Jesus said, "Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God." Today a young couple came into the Nauvoo temple to be married- sealed for time and all eternity, not just "til death do you part". As I looked at their sweet faces, the words "pure" and "clean" popped into my head. Free from the worldly trappings of an expensive, lavish wedding gown (today's styles are usually backless, strapless and tight-fitting) or some other attention-getting fashion statement, their beauty shone from within. Their eyes shone clear and bright and their appearance was simply pure. In the scriptures, the temple of God is often referred to as a mountain. In Psalms 24 we read, "Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord? or who shall stand in his holy place? He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully." Their goal was to make a sacred covenant to God and to each other, not just have a big party.
Russ and I were having a conversation related to a recent lesson in church about seeking the lost lamb. My observation was that the "lamb" lost to the "Good Shepherd" does not always recognize that he/she is lost to Him and the fold, or doesn't care. They are interested in their own individual world and have what they want. In the words of the Lord, "They seek not the Lord to establish his righteousness, but every man walketh in his own way, and after the image of his own god, whose image is in the likeness of the world, and whose substance is that of an idol." Those who strive to be pure in heart are often considered naive or lacking in "street smarts" which is a deprived state in the eyes of the world. To those who might feel critical or pitiful to those who strive to be pure in heart, I would offer the perspective Paul wrote to Titus, "Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled." If the lenses you look through are dirty, everything will look polluted to you. Does it matter if you have a desire to have a pure heart and clean hands? I guess it's up to each person to answer that. If you are completely satisfied with the way the world is, if you have whatever you could hope for, maybe there is no reason right now for you to look beyond your individual world. You can continue to be nice to your neighbors, hold down a job and pay your bills, take care of your responsibilities, and live according to the standards you set for yourself. However, if you deplore the world's anger, prejudice, lack of honesty, lack of moral purity or even desire for it, if you would prefer peace, unity, and purity, you might want to consider trying to contact God and asking Him about His Son and what they can do for you if you are willing to simply choose- choose to accept the atonement, choose to be obedient to all the rules which will provide a peaceful society in which to live pleasantly, choose to throw away pride and be humble, choose to serve, love, and be all He wants you to be.
Wednesday, June 22, 2016
Thursday, June 16, 2016
Civil War
We have recently watched a history program highlighting Franklin Pierce, Buchanan, Douglas, and other politicians just before the Civil War began in the United States. They all made a concerted effort to bridge the divide between the southern states and the northern states in order to avoid the tragic war that ultimately broke out. As I listened to the policies and suggestions they made in an effort to find a viable compromise, I realized that there really was no way to compromise such strongly held and opposite beliefs. The southern plantation owners had always had slaves and were dependent on their cheap labor to financially survive. Other southerners had come to believe Negroes were inferior people and therefore justified in being placed in a subordinate class. Northerners felt that "owning" another human being, no matter what race or color, was simply inhumane. As the United States was still growing, new states were added and each side felt the new state should not be added to the current policy side of the opposition. In order to be a unified country, it just would not work to have slaves in certain states who claimed their state's right to choose when other states were so adamantly opposed. As Lincoln quoted the Bible, "A house divided against itself cannot stand."
This continues to be true today. We no longer have advocates for slavery. However, we have very opposite views of other issues including LGBT rights, abortion, surrogate parenting, and a host of moral issues. In the seventeenth, eighteenth, and even nineteenth centuries, the majority of citizens of the United States had a basic belief in some higher power whether or not they attended a church. Such a belief meant there was a higher authority as to what is right or wrong, what should be socially acceptable. Over time, as we have grown in wealth and power and man-made innovations, many citizens have decided there is no higher authority. Whatever each man chooses to believe, morally, is valid. However, having such disparate, strongly held "belief systems" will destroy our country. "A house divided against itself cannot stand." There are sci-fi representations in books and movies of visitations to the planet by a superior intelligence but these are all simply the images of someone's imaginations. Sometimes I wonder if people can more easily accept a belief in the Borg or Vulcans or the Empire than in God as presented in the Bible. There are "witnesses" that claim to have heard and even seen God and/or His Son, Jesus Christ. The moral policies they present make a great deal of sense but aren't always easy to live. When people have desires that oppose the moral standard given in the scriptures, they want to find some other standard to believe in to justify themselves in living the way they desire. As was proven in the mid-nineteenth century here, you cannot maintain peace with firmly held moral views that are total opposites. You can't say, well, we'll let those who want to have slaves have them and those that don't will have laws against slavery. Today, you can't have some areas say anybody can be married and other areas say that only a man and unrelated woman can legally be married. You can't have some cities or stores that say anybody can use whatever bathroom they feel inclined to use and others limit them to specific genders. You can't have marijuana legal in some places and punishable by imprisonment in others. (And trying to limit its cultivation is impossible. It's weed!) Ultimately, there has to be a consensus of legal limitations. If we are not going to agree, at least by a majority, on the existence of a higher authority than ourselves, there is no means of establishing a standard. Chaos will be the unavoidable result. The country will be destroyed.
