"Can ye Feel So Now?"

And again I ask, were the bands of death broken, and the chains of hell which encircled them about, were they loosed? I say unto you, Yea, they were loosed, and their souls did expand, and they did sing redeeming love. And I say unto you that they are saved.

...And now behold, I ask of you, my brethren of the church, have ye spiritually been born of God? Have ye received his image in your countenances? Have ye experienced this mighty change in your hearts?

...And now behold, I say unto you, my brethren, if ye have experienced a change of heart, and if ye have felt to sing the song of redeeming love, I would ask, can ye feel so now?
--Alma 5: 9, 14, 26

I love Alma the Younger's words to the people in the land where he served. Alma was at this time the high priest of the Church of God, recently renouncing the judgment seat, devoting himself to the judgment of the Lord. He went out to the people who had been converted, and who perhaps were hit with a bit of complacency over time. These people had experienced deliverance; the Book of Mosiah was devoted to it. And as Alma saw it, they should have retained in remembrance this deliverance, both physical and spiritual, as well as the mercy that the Lord had towards them (Alma 5:6).

How often is it that we get complacent? How quick are we to forget out conversion, and all the little experiences that strengthen our testimonies, forgetting that "all things denote that there is a God?" (Alma 30:44) Speaking for myself, I know that it is all too often that this occurs. Yes, this is inevitable as we are all imperfect beings with imperfect bodies; our brain in its current state is only capable of taking in, recording, and integrating so much. However, basic neuroscience would also suggest that neural pathways that are used consistently and over time are strengthened. In the context of Alma's words, we should constantly put into practice our testimonies, that we may always sing the song of redeeming love in tune with He who has power to fuel it.

Like with the people of Alma the Younger (and also the people of Alma and King Benjamin and Abinadi before him, as well as all the believers of the words of the prophets), the song of redemption is sung as we face the music, in tune with the Great Composer, finally understanding the notes, the beat, and the rhythm that make up this Eternal Song. We know we understand when we receive feelings of "love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, [and] faith." (Gal 5:22)In the May 1999 Ensign, Elder Dallin H. Oaks said the following regarding how we feel to sing, speaking of the "burning" feeling in our hearts:

What does a “burning in the bosom” mean? Does it need to be a feeling of caloric heat, like the burning produced by combustion? If that is the meaning, I have never had a burning in the bosom. Surely, the word “burning” in this scripture signifies a feeling of comfort and serenity. That is the witness many receive. That is the way revelation works.

Truly, the still, small voice is just that, “still” and “small.”

“The language of peace, as spoken by the Lord, embraces a sense of quiet confidence, comfort, and warmth. It is gentle and calm, amiable and sweet; it is temperate and kind; it is orderly and identified by happiness, joy, and feelings of love” (Joseph Fielding McConkie and Robert L. Millet, The Holy Ghost [1989], 14).

For me personally, I would add excitement and motivation to the definition of "burning in the bosom". I feel as though I can do anything the Lord asks of me, and feel like I can be an instrument in His hands. For me there is an energy to move forward in faith, a great positivity that I can tell comes from the source of all that which is positive. I feel much like the Apostle Peter, who, impetuous as he was, performed many miracles in the Lord's name. He did falter at times, but was not afraid to do so. He held in his sights what was truly important, being obedience to the Lord's commands. I hope that we can all gain this excitement for the Gospel and its redeeming power, and work to fill our lives with the Godly, that we may learn to never forget His redeeming song.

Have a great week!

What to do with the Rising Generation

In Mosiah Chapter 26, we read about a "rising generation" in the church which was too young to understand and be converted by the words of King Benjamin, which rose up in rebellion of the Gospel. They refused to believe, refused to be baptized, and refused to congregate with the body of the church. They also coaxed many people out of the church, "deceiv[ing] many with their flattering words."

This dissension from the church caused Alma to institute church disciplinary action, which he had up to this not had occasion to do. Perhaps thinking that the wrongs of the church members to be more civil in nature, he sent them first before Mosiah to be judged of their iniquities. Mosiah volleyed this attempt, however, telling Alma "I judge them not." Alma thus found himself in a pickle: he was left to figure out what to do with those of the rising generation, uncomfortable in passing judgment, but knowing that these people had to be judged by someone, for justice had to be served.

Now before we go on with the story, think about times in which you've felt the same way: needing to make a decision on something, but feeling completely unqualified to make it. Decisions like these are never easy, and never convenient; however, perhaps there is learning that takes place after exercising faith in a positive outcome.

For me, a salient example was choosing to move back to Utah to start graduate school. I had only applied to BYU as a "fall back," not really intending on getting my doctorate in the same institution where I received my Bachelor's degree. I wanted to go make a name for myself somewhere else in the world, and possibly return to Provo one day to teach or consult. However, when faced with the decision of either returning to BYU or waiting a year to try the application process over again (I could not, in the end, see myself at any of the other schools where I interviewed), starting graduate school seemed the right move for me. I came to this conclusion the same way that Alma came to his:

And now the spirit of Alma was again troubled; and he went and inquired of the Lord what he should do concerning this matter, for he feared that he should do wrong in the sight of God.

