Look Not Behind

This is the talk I wrote for church. The delivery was something similar.

Look not behind

It’s the last day of the year. A time to look ahead to the new year. I am not big on New Year’s resolutions, so you won’t get that talk. I can’t think of anything to start or fix just because of a date on the calendar. I try to fix things as a I see them. However, I like beginning again. Kicking off a new project at work is always exciting. Every new day is a chance to start again. Every new week we can take the sacrament, which gives us a chance to start over and try again. The plan of happiness is the ultimate do-over. The gospel of Jesus is about forgiveness and being born again. The purpose is to cleanse people and allow us to return to our Father. It is a beautiful message that we can take advantage of daily or strive to engage with new hope at the new year. The theme we were given was “Look not behind” This is a reference from Genesis 19 and the story of Lot’s escape. 

Story of Lot

The city that Lot lived in was evil and was going to be destroyed. God’s tolerance of that sinful place was over. After some negotiation Lot’s family was going to be saved, but given instructions not to look back. As they were leaving, Lot’s wife couldn’t resist and so she didn’t make it. 

When I hear a phrase like “don’t look back” or “look not behind thee” I think of the opposite, about things that we should look back to. There are some good things to look back to in our minds. There are lessons to be learned in the past. So the commandment requires some context.

What do we look back for?

1. the scriptures - they tell us how people had faith in the past

2. genealogy - we learn about our family and maybe how they overcame problems

3. history - we have to learn from the past

So what did Lot’s wife do wrong? What did she do that was different? What do we not look back for?

1. past sin - we must forgive and forget

2. lost possessions - we can’t take it with us

3. missed opportunities - we make new ones

I think this is the lesson of Lot’s wife. She had some attachment to the city of sin. Whatever it was, she wasn’t prepared to let it go. We look for the good and not the bad to put it simply. As Elder Holland put it, “The past is to be learned from, but not lived in.“

When we want to start again we have to change our heart and not long for the old sins. The message of the gospel is to go on, to move forward.  

So how do we do it? I think it helps to remember what we know about this life. We know that God has a plan of happiness for us. One unique aspect of latter day saint doctrine is that we know that we lived with our Father in Heaven before we were born. Although not entirely alone in the world in this belief, this is an idea that sets latter day saints apart and gives us a different perspective. Do you believe you were happy with God in heaven? Do you expect you will be happy when you return? Then why leave? What have gotten ourselves into? We believe that in order to be more like our Father and to experience the joy that he does that we had to come to earth. To be miserable? No, “Adam fell that men might be and men are that they might have joy”. He has a plan for us. He has a plan for each of our lives and He had a plan to send a Savior to make it possible for all of us to make it back home.  

This life is meant for progression and experience. We have to have to faith in Jesus in order to move forward and forget the sorrows of the past. This life is a test, a time to prove if we will obey, so it is necessarily hard. Everyone fails. If part of life includes failing then we only need to go on and move to the next hurdle. 

There are several examples from the scriptures about going and moving forward. 

First, Nephi. He said “I will go and do”. 

When a woman was caught in sin and brought to Jesus for punishment he paused and wrote on the ground. The crowd wanted to stone her but he defused their anger and suggested they look to their own behavior. Jesus did not punish her. No one was left to condemn her. 

John 8:11 And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.

To go requires looking forward. The woman would need to look not behind her. 

Jesus commanded her to be better. 

Remember the story where Jesus was met by ten lepers who appealed to him for relief. Recall one leper came back to give thanks. in Luke chapter 17 verse

14. And when he saw them, he said unto them, Go shew yourselves unto the priests. And it came to pass, that, as they went, they were cleansed.

Again, Jesus commanded them to go. The miracle occurred as they went. They certainly didn’t want to dwell in their past environment. 

Can people that do terrible things also “go and not look back”? There are several examples from the scriptures. Paul and Alma come to mind, two of the worst that became the best. 

Saul was a witness to the execution of Stephen. 

in Acts 22:20

20 And when the blood of thy martyr Stephen was shed, I also was standing by, and consenting unto his death, and kept the raiment of them that slew him. 

Paul was reprimanded for playing on the wrong side. He was stopped in the way by a vision. in verse 10 of the same chapter Paul said

10 And I said, What shall I do, Lord? And the Lord said unto me, Arise, and go into Damascus; and there it shall be told thee of all things which are appointed for thee to do.

