Your Whole Soul

There is a tale of commitment between the pig and the chicken regarding their farmer’s ham and egg breakfast. In the end, the chicken makes a partial contribution, but the pig is totally committed. Humor aside, we often make limited efforts in our sacrifices and devotions. While these partial intents may pacify our consciences, the Lord desires our whole souls as an offering to Him.

 Omni 1:26 And now, my beloved brethren, I would that ye should come unto Christ, who is the Holy One of Israel, and partake of his salvation, and the power of his redemption. Yea, come unto him, and offer your whole souls as an offering unto him, and continue in fasting and praying, and endure to the end; and as the Lord liveth ye will be saved.

LESSON LEARNED: Our offerings to the Lord must be complete. He devotes Himself totally to us, and likewise desires the same of us.

FEEDBACK: HOW DOES THIS RELATE TO YOUR DEDICATION IN YOUR SACRIFICES TO THE LORD?

Might Have Been

A poem from 1856 written by John Greenfleaf Whittier (1807–1892) contains the well-known quotation: "For of all sad words of tongue or pen, The saddest are these: 'It might have been!'" This phrase has been re-quoted on many occasions and for several purposes. Most memorable in my mind was Dr. Cook, my 9th Grade English teacher, who stressed the regrets not only of experiences left unfulfilled, but of the experiences we do have being undocumented for future review. We all live a story, but our tale undocumented is the only real tragedy. Such is the plight of the missionary who fails to faithfully document his or her daily experiences in a journal, or for those who fail to pass along important family history and traditions to their posterity. And such was the plight of poor Chemish in The Book of Mormon, of whom we will never know much about.

 Omni 1:8 And it came to pass that I did deliver the plates unto my brother Chemish.
 9 Now I, Chemish, write what few things I write, in the same book with my brother; for behold, I saw the last which he wrote, that he wrote it with his own hand; and he wrote it in the day that he delivered them unto me. And after this manner we keep the records, for it is according to the commandments of our fathers. And I make an end.

LESSON LEARNED: A life undocumented is a life unfulfilled. Like a squandered fortune, it is selfish oversight that robs future posterity of precious riches.

FEEDBACK: WHAT WRITTEN OR ORAL LEGACY ARE YOU FAITHFULLY LEAVING BEHIND FOR OTHERS TO LEARN FROM?

Overcoming the World

Elder Neil Anderson spoke in April 2016 General Conference on “Overcoming the World”. In his talk, he stated, “Those who overcome the world develop an all-encompassing love for our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. His divine birth, His perfect life, His infinite Atonement at Gethsemane and Golgotha assured the Resurrection of each of us. And with our sincere repentance, He alone is able to cleanse us from our sins, allowing us to return to the presence of God. We love Him, because He first loved us. Overcoming the world is not one defining moment in a lifetime, but a lifetime of moments that define an eternity."

 Enos 1:26 And I saw that I must soon go down to my grave, having been wrought upon by the power of God that I must preach and prophesy unto this people, and declare the word according to the truth which is in Christ. And I have declared it in all my days, and have rejoiced in it above that of the world.

LESSON LEARNED: Overcoming the world implies a lifetime of effort that can bring cleansing of our sins and allow us to return to God.

FEEDBACK: WHAT DOES OVERCOMING THE WORLD MEAN TO YOU?

Prophets are Protected

The Lord will often allow His wayward children to ripen in sin before they reap what they sow. If sudden punishments were heaped on us the moment we sinned, the immediate nature of the cause and effect would be obvious and possibly belay the role of agency. But when mass rejection or violence is extracted on the Lord’s anointed servants, the consequences seem quicker in coming. There are many examples of this in The Book of Mormon, one of which is provided here. 

 1 Nephi 18:9 And after we had been driven forth before the wind for the space of many days, behold, my brethren and the sons of Ishmael and also their wives began to make themselves merry, insomuch that they began to dance, and to sing, and to speak with much rudeness.
 10 And I, Nephi, began to fear exceedingly lest the Lord should be angry with us, and smite us because of our iniquity, that we should be swallowed up in the depths of the sea; wherefore, I, Nephi, began to speak to them with much soberness.
 11 And it came to pass that Laman and Lemuel did take me and bind me with cords, and they did treat me with much harshness; nevertheless, the Lord did suffer it that he might show forth his power, unto the fulfilling of his word which he had spoken concerning the wicked.
 12 And it came to pass that after they had bound me insomuch that I could not move, the compass, which had been prepared of the Lord, did cease to work.

LESSON LEARNED: The Lord’s holy prophets are shepherds and guides for His children on earth. Scriptural accounts show the Lord will often protect His servants, particularly from violence that threatens their well-being.

FEEDBACK: HAVE YOU NOTICED OTHER EXAMPLES OF THIS IN THE SCRIPTURES?

Where is Ore

When seeking blessings through prayer, it is easy to pray in a general sense and to then expect the Lord to fill in the details. Isn't it true that we often ask for blessings in a broad sense, and then wonder why we don’t receive the specific ones we really desire? If we are keeping the commandments, we are entitled to receive blessings that are specific nature. But we need to be specific when we ask. The Lord wants to bless us, and if we are keeping the commandments and our covenants, He desires to have Himself bound by our faithfulness. But He also wants us to learn this type of direct correlation of asking and receiving as it pertains to the powers of heaven.