Jesus Christ said, "No man can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will hold to the one and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and Mammon." In the United States, we claim the legal right to make most of our choices in life. Whether or not you believe in Him, God has given all of us the freedom to choose whatever we want to choose. But we CANNOT SIT ON THE FENCE. We can't say we believe in God but not His laws. And we can't make God in whatever image we want. There are those who justify being God's judge, jury, and executioner without knowing what God truly would have them do. He has told us to LOVE others as we love ourselves. For those who choose to be baptized in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, we believe we are led by a prophet who speaks on behalf of God to all people. We have had direction from God, through a living prophet, on ALL of the issues currently in dispute as well as many others such as tattoos, piercing, appropriate age for dating, quality of movie and music, and modesty in living. If we have a desire (called being tempted) to live any standard other than what God has established, we have the right to choose for ourselves. The prophet will not come to your home and condemn you. In this life you will not be imprisoned. (Even in the next life you will not be imprisoned unless you want to claim that not living with those who want to follow God's laws is imprisoning you.) God loves you no matter what you choose. He wants you to enjoy for eternity whatever standards YOU would choose for yourself. You cannot embrace the standards men would embrace and ever be happy living with others who would choose God's standards. You will hate the one and love the other. You cannot sit on both sides. There is no compromise. It's okay if you feel too weak to actually live a higher standard as long as you don't justify the lower standard as being just as valid as the higher standard. There is no compromise. You either live God's standards which you can learn about through prophets, or you determine YOU should be the judge of what's fair or right. But you can't have it both ways. You can't live with people who want to live God's standards and be at peace if you don't want to live those standards. If you acknowledge God's superiority, you will want to obey His wisdom knowing He loves you and wants more than anything for you to be happy. If you don't, then you can live with others who want to live by their own standards, too. A whole world of self-appointed gods! The problem will be that they won't have the same standards you do. There won't be peace.
This continues to be true today. We no longer have advocates for slavery. However, we have very opposite views of other issues including LGBT rights, abortion, surrogate parenting, and a host of moral issues. In the seventeenth, eighteenth, and even nineteenth centuries, the majority of citizens of the United States had a basic belief in some higher power whether or not they attended a church. Such a belief meant there was a higher authority as to what is right or wrong, what should be socially acceptable. Over time, as we have grown in wealth and power and man-made innovations, many citizens have decided there is no higher authority. Whatever each man chooses to believe, morally, is valid. However, having such disparate, strongly held "belief systems" will destroy our country. "A house divided against itself cannot stand." There are sci-fi representations in books and movies of visitations to the planet by a superior intelligence but these are all simply the images of someone's imaginations. Sometimes I wonder if people can more easily accept a belief in the Borg or Vulcans or the Empire than in God as presented in the Bible. There are "witnesses" that claim to have heard and even seen God and/or His Son, Jesus Christ. The moral policies they present make a great deal of sense but aren't always easy to live. When people have desires that oppose the moral standard given in the scriptures, they want to find some other standard to believe in to justify themselves in living the way they desire. As was proven in the mid-nineteenth century here, you cannot maintain peace with firmly held moral views that are total opposites. You can't say, well, we'll let those who want to have slaves have them and those that don't will have laws against slavery. Today, you can't have some areas say anybody can be married and other areas say that only a man and unrelated woman can legally be married. You can't have some cities or stores that say anybody can use whatever bathroom they feel inclined to use and others limit them to specific genders. You can't have marijuana legal in some places and punishable by imprisonment in others. (And trying to limit its cultivation is impossible. It's weed!) Ultimately, there has to be a consensus of legal limitations. If we are not going to agree, at least by a majority, on the existence of a higher authority than ourselves, there is no means of establishing a standard. Chaos will be the unavoidable result. The country will be destroyed.
Jesus Christ said, "No man can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will hold to the one and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and Mammon." In the United States, we claim the legal right to make most of our choices in life. Whether or not you believe in Him, God has given all of us the freedom to choose whatever we want to choose. But we CANNOT SIT ON THE FENCE. We can't say we believe in God but not His laws. And we can't make God in whatever image we want. There are those who justify being God's judge, jury, and executioner without knowing what God truly would have them do. He has told us to LOVE others as we love ourselves. For those who choose to be baptized in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, we believe we are led by a prophet who speaks on behalf of God to all people. We have had direction from God, through a living prophet, on ALL of the issues currently in dispute as well as many others such as tattoos, piercing, appropriate age for dating, quality of movie and music, and modesty in living. If we have a desire (called being tempted) to live any standard other than what God has established, we have the right to choose for ourselves. The prophet will not come to your home and condemn you. In this life you will not be imprisoned. (Even in the next life you will not be imprisoned unless you want to claim that not living with those who want to follow God's laws is imprisoning you.) God loves you no matter what you choose. He wants you to enjoy for eternity whatever standards YOU would choose for yourself. You cannot embrace the standards men would embrace and ever be happy living with others who would choose God's standards. You will hate the one and love the other. You cannot sit on both sides. There is no compromise. It's okay if you feel too weak to actually live a higher standard as long as you don't justify the lower standard as being just as valid as the higher standard. There is no compromise. You either live God's standards which you can learn about through prophets, or you determine YOU should be the judge of what's fair or right. But you can't have it both ways. You can't live with people who want to live God's standards and be at peace if you don't want to live those standards. If you acknowledge God's superiority, you will want to obey His wisdom knowing He loves you and wants more than anything for you to be happy. If you don't, then you can live with others who want to live by their own standards, too. A whole world of self-appointed gods! The problem will be that they won't have the same standards you do. There won't be peace.