Paul never looked back. He became a great missionary. There is hope for those that are doing wrong. Paul was on the wrong side and became a great preacher. 

Alma the Younger rebelled against his father, the leader of the church. He not only didn’t obey but actively sought to drag people away from the truth. An angel came to stop him. The angel said Alma could destroy himself but would not be allowed to destroy others. The Lord would take him out first. Alma had to learn the painful lesson and then taught it to his sons later. Alma shared the painful lessons of his past but did not linger in them or look back on those day with fondness. It terrified him. He didn’t have an attachment like Lot’s wife. The sweetness of the forgiveness outweighed it all. 

Alma 36

A little long but so clear on this point that I think it is worth it.

17 And it came to pass that as I was thus racked with torment, while I was harrowed up by the memory of my many sins, behold, I remembered also to have heard my father prophesy unto the people concerning the coming of one Jesus Christ, a Son of God, to atone for the sins of the world.

18 Now, as my mind caught hold upon this thought, I cried within my heart: O Jesus, thou Son of God, have mercy on me, who am in the gall of bitterness, and am encircled about by the everlasting chains of death.

19 And now, behold, when I thought this, I could remember my pains no more; yea, I was harrowed up by the memory of my sins no more.

20 And oh, what joy, and what marvelous light I did behold; yea, my soul was filled with joy as exceeding as was my pain!

21 Yea, I say unto you, my son, that there could be nothing so exquisite and so bitter as were my pains. Yea, and again I say unto you, my son, that on the other hand, there can be nothing so exquisite and sweet as was my joy.

That exquisite joy is certainly the condition that all us will experience when are all in the celestial kingdom together. I believe we can enjoy that healing now. More often than New Year, we can start over and be reborn, as Alma says. The price of sin, sorrow, pain and illness has already been paid by Jesus and he only waits for us to follow him. 

Alma 7:11

11 And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people.

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.

When we are healed we don’t look back. The Healer’s hand removes all wounds. I think recollections of all our mortal troubles will be nothing after we are resurrected. 

For me, when I think of the times when I was in despair it is when I think of only the problem in front of me and can’t see anything else. It is like a stubbed toe that consumes all of my thought with throbbing pain. On days when I am open minded and thinking of eternal goals then most problems seem much smaller. When the spirit of the Lord came to teach Nephi he was taken into a high mountain. Mountains are a symbol of temples. They are a high place where our view is changed and we can taught holy things and comprehend them. We have a chance to look out and see things as they are, avoiding the blinders of the world and its problems. I require a frequent reset in this regard so a trip to the Gilbert temple is a good way to get it. This is another way of looking forward and not looking back. 

Another way of looking forward and not looking back is to focus on others. Many times when we are looking back, it is looking at ourselves and our problems. If we seek to help others and to offer them relief and assistance then we are looking forward and forget ourselves and our own problems. Looking forward gives us a much larger perspective and we can see our proper place in God’s plan for us. 

Another way to look forward is to allow others to change.  We have to forgive them. We can’t hold grudges and be looking forward in faith. We want to change and we have to allow that in others. Everyone thinks they are wiser now than were 5 years ago. Sometimes we remember people as they were years ago. As Elder Holland said “Forget. And when it comes to mind again, forget it again.”

We have to allow people to be better. 

Showing faith and having perspective are all ways of looking forward. I think it shows the hope of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Having faith in him means looking forward. We allows his love to work in our lives and remember him always. We have faith in his ability to make things better every time we are willing to start over. 

Testimony:

3rd Declaration?

