauty and/or victory over all odds.

These scenes are pretty awesome on their own, but they are extra cool if we have been shown the backstory, struggle, and hardships that the hero had to endure before getting to this dramatic victory point.  Rocky had to get pummeled to the point of near unconsciousness or death by Ivan in order for his comeback to be dramatic.  Rudy had to endure rejection after rejection after rejection before finally getting accepted into Notre Dame.  Harry has to withstand 7 years of turmoil and ridicule from peers, death eaters, and everyone else before he gets to the turning point.  If we aren’t exposed to the tear-wrenching struggles that the hero endures, to the point of hopelessness then we can’t enjoy the success story of finally overcoming the battle.

As viewers of these stories, the more invested we become in the back story (the internal struggles, the motivating factors, the love and agony, and the ever growing willpower to endure) that is developing within the hero during the hard times, the more the story means to us at the moment of triumph.

In Alma 9-14, there is a story that fits this mold.  Alma the younger, and his companion Amulek are preaching the word to the people who live in the city Ammonihah.  The people of Ammonihah are not to eager to help them out – or even be friendly at all.  Prior to this event, Alma had already tried to preach to the people in Ammonihah (Alma 8:8-13) without success, and he had gone through many struggles (much labor in the spirit, wrestling with God in mighty prayer, and eventually they reviled him, spit upon him, and caused that he should be cast out of their city).   With that, Alma’s backstory includes “being weighed down with sorrow, wading through much tribulation and anguish of soul”.  It was at this time, while Alma was “in the furnace of affliction” (see 1 Ne. 20:10) that he is instructed to go back to the city of Ammonihah and preach to them again.  He didn’t get to lick his wounds, he didn’t get to take a time out, and he didn’t get to move on to a nicer city.  He was instructed to continue his tribulation and anguish of soul with more tribulation and anguish of soul.  We all know that a tragic backstory is only improved by more tragedy right?

Alma meets up with Amulek, who happens to live in the city of Ammonihah (with a backstory of his own), and they start preaching.  Notice in verse 1 of their record (Alma 9:1) that as soon as Alma started teaching, the people started contending with him. They didn’t wait, they didn’t take it easy on him – they likely remembered “casting him out” previously and were looking forward to it again.  This continues while both Alma and Amulek preach to the people, and then it comes to a head when the people get so angry with them that “they took them and bound them with strong cords” and presented them to the chief judge of the land.  To add to the tragedy of this back story (it will still get a lot worse), one man who happened to believe them, and was convinced of the truth, stuck up for them and “began to cry unto the people” (including the chief judge) – only to have the people “spit upon him, and cast him out” as well.

Being tied up and bound is bad.  Having someone who sticks up for you cast out is worse.  But then the people who have become angry take it to the next level by spreading that anger to others including “all those who believed in the words which had been spoken by Alma and Amulek; and they cast them out, and sent men to cast stones at them”.  Now it’s really bad.  Imagine that you are Alma at this point and you think to yourself.  “Why was I told to come preach here again”?  It seems that anyone who believes me is getting cast out, stoned, or being treated poorly”.  I doubt he thought to himself “this tragic backstory is just getting better and better”.

Not satisfied with simple stoning’s and physical rejections, the angered people of Ammonihah decided to pass the point of no return when “they brought the wives and children [of those whom they’d cast out and stoned] together, and whosever believed or had been taught to believe in the word of God they caused that they should be cast into the fire; and they also brought forth their records which contained the holy scriptures, and cast them into the fire also, that they might be burned and destroyed by fire”.     We are now at level 10.  This is bad.  But, the tragic backstory continues without relief, because they (the people of Ammonihah) then “took Alma and Amulek, and carried them forth to the place of martyrdom, that they might witness the destruction of those who were consumed by fire”.  Put yourself in Amulek’s place.  He lives in this city.  He likely knew most all of these people who believed and were carried forth to the ‘place of martyrdom” (after all, he was ‘a man of no small reputation’ and ‘had many kindreds and friends through his industry’).  This backstory just became absolutely gruesome for Amulek.  He can’t handle any more, and pleads with Alma to “exercise the power of God” to save them, but it wasn’t meant to be.1

That tragic incident adds to our investment into the backstory of these two missionaries/prophets.  I can’t help but feel pain and loss and anguish with them in that moment of struggle and despair.  And it gets worse.

After this martyrdom of all the believers, the chief judge and his cronies come and pour salt into the Alma and Amulek’s wounds.  They come over and taunt, sneer, and “smite them upon their cheeks” all while asking if they have anything else to “preach again to this people”.  The chief judge, like most others in positions of assumed authority, is really feeling good at this point.  He no doubt enjoys the fact that Alma and Amulek are bound with strong cords, it makes him feel powerful; he likely watched them shed many tears of sorrow during the atrocious burnings, which added to his feeling of power.  And now he is reveling in his showy demonstration of power to these two, and to further prove his assumed power, he says “ye see that ye had not power to save those who had been cast into the fire; neither has God saved them because they were of thy faith.  And the judge smote them again upon their cheeks, and asked: What say ye for yourselves?”   The chief judge thinks he is in charge.  He thinks he has power.  And not just power, he thinks he has much power.  He thinks he is powerful.  He continues “know ye not that I have power”?  He commands them to speak, to answer, to respond, but “they answered him nothing”.

It probably can’t get worse can it?  Yes, it can.

