The Secret Weapon

Happy Easter! May we all remember the Savior on this day, and how the Atonement provides us with new life. I have felt a rejuvenation myself, ending one semester, and moving on to a new term which promises new opportunities to learn and grow both temporally and spiritually. However, in the midst of thinking about the future, I would like to tie this Easter message into the past; that is, the story of the Secret Weapon.

As a young missionary, I was apprised of the culture and the tools that fed that culture. One of those tools was a hard-to-find video of the story of the conversion of Wilford Woodruff, fourth president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The video portrays a young Wilford going from church to church, searching for 'the truth.' He even gets baptized in one church only to explain to the pastor performing the ordinance that he would not be attending is church because of its incorrect doctrine; Wilford just wanted to be baptized by immersion, for that was the way that Christ was baptized.

We missionaries loved this video, and heralded its panacea-like powers, as there were rumors that if we could just show an investigator who was having trouble committing this video, they would instantly be swayed into conversion. It was fool-proof, and there would be much less work and frustration on the part of the missionary.

Although I never was able to get a copy of "The Secret Weapon," I had certain scriptures that had great effects in previous occasions, and this were surely to work in the future. For example, early on in my mission I used the following scripture for Roney, a Venezuelan woman who became one of the strongest members I taught:

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

Roney was so touched by this scripture that, after some weeks of deliberating over the decision of baptism decided that now was the time to receive that witness, for she would not know of the truth of the Gospel until afterward. Now, although the scriptures are true, this passage never had the same powerful effect on other investigators with whom I shared it. I was at first dumbfounded, because this scripture had worked so well before for an investigator under the exact same circumstance...what gives? It wasn't just this scripture that I shared; there were several if not many scriptures, teaching patterns, tactics, and judgments that I used successfully once, and then to no avail when tried again. What I didn't realize then has been made clear to me now, after time and effort to gain more light as to how the Gospel really works. My accumulated light can be well illustrated in Elder David A. Bednar's most recent General Conference talk:

A light turned on in a dark room is like receiving a message from God quickly, completely, and all at once. Many of us have experienced this pattern of revelation as we have been given answers to sincere prayers or been provided with needed direction or protection, according to God’s will and timing. Descriptions of such immediate and intense manifestations are found in the scriptures, recounted in Church history, and evidenced in our own lives. Indeed, these mighty miracles do occur. However, this pattern of revelation tends to be more rare than common.

The gradual increase of light radiating from the rising sun is like receiving a message from God “line upon line, precept upon precept” (2 Nephi 28:30). Most frequently, revelation comes in small increments over time and is granted according to our desire, worthiness, and preparation. Such communications from Heavenly Father gradually and gently “distil upon [our souls] as the dews from heaven” (D&C 121:45). This pattern of revelation tends to be more common than rare and is evident in the experiences of Nephi as he tried several different approaches before successfully obtaining the plates of brass from Laban (see 1 Nephi 3–4). Ultimately, he was led by the Spirit to Jerusalem, “not knowing beforehand the things which [he] should do” (1 Nephi 4:6). And he did not learn how to build a ship of curious workmanship all at one time; rather, Nephi was shown by the Lord “from time to time after what manner [he] should work the timbers of the ship” (1 Nephi 18:1).

In these examples of the reception of greater light, there was a common denominator which under-girded the ultimate result: preparation and learning. That is, the Lord prepares us to be able to uphold the light that He desires that we ultimately receive. Such was the case in every successful situation in which I thought that I was the ultimate instrument in the Lord's hands--though I was acting as an instrument, I was not the only the player in the game--the Spirit was able to tap into the groundwork that they themselves had (often unwittingly) prepared. Simply put: they were ready.

So how does this apply to the notion of "The Secret Weapon?" The answer is again simple: THERE IS NO SECRET WEAPON! The secret is made simple as we gain further light and knowledge, continually growing to understand that in fact there is no secret.

How often do we go searching for a panacea that will solve all our problems and take away all our pain and toil, only to return to our home base spiritually broke, dejected, and confused? Little did we know that the true panacea was always in front of us, but would not come in a great epiphany, but after long, concerted efforts to do good continually. President Gordon B. Hinckley said:

"Life is just like an old time rail journey ... delays, sidetracks, smoke, dust, cinders, and jolts, interspersed only occasionally by beautiful vistas and thrilling bursts of speed. The trick is to thank the Lord for letting you have the ride."

I hope that I have been convincing. On this Easter Sunday, let us make more concerted efforts to take advantage of the atoning sacrifice of the Savior, living each day with joy in our hearts, for we are loved. Let us remember the life that the Atonement brings, and how like the Savior on that glorious Morn we may gain a victory over death. The sting of physical and spiritual death is swallowed in the supernal sacrifice of Jesus the Christ; let us do the little things to merit this grace.

Have a great week!

