Stonewalls or Stairs

17 Tuesday Feb 2015

Posted by in Opposition, Poems

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Throughout our lives we inevitably get stuck in ruts, or have times that are hard, or extremely difficult, rocky, or for some reason, just a struggle. We can very easily get caught up in those moments, and have a serious doubt that there is any divine help available. We struggle to understand the “Why” part of our horrible no good very bad day/week/month/year.  On paper, we can explain it as a “trial”, but when it hits home, and you’re in the thick of it, its the last thing we think of. We just want it to end.

Stonewalls and Stairs

A life of walls in front of me
unending obstacles I see.
Just as one, I finally clear,
another, greater one appears.

And on, and on, I struggle up,
with cramping hands, deep scrapes and cuts,
With not much strength left in my bones,
I struggle up these walls of stone.

I yearn for peace, and rest, at last,
A time to stop, the struggle pass.
But yet, ahead, another wall,
to block my way, my rest forestall

But as I pause, and look behind,
and see the walls that I have climbed.
my thoughts, they come, in quiet peace,
with silent voice my doubts appease.

For plain and simple truth I see,
Im stonger now, my weakness flees,
My walls of stone, that caused despair,
now clearly shown, appear as stairs.

Stairs that lift and guide me up,
toward the One who drank the cup,
Who, for me, has suffered all,
That I might rise, e’en though I fall.

This stair, this wall, that bruises me,
Makes me work, helps me to see,
How struggle cleanses, bends my knees,
and forges true humility.

My life has walls, and rock debris
But if I climb, with Him I’ll be.
And feel His wounds in hands and feet,
And in Him have my rest complete.


We are not alone in this thinking. It has happened before. A lot. To some really faithful people. 

Joseph Smith wrote, “O God, where art thou? And where is the pavilion that covereth thy hiding place? How long shall thy hand be stayed?”

 Job, after the initiation of his horrible experiences, cursed the day he was born, saying, “Let the day perish wherein I was born.”

Jesus Christ himself asked that the bitter cup be taken from Him if possible.

 So, whats the deal? why is it this way? The answer is…because. Because it makes us into someone we need to be. We need to try and look at these walls placed in front of us in a little different light…..
Our true rest will feel so much better if we are resting from labors overcoming our own human weakness. If we can see the obstacles in our way as a stairway to heaven, we will look forward and upward not down and backward.

Where’s the Next Food?

05 Thursday Feb 2015

Posted by in Food, Journeys

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A few years ago, a good friend (and co-worker) of mine told me of a frequent occurrence related to meal time at their house; his son – who was age 10 at the time – would finish his plate of food, and immediately ask “dad, where’s the next food”?  It didn’t matter if it was breakfast, lunch, dinner, snack, helping 1 or 2, the question came…”dad, where’s the next food”?  Apparently he was always on the lookout for the next food.  However, over the years as my friend and I have laughed over this recurring story, I have wondered if the question is only partly based on physical hunger (legitimately asking “where is the next food” because I am still hungry), but also partly based on knowledge and planning (for his mental preparation and ease, he needed to know where the next food fit into his day, so that he didn’t get overly anxious about not knowing where the next food is).  Maybe he just wanted to know the plan for ‘the next food’, or maybe just an assurance that there would indeed be a ‘next food’.  The point is – he was always eagerly awaiting ‘the next food’, and he was not satisfied with being full – even in that moment.

Another story related to ‘the next food’ is one that we are all likely familiar with; it’s called a vacation.  For me, 85% of the fun of vacationing is searching for, strategizing, planning, looking forward to, and then waiting for ‘the next food’.  Even if you are in the act of consuming ‘the current food’ or so full from ‘the last food’ that you are ill.  On vacation, we longingly ask the question “where’s the next food”?  This is pretty much what Disneyland is right?  At least for me it is.  Walking from the churro cart to the pretzel stand, only to be distracted by the ice cream shop or the frozen slushies.  This also happens to be a great activity to engage in while the children (or everyone else in the party minus the baby) are in line for 30-45 minutes.  This is likely why it is called the happiest place on earth.  Once, while vacationing with Colby and Catie a couple of years ago, we made it a goal to find the best fish tacos.  This led to an exhaustive search of the entire local area, and by necessity a taste test at nearly every location.  It didn’t matter if we were hungry or not, we were in constant search of ‘the next food’.  This process naturally culminated with the four of us being seriously ill (nigh unto death) for most of the vacation and then at our final destination (our last meal before we left) we found the best fish tacos.  They were delicious, and Colby made the perfect observation while we were forcing the food down; “just think of how good these tacos would be if we were actually hungry”!   The point is – we were always eagerly looking forward to ‘the next food’, and we were not even close to satisfied with just being full.  We wanted to be stuffed to the brim, and then start planning ‘the next food’.

Why is either of these stories important?  I think the answer is in the process of always looking for what’s next and never thinking that you’ve made it.  We should always ask the question, “where’s the next food”?  Whether that’s a meal, whether it’s a certain job or responsibility in the church, whether it’s a task that we’ve been sent to earth to accomplish (no matter where we live), whether it’s a person we need to affect, whether it’s something we need to experience and learn, whether it’s a situation at work, or even if there seems to be a noticeable lack of clearly orchestrated situations, we need to ask the question “where’s the next food”?  What can I learn from this situation or experience?  Even if we are spiritually full, let’s seek out and look for ‘the next food’.  Because after all, we don’t want to consider ourselves ‘satisfied’, lay on the couch, fall asleep, and then wake up 4 hours later with a rumbling stomach and no idea where ‘the next food’ is or where it will come from.

There are many stories of ‘journeys’ captured in the scriptures.  Journeys (by necessity) include tribulation, trials, murmurings, afflictions, struggles, successes, sickness, death, and every other possible thing.  That’s what makes them interesting right?  Yes.  But one important element of a journey is that sometimes the participants of these journeys think (or thought) that they were done ‘journeying’ (the point where they felt ‘satisfied’ or even ‘stuffed full’ of food), and thought  “yes, we made it.  I can stop looking for the next food because here it is in abundance”.

For example, in 1 Ne. 17, Nephi picks up with yet another journal entry in verse 1; “And it came to pass that we did again take our journey in the wilderness”… this is like the 86th time since leaving Jerusalem that they’ve stopped and rested, only to pick up and leave again.  He then starts listing all the fun they’ve had along the way (he cites much affliction, women bearing children, raw meat, murmurings, etc. along with many of the blessings they’d seen) then he gives us a fact check in verse 4: “And we did sojourn for the space of many years, yea, even eight years in the wilderness”.  Eight years.  Eight.  When Lehi told them that they were leaving Jerusalem to find the promised land, I’m not sure any of them had eight years in mind. I bet they were pretty tired of looking and searching for ‘the next food’.  In verses 6-7 they arrive in what they called ‘Bountiful’ because of its much fruit and wild honey, and other things which were prepared that they might not perish (not to mention it’s on a beach).  My guess is that they all looked around (at the much fruit, honey, beachfront property, lack of murderous colleagues, etc.) and thought; “Okay, I can do this place.  We made it.  We can stop searching for the promised land because we are here.  I guess dad wasn’t totally crazy.  This place is for sure the promised land, so the journey is over.  No more looking for ‘the next food’.

Another example is found in Ether, where we find the Jaredite party on a journey from the great tower to their own promised land.  They have a remarkably similar story (journey through lands ‘where man had never been’ likely filled with many afflictions, struggles, successes, etc.) through the wilderness until they reached the seashore.  It may be that they had the very same thoughts as Nephi and Lehi’s party (we made it).  So, they pitched their tents and they dwelt there upon the seashore (Ether 2:13).

In each of these two examples (and logically in all of our indivudial and familial journeys through the wilderness, which is code for our lives here in mortality), there is a theme of continual and repetitive movement, progress, struggles, blessings, trials, murmurings, etc. with the overall goal to arrive at the promised land.  Its something they are continually seeking, looking for, being led to, and hoping for, but if and when we think we have made it (when we stop asking where’s the next food), that’s when the Lord needs to jolt us out of a rut and remind us that we haven’t quite made it yet, because somehow it’s always just over the next ridge or just past that river on the horizon.  It might also be a part of the journey to ask ‘are we there yet’? 495 times to which the short answer ‘no’ is given…. all along the way (but that’s a post for another day).