This continues for the next several (many) days.  The chief judge and his priests jeering, taunting, gnashing their teeth upon them, spitting upon them, mocking them and smiting Alma and Amulek all while asking them that “If ye have such great power, why do ye not deliver yourselves”?  And “they did withhold food from them that they might hunger, and water that they might thirst; and they also did take from them their clothes that they were naked”.   Can we even imagine many days of this torture, after being forced to witness ‘the place of martyrdom”?  I can’t.  Yet through all this suffereing, Alma and Amulek ‘answered him nothing’.  Kingly silence (sound familiar)?

At this point, the viewer/reader should take a time out.  Pause, and recognize that at this very moment, the moment when there is no way it can get worse.  Death would be the only release from this torture.  This is the point where Rocky falls on his face on the mat.  This is where Rudy sits down on the bench before opening the letter knowing full well that it’s now or never – literally.  This is the point where the hero might actually succumb to the weight of the task.  This is the tipping point where the music starts to play very softly, and we sense that something amazing is about to happen.  The hair on our arms and legs starts to stand up, and we can sense some real power is just around the corner.  And while that may be true, this inkling of real power, might just be enough to endure a bit more tragedy.  Because as the music starts to play softly, the chief judge, and his cronies one by one “even until the last” went forth and smote them one last time, saying the same words (prove to us your power).  Then it happens.

“When the last had spoken unto them – (not until after the very last had spoken their bitter angry words) the power of God was upon Alma and Amulek, and they rose and stood upon their feet”.  That was it.  I imagine two starving, thirsty, beaten, naked, dirty, bloody, and physically weakened men roped to a wall in a prison taking punch after punch from the chief judge and his evil priests for “many days” – all of a sudden stand up with a look in their eye that is unmistakable.  Absolute majesty and power.  That look on their face is the look of righteous anger – kindled.  They stand up, they cry; “O Lord, give us strength according to our faith which is in Christ, even unto deliverance”.  And then they broke the cords with which they were bound.  The music is starting to get a little louder at this point, and the bad guys even hear it (not to mention the scene of their prisoners miraculously loosing their bands).  They know that their pretend power is no match at all for these two – and “they began to flee, for the fear of destruction had come upon them”.  Shadows and darkness flee before the light.

Now, we are at full crescendo in the soundtrack; the priests and the chief judge and the lawyers and the teachers (all the bad guys) are overcome with fear and fall to the earth (still within the prison), the earth shakes mightily, the walls of the prison are rent in twain and everyone inside the prison is crushed by the falling walls.

Queue movie scene above, where the prison walls are crumbling down, huge cement stones are flying everywhere, debris is crushing bad guy after bad guy after bad guy (with screams of anguish, despair, panic, and the very definition of fear on their faces), dust and rocks are flying everywhere and there is no possible way that anyone can survive the destructive carnage brought about by this mighty earthquake.  People nearby can hear the destruction and run to see what is happening only to see Alma and Amulek as they straightway came forth into the city – somehow unscathed.  These people see this scene – two starving, thirsty, beaten, naked, dirty, bloody, and physically weakened men who had been bound in prison and made to endure unspeakable torment – walking calmly from a scene of great destruction… and they run away.  “They fled from the presence of Alma and Amulek even as a goat fleeth with her young from two lions”.  What a great description of real power.  The image of these two was powerful and wonderful and awe inspiring, even as “terrible as an army with banners”. 2  Power that has absolutely nothing to do with physical strength and everything to do with men “becoming as [children], submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon them” (Mosiah 3:19).

Alma and Amulek might not have ever known that they would be delivered.  They certainly didn’t have a countdown to deliverance chart in the prison that they were able to track.  They may not have even known until that very moment when ‘the power of God was upon them’ that they would even be delivered at all.  Such is the case with us.  Our tragic and necessary backstory is being written every day.  It will include some trials, some wrestling with the Lord, some taunting, some jeering, some smiting upon our cheeks, and maybe even some hunger, thirst, imprisonment, or silence from the heavens.

After all, our trials are hand crafted just for us – that’s why they are our own.  I don’t get your trials and you don’t get mine – because it’s easy for me to deal with, solve, and overcome other people’s problems, but somehow very difficult to deal with, solve, and overcome my own.  Nephi felt that way when he said, “I was overcome because of my afflictions, for I considered that mine afflictions were great above all” (1 Ne. 15:5) and if Nephi felt that way – I can feel that way.  Our afflictions are tailored specifically to our needs by a loving father in order to maximize effective humility and produce faith and repentance (which leads to positive experience, wisdom, testimony, gratitude, and patience).  So in a sense, our afflictions are and should be ‘above all’ and they cannot be compared to other people’s afflictions (or the outward manifestation of their afflictions, which may seem much easier to bear than our own).   Yet, we should try and recognize our afflictions for what they are – contributions to our backstory that will ultimately lead to the most positive moment of triumph and we can be given the power of God.

So, in the moment when it seems dark, heavy, gloomy, or when people are jeering, smiting, and taunting us, let’s remember that if we are patient, attentive, and humble, the power of God will come upon us – and at some point in the future we will just know when it’s time to stand up.  We will hear (or feel) the hero soundtrack start to play, so “just keep listening, because pretty soon you’ll start to figure out your part”. 3 Let us in that moment, be able to ‘standwith brightness’.  The Lord himself has told us “I will give them power that they may behold and view these things as they are… in this the rising up and the coming forth of my church out of the wilderness – clear as the moon, and fair as the sun, and terrible as an army with banners” (D&C 5:13-14).