And it came to pass that after he had poured out his whole soul to God, the voice of the Lord came to him, saying:

Blessed art thou, Alma, and blessed are they who were baptized in the waters of Mormon. Thou art blessed because of thy exceeding faith in the words alone of my servant Abinadi.

And blessed are they because of their exceeding faith in the words alone which thou hast spoken unto them.

And blessed art thou because thou hast established a church among this people; and they shall be established, and they shall be my people.

Yea, blessed is this people who are willing to bear my name; for in my name shall they be called; and they are mine.

And because thou hast inquired of me concerning the transgressor, thou art blessed.

...Therefore I say unto you, Go; and whosoever transgresseth against me, him shall ye judgeaccording to the sins which he has committed; and if he confess his sins before thee and me, and repenteth in the sincerity of his heart, him shall ye forgive, and I will forgive him also.

Yea, and as often as my people repent will I forgive them their trespasses against me.

And ye shall also forgive one another your trespasses; for verily I say unto you, he that forgiveth not his neighbor’s trespasses when he says that he repents, the same hath brought himself under condemnation.

Now I say unto you, Go; and whosoever will not repent of his sins the same shall not be numbered among my people; and this shall be observed from this time forward. (Mosiah 26: 13-19, 29-32)

In response to this revelation, Alma judges those in the church of their iniquities, and allows the repentant to be put back into good standing in the church. For those who would not repent, their names were "blotted out." Alma goes on to authoritatively lead the church from that point forward, exhorting and admonishing to "pray without ceasing, and to give thanks in all things."

I personally am grateful for the power of prayer, and how it helps me deal with the dilemmas in my life. Oftentimes we already know the answers to our questions (as perhaps Alma did), but praying "with [our] whole soul" is what brings clarity. Showing this level of humility is what shows the Lord that we know we really need His help. Such a turning to Heaven helps put the Atonement into effect, and I am grateful for this simple fact, as it enables progression here on earth, and on into the eternities.

Have a great week!

On Being Close to Divinity

As a psychologist, I am all about thoughts and feelings--I analyze the thoughts and feelings of others, and invariably my own; this has helped me gain a certain awareness for my feelings, thoughts, and any other messages my mind and body may speak to me. I am grateful for this gift, because among those messages I have been able to sense those times when I am closer to divinity, when the Spirit is stronger, and the veil seems just a little bit thinner. I would like to frame my words today around those times and circumstances, and how all of us can make those circumstances commonplace in our own lives.

The first step to doing this is recognizing when the Spirit is stronger in our lives. For me, I recognize these times as I notice that there is greater peace in my heart, and more clarity in my mind. I seem to be less distracted by media, pop culture, and social desirability and expectations. These more spiritual circumstances are naturally in areas where the Spirit more readily resides. Here are some examples of more spiritual places for me:

• The temple (when I am not rushed)
• In nature (the mountains, the forest, an empty beach or coastline)
• Any other place where I can be peaceful and contemplative (e.g., alone on an empty golf course)

Likewise, I find that there are certain types of people that seem to garner the Spirit in great quantities, and I am always grateful for their influence. These include leaders whose testimonies have been forged through experience, and friends and family who have received of the same Spirit; however, for me it also includes those whose lives are simple, but even more powerful than those who are overt examples to me. These often include newborn children and individuals with special needs; they exemplify truth found in Mosiah 3:19:

For the ^anatural ^bman is an ^cenemy to God, and has been from the ^dfall of Adam, and will be, forever and ever, unless he ^eyields to the enticings of the Holy ^fSpirit, and ^gputteth off the ^hnatural man and becometh a ⁱsaint through the atonement of Christ the Lord, and becometh as a ^jchild, ^ksubmissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon him, even as a child doth submit to his father.

Now, what is the common thread for these people and situations? To shed more light on what I think, looking at the very beginning is important:

And God said, Let the earth bring forth ^agrass, the herb yielding seed, and the fruit tree yielding fruit after his kind, whose seed is in itself, upon the earth: and it was so.
...And God said, Let the earth bring forth the living creature after his ^akind, cattle, and creeping thing, and beast of the earth after his kind: and it was so.
...And God made the beast of the earth after his kind, and cattle after their kind, and every thing that creepeth upon the earth after his kind: and God saw that it was good.

...And God said, Let ^aus ^bmake ^cman in our ^dimage, after our ^elikeness: and let them have ^fdominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.

...So God created man in his own ^aimage, in the image of God created he him; male and ^bfemale created he them. --Genesis 1: 11, 24-27

According to the doctrine of the Creation, we see that God sees that which is good is that which fulfills the measure of its creation, "after its kind." In my opinion, when God sees something as good, the Spirit also testifies of it, as that thing is fulfilling its purpose. In like manner, when I am surrounded by those who are doing what they are supposed to, the Spirit is in greater abundance. This goes the same for all of God's creations, like the mountains, the hills, and the trees. Perhaps this sounds a bit hippie-esque, but I believe it to be true. It is true for God's temples as well, which are set apart to be a place where the Spirit will always dwell.