In Nephi’s case (1 Ne. 17:7-8), it was after many days that the voice of the Lord came to him…and basically said “you may think that you’ve made it, and I know 8 years seems like quite a long time to wander, but I actually want you to build a boat and cross the sea, any questions?”  To Nephi’s credit, and as a fantastic example of obedience he said (again), “I will go and do, but where should I go to find ore to make some tools”? (vs. 9).

In the case of the Jaredite party, there is an interesting difference in the Lords presentation of ‘the next food’ to the brother of Jared.1 In Ether 2:14 we read that (4 years after the Jaredites had arrived at the seashore) ‘the Lord came to the brother of Jared and for the space of three hours did talk with him and chastened him because he remembered not to call upon the name of the Lord’.  Three hours of chastisement is bad enough, but three hours of chastisement directly from the Lord probably felt longer to Mahonri than the 8 years that Lehi and Nephi wandered through the wilderness.  The phrase ‘no longer called upon the name of the Lord’ seems a lot like ‘stopped looking or asking about the next food’ to me.  I think that 4-year period of seashore lounging might have started to look like a permanent vacation to the Jaradites, and they might not have wanted ‘the next food’, because they were satisfied with the food that they already had (and that they’d already spent enough time ‘looking for more food’).  This might have had something to do with them ‘not calling upon the Lord’.  I would guess that during that three hour chastising party the Lord let Mahonri know that he hadn’t quite arrived at the real promised land.  He might have also mentioned that 4 years is a long time to not ask ‘where’s the next food’?  This thought is strengthened by the Lords direction in verse 16, which says “Go to work”….2

For each of us and our mortal journeys the Lord will continually provide us with ‘the next food’ – especially if we are looking for it and asking for it.  Sometimes ‘the next food’ is disguised as a tricky situation at work that can teach us patience or give us an opportunity to show love to someone who really needs it. Sometimes ‘the next food’ is dressed up as a more than difficult home teaching assignment or partner.  Sometimes ‘the next food’ is an absolute shower of blessings that overcome you and fill you right up.  Sometimes ‘the next food’ is a tender mercy that could be considered a quick snack or power bar for the hill that you may or may not know you need to climb right around the corner.   Sometimes ‘the next food’ looks exactly like ‘the last food’, which you threw in the trash (didn’t eat) because you hate broccoli. Sometimes ‘the next food’ doesn’t look like what you ordered at all…. and in a huff you flag down the waiter and say “excuse me garcon, I ordered the filet mignon with mashed potatoes, and this looks like sautéed mushrooms and asparagus…. I think there has been some mistake”3, and the waiter looks at you with some pity, some humor, and much understanding and says “sir, this is the chef’s special prepared just for you, I think that you’ll find it most enjoyable…. if you’ll try it.4  Then, after you’ve completed this course, he will prepare for you the house special, a dish that the chef calls ‘the next food”.

Notes

1 Even though Nephi’s guidance (to build a ship) was ‘after many days’, it appears that these ‘many days’ were considered a typical period of rest for their party, because there was no chastisement from the Lord indicated in the record, nor did it appear that Nephi had ‘failed to call upon the Lord’ during those ‘many days’.

2 This story (the brother of Jared’s chastisement) has a very successful ending, as we all know.  Shortly after this mega chastisement, the Lord shows himself to the brother of Jared in one of the most amazing scripture stories that we have – ever.  The veil is completely removed, faith is done away with, and the Lord ‘could not withhold anything from him’ and the brother of Jared sees everything that had been, and all that would be (Ether 3:25-26).  Sounds pretty awesome to me.  It would also appear that the 3-hour chastisement was effective to bring the brother of Jared down to the depths of humility – which unlocked some serious power (see Ether 12:27 and 2 Cor. 12:9-10 for a review of how weakness is strength), and we’ve already covered here how failure is a necessary ingredient for success.  All of this indicates Mahonri’s humility, understanding, and action – because he listened when the Lord said ‘Go to work’, which is what all of us should do when we’ve been chastened.  Listen, understand, (and as Casey put it so well here), ponder, and then go to work. Don’t forget the secret ingredient.

3 This idea (‘the next food’ being the same ‘food’ we’ve seen time and time again, but have repeatedly thrown away or discounted for whatever reason) or not being ‘served’ what we think we’ve ordered is cause for thought (and serious pondering) because the Lord does not make mistakes, and there is most definitely a plan and purpose to each serving of ‘the next food’.  If I am continually being served  ‘food’ that I don’t want, don’t try, or turn away, I may have some questions to answer – especially when we are brought face to face with ‘the chef’ attempting to explain why we didn’t try the ‘food’ that he prepared especially for us.

4 As you grew up, your parents serve you vegetables right?  Yes.  No kid really likes broccoli and asparagus, but they are healthy and the parents understand that even though it may not be pleasant, they do your body a service and provide valuable nutrition, and this is why they serve them to kids.  Miraculously, the child grows up and learns to love asparagus and broccoli, and cannot fathom a time when this was not so, potentially losing sleep over the many times in past years that they’ve thrown delicious asparagus right into the trash can (with joy).  What a horrible thought.

Concerning the Snow

03 Tuesday Feb 2015

Posted by in Service, Weather

≈ 1 Comment

This post is brought to you by the physical abuse that Casey and his family has endured at the hand of this ‘mild’ New England winter.  No one should ever have to spend 3 hours of his or her day off shoveling snow.  The plow and I now have a very healthy love/hate relationship.  Now I know why Dad was always complaining about the plow coming by and burying the mailbox…

For the last week I have not been able to get this thought out of my head: It is wicked cold outside, but the falling snow is so beautiful.  At times, this thought is replaced by another thought: Shoveling snow is not fun, but the fresh snow blanketing the streets is so beautiful.  These thoughts continue: (Insert negative aspect of snow and winter), but (insert positive aspect of snow and winter). After clearing the driveway of snow I look at the 6-foot tall drifts and huge piles of snow and think about how fun it would be to build a super elaborate snow subway system.

Another benefit of having 6 feet of snow in the last 2 weeks is the opportunity to serve others.  My neighbors have helped us shovel snow a number of times.  It is awesome to know that you are cared for – even through a simple gesture.  My home teaching companion and I were able to shovel the driveway of a man that we have been assigned to.  He has given us the run around at church for the last 3 weeks and has not allowed us into his home, yet.  But service has a way of softening hearts and I think that is our golden ticket.  Service is awesome*.  He can no longer deny that he is looked after.  He knows that there are people close that are willing to help should he need anything.  Plus, I don’t want him to have a heart attack in his driveway when I can have a heart attack in his driveway instead.

See…  Snow can be pretty great.  At least that’s what I tell myself – and I’m convinced.

We have recently been counseled to be an appraiser instead of an inspector, and to see the Gospel in everything around us.  Tikes, what awesome advice, thank you.  The snow, like the gospel, can be a hard thing, or it can be a source of wonder and inspiration.  It can be cold, harsh, and rigid, or it can be a source of joy.  It really depends on our attitude and effort.  What we put into it is what we get out of it.

This applies globally.  It could be the weather, or work, or those around us.  When we look for the good, we see it.  When we look for the bad, it becomes obvious.  The problem is, when we don’t look for the good, the adversary often brings the bad to us for free.  It may be subtle, but what better way to discourage or darken our day than to supply thoughts of a cold and dreary world, when in reality, it is filled with beauty and wonder – we just have to look for it.  How often have we read, “seek and ye shall find?”  Lets look for the good and smile when we see it.  It may help others do the same.

—————————-

*An additional thought on service (apart from Mosiah 2:17):

“Service is not something we endure on this earth so we can earn the right to live in the celestial kingdom.  Service is the very fiber of which an exalted life in the celestial kingdom is made.  Knowing that service is what gives our Father in Heaven fulfillment, and knowing that we want to be where He is and as He is, why must we be commanded to serve one another? “  — Marion G Romney

The Secret Ingredient

31 Saturday Jan 2015

Posted by in Holy Ghost, Stillness

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“We all know that human judgment and logical thinking will not be enough to get answers to the questions that matter most in life.  We need revelation from God.  And we will need not just one revelation in a time of stress, but we need a constant stream.  We need not just one flash of light and comfort, but we need the continuing blessing of communication with God.”

– Henry B. Eyring

We all have different ‘questions that matter most’.  Depending on our situation, those questions may change from ‘shall I marry this person’ to ‘am I ready for children’ to ‘what sort of occupation or school goals should I have’ or even ‘should I move my family across the country.’  While the individual questions that matter most will change from one person to another, there is a background of questions that matters most to all of us — ‘what is my purpose’ or ‘am I following Christ’ to ‘how can I be happy’.