Notes

1 – I don’t include it here, but this is a common theme in the world (If God really loves us, why does he allow us to suffer?  The answer is in Alma 14:11 and it has at least 2 parts; 1) Innocent people (especially martyrs), killed by wicked people are ‘received with glory’ into heaven; and 2) the Lord loves us all enough to give us free agency and choice – even if we use or abuse that agency to kill or take a life in order to provide perfect justice to all.  There can be no arguing with the consequences of murder.  In other words, the Lord allows everyone to seal their own fate by their actions, choices, and agency.

2 D&C 5:14.  See also Songs of Solomon 6:4,10

3 – See “Glorious” by David Archuleta

Artwork above taken from LDS.org (1991 Gary L. Kapp)

The Riddle of Opposites

14 Thursday May 2015

Posted by in Poems

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How is it when I close my eyes, that I better see?

For that is when they truly open, to a greater degree.

How is it when I am alone, I know that I am not?

For that is when they encircle me, after their protection I’ve sought.

How is it when the words aren’t mine, I have so much to say?

When my hands are placed upon a head, and Heaven’s message then convey.

How is it when I tremble weak, I always feel so strong?

For that is when I can sense, heaven pushing me along.

How is it when my mind is empty, it’s completely filled?

For that is when I learn the most, and knowledge in me instilled.

How is it that my two mites, far exceed the greater sum,

and the more I give away, the richer I become?

How is it that the Spirit whispers, yet can overcome the loudest sounds?

It’s never seen by the eye, yet can be felt all around.

How is it when I kneel so low, I can reach so high?

Although I’m on the very ground, I reach beyond the sky.

How is it faith is free, yet worth far more than Gold?

Earned in many places, yet it cannot be sold.

How is it Heaven so far away, is so very near?

When I enter God’s Holy House, and my mind becomes so clear.

How is it when I’m giving, I’m truly just receiving?

The greater gift goes to the giver, and it strengthens my own believing.

How is it when I lose myself, I am also the most found?

For when I lose myself in God, I am anchored safe and sound.

How is it when I look outward, I see what lies inside?

I feel the words and love of Christ, and feel him close beside.

How is I’m so incomplete, yet completely whole,

filled with flaws and empty, yet completely full.

How is it that when I let go, I’m securing holding on?

When I heed his call to go, from the comfort I stand upon.

How is it that the more I feast, the greater that I hunger?

The words and lessons deeper now, than when I was younger.

How is the simple complicated, and a mystery to some?

While to others it makes perfect sense, and answers freely come?

How is it that the answers lay, standing within the very questions?

How is it this leftward logic, is often the right direction?

How is it that for you and I, what allows us to stand tall,

was a successful failure, result from history’s greatest fall.

How is it this fall allowed for death, yet also allowed for birth,

this fall the only way we prove, our worth upon this earth.

How is it that our Savior lived, just so that he could die?

This Lion as a lamb did come, to secure hope for you and I.

To me it seems to be, if we are open and perceive,

we realize Heaven is just the opposite, of how this world believes.

So our duty here on Earth, is to spread God’s truth and love,

so we can live here below, like they do above.

Death by Water

14 Thursday May 2015

Posted by in Baptism

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A couple of weeks ago I had the wonderful privilege of speaking at a baptism for my nephew.  He is awesome and I love him.  I also love his parents.  I only had a few minutes to speak there, and I tried to convey the thoughts that I had into those few precious moments because nobody except me wanted to hear a 25-minute talk on baptism.  So, in an effort to more fully process the thoughts I had leading up to that night, I have written them down here.  I thought about sending this letter to my brother (and obviously his son) as an email or personal letter, but decided on posting it here in the hopes that it will be of some assistance to someone somewhere – not to mention the hope that someday Tyler will read it and remember that special day.  What follows then, is the non-readers digest version of a baptism story addressed as a letter to an 8 year old boy (on his actual 8th birthday):

Dear Tyler,

Today something awesome gets to take place.  You get to have a birthday.  Not the normal kind of birthday (the mommy birth) – because you’ve already had a bunch of those.  You get to have a heavenly birthday too.  And we all know that the best part of having a birthday is getting presents.

Now, tonight, your amazing dad gets to walk down into the water and look up at you.  In that instant, as he looks up into your smiling face, all 8 of the incredibly long and incredibly short years of your life will flash before his eyes as he sees you standing there.  His heart will burn.  He will hold his hand out to gently invite you into the water with him.  As you slowly step down into the water, he will wonder if he’s taught you well enough.  He will wonder if he explained exactly what to expect.  He no doubt has practiced the technique with you in the pool or at home in preparation for this day.  He probably even showed you exactly how and where he will hold you, how to bend your knees, how to hold your breath, and to close your eyes.  More than once he reassured you that everything will be fine and that he will be right there with you the whole time.  He will feel love and your mother will feel love because they know how important tonight is.

As you stand there in the water, you may get a bit nervous.  The long awaited time of your baptism is so close now. You’ve thought about it, talked about it, planned for it, and dreamed about it, but now that you are standing in the water, you may be just a bit unsure how this is all going to happen.  Then your dad will grab your left arm and put it into his.  Then, he will position your right arm in just the right place so that you can plug your nose.  After your dad speaks some amazing words, you will – If you pay attention – notice that his hands are placed both in front of your chest leading you and behind your back supporting you.  You will need this support because despite your nerves, he is going to bury you.

Your dad is going to bury you in the water. That means that the water will be completely covering you.  Every single bit of you.  There won’t even be a little piece of you that is allowed to breathe (two people will make sure of that!).  You are left to trust your father, after all, he is the one that invited you down into the water and assured you that this would be for your own good.

