The Polar Express and Seeing the Lord's Hand

I would like to begin my words today by introducing an analogy from an oft-told story of belief and its effects.  In The Polar Express, we read (and now watch) the story of "Hero Boy," a young lad from Grand Rapids, Michigan who struggles with his belief in Santa Claus.  One Christmas Eve he sees his parents settings presents under the tree, and is about to give up all hope when a mysterious train with a mysterious conductor stops outside his house, beckoning him take a ride to the North Pole.  He enters the Polar Express, and with many other pajama-clad children arrives just in time for all the elves to send Santa on his way to bring presents to all the children of the world.  But before Santa is to go off into the night he chooses this boy from Grand Rapids to receive the first gift of Christmas.  Though the boy knows he can have anything in the world, he chooses to have one of the pure-ringing bells from off Santa's sleigh.

Though the boy cherishes this gift more than anything, some time along the return trip he realizes that he has lost the bell.  He returns home before Christmas morning believing that he'd never see the bell again; however, the last gift that the boy's sister finds is a small box with the bell, and a note from Santa saying that he had found the bell on his sleigh.  The boy and his sister hear the pure sound of the bell, but their parents cannot hear it, and assume it to be broken.  Perhaps the most famous lines from the book are what follow:

At one time, most of my friends could hear the bell, but as years passed, it fell silent for all of them. Even Sarah found one Christmas that she could no longer hear its sweet sound. Though I've grown old, the bell still rings for me, as it does for all who truly believe.

The boy never lost his conviction that Santa was real, and that  there is truly a magic that comes with Christmas.  Now, as this week we transition from Thanksgiving to Christmas celebrations, I would like to emphasize the importance of seeing the Lord's hand in our lives.  Seeing His hand takes simple gratitude a step further in my mind, as we are grateful to the Lord for directing our paths; we are admitting that the things in our lives that go well are not of our own doing, but are directly a result of the Lord's desire to bless us.

In my opinion, truly seeing the Lord's mark on our day-to-day lives is not something that comes easily; developing such eyes takes constant effort, prayer, and supplication.  And once we see the Lord's hand it only becomes easier if we strive to see it day after day after arduous day.  In spite of the great difficulty with which we must strive to see divinity in our daily walk, the Lord sincerely and perfectly wants to bless us with these "eyes to see."  He'd have us become after the manner of men in Luke 12:36:

And ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their lord, when he will return from the wedding; that when he cometh and knocketh, they may open unto him immediately.

I think that only way that we can become those who open "unto him immediately" is if we experience a change of heart, and are softened to the point that we may be used more readily for the Lord's eternal purposes (see a previous post, "On Softening Hearts and Baseball Gloves" for more); once we are being used on a constant basis, the pump is primed for us to see that the Lord is in fact leading us by the hand.  Our faith will grow, and we will be able to speak as did Jacob in the Book of Mormon:

For behold, by the power of his word man came upon the face of the earth, which earth was created by the power of his word. Wherefore, if God being able to speak and the world was, and to speak and man was created, O then, why not able to command the earth, or the workmanship of his hands upon the face of it, according to his will and pleasure? (Jacob 4:9)

I testify that we are the workmanship of the Lord's hands.  As I've striven to see His hand, I've only time and again been  impressed by this simple fact.  I testify that it is within God's will and pleasure that we see his hand, and return in gratitude for his divine involvement blessings upon the heads of those around us.  In the verse above Jacob is essentially saying, "why not us?"  And why not us?  God is no respecter of persons.  He wants to bless us all liberally "that there shall not be room enough to receive [them]."  (Malachi 3:10)  Now is the time for all of us to see the Lord's hand, put off the natural man, and truly see that we are the workmanship of his hands.  And like the "Hero Boy," we will hold onto that precious Gift for as long as we live.  Others will forget the sweet sound of the song of redeeming love (see Alma 5:26), but as we continually turn ourselves over to Him, we will not.  We will hear His voice for as long as he calls.

This is my hope and prayer for all who desire to see His hand.  Let us always be grateful unto Him for the tender mercies which he provides us each and every day.

Have a great week!

On Reliance

I am happy to say that I believe I am finally understanding what it feels like to be an adult.  Being a full-time student as well as working almost full time have taught me the power that comes to multi-taskers, and and the joy that comes from completing "twofers" and even "threefers."  It also has brought into my mind again the importance of faith to guide our daily lives.  Added stress, lack of rest even when weary, and increased responsibility and expectations have all caused me to evaluate that which matters most to me; my hope is that through these words you will gain inspiration to see what matters most to you, and perhaps learn to rely on the Lord, bringing your list in concert with His list for you.

In the classic movie, Indiana Jones and The Last Crusade, there is an iconic scene where the lead character must pass through a gauntlet of life-or-death situations that lead him to the Holy Grail, the most coveted piece of historical lore in ancient and modern times alike.  Among these tests Dr. Jones must step out over a chasm with endless depths and certain death waiting below.  He realizes that he is to take a "leap of faith," and moves himself to step out into the open, finding a narrow bridge camouflaged by the chasm walls all around.  With knowledge of the principle of faith, he crosses the bridge safely,  the same bridge where dozens before him with less pure intentions met their mortal demise.  In the moment of most need, Indiana Jones was able to tap into his reservoir of knowledge that enabled him to pass the test placed before him.

It is my testimony that the time will come for all of us when the hour of preparation will have  passed, a time when immediate performance will be expected of us.  Just like Dr. Jones, we will be asked to walk out over the edge of our understanding, putting our trust and faith in principles we accepted as truth at a prior date.  We won't have anyone to bail us out, and for a time we may even feel utterly alone.

This brings me to the theme of today's post: reliance.  In our Church culture we put a large emphasis on self-reliance such that perhaps sometimes we overlook the importance of relying on the Lord when the arm of our own flesh just doesn't seem to work any more.  However, there is peace and strength in learning to rely on the Lord in our times of most need.  If we live what we believe, we truly know through experience the words of President Uchtdorf just a month ago in General Conference:

"My dear brothers and sisters, it may be true that man is nothing in comparison to the greatness of the universe. At times we may even feel insignificant, invisible, alone, or forgotten. But always remember—you matter to Him!"

This is an important point to establish.  Because we matter to the Savior we know that He cares about everything that we do which either brings us closer to Him or draws us away.  Like a loving father motioning a baby to take its first steps toward him, the Savior motions us toward Him through the Spirit borne by countless angelic examples in our lives.  But are our hearts sufficiently pure in enabling us to step out into the darkness?