Revelation is defined as communication from God to his children on earth through the light of Christ or the Holy Ghost by way of inspiration, visions, dreams, or visits from angels.  Revelation provides guidance.  Isn’t it comforting to know that there is a source of knowledge and light that we can call and count on for guidance?

“Revelation continues in the Church; the prophet receiving it for the Church; the president for his stake, his mission, or his quorum; the bishop for his ward; the father for his family; the individual for himself.”                                                                                  – Boyd K. Packer

President Eyring mentions an equally important aspect of revelation.  He calls it confirming revelation.  This is how or what we feel or come to know as we feel the Holy Spirit testifying to us that the words that one speaks are true.  An excellent example of this comes from the scriptures.  Lehi has a vision (revelation) that he should flee Jerusalem with his family.  Laman and Lemuel murmur, while Nephi takes it to the Lord.  He seeks and receives confirming revelation.  “And it came to pass that I, Nephi, being exceedingly young… nevertheless having great desires to know of the mysteries of God, wherefore, I did cry unto the Lord; and behold he did visit me, and did soften my heart that I did believe all the words which had been spoken by my father.” (1 Nephi 2:16)

Nephi backs up his words with his actions.  When Lehi later asks his sons to return for the brass plates, Nephi famously responds, “And it came to pass that I, Nephi, said unto my father: I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded…” (3:7).  Nephi didn’t see the task as something that his visionary father wished for, but a commandment from the Lord.  Nephi learned to feel and understand the promptings of the Spirit – and more importantly – to follow those promptings.  The guidance of the Spirit became crucial to completion of retrieving the brass plates and surviving the journey to the promised land.

So how do we receive revelation?  President Eyring states: Personal revelation of acceptance, for which we all long, does not come easily, nor does it come simply for the asking.  The Lord gave this standard for the capacity to receive such witnesses from God.  It is a guide for anyone seeking personal revelation, as we all must: ‘Let thy bowels also be full of charity towards all men, and to the household of faith, and let virtue garnish thy thoughts unceasingly; then shall thy confidence wax strong in the presence of God; and the doctrine of the priesthood shall distil upon thy soul as the dews from heaven.  The Holy Ghost shall be thy constant companion.’ (D&C 121:45-46).

We all have some experience with dew.  Interestingly enough, dew forms very gradually and happens quietly.  Revelation and gospel strength happens the same way.  Now, there are times, especially in the history of the church when the floodgates of heaven are opened and angels, Jesus Christ, or even Our Eternal Father visit to communicate directly with man.  However, the majority of our growth will be steady and subtle, like the forming of dew.  We at times may not even feel our own growth, until morning comes, we run outside to play, and feel the cold and wet on our feet so distinctively that we cannot deny it.

Alright, now for the secret ingredient… At least, something that I leave out ALL THE TIME.  The secret to receiving revelation is shared with everyone who reads the book of Mormon.  The ‘Book of Mormon promise’ is given to us by Moroni.  As I am certain that you have read Moroni 10:3-5, I would ask you: How do you receive revelation?  What is the (my lacking) secret ingredient?  Pray? Pray with real intent?  Pray with a sincere heart? Recognize the spirit?  Yes, Yes, Yes, Yes.  But, before, all of that, Moroni exhorts us to “ponder it in your hearts” specifically the mercy of the Lord.

We see a pattern repeated both in the scripture and in our dispensation.  While a prophet is pondering, they are caught up in the spirit, they hear a voice, or the eyes of their understanding are opened.  Joseph Smith went to the grove to pray after pondering James 1:5.  He writes “I reflected on it again and again” (JSH 1:12).  The resurrected Savior even commands his other sheep to ponder and pray about his teachings (3 Nephi 17:3).

Truly, this is not a new thing for me.  We all learned very young: search, ponder, and pray are the things that [we] must do. (Children’s songbook 109).  I have just forgotten about that simple, yet critical step in receiving revelation.  I know that we all can and do receive revelation.  I, like President Eyring, know that Heavenly Father hears our prayers.  He loves us.  He knows my name and he knows your name.  He pours out revelation to his children.  We just need to seek it, be worthy to receive it, recognize it, and have the courage to act upon it.

Something to ponder…

*Notes from EQ 1/25. The lesson was based on the talk by President Eyring called “Continuing Revelation”

The only time math has ever been or will be interesting

27 Tuesday Jan 2015

Posted by in Math

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It’s safe to say that math and I aren’t the best of friends. We get along like old people and smart phones, couch potatoes and marathons, or Tony Stark and humility to name a few. To sum it up we just don’t suite each other well. We don’t buy friendship bracelets for each other, exchange Christmas cards or know each others children’s names. In the end, when you divide it all up we just don’t seem to equate or have a common denominator. In fact, our relationship can be reduced to us simply “agreeing to disagree”. We simply don’t enjoy each others company…Until now, in this single isolated case we actually add up! This parallel however is an isolated instance and is just because it’s awesome! Check this out:

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints was formed in this last dispensation in 1830 with 6 members. From those 6 members it increased steadily until after 117 years (in 1947) the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints hit 1 million members! That is an average growth of 5,405 members per year in that span. From there the work sped up dramatically. In 1963 just 16 years later the membership of the Church hit 2 million members. That is an average increase of 62,500 members per year in that time span. That also means the Church reached its next million members 101 years faster than it did the first million! The Church hit 3 million members in not 16 years, but 8 years later in 1971! That is an average growth of 125,000 members per year during that span. The Church kept on keeping on (yes another Joe Dirt quote) and hit 4 million members only 7 years later in 1978, which equates to an average growth of 142,857 members per year in that span. A mere 4 years later in 1982 the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints hit 5 million members (5,162,619) to equal an average growth of 250,000 members per year in that time span! So how is the Church growing more recently? Well, from 1982 to 2013 there has been 9,919,409 more members join the ranks. That is an average increase per year from 1982 to 2013 of 319,980 members per year! That is an average of 26,665 new members every single month or about 889 new members every single day! It seems to me that the Army of God is being built and fortified!

Now class do you see a trend here? Let’s keep going…

The number of Temples is always on the rise also. We are now at 144 operating LDS Temples throughout the world. There are 4 more Temples preparing for dedication in the next 4 months, with 14 more under construction, with 12 more announced!

Membership is up, Temples are up, how about missionaries? In October 2012 when President Thomas S. Monson announced the new eligibility ages for Men (18 down from 19) and Women (19 down from 21) the number of missionaries serving was 58,500. Today, the number of missionaries serving is 88,000. That is an increase of 29,500 missionaries within 2 years! Sure, some of that is due to the age change, but the Church also reports that since the age change has went into effect, not only is the percentage of Sister Missionaries on the rise, but Senior Missionaries also! To keep up with this increase, since that announcement there has been 58 new missions created… with more announced!

Oh, and I’m not even close to finished, sit back down…

Genealogy work is increasing also! Meaning yes, there are scores, likely millions and even countless more “people” being given the opportunity to join this Church who are joining the ranks from beyond the veil. That literally means the numbers above showing current membership numbers, as incredible as they are… very likely don’t even begin to scratch the surface of what true membership in this Church is really at in the totality of things. How is that possible? Chew on this:

According to familyseach.org it took 80 years to make the first 1 billion records easily searchable online. That is an average of 12,500,000 records per year in that span. However the jump from 1 billion to 2 billion names being easily searchable online was completed in not 80 years, but 7! That is 73 years faster than their first 1 Billion records! That’s an average of 142,857,142 per year in that span! This is aided by more missionaries, more volunteers and better technology, and of course God. Part of the increase in numbers is due to the process itself. In the past information contained on microfilm took 12 to 18 months to become available. This includes capturing, mailing, processing, duplicating, cataloging, and then making the microfilmed images available through a network of family history centers. Now, the process has been refined with digital imaging technology and the information is available online at Familysearch.org and partner sites down from 12 to 18 months to about 45 days, with the goal to whittle even that down to 14 days!

The point with this entire entry was not only to use as many math puns in the first paragraph as possible but to show how the Prophesy of “The Church will fill every nation on earth” is being fulfilled in front of our very eyes! We are witness to an ongoing and ever bigger miracle! Our family members, sons, daughters, sisters, brothers, cousins, aunts, uncles, and friends are joining the ranks and entering the mission field. We ourselves are still in it too formerly called or not! People are waking up! Are you awake!?  The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints cannot and will not be stopped. There will come a day when EVERY knee shall bow, and EVERY tongue confess Jesus is the Christ. We have been told that, we know that. There will be opposition. There always has been, however, it will not prevail! One of my favorite all time quotes is by Joseph Smith. It is motivating and inspiring to the highest degree!