I read that some gay Mormons expect an Official Declaration 3. I am curious what that would look like. What would have to change to make gay people happy with the church? Is some truth missing? What doctrine is incorrect? What cultural change must be accepted.
The Official Declarations of the church changed practices, and not doctrine. Although larger in scope, they are similar to changing the age of missionaries. I don't see a practice or a doctrine that needs to change. But I will try to think of some options.
The first official declaration was about plural marriage. No doctrinal change was made with the declaration, but rather it was an affirmation that the church was complying with the law. The Republican Party was founded,  "prohibit in the Territories those twin relics of barbarism — Polygamy, and Slavery."  The prophet saw what would happen to the church if they fought this law and shift in culture. Plural marriage wasn't required so it was ended in favor of benefits to the members of continued use of the temple for other purposes.
Second Official Declaration gave all worthy the priesthood. This change ended the ban on blacks. Interesting to me is that no justification for the ban or the lifting of the ban was given. President Young started the ban and promised it would be removed. It was. No doctrinal change was made, only a practice of the church was altered.
So the first was a halt to plural marriage in order to comply with the law. The second ended a practice that had no apparent purpose, but may have been tradition only.
I don't see it going so easy for number 3. What needs to change? What doctrine is wrong? What principle is the church getting wrong? What scripture is read wrong? What part of The Family: A Proclamation is in error? The importance of family in God's plan is pretty clear. This isn't like complying with a law for cultural acceptance or ending a practice that no understood or could justify. This is pretty basic. Homosexuality is sin and only men and women can marry.
One blogger wrote that she found peace knowing that her son would just continue to be gay in heaven. Would that change in a declaration make people happy? I don't think it will happen. We all have to give up all of our sins to go to Heaven. Jesus will take them away. He will heal all. We don't get to keep them as souvenirs. Being gay is no exception to that rule.
Do people expect the Church to recognize same sex marriage? That isn't possible. Marriage is between a man and women. Should gender be ignored? Just kinda look the other way and let two men get married, without actually saying what sex they are? The proclamation on the family declares that gender is essential and eternal. We have to rely on that because no other prophet was asked this question. Apparently same sex marriage was never tried in Nephi or Isaiah's day. This appears to be a new invention. Modern prophets have declared that it is false and not compatible with the plan of God.
Could all that be ignored and allow gays to marry now and wait until the next life to sort things out? This isn't like waiting for the blacks to eventually get the priesthood as was promised? What prophet suggested that two men could be married? Who said eventually people could be sealed to whoever they wanted, regardless of gender?

Marriage is the union of complementary sexes, anything else is just pretend. Same sex marriage cannot be sealed by the power of the priesthood and the Holy Ghost and therefore all such unions will end in the grave. Two men cannot be joined in the next life. Only a married couple can enter the new and everlasting covenant and obtain the highest level of the Celestial Kingdom. That is the plan. Unless Declaration 3 will say that Joseph Smith got that wrong. Men in a legal union here will be single in heaven. Without accepting the true definition of marriage and participating in it, they can have no increase. Those that practice homosexuality are sinning in this life and will be limited in the next.
Do gay Mormons expect the plan to change, or be clarified in some way, and that somehow they will be accepted as a pair capable of producing life in the next world, even though it appears to be in violation of God's plan and the rules of nature He established? Will Official Declaration 3 claim that they can have successful and lasting relationship outside the plan of happiness established by their Creator?
My question is just what doctrine is expected to change? The family proclamation provides a great summary of Hesse issues. I don't understand what part gay Mormons expect will change. Gay Mormons or those that sympathize with them, I should say. Speaking of which, I believe we must love all. All are welcome in the church as we share this mortal experience and learn to avoid the snares of the Adversary. I hope people can find clarity on this issue and trust that our Heavenly Father wants what is best for His children. Jesus loved and made God's plan real. Jesus died for all pains and sins. He can heal all hurts. I don't think there will a third Declaration on this issue. The correction isn't required for the church but rather, must be made in individuals and in our society that perpetuates this evil.

Lehi vs Lex

The movie Batman vs Superman makes a religious claim that is false. In Luthor’s rant to justify his attempt at killing Superman he says he must because God must be brought down. Sure, he might have just been talking about Clark Kent in a cape but the assertion must be addressed from a Christian point of view.  Lex says,  “If God is all powerful, he cannot be all good, And if he is all good, he cannot be all powerful.”

This is an old philosophical argument that even has its own name.  Theodicy. It is a discussion about apparent paradox between good and power.  It questions why God would allow evil if he is good. It appears in all periods of history when people have lost the truth that God loves them but wants them to learn and grow. God is good but allows evil so we can experience it. Our test is how we react to it. This is part of our Heaven Father’s plan for our progression. As Lehi said,

22. And now, behold, if Adam had not transgressed he would not have fallen, but he would have remained in the garden of Eden. And all things which were created must have remained in the same state in which they were after they were created; and they must have remained forever, and had no end.

 23 And they would have had no children; wherefore they would have remained in a state of innocence, having no joy, for they knew no misery; doing no good, for they knew no sin.