For the natural man is an enemy to God, and has been from the fall of Adam, and will be, forever and ever, unless he yields to the enticings of the Holy Spirit, and putteth off the natural man and becometh a saint through the atonement of Christ the Lord, and becometh as a child, submissive, 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. (Mosiah 3:19)

In order to better rely on the Lord we must understand that He loves us more than we will ever know in this life, and that He wants us to become willing to submit to all things that He sees fit to inflict upon us.  In my opinion it is a great travesty--but at the same time an essential part of living--that we think all too often on our own plans, leaving the Lord out of the equation.  True self-reliance in the Gospel sense involves a "pray and go" attitude, acknowledging that hiccups in the road, while often due to our disobedience, are an essential part of our growing to attain the standard set in the scripture above.  We read in Alma 37:37:

Counsel with the Lord in all thy doings, and he will direct thee for good; yea, when thou liest down at night lie down unto the Lord, that he may watch over you in your sleep; and when thou risest in the morning let thy heart be full of thanks unto God; and if ye do these things, ye shall be lifted up at the last day.

My friends, this is the crux of reliance.  Let us first understand that we are precious to the Lord, and will always be precious to Him for the remainder of our existence. The Lord wants us to step out toward Him, and knowing that He will direct us for good will enable us to do so, even if we haven't experienced prior successful attempts at reliance.  Reliance becomes easier as we submit to his will, recognizing that the natural man does not grant us lasting happiness.  And lastly, reliance is primed through prayer--not just a rote utterance at the end of a stressful day, but true counsel with our Heavenly Father.  Just as the Savior was perfect and we strive to emulate His example, we must strive to become perfect in our counsel with God; improving (i.e., perfecting) the quality of our prayers comes as we implement the aforementioned skills and as we strive to have a real conversation with our Father in Heaven.

It is my prayer that we may be able to more fully rely on He who is mighty to save.  Have a great week!

Hearing and Heeding: General Conference Reactions

Hello friends!

It is truly hard to believe that another six months have passed away, but they surely have, as will the next six months surely pass in a whirlwind.  I think that the goal is develop traction that can fuel improvement and progression, and hopefully this can be accomplished in a spiritual sense in between meetings of the General Conference of the Church.  My hope is that we all can use the words of the prophet and Apostles to propel us further, rather than to just maintain a level of spirituality at which we seem comfortable.  With that said, please enjoy my reaction to selected messages given this weekend by President Monson and other general authorities.

SATURDAY MORNING SESSION
Without question the most memorable announcement on Saturday morning was the announcement by President Thomas S. Monson that the Provo Tabernacle which burned down last December would be converted into the second temple in that city (artist's rendering at right).  I would to not like to neglect this truly historic announcement, but admit that there was doctrine more pressing that came from yesterday morning.  Of note were Elder Richard G. Scott's wonderful illustration of the importance of scripture study, and Elder L. Whitney Clayton's reaffirmation that no unhallowed hand will keep the work of the Lord from progressing; however, I would like to focus on President Dieter F. Uchtdorf's talk on the significance and insignificance of man.

President Uchtdorf began by explaining that modern science has shown that man truly is nothing; the stars in the sky that we can observe with modern telescopes outnumber the sands of the earth.  And even in the grand Plan of Salvation, our existence on this earth is but a small moment.  However, in spite of this knowledge we also know that the vast universe was created that we might reach our potential as sons and daughters of God.  We should remember that the Lord uses a scale very different than that of the world to measure the worth of souls, and that even when we feel all alone, Heavenly Father has not forgotten us.  I know this of myself to be true, and was touched as I received that reaffirmation of truth from a prophet of God.

SATURDAY AFTERNOON SESSION

I must admit that over the last several months I have thought more and more on the doctrine of the family, and its importance in the great Plan of Happiness.  With that said, it's natural that I was inspired yesterday afternoon by the first two talks given, by Elders Bednar and Andersen, respectively.

Elder David A. Bednar spoke on the Spirit of Elijah, and that the greatest responsibility with which the Lord has entrusted us is that  of seeking after our dead, that they may too be partakers of the Heavenly Gift.  When we perform family history work and vicarious temple ordinances we are direct fulfillment of the prophecy of Elijah, turning our hearts to the fathers who have come before us.  How great a work is this!  I know that as we strive to reach across this generational gap, we will be blessed to appreciate our lineage in even greater measure.

Elder Neil L. Andersen spoke on the importance of parenthood, and specifically motherhood.  He said that how many children to have is a sacred decision between husband, wife, and the Lord, and that motherhood specifically is not a hobby, but is a divine calling.  We should not be judgmental of others' abilities to fulfill this calling, but rather should seek to create a spiritual sanctuary for our own families within the home.  We should exercise faith, and not put obstacles in the way of raising righteous posterity.

PRIESTHOOD SESSION

Over the last few Priesthood Sessions there has been an extra focus placed on the moral decay that is present all around us, and there have been bold and fervent voices of warning against getting trapped by the lures of the adversary to be sent into paths that will disqualify us from Priesthood service.  None were more bold than Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, who seems to always deliver a message that shakes the very core of the individual. He spoke candidly, beginning by saying that Satan is real, and is the very personification of evil.  Elder Holland also made clear that Satan is eternally opposed to the work of God, and although he knows that in the end he will lose, the devil will try to take down as many with him as he can into that "gulf of misery and endless woe" (see Alma 26:6).  Moreover, Satan delights if he can but bind the tongue of the faithful.

In the context of missionary service, we must not let this happen.  Our testimonies are too great, our light too bright to be hid from the world who is "kept from the truth because they know not where to find it" (D&C 123:12).  We cannot think that we can play on the side of Satan, and then expect to be able suit up for the Savior when the hour of service arrives.  While Elder Holland applied this specifically to missionary service, this applies equally to any calling in the Priesthood.  We all must be better prepared for day when our name is called.

 SUNDAY MORNING SESSION
This morning I loved hearing Elaine S. Dalton's talk on how to raise righteous daughters of God, and that we must "be loyal to the royal within [us]."  While this talk was inspiring, I'd like to focus my reaction from this session on the words from our beloved prophet, President Thomas S. Monson.