 1 Nephi 17:8 And it came to pass that the Lord spake unto me, saying: Thou shalt construct a ship, after the manner which I shall show thee, that I may carry thy people across these waters.
 9 And I said: Lord, whither shall I go that I may find ore to molten, that I may make tools to construct the ship after the manner which thou hast shown unto me?
 10 And it came to pass that the Lord told me whither I should go to find ore, that I might make tools.

LESSON LEARNED: The Lord desires to bless us specifically with the blessings we ask for so we can learn about His love and the power of prayer.

FEEBACK: HAVE YOU EXPERIENCED RECEIVING SPECIFIC BLESSINGS IN THIS MANNER AFTER ASKING FOR THEM?

Every Good Thing

I follow a website that deals with retirement. The front page always houses an appealing photo, which changes from time to time, of some glamorous aspect of this phase of life. They range from an older couple laughing while fishing, a family reunion picnic where a grandpa jokes with a grandson, a smiling gathering of family around a newborn, or a couple with packed shoulder bags ready to jump onto their next airplane flight. A great amount of thought and money goes into the choices of these images which, in their own rights, represent many of the good things to be achieved in this life. But life is short, and the limits of time and money require we are prudent among these good choices. What is missing in all the photos is a portrayal of the real, lasting source of joy from which all good experiences emulate: a foundation of faith and a testimony in Jesus Christ.

 Moroni 7:20 And now, my brethren, how is it possible that ye can lay hold upon every good thing?
 21 And now I come to that faith, of which I said I would speak; and I will tell you the way whereby ye may lay hold on every good thing.
 22 For behold, God knowing all things, being from everlasting to everlasting, behold, he sent angels to minister unto the children of men, to make manifest concerning the coming of Christ; and in Christ there should come every good thing.

LESSON LEARNED: Life offers a litany of good things to do. More, in fact, than we have time or money to experience. An underpinning foundation of faith in Jesus Christ will bring out the greatest joy that every good experience has to offer.

FEEDBACK: WHAT HAVE BEEN YOUR THOUGHTS AS YOU CONSIDER THE SOURCE OF JOY YOU FEEL IN THE EXPERIENCES OF LIFE?

Jacob the Rock

It is natural to feel fearful when our faith is challenged; when our spiritual world is rocked by another. Jacob in The Book of Mormon, however, was immovable in his testimony when confronted by one of the greatest religious antagonists of his time. He accomplished this by simply keeping in remembrance all the spiritual experiences he had had in his life. By doing so, it laid a firm foundation for him from which he could not be moved.

Jacob 7:5 And he had hope to shake me from the faith, notwithstanding the many revelations and the many things which I had seen concerning these things; for I truly had seen angels, and they had ministered unto me. And also, I had heard the voice of the Lord speaking unto me in very word, from time to time; wherefore, I could not be shaken.

LESSON LEARNED: Reminding ourselves of the Lord’s hand in our lives can provide a protective spiritual shield when our beliefs are questioned.

FEEDBACK: HAS THE MEMORY OF THE LORD'S BLESSINGS IN YOUR LIFE PROVIDED YOU STRENGTH WHEN YOUR TESTIMONY WAS CHALLENGED?

Hunger Versus Spirituality

In 1943, a psychologist named Abraham Maslow presented a paper entitled "A Theory of Human Motivation". In it, Maslow proposed five different kinds of human needs as the ascending levels of a pyramid. The largest category, representing the base of the pyramid, contains basic physiological needs: food and shelter. The smallest category at the upper tip of the pyramid is the most advanced need, namely “self-actualization” or spirituality. Interestingly, the diminishing size of Maslow’s levels as they ascend towards the top suggests his errant attitude of a diminishing need and a diminishing ability to attain them. Regardless, Maslow’s catagories provide a useful visual of real life. For instance, it’s hard to feel safe, loved and spiritual if you are first and foremost starving. Missionaries understand this clearly with some investigators. Lehi’s family in The Book of Mormon experienced a similar impasse in which their obedience and spirituality was challenged by the basic need of hunger. In this instance, Nephi was the only one in his family who was able to put his spirituality above his hunger.

 1 Nephi 16:18 And it came to pass that as I, Nephi, went forth to slay food, behold, I did break my bow, which was made of fine steel; and after I did break my bow, behold, my brethren were angry with me because of the loss of my bow, for we did obtain no food.
 20 And it came to pass that Laman and Lemuel and the sons of Ishmael did begin to murmur exceedingly, because of their sufferings and afflictions in the wilderness; and also my father began to murmur against the Lord his God..
 23 And it came to pass that I, Nephi, did make out of wood a bow, and out of a straight stick, an arrow… And I said unto my father: Whither shall I go to obtain food?
 32 And it came to pass that I did return to our tents, bearing the beasts which I had slain; and now when they beheld that I had obtained food, how great was their joy! And it came to pass that they did humble themselves before the Lord, and did give thanks unto him.

LESSON LEARNED: Spirituality is difficult to feel if the basic needs of life aren’t met. Some are able to transcend this order and put spirituality first.

FEEDBACK: HAVE YOU WITNESSED THIS IN YOUR LIFE OR THE LIFE OF ANOTHER?