Firmness of Mind

Fortitude is a foundational principle to ensure security in life. It is defined as “that strength or firmness of mind which enables a person to encounter danger with coolness and courage, or to bear pain or adversity without murmuring, depression, or despondency; passive courage; resolute endurance; firmness in confronting or bearing up against danger or enduring trouble.” What better characterization could there be of the strengths that support faith? Faith does not function in a vacuum that is immune to the discouragements of life, nor should it crumble when confronted by them. It is spiritual action that is rooted in personal conviction, and is most effective when coupled with a firm determination to stand strong in the face of all adversity.

 Jacob 3:1 But behold, I, Jacob, would speak unto you that are pure in heart. Look unto God with firmness of mind, and pray unto him with exceeding faith, and he will console you in your afflictions, and he will plead your cause, and send down justice upon those who seek your destruction.
 2 O all ye that are pure in heart, lift up your heads and receive the pleasing word of God, and feast upon his love; for ye may, if your minds are firm, forever.

LESSON LEARNED: Blind faith will be challenged by the vicissitudes of life. It is important that our faith is coupled with a firmness of mind, a firmness that often comes only after the challenges themselves are experienced.

FEEDBACK: WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR EXPERIENCE WITH FAITH AND FIRMNESS OF MIND?

Complexity of Content

The complexity of creating accurate structure and timelines, also called periodization, is one of the more difficult aspects of successful authorship. Some contemporary authors are masterful at it; one of my personal favorites is Brandon Sanderson.  But even his complex works, as is the case with most authors, are the result of numerous rewrites and edits. This luxury was not available to Joseph Smith, and such complexity of structure in writing was almost unheard of in 1830. These elements seen in The Book of Mormon, as described in the introduction, are further structural evidence of the book’s truth and validity.

  The Plates of Nephi, which were of two kinds: the small plates and the large plates. The former were more particularly devoted to spiritual matters and the ministry and teachings of the prophets, while the latter were occupied mostly by a secular history of the peoples concerned.. From the time of Mosiah, however, the large plates also included items of major spiritual importance.
  The Plates of Mormon, which consist of an abridgment by Mormon from the large plates of Nephi, with many commentaries. These plates also contained a continuation of the history by Mormon and additions by his son Moroni.
  The Plates of Ether, which present a history of the Jaredites. This record was abridged by Moroni, who inserted comments of his own and incorporated the record with the general history under the title “Book of Ether.”
  The Plates of Brass brought by the people of Lehi from Jerusalem in 600 B.C. These contained “the five books of Moses, … and also a record of the Jews from the beginning…
  The Book of Mormon comprises fifteen main parts or divisions, known, with one exception, as books, usually designated by the name of their principal author. The first portion (the first six books, ending with Omni) is a translation from the small plates of Nephi. Between the books of Omni and Mosiah is an insert called the Words of Mormon. This insert connects the record engraved on the small plates with Mormon’s abridgment of the large plates.
  The longest portion, from Mosiah through Mormon chapter 7, is a translation of Mormon’s abridgment of the large plates of Nephi. The concluding portion, from Mormon chapter 8 to the end of the volume, was engraved by Mormon’s son Moroni, who, after finishing the record of his father’s life, made an abridgment of the Jaredite record (as the book of Ether) and later added the parts known as the book of Moroni.

LESSON LEARNED: Complex structure and timelines were rare in the writings of the early 19th century. Such details seen in The Book of Mormon add to the structural testimony of its validity.

FEEDBACK: HAVE YOU CONSIDERED THE COMPLEXITY OF STRUCTURE OF THE BOOK OF MORMON IN YOUR READING OF IT?

Time and Testimony

A testimony of Jesus Christ can come at any age and is available to anyone, no matter when they lived on the earth. It is a fallacy to conclude that one must have a particular education, witness, experience, be of a particular age, or live in a particular time period in order to gain a testimony of Jesus Christ. Joseph Smith is a good example of one who contradicted most of these paradigms, and has been ridiculed for one or the other of them by antagonists ever since. The reality is that very few people were on the earth to physically walk and talk with the Savior during His lifetime. The rest of us, those living before and after His sojourn, are constrained to adjust our gaze to the meridian of time and learn of Him and His teachings through the ministrations of the Holy Ghost. This knowledge is available to all, and there are no age or time constraints attached.

 2 Nephi 2:4 And thou hast beheld in thy youth his glory; wherefore, thou art blessed even as they unto whom he shall minister in the flesh; for the Spirit is the same, yesterday, today, and forever. And the way is prepared from the fall of man, and salvation is free.