 24 But behold, all things have been done in the wisdom of him who knoweth all things.

 25 Adam fell that men might be; and men are, that they might have joy.

 26 And the Messiah cometh in the fulness of time, that he may redeem the children of men from the fall. And because that they are redeemed from the fall they have become free forever, knowing good from evil; to act for themselves and not to be acted upon

Read the whole chapter, it is quite good and could have solved the problem for people like Luthor, and saved a lot of trouble and anguish.

The idea of experience and agency is one that sometimes gets lost in the philosophy of men. But a clear head will find the truth.

Thoughts on Faith

Elder Neil L Andersen spoke about faith in the priesthood session of the last general conference. He began by saying-

“The Savior perceived the strength or weakness in the faith of those around Him. To one, He said approvingly, “Great is thy faith.”¹ He lamented to another, “O ye of little faith.”² He questioned others, “Where is your faith?”³ And Jesus distinguished yet another with, “[In all Israel] I have not found so great faith.”⁴

I ask myself, “How does the Savior see my faith?” And I ask you, “How does the Savior see your faith?”

Elder Andersen gives a description of faith. 

Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ is not something ethereal, floating loosely in the air. Faith does not fall upon us by chance or stay with us by birthright. It is, as the scriptures say, “substance … , the evidence of things not seen.”⁵ Faith emits a spiritual light, and that light is discernible.

So how does the Savior see my faith? How does the Savior see your faith?  Faith is a gift. Faith grows or diminishes based on our choices.  The Savior knows us but we must learn to perceive our faith and know where we stand. 

Elder Andersen addressed his comments to men of the priesthood, in that conference session. He said we must have faith and that we have an obligation of service. We are no longer on neutral ground, he said. We are different and have to protect our faith because the adversary wants to destroy it. 

Elder Andersen gave several examples of people who required faith and exhibited it. You may recall the story of four members of a family in Utah that were killed in an airplane crash. The bishop’s son was on a mission and continued to serve while others helped care for his younger brothers.  His seventeen year old brother spoke at the funeral and expressed his faith that families are forever.  Their faith was by choice.

Another young man wanted to serve a mission after joining the church in Brazil. As he prepared, it was discovered that his mother was dying of cancer. He had to stay and take care of his family. He worked and saved everything he could. Later however, he received inspiration that he should go.  Through several miracles his younger sisters and brother were able to live without him while he left to preach. His faith was by choice. 

These hard times remind me of one of my favorite talks - Come What May, and Love it by Elder Joseph B Wirthlin. Conference Oct 2008. He says that the way we react to adversity can be a major factor in how happy and successful we can be in life.  His mother taught him when he was young, when he lost a game or fell down, to come what may and love it. This advice stayed with him all his life. 

His advice is first,  to learn to laugh. Linette has that one down. She loves to laugh when people fall. Katherine use to expect applause after her tumbles. It is normal in our house to laugh first when someone gets hurt. As Elder Wirthlin explains, when everyone participates then no one is hurt and we can enjoy the moment later. 

Seek for Eternal perspective - As with the family that died or the missionary who almost couldn’t serve we need to have an eternal perspective when dealing with our problems. No one is exempt. Elder Wirthlin says that some people assume that the General Authorities don’t experience problems, disappointments, suffering.  But that is not true. A man not of our faith said, that “the only people without any problems are people we don’t know well”. Even Jesus suffered. When we learn that afflictions shall be but a small moment then we can take comfort. Jesus suffering can heal our own.

There is a Principle of Compensation. The Lord compensates the faithful for their losses. Death cannot separate us from God and all the blessings he has for us. 

Trust in the Father and the Son - God loves us and gave his Son. Men are that they might have joy. God wants us to be happy. Jesus descended below all things so that he could lift us up. He knows the worst of what we will go through. We need to trust in his relief. 

Going through hard times in our life, while difficult to bear, stretches our understanding, builds our character and increases our compassion for others. 

My sister recently sent me a quote - “Faith and fear both require us to believe in something you haven’t seen yet. You choose which to believe.” 