Next, something amazing will happen while you are buried in that water.  You, little man – get to die.

Death.  A lot of people think it’s the end – but we know a secret, we know that death is only the beginning – or at least the beginning of something much better.  Because, during your death, the short time that you are completely buried in the water, your awesome dad will still be holding on to you – with both hands, and I promise you, he will not let go.  In fact, after what may seem like a long time, he will pull you right back up from that watery grave, and you will be a whole new man.

You may not notice it tonight, and you may not ever even think about it in the future, but I can promise you that there isn’t a single person in the room tonight that won’t have their eyes on you when you come out of that water – and you will look glorious to them.  You will be a shining light of happiness, love, and innocence that makes everyone remember something and somewhere better.

Now, I want you to think of another father and son who had a very similar experience.  Think of a father who talked about, practiced, and explained this same type of death to his son.  The son, without having experienced baptism was a little nervous when the time came to walk down into the water. In fact, this son became “sore amazed” at the thought of being completely under all that deep, heavy, painful water.

Yet, just like you, he trusted his father, and knew that when his father would bury him under that water – he would die.

But, this son also knew that his father would still be holding on with both hands, leading him and supporting him and that after just enough time being dead, he would pull him right back up and he would be resurrected.

And, just like you tonight, when that father pulled that son up out of the water where he died, there were lots of eyes that were looking right at him, and he was glorious.  He was (and still is) a shining light of love, happiness, joy, and perfection.  He is Jesus Christ and he invites us all to keep looking at him, to keep our eyes on him, and to keep watching him and doing all the things that he does.

That father and that son are the perfect examples for all of us, and you little man, get to show them that you love them by following their example and getting baptized.  I am so happy for you and for your family.

I know that you are making the right choice, and that Jesus Christ is real.  I know that the scriptures are true, and that if we read them we will be happy.

Love,

Uncle Tyson

Seeing the Majestic Beauty in the Horrendously Ugly

11 Monday May 2015

Posted by in Cars, Herbs, Optimism

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Behold, the 1982 Chevrolet Citation. Not only is it one of the ugliest cars ever built, but likely one of mankind’s most hideous creations ever. This very make and model down to the color and even various rust spots is the very same make and model that Colby, Tyson, Casey, and I drove in high school. This car had a face that only a mother (it’s driver) could love. While the story of the “ugly duckling” makes for a wonderful story about the beauty that later develops… this car started as an ugly duckling and simply developed into a somehow even uglier older duckling that contracted leprosy and aged terribly. All these reasons are partly why what I’m going to ask you all to do now is so hard, maybe even impossible, but I’d like you to try it.

Take one more look at this car, yes I know it hurts your eyes but do it. Now I want you to see the charm and beauty in this car. Yes, I realize what I’ve just asked you to do. I also realize this is like asking a high school girl to see the beauty in her blind date who is cross eyed, smells like urine and stale Chinese food, only has 7 teeth (which are all crooked), and just picked his nose and ate it. This is difficult yes, but it can be done. In fact, I’ll help you. Take another look at this car. Ignore its repulsive overall appearance. Ignore its rust spots and unsightly color that didn’t even look good straight off the showroom floor. Ignore its nauseating hubcaps which against all odds manage to make the car even more unappealing and tell me what you do see…

Still a big old pile of junk not fit for even scrap metal right? Now let me tell you what I see. All joking about its grotesque appearance aside, I see majestic beauty.

So how is it that we see two completely different things when we are looking at the same object? I think it’s because I see the “inner” beauty this car has. I pull a “Belle” and see past the ugly outward appearance of “The Beast”. I look past the fact that it’s superficially as pretty as an inbred mountain troll and look deeper. I see the various layers this car has and its potential. Simply put, we “see” differently which leads us to perceive differently.

I see a car with a rich history behind it. A car that somehow was able to withstand the rigors and abuse of being driven by 4 consecutive teenage boys. I see a car that went camping, to friend’s houses, and hosted many of fun times. A car so BAD it was GOOD. I see a car that died a legend and a symbol at our house. A car that if it could speak would tell some hilarious stories including its usage as a low speed bumper car, it’s sideways radio that reset every time you took the keys out, the time Casey managed to get it’s engine coolant boiling, it’s being involved in a felony and multiple brushes with potential death due to random occasions when the brakes failed, or accelerator “stuck”. Finding the beauty in ugly can be done… I’ve just proven it. The same can be done in trials If we look for it. I’ve mentioned this before but trials are the precursors to blessings. I will take it one step further and even say that trials are blessings in disguise. There are always blessings in trials, they are always there, we just have to look at them and “see” our trials differently.

Let me give you one more example. While I was in High School and driving this vomit inducing rust bucket I often worked at my Grandpa’s house in his huge and beautiful yard. While pulling weeds with my wise, faithful, amazing, and incredible Grandpa he would at times mention something to the likes of “you know why we are pulling weeds right?… because God allows thistles and noxious weeds to afflict and torment man!” I would smile and agree completely. I hated weeds. I saw them as ugly, invasive, pesky, relentless invaders with no possible inner beauty. I saw the weeds back then like you see this car now. I understood his statement for exactly what was it was superficially: God created the weeds and allows them to grow in the middle of the beautiful flowers to afflict us. I could likely qualify roasting in the heat of the day in the summer sun with skin tone similar to Snow White while pulling weeds out of the soil torment or affliction. As I look back now, those very weeds provided me the opportunity to get to know my Grandpa better, a man I quickly grew to respect a tremendous amount and who taught me more and I love more than he’ll ever realize. It provided me with ample time to dig sprinkler trenches, and shovel turkey poop into his garden while listening to his wise lessons for life. They provided me with the funds to hang out with friends and buy junk food. Back then I didn’t “see” the blessings in disguise.

