Slow to Anger

As a budding psychologist, I have been able to draw countless corollaries between the Gospel and forging healthy interpersonal relationships. It feels neat to live my craft as I learn it, and there is no needed paradigm shift or need to be anyone but myself as I help others. The best psychologists are patient, humble, assertive, and, most importantly, full of charity.

With this as a backdrop, I have found it easy to talk with members of my cohort about these simple Gospel principles in the guise of good social science. One of these was the principle of contention vs. peace. I find that when ideological or political arguments emerge in the workplace (a natural with four headstrong upstarts), I am quicker to cede ground to others, knowing that in the end that which is discussed is of no import to the big picture, which is being able to better help others. I was able to process this with one of my co-workers, stating that a 'bad vibe' enters the room when contention arises. He agreed, adding that it doesn't solve anything.

This was the psychological answer, but oh how I wish he were ready for the spiritual answer!! The Savior has said:

For verily, verily I say unto you, he that hath the spirit of contention is not of me, but is of the devil, who is the father of contention, and he stirreth up the hearts of men to contend with anger, one with another.

Behold, this is not my doctrine, to stir up the hearts of men with anger, one against another; but this is my doctrine, that such things should be done away. --3 Nephi 11:29-30

How grateful I am for that answer, for it's something that I don't have to "figure out" on my own. It's already decided. How grateful I am as well for living prophets who remind us of these simple truths. Thomas S. Monson, Prophet and President of the LDS Church, recently said the following in General Conference:

"We’ve all felt anger. It can come when things don’t turn out the way we want. It might be a reaction to something which is said of us or to us. We may experience it when people don’t behave the way we want them to behave. Perhaps it comes when we have to wait for something longer than we expected. We might feel angry when others can’t see things from our perspective. There seem to be countless possible reasons for anger.

"...My brethren [and sisters], we are all susceptible to those feelings which, if left unchecked, can lead to anger. We experience displeasure or irritation or antagonism, and if we so choose, we lose our temper and become angry with others. Ironically, those others are often members of our own families—the people we really love the most."

"...May we be worthy sons [and daughters] of our Heavenly Father. May we ever be exemplary in our homes and faithful in keeping all of the commandments, that we may harbor no animosity toward any man but rather be peacemakers, ever remembering the Savior’s admonition, “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.”"

It is my hope that this week we can be a little slower to anger, and a little more patient. It is my hope that we may have a little more charity toward our fellow man (and woman), and that we may serve those whom we don't understand, being the first to act out of charity. We cannot afford to wait for others to be kind and loving towards us. We must live up to our standard. I know we all can do this as we seek the Lord's aid, that our imperfections may be helped through the great Atonement He wrought for us.

Have a great Week!

Finding a Sacred Place

My heart is full on this autumn morning with many things to say, and unfortunately, many things to leave out. Of all the things that I could write on this week, let me focus on Finding a Sacred Place. This theme was inspired by a conference I attended yesterday whose keynote speaker was Clayton M. Christensen, former Area Authority Seventy over the Northeast Area, and current professor at the Harvard Business School. Both his professional and spiritual accomplishments are amazing, and it's easy to say that everyone was richly fed. He gave us singles five seemingly small decisions that he made that have impacted his life greatly, and encouraged us to apply those in our own lives. They were 1) the decision to get the most education possible, 2) the decision to keep the commandments 100% of the time (because it was easier than following 98% of the time), 3) the decision to put the Kingdom of God first, 4) the decision to call yourself on a mission, and 5) the decision to find out if the Book of Mormon is true.

The last on the list was particularly important to Brother Christensen, who said that the knowledge he gained of the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon serves him multiple times every day, while he uses his knowledge of applied econometrics only a couple times a year. He made this decision while a Rhodes Scholar at Oxford. Studying in the Queen's College, one night he knelt down in a quiet place, and told the Lord that he would devote his life to His service if the book were true, but if it were not, to let him know what was true, so that he might pursue that. Brother Christensen would read a page in the Book of Mormon, then kneel down, and offer the same prayer. He repeated this ritual every night for an hour each night, until he received that all important answer--it was true! He finally knew with a surety that the Book of Mormon was true, and in turn, that Joseph Smith was a true prophet, and that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was God's Kingdom here on earth. Brother Christensen says that he now tries to return to Oxford as often as he can with his family, not because it's a tourist spot, not because there he received an education, but because when he goes in front of the Queen's College, he can point at the very window to the room where he finally knew. For him, it was a sacred place.