The Lord's Breaking Point

"My body lied to me"

--J. Bradley Eustice

The above quote is incorrectly cited, but as it has become a colloquialism between me and my roommate of close to three years, I felt it safe to credit him. The quote was first heard some years ago in a sacrament meeting talk given by a now forgotten high council speaker. But his words still live in Brad and me.

In the talk the speaker spoke how he had gotten out of shape, and was trying to get back into shape by taking time every morning to hike Provo's Y Mountain, an unsheltered switchback trail that climbs some 1,700 feet to the top of the mountain's iconic giant Y painted in its face. The man began by just hiking to the trailhead from his nearby home; then, after some time, he gradually worked his way to the top of the first switchback. Then, the second, the third, and so on until with ease he could hike every morning to the very top. Many times in this progression he wanted to turn back, feeling the pain of an aging body which seemingly would not go another step. Yet somewhere along the way this man realized that his mind was a much greater gift than his body, and that it had dominion over the second; in his moments of languish he recalled telling himself, "my body is lying to me." Every time that he rehearsed this self-talk he was able to persevere, and make it just one step further than he had gone the day before. This high councilor probably does not know the effect that he had on us; we learned the power of determination--a patient persistence until a once insurmountable goal is reached.

Now, I do not suggest that we all try to tell our bodies that they are lying to us at every moment--this would surely lead to fatigue, strain, and maybe even heartache; moreover, this was not the lesson that this good brother was trying to teach us. Rather, it has to do with our perceived "breaking point," and the braking point that the Lord sees fit for us.

I have felt this over the last several months as a new graduate student with high aspirations for the future. Wanting to glean the most out of every moment, I have loaded myself with activities, assignments, papers, presentations, grants and research. There have been many times when I thought that I was at my own point of breaking, feeling that I would not be able to take anything more. But then again, this has most often been after the manner of my own understanding. I am reminded of an old scripture loved by millions in the Christian world:

Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
--Proverbs 3:5-6

These simple words seem to be a fix for the most complex of situations, as all it takes is for us to trust that the Lord has great things in store for each and every one of us as we follow Him. But we must trust that his breaking point for us will in truth not break us, but will make us stronger, humbler, more full of love, and in the end greater instruments in His hands. I find solace in the words of Ammon, who surely was extended beyond his breaking point, even unto the depths of humility. Nevertheless, he was made strong through the Atonement of the Savior. He said:

Now my brethren, we see that God is mindful of every people, whatsoever land they may be in; yea, he numbereth his people, and his bowels of mercy are over all the earth. Now this is my joy, and my great thanksgiving; yea, and I will give thanks unto my God forever. Amen.

--Alma 26:37

I know that the Lord know each and every one of us personally. He knows us much better than we know ourselves, even so much that he is mindfully aware of our weaknesses, strengths, and capabilities. this gives me hope for a better day, not so much when my burdens will be lighter, but when I am able to uphold them with greater faith and trust.

It is my prayer that we may all seek to meet the Lord at where he would like us to be, knowing that the pain and trials are nothing to the Savior, who has descended below it all. Let us not lean on our own understanding, essentially lying to ourselves concerning of that which we are truly capable. Rather, let us have charity in our hearts toward all men, seeking to endure well the trials that present themselves in this life. Therein will we be made whole, enabled to be and do so much more than we would have ever imagined for ourselves.

Have a great week!

Best of Me : The Power of Positivity

Hello! You may have noticed that as of late I have not been able to post something new every week. This is because I am in the throes of a new calling: Ward Clerk. This takes up much of my time on Sundays, which keeps me from writing. So, I decided today to do a "best of me" post, one which I thought I put extra thought into that I wrote over the past couple of years. I hope you enjoy this repeat!

"Accessing the Atonement and the Power of Positivity"

ORIGINAL POST DATE: December 20, 2009

This week I would like to center my thoughts on the battle that rages between the positive and the negative in life. It is a product of the larger war between good and evil, versus the Spirit of God and the Spirit of the Devil. It the former seems less consequential than the latter at times, but make no mistake: our attitude (be it positive or negative) is a catalyst to these respective spirits.

Let me provide a case example to elucidate. I know an individual who several months ago was diagnosed as having a level 4 glioblastoma in his brain the size of a baseball. Glioblastoma are cancerous tumors, and they are assigned five levels, based on their pervasiveness in the brain matter. This individual could have given up, and taken a negative attitude toward his pathology. He could have looked at the odds of survival (which were not good with the cancer at such a stage), and accepted defeat to his imperfect body. But he somehow knew that Heavenly Father had more for him to do on this Earth, and fought, and continues to fight. His neurosurgeons have told him that he is not just beating the odds, but is "clobbering" them. This individual is my former mission president, Jeffrey R. Morrow. To read the latest on his recovery, click here: http://jeffreymorrow.blogspot.com/2009/12/7th-inning-and-clobbering-odds.html.

President Morrow has been positive throughout, and in so doing has had the Spirit breathe life into him (Abraham 5:7). So what is it about people like Jeffrey Morrow that sets them apart? And why are there so few that have such a strong attitude, that it is necessary that those who do "beat the odds?" I have given much contemplation to these questions, and have resolved that the best answer is often the simplest: it is the Atonement of Jesus Christ.