We are choosing everyday to be faithful or fearful.   For me, faith is translated as hopeful and happy. I can deal with setbacks because I am optimistic about the future and my abilities to handle the problems.  I don’t think that means fear, like some people are afraid of spiders, but rather an anxiety over future outcomes. Fear for me isn’t shrieking at the sight of a nasty critter but rather, fear is a shrinking perspective, losing sight of my goals, because I can’t see past the current sorrow. Like a child that can’t see the beauty of the Grand Canyon as I hike along the path because all I can think about is the little rock in my shoe. Fear is thinking that no solution will work. It reminds me of one of my favorite hymns: Abide With Me

Swift to its close ebbs out life's little day;

Earth's joys grow dim; its glories pass away;

Change and decay in all around I see;

O Thou who changest not, abide with me.

Change and decay. Sometimes that is what life looks like. Like everything in the house is broken. For me, fear is a depression that limits my ability to think and to react properly. Fear is the opposite of faith and represents a lack of hope that my Savior can save me or that an all knowing God forgot where I am. BUT we can choose faith, as Elder Andersen said. God does not change and will abide with us. Come what may, and love it. This puts President Monson’s quote in perspective. He said:

“Fear not. Be of good cheer. The future is as bright as your faith.” -President Thomas S Monson, That from another great talk on joy and faith in hard times from April 2009 conference. We know the outcome in the end. Faith is remembering that loving end today, in the middle of all the mess. 

1. Nephi can give us a good example. Every time we start the Book of Mormon we encounter this hero. He appears to do everything right. He gets the Brass Plates from Laban, builds a ship and sails to the promised land, has the vision of the Tree of Life. Nephi had faith. But he had lots of trials. The way he reacted to adversity showed his faith. The account that we read is made on the plates many years later after Nephi when he was older in the promised land. That gave him perspective. We shouldn’t think that it wasn’t hard for him.  Think of the time that his brothers beat him. They were sent to get the plates so they would have the scriptures when they left. Laman went in to ask, but got thrown out. Then the brothers gathered all the treasures and were going to trade them with Laban for the plates. Laban took the gold and chased them out and tried to kill them.  They escaped the guards but Laman wanted to finish their job and was beating Nephi with a rod. An angel came to stop him.  Laman and Lemuel didn’t pay any attention to the angel and started arguing with Nephi as soon as he left so I don’t think the angel was there for them. They didn’t learn anything. My guess is that there was a real risk of death or serious harm to Nephi so the angel stepped in to make sure he could fulfill his mission. We are lucky to read Nephi’s account that he wrote probably 20 years later. If he had posted on social media we might hear complaints about his bruises, see a picture of his black eye or a video of Sam trying to get him to laugh with his broken rib. My point is that we know Nephi got beat and tied up several times and we only read the polished version written long after. Life is hard. 

Nephi’s posterity remember their ancestors being brought by the hand of the Lord to the promised land. Sounds easy. Samuel and Nephi remember traveling without fires to cook their food because it was too dangerous to light one.

2. Another story about Nephi and having perspective.  His life wasn’t easy. He was blessed with a vision of the promised land. He saw the Savior’s future birth and then the end of his people by the Lamanites. The Nephites were wiped out. Then the scattering of the Lamanites by the gentiles that came here. Nephi had faith. How does the Savior see my faith? Could he tell me that all my great grand children will be killed by my brother’s posterity and I will still praise him and think his plan is wonderful?  

Why care about current events and vote for good men as leaders when everything will fall apart before the second coming?  I have been blessed to not suffer from dramatic events like Elder Andersen described but everything we do requires faith.  Example - going on a mission to Germany during the first gulf war and right after the Berlin wall came down in 1989. Sometimes we didn’t wear name tags and spoke only in German to avoid being targets. Getting married takes faith, having children when the world is against it and we know they will grow up to be teenagers. Studying hard and finishing school is a choice of faith.  Living the gospel standards takes faith. 

Elder Andersen also talks about another aspect of faith when he said,  “Faith emits spiritual light and that light is discernible.” Remember he said faith is something that we choose. He said, “Faith never demands an answer to every question” If we could get an answer to every question then we would know and that wouldn’t require faith.   

“Faith never demands an answer to every question but seeks the assurance and courage to move forward, sometimes acknowledging, “I don’t know everything, but I do know enough to continue on the path of discipleship.”