President Monson again reiterated that the moral compass of society is rapidly evolving, and that today we are seeing the same reckless abandon for moral capital that we today see for financial capital.  President Monson affirmed that though this may be the case in the world, morality is NOT passe,  for the laws of God are unchanging and immovable.  It is, in fact, a great solace to know that in the midst of constant change, our Father in Heaven is an unchanging constant, the same yesterday, today, and forever.  We should strive to follow God's laws, as (just as in times old) nothing brings more joy and peace than the Spirit that comes from putting off the natural man.  As the world has moved so far away from the spiritual, we must be ever vigilant.  President Monson went on to state that we will be able to overcome if we have the Gospel in our core, and the love of the Savior in our hearts.  Though Satan desires to have us, we will be the Lord's as we daily turn to Him, and strive to draw near to Him.  Amidst all the turmoil we see in the world today, we should not fear as we strive, for the Lord will be with us.

SUNDAY AFTERNOON SESSION
The fifth and final session of conference was as equally enlightening as the other previous four.  I was impressed by Elder J. Devn Cornish's words that honesty is essential when making requests from God.  I was informed and inspired by Elder Dallin H. Oaks' talk on what it means to really believe in Christ.  While all the talks were faith-promoting, I would like to focus on the words of Elder Matthew O. Richardson, Second Counselor in the General Sunday School Presidency.  This talk had special meaning for me, as Elder Richardson was once my religion teacher at BYU before being called as a general authority.

 Elder Richardson spoke today on the importance of being real: a real missionary, real priesthood holder, real member of the Church.  Part of being real in this church is the ability to teach others, and doing so by the Spirit, not in front of or behind the Spirit.  This means that we teach in line that the Spirit may teach, having put in our preparation time, but being open to the needs of those whom we teach.  Elder Richardson stated that teaching by the Spirit entails understanding that the Holy Ghost teaches each individual in a very personal way, and that he teaches by inviting, inspiring, and encouraging us to act.  As teachers we must utilize the Spirit to invite those we teach to learn for themselves, and to understand that learning comes line upon line, precept upon precept.  Elder Richardson ended by saying that we desperately need this type of real teaching and learning.

CONCLUSION
I hope you have enjoyed this brief synopsis of those things I found inspiring this weekend.  I know that the Brethren are ordained prophets, seers and revelators, and that they receive divine guidance from God for us.  I know that they see that which the world cannot, and are compass that we can follow in these days of turmoil and strife.  Let us be humble enough to hear their words, and with that same humility have strength to act in accordance with their words as taught by the Holy Spirit.

Have a great week!

Best of Me: The Atonement in the Atonement

Hello my friends!

It is my hope that the last couple of weeks have provided you with the blessings which you've sought. For me, I am grateful for the Lord's hand in my life, and look forward with an eye of faith to next weekend, as the Prophet, the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, and other General Authorities of the Church will address them. I know that they receive revelation for us, directly from the Source of all truth. Until next week, please enjoy a post from January 2010 which highlighted the importance of viewing the Atonement in all that we do, and how its power was made manifest in the Atonement itself.

THE ATONEMENT IN THE ATONEMENT

In everyday life we encounter anomalies where two similar or equal entities are nested in one another. In the psychological field, these are often referred to as "metas." For example, a meta-analysis is the study of many experiments. Likewise, meta-cognition refers to thinking about thinking. This week I would like to pose a similar comparison to the Atonement of Jesus Christ, where the very essence of that supernal act was manifest in the act itself. For consistency purposes, let's call it "Meta-Atonement."

Let me show you what I mean. We read in Mark Chapter 14:

And they came to a place which was named Gethsemane: and he saith to his disciples, Sit ye here, while I shall pray.

And he taketh with him Peter and James and John, and began to be sore amazed, and to be very heavy;

And saith unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful unto death: tarry ye here, and watch.

And he went forward a little, and fell on the ground, and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him.

And he said, Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee; take away this cup from me: nevertheless not what I will, but what thou wilt.

And he cometh, and findeth them sleeping, and saith unto Peter, Simon, sleepest thou? couldest not thou watch one hour?

Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak.

And again he went away, and prayed, and spake the same words.

And when he returned, he found them asleep again, (for their eyes were heavy,) neither wist they what to answer him.

And he cometh the third time, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take your rest: it is enough, the hour is come; (Mark 14:32-41)

The first thing that I would like to say is that the Atonement was wrought in order to satisfy the demands of justice (Mosiah 15:9, Alma 34:16) that were placed upon the whole human race as result of the Fall of Adam. Both the Fall and Atonement were necessary for us to first come to earth and obtain bodies, and then to overcome the physical (which includes the Resurrection) and spiritual imperfection that is characteristic of the mortal experience.

With that said, I second ask you to take note of the action of the Apostles Peter, James, and John on this fateful and necessary evening in early Spring. Christ asked them to be vigilant, but they were unable, even on multiple occasions. Now, many would harp in these three (who I might add were possibly Jesus' three most dedicated disciples at the time) because they could not stay awake. In like manner, many ridicule and vilify Peter who later denied knowing Christ thrice as a fulfillment of prophecy. However, placing such blame in my mind is not entirely appropriate, and is evidence of our own imperfections. I say this because such acts that we find in the Gospels were the absolute essence of the Atonement, illustrating man's need for it. The three Apostles were physically unable to hold on, as Jesus passed through the Atonement alone. It was those very imperfections for which the Atonement was performed, and in mind these things were almost necessary that Christ could empathize perfectly the state in which we find ourselves on a daily basis. This is "Meta-Atonement." How grateful am I for this example, as well as the entire gift that is the Atonement of Jesus Christ! In April, 2009, Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles said the following:

Brothers and sisters, one of the great consolations...is that because Jesus walked such a long, lonely path utterly alone, we do not have to do so. His solitary journey brought great company for our little version of that path—the merciful care of our Father in Heaven, the unfailing companionship of this Beloved Son, the consummate gift of the Holy Ghost, angels in heaven, family members on both sides of the veil, prophets and apostles, teachers, leaders, friends. All of these and more have been given as companions for our mortal journey because of the Atonement of Jesus Christ and the Restoration of His gospel. Trumpeted from the summit of Calvary is the truth that we will never be left alone nor unaided, even if sometimes we may feel that we are. Truly the Redeemer of us all said: “I will not leave you comfortless: [My Father and] I will come to you [and abide with you] (John 14;18).

May you all have a great week, thinking on the Atonement, and its infinite applicability!