The standard of Truth has been erected, no unhallowed hand can stop the work from progressing. Persecutions may rage, mobs may combine, armies may assemble, calumny may defame, but the truth of God will go forth boldly, nobly, and independent, till it has penetrated every continent, visited every clime, swept every country, and sounded in every ear, till the purposes of God shall be accomplished, and the Great Jehovah shall say the work is done.

With those words we are assured again that this work will continue forward. So, if you were to form a hypothesis as to the future of the Church, all variables considered, it’s mathematically proven it will continue to thrive! Class dismissed.

Inspections vs. Appraisals

26 Monday Jan 2015

Posted by in Motes and Beams, Types

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We are selling our house at the moment, and it is quite the process (as many of you know) for other people to see, like, and then actually go forward and offer to buy something of great value (by great value, I mean something they have to get a mortgage for, as opposed to a smaller purchase made with cash or even credit cards).  Once we had formally listed our home, we (our realtor) showed it to several people, and other realtors also brought people through our home to try and pique their interest.

Side note: we purchased our home and participated in major renovation projects (brand new kitchen and appliances, dining room, laundry room, 2 bathrooms, flooring [carpet and tile], and paint), installed a new A/C unit, and replaced the furnace) – which have added value to the home (from an appraisal standpoint, and from an atmosphere/living standpoint).  We put a lot of work (sweat, tears, time) into this home and we feel that we did ourselves and this home a service in the process.  These renovation projects took the better part of 6 months and occupied way too many hours to even count. 

The obvious purpose of these ‘showings’ was to get one of these families to make an offer on the home in order to take the next step towards actual purchase.  Once an offer was submitted to us, we negotiated price, inclusions, exclusions, etc. and obtained signatures from both parties.  Then came the part of the process that I found particularly insightful – the inspection and the appraisal.

As part of the purchase agreement (and really any real estate purchase agreement), the buyers included in their offer a ‘due diligence’ date, or a date in which they could talk to an inspector, have him look at the home in order to identify any potential problems that would make the buyers reconsider their offer (or even withdraw it).  In addition to this, the bank that will be providing the financing also requires an appraisal, to verify that the purchase price does not exceed the market value of the home.  In essence, the inspector comes to look for, identify, and highlight what may be wrong with the home, and the appraiser comes to look for, identify, and report on the overall value of the home (all things considered).

The Inspection

The inspector came into our home and spent 2 full hours scouring every single nook and cranny of our 23-year-old house.  He turned on every light, every ceiling fan, every faucet (hot and cold), every shower, and flushed every toilet.  He tested every single electrical outlet; he walked into and around every single room.  He checked the paint for scrapes, he checked the ceilings for cracks, he walked the entire foundation of the home (inside and out), he checked the porches, the siding, the roof, the windows, the driveway, the garage, the trees on the property, the floors, the walls, and even the attic (where nobody ever goes).  He checked the pipes under the sinks in the cabinets, he flipped the breakers, he was the epitome of thorough – and it’s likely that he looked at things that I haven’t even looked at since we have lived here and the only thing he was looking for was problems.  His whole goal was to provide the buyers with a list of every singe thing in the home that didn’t work perfectly.   He found exactly what he was looking for – problems.

He prepared his report, which as you can imagine included some potentially significant things like:

  • Small crack in foundation wall
  • Hose pipe is missing turn valve (hose bib)
  • Siding is damaged on south end
  • Stairway leading downstairs is missing a railing

These things (when buying a home) seem insignificant to me. 

But, what surprised me (at least a little) is that he reported about 35 additional items that were (in my mind) anything but substantial.  Some of these items included:

  • Bathtub in master suite has a scratch
  • Dirt is touching the bottom rung of the porch
  • Electrical outlet under the kitchen sink (in a cabinet) is missing a cover
  • There is debris (trash) in the window wells
  • Some tree branches are touching the roof
  • There are ‘typical cracks’ in the concrete garage floor
  • Humidifier is unplugged
  • There is a cracked tile on the fireplace hearth
  • The sink drain is slow

This list seemed to go on and on and on – and as I read the list, I thought to myself, I wonder if this house is worth $5.  The way the inspection report makes it sound nobody would ever want to buy this house, because it isn’t perfect, in fact, it has about 35 things that are not perfect about it and it’s likely to completely fall apart and crumble any minute now– and then this list is what he gave to the prospective buyers.

The Appraisal

The appraiser came, and happened to ask me what we’d done to the home to ‘improve’ it over the past while, and I ran down the list of everything I wrote in the side note above, to which he said, “Ok, thanks”.  I left and he went ahead with the appraisal.  I returned a while later when he happened to be on his way back to the car, and he complimented me on how much the home had been improved, how good the renovations looked, and how much more ‘homey’ it felt inside.  He was very complimentary and went on his way.

His report will include and highlight all of the ‘good’ that the home has to offer (new kitchen, flooring, carpet, paint, appliances, A/C, etc.) and as a result of these improvements, a value will be assigned to the home that indicates the level or work (past vs. present) that has taken place in the last year or two.  In a sense, overlooking the problems focusing on the positive elements and their overall value.

In terms of what any of this means to any of you, the inspection process reminded me of exactly how Satan views us, and wants us to view ourselves – completely full of problems.  Problems that should be highlighted, exploited, and put on a list for any prospective buyer to see.  No matter what room we go into, or which facet of our life we inspect, if we look for what’s not perfect, we will find it.  If we only look for what’s broken, we may walk right past the brand new kitchen and notice the outlet cover under the sink is missing.   Because all of us live in a house (body) that has been through the ringer the past several years, and as part of mortal life – some stuff is going to get banged up and/or damaged.

This holds true for what we choose to see in other people as well – are we inspecting them, or are we appraising them?  Do I look for and find all the little ticky tack things that are wrong with or broken in others, and then use that list as a reason to not be friends, not try and help them, or do I focus on the improvements they’ve made in the past little while and compliment them on their hard work and progress?   Do I continue my search for the perfect house/body (imaginary), or do I see a ‘fixer-upper’ and envision the end result after some TLC?  I think these are valid questions for all of us to ask ourselves.
On the other hand, the appraisal process is more like the way that our Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ (and hopefully our leaders) view us.  They look at all the things that are good or that have been improved.  That’s not to say that they don’t notice the creaky floor, or the small cracks, because they do, they just don’t focus on them until it’s time to fix them.  They encourage you to keep moving forward, and see the overall value it the home, and as a most happy thought – they know exactly what can take place during the process and at the end when all of the little projects are improved.  They know our potential and are happy to go through the improvement process with us.

The last connection I’d like to highlight is the fact that none of us are able to complete these projects (improve upon them, or help them be repaired) on our own – even if we have identified them without the help of a formal inspector.   We all have the same need for an outside contractor to come in and repair what has been broken (either by misuse, abuse, lack of maintenance, external events, etc.).  We rely on Christ to help us identify and fix our problems, and the only productive reason that we have in recognizing them, is to ask for his help in fixing them.  This helps us to appreciate not only the help, but also the end result of that help.   Remember that in D&C 88:33 that in accepting (receiving) that help, we can rejoice not only in the gift (that which is given), but also in him, who is the giver of the gift.

Maxing Out in the Gospel

23 Friday Jan 2015

Posted by in Opposition, Sports, Strength, Types

≈ 1 Comment

Recently, I have been reading a lot about symbolism, types, similitudes, shadows, etc.  and in nearly every book related to these subjects, the author(s) cite Moses 6:63 which reads: “And behold, all things have their likeness, and all things are created and made to bear record of me, both things which are temporal, and things which are spiritual; things which are in the heavens above, and things which are on the earth, and things which are in the earth, and things which are under the earth, both above and beneath: all things bear record of me.”   Once I started to look, I realized that this is totally true, and not just true, but really exciting.  I have found that it is very eye opening, and surprisingly easy and incredibly fun to identify types or likenesses of the gospel, the atonement, and Jesus Christ in all things.

The best part is that all really does mean all.  It doesn’t mean most, or a few, or select, it means all.  It states that we can find these likenesses in spiritual things AND in temporal things (which we so often discount as just ‘things’ and give no attention to).  So, if we seek to find these likenesses, we will find them.  It also means that if we aren’t looking for an added measure of understanding or vision, we might only be seeing a portion (maybe even a small number) of the intended lessons, which as we are told, are in all things on the earth.  That means at the grocery store, in the library, while driving, doing the dishes, gardening, or maybe even watching a movie.  Also, it seems that a major purpose of these likenesses is so that we can understand a principle, or relate it in a way that is understandable to a larger number of people (to help us teach them), after all, didn’t the savior use very common things that were found in all the earth (fig trees, vineyards, feasts, birds, trails, roads, etc.) to teach the best lessons?