Jarom 1:11 Wherefore, the prophets, and the priests, and the teachers, did labor diligently, exhorting with all long-suffering the people to diligence; teaching the law of Moses, and the intent for which it was given; persuading them to look forward unto the Messiah, and believe in him to come as though he already was. And after this manner did they teach them.

LESSON LEARNED: A personal witness of Jesus Christ is available to all equally, regardless of age or place in time.

FEEDBACK: DO YOU KNOW SOMEONE WHO OBTAINED A WITNESS OF JESUS CHRIST AT EITHER A VERY YOUNG OR VERY ADVANCED AGE?

Widening the Wound

Getting stitches is one of the worst things I know. One of the first steps in getting stitches, right after cleaning and irrigating the wound, is widening it slightly. This is also known as “debriding,” and is a step that allows for the removal of the debris and the damaged, jagged edges of tissue so the cleaner new tissue edges can be pulled together. This is similar in nature with sin and those it affects. We sometimes like to think we can just ignore and forget the wound of sin and those it hurts, hoping that it might heal on its own. But in doing so, the damage it causes can fester in hearts and never repair properly. The original injury usually needs to be revisited through the cleansings of confession, repentance and forgiveness. The Book of Mormon concurs with this through a similar analogy.

 Jacob 2:9 Wherefore, it burdeneth my soul that I should be constrained, because of the strict commandment which I have received from God, to admonish you according to your crimes, to enlarge the wounds of those who are already wounded, instead of consoling and healing their wounds; and those who have not been wounded, instead of feasting upon the pleasing word of God have daggers placed to pierce their souls and wound their delicate minds.

LESSON LEARNED: Sin, like a wound, can fester and become a bigger problem if not addressed properly. Revisiting an old wound of sin, as painful as it may be, is necessary for proper spiritual healing.

FEEDBACK: HAVE YOU HAD AN EXPERIENCE WITH HEALING THAT REFLECTS THIS IMPRESSION?

Arnold Was Right

Arnold Friberg, the Scandinavian painter and illustrator, was privileged to create a collection of action images depicting various events in The Book of Mormon. They are printed in every copy of the book, and are well-recognized by its readers. One such image displays the 2000 stripling warriors marching off to war and being overseen by Helaman on horseback. Something about this image always seemed out of place to me, and one day in Priesthood meeting an instructor helped me put my finger on it. The warriers are too muscular and pumped up, with arms almost as round as their necks. Why do I say wrong? Helaman states they were all “very young men,” and even refers to them as “his sons.” They were also known for never having taken up swords to battle. So while perhaps strong due to labor and other activities, they were hardly a match for the wild and seasoned Lamanite army. No, they were probably more like a group of deacons or scouts with wiry arms and excited spirits. It would literally be like 2000 Davids, confronting well over 2000 Goliaths. But like many of the Lords paradoxes, He answered their prayers and those of their mothers. Helaman tells us these striplings “fell” upon the Lamanites with ferocity and power, to the point that the hardened Lamanites were “frightened” and immediately gave up in fear. So apparently Friberg was correct after all in his painting of the pumped-up striplings--at least in the eyes of the Lamanites!

 Alma 56:56 But behold, to my great joy, there had not one soul of them fallen to the earth; yea, and they had fought as if with the strength of God; yea, never were men known to have fought with such miraculous strength; and with such mighty power did they fall upon the Lamanites, that they did frighten them; and for this cause did the Lamanites deliver themselves up as prisoners of war.

LESSON LEARNED: The Lord will magnify and strengthen the faithful in order to fulfill His needs.

FEEDBACK: WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ABOUT THIS?

Aminadab Turns Around

The Lord has a way of using whatever means necessary to introduce others to the gospel. On more than one occasion, I have had the experience of being in a foreign country and had the Lord lead me to an unexpected situation where I was bearing my testimony. Another less common, but not unheard of way, is when He even leads an inactive member to share the gospel with others in the proper situation. The story of Aminadab in The Book of Mormon is one such instance.

 Helaman 5:34 And it came to pass that the Lamanites could not flee because of the cloud of darkness which did overshadow them; yea, and also they were immovable because of the fear which did come upon them.
 35 Now there was one among them who was a Nephite by birth, who had once belonged to the church of God but had dissented from them. 