----

Have a great week!

With The Love that Remains

Ten years ago today the world was shocked by the events that took place on what is now commonly known as "9-11." Those numbers will forever be engrained in the minds and hearts of those who were old enough to understand the meaning of the terrorist attacks on that day, serving as a reminder about how truly fragile freedom can be, and the high cost that we all must pay to preserve those freedoms. For those who will not personally remember what happened that fateful day, it will be much like the majority of people today who don't recall another infamous day, 12-7-1941, or the day that Japan attacked Pearl Harbor, and thrust the United States into World War II. I was not there, and I don't know anyone who was there; and to the best of my knowledge I don't know anyone who knows someone who was there. That event for me is just a conglomeration of media and commentary that I use to form my opinion of what happened. While that suffices me, it does no justice to the sentiment that drove the people of the time, united in the defense of their liberty, homes, and their way of life.

Likewise, many who have only a tertiary understanding of the September 11th attacks will not feel what those in New York and Shanksville and Arlington felt, and will not feel what the rest of us felt. It will take their own September 11th to truly learn what it feels like to have under attack that which they hold most dear. Nevertheless, we can through our testimonies teach others what it feels like to experience such hardship and uncertainty, and to escape such times unscathed and even stronger than before.

In previous posts I have talked about "forgetting," and how that relates to the great Plan of Happiness that Heavenly Father has set in motion. I believe that the best way that we can teach through our testimony unto the rising generation is through the Spirit that we exude as a function of our knowledge if this Plan. Using the love that remains with us from faith-confirming and faith-promoting experiences, let us not give up on those who come after us, but in stead strive to teach them true doctrine that will enable them in turn to find their place in the Plan.

I know that we are all in the arms of the Savior, and that He has the power to heal our spiritual, emotional, and even physical wounds through the supernal gift of the Atonement. The Atonement is central to the Plan, and should be central to the message of love that we convey. Events like those of September 11th, 2001 are not new in the trauma, anguish, and heartache that they cause, and in fact continue to happen on a daily basis. The Book of Mormon is filled with stories of tragedy, war, famine, plague and pestilence as well. The lasting legacy of the Jaredite people is likely their ability to quite literally and completely self-destruct, to which there were "howlings and lamentations, that they did rend the air exceedingly. (Ether 15: 16)" Similarly, the Nephites who remained after the prophesied destruction which marked the Savior's crucifixion were said to be "howling and weeping continually" as they endured three days of complete and utter darkness (3 Nephi 8: 23).

In spite of impending doom and gloom, I know that we may persevere through the power that rests in the Savior. When we sin we feel utterly alone, and feel that the light of the Savior has gone from us. In that precise moment the Master of Lies, even Satan strives to have us believe that we cannot recover the light we lost. I believe that this is where we must focus our efforts for the new generation which will undoubtedly experience hardship at a level that we may not understand. But we do understand how they will feel, and we do understand that the "Son of Man hath descended below them all. (D & C 122: 8)"

As we strive to remember that we are not "greater than he," we will begin to see that God has purpose in destruction and pestilence. We will see that those righteous who have suffered death are received by the Lord "unto himself, in glory," and that for the rest us "God will have a humble people. ("Beware of Pride," Ezra Taft Benson, Ensign, May 1989)" Let us, with the love that remains after our hardship look to the Savior, that we may have strength to share our love of Him and the Plan with those around us. And on this special day, let us teach that love prevails over all toil and strife, and that in the end, the Lord's humble people whom He calls His own will prevail as well.

Have a great week!

Post 101: Turning Our Hearts

I am happy to announce that this is officially the 101st post on this blog! Exciting, I know. To celebrate, I've decided to title this post "Turning Our Hearts" as an encapsulation of one of the great purposes of our existence. Let's start in 2 Nephi:

“And now that my soul might have joy in you, and that my heart might have gladness because of you, that I might not be brought down with grief and sorrow to the grave, arise from the dust, my sons, and be men, and be determined in one mind and in one heart, united in all things, that ye may not come down into captivity;

“…Awake my sons; put on the armor of righteousness. Shake off the chains with which ye are bound, and come forth out of obscurity, and arise from the dust."

2 Nephi 1: 22, 24 (emphasis added)

The Prophet Lehi here talks about a piece of what it means to be a true man, being "united in all things." We know from the scriptures that unity is equated with godliness, and that through unity we may become worthy to be claimed by the Savior (see D & C 38:21, among others).

Quite possibly the most important type of unity comes through turning our hearts to generations past, present, and future, through often diverse efforts. For those in the present, we improve our links through family prayer and scripture study, activities, projects, and other often grueling efforts [just ask Barack Obama what it's like to unify a people!]. For our sons and daughters yet to come, the best way to link ourselves to them is through building a foundation of righteousness, which in my opinion involves a scrupulous inward look at character flaws, and effectively turning our hearts over to the Savior in love and hope that we may be cleansed in time. For our ancestors, we must needs develop the Spirit of Elijah, taking advantage of the sealing power given to and subsequently delegated by a prophet of God. Near the end of the Old Testament we read:

Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord: And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers,
lest I come and smite the earth with a curse. --Malachi 4: 5-6

This "turning" of which Malachi prophesies happens in the temples of God, where the sealing power may be used to perform sacred ordinances for those who've passed on without having received them. The prophet Joseph Smith shed some light on this scripture:

“…It is sufficient to know, in this case, that the earth will be smitten with a curse unless there is a welding link of some kind or other between the fathers and the children, upon some subject or other…For we without them cannot be made perfect; neither can they without us be made perfect…for it is necessary in the ushering in of the dispensation of the fullness of times, which dispensation is now beginning to usher in, that a whole and complete and perfect union, and welding together of dispensations, and keys, and powers, and glories should take place, and be revealed from the days of Adam even to the present time.” --D& C 128: 18

This welding between the fathers and children across all generations of time is achieved only through the active use of the sealing power, that is, the power of the Priesthood to perform vicarious ordinances for those who have passed on without having received the opportunity to accept these ordinances in mortality. These vicarious ordinances are realized only in the holy temples, sacred house of God set apart for this purpose.

No one understood the importance of welding together generations in this vein than father Lehi, who in a parting blessing to his son, Joseph, gave what in my opinion is one of the most poetic passages in the Book of Mormon. In this blessing (found in 2 Nephi 3) Lehi compares Joseph of Egypt to his son, who also was a righteous youth who received harsh treatment from his older brothers. Lehi then quotes Joseph of Egypt, who prophesied of the coming forth of the Book of Mormon by the hand of Joseph Smith, who would be a great prophet "like unto Moses."