One likeness that I have found, that has become increasingly helpful in understanding the gospel, is a workout program called Insanity Max:30.  Now, as we all know, there are several workout programs available and many of them could be viewed in this same general vein, but this particular one has a unique component (secondary component) that I feel is crucial to understand – especially in a gospel sense.

The main purpose of this workout program is to change the participant into something better, something healthier, and something stronger.  But, as part of this underlying purpose, there is a secondary purpose, which is to have the participant fail all along the way – or as Shawn T puts it – max out.  Each of the daily workouts have been organized and prepared to be so hard, that you can’t actually finish them without failing.   This may seem like it’s defeating the purpose, but it’s not.  It’s doing two things – it’s helping you track your progress (as you are encouraged to write your ‘max out’ time each workout and see how much you are improving over time), and it’s helping you to understand that failure is not only ok, but it’s inevitable, and it’s been part of the plan all along.  Failure (as we’ve already noted here) is sometimes a cause for celebration.  In this particular case, if you ‘max out’ during a work out, it means you gave it everything you had, until you literally could not do it any more.  Once you’ve ‘maxed out’, you take a quick break, catch your breath, and jump right back in – until you max out again.  This is repeated for a period of 30 minutes.  It’s pretty intense.  This goes on 6 days a week, with a rest day on Sunday.  Every day is a grind, especially if (when) you forget the underlying purpose of the program.

As part of any workout program, there are also tips or rules to help any participant and rules about things to avoid in order to get the most out of the 60-day challenge.  Some rules are to give it your best every day, to eat right, to get enough sleep, and to prepare mentally.  The things to avoid (don’ts) are essentially the opposites of the tips (do’s) such as lack of sleep, eating unhealthy foods, not working hard or skipping workouts in general and if the participant either fails to do the do’s or continues to do the don’ts, it (they) may become ‘stumbling blocks’ that will cause them to become discouraged or even quit.

At the beginning of the program, or more accurately, when sitting in a comfy chair, sipping a lemonade making grand plans to do the program, it is pretty easy to envision the end results; ripped abs, killer arms, and cardio endurance for days, etc. and the participant thinks to themselves – I got this, 30 minutes is cake. I drive to work for 30 minutes every day and it is a breeze.  Then, you actually put the DVD in and 2 minutes into the warm-up on day 1, you realize that your lungs are on fire, your legs are Jell-O, and you can’t even recognize the wet noodles that are hanging from your shoulders.   You look at the folks on the video and they seem to be gliding along with ease, barely breaking a sweat, and you look at them and think – they must be on steroids and amped up on something crazy – because there is no way that anyone can do this.   This moment – the moment when your mind starts to come up with alternatives to this torture is called the beginning of ‘the grind’.

This moment hits you in the face every single day during every single workout – no exception.  Whether it’s in minute 3 or minute 23, it will come – and that’s the point.  The point is to see how you will respond to ‘the grind’ when it hits.  Will you grind through it?  Will you max out and say, that’s just too hard, – I’m going to grab an ice cream, or will you challenge yourself to max out?  And once you’ve maxed out, you have another decision to make; have I maxed out for the day, or do I catch my breath and jump back in?  Or, do I mentally look for my first opportunity in minute 7 to ‘max out’ on the plyo-burpee-lunge combo and bail for the day and then convince ourselves (and maybe others) that we nailed the whole thing?

During this program, Shawn T tries to motivate his groupies by telling them to ‘dig deeper’ and ‘focus in there’ and ‘you can do it, I know you can do it’.  He has even created an even crazier workout to directly address the mental grind called ‘Friday Night Fight’ referring to the fight between your mind and your body (especially during that ‘grind’ when your body is telling you that you should have maxed out 4 minutes ago) – in order to help your mind overcome your flesh – even if it’s just for 1 more minute.

If and when we push through that grind, making it just one more minute – something happens, we start to see the models on the workout video fall down, they collapse, they ‘max out’ and shake their head in disbelief and how ridiculous the workout really is, and we see Shawn T congratulate them for their efforts – and we realize – hey, these guys aren’t robots; they are actually sweating and working really hard, they are going through the exact same grind as me, and you realize, that they just might have been a little better prepared for this particular workout than me – but none of them are perfect either – because one by one – they max out.  They walk over to the board and write their name alongside the point in time where they maxed out.  No judgment, no ridicule, no criticism – just encouragement for making it as long as they did, and then they jump right back into it – right back into the middle of the grind.

The point that should be remembered during the grind and every time we are in the ‘Friday Night Fight’ with our minds is what the overall goal is, and what the overall goal is not.  The overall goal is to change, or to become stronger.  The overall goal is not to perform each and every workout with absolute perfection and never break a sweat.  That’s just impossible.  The overall goal is to give it everything you have, every single day, and improve.  Then, at the end of the 60-day period, take satisfaction in doing your best – and then start again.  This is best done at the end of the program, when you can see the end from the beginning – and see how much you’ve changed – even when you were failing all along the way.  The overall goal is not to give up as soon as it gets hard, or even way too hard.  The overall goal is to not forget the overall goal – and to try and remember why you started the workout program in the first place.  The overall goal is to get back up when you’ve maxed out, and to start again right where you left off, and to get up tomorrow when you’ve missed a day, and to do your absolute best.  The overall goal is the process of getting better, which can only happen when you meet ‘the grind’ face to face and try and beat it over and over again.

Now the question becomes, how does that have any likeness to the gospel?  For convenience (and because it’s fun), I have created a table to illustrate some similarities.

Insanity Max:30 The Gospel of Jesus Christ
The overall purpose of the program is to become stronger, better, healthier. The overall purpose of the gospel is to become something and someone stronger, better, healthier.
A secondary purpose is to ‘max out’ or to fail. Part of the point of mortality is ‘to fall’ or to fail.  This helps us rely wholly  on the savior and keep us humble.
Failure to perform the workouts perfectly is inevitable. Failure to keep the commandments perfectly is inevitable.
The workout program starts with a warm-up followed by increasingly difficult moves, combinations, and level of difficulty.  A knowledge of the fundamentals is key. In the gospel, as our understating and maturity increases, the level of responsibility or ‘load’ is increased to reflect that growth.  A knowledge and testimony of the fundamentals (principles) is key.
At some point in the workout, difficulty comes.  How we approach and work through that difficulty will largely determine our outcome (not to mention the mental benefits of lessons learned,   helpful methods, etc.) At some point in mortality, trials and difficult times will come.  How we approach and work through that difficulty will largely determine our outcome (not to mention the intangible lessons learned and testimonies gained).
It is easy to envision the end results of completing the project prior to actually starting. It is easy to envision the results of the gospel (living in the celestial kingdom) prior to actually starting and trying to live a celestial law.
At some point during every workout, you will hit ‘the grind’. At some point during every day/week/month, you will hit ‘the grind’.
Rules (do’s and don’ts) are given for maximum performance. Commandments (do’s and don’ts) are given more maximum performance.
Failure to obey the rules results in lack of progress.  Those who see the rules as ‘silly’ or unnecessary may not keep them and are highly unlikely to complete the program – especially during ‘the grind’. Failure to obey the commandments results in a lack of progress.  Those who see the commandments as ‘silly’ or unnecessary are highly unlikely to complete or stick with the program – especially during ‘the grind’.
The grind, and how the participant responds to the most difficult portion of the program, is in large part the entire purpose of the program. The grind (trials, difficulties, stress, etc.) and how the individual responds to them is in large part the principal purpose of the gospel.  “And we will prove them herewith” (Abr. 3:25)
Giving your best to the program will make you tired – really tired. Giving your best to the gospel will make you tired – really tired.
At first, it may seem if the other participant (models) are perfect, yet as the workout progresses – they fail, just as everyone else does. It may seem that others are perfect, yet everyone has failed, everyone makes mistakes, nobody is perfect, and everyone is in need of the atonement.
Just when you think you’ve reached the point where you can’t handle any more – Shawn T asks for a little more.  He asks and motivates us. During times of struggle (the grind) or when we think we are maxed out – Christ asks for just a little bit more.  His example is a perfect motivator and he helps us give just a little more.
As we near the completion of the program, we can look back and appreciate ‘the process’ of improving more than the small details and exact times of failure.  We understand that while we haven’t been absolutely perfect, the direction that we are headed is more important that the specific location where we currently sit, and we feel motivation to continue and improve. As we periodically reflect on our gospel journey, we can look and reflect and/or appreciate the tender mercies along the way, the progress we’ve made, and try not to worry about the little setbacks, or specific failures we’ve made.  We can understand and see that ‘the process’ of becoming is what is important.  The direction is more important than the specific location we are currently in, and we put more value in who we have become rather than what we have done.  We feel motivation to continue and improve – and to do our very best.
This workout program includes coaches, communities, message boards, etc. to provide motivation, support, and experience to help users all along the way. The gospel and the church are set up in a way to provide teachers, leaders, bishops, counselors, etc. to provide motivation, support, and valuable experience to help us all along the way.  Not to mention prayer, which is a priceless tool for support.