Wednesday, June 01, 2016
Windows to the soul
Body language is one of the subtle ways a human being broadcasts sincere feelings. But it's not the only nor the most accurate means to "read" a person. Years ago, we were introduced to a man who was paralyzed the neck down after a simple but tragic fall. He could not utilize body language because his face was the only part of him he could voluntarily change. He could speak just fine and we spent many hours visiting with him wanting to give him positive things to focus on and loving attention.
Every day when I work in the temple, I am in close contact with lots of people, many of whom I don't know and most of whom will smile in a friendly manner. There is a connection which occurs with many of them, especially when I am administering sacred ordinances, that touches me deeply and I can see it touches them as well. I often feel a great deal of love from and toward someone else even a stranger, simply by looking into their eyes. It has been said that the eyes are the windows to the soul. You can tell quite a bit about a person by looking them directly in the eye. You can see if they are angry or preoccupied or sad or excited or really happy. They don't have to cry or yell or grit their teeth or use any part of their body. On the other hand, if you are feeling a distracting emotion, it's more difficult to discern someone else's feelings. If I want to try to "hide" my feelings, I will very purposefully look down so as not to allow someone else to look into my eyes.
It is no secret that I have been fascinated by what mankind has been learning about the functioning of the brain. It is so true that the brain contains who you are. Your body language may reveal your reactions but it is the thought in your brain that causes your body to display anything. We may refer to what's in our "hearts" but it's actually your brain that processes and chooses feelings- anything from love to hate and everything in between. Each human being has a "tabernacle of clay" which is a carbon based container generally with two arms, two legs, a head, and all sorts of things going on inside. But the brain is where everything is generated and processed. But what instigates your brain process? If you have ever been near a "brain-dead" person, you can sense they "aren't there". The Lord says, "For man is spirit." (D&C 93:33) Also, a favorite scripture of mine (D&C 131:7-8), "There is no such thing as immaterial matter. All spirit is matter but it is more fine or pure, and can only be discerned by purer eyes; We cannot see it; but when our bodies are purified we shall see that it is all matter." Our eyes are connected to our brain directly through the optic nerve. Most of the time we consider only what data is entering into our brains through our eyes but perhaps there is a means of communication we have not yet completely understood that allows our brain (which is where who we are resides) to send out information. The Lord has also said, "The spirit and the body are the soul of man." (D&C 88:15) We are spiritual infants for the most part. We are in the process of figuring out exactly who we are and far from comprehending our potential. The most important thing we need to do during our mortal life is CHOOSE who we want to be when we "grow up". As a prophet once said (Alma 34:32-34), "For behold, this life is the time for men to prepare to meet God; yea, behold the day of this life is the day for men to perform their labors. And now.... I beseech of you that ye do not procrastinate the day of your repentance until the end; for after this day of life, which is given us to prepare for eternity, behold, if we do not improve our time while in this life, then cometh the night of darkness wherein there can be no labor performed. Ye cannot say, when ye are brought to that awful crisis, that I will repent, that I will return to my God. Nay, ye cannot say this; for that same spirit which doth possess your bodies at the time that ye go out of this life, that same spirit will have power to possess your body in that eternal world."
Now this doesn't mean you are eternally doomed if you have not yet overcome some weaknesses or faults. It just means that you need to choose during mortal life whether you want to work at being like our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ, ............. or not. If you do, then you simply acknowledge your imperfection and gratefully accept the sacrifice on your behalf offered by our Savior. Then we show our love and gratitude by no longer justifying our faults and sincerely trying to be like Him and following His commandments which means we have to sincerely make an effort to know just what those commandments are. The choice is simple, yes or no, but then the hard part is continuing on the chosen path or otherwise known as "enduring to the end."
Every day when I work in the temple, I am in close contact with lots of people, many of whom I don't know and most of whom will smile in a friendly manner. There is a connection which occurs with many of them, especially when I am administering sacred ordinances, that touches me deeply and I can see it touches them as well. I often feel a great deal of love from and toward someone else even a stranger, simply by looking into their eyes. It has been said that the eyes are the windows to the soul. You can tell quite a bit about a person by looking them directly in the eye. You can see if they are angry or preoccupied or sad or excited or really happy. They don't have to cry or yell or grit their teeth or use any part of their body. On the other hand, if you are feeling a distracting emotion, it's more difficult to discern someone else's feelings. If I want to try to "hide" my feelings, I will very purposefully look down so as not to allow someone else to look into my eyes.