I testify that Joseph Smith was and is a great prophet of God, and that by and through him the fullness of the Everlasting Gospel was restored. It is through that Restoration that we know of the welding work that we must perform while here on the earth, striving to turn our hearts for generations to come. Let us all work to be a little more like the Savior, doing for others what they cannot do for themselves, being a healing influence in the lives of all whom we meet.

Have a great week!

Mental Health and the Gospel, Part II--Answering the Unasked Questions

As the time has passed, my posts have turned more into "monthly" conceptualizations; nevertheless, it is still a treat to share when I get the chance. Today I'm happy to share the second half of my conceptualization of the connection between mental health and the Gospel. We'll start today with a scripture chain, and use logic and the Spirit to deduce their in importance in this specific context.

FREE ACCORDING TO THE FLESH

Wherefore, men are free according to the flesh; and all things are given them which are expedient unto man. And they are free to choose liberty and eternal life, through the great Mediator of all men, or to choose captivity and death, according to the captivity and power of the devil; for he seeketh that all men might be miserable like unto himself.
--2 Nephi 2: 27

We know that all good things come from God, and that which is from God entices us to do good continually (see Moroni 7: 12-13). Assuming that "liberty and eternal life" are both good things, captivity must not be good, and therefore of the adversary. This coincides with the second portion of the above scripture that states that captivity and death are wrought upon us by the power of the adversary, and that these two things make us miserable.


TO WHOM ARE WE BOUND?

And there are also secret combinations, even as in times of old, according to the combinations of the devil, for he is the founder of all these things; yea, the founder of murder,
and works of darkness; yea, and he leadeth them by the neck with a flaxen cord, until he bindeth them with his strong cords forever.
-- 2 Nephi 26: 22

Efforts are constantly being made for our attention. There are two polarizing influences, both promising greater things upon our yielding to them. If we believe that good and evil, God and the devil are opposites, then we must also believe that the mechanisms by which they work are opposite. This must mean that if the devil works by "flaxen cords" then God must work subtly as well. Using the flaxen cords metaphor, we see that as the devil slowly influences us that we are less and less able to act for ourselves because we are "bound," the cords becoming stronger and stronger as they multiply. This acting for ourselves is also referred to as agency, and we loose agency as we choose the adversary, offering ourselves as captives.

THE "SO WHAT?" FACTOR

But this much I can tell you, that if ye do not watch yourselves, and your thoughts, and your words, and your deeds, and observe the commandments of God, and continue in the faith of what ye have heard concerning the coming of our Lord,
even unto the end of your lives, ye must perish. And now, O man, remember, and perish not.
--Mosiah 4:30

So what should we do about this knowledge? If we follow the admonition of King Benjamin, then we ought to "watch" ourselves, and our thoughts, and our words and deeds. This can be extremely difficult if we are bound by strong cords, and often is only made possible through the help of trained professionals. This scripture is justification that therapy is a tool of the Atonement, as far as it helps individuals to self-monitor with the end of unhooking individuals from those strong cords, giving them the agency to exercise moral agency.

THE UNASKED QUESTIONS

With that established, let's think about some questions that often go unanswered, often because it's not acceptable to ask them:

Q: Is it a sin to see a therapist?

A: In most cases, certainly not. A good therapist meets clients at their own beliefs, not trying to change religious belief systems. In fact, a good therapist will help the individual fulfill King Benjamin's admonition without even knowing it.

Q: When is it times to start seeing a therapist on top of meeting with the bishop?

A: This is something that should be felt out between every bishop and member, as the bishop acts as a common judge in Israel, helping the member access the gift of the Holy Ghost more effectively. Both parties involved should treat the situation with humility: the member should be humble enough to heed the counsel of the bishop to potentially seek professional help as revelation from God, and the bishop should express humility in recognizing that certain issues cannot handled by only his ecclesiastical counseling. Other questions to consider when deciding on adjunct therapy are 1) How long-standing is the issue at hand, 2) How much impairment does the issue cause and 3) How much and it what ways does the issue effect other people. As a clarification, impairment refers to the inability to make proper relationships and perform normal life activities like hold a job, support a family, or balance a budget.

Q: How can mental illness NOT be the fault of the individual suffering from it?

A: There are many instances in which the sins and misgivings of others (sometimes even generations prior) affect the lives of their posterity, which puts the child on an unequal playing field before even given the chance to account for him or herself. Examples of this include fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS), some traumatic brain injuries, and notably borderline personality disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Because we often do not know the extent to which individuals have suffered, it is important to treat mental illness with sensitivity, not first assuming that it was the fault of the individual suffering.

Q: How do I best help my friend or loved one with mental illness?

A: Before we go about helping others, it is important to follow the Spirit and ask for the Spirit as we decide to reach out. We are promised help as we serve others, and our efforts will be galvanized as we 'counsel with the Lord in all our doings.' (see Alma 37: 37) Here are some additional suggestions:

We should follow the counsel of the Savior to 'judge not, lest [we] be judged, (see Matthew 7:1)' for we are all broken in some ways.

We should strive to "look on the heart (Samuel 16:7)", and include for "outward appearance" such things as behaviors, words and deeds, as well as flawed perceptions of the character of that individual.

As everyone has the light of Christ or better, we should remember that there is core deep within everyone that is of God, and we should strive to locate and accentuate that godliness on others.

We should also seek the help of others in our helping efforts, lest we become burnt out, or lest we deprive others of the opportunity to serve.

But above all, we should lend a listening ear, willing to "mourn with those who mourn, and comfort those who stand in need of comfort. (Mosiah 18:9)"


It is my testimony that the Lord has placed us hear on this earth with talents that are meant to continually bless the lives of others, including our own. Let us be humble enough to seek proper help as the need arises, and let us be humble enough to follow the Spirit as we seek to be that blessing in the lives of others.

Have a great week!