 36 And it came to pass that he turned him about, and behold, he saw through the cloud of darkness the faces of Nephi and Lehi, and they did shine exceedingly..
 37 And it came to pass that this man did cry unto the multitude, that they might turn and look. And behold, there was power given unto them that they did turn and look; and they did behold the faces of Nephi and Lehi.
 38 And they said unto the man: Behold, what do all these things mean.
 39 Now the man’s name was Aminadab. And Aminadab said unto them: They do converse with the angels of God.
 
 Helaman 5:41 And Aminadab said unto them: You must repent, and cry unto the voice, even until ye shall have faith in Christ, who was taught unto you by Alma, and Amulek, and Zeezrom; and when ye shall do this, the cloud of darkness shall be removed from overshadowing you.

LESSON LEARNED: The gospel will unfold to all the world, and the Lord will use whatever means are available to Him to do so. If we are sensitive to the spirit, He will use us as will during these times.

FEEDBACK: WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR EXPERIENCE WITH THIS?

The Stripling Fathers

Today is Father’s Day. It reminds me of what it means to be a dad, and what I can offer my children and posterity. Caring mothers and fathers seem to possess complementary gifts that come together to bring out their children’s best. Mothers traditionally have been recognized as nurturers, while fathers have assumed the role of supporters and breadwinners. The Book of Mormon is filled with similar loving examples of parents who tenderly supplicated for their children’s welfare and safety: Lehi, Sariah, Nephi, Alma, Jacob and many others. One particular story that is often overlooked is of the fathers of the 2000 stripling warriors. Much attention is rightly given to their nurturing mothers, who taught the boys to never doubt because “their mothers knew it.” But what of the fathers? How agonizing it must have been, due to their self-imposed restriction to never lift a weapon again, to stand back powerless and watch their sons march off to war to defend their people. But a pearl of interest later in the story shows the tenderness of these fathers towards their sons, and a supportive manner in which they were able to assist them. 

 Alma 56:6 And now ye also know concerning the covenant which their fathers made, that they would not take up their weapons of war against their brethren to shed blood.
 8 But I would not suffer them that they should break this covenant which they had made, supposing that God would strengthen us, insomuch that we should not suffer more because of the fulfilling the oath which they had taken.
 
 Alma 56:27 And now it came to pass in the second month of this year, there was brought unto us many provisions from the fathers of those my two thousand sons.
 29 And the Lamanites, thus seeing our forces increase daily, and provisions arrive for our support, they began to be fearful, and began to sally forth, if it were possible to put an end to our receiving provisions and strength.

LESSON LEARNED: Fathers have a quiet and supportive way to bless and nurture their children. It is often unheralded compared to a mother’s role, but equally important and caring.

FEEDBACK: WHAT EXPERIENCES OF SUPPORT HAVE YOU RECOGNIZED IN YOUR OWN FATHER?

No More Fear

Last week, a family friend was in a terrible motorcycle accident. Miraculously, though the bike was completely mangled, he escaped with only external injuries and is blessed to be alive. It was a particularly hard blow to my teenage daughter who is very closely acquainted with him. She was unable to sleep at nights, and had anxiety and nausea to the point that it began affecting her own health. At the height of this, she received a priesthood blessing that reminded us all that the Lord’s plans for us are not necessarily ones we would pick. Equally important, that pressing forward with spiritual optimism and hope are the functional components of the very faith that we talk so much of in our gospel conversations. Putting these components peacefully into action during adversity not only increases our faith, it allows the Lord to bless us and demonstrates our willingness to submit our will to His. The Book of Mormon demonstrates instances of prophets teaching this to the people.

 Mosiah 23:25 For behold, it came to pass that while they were in the land of Helam, yea, in the city of Helam, while tilling the land round about, behold an army of the Lamanites was in the borders of the land.
 26 Now it came to pass that the brethren of Alma fled from their fields, and gathered themselves together in the city of Helam; and they were much frightened because of the appearance of the Lamanites.
 27 But Alma went forth and stood among them, and exhorted them that they should not be frightened, but that they should remember the Lord their God and he would deliver them.

LESSON LEARNED: Fear and panic are antagonists of faith, and prevent the Lord from unfolding the miracles that may come from adversity. Trust and faith in His plans allow for His blessings to flow.

FEEDBACK: WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR REACTION IN THE PAST TO SEVERE PHYSICAL ADVERSITY?