It is no secret that I have been fascinated by what mankind has been learning about the functioning of the brain. It is so true that the brain contains who you are. Your body language may reveal your reactions but it is the thought in your brain that causes your body to display anything. We may refer to what's in our "hearts" but it's actually your brain that processes and chooses feelings- anything from love to hate and everything in between. Each human being has a "tabernacle of clay" which is a carbon based container generally with two arms, two legs, a head, and all sorts of things going on inside. But the brain is where everything is generated and processed. But what instigates your brain process? If you have ever been near a "brain-dead" person, you can sense they "aren't there". The Lord says, "For man is spirit." (D&C 93:33) Also, a favorite scripture of mine (D&C 131:7-8), "There is no such thing as immaterial matter. All spirit is matter but it is more fine or pure, and can only be discerned by purer eyes; We cannot see it; but when our bodies are purified we shall see that it is all matter." Our eyes are connected to our brain directly through the optic nerve. Most of the time we consider only what data is entering into our brains through our eyes but perhaps there is a means of communication we have not yet completely understood that allows our brain (which is where who we are resides) to send out information. The Lord has also said, "The spirit and the body are the soul of man." (D&C 88:15) We are spiritual infants for the most part. We are in the process of figuring out exactly who we are and far from comprehending our potential. The most important thing we need to do during our mortal life is CHOOSE who we want to be when we "grow up". As a prophet once said (Alma 34:32-34), "For behold, this life is the time for men to prepare to meet God; yea, behold the day of this life is the day for men to perform their labors. And now.... I beseech of you that ye do not procrastinate the day of your repentance until the end; for after this day of life, which is given us to prepare for eternity, behold, if we do not improve our time while in this life, then cometh the night of darkness wherein there can be no labor performed. Ye cannot say, when ye are brought to that awful crisis, that I will repent, that I will return to my God. Nay, ye cannot say this; for that same spirit which doth possess your bodies at the time that ye go out of this life, that same spirit will have power to possess your body in that eternal world."
Now this doesn't mean you are eternally doomed if you have not yet overcome some weaknesses or faults. It just means that you need to choose during mortal life whether you want to work at being like our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ, ............. or not. If you do, then you simply acknowledge your imperfection and gratefully accept the sacrifice on your behalf offered by our Savior. Then we show our love and gratitude by no longer justifying our faults and sincerely trying to be like Him and following His commandments which means we have to sincerely make an effort to know just what those commandments are. The choice is simple, yes or no, but then the hard part is continuing on the chosen path or otherwise known as "enduring to the end."
Wednesday, May 25, 2016
What's a missionary?
It may be surprising to some but this is a picture of a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
I am not technologically astute enough to put anything but my own pictures from my computer in here but this is another picture of what an LDS missionary might look like.
This is yet another picture- this time what you might more commonly expect of a senior missionary. There are nearly as many choices for serving a mission in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints as there are choices of occupations. When Russ sang in the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, he was set apart as a special musical missionary to the world. While living in Cache Valley, Utah, I served for 7 years as a service missionary for what was then called Beehive Clothing, now Church Distribution. I was kind of a store clerk. The man on the mower is serving here in Nauvoo and is part of a huge team that works on the grounds. (There are something like 450 acres of mowed lawn in all the areas around the historic sites, missionary homes, temple, and visitors center. That's a lot of time on mowers!) Also here in Nauvoo, we have a doctor who serves a mission by being available to all of us senior missionaries who may need a prescription renewed, blood work done, or just a consultation or referral. The dentist I had in AZ had served in a couple of different places in the world doing free dental work for people who couldn't afford it or didn't normally have access to dental care at all. Anyone who has a desire to volunteer their time, talents, expertise, and energy can apply to the offices in Salt Lake City to be assigned for whatever length of time they have available. Some serve while living at home and some serve far away in a foreign land.
In the scriptures, the Lord calls those who claim to serve Him for pay as providing "priestcrafts" and He is not pleased. Jesus never accepted payment for all those He taught, healed, and counseled with while on the earth and He doesn't want anyone else to be paid in His name. Even those who work for the LDS Church full-time, because there are some positions that simply require a full-time employee, will usually donate many hours of time and energy in other ways, in other areas. But ALL missionaries who wear a name tag proclaiming themselves as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints work voluntarily with no pay. The benefits are heavenly.
Tuesday, May 17, 2016
Mongolia!
Every day in the temple I am amazed to witness how things work out no matter how unexpected circumstances may be. A scheduled worker calls in sick at the last minute and a totally unrelated ordinance worker shows up to work a shift and it turns out they weren't included in the schedule but will now be essential. Workers move to unscheduled spots, even briefly, and find they were needed right there, right then (it has happened to me more than once). I have sometimes joked about needing a loudspeaker like WalMart has so we can communicate all over the temple when someone needs to get a message to someone else and doesn't know where they are. They always show up even if they weren't expected in that spot at that time!