But, it gets better. I also “see” the layers in the statement about noxious weeds I didn’t see before. In fact now, that exact same statement is actually borderline hilarious. Let me tell you what I “see” with that statement now.

I see that God is permanently in our corner rooting and fighting for us. He is hopelessly, helplessly, endlessly, relentlessly, trying to help us. He can’t help but help us. We are being rewarded constantly even when it appears or we perceive a situation as a punishment. There is beauty in ALL things regardless of how ugly they appear.

Why do I say that and how is it that yet again while looking at an identical object we “see” it differently? How can our high school girl example look past the hideous, boogey eating, cross eyed Neanderthal across the table and see nothing but perfect future husband material simply oozing with handsome and dapper charm?

Here goes the long explanation. I work with various botanicals, plants, shrubs, trees, barks, leaves, and flowers on a daily basis. Technically I am a “Certified Master Herbalist” although I’m usually referred to by one of the following names: herb dork, herb guy, herby nerdy, hippy, crazy or weirdo. Long story short I have studied various plants and their potential benefits for years. So what exactly are these “thistles and noxious weeds” that God sends to “torment and afflict” us?

Here is a list of only 5 of the most common “thistles or noxious weeds” in my area along with a brief one sentence description of their common uses or potential health benefits:

Holy Thistle: One of the oldest and longest used herbs for aiding in lactation, and various female or reproductive complaints regardless of age.

Dandelion: Sky high levels of plant based absorbable iron to combat anemia, one of the best and most reliable and effective hepatic tonics known along with being a great detoxifier.

Wild Lettuce: One of the most effective and able nerve tonics in the botanical world to counter act spasm, twitch or any involuntary movement. (In fact, it was featured on Dr. Oz)

Purslane: The highest plant based source of Omega 3 discovered thus far, more carotene than carrots and enough melatonin to naturally aid in supporting and modulating proper sleep cycles.

Red Clover: Tops in nearly every herbalists book as an extremely effective blood purifier and an herb often used to support the balance of estrogen in estrogen deficient women.

Suddenly, you realize that God sent and allows “weeds” in our lives yes… but extremely beneficial weeds. Sure, he might have thrown us in the deep end of the pool a time or two, but we had a life preserver waiting for us. He provides love, light, mercy, beauty and hope in everything. In the most ugly he embeds beauty. It is his way, it is his only way. We just need to work on “seeing” differently.

Mother’s Day

09 Saturday May 2015

Posted by in Motherhood, Poems

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Mother’s Day

Your “Mother” job demands your time,
To hear the cries, the screams, and whines.
“I’m hungry, Mom!”, “What can I do?”
“Wasn’t me!”, “Where’s my shoe?”

“Can I have some?”, “Mom!, come-ere!,”
These never ending sounds you hear,
The never ending time you spend…..
Yet, still, you hope it never ends!?

For, somehow, placed inside your heart,
Is strength to understand your part
In heaven’s plan to raise the ones
He’s lent- two daughters and two sons.

Who idolize and comprehend
Your sacrifice to this great end,
And will someday be overcome
With gratitude for what you’ve done.

As I am now, for I can see
The strength you are for them and me.
Your gift was sent from high above
A pure display of mother’s love.

I Love You Catie! Happy Mother’s Day!

The Unheard Symphony

08 Friday May 2015

Posted by in General

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Coincidence |kōˈinsədəns, -ˌdens|

A.) A remarkable concurrence of events or circumstances without apparent causal connection

B.) What we call the will of God when we don’t want to acknowledge His hand in an extraordinary occurrence. (I made this one up)

Heaven is very aware of our lives, and is very involved in almost every single little detail. We may refuse to think that this is the case, but its the way it is. On occasion, we may get big heads and think that we are in charge, in control, and that we have it all figured out. But, its not even close to being remotely true.

Do we really think we can possibly know as much as our Father in Heaven? Can we possibly even comprehend how powerful and omnipotent He is? We cant. And even trying is so pathetic its borderline insane. But somehow, and sometimes we find a way to question Him, or His motives, or at least wonder in our minds, what is going on here?

He knows what He is doing. He knows how we feel, what we feel, when we feel, and even what we will feel. And He knows for everybody, everywhere. He is just that good. On occasion, we get a small glimpse of a particle of a hint of His plan and it almost overwhelms us. We, just for a second, get a snapshot of what this plan may be for us. And it is awesome.

He guides us without us even knowing half the time that we are being guided.  He is in control, His will is done. There is no other way.

In Mathew we learn about how He knows every single little detail of every little single thing, no matter how seemingly insignificant.

“Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. But all the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.”

-Mathew 10:29-31

If a bird falls from the sky, He knows. How many (or few, for some brothers) hairs are on your head? He knows. How, and Who can help you at this moment? He knows. He is in total and complete control. There are no coincidences, just the will of God being played out exactly as He has planned.

Was it coincidence that the world was created? With an atmosphere perfect to sustain life? with a temperature that fluctuates just enough to make life interesting and beautiful?

Is it coincidence that our bodies were formed with 206 separate bones, over 650 muscles, and 100 billion neurons with an incredible amount of intricacy that we still don’t fully understand?

Was it also coincidence that all plant life on the earth would be able to breath in the poisonous gas we exhale, and then breathe out oxygen necessary to sustain all animal life?