We can get answers to all honest questions. Life is hard - and there are some hard questions. We have the tools and the instructions. “The natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him.” Elder Andersen gives an example of Joseph Smith’s critics. For years, people have tried to find ways to discredit him and the events of the restoration.  The faithless won’t learn the truth. We can know that Joseph Smith was a prophet and move forward, believing that our understanding will increase in the future. For the faithful that don’t yet understand, we can study and we can pray. The Lord gave us many resources for learning. Prayer, scriptures, the spirit, fasting, parents, sunday school teachers, quorum leaders, bishopric. The Apostles and prophets receive revelation to lead the church. Guidance of the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve help protect our faith.  This will continue as Paul says,

“…Until we come to a unity of faith and knowledge of the Son of God. 

Elder Ballard reminded us that James did not say, “If any of you lack wisom, let him google.”

 Elder Anderson

“Your faith is either growing stronger or becoming weaker. Faith is a principle of power, important not only in this life but also in our progression beyond the veil.⁸ By the grace of Christ, we will one day be saved through faith on His name.⁹ The future of your faith is not by chance, but by choice.”

Thoughts on Trek Part II

Thoughts on Trek, Part II - Wait

The hardest trial on trek seemed to be waiting. Our children didn’t mind the dust, the cold, the lack of smartphones, the pulling, the heat, the food, the rain, the amateur acting. The only complaint was stopping once we had begun to roll. Or while waiting for our turn to join in line. Is standing still the greatest struggle? We stopped often, rarely knowing why or for how long. We would stop and start with little warning. Occasionally we knew the cause. For example, when the cart just ahead had to re-tie a rope that broke. One time a girl got hurt and we waited while she was treated. I tried to share what info I knew about the delays. But mostly we didn’t hear or see any reason for the traffic jam. We just stopped. And waited. Why was that hard?

Mostly I think it was because they were young and impatient, hoping to plow through and be done. Overcoming impatience seems to come easier with age.  I tried to think of some other lessons to be learned.

I think we must be careful about our trials of faith. Could we be like Naaman? Perhaps we need someone to remind us that humility is required. Naaman went to Elisha to be healed but when told that the cure was to wash in the Jordan he went away in a rage. His wise servant stopped him, saying “If the prophet had bid thee [to] do some great thing, wouldest thou not have done it? how much rather then, when he saith to thee, Wash, and be clean?”  Naaman washed and was healed. Elder Faust gave this explanation in his Oct 2001 address.  https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2001/10/some-great-thing?lang=eng

He are two quotes from that talk,

“We do not prove our love for the Savior only by doing “some great thing.” If the prophet personally asked you to go on a mission to some strange and exotic place, would you go? You would probably make every effort to go. What about doing your home teaching?”

“May we all be faithful in doing the day-to-day, ordinary things that prove our worthiness, for they will lead us to and qualify us for great things.”

Everyone pulling the cart was pleased with their accomplishments of pulling up a hill and over rocks, through the mud. That was a great thing. We must also be prepared for day-to-day waiting. We must never be looking to do a great thing and over look daily scripture study and prayer.   

We must be also patient in our faith. This was a great talk about waiting upon the Lord from Elder Robert D Hales in the Oct 2011 conference.

https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2011/10/waiting-upon-the-lord-thy-will-be-done?lang=eng

He says that we must stand fast in our trials. To be immovable in our faith. To have hope and to trust. This is especially hard when we don’t understand the cause or the purpose of our trial. He concluded with this. “I bear my special witness that our Savior’s promise is true, for He says, “They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” May we wait upon Him by pressing forward in faith, that we may say in our prayers, “Thy will be done,” and return to Him with honor.”

 Those boys could surely run and not be weary. I am certain that patience will come.

Thoughts on Trek Part I

Thoughts on Trek, Part I - Go to Work
A few words I wanted to share with our group but couldn’t find the source while on the trail: I later found the quote from Elder Christofferson in 2014 General Conference that I had in mind. You may recall his funny story about the man who wouldn’t accept personal responsibility. When offered corn while on the way to his grave because he refused to feed himself, he turned it down because the husks were not removed. Right after that, Elder D. Todd Christofferson had this to say: “It is God’s will that we be free men and women enabled to rise to our full potential both temporally and spiritually, that we be free from the humiliating limitations of poverty and the bondage of sin, that we enjoy self-respect and independence, that we be prepared in all things to join Him in His celestial kingdom.
I am under no illusion that this can be achieved by our own efforts alone without His very substantial and constant help. “We know that it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do.” And we do not need to achieve some minimum level of capacity or goodness before God will help—divine aid can be ours every hour of every day, no matter where we are in the path of obedience. But I know that beyond desiring His help, we must exert ourselves, repent, and choose God for Him to be able to act in our lives consistent with justice and moral agency. My plea is simply to take responsibility and go to work so that there is something for God to help us with.”
https://www.lds.org/…/10/free-forever-to-act-for-themselves…
We have to do something if we wish for God to help us. We will never see miracles playing video games and bingewatching Netflix. Trek was something hard that required help and so the evidence of His assistance can be more evident. Our Father wants us to grow and to become. We have to learn to want the same thing.