He then admonished us to find our own "Queen's College". He said we should find somewhere sacred to us, where we may return and say that there we came to find out of the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon. If we already knew of its truthfulness, then we should find a place where our faith was renewed to call sacred. I have a definite testimony of this, because we can never hold on to only one or two spiritual experiences, and hope to "be okay" by the end of our earthly tenure. Life is filled with leaps of faith; however, we can only jump so far before we inevitably fall into the abyss of sin, sorrow, and despair. Constantly seeking after sacred places and experiences, and more importantly constantly seeking to put the Lord first will cause those "safe points" to come closer together until we will be able to walk and then run across, leaving all ungodliness in our wake. This is easy to say, but much more difficult to do; nevertheless, we MUST strive to put the Lord first. Our life is His, not our own.

It is my hope that I can accomplish this, and that all who read may be inspired to be better in a like manner. Have a Great Week!

That they Might Have Rest

My conceptualization for this week is a result of my study of Chapters 12 & 13 in the Book of Alma. The first portion is a great example of good teaching; the second provoked further thought as to what really is "the rest of the Lord."

1. While performing missionary work in the Land of Ammonihah, Alma and Amulek were met with resistance from the people. Alma Chapter 12 is a prime example, as Alma contends with Zeezrom, who had already just contended with Amulek on the existence of a Supreme Being. Amulek was successful at quieting Zeezrom, and Alma then took the opportunity to teach true doctrine.

In verse 8 Zeezrom, now convinced that Alma and Amulek can perceive the thoughts of his heart, asks what Amulek meant when he said that the just and unjust would rise again, and be brought before God to be judged according to their works. Here is Alma's response:

It is given unto many to know the mysteries of God; nevertheless they are laid under a strict command that they shall not impart only according to the portion of his word which he doth grant unto the children of men, according to the heed and diligence which they give unto him.

And therefore, he that will harden his heart, the same receiveth the lesser portion of the word; and he that will not harden his heart, to him is given the greater portion of the word, until it is given unto him to know the mysteries of God until he know them in full.

And they that will harden their hearts, to them is given the lesser portion of the word until they know nothing concerning his mysteries; and then they are taken captive by the devil, and led by his will down to destruction. Now this is what is meant by the chains of hell. (v 9-11)

I like how Alma deflects Zeezrom's question in a manner that might be easier for him to understand, as well as for the people who had gathered to watch the exchange. Alma starts at a more basic level, because this is what Zeezrom needed. Alma then teaches more fully in verses 14-18, that there is a spiritual death that possibly accompanies temporal death, if our works are not works of righteousness. Then, with prompting from Antionah (a chief ruler who took watched the exchange), Alma then explains why the plan of redemption is so necessary, due to the transgressions of our first parents and our inherent imperfection upon living life on Earth. Nevertheless, it is given unto us to choose good or evil (verse 31), but we must be aware that the commandments are laid out for our benefit. If we repent, our sins will be remitted of us, and we will be able to enter into the rest of the Lord.

2. What is the rest of the Lord?

Chapters 12 & 13 are full of references to "the rest of the Lord." We find that the requirements to enter into His rest are purity, humility, sincere repentance, faith, hope, and love of God (Alma 13: 12-28). But what is it, exactly? Is it peace upon experiencing that temporal death to which we referred? Questions like these make me grateful for living revelation through study, prayer, and the voice of modern prophets. Joseph F. Smith, the sixth President of the Church, said the following:

What does it mean to enter into the rest of the Lord? Speaking for myself, it means that through the love of God I have been won over to Him, so that I can feel at rest in Christ, that I may no more be disturbed by every wind of doctrine, by the cunning and craftiness of men, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; and that I am established in the knowledge and testimony of Jesus Christ, so that no power can turn me aside from the straight and narrow path that leads back into the presence of God, to enjoy exaltation in His glorious kingdom; that from this time henceforth I shall enjoy that rest until I shall rest with Him in the heavens.

