Brief Reflection

I have to say that all this writing for no other reason than self growth and satisfaction has become enormously fun. Albeit thus far I've pretty much done nothing but reflect on gospel lessons, just about writing the equivalence of a sacrament meeting talk- but I guess there are worse ways to spend one's time. Now that I'm getting back into the habit of actually waking up in the morning, and this cold has almost worn off, maybe I can start writing more poetry and reflections of the everyday. Material considered more traditionally recreational might get my head odd the pillow and a bit more up in the clouds.

Father's words, Sacrifice, Restoration: Institute Tuesday, 23 Feb 2010

It is my adopted philosophy that the purpose of formal gospel education is to provide an opportunity for students to take away at least one thing to remember in their lives. I figure the best method, at least in my case, is to take what you learned and write it down. In Brother Celaya's lesson this week, I've got three ideas to store in writing:

Firstly, fathers should have words for their sons to remember. While there are many references throughout the scriptures, this idea was taken specifically out of Alma 36:17-18 where Alma the younger recounts his dramatic conversion experiences to his son Helaman. As Alma was in a state of utmost despair, fearing the damnation of God while in his awful state of sin, he remembered the words of his father, Alma the High Priest, who preached unto the people concerning "Jesus Christ, a son of God, to atone for the sins of the world." Remembering his father's words is what enabled him to call on Christ in his time of need and recover from is awful state. Thus the idea is that fathers should waste no time in finding and sharing words specifically for their children to remember.

Second, is the idea that 'suffering is the process of self-change.' It really doesn't matter how much money we make, how much recognition we get, or really if we accomplish much at all in this world. Isaiah spent his whole life suffering and working hard only to fail in saving a hard-hearted people. What matters to an individual is how they have changed to become more like their Father in heaven. I can't think of any better way to change but what will require suffering to some degree either through affliction or self sacrifice. Often the greater suffering brings about greater change.

Finally, something referred to as the "Law of Restoration." This is taken from Alma 41, applying the change that comes over our souls in the Resurrection. Essentially, the point is that "Wickedness never was happiness" so you will not be changed from sin and/or wicked desires to light and good desires. Rather, in receiving a perfect and immortal body (described as 'spiritual' body by Paul) you are raised by God 'to your desire.' He helps you achieve what you really want and strive for by giving you the ability to obtain it--either eternal happiness or eternal misery dependent upon what direction you are pointing in. In other words: at the resurrection you are exactly the same person you were before… just enabled.

stained-glass eyes
worshiping clearly what
can't be seen
within themselves
still
burning brightly

ones eyes made clear
by time ticking
frightfully
fast touching the hands
long finger ends
painted glaze covering
warmth
hurt beneath

cleaned glass eyes
boxed in with care
love
life support
showering hands
bonds
tied in a short time
going on to last
a lifetime
short
then forever

Humble Eyes: Institute, Tuesday 16 Feb 2010

A couple of weeks ago Brother Clark taught our Institute class. He shared several things well worth remembering, but the thing probably most easily put down in words was a message about humility and mirrors.

Brother Clark pointed out that there were essentially two distinct kinds of repentance. Firstly, there is the specific kind of repentance most often referred to, where one has committed an act of transgression and then tries to make restitution for it. That might be called repentance of a thing. The second kind of repentance is more of a conscious attempt to change yourself--repentance of who/how you are. While this kind of repentance really goes hand in hand with the first kind, it doesn't necessarily require that you do something wrong.

Brother Clark gave the example of a man (I believe he eventually became a general authority) who devoted much of his life to the art of music, being extremely talented at playing the saxophone. During his early adult years he enjoyed playing in a band that travelled the country. However, when he got married he came to the conclusion that the life of a traveling musician was not one conducive to raising a family. Thus he quit the band and locked his saxophone in its case never to be taken off the shelf again, using that time instead to focus on rearing his family. His daughter relates that he did in fact play again, but only for the occasion of Family Home Evening. Apparently he was a very good player.

For this brother, playing the saxophone could hardly be called a vice, and his talent and enjoyment of music was certainly not a bad thing. Continuing to play probably would not have seriously hurt him. However, by taking the moment to step back and examine his life, this man saw a way in which, through what in the grand scheme of things was really a small sacrifice, he could better the lives of his future family. While it was not bad to play the saxophone, it was certainly better to build up his family and no doubt he was blessed for his sacrifice.

These kind of repentant changes in our lives are different in how they apply to each individual (some might need to take up the saxophone rather than put it away) but the way they come about is by increasingly seeing ourselves as we really are--how God sees us. God sees us in our weakness, yet he still loves us. He also sees our potential. The friends with whom we associate can be mirrors that assist us in examining ourselves. I once heard that we ourselves are the sum of our five closest friends. Seeing ourselves as God sees us is a kind of humility, but discouragement is not an element of humility. Another mirror that helps us examine ourselves is our patriarchal blessing. A patriarchal blessing declares one's heritage--which is through the tribes of Israel, among the sons and daughters of Abraham. This heritage marks us with the responsibility and potential to walk with the elect in building God's kingdom. You are a child of God, a soul of godly potential. The rest of a patriarchal blessing outlines specific blessings available to you because of that potential. It's good to know our weaknesses so that we can improve, but it is equally important to know that the Lord will make your weakness your strength and has a plan that enables you to reach your celestial goal.

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

And that is a little of what I took away from Institute last week.

My Testimony

Nothing that is a part of myself would be complete without including a testimony of my savior Jesus Christ.

I know that I have a loving Father in Heaven who cares for me and watches over me from day to day. I know that I can speak with him through prayer and that he both hears and answers my questions and desires. I know that Jesus Christ once walked upon the Earth as a mortal man and that he suffered fro my sins in the garden, died for me on the cross, and through his atonement all mankind may be saved from both a spiritual and a physical death to be raised again into a perfect life, like he was. I will ever be grateful for his sacrifice and hope that I show it every day. I believe that families can be together forever, and I know that the temple is the key to that happening. I know that His Holy Priesthood is the power of God on Earth to work through man to build His kingdom. I know that the Book of Mormon is the word of God and that it was translated by his power that we could have it in these latter-days. I know that God works through a prophet today, as he has in the past, and his name is President Thomas S. Monson. I have faith in the leaders of the church and know that if I follow their council, and the accompaniment of the Spirit, I cannot fall.
This brief testimony I leave to the world, and especially to my many friends and family, in the name of my Lord, Jesus Christ. Amen.