My Favorite Hymn

We had some confusion at church this morning.  Bishop was gone and so there were no speakers.  Whit called some members from the congregation to share their favorite hymn and then we sang them.  I thought of what hymns I like.   There are several I love, but here is one of them.  It represents a daily testimony and yearning for hope.

Abide With Me!, LDS hymn #166

I often think of the second verse:

2. Swift to its close ebbs out life's little day.

Earth's joys grow dim; its glories pass away.

Change and decay in all around I see;

O thou who changest not, abide with me!

I am a mechanical engineer and work mostly with mining professionally. It is a rough environment. We spend a lot of time figuring out how to make equipment survive.  Constant wear and chemical attack take their toll and shorten the life of everything.  Even non-moving parts will corrode.

At home I have five boys and they are pretty rough on things.  I've glued plates, patched walls, fixed iPods and just thrown things away that I couldn't fix.  And my knee hurts.

Everything I deal with daily tells me that the world will die and grind itself to dust.  But there is more to life than what I learned at work and college.  There is a renewing power not available to textbook physics.  I know that God lives and has a plan for his children.  He comforts me during hard times of life and we will live with Him again in joy.

Tithing

In our sunday school lesson we talked about tithing.  The teacher asked if everyone knew what tithing was.  Everyone said they understood that it was to pay 10% to the church.  Since that was covered the teacher, my friend Brian, asked what experiences people had with tithing and what stories they could share.  I normally keep my mouth shut.  But I tried to attempt to endeavor to share a story.  Not mine, but I share again without permission.  Somethings are a challenge and others are not.  I never have a hard time paying 10 percent of my money to the church.  My dad said once that he was promised that if he paid his tithing he would always be able to provide for his family.  It worked for the most part.  We never lacked for anything.  I understood from a young age that there were always people that had more money than us.  It seemed logical that I would get a fraction of what others kids did because they had a small family to buy for.  Simple math.  We moved a lot, however, and I ended up going to several different elementary schools as my dad chased work in mining.  For various reasons he had to change jobs.  During at least one period that I recall he was out of work for some time.  Things were bad enough that I noticed.  We had some food given to us.  (I was not thankful for the nasty grape juice.)  My dad earned some money and paid tithing on it which made no sense.  If we were receiving help then why pay tithing?  It didn't make sense to pass the money around and get it back.  But he said that the rule is followed regardless of the amount and circumstances.   I recall thinking he was silly, I always had the highest respect but not always understanding.  It is hard to explain what I thought and I didn't do it well in class and won't try here either.  It was a long time ago and I don't think registered in conscious thought but this is what came of it.  I wondered where he had failed to live up to the reward of providing for us. If people had to give us food then something in the promise was broken.  I don't recall my dad struggling with that dilemma, but I think I did.  Perhaps I had to see the demonstration in order to learn.  I learned that he paid tithing anyway.  I observed that he didn't lose faith in a trial.   That a promised blessing delayed or temporarily removed is not a lie but a challenge and growth opportunity.  Brian came to my rescue since I couldn't wrap up the story.  His comment was that sometimes a parent is given a challenge in order to demonstrate to the children how to overcome it.  That nailed it.  I never had a problem with tithing because I saw my dad deal with it when I was 10 years old.  It was the right thing to do and I adopted it without much thought.  I hope to receive the same promised blessings, even though I ended up in mining too.

Thinking about a parable

There are several obvious messages from the parable of the 10 virgins.
First off, Jesus is the bridegroom and the virgins are the members of his church. The message is that they  need to prepared for his coming at all times.

My guess is that the wedding represents heaven.  That is the goal that everyone is trying to reach.
I understand some of the basic symbolism, but not all.   The more I think about the more worried I am.   