President Smith goes further to speak on this matter, and I suggest that you go to http://www.lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?hideNav=1&locale=0&sourceId=0327f48fa2d20110VgnVCM100000176f620a____&vgnextoid=88021b08f338c010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD to get the full account. I like how he explains the rest of the Lord as a peaceful reassurance that one is living according to God's commandments. But does this preclude us from continuing to work? It most certainly DOES NOT. My thoughts are that the 'rest of the Lord' is just that--a rest! The reason we take rests is to be able to recharge ourselves to take on obstacles and challenges that we will face in real life! May we all keep this in perspective, myself first and foremost, that this time on Earth is appointed to all of us to WORK out our salvation. But, when we need it, we can become recharged sufficient so that we may work more efficiently. My favorite mode of recharging my spiritual batteries is through attending the temple. Often referred to as "the mountain of the Lord," it is a place of peace from the cares of the outside world, where we can gain further, undiluted perspective on our eternal worth and purpose. In the temples worthy members can receive that rest, and reassurance that God knows each one individually, better even than the individual knows him or herself. I know this because I have experienced it time and time again in my own life.

I know that God lives. I know that he sent his Son, Jesus Christ, to suffer for our sins, that we might repent, overcome spiritual and temporal death, and have ultimate rest, which is eternal life. I know that we are taught line upon line, precept upon precept, and are only given that for which we are ready, like Zeezrom in the Book of Mormon. I know that that book is true scripture, and if we study it, we will be given a more effective and inspired route to eternal life.

Have a Great Week!

General Conference Reactions

I feel really privileged to post on this blog my reaction to the words spoken at this October's General Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. As I sat in my living room in Phoenixville, Pennsylvania, I felt a certain connection to the Brethren that I had never felt in my three full years living in close proximity to the headquarters of the Church. Listening to the messages given emboldened my faith, and strengthened me at a time when I truly needed God's revealed Word. I loved hearing Elder David A. Bednar tell us to express our love and show it, bear testimony and live it, and to be consistent. I was blown away by President Dieter F. Uchtdorf (whom I have now dubbed the "clean-up hitter") and his ability to explain doctrine so simply, in regards to the weightier matters of the soul on Saturday afternoon, and with the simple admonition to Work and Learn during Priesthood Session. And of course, I was inspired and comforted by the words of President Monson as he taught us to be a little kinder, to serve a little more, and to swim against the current. But amidst the cornucopia of inspiring messages, I would like to focus on the words of Elder Neil L. Anderson, the newest member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. I know that he has received a special witness of the divinity of the Lord Jesus Christ, and it showed in his address.

Elder Anderson referenced scriptures in Jacob 6:5 and Alma 5:33 that speak of Christ's arms being extended in mercy towards those who might come unto Him. This is similar to the metaphor found in the Bible where Christ declares that he stands at the door, knocking, waiting for us to let Him in. So how do we accomplish this? Elder Anderson makes it clear: through true and sincere repentance. He even calls it a blessing, which I agree with wholeheartedly. I also believe that God's love for the repentant is "incomprehensible," which means that I cannot explain it with my analytical mind, nor can anyone ever come to understand God's love in its entirety.

However, we can understand what it feels like to know that we have been forgiven. When we have truly come unto Him and repent, it is like being engulfed in the loving arms of a dad that has come to the rescue, quelling a fright, tantrum, or any otherwise traumatic moment. Love becomes palpable, as it is felt by the recipient so overwhelmingly that it often brings the toughest and gruffest to tears. It makes us "as a child, submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon [us], even as a child doth submit to his father." (Mosiah 3:19)

But as we become willing to submit, we must continually remember that "relief and healing will come in the timetable of the Lord." The Atonement must be continually applied to our wounds, and we must accept that this is what the Lord sees fit to inflict upon us. Elder Anderson admonished us to petition the Lord to see what further changes we must make to further refine our spirit, which thing came as a revelation to me. I knew that suffering deserved the Atonement, but never realized that I could ask for revelation to know why I am suffering, with the end of future (and hopefully immediate) repentance of a revealed wrong. We all have them. We all in some way err from perfection, but are kept from being fully self-aware, rather being taught line upon line, precept upon precept (2 Nephi 28:30, Isaiah 28:10, D&C 98:12). How grateful am I for this spiritual nugget!

Suffice it to say that I was richly fed this weekend as I sat at the foot of God's chosen servants. I was moved by the words of the closing hymn sung by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, which beckon the Lord to "refresh us, oh refresh us, traveling through this wilderness." (Lord, Dismiss us with Thy Blessing) May we never take for granted the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and always cling to its precepts, and the stars that will guide us ultimately to our Heavenly Home.

Have a Great Week!