While participating in the program, if you skip a day, or you miss a workout, you are not disqualified from further participation, nor are you forced to start over at the very beginning.  You are encouraged to get back up, and pick up right where you left off the next day.  The idea is to not let one missed day turn into 2 missed days, which could turn into several missed days, which could turn into quitting altogether.

 In the gospel, if you skip a day (reading scriptures, prayer, etc.) you are not disqualified from further participation, nor are you forced to start over at the very beginning. You are encouraged to get back up, and pick up right where you left off the next day.  The idea is to not let one missed day turn into 2 missed days, which could turn into several missed days, which could turn into quitting altogether.
In case of injury or doctor’s orders, the program may need to be suspended and or stopped until healing/preparation for re-starting the program can take place.  It is also recommended that periodic evaluations take place (with physicians and or coaches) to ensure that you are physically able to continue or to discuss progress, goals, and any needed supplements and/or dietary needs. In rare cases of severe spiritual injury (or priesthood leaders orders), certain blessings or privileges may need to be suspended until proper healing and preparation for recommencing the program can take place.  It is also requisite that periodic evaluations take place (with bishops or leaders) to ensure that you are spiritually sound, measure progress and goals, report on successes/hardships, and to plan for any supplements and/or spiritual dietary needs.
While participating in the program, it is likely that you will start to see results, and it is also likely, others will see the results in you (added energy, more confidence, physical changes, happiness, etc.) and ask you to explain what you have been doing, or what changes you have made in your life to bring about this mighty change.  This will provide you with an opportunity to share your feelings about the program, how it has helped you, what the program is, and some of the benefits of it. While participating in the gospel, it is likely that you will start to see spiritual results, and it is also likely, others will see the results in you (added happiness, more confidence, countenance changes, increase of service, etc.) and ask you to explain what you have been doing, or what changes you have made in your life to bring about this mighty change.  This will provide you with an opportunity to share your feelings about the gospel, how it has helped you, what the program is, and some of the benefits of it (i.e. share your testimony as a missionary).
While participating in the workout program, 14 million things will come up during the days, weeks, and months that could distract you or prevent you from working out.  If you let them, these distractions will prevent you from reaching your goals, even when they seem to be legitimate distractions that need attention.  Preparing a plan beforehand, and establishing a routine/schedule that is firm will assist in helping deal with these distractions.  (i.e. working out early in the morning prior to the day helps complete the program before distractions can become a concern, whereas waiting to ‘fit the workout in somewhere during the day’ seems to be more difficult). While participating in the gospel program, 14 bazillion things will come up during the days, weeks, and months that could distract you or prevent you from spiritually working out.  If you let them, these distractions will prevent you from reaching your goals, even when they seem to be legitimate distractions that need attention.  Preparing a plan beforehand, and establishing a routine/schedule that is firm will assist in helping deal with these distractions.  (i.e. scripture study early in the morning prior to the day helps you to get your shield on before distractions can become a concern, whereas waiting to ‘fit the study in somewhere during the day’ seems to be more difficult).
Shawn T says (about the program) “if it wasn’t a challenge, everyone could do it, and it wouldn’t get you the results you want”.  This means that any workout program that doesn’t cause you to come face to face with ‘the grind’ and cause you to ‘dig deeper’ won’t produce the results and the intestinal fortitude necessary to produce the body and results that you really want. Sheri Dew says (about the gospel) “If it was easy, it wouldn’t be hard”, and Joseph Smith said (about the gospel) “a religion that does not require the sacrifice of all things never has the power sufficient to produce the faith necessary unto life and salvation.”
If you push through the workout program, and you complete it, you are pretty quick to admit that everything you put into it (while incredibly difficult in that moment) was worth it, and the results are actually greater than the sacrifices made.

If you continue through (and especially in) the gospel, you are quick to admit that everything that you have put into it (given to the cause of Jesus Christ), while at points may be incredibly difficult, was worth it, and the results and blessings that are obtained, are greater than anything that is given up along the way.

The idea of this post is to help us (all of us) realize that sometimes we are in the middle of ‘the grind’, and when we are in the middle of that grind, the best thing we can do is just keep going, or as other people (likenesses in all the world) have said, “just keep swimming”1, “keep moving forward”2, or “keep on keepin’ on”3.  We knew in our minds that when we started this gospel program, that there would be days where our best was just making it until bedtime without a full scale explosion– and that’s okay, because we all max out – what’s important is that we get up as soon as we can, we jump right back into it, and we give everything that we have left again and again.  And, it’s to help us realize that ‘the process’ of becoming like Christ requires a whole lot of ‘grinding’ just like ‘the process’ of becoming fit requires a whole lot of ‘grinding’.  We just have to remember that we can’t forget about (or be angry with) ‘the process’ compared to the end result (goal of perfection), because the end result happens to be directly related to what we put into the process all along the way.

I started with a scripture, and I’ll end with a scripture – but this one is to help us understand that when we are in the grind, those moments, those days, those weeks, those months, or even those years – that’s right where we should be, and that’s right where the sweet spot is, and as hard as it is to remember, that spot (the grind) is the one spot that creates the greatest growth in each of us.  Of that moment, Shawn T says (when it really starts to burn); “don’t run from the work, feel the work”.  And that is the qualifier for progress.  As Nephi (quoting Isaiah) reminded us in 1 Ne. 20:10 it’s from that spot where he chooses us; “For behold, I have refined thee, I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction”.  So when we find ourselves in the furnace – and we think we are maxing out – just follow Shawn T’s advice and “give it one more minute.  Dig a little deeper and focus in there, and I promise you, you will see results”.

Notes

1 Dory (Finding Nemo)

2 Cornelius, and really the entire Robinson family (Meet the Robinsons)

3 Embarrassingly enough, I just used a reference from Joe Dirt in my blog post about the gospel.

Wedgies and the Personal Choice

22 Thursday Jan 2015

Posted by in Agency, Wedgies

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As a little kid I had a chronic case of what could be diagnosed as “little brother syndrome”. It’s a condition in human males that seems to be recessive in females that makes little brothers blind to their lack of size, strength, or mental abilities in comparison to their older brother(s). The “gene” is carried through both parents and intensifies with each consecutive son. As the youngest of 4 consecutive sons my case was very prevalent. I noticed my attitude, big mouth, constant habitual teasing, yet runt like size growing up didn’t translate well for me. I didn’t realize or more truthfully simply didn’t want to realize that all my brothers were all bigger, older, stronger, faster, smarter, and wiser than myself. When an argument or wrestling match broke out I didn’t stand a chance… yet for some reason I couldn’t help but feel like I had the upper hand.

For example: One day Tyson was dishing out my just reward for something I had said and/or done and he hung me by my underwear on the doorknob in his room… and yes, this is a true story. I made all sorts of threats of what I would do once I got loose. However, with my feet not able to touch the ground and hands not able to reach the walls for leverage I struggled and struggled in vain. The harder I tried and struggled the worse the wedgy became. Yet even holding still the wedgy was constant due to my own body weight and gravity. I was like a fox caught in a trap whose only chance at freedom was to gnaw its own leg off… but in my case my “leg” was my underwear and to “gnaw it off” meant to struggle so hard that I would eventually tear through my own underwear which would take courage and inflict much pain but would eventually grant me my freedom. I actually remember contemplating that last option, but thankfully I decided against it and thus walk without a limp today. So, after fighting it way longer than I should have, I finally gave up and realized I had been completely neutralized by the dreaded “quicksand wedgy”. Tyson had created the equivalent to a plastic prison for Magneto (other nerds will understand) and I was powerless to escape. My words and threats were now exposed for what they truly were, empty and without force because I had not the ability to act them out nor could I force Tyson to budge on words alone. His strength had rendered me powerless and I had no power over him. Tyson’s strength had voided all my abilities to affect him or harm him. Eventually of course Tyson’s heart was softened and I was granted release. It’s also seems that time has since cured my “little brother syndrome”.