Is it coincidence that all animals and plants can replicate and reproduce themselves and carry on their specific genetic blueprints?

Uhhh, No.

All of our human interactions with each other, are a complex symphony of movements acting out God’s will. We cannot even begin to fathom what is going on to influence us from the other side of the veil. We are all playing our part for each other. Every thought, or prompting to do good was sent from God. Every friendship created, and each moment of goodness was influenced by Him.

We sometimes unknowingly fulfill his will on this earth. We are just in the right spot at the right time. This is not a coincidence.

But, sometimes, we do know, and are very aware, that we are playing our proper part in this life. We may meet someone who may be like an answer to a prayer, or and earthly angel may be sent our way.  Its during those moments that we catch that little glimpse of His plan for us. And it is awesome.

The Unheard Symphony

 Our eyes can’t see, our ears don’t hear
the music playing softly near,
Yet, still we dance, and move our feet,
while God conducts His symphony,

It plays beyond our senses’ reach,
directs our movements, touches each
and every soul to bend and sway,
With guiding sweet, melodic play,

This music played by angel hands,
does guide the hearts, and feet of man,
to play the part they’re meant to play,
and brighten up the dark of day.

Our God composes perfectly,
This influential symphony,
Ensuring that by unheard sound
Our earthly Angels will be found.

Lessons I Learned from Batman

07 Thursday May 2015

Posted by in Superheroes

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In case you thought I was done making Superhero references after my various posts have included Tony Stark (Iron Man), Superman, Spiderman and the Incredible Hulk… you are wrong. Today, I will again be referencing an action hero. Basically, in other news: Asparagus is still disgusting. Today’s Super Hero is none other than Bruce Wayne… also known as Batman.

(Here’s a quick setup for those unfamiliar with his story)

When Bruce was young and long before he turned into the super awesome crime fighting tech spectacle known as Batman he had fallen down a well into a bat cave. His fall stirred up a nest of Bats who swarmed around him and scared the living snot out of him giving him a massive bat phobia. Shortly after being rescued from the well by his Father Thomas Wayne and Alfred (the family butler) the following dialog takes place:

Alfred: Took quite a fall didn’t we Master Bruce?

Thomas Wayne: And why do we fall Bruce?… so we can learn to pick ourselves up.

Go ahead and read that simple dialog one more time. Thomas Wayne flat out nails it like “sky” nails Chicken Little. We all fall, it’s inevitable. We all at one point (or even now) come up short. We are all in one way or another a day late or a buck short. The question is not what will we do “if” we fall, but “when” we fall. “Falling” and “failing” are NOT the same thing. When we “fall” does it mean we’ve “failed?” Absolutely not! We don’t fail unless we choose to! It is our conscious choice whether or not we fail. We are all going to fall, but we don’t fail until we CHOOSE to STOP getting up. It’s our response to WHEN we fall, that determines whether or not we fail. The second we stop trying, the second we relent and give up hope THAT is when we fail!

Sometimes life hits us right between the eyes. Sometimes it hits you so hard it knocks you flat on your butt. Life may even sneak a cheap kidney shot in while your down. Maybe it’s the daily grind, work or family stress, school, an unexpected event, death, illness or disease, a difficult calling, financial struggles, past mistakes or whatever it is that seems to be insurmountable. You don’t see any light in the end of the tunnel. There may be times when you’ve been there so long you almost start to accept it, or start to believe that the endless tunnel with no light at the end is where you belong. We might even feel like we are powerless to change our fate or wonder if we even deserve any better. This is where not Thomas Wayne, but Bruce Wayne teaches a straight up clinic.

(Back to the Batman Story)

Years after Bruce Wayne was found terrified, alone, and scared in the well/batcave (as mentioned above) he confronts his biggest fear: bats. The same fear that has given him nightmares and plagued him since his fall. He doesn’t run from it, pretend it doesn’t exist, deny it, or ignore it. He simply refuses to accept his current mindset and situation and proactively makes a change. Instead of letting his fear and situation control him he runs straight at it full force and meets its head on. In this process he overcomes his crippling bat phobia by converting what used to be his biggest fear into pure confidence. He turns his greatest weakness into his greatest strength to the point that it becomes part of his very identity. He dons a bat colored disguise with a bat symbol on his chest, names his car the bat mobile, responds to the bat signal, and builds his headquarters in the very same bat cave that once terrified him. Through this process he changes his mindset, identity, and conquers his fear. Through this process he becomes, wait for it… Batman. He essentially took his fear, body slammed it, gave it a wet willy, dropped a “yo mama” joke on it, and then wiped the floor with it. In overcoming his fear he uncovered his potential and abilities, gifts, and talents which he found to be virtually limitless after he eliminated what was holding him back.

First off, any guy that can beat up bad guys all day despite sounding like he’s got the worst case of emphysema in history AND turn their weakness into strength earns my respect. This theory of turning a weakness sounds oh so familiar no? How about Ether 12:27:

And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them.  

In summary: We are all weak, in fact, we are made that way for a purpose and reason. We likely won’t understand the full extent of our situations and weaknesses. However, working on our weaknesses will allow for lessons to be learned. This helps us build faith in Christ, our weaknesses becoming strong and maybe even shedding light on our future direction, talents or gifts. Its sounds funny but sometimes we can even be afraid of our gifts, abilities, and talents, and even be afraid of our own potential! This is exactly what the adversary wants. He wants us to believe that we should fear the unknown. He wants us to lack the faith to reach our potential. He wants us to think we are weak and can’t change. He wants us to believe that we can’t win or that we don’t deserve to. Relying on and following Christ at all times means that even when we fall, even when we make mistakes, and even when we have no idea what we’re doing, or why we’re doing it, if we are truly following him, we are not failing.