August 2, 2015 I posted a blogspot about the Lord hastening His work (meaning preparing the Earth for His return). I later mentioned (can't remember exactly which post) that I have come to realize that the TON of refugees in various places in the world are simply a way for the gospel to be taught to people who had been living in places and under circumstances not open to the gospel. Now they can be taught and, often, due to the trauma of their homeless situation, they have a greater desire to seek the comfort of knowing more about God and his plans. Today I recorded some more unusual ordinance work. Last summer I witnessed several groups of people from China coming to do temple work but I had thought earlier that there is such a large number of people from that part of the world that is still mostly not accessed by missionaries. The names I recorded today were from Mongolia. One of the temple workers has a granddaughter on a mission there who is helping Mongolians search out their ancestors so they can be "baptized" by proxy in the temple. The nearest temple to them is Hong Kong and they are really backed up there so some of the names are being sent home to other temples by the missionaries serving in Mongolia. It's so amazing to see how the Lord manages even the seemingly impossible. I am so humbled to realize that I get to be a part of His work.
August 2, 2015 I posted a blogspot about the Lord hastening His work (meaning preparing the Earth for His return). I later mentioned (can't remember exactly which post) that I have come to realize that the TON of refugees in various places in the world are simply a way for the gospel to be taught to people who had been living in places and under circumstances not open to the gospel. Now they can be taught and, often, due to the trauma of their homeless situation, they have a greater desire to seek the comfort of knowing more about God and his plans. Today I recorded some more unusual ordinance work. Last summer I witnessed several groups of people from China coming to do temple work but I had thought earlier that there is such a large number of people from that part of the world that is still mostly not accessed by missionaries. The names I recorded today were from Mongolia. One of the temple workers has a granddaughter on a mission there who is helping Mongolians search out their ancestors so they can be "baptized" by proxy in the temple. The nearest temple to them is Hong Kong and they are really backed up there so some of the names are being sent home to other temples by the missionaries serving in Mongolia. It's so amazing to see how the Lord manages even the seemingly impossible. I am so humbled to realize that I get to be a part of His work.
Monday, May 16, 2016
My dilemma..........
I usually post things I have learned or experienced on this blog. I have been pondering an issue for several days without getting it settled so I'm going to try to explain what I'm looking for and hope maybe somebody somewhere will read this and have some ideas to offer.
During most of my life I have remained busy- sometimes busier than I really wanted to be. I remember feeling stressed during my senior year in high school because I wanted to remain an honor student (I managed to get a full scholarship which, unfortunately, I only used one year.), I was involved in many extracurricular activities in school, had a part-time job, and wanted to pursue a performance career. I often ended up having more than one commitment at a time and needed to decide priorities. Anyone who has raised children knows how busy those years can be. Following that I was remodeling a house or taking care of aged parents, all the while having the normal activities of taking care of the house, trying to spend time with family who were rarely really close by, and was always very involved in church responsibilities and activities. I remember often wishing I had more time to read which is something I have always enjoyed. The downside of reading books is that it's somewhat isolating. It's not exactly a group activity although I have participated in book clubs where you can discuss a book after you have read it. I have enjoyed movies. Now that's more easily shared with others. I am seeing a trend in books and movies these days toward more objectionable (to me, anyway) material- sex, violence, foul language, abuse, cheating, lying, anger, hatred, prejudice, etc. I sincerely make a diligent effort to avoid any of this in MY life. I realize it's all a part of "real" life, just not mine. I work hard and occasionally am tired and just want to read or watch something. More and more frequently, I am disappointed or upset by what I see or read. I posted a blog on Feb. 9, 2015 after doing some reading and movie watching that disturbed me. Now these are often not just gory novels or elicit fiction. My preference is history or at least historical fiction. I realize that people normally, naturally have sexual relations- but I don't want to read the details of their thoughts and actions. I recognize there is much evil in the hearts of men but I don't enjoy the gory details of hatred, anger, prejudice, misuse and abuse, killing, and maiming living things or people. I make a concerted effort to rise above all that. It's not that I consider myself a superior being. It's that I hope to BE a being superior to all that and reminding myself of the greed, laziness, and other evil characteristics of the natural man is not pleasant to me. It's not that it's a temptation. I am not tempted to force people off the road because I don't like the way they drive. I am not tempted to have a handsome man rape me. I am not tempted to yell swear words at someone because I feel justified to lose my temper in that way. When I do give in to anger, I feel awful. It wears me out and depresses me.