Mental Health and The Gospel Part I--Healing through the Atonement

For some time I have let incubate in my mind thoughts on how to best reconcile the teachings of the restored Gospel with philosophy and practice that I continually learn as a grad student in clinical psychology. These two camps are sometimes divergent, but are actually more similar than one might think; in fact, I have come to believe that part of my earthly mission is to dispel among church members the oft-held myth that the study of behavior and the mind is antithetical to the study of the Savior. The only antithetical thing about that statement is the statement itself. The next two posts will be dedicated to shedding light on this mystery of the Kingdom. My hope is to empower the weakest of us, and inspire the strongest of us to find the Savior in even the greatest and least understood of our challenges. I stress that these thoughts are purely my own; as such, I invite all who read to ponder them, and follow the Spirit while interpreting the words that follow.

In 1986 then Elder Boyd K. Packer, a master instructor, shared this nugget:

"True doctrine, understood, changes attitudes and behavior. The study of the doctrines of the Gospel will improve behavior quicker than a study of behavior will improve behavior."

To the untrained eye, this quote by President Packer may seem to deflate my ideas before they even get moving; the answer to all the ails that we feel must be that if we just study and study and study, we will be guided to better behavior. I believe this to be true, for it has worked in my own life. Some months ago I was inspired to study twice a day in stead of my post-mission tradition of just reading at night; the results have been remarkable, and I have seen an added measure of growth in my own life.

I consider myself fortunate to have been able to grasp the scriptures commensurate with increased study and prayer; but what about those for whom it doesn't so easily? Are they who haven't learned good Gospel study habits forever destined to be slower in learning to follow the Savior? I think not! The Savior is explicit about who he allows to partake of His goodness:

"And after their temptations, and much tribulation, behold, I, the Lord, will feel after them, and if they harden not their hearts, and stiffen not their necks against me, they shall be converted, and I will heal them. (Doctrine and Covenants 112:13:13 )"

This does not just apply to the learned, but anyone who hearkens unto the Savior, not stiffening their necks against him. It does not speak of those who are more intelligent or have a greater capacity to learn, but it is anyone who willingly comes unto Christ.

So what does this all mean for President Packer's quote? As I see it, it means that our behavior changes as we study the Gospel, but as we do so at our own pace. For those of us who study temporal things (including behavior), it is important that we follow the prophet Nephi's counsel:

But to be learned is good if they hearken unto the counsels of God. (2 Nephi 2:29)

For me, this means taking a philosophical stance toward the science-religion debate that places the nature of man at a point of imperfection. As such, man is not able to "comprehend all the things that the Lord can comprehend (Mosiah 4:9)," but is able to obtain truths "line upon line (see Isaiah 28:10; D & C 98:12)" as God sees fit. As a behavioral scientist, it is ever important that to recognize this, and to see scientifically-derived truths for what they are--a small drop in a large bucket of eternal truth.

With that said, I do not regret my choice to enter into the mental health field, as I see a unique challenge in building the kingdom, which will for me inevitably last for the remainder of my life. In fact, I "feel it a pleasure to serve (Hymns, 19)" in this capacity, and know that the Lord will bless my in my temporal endeavors as I strive to put Him in the forefront. I know this to be true of all people, and I know that all people are susceptible to degenerating in the face of temptation. Let us all be diligent and prayerful that we might make it through those times, that the Atonement may lay hold upon us, sanctifying us in preparation for the great and dreadful day of the Lord (see Malachi 4; 3 Nephi 25).

Have a great week!

BEST OF ME: Commitment to a Cause

Hello everyone! In the spirit of Independence Day I decided to re-post an article I wrote two years ago...Enjoy!


ORIGINAL POST DATE: JULY 5th, 2009


I would first like to wish everyone a Happy Birthday, for if you are American, it is your birthday. One thing that has pressed on my mind more than ever this Independence Day Weekend has been the importance of t he formation of this great country in realizing the Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. There was no other place at that time in which such a singular event could take place, and if not in America, the Restoration would have been delayed for literal decades. Go America! With that said, there has been another topic that has been weighing down on my mind this last week, being the idea of commitment. Some people have this in spades, and others (e.g. all men in regards to relationships) require a little more coaxing and encouragement. Where does the difference lie?

In researching "Commitment" in the Topical Guide, I was impressed first with how many scriptures listed refer to worshiping with "all your heart." For example we find this in the Book of Joel:

Therefore also now, saith the Lord, turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning.

--Joel 2:12

What is it about the individual that causes him or her to be willing to, and then to actually offer the full conviction of heart? It is is my belief that it is a result of a personal conversion to and love of a principle that causes action. Take Ammon as an example. In Alma Chapter 17 we see that Ammon was committed to serving King Lamoni and the Lamanites, stating that he intended to serve them "perhaps until the day I die" (v. 23). Ammon loved Lamoni and his people, which love was perpetuated by the Gospel, and Ammon's conversion to it.

And it came to pass that they journeyed many days in the wilderness, and they fasted much and prayed much that the Lord would grant unto them a portion of his Spirit to go with them, and abide with them, that they might be an instrument in the hands of God to bring, if it were possible, their brethren, the Lamanites, to the knowledge of the truth, to the knowledge of the baseness of the traditions of their fathers, which were not correct.

--Alma 17:9

Ammon and the Sons of Mosiah desired nothing more than to be instruments in the Lord's hands. This is another characterstic of commitment to a cause--the selfelss desire to perpetuate it, not looking for any gain but the personal satisfaction that comes from helping others become converted to that same cause.

I am grateful for the Founding Fathers who also had this in pespective. They knew their cause was just, and they knew that they were instruments in the hands of the Lord. They were committed, and for that I am also grateful. In this season I hope to be able to emulate their examples, as well of all the other more immediate Gospel heroes. To end, I am reminded of the words of the Prophet Joseph Smith:

Brethren, shall we not go on in so great a cause? Go forward and not backward. Courage, brethren; and on, on to the victory! Let your hearts rejoice, and be exceedingly glad. Let the earth break forth into singing. Let the dead speak forth anthems of eternal praise to the King Immanuel, who hath ordained, before the world was, that which would enable us to redeem them out of their prison; for the prisoners shall go free.

--Doctrine and Covenants 128: 22

Have a great week!

The Secret Combinations in Our Souls

And behold, in the end of this book ye shall see that this Gadianton did prove the overthrow, yea, almost the entire destruction of the people of Nephi.