What is the oil in the lamps?  It can seen by others but not shared. The oil in the lamps is required for entry into the wedding.  The virgins are not able to enter the wedding without it. 
The simple answer is that the oil represents faith or testimony or spiritual strength.  That analogy presents a problem for the members of the church.  Half of the virgins did not have enough oil to last the night.  They knew they needed it and half of them made sure that they had extra.  The five virgins called foolish had oil and I am sure that they intended to have enough.   They didn't head out to the wedding without a full lamp.  The problem was that the waiting was longer than they expected.  The five foolish virgins knew that oil was needed for entry to the wedding and hurried to get more when theirs was gone. 

The faith or testimony or spiritual strength was not something that could be shared.  Even as they went to get more the bridegroom arrived and it was too late. They were left out.

What is the long night?  I think it must represent the trials in our lives as we wait for the return of the Savior.  I think the endurance required will necessitate preparation.

Can faith be used up by waiting?  Certainly in terms of rescue, one's hope diminishes as time goes by.  So I wonder - how long will the night be and how much oil do I have?  Where is the sensor and gauge?  Apparently half the people think they had enough and will come up short.
The conclusion of this parable makes me wonder -
What trials do I face that burn up or use up faith? I realize intellectually that people face trials and temptation in order to grow.  People need to learn to choose.  In detail it becomes very difficult.

We are required to endure to the end.  But we never know how long that will be. 

Mormons at war

D&C 98:33
 33 And again, this is the ^alaw that I gave unto mine ancients, that they should not go out unto battle against any nation, kindred, tongue, or people, save I, the Lord, commanded them.

According to strict reading of this we can't fight anyone unless the Lord tell us.  Listening to the prophet counts, of course.  Did President Grant give the US permission to fight in World War II?  If not we have several apostles who fought in a bad war that was not authorized. 

I believe in the principles of this section but don't take it too far.

Pro-Choice Mormons?

Pro-Choice means pro-abortion.  Denying is just playing games with words.  I am pro-life (or anti-abortion).  One may claim they are not in favor of abortion, but rather in favor of people deciding for themselves.  This is false doctrine to support an abomination. 
I am embarassed to have association with a caller to the Dennis Prager Show who claimed to be a Mormon who was pro-choice.  What a confused soul.  He was responding to Dennis talking about Hvistendahl's book, Unnatural Selection.  Dennis was making the case that abortion is morally wrong (regardless of legality).  People need to be educated and they would make better choices.  There is a difference between morality and legality. 
There is a silly argument floating around about "not legislating morality" and letting people make moral choices.  This caller tried to make that argument.  He said that he is against abortion morally but doesn't feel it is right to enforce his decisions on others through the law.  Dennis talked with him a few minutes and I think convinced him that he needed to rethink his position.  Dennis pointed out that the argument about legality and morality was only a question of where to draw the line.   We do not legislate our religious laws about what we eat and drink but we do make laws about not stealing or killing.  Both come from God through the Bible.  Why enforce one but not the other?  Where does abortion fall on that scale?  Should it be a law or a guideline?
Can we let people choose to have abortions? 
Dennis does not debate theology so he did address the theological argument that the caller made.  I think Dennis knows enough about the Church of Jesus Christ.  He was being polite or sticking to his policy about not debating religion.  But the point needs to be made that the man believes bad doctrine.  The point was clarified about the law but not about the doctrine of choice as known to mormons.   There are many rewards, gifts and blessing in this life and in the next.  The most important to a Latter-Day Saint are eternal life (to live with God), the Atonement of Jesus, the chance to get a body in this world and finally the gift of agency which means we get to choose what we do.  The gift of choice is everything.  We choose to follow God's commandments, we chose to come to earth to get a body, we choose to follow Jesus as our Savior and accept his will.  Choice is good and important.  Despite all that abortion is wrong, and although not murder, should be illegal.

People need to make the world better by enforcing law.  Law should reflect the morality of the people.  For a christian country like ours, the strictness of their law represents their adherence to God's law and aknowledgement of His wisdom and voluntary submission to His will.   All laws are moral.  Law reflects morality.   Our society has not improved as we have loosened all social norms and made immoral behavior legal.   Many are so confused as to equate the two, saying that if something is not against the law then it is not wrong.   We should restrain ourselves and punish wicked behavior. 

Life is more important than choice.  Agency is engaged in the choice to have sex. Consequences follow.  Abortion should be illegal and any mormon that thinks otherwise is a moral idiot and I think against the doctrine of the church.