The Gratitude Cycle

At this moment of writing, I am sitting in a hospital room eating my first meal in ten days. I had been restricted to only clear liquids due to a prolonged illness, and I have never been more grateful for a scrambled egg and piece of toast in my life. It is so easy to take the blessings of life for granted -- food, clothing, shelter, protection and possessions. We never seem to fully appreciate these things until they are taken away. And while the Lord seeks to bless us in these ways, when He does, the natural man in us feels we no longer need God. Thus, our lack of gratitude during the good times often requires that the Lord chastens us to wake us up. The Book of Mormon teaches about this gratitude cycle which allows us to continually be worthy of His blessings.

 Helaman 12:2 Yea, and we may see at the very time when he doth prosper his people, yea, in the increase of their fields, their flocks and their herds, and in gold, and in silver, and in all manner of precious things of every kind and art; sparing their lives, and delivering them out of the hands of their enemies; softening the hearts of their enemies that they should not declare wars against them; yea, and in fine, doing all things for the welfare and happiness of his people; yea, then is the time that they do harden their hearts, and do forget the Lord their God, and do trample under their feet the Holy One—yea, and this because of their ease, and their exceedingly great prosperity.
 3 And thus we see that except the Lord doth chasten his people with many afflictions, yea, except he doth visit them with death and with terror, and with famine and with all manner of pestilence, they will not remember him.

LESSON LEARNED: It is easy to be humble and penitent during difficult times. Conversely, it is also easy to regard God and religion as unimportant during times of plenty. The Lord puts us through humbling cycles so He can continue to bless us and to see if we will choose to remember Him always.

FEEDBACK: HAVE YOU HAD AN EXPERIENCE WHEN YOU FELT THE LORD CHASTEN YOU IN ORDER TO TEACH YOU HUMILITY AND GRATITUDE?

Children Will Remember

In Proverbs it states: "Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it." It is a challenge at times to see children grow and make choices that may not be the best ones for them. This is particularly the case when we have put forth our best efforts to teach them principles of true happiness when they are young, only to see them drift away later in life. But The Book of Mormon reminds us of the hope that these memories may affect them positively at a future date. An example of this is the case of Alma the senior for his son Alma, who came back to the fold during a desperate experience and following intense prayer and fasting on his behalf. As with Alma, the possibility of the Holy Ghost reigniting early childhood lessons in the hearts of wayward youth is a common occurance.

 Alma 36:17 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.

LESSON LEARNED: We should never underestimate the importance of diligent gospel instruction and example for our children. The rewards may not be immediate, and may even be a source of salvation later in life.

FEEDBACK: HAVE YOU HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO WITNESS THIS IN SOMEONE YOUR KNOW?

The Scientific Approach

In science, reproducibility is the ability of an entire experiment or study to be duplicated, either by the same researcher or by someone else working independently. Being able to reproduce an experiment is also called replicating it. Reproducibility and replicability together are among the main principles of the scientific method.  These are important principles both in medicine and in science in general, for if they are not adhered to then conjecture, antecdotal influences and hearsay can distort the laws in science. The same can be said for spiritual laws. If a spiritual experience is true, such as feeling the presence of the Holy Ghost or gaining a testimony of The Book of Mormon, it will be a reproducible experience that can be duplicated over and over by the same person, and can also be replicated by others by following the same steps. Alma, in The Book of Mormon, discusses these steps in gaining a testimony.

 Alma 32:28 Now, we will compare the word unto a seed. Now, if ye give place, that a seed may be planted in your heart, behold, if it be a true seed, or a good seed, if ye do not cast it out by your unbelief, that ye will resist the Spirit of the Lord, behold, it will begin to swell within your breasts; and when you feel these swelling motions, ye will begin to say within yourselves—It must needs be that this is a good seed, or that the word is good…
 29 Now behold, would not this increase your faith? I say unto you, Yea; nevertheless it hath not grown up to a perfect knowledge.
 30 But behold, as the seed swelleth, and sprouteth, and beginneth to grow, then you must needs say that the seed is good; for behold it swelleth, and sprouteth, and beginneth to grow. And now, behold, will not this strengthen your faith? Yea, it will strengthen your faith: for ye will say I know that this is a good seed; for behold it sprouteth and beginneth to grow.
 31 And now, behold, are ye sure that this is a good seed? I say unto you, Yea; for every seed bringeth forth unto its own likeness.
 32 Therefore, if a seed groweth it is good, but if it groweth not, behold it is not good, therefore it is cast away.
 33 And now, behold, because ye have tried the experiment, and planted the seed, and it swelleth and sprouteth, and beginneth to grow, ye must needs know that the seed is good.

LESSON LEARNED: Reproducibility is important both in science and religion. It is the means to recognize and know all truth.