The negative in life must needs exist that we learn in this life, and aptly prepare to meet God ( 2 Nephi 2:11, Alma 34:32). But those who stay positive, are filled with joy, and move forward despite hardship are those who truly apply the Atonement in their lives. We read in Alma 7:12:

And he will take upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities.

It was a great revelation to me several years ago when I learned that the Atonement is not just for those things that I have done wrong, but for all that afflicts me. "Infirmities" is much like the Spanish "enfermedades," which means "sicknesses." Anything that causes me to be unwell was felt by the Savior in the Garden, and on the Cross. And what joy it is to actually believe that! And what joy it is to actually know that! I know that is the Atonement, as well, that helps me remain positive in the face of trial. I stay positive because I know that I can turn to the Savior, and make the negative go away as I access the powers of that supernal Gift. I am able to grow in faith, and change my view of the world around me. I like to think I got much of this from Jeffrey Morrow, as well as from my parents, grandparents, and all those who found joy in the Savior.

For those of us who find that it is easier to be miserable, understand that happiness is real. I cringe when I look around at scores of people contented to live in discontent. Life is better than that; it includes the Savior Jesus Christ; it includes his infinite Atonement. Especially in this Christmas season, let us celebrate how positive our lives can be because of Christ's life, teachings, death, and resurrection. He lives. I know this with all my heart. May we all believe this is my prayer, that we may access the Atonement, and feel the power that comes into our lives as we change and become "new creatures" in Christ. (Mosiah 27:26, 2 Cor 5:17)

Lessons from Conference

It's hard to believe that another six months have passed, but there they went! General Conference was again a spiritual feast. On the 75th anniversary of the creation of the Church Welfare Program, the Saints were admonished to serve more fully there fellow man and woman. We were taught to do so in love and kindness, and let the blessings flow thereafter. I was personally grateful for this admonition, as I was reminded of the essence of existence. We were also again reminded that learning takes place not in a single flash, but "line upon line, precept upon precept." this goes for our testimonies, and for any other inspiration that we receive via the Holy Ghost. Here are some other talks that I found particularly impactful:

Elder Dallin H. Oaks--On Desires

On Saturday Afternoon Elder Oaks spoke of our desires. He outlined some basic desires that we all have, and how our actions are often framed by our desires to fill basic needs like hunger, shelter, and sleep. Elder Oaks then explained that sometimes we can override these desires, as long as we have faith in blessings that can come as we do so. He laid out a diagram for human behavior, noting that desires dictate our priorities, which dictate our choices and subsequent actions. Because of this pattern, it is ever so important that we have a vision of what we can become when we continually live the Gospel, that we have a strengthened desire for righteousness.

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf--The Road to Damascus

President Uchtdorf's talk given in the Sunday Morning Session was a serious talk that enlightened me as I try to procure the blessings that the Lord has in store for me. He said that the heavens are open, and we should acknowledge that truth; but how often do we sit idly by, waiting for some sort of miracle to happen, going through the motions? Are we waiting on the road to Damascus for the Lord to visit us in a vision or other powerful manifestation? President Uchtdorf said, "those who diligently seek to know the Christ will eventually come to know Him, piece by piece, until we recognize the grand beauty of it all." He went on to tell us that revelation often does not come personally to us as we might expect, but through trusted friends and family members who serve as instruments in the hands of the Lord. President Uchtdorf illustrated that such opportunities abound, but it is when we are thinking of ourselves that we miss them. He stressed the importance of serving others, for "by becoming the answer to someone's prayer, we come to find the answers to our own."

President Thomas S. Monson--Priesthood Session

Although all the talks were great, I was most struck by the words spoken by our prophet in Priesthood Session. In this talk he was probably more glib than I have ever remembered, speaking his mind about some observations over the last six months. He noted that the world's "moral compass has gone to the 'almost anything goes' position," and it is our job to turn the dial back to the principles of righteousness. He spoke to the young single men of the Church, saying that too many of us are hanging out in packs, not desiring courtship or marriage. He showed that this problem is not new, that even Harold B. Lee spoke of the malady so pervasive among the young single adults. He counseled us to take the initiative, "choose [our] love, and love [our] choice." He told us that it's not so much about marrying the right person, but being the right person for a happy marriage. He also counseled that thereafter that divorce does not have to be the outcome, and that most often if couples just truly remember their covenants made to each other, that they with the Lord can overcome any hardship.

Again, we were richly fed this weekend. We were also richly admonished; no one who has heard the words of the prophets of God should say that they were unwarned. Tougher times are ahead of us, where it will not be easy or popular to be a Latter-day Saint. Now is the time to raise our standard of living. We should not let those around us from influencing us to think otherwise. Let us in renewed effort be Saints, made holy through the Atonement wrought by the Savior of all mankind, even Jesus Christ.