My intention today is not to speak of wardrobe malfunctions elicited by a third party but to speak of the lesson that can be learned from this. We have been told that God granted the adversary power to “bruise our heels” yet we retain power to “crush his head”. Think about that… that is a massive, huge, vast, gaping canyon of power difference between us! So how is it that we always seem to be on the defensive and so often we falter, and even falter continuously? I think it’s more complicated than a simple answer. Part of it is because we are not perfect. Part of it is likely because we choose to fail. We have been sent here to be tried and tested. We have been sent to prove how faithful we are, how strong we are, and to show our Father in Heaven essentially “what we’re made of”. We know that it will be an uphill battle as we constantly have to fight against not only the adversary but ourselves as we are all by nature “natural men”! The adversary is relentless, and refuses to yield, to stop or to give in. He has an army with him and is always recruiting to strengthen his side. He relishes in our demise and defeat. He salivates at our destruction and failure. In other words the little brother to our perfect Elder brother has the worst case of “little brother syndrome” eternity has ever or will ever see! His case is so prevalent and advanced that no amount of time or “quicksand wedgies” will ever or could ever cure it! With that against us can we succeed? If so, how do we succeed? How do we get to the point that we are truly seeing his tactics and influence for what they really are? How do we render him powerless?

I think the first thing to realize is that we are not perfect. We can’t hang our heads when we make a mistake. It’s why Christ sacrificed for us, and why the Atonement is so incredible. At the same time, we must realize the Atonement is there to use, not abuse. It’s also interesting to realize that it’s us, and only us who give him power. He can’t take anything we don’t give to him. If we give an inch, he will take 100 miles. With the power we are told he has vs. the power we know we have, not to mention the help and support we are given when we earn it… it seems we all at one point had him hung by his undies on the doorknob. Yet, when we entertain his words, start to listen, or believe his words, or think “just this once”, it seems the more and more power he seems to gain over us. He doesn’t care about us, he will do anything he can to influence us, he just wants off the doorknob!

I’m not trying to imply that this life is easy, that living perfectly is easy, or that I’m perfect. I’m simply saying with God it can become easier than we now find it. I say this because for every method, every tool and for every ability the adversary has, God has more than an answer. We have so much at our disposal for good! We have God and Jesus Christ! We have a living prophet who through God knows the adversaries playbook on each of us. We have the Holy Ghost and angels to help lead us, inspire us and influence us. In a nutshell we have been given, told, and warned of the adversary’s plan which he now employs or plans soon to employ. We are warned on what to watch out for. We are counseled on ways to prevent physical and spiritual harm to ourselves and our family. We essentially are allowed to see the bigger picture and the end of the book before it comes to be! We have so much more than those who oppose us! Or, in other words “those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” To take that one step further I would even say “Those who are with us are more powerful than those who are with them”. We have been told from the beginning that we will be victorious… and we will there’s no doubt! With God we cannot fail! What I believe it comes down to is us individually. No matter how strong or weak we are, God can make us stronger. He can help us overcome all. He will give us power to withstand all that is placed before us because we know with our effort, our determination, and our own diligence to his word he will help us withstand the adversary. The most important thing is we have to want it, and do what is necessary to earn the help and protection of Heaven in our behalf.

Here are two scriptures I like on this.

1 Nephi 15:24

Corinthians 10:13

Why I Can’t see Angels

20 Tuesday Jan 2015

Posted by in Angels, Faith

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I can’t see angels. There, I said it. I know its a shocking revelation, but its true. Its kind of a total bummer, because there isn’t anything that I think would be much better than to go through life and be able to draw upon their strength by seeing them with physical eyes! I would love to be walking down the hallway of the hospital during my workday, and see Teancum on his way to an urgent task of helping the lunch lady deal with the stresses of the day. I’d nod a little, kind of like a “whats up, T? Sweet sword!” kind of thing, and he would say, “thanks bro, yeah, Joshua just made for me”, and we would both have this perfect understanding of what he was up to and it would be totally awesome. I imagine all the time what it would be like.

So, whats holding me back? why is it that I cant see angels? I mean, even the rebellious punks from the Book of Mormon were able to see them, just go ask Alma the younger, and Laman and Lemuel.

I always figured it was just as simple as concentrating harder or having a righteous desire to see the helpers from beyond the veil. That may indeed be a part of it, however, during my last trip to the temple, I stumbled upon, or better yet, was told, what I could do to indeed “see angels”.

I had just spent the whole session concentrating and imagining where these angels would be, right next to me in the empty chairs, up by the veil, walking around in the celestial room, etc. Of course, I again came up empty, no angelic visitors  this time. I never felt discouraged, or disappointed, or ripped off, or anything like that, just was really thinking about how I would really, really, love to be able to see these awesome helpers that are all around us.

       After the session, Catie had just stepped out to do a few initiatory names, so I had a few minutes in the celestial room by myself to relax.  So, she suggested that I maybe sit and read for a few minutes, then she would meet me at the car after she was done. I agreed, thought it was a great idea, and proceeded to sit down on a comfy couch, grabbed a triple combination, and was ready to be instructed.

I paused for just about 3 seconds, holding the book in front of me, closed, and preparing to open it, when my thoughts went to all those stories about how people just opened their scriptures to the perfect verse for them at the time. This always seemed almost too good to be true. I had never had that experience, I had always landed like in the middle of Habakkuk in the old testament. So, In those 3 seconds, I thought, “alright, here we go, big money, no whammies, lets see what I get today.”

I opened the book, or I might say, someone I couldn’t see opened the book to Ether 12. I know instantly that it was a great chapter on faith, and that I could a least read that chapter and be reminded of a lot of good principles. So, I went back one page, and started from the beginning.

It took about 17 seconds for me to get to verse 6, Where, Moroni, as narrator, steps back to instruct us a little more specifically about the Jaradites and their lack of faith. It Says, “And now, I, Moroni, would speak somewhat concerning these things; I would show unto the world that faith is things which are hoped for and not seen.; wherefore, dispute not because ye see not, for ye receive no witness until after the trial of your faith.”

The last two phrases might as well have been in neon flashing, and had a theme song playing as I read them over. I understood what was being taught to me in that moment. I was being taught, that I, personally, didn’t necessarily need to see angels to believe that they were there. I wasn’t disputing them, and I understood it more like, “don’t worry” because you don’t see angels, etc. But, the best part was the next sentence, “For ye receive no witness until after the trial of your faith” I instantly understood at that moment, that, this, for me, meant that I “could” see them,  but only after a trial of my faith. I was happy, and nervous at the same time. I felt a little like Lloyd Christmas saying, “So……., you’re saying I have a chance?” But, at the same time, I didn’t want to “pay” for it with a trial of my faith if I could help it. But I learned even more as I kept going.

Verse 19 was the next one. “And there were many whose faith was so exceedingly strong, even before Christ came, who could not be kept from within the veil, but truly saw with their eyes the things which they had beheld with an eye of faith, and they were glad.” This was the awesome part. If I keep increasing, developing, building, hoping, improving, etc., I will build my faith. And if it continues, and I reach the point where the veil is unable to contain all things, Awesome.

The cool part to me was also this, it explains that those who were able to “see beyond the veil” had already seen those things with their “eye of faith”.  So, maybe all of those whose faith was exceedingly strong, and were able to eventually “see with their eyes” also, at some point, sat in temple sessions and imagined their guardian angels sitting right next to them, or imagined totally awesome prophets or scriptural characters fist pounding them while walking down the street. These scriptures, pointed out to me by someone unseen,  gave me a roadmap to eventually be able to see angels! And, unlike our dear friend Lloyd Christmas, we all have the potential, and innate ability, and I think all of our chances are much better than one-in-a-million.

The Language of Love

19 Monday Jan 2015

Posted by in Language, Love

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Many of us know or have heard about the five love languages1 for us and our relationships with each other.  The process of reading about, discovering, perhaps even engaging in friendly discussions with our loved ones about, and filling out the questionnaire to determine which of the five languages best describe us is very interesting.  At the end of the day, we get to determine (or at least be guided in thinking about) how we (as mortals) show our love to and for others, AND perhaps even more importantly whether we are actually aware of the most effective way that our spouses and/or family members want to be shown love.  Because after all, we understand a language (how we interpret love being shown to us) and we speak2 a language (how we think we show love to others), and so does everyone else, but sometimes we may not even be saying or hearing the same things.