Behold I do not mean the end of the book of Helaman, but I mean the end of the book of Nephi, from which I have taken all the account which I have written. --Helaman 2:13-14

In the Book of Mormon we read many stories about individuals and groups who actively rebelled against the Lord and His people. Although their rebellion often hit a culmination out in the open, their planning, devising, and promises were often carried out in secret. These began with Laman and Lemuel devising to kill Nephi and their father, Lehi. Later on we read about Nehor and his "order," and then about the "kingmen" and then Gadianton, Kishkumen, and their "secret combination" of robbers who made oaths to overthrow the judges each time they were elected. Secret combinations transcend even the Book of Mormon, and Cain is considered the first among them, conspiring against his brother Abel. In his landmark talk "Beware of Pride," President Ezra Taft Benson said:

"Pride results in secret combinations which are built up to get power, gain, and glory of the world. (See Hel. 7:5; Ether 8:9, 16, 22–23; Moses 5:31.) This fruit of the sin of pride, namely secret combinations, brought down both the Jaredite and the Nephite civilizations and has been and will yet be the cause of the fall of many nations. (See Ether 8:18–25.)"

Now, surely if the pride that fuels secret combinations has proven and will yet prove the destruction of many nations, it must first destroy those who fuel the fire of enmity in the first place; As one who studies group dynamics, I know that no one act is done in isolation, and that interaction with people creates reciprocal behavior between aggressor, recipient, and observer; and though the whole is usually greater than the sum of the parts, individuals are still affected. With this said, I think it behooves us to look at the effects that pride and enmity have on our own souls, irrespective of the influence we have on others and which they likewise have on us.

In the same talk, President Benson said,

"Pride is a sin that can readily be seen in others but is rarely admitted in ourselves. Most of us consider pride to be a sin of those on the top, such as the rich and the learned, looking down at the rest of us. (See 2 Ne. 9:42.) There is, however, a far more common ailment among us—and that is pride from the bottom looking up. It is manifest in so many ways, such as faultfinding, gossiping, backbiting, murmuring, living beyond our means, envying, coveting, withholding gratitude and praise that might lift another, and being unforgiving and jealous."

It seems to me that here are diverse ways that we might do wrong or commit sin, but if we follow the counsel of the prophets new and old, I am assured that we will be able to fend off the pride that seeks to silently "combine" within us until we are overtaken by it. To again take from the prophet:

"Let us choose to be humble.

We can choose to humble ourselves by conquering enmity toward our brothers and sisters, esteeming them as ourselves, and lifting them as high or higher than we are. (See D&C 38:24; D&C 81:5; D&C 84:106.)

We can choose to humble ourselves by receiving counsel and chastisement. (See Jacob 4:10; Hel. 15:3; D&C 63:55; D&C 101:4–5; D&C 108:1; D&C 124:61, 84; D&C 136:31; Prov. 9:8.)

We can choose to humble ourselves by forgiving those who have offended us. (See 3 Ne. 13:11, 14; D&C 64:10.)

We can choose to humble ourselves by rendering selfless service. (See Mosiah 2:16–17.)

We can choose to humble ourselves by going on missions and preaching the word that can humble others. (See Alma 4:19; Alma 31:5; Alma 48:20.)

We can choose to humble ourselves by getting to the temple more frequently.

We can choose to humble ourselves by confessing and forsaking our sins and being born of God. (See D&C 58:43; Mosiah 27:25–26; Alma 5:7–14, 49.)

We can choose to humble ourselves by loving God, submitting our will to His, and putting Him first in our lives. (See 3 Ne. 11:11; 3 Ne. 13:33; Moro. 10:32.)"

I know that we can choose to submit ourselves in all things to the Savior, to become meek like unto Him. therein will we be able to conquer the secret combinations of the soul, and be enabled as sons and daughters unto the Most High, and to be esteemed as friends of God.

Have a great week!

Fearing What We Might Find

But this much I can tell you, that if ye do not watch yourselves,
and your thoughts, and your words, and your deeds, and observe the commandments of God,
and continue in the faith of what ye have heard concerning the coming of our Lord,
even unto the end of your lives, ye must perish.
And now, O man, remember, and perish not.
--Mosiah 4:30

I am a firm believer that the Atonement of Jesus Christ can penetrate every fiber of our being, and create a change in us that only the truly faithful and learned in the ways of God could have anticipated. It happens as we slowly, grace for grace become aware of our many weaknesses and frailties. learning that at the end of the mountain is yet another, which in many ways dwarfs the pinnacle we have just overcome. And often as we get in touch with reality we look back at what now to us seems easy in comparison to the impending trial, and long for those ways. We may say to ourselves, "why can't I go back to that simpler time?" or "don't I deserve a rest right now?"

While such an attitude may be undesirable, it is quite admirable when compared to when we don't even attempt to see the height of the initial mountain. Very often we don't look inward for fear of what we might find. We may fear that in fact we have so much farther to go than we could ever imagine. If we refer to King Benjamin, we notice that such errors when not corrected can be deadly. In order to qualify for eternal life, we must do as King Benjamin directs, and watch our thoughts, actions, words, and deeds. I believe that as we do this that we will gain greater access to the Atonement, and thereby be able to move closer to God, and be enabled to serve.

This week's thought is short, but I would like to simply admonish you to notice your inner self, and upon gaining understanding quietly and confidently seek the Lord's help in becoming a saint.

Have a great week!

Softening Hearts and Baseball Gloves

Over the last couple of days I have pondered on the state of our hearts, and how they can become hardened if we do not continually work to soften them. "The heart" is an age-old metaphor for that which is in our core, that which truly defines us when no one is looking. It is in the heart where our deepest desires lie, as well as our sincerest intentions, be them good, evil, or some complex mix in between the two. The softness or hardness of our hearts is greatly influenced by the culture in which we reside, and more importantly by how we appraise that culture. Great examples come from the scriptures, including the account of the house of Lot in Sodom and Gomorrah. As many know, Sodom and Gomorrah were two of the most wicked cities in known history, but Lot and his family were more righteous followers of God. The Lord warned Lot to leave the land, as the two cities would be destroyed in a rain of fire and brimstone. Angels hastened the escape of Lot, his wife, and his two unwed daughters, but as we remember,

"But his wife looked back from behind him, and she became a pillar of salt." (Gen. 19:26)

How often do we go about our daily walk, and unwittingly do like unto Lot's wife, "looking back" to the things that don't matter toward our salvation, and that in fact pull us away from the Savior? I dare say that this happens all too often! A member of our stake presidency today told our Elder's Quorum that in these latter days Satan's greatest tool is preoccupation--deceiving the children of men in a way so subtle as to keep them from righteousness long enough until it's too late. I believe that the adversary doesn't care if we fail to merit outer darkness; he'd be content if we just separated ourselves long enough from the Spirit that we don't receive the greatest of all blessings, that is, immortality and eternal life. The adversary counts as a win against the saints of God anything less than perfection.