FEEDBACK: WHAT IS YOUR EXPERIENCE WITH RECOGNIZING REPRODUCED TRUTH IN YOUR LIFE?

Satan's Anger Ploy

After Joseph Smith experienced the First Vision, he was surprised at the first response he received when he shared it with a minister. He states in his history: “Some few days after I had this vision, I happened to be in company with one of the Methodist preachers, who was very active in the before mentioned religious excitement; and, conversing with him on the subject of religion, I took occasion to give him an account of the vision which I had had. I was greatly surprised at his behavior; he treated my communication not only lightly, but with great contempt, saying it was all of the devil, that there were no such things as visions or revelations in these days; that all such things had ceased with the apostles, and that there would never be any more of them.” A similar angry reaction towards a prophet after a heavenly visitation is seen early in The Book of Mormon, and exposes the ploy of first-response anger that Satan uses to shut down proselyting.

 1 Nephi 1:20 And when the Jews heard these things they were angry with him; yea, even as with the prophets of old, whom they had cast out, and stoned, and slain; and they also sought his life, that they might take it away. But behold, I, Nephi, will show unto you that the tender mercies of the Lord are over all those whom he hath chosen, because of their faith, to make them mighty even unto the power of deliverance.

LESSON LEARNED: A quick shutdown response with anger is Satan’s pitiful ploy to quelch the message of the restoration. We may, on occasion, be surprised by a similar reaction of enmity when sharing the gospel message with others.

FEEDBACK: HAVE YOU EVER EXPERIENCED AN ANGRY RESPONSE TO THE MESSAGE OF THE GOSPEL THAT WAS OUT OF PROPORTION WITH YOUR DISCUSSION?

I'm Too Busy

During the end of my medical training, our family moved to St. Louis to finish the last two years. My life was pretty much planned out during that busy time. In fact, it wasn’t my own -- it seemed I hardly had time to breathe. I was trying to do two one-year fellowships there, one in surgical pathology followed by another year in skin pathology. After the first year, when I thought things couldn’t get any more hectic, our bishop (who was also a doctor), called me to be the Ward Mission Leader. I couldn’t believe it. He, of all people, should have known that this would be impossible, and though I had never before said no to a calling, I did this time. He called me into his office and counseled with me, telling me he understood the limitations of time I had. But he assured me that the Lord was aware of my circumstances and wanted me in this calling. He promised me that through faith and careful planning on my part, the Lord would not only help me to successfully fulfill the calling, but it would also become a source of joy that I would always look back on. All this came to pass. A similar assurance is provided in The Book of Mormon.

 1 Nephi 3:7 And it came to pass that I, Nephi, said unto my father: I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded, for I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them.

LESSON LEARNED: The greatest blessings come through service, and the greatest services are performed at the height of inconvenience.

FEEDBACK: WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR EXPERIENCE WITH THE LORD PROVIDING A WAY FOR YOU TO ACCOMPLISH WHAT HE HAS ASKED?

Children are Saved

I love my little grandbabies. There is no greater joy than to cuddle with one of these soft little ones. It is just a joy to contemplate how innocent they are, having just left their Heavenly Father’s presence to come to earth. And how terrible it must be as a parent or grandparent to lose one. A number of years ago, I received one of those phone calls that no one ever wants to get. It was my dad at the other end, telling me emotionally that little Melissa, my 8 month-old niece, had passed away in her sleep and gone back to heaven. I was inconsolable with grief. At the moment, I was on Temple Square in Salt Lake City, and I sought comfort in the Visitor's Center by the Christus statue. As I was visibly shaken, a missionary came to ask me if I was okay. We discussed the plan of salvation, and I was reminded of God’s love for all His children, in particular His little ones who die in innocence. They are guaranteed salvation purely through the Atonement of Jesus Christ, and have no need of baptism or other saving ordinances. The Book of Mormon reassures us on this principle.

 Moroni 8:11 And their little children need no repentance, neither baptism. Behold, baptism is unto repentance to the fulfilling the commandments unto the remission of sins.
 12 But little children are alive in Christ, even from the foundation of the world; if not so, God is a partial God, and also a changeable God, and a respecter to persons; for how many little children have died without baptism!
 19 Little children cannot repent; wherefore, it is awful wickedness to deny the pure mercies of God unto them, for they are all alive in him because of his mercy.

LESSON LEARNED: Despite the grief associated with losing a little child, there is eternal comfort in knowing that salvation is assured for these little ones through the Atonement of Jesus Christ.

FEEDBACK: WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR EXPERIENCE WITH THIS?