So now that there's an idea about what it means to be close to divinity, how might we increase the feelings of ^"clove, ^djoy, ^epeace, ^flongsuffering, ^ggentleness, goodness, [and] faith" (see Gal 5:22) that we get which testify of this divinity?

The answer in my conception is both environmental and within-person. The environmental answer would be to fill our lives with things that are good, which fulfill the measure of their creation. Now, we can't always be in the mountains to contemplate life, and most of us will not be able to serve in the temple every day. Our angelic newborns will cry, need to be fed, and will eventually grow up. Those with special needs perhaps will become a little to needy for us to handle. So, what is the secret? The answer is that there is none. In my mind, having heaven here on earth lies in doing those simple things that our leaders have always exhorted us to do. If we strive to follow leaders who are inspired, keeping the commandments of God, we will fulfill the measure of our creation. This also covers the within-person aspect.

I know that as we do this, we will draw closer to the Divine, and will enjoy our lives to a fuller extent.

Have a great week!

"O be wise; what can I say more?"

This simple verse, penned (or engraved, as it were) by the prophet Jacob (Jacob 6:12) sums up many feelings that I have about living the Gospel to its fullest. I know that I have received great knowledge and experience related to the Gospel, and will yet obtain knowledge and experience in greater abundance. However, I know that often I (and others) seem to want a road map for every turn, wanting to know exactly what to to do in every situation.

For behold, it is not meet that I should command in all things; for he that is compelled in all things, the same is a slothful and not a wise servant; wherefore he receiveth no reward.

Verily I say, men should be anxiously engaged in a good cause, and do many things of their own free will, and bring to pass much righteousness;

For the power is in them, wherein they are agents unto themselves. And inasmuch as men do good they shall in nowise lose their reward.

But he that doeth not anything until he is commanded, and receiveth a commandment with doubtful heart, and keepeth it with slothfulness, the same is damned. (D & C 58: 26-29)

Sometimes it is hard to go about one's daily walk, not knowing if one is on the right course. That is where faith comes into play:

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. (Ether 12:6)

Here we read Moroni's parenthetical statement, drawing light on the issue that Ether was having with getting through to his people, the Jaredites. Moroni wanted us to not be like the Jaredites, who did not believe in God because they could not see Him. The Jaredites at this point were unwise, because they no longer had the faith of their fathers, which carried them across the seas in airtight barges. The Brother of Jared, the religious father of the people named after his brother, knew what it meant to be wise through personal experience. His people built barges under the direction of the Lord, which would carry them to the Promised Land. However, after the following the Lord's specifications there still was no light in the barges. The Brother of Jared inquired of the Lord, asking what they should do to have light. Then, the Brother of Jared was given a great lesson:

And the Lord said unto the brother of Jared: What will ye that I should do that ye may have light in your vessels? For behold, ye cannot have windows, for they will be dashed in pieces; neither shall ye take fire with you, for ye shall not go by the light of fire.

For behold, ye shall be as a whale in the midst of the sea; for the mountain waves shall dash upon you. Nevertheless, I will bring you up again out of the depths of the sea; for the winds have gone forth out of my mouth, and also the rains and the floods have I sent forth.

And behold, I prepare you against these things; for ye cannot cross this great deep save I prepare you against the waves of the sea, and the winds which have gone forth, and the floods which shall come. Therefore what will ye that I should prepare for you that ye may have light when ye are swallowed up in the depths of the sea? (Ether 2: 23-25)

In this instant the Lord volleyed the inquiry back to the Brother of Jared, asking what he would have Him do to put light in the barges. And in this volley we learn a great, even seminal point of doctrine: God lets us choose for ourselves what we should do. Now, the Lord knew that the Brother of Jared would not fail, having ultimate trust in him, as the Brother of Jared had greater faith than all men who lived to that point (see Ether 3: 15). And the Brother of Jared did not fail, mining out a pure, glass-like ore into small stones, taking those to the Lord that He might light them. The Brother of Jared found a solution, and then took it to the Lord for ratification.

I believe that as the Lord gains greater trust in our ability to perform His will, we are given greater rope to do so. I also believe that as we gain His trust, we also acquire knowledge and experience that enables us to act in greater wisdom; we learn how to keep the commandments and how to listen to the Spirit, thereby recognizing the appropriate avenues by which we may be instruments in the Lord's hands. We also learn how to repent when we falter, discerning how and when we need to apply the Atonement in our lives.

Perhaps my words seem to indicate that as the Lord gains trust in us we no longer need His power and influence; I wish this to never be confused! We always need the guidance of the Spirit, and we always need to turn to the Lord; wisdom comes in knowing how to tun to Him. We receive inspiration from the Spirit about what to do, feel it is good, and then turn to God for ratification of our righteous desires. That is what the Brother of Jared learned to do, and I believe such a skill is still required of us in these the latter-days.

Have a great week!