After all, if Bruce Wayne never addressed his fears and weaknesses or decided to get back up after falling… we’d never have Batman.

Crowns

07 Thursday May 2015

Posted by in Marriage, Temples

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A few days ago, my sister was sealed in the Salt Lake City Temple. During the ceremony, the sealer mentioned something that made me think. He said that the ceremony that we were all attending that day was the “crowning” ordinance of the gospel.

When we think of “crowning” in this sense, we might think of it as the pinnacle, or the peak, the top, or the maximum goal achieved. While all of these may be the case, in that moment, I thought of it in a slightly different way.

When he said, “the crowning ordinance” , I thought of it in a much more literal way.  Almost like my sister, and her new husband were there to be “crowned”, or to receive their crown and become a king and a queen. In a way, isn’t that exactly what happened?

Having experienced 15 years of marriage to my queen, I know that is exactly what happened.

If we look at the sealing ceremony as a “crowning” ordinance in this context, it is slightly different as far as its place on our life’s timeline.

Rather than being at the end, achieving the ultimate goal, and reaching the top or pinnacle, we are, instead, just beginning.  A king or a queen, when “crowned” are merely starting their reign. They have their whole life in front of them.  Decisions to make, a family to create, and a personal kingdom to build and rule over.

We learn a lot of things in the temple, and a lot of things that are taught are so unbelievably amazing that they are hard to believe. But, they are true. And if we listen and believe the blessings that are promised us there, the reality of the “crowning” ordinance is made abundantly clear. We are all kings and queens. Or, at least we can be. We just need to live up to our potential. We need to follow the example of our Heavenly King. He has demonstrated the perfect way to be.  We need to listen, learn, and believe the words we hear in the temple. Because if we do, our potential is limitless.

“Keep my commandments continually, and a crown of righteousness thou shalt receive…”

-D&C 25:15

“And if thou art faithful unto the end thou shalt have a crown of immortality, and eternal life in the mansions which I have prepared in the house of my Father. “

-D&C 81:6

“And again, verily I say unto you, I command you again to build a house to my name, even in this place, that you may prove yourselves unto me that ye are faithful in all things whatsoever I command you, that I may bless you, and crown you with honor, immortality, and eternal life.”

-D&C 124:55 

Bones and Biceps

06 Wednesday May 2015

Posted by in Strength

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The adult human body has 206 bones that make up its skeleton. The purpose of our bones is to provide the internal structure of the body and act like a framework upon which our muscles and tendons attach. They also act as a protective (rib) cage for the internal organs, such as our heart, and lungs. Without this sturdy framework, we would all look like gooey piles of fluff on the floor.
Another function of the bones is that they can act as a lever to aid the muscles in their designed movements. For instance, when Riley does his superman pose in front of the mirror, his biceps muscle tightens and contracts, pulling his radial tuberosity (forearm) up toward the origin of the muscle on the scapula. This creates a massive (or barely visible) bulge and provides strength and function to the arm itself. In this case, this muscle is designed to give the body the ability to “lift”.
So what can our skeletons teach us?
In a gospel sense, our bones represent our personal testimony. It provides a framework by which we live. It lifts us, guides our movements, gives us our appearance, and protects our heart from outside pressures and influences.
We can even take another step outward and look at this analogy in a broader sense. For a community or a society, we can compare this skeletal framework to the gospel itself. Without it, we are really just fluff puddles. There is nothing to hold us up, give us strength, or protect us.
The scriptures usually only mention bones as the ground decorations leftover after bloody wars, but if we look, we can find a different comparison.

“For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.”  -Ephesians 5:30 

So, we are members of His body, and of His bones. Part of our purpose here in this life is to provide strength, protection, and leverage by which “lifting” can be accomplished. Just as Riley’s biceps contract and lift against a solid framework, we too, as “members of His Body and of His bones” provide the solid framework through which the Lord lifts others. When we are where we are supposed to be, and provide adequate strength, the Lord will “lift” through us.
An interesting fact is that when our bones are consistently tested or stressed, as they are when we exercise, work, run, or lift weights, they become stronger. Its not just our muscles that benefit. When we fail to push them, they atrophy, or become weaker, just as muscles do.

Bones can break, but they also have the ability to heal themselves with time, and often when they do so, with proper repair and treatment, they return to be just as strong as the original bone.

Sometimes our testimonies break, or feel weak, or get battered and bruised. No one gets through life without a bruise, or a break. But, spiritually speaking, if we “seek proper treatment” to heal them,  they can, just as actual bone, become strong again.

This is also true with our testimonies, and in our ability to act as true members of His body. If we do not spend time working out our spiritual muscles, as Riley has previously explained, we become more like the 97 year old lady with osteoporosis, that eventually falls, and breaks a hip, arm, ribs, or head.

Lets all exercise, and make sure we have bones or testimonies that provide us adequate strength when we need them, and that we can also become that strong framework that the Lord uses when He needs to “lift” others.

A Man Among Them

05 Tuesday May 2015

Posted by in Humility, Silence

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There are over 7.3 Billion people on earth.  Just to illustrate with an actual number, that’s more than 7,300,000,000 people living right now and each one of us is “a man among them”. 1   We have all been asked to “let our light so shine” and to “stand with brightness”. Yet, with that many people in the world, we might feel like our lights just aren’t what they need to be sometimes because even when we unite ourselves with the other 15 Million Latter-Day Saint members, we realize that 1 Million is only one-thousandth of 1 Billion.  Too often we feel like we are too small even (and maybe especially) if we live in an area with a higher concentration of members.  We may feel like we are just one person among so many or that there is no way that the Lord can use us to bring about a change – let alone a “mighty” change.