So, my dilemma is this: what do I do with my time? I exercise as much as I intend to. I enjoy being a tourist once in awhile but I wouldn't want to travel unceasingly. I work hard but then need to relax once in awhile. I want to be able to see movies with my family members or friends. I recognize that even Snow White or Bambi includes villains. I don't expect or want really shallow stories where everything is unrealistically rosy. However, it's getting harder and harder to find books or movies that make me feel good because they remind me that there is good in the world. I don't need reminders of the evil in the world so much because all I have to do is watch the news or go to WalMart (I have actually witnessed two girls feeling each other up and kissing in a WalMart- no thanks.) to be reminded of that. I recognize that we are living in the last days of the Earth. I look forward to the return of our Savior, Jesus Christ, to rule and reign. I look forward to Satan being bound by the lack of interest in his influence by those who remain as members of the Lord's kingdom. But that isn't happening just yet. So, what do I do with my rest and relaxation time? Do I only read scriptures? Do I only see religious movies or documentaries? I have had the unpleasant experience of reading a book and seeing a movie recommended by someone I considered a trusted friend, then found plenty to object to in it. When questioned, the friends usually just shrug their shoulders and say, "I just ignore those parts." How do I ignore 5 minutes worth of panting and disrobing on the screen? How do I ignore angry faces and the blatant, bloody maiming of another human being? How do I strive to be gentle, loving, kind, and Christlike while watching or reading things that turn my stomach and cause me anguish?
I guess I'll just have to rely on books and movies from a time when there were socially expected limits as to what to portray. I really enjoyed The Hobbit and the Lord of the Rings as books but didn't enjoy the movies as much because they emphasized the anger, evil, and violence more than the books did in order to make it more "exciting" I guess. It's not that I want no exposure to evil. I know it's a necessary part of life (there must needs be opposition in all things). I just don't enjoy books or movies that seem to be over-balanced with the unpleasant, unnecessary evil parts. I really pity the kids growing up now. They are exposed to things on the screen and in books that I wasn't even aware of until being a young adult. Kids used to be shocked at and cry at the treatment of Dumbo when they were 8-10. Now kids that age would think of that as a movie for babies. I know we have lost innocence in the world. I know that. I just don't know how to live with it.
During most of my life I have remained busy- sometimes busier than I really wanted to be. I remember feeling stressed during my senior year in high school because I wanted to remain an honor student (I managed to get a full scholarship which, unfortunately, I only used one year.), I was involved in many extracurricular activities in school, had a part-time job, and wanted to pursue a performance career. I often ended up having more than one commitment at a time and needed to decide priorities. Anyone who has raised children knows how busy those years can be. Following that I was remodeling a house or taking care of aged parents, all the while having the normal activities of taking care of the house, trying to spend time with family who were rarely really close by, and was always very involved in church responsibilities and activities. I remember often wishing I had more time to read which is something I have always enjoyed. The downside of reading books is that it's somewhat isolating. It's not exactly a group activity although I have participated in book clubs where you can discuss a book after you have read it. I have enjoyed movies. Now that's more easily shared with others. I am seeing a trend in books and movies these days toward more objectionable (to me, anyway) material- sex, violence, foul language, abuse, cheating, lying, anger, hatred, prejudice, etc. I sincerely make a diligent effort to avoid any of this in MY life. I realize it's all a part of "real" life, just not mine. I work hard and occasionally am tired and just want to read or watch something. More and more frequently, I am disappointed or upset by what I see or read. I posted a blog on Feb. 9, 2015 after doing some reading and movie watching that disturbed me. Now these are often not just gory novels or elicit fiction. My preference is history or at least historical fiction. I realize that people normally, naturally have sexual relations- but I don't want to read the details of their thoughts and actions. I recognize there is much evil in the hearts of men but I don't enjoy the gory details of hatred, anger, prejudice, misuse and abuse, killing, and maiming living things or people. I make a concerted effort to rise above all that. It's not that I consider myself a superior being. It's that I hope to BE a being superior to all that and reminding myself of the greed, laziness, and other evil characteristics of the natural man is not pleasant to me. It's not that it's a temptation. I am not tempted to force people off the road because I don't like the way they drive. I am not tempted to have a handsome man rape me. I am not tempted to yell swear words at someone because I feel justified to lose my temper in that way. When I do give in to anger, I feel awful. It wears me out and depresses me.
So, my dilemma is this: what do I do with my time? I exercise as much as I intend to. I enjoy being a tourist once in awhile but I wouldn't want to travel unceasingly. I work hard but then need to relax once in awhile. I want to be able to see movies with my family members or friends. I recognize that even Snow White or Bambi includes villains. I don't expect or want really shallow stories where everything is unrealistically rosy. However, it's getting harder and harder to find books or movies that make me feel good because they remind me that there is good in the world. I don't need reminders of the evil in the world so much because all I have to do is watch the news or go to WalMart (I have actually witnessed two girls feeling each other up and kissing in a WalMart- no thanks.) to be reminded of that. I recognize that we are living in the last days of the Earth. I look forward to the return of our Savior, Jesus Christ, to rule and reign. I look forward to Satan being bound by the lack of interest in his influence by those who remain as members of the Lord's kingdom. But that isn't happening just yet. So, what do I do with my rest and relaxation time? Do I only read scriptures? Do I only see religious movies or documentaries? I have had the unpleasant experience of reading a book and seeing a movie recommended by someone I considered a trusted friend, then found plenty to object to in it. When questioned, the friends usually just shrug their shoulders and say, "I just ignore those parts." How do I ignore 5 minutes worth of panting and disrobing on the screen? How do I ignore angry faces and the blatant, bloody maiming of another human being? How do I strive to be gentle, loving, kind, and Christlike while watching or reading things that turn my stomach and cause me anguish?
