Seeing "Things as They Really Are"

Happy Sunday to all, and Happy Mother's Day to most!! Well, everyone should have a happy Mother's Day, but it is my hope that mothers more than anyone else enjoy this day. I too have an "Angel mother" (see quote by Abraham Lincoln), and am grateful for her. Mothers are always there to offer perspective that most often we do not see, helping us to see things as they really are. Mothers in the Gospel, especially, who are closer to the Spirit, are able to point us to eternal truth that oftentimes is so basic, it boggles the mind. I think we need this grounding, however, as it seems human nature to complicate things past what they need to be. Getting back in touch with the "simple truths" in life is the theme of today's post.

Just over a year ago, Elder David A. Bednar gave a CES Fireside talk entitled "Things as They Really Are." He brought to light the now-pervasive problem of people adhering more to the virtual world than the world in which they actually live. He noted that in so doing we are forgetting the sacredness of our physical bodies, thus offering them up to Lucifer, who has none, and would so like for us to defile ours in an ultimate act of revenge. Elder Bednar said that this is one the "ultimate ironies" of eternity.

Going on, Elder Bednar observed that losing touch with reality has adverse effects on our interpersonal relationships, saying that as we love fake things "important opportunities are missed for developing and improving interpersonal skills, for laughing and crying together, and for creating a rich and enduring bond of emotional intimacy. Progressively, seemingly innocent entertainment can become a form of pernicious enslavement...we should not squander and damage authentic relationships by obsessing over contrived ones."

Elder Bednar said that advanced technology is neither good nor bad, but that "the real challenge is to understand [it] within the context of the eternal plan of happiness." As such, I submit that the real issue is not the e-world or any other change in how the world does things; the real issue is how we react to these changes. One may recall that in November I posted some words given by David A. Neeleman (former CEO of JetBlue) in a YSA conference in Boston. At that conference Brother Neeleman described the efforts that we can put forth to share the Gospel using advanced computer technology. There is use for all things in the Great Plan of Happiness, but we must be willing to seek out those opportunities.

How do we get there? How do we see things as God sees them? The principles are the same for any truth we wish to know. Elder Bednar said:

I long have been impressed with the simple and clear definition of truth set forth in the Book of Mormon: “The Spirit speaketh the truth and lieth not. Wherefore, it speaketh of things as they really are, and of things as they really will be; wherefore, these things are manifested unto us plainly, for the salvation of our souls” (Jacob 4:13; see also D&C 93:24).

The First Principle: seek the Spirit, for he will show us what is real.

The Second Principle: seek to put God first.
This one takes great faith, but I think we in the Church often have more faith than we wish to give ourselves credit for due to our inability to daily live up to the standard of perfection. Let us start with the simple things, the little truths that testify that Heavenly Father has manifested his hand in our lives. From there, let us be willing to heed the Spirit, being like the Prophet Samuel, even saying "thy servant heareth (see 1 Sam. 3: 9-10)." After we receive direction, let us have the faith necessary to "go and do," taking no thought for our lives, what we shall eat, or what we shall drink (see Matt. 6: 25, 31, 34). I promise that Heavenly Father will take care of us if we put him first. This is a simple truth.

The Third Principle: seek to lift the hearts of others
One of the great realities of eternity is that we are not in it alone, and that everyone else could use our help in some way, even if it is but a simple greeting with a smile. This third principle is directly related to the first two, and with good reason. Although we work out our salvation on our own, we are not meant to be alone, as the family is central to the Plan of the Great Creator (see The Family: A Proclamation to the World). If we abase ourselves, putting others before ourselves, we will be lifted up. Even when it seems that no one cares, that we cannot go another day making such sacrifices, let us remember the great and supernal sacrifice wrought by the Savior, even Jesus Christ. Remember the words of Mormon, written to his son Moroni. They were two of a dwindling race of righteous, surrounded by people seeking their lives for what they knew to be true:

And now, my beloved son, notwithstanding their hardness, let us labor diligently; for if we should cease to labor, we should be brought under condemnation; for we have a labor to perform whilst in this tabernacle of clay, that we may conquer the enemy of all righteousness, and rest our souls in the kingdom of God. (Moroni 9:6)

It is my prayer that we may adhere to these principles, ever staying in touch what is simple and true. Have a great week!