We may think or feel something like; “I am just one person, among so many, what can I do”?  If we feel that way, we are not alone.  I imagine that everyone at some point has felt that they were just “a man among them” – because that’s exactly what we are, and that’s exactly what the Lord wants us to be.

I love the story of Abinidi.  It is a popular story; one which most of us remember clearly from primary because of it’s PG-13 rating.   Yet, there is so much to this story that we don’t know yet.  We know the results of the story (his martyrdom), and the effect of his willingness (Alma’s change of heart) and we can understand why it is in the Book of Mormon.  Yet, there is something at the very beginning of the story that we should also understand.  It is in the verse in which Abinidi is introduced to the reader – which we may skip far too easily.

Chapter 11 of Mosiah explains that the kingdom was conferred from Zeniff to one of his sons (Noah), and that Noah did not walk in the ways of his father.  Verses 2-19 outline the horrible things Noah did as king to burden and tax the people and if we are observant, we will notice that the conditions of that kingdom as explained pretty much mirror the conditions in which we live today.  They also include a victorious mini-battle which contributes to Noah’s pride and boasting, which all set the stage for Abinidi.

Verse 20 reads “And it came to pass that there was a man among them whose name was Abinidi…that’s it.  That’s the extent of our introduction to one of the greatest heroes in the book of Mormon.  The Lord wouldn’t have it any other way.  We never learn, but Abinidi was very likely a simple, humble and righteous soul (probably normal in every sense of the word) who tried his best every day to live according to the principles of the gospel as ‘a man among them’.  One man among a city and community full of wicked priests, idolatrous and wicked people.  I imagine that Abinidi had vowed long before this call came from the Lord to serve in whatever capacity he was asked to fill.  I imagine that the oil of Abinidi’s lamp had been slowly filled over many years of devoted scripture study, prayer, obedience, and hard work.  I imagine that Abinidi had teachers, friends, family, and numerous struggles just like the rest of us.  Yet, when the call came  – he was ready to serve – and “he went forth among them” and did the will of the Lord.

We all know the story; the people are filled with wroth and naturally want to take away Abinidi’s life because he testified of their wickedness.  The people try to kill him, but the Lord “delivered him out of their hands” (the first time).  This put Abinidi on their hit list, and “they sought from that time forward to take him”.

I like to think that the Lord used that first assignment as a test for Abinidi to see if he would “do all things whatsoever the Lord [his] God shall command [him]”.3  It couldn’t have been easy for Abinidi to rise up and preach to the people, especially since he was “a man among them”, yet he did it.  The Lord may have also been providing some additional instruction and preparation (temporal and spiritual) to Abinidi because it’s not for two more years that he returns (disguised) and gives his amazing testimony to king Noah and his priests.  No doubt these two years consisted of fervent prayer, trust in the Lord, willingness to submit to his will that led to an unflinching willingness to seal his testimony with his life.  Abinidi’s amazing testimony, teachings, and witness is then outlined in chapters 12-16.

As humble and simple as that introduction was for Abinidi, being “a man among them”, let’s remember the amazing and “mighty” change which was the result of this testimony.  In chapter 17 (verse 2) of Mosiah we are introduced to the lone young man who “believed the words which Abinidi had spoken”.  This introduction is strikingly similar, which reads “there was one among them whose name was Alma”…

We know that this “one among them whose name was Alma” believed and acted to change his life, and the life of his posterity which blessed many people and provided us with lots of great reading material – for which we are all grateful.

Before we think that Abinidi and Alma are the only two with simple introductions, let’s remember Amulek who is introduced to the reader (when Alma came upon him) by the glorious and wordy “he said to ‘a man‘” (Alma 8:19).

We all live in a world filled to the brim with all sorts of iniquity, and we feel like we are just “one man among them”.  But, we can be patiently and humbly obeying and doing our best to be ready for when the Lord calls us to “perform a work” – whatever that work may be.  That work may only affect “one among them”, but that one has the potential to become many.   We can also help those who are in our care (children, spouses, etc.) to patiently and humbly do their best to be ready, because the Lord will call us.  Let us strive to be men and women of God, patient and humble enough, that our introduction and story can simply be “there was a man among them” named (enter your name here) who did the will of the Lord.

General Note:

In regards to emphasis as outlined in my previous post. We can also place more focus on the term ‘man’1 – especially as it causes us to ponder on what a real man or woman is.  For example, we could read it “And it came to pass that there was A MAN among them”.  This denotes that Abinidi was a true man of God2 among the people.   This thought is strengthened when read in context of John 19:5 (Behold, the man!) as that indicates the ultimate goal of true manhood.   One other thought to consider while reading these passages, is the difference between the use of son of man, and Son of Man (with capitalization).  This second usage is “A title that Jesus Christ used when speaking of himself (Luke 9:22; 21:36).  It meant the Son of Man of Holiness.  Man of Holiness is one of the names of God the Father.  When Jesus called himself the Son of Man, it was an open declaration of his divine relationship with the Father”. 3

Notes

1 I will use ‘man’ here, but do not infer any difference in characteristics between males and females, especially as it relates to righteousness.

2 See “Be Men!” by Carlos E. Asay, April 1992 (click here)

3 The Guide to the Scriptures – Son of Man