I guess I'll just have to rely on books and movies from a time when there were socially expected limits as to what to portray. I really enjoyed The Hobbit and the Lord of the Rings as books but didn't enjoy the movies as much because they emphasized the anger, evil, and violence more than the books did in order to make it more "exciting" I guess. It's not that I want no exposure to evil. I know it's a necessary part of life (there must needs be opposition in all things). I just don't enjoy books or movies that seem to be over-balanced with the unpleasant, unnecessary evil parts. I really pity the kids growing up now. They are exposed to things on the screen and in books that I wasn't even aware of until being a young adult. Kids used to be shocked at and cry at the treatment of Dumbo when they were 8-10. Now kids that age would think of that as a movie for babies. I know we have lost innocence in the world. I know that. I just don't know how to live with it.
Friday, May 13, 2016
Is consecration socialism?
In the New Testament book of Acts chapter 4 is described an ideal community, "And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things in common. And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all. Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold, And laid them down at the apostles' feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need." It has been noted by many that this is similar to Karl Marx's idea of an ideal system which we now call socialism. There are some major differences between the Lord's system of consecration-and-stewardship, and the world's concept of socialism.
First of all, the one in charge of each is VERY different! Mortals are definitely less than perfect. In the words of the Lord (through Joseph Smith), "We have learned by sad experience that it is the nature and disposition of almost all men, as soon as they get a little authority, as they suppose, they will immediately begin to exercise unrighteous dominion." (D&C 121:39) So even if the plan is for everybody to share equally, the one(s) in charge inevitably ends up getting a larger share. Anyone who has lived under socialism will witness that all things are NOT equal for everybody. On the other hand, God and Jesus Christ don't need our riches. They can just make more if they want anything. That's only a lame joke because they don't care at all about gold, silver, mansions, limousines, gourmet food, or designer clothes. They care about us- you and me. They care about truth and peace and justice and mercy. So they are going to be infallible in giving direction for the dispersal of anything.
Second of all, socialism is not a choice by all the people encompassed by it. Citizens of socialist countries are required to obey whatever laws there are, or suffer consequences. I guess in a way you could say that of consecration to the Lord. His "punishment" is to say, "Okay, if you don't want to live this way you can go somewhere else and live according to what you decide you want." But those who covenant to live the law of consecration give all they "own" to be re-distributed, by their own choice. Acts 5 relates what happens when mortals try to claim they want to live together in peaceful sharing but harbor lust in their heart for worldly treasures, "But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession, And kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles's feet." Peter, having the advantage of what you might call "inside information" through the Holy Ghost, knew what they were doing. He chastised them ".....Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou has not lied unto men but unto God. And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all them that heard these things." Later his wife, unaware of what happened, came before Peter and ended up with the same result. Before you feel too sorry for this man and his wife, remember, death is NOT the worst thing that can happen. When you depart from mortality, you simply go on without your physical body until the resurrection when you will be reunited then judged according to the thoughts and intents of your heart. This life is only a small part of our existence. Most of the things in the scriptures are there for OUR benefit. Miracles are teaching moments. God wanted those who professed to follow the Savior to know that He knows even the hidden thoughts and intents of your heart. It's really important to know that because we will each be held accountable for it some day. It won't do any good to go around impressing others with our generosity, honesty, willingness, or hard work if we are trying to hide what we really feel inside. Some day we will realize we have only been fooling ourselves. So, in socialism, the citizens are all normal, greedy mortals. Under the law of consecration, the ideal is for us to have risen above our worldly lusts and share anything we happen to have and be grateful for the use of any "thing" to bring about some good purpose- NOT to make us wealthier than someone else.
Just as the Lord had to send Moses back with a reduced list of laws for the children of Israel because they couldn't handle the more advanced requirements to be His people, the law of consecration was introduced by Joseph Smith around 1830. D&C 49:20, "But it is not given that one man should possess that which is above another, wherefore the world lieth in sin." God created the Earth and everything on it. We dig up the silver and make jewelry out of it then claim it as our own. We build houses out of wood or stone from the Earth and claim it belongs to us. Then we compete as we try to have a finer house/car/wardrobe or whatever than the next guy. God did not send us down with the intent that we would fight each other for the biggest share. That is our own lustful goal. Because the early Saints were not yet perfected, they could not bear the law of consecration and stewardship so we no live the lesser law of tithing, which means we give one-tenth of our increase back to the Lord to be used as He sees fit. With that relatively small part of what we claim to be our own, the Lord dots the Earth with chapels, temples, and other buildings. It pays for books, programs, and supplies so we can learn more about Him and how to be like Him.