For a quick summary; if a persons love language is receiving gifts, they tend to equate receiving a gift with love very easily (meaning they understand that the person who gave them a gift must be showing them love), but if that person is told (words of affirmation) of their worth, perhaps hugged (physical touch), accompanied on a walk (quality time) by their significant other, or service (dishes, laundry, etc.) is performed on their behalf (acts of service) they may have harder time identifying that particular act with being shown love.  They may view it as something entirely different such as duty, or perhaps not even notice it at all despite the intent from the giver of the act or words.  In the same light, that same person may have a tendency to give gifts to loved ones in a very real effort to show love, because they readily identify with that language – even if their love language isn’t the same.  This can lead to confusion because one individual is very clearly showing love, but the one they are showing love to has a completely different idea of what that demonstration should be.  If I speak the language of quality time, words of affirmation won’t seem to do the trick, or if I feel love by physical touch, I doubt gifts or acts of service will carry the same weight.

Suddenly, the confusion at the tower of Babel seems pretty familiar, at least until the people who were (or are) involved identify that they are likely saying the same thing, just in a language that has been confounded.4 So, the responsible parties (those who are trying to communicate with each other) are left to either find common ground (helpful), learn everyone else’s language (best option) or forever be presented with a problem ‘such as is common to man’3 (and by man I mean mankind, not the male gender).

Before moving forward I wish to express my feelings that none of us are limited to a single love language.  While it may be true or generally prevalent thought that we have a primary love language, I am not one to limit ourselves with a singular language.  I think that we are capable of understanding a lot more about love with a bit of understanding and maybe some effort on our part.  I also think that by understanding more about all of the love languages, and making a sincere effort to identify with, appreciate, and even attempt to recreate them it makes a better communicator (obviously), and therefore more capable of both giving and receiving love in various ways.  This, in the end is the goal.  Love.5

This knowledge became an understanding for me recently, because I was able to apply this to (by apply I mean retroactively think about and identify with) a real life situation.  Since that understanding, I thought to share this thought, even though most if not all of the people who will read this post will say something like “no duh.   Tyson just informed me of something that I have known for so long, that I don’t even remember learning it.”

Part 1 of my awareness: Christmas just passed, and I was thinking about all the ‘gifts’ that I gave and all the gifts that I received, and I started to wonder how those gifts that I had given were received by those to whom they’d been given.

Part 2 of my awareness: I have been thinking about some situations that are less than ideal6 involving people that I love (which includes me – which is why I used the word involved).  Situations could mean a variety of things, including words, actions, thoughts, assumptions, etc. which provide the all too frequent opportunity for discussion, discomfort, awkwardness, concern, terror, fear and maybe even anger or forgiveness.

As I was thinking about these two things, I started to understand some things at the same time:

1)   I get answers to my problems (and everyone else’s) 7 in life through books (reading, studying, etc.).  Or at least, that’s how I get most of the way through the problems.  I read, then I read some more, and then I keep reading.   Then when I’m done, I compare it with what I’ve read.  That’s MY love language.

2)   I try to give other people the solutions to their problems by speaking my language to them.  This was a sobering fact for me, and one that I was able to see very clearly (after it was too late), and this was very much based on my previous understanding (which is probably better termed a reinforced confirmation because I mostly knew it already).

As I was reflecting on the gifts that I had given last year, and as I was thinking of what to get those that I love most, guess what kept popping into my head…..yep, books.  I wanted to give everyone books (I did last year).  What I intend in this gift is that these are literally stacks of gold.  Golden objects that contain the answers to all the questions and that speak the language of love.   They have the ability to answer all the questions and solve all your problems.   I had carefully selected books that I knew would provide critical clarity to a particular issue – because I had found what I thought they needed there.  But, what I did not realize is that I was speaking the wrong language to them.  It was as if I were babbling in some strange tongue while they were looking at me and nodding with a smile and thinking to themselves…”wow, a book.  I hate reading.  Thanks Tyson” (this is further insight into the story I shared here).

The connection is a simple scripture passage, and one that I feel ties this whole thing together.  Especially when we try to understand that the language of love can be spoken and therefore heard, and it can be shown and therefore felt, and if we are honest, the language of love can be demonstrated in an infinite number of different ways, because the way that we feel love or receive love can and will be just as varied.  But, there is someone who can, does, and will speak every single love language, and this is critical because as it says in scripture (especially referring to words/actions/etc. as empowered by the holy ghost) that “every man heard them speak in his own language”.8

This means that regardless of what my love language is, the spirit speaks to me in that language, because that’s the language I understand, and because the Lord and the spirit know this, they continue to speak to me in that language. And what’s even better is the scripture says that particular language, the one I hear, it’s “my own language”. It is my own language, and I love it.  I speak it.  I feel it.  I read it.  I hear it.  I know it.  I absorb it.  I know the difference in intonations and inflections; I know about past participles and dangling prepositions.  I know the seemingly conflicting rules of grammar and I know the difference between their, there, and they’re.  I know and recognize different accents, meanings, contexts, and intentions. It’s ‘my’ language.  I don’t know these things because I studied or learned them all – I just know them because ‘it’s my language’.  It’s how the spirit speaks to me.  It’s how the Lord communicates with me.  It’s ‘my’9 language of love and I can promise you that there isn’t anyone else who speaks ‘my’ language.  We all get our own, and the common denominator is the spirit.  When we understand this – the phrase ‘love languages’ fits perfectly, because that’s exactly what true communion with deity is – love.  A love so deep and so intense that he mastered every single language just so that he could be the most effective at demonstrating it to me.  Just me, and just you.  We could say that He IS this language.   This is an amazing idea.

Now, on to the morals of this story:

  1. Let us be ever so grateful that the Lord and the spirit speak ‘our own’ love language perfectly, and speak to us and show us love via that language – in a way that is super effective if and when we recognize it.
  2. Let us try harder to recognize the language that others speak (this is not easy) – especially because sometimes we can’t just ask them what it is.That is part of the challenge and responsibility we have as their loved ones – to find it out in order to best serve and love them.  Remember that this love, this pure love, “suffereth long, and is kind, and envieth not, and is not puffed up, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil, … beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things”. 10

Let us seek to hear and speak and feel and show this love, to share this love, and to become this love.

Notes:

1 The five love languages are identified as follows: Physical Touch, Words of Affirmation, Receiving Gifts, Quality Time, and Acts of Service as outlined by Gary Chapman in his book “The 5 Love Languages, The Secret to Love That Lasts’.

2 Even though languages are typically spoken, I will likely use ‘feel’ in place of ‘hear’ or ‘speak’ and their various relatives at different points, just because it is hard to ‘hear’ or speak any of the languages except for words of affirmation.  Other uses for ‘hearing/speaking’ a language may also include ‘show’.

3 See Gen. 11:4-9

4 1 Cor. 10:13

5 While this word, it’s meaning, and the infinite depths that we could explore to find applicable notes are many, a few will suffice; they include 1) “Charity” with all of it’s implications, requirements, and power and 2) “God is Love”, and 3) “All you need is love” (The Beatles, and perhaps more definitively and explicitly it’s variation “Love is all you need” as phrased by Pearl Jam).

6 ‘Less that ideal’ is a nice way to say ‘broken, strained, lacking completion, or even a bit uncomfortable’.

7 This is not to assume that I actually have the answers for anyone else except me – but that doesn’t stop me from trying to solve everybody else’s problems.  After all, it’s easy for me to see the motes that are in other people’s eyes, exactly what they need to remove them, and which methods and equipment would be best suited for that purpose.  Please realize I understand full well that both of my eyes are overflowing with beams.

8 See Acts 2:1-6

9 Please note my same feelings here (that I don’t feel any of us are limited to a single love language).  While it may be true that ‘my own’ language is absolutely my primary language, I think that we are capable of understanding a lot more about love when we understand it’s true meaning in multiple languages.  This can be proved by those who speak multiple languages, especially those from which the scriptures have been translated, and when those who speak multiple languages compare translations to better understand intent, context, etc.  This idea is furthered and confirmed when we think of scriptures, parables, types, shadows, similitudes, etc. since there is much more being relayed than just the words and if we don’t understand all of the languages that are being spoken/written, we will miss out.

10 Moroni 7:45 (see also 1 Cor. 13:4-7)