With this in mind, it is ever important that we fight against the wiles of the adversary by constantly seeking to soften our hearts. How do we do so? Well, because mixing metaphors can be so much fun, let's think about a baseball glove. Anyone who has seen "The Sandlot" knows that a brand-new baseball glove looks like a piece of plastic, and really isn't good for much. However, baseball gloves can be made useful through time and effort: the first, more tedious way is to just play with the glove for hours and hours, hoping that it will take the proper shape through use in practice and games; the second, more effective, quicker, and safer way to break in a glove involves use, but also involves culturing, massaging, and setting the glove for some time outside of a game situation. This second way requires care that only the educated can perform, but getting such an education can mean the difference between booting a ball or digging out a screaming grounder. And even after initial "breaking" of the glove, it still requires constant care to keep it in ideal playing condition.

Likewise, the most effective way to soften our hearts is through the cycle of continual education, culturing, massaging, and testing in game use. We receive our education by studying the words of the prophets, both ancient and modern, and pondering on how to apply their teachings. We also educate ourselves as we take our study before the Lord, seeking the Spirit to guide us toward greater understanding of how to personally apply what we learn.

The game is played every day in our minds, our hearts, and with our hands, as we are daily bombarded with messages contrary to the principles we learn. Though this step may seem painful it is absolutely essential. Just as the infielder doesn't know how good his glove is until it sees adversity, so to must our hearts be tested. The prophet Lehi said:

"For it must needs be, that there is an opposition in all things. If not so...righteousness could not be brought to pass, neither wickedness, neither holiness nor misery, neither good nor bad. Wherefore, all things must needs be a compound in one; wherefore, if it should be one body it must needs remain as dead, having no life neither death, nor corruption nor incorruption, happiness nor misery, neither sense nor insensibility. (2 Nephi 2: 11)"

If we must endure trials and study the scriptures to ready our hearts, what is the middle step of culturing and massaging? This, of course, is the Atonement of Jesus Christ. We learn the Gospel and we go out into the world, but it is through the Atonement of the Savior that we are healed from all that damages. It is the Savior who took upon himself all the pains, sufferings, and afflictions of this world, that our hearts and gloves might not have to be hardened beyond repair. Elder Kent F. Richards spoke of this in the April 2011 General Conference:

"The Savior is not a silent observer. He Himself knows personally and infinitely the pain we face.

'He suffereth the pains of all men, yea, the pains of every living creature, both men, women, and children.'

'Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.'

"Sometimes in the depth of pain, we are tempted to ask, 'Is there no balm in Gilead; is there no physician there?' I testify the answer is yes, there is a physician. The Atonement of Jesus Christ covers all these conditions and purposes of mortality."

I add my testimony that there is a Balm in Gilead, and when applied it covers all pains that we ever have had or will have to bear. I know this not of myself, but of the Spirit which has constantly borne record of it to me. My friends, the Atonement is real. It really works. It will keep us from being deceived, keep our hearts from hardening to a point of disrepair. Of this I testify in the name of He who provides such a Balm, even the Savior of all mankind, Jesus the Christ.

Have a great week!

The Plantar Fasciitus of the Soul

Be patient in afflictions, for thou shalt have many;
but endure them, for, lo, I am with thee,
even unto the end of thy days.
--D&C 24:8

As I continue to gain new and what seem to be increasingly more difficult experiences, I am struck by the increasing striving that it takes to feel that I'm "doing okay." By this I mean the feeling that I am in good standing with the Lord, and that I am even deserving of the richest blessings which I desire. However, I know that there is a Balm in Gilead, and it is called the Atonement of Jesus Christ. This balm, when applied in diligence and sincerity, can foster healing to the point that there is no sign of the burn caused by our iniquitous behavior and cognition. A temporal yet salient example comes from my own life just yesterday.

As a part of my often feeble efforts to get in shape, yesterday I decided to go for run. The weather was perfect: mid-70s with bright sunshine. I set out from my house with the intent of going through my neighborhood, cutting through a church parking lot, and then making a gradual rise to the side of the Provo Temple, about 2 miles round trip. However, about three minutes into my run I reached a fence where i thought there wasn't one, and was forced to make my ascent around the temple, and not directly to it. I decided that I would give this route a try, only to see a daunting task ahead of me: a steep, windy incline to the top of the bench of Y Mountain. I toiled up the hill for what seemed like forever, but persisted. I made it to the top (admittedly with a couple of stops to breathe in the thin air), and coasted for much of the return trip, passing the temple from the top, and not from the bottom as I had originally anticipated.

I made it home, ragged and dehydrated from about 30 minutes of running and hiking. As my body began to regain homeostasis, I noticed a pain in the bottom of my left arch. This pain reminded me of a running injury I sustained two years ago, developing a condition known as plantar fasciitus, where the arch of the foot experiences excess swelling when under stress. I was reminded of the pain that improper running had caused, and reminded of the consequences that I still must live with.

Now, there is a type in this story. How often is it, that as we strive to improve, strive to go through the process of cleansing, that we are reminded of our tendencies toward spiritual wear and tear? This is a natural consequence of trying to fit godliness into the ungodly. The Savior said unto Moroni:

And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them. --Ether 12:27

How grateful am I for this reassurance! This scripture means that if I am striving to give myself to the Savior by coming unto Him through obedience and repentance, he will show unto me my weakness. The Savior's people are a humble people, whether they decide to humble themselves, or if they are compelled to humility through trial and tribulation. For "It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. (Matt. 19:24; Mark 10:25)."

I know that we receive trials as a consequence of the perfect love of God towards us. Trials are necessary in the Eternal Plan of Happiness, a Plan which has each and every one of us living with God again, taking up our first estate in the Kingdom of Heaven. I am grateful that I cannot know what God knows, for in such ignorance I may be led by faith on the Savior, ever striving to put off the natural man in favor of a new creature. Let us remember that He is always with us, and be patient through our many afflictions. If we do so, one day we WILL be able to say that we were able to give all of ourselves, and at last we could do so without the pain of imperfection returning. May we be faithful until that day arrives!

Have a great week!