Some day, when we have tired of all our "toys", we will be able to recognize how unimportant they are. A mansion will not bring you love. A Ferrarri will not make you a better person. A diamond ring will not make you wiser. All these things are treasures where "moth and rust doth corrupt" and mean nothing eternally. Some day, our Heavenly Father will teach us how to make the raw materials for all those things but we won't be cheering because we can have lots of treasures of our own, we'll be cheering because we are entrusted with authority and opportunity because we have the wisdom, self-control, and integrity that our Father has. It's pointless to argue over what form of earthly government is superior because none of them will work. They will all fail because as mortals WE fail. When we get closer to being like our Father in Heaven, we won't even worry about government or laws. We'll know what is right and true and good and CHOOSE those things because that's what we want.
First of all, the one in charge of each is VERY different! Mortals are definitely less than perfect. In the words of the Lord (through Joseph Smith), "We have learned by sad experience that it is the nature and disposition of almost all men, as soon as they get a little authority, as they suppose, they will immediately begin to exercise unrighteous dominion." (D&C 121:39) So even if the plan is for everybody to share equally, the one(s) in charge inevitably ends up getting a larger share. Anyone who has lived under socialism will witness that all things are NOT equal for everybody. On the other hand, God and Jesus Christ don't need our riches. They can just make more if they want anything. That's only a lame joke because they don't care at all about gold, silver, mansions, limousines, gourmet food, or designer clothes. They care about us- you and me. They care about truth and peace and justice and mercy. So they are going to be infallible in giving direction for the dispersal of anything.
Second of all, socialism is not a choice by all the people encompassed by it. Citizens of socialist countries are required to obey whatever laws there are, or suffer consequences. I guess in a way you could say that of consecration to the Lord. His "punishment" is to say, "Okay, if you don't want to live this way you can go somewhere else and live according to what you decide you want." But those who covenant to live the law of consecration give all they "own" to be re-distributed, by their own choice. Acts 5 relates what happens when mortals try to claim they want to live together in peaceful sharing but harbor lust in their heart for worldly treasures, "But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession, And kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles's feet." Peter, having the advantage of what you might call "inside information" through the Holy Ghost, knew what they were doing. He chastised them ".....Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou has not lied unto men but unto God. And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all them that heard these things." Later his wife, unaware of what happened, came before Peter and ended up with the same result. Before you feel too sorry for this man and his wife, remember, death is NOT the worst thing that can happen. When you depart from mortality, you simply go on without your physical body until the resurrection when you will be reunited then judged according to the thoughts and intents of your heart. This life is only a small part of our existence. Most of the things in the scriptures are there for OUR benefit. Miracles are teaching moments. God wanted those who professed to follow the Savior to know that He knows even the hidden thoughts and intents of your heart. It's really important to know that because we will each be held accountable for it some day. It won't do any good to go around impressing others with our generosity, honesty, willingness, or hard work if we are trying to hide what we really feel inside. Some day we will realize we have only been fooling ourselves. So, in socialism, the citizens are all normal, greedy mortals. Under the law of consecration, the ideal is for us to have risen above our worldly lusts and share anything we happen to have and be grateful for the use of any "thing" to bring about some good purpose- NOT to make us wealthier than someone else.
Just as the Lord had to send Moses back with a reduced list of laws for the children of Israel because they couldn't handle the more advanced requirements to be His people, the law of consecration was introduced by Joseph Smith around 1830. D&C 49:20, "But it is not given that one man should possess that which is above another, wherefore the world lieth in sin." God created the Earth and everything on it. We dig up the silver and make jewelry out of it then claim it as our own. We build houses out of wood or stone from the Earth and claim it belongs to us. Then we compete as we try to have a finer house/car/wardrobe or whatever than the next guy. God did not send us down with the intent that we would fight each other for the biggest share. That is our own lustful goal. Because the early Saints were not yet perfected, they could not bear the law of consecration and stewardship so we no live the lesser law of tithing, which means we give one-tenth of our increase back to the Lord to be used as He sees fit. With that relatively small part of what we claim to be our own, the Lord dots the Earth with chapels, temples, and other buildings. It pays for books, programs, and supplies so we can learn more about Him and how to be like Him.
Some day, when we have tired of all our "toys", we will be able to recognize how unimportant they are. A mansion will not bring you love. A Ferrarri will not make you a better person. A diamond ring will not make you wiser. All these things are treasures where "moth and rust doth corrupt" and mean nothing eternally. Some day, our Heavenly Father will teach us how to make the raw materials for all those things but we won't be cheering because we can have lots of treasures of our own, we'll be cheering because we are entrusted with authority and opportunity because we have the wisdom, self-control, and integrity that our Father has. It's pointless to argue over what form of earthly government is superior because none of them will work. They will all fail because as mortals WE fail. When we get closer to being like our Father in Heaven, we won't even worry about government or laws. We'll know what is right and true and good and CHOOSE those things because that's what we want.
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