Belonging

"Behold my Beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased, in whom I have glorified my name—hear ye him." (3 Nephi 11:7)

Heavenly Father says "my". Let's assume for the moment that translationally, this is still correct. (Regardless, the following principles are true.)

Everything belongs to Heavenly Father. Which is why we can thank Him for the air we breathe, for the beauty of nature, for the functionality of every physical constant and system. Christ Created all of this under the direction of the Father.

When I have created something, it's mine. When I have worked for something, it's mine. It's mine in the sense that, I don't let anyone claim it unless I gift it otherwise. I love it, and I keep it cared for.

Isn't Heavenly Father the same way?

Many of us feel abandoned, forgotten, neglected or lost. If ever it is our fault, we can repent. If ever it is not our fault, we can turn to God. Why do we not sense that God is so very extremely immersed in His interest in our progression? We belong to Him! As if He would let us run off on our own without protection and a way back.

During the depths of his anguish in liberty jail, Joseph's first words from Heaven as recorded was "my".

In the Garden of Gethsemane, anyone near might have heard Christ call out "My God, my God, ..."

When we speak of the Saviour. we may say along with Job, "For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that He shall stand at the latter-day upon the earth."

We know the gospel is about families. It's about eternal progression and reward. It's about overcoming all things. Let's add to this list that it's about belonging. This may remind many of the high school English theme of belonging - oh how I wish I had known then what I knew now: the gospel is about belonging. We belong to Heavenly Father. He belongs to us: that is, Heavenly Father is MY Father.

At the end of the movie Charly, a husband loses His wife. He had struggled for a long time with the question, "Why wouldn't God save my wife?" When instead He realised within Himself that the real question was, "Why wouldn't God cry alongside me?" Because He did. God suffers along with us. He is sad when we are sad, and happy when we are happy. The marginal or large moments in life when we are depressed are because we have forgotten - we have demonstrated the opposite of the most important word (remember) - forgotten how we felt when the Spirit testifies to us, forgotten what it is like "to earn a great reward" after a long hard slogged effort, because we didn't "shun the fight?"

Let's make an implication from a collection of axioms: We belong to Heavenly Father, who is filled with immense love, and knows everything. Therefore, His plan is best. Therefore, His ways are highest. Therefore, He has everything in control if we are striving to push forward with all we can do, teamworking with Him.

"His delays may always seem long, but they are always calculated to bless." (Henry Eyring)

Let me extend the concept of belonging a little more.

In my lifetime, I have had a few people who I have had unkind feelings for - even hated. A concept that is more likely relatable to those who have had children, Heavenly Father loves both myself and the people I've hated equally. The feelings of a parent watching their fighting children is depressing, and has been around since before the world was: Satan's fall from Heaven. Cain's murder of his brother. Joseph's brothers selling him into Egypt. Laman and Lemuel's rebellion.

Regardless of all of these negative events, Heavenly Father still has a love for these people. My brother was in a Q&A session with our bishop, who taught that maybe outside this eternal timeline, Satan does have another chance. But that's deep doctrine for another day.

Let us remember that we belong, and hold that in our hearts forever, because it is true forever.

3 Nephi 11

Do What Is Right

One catalyst for my spiritual growth has been the speeches of spiritual giants given at BYU campuses. I encourage all to read, dissect and take the time to internalize the speeches there - I have many favourites.

One such is by Richard G Scott: Do What Is Right.

I cannot explain the motivation and fire it has given me inside to liver worthily, and make my "worthy dreams become realities."

He shares incidents in his life when he learned deep, important lessons. Here is a link to his talk.

https://speeches.byu.edu/talks/richard-g-scott_right/

Without further ado, I quote some of his words.

"You are growing in spiritual discipline--that is, your ability to discern the promptings of the Spirit and your capacity to follow them. Over time, that capacity will increase and grow stronger until it becomes easier and easier to automatically do the right things. You have built a shield against temptation. But now, while that spiritual discipline is developing, you must be very careful to avoid choices that would take you from the path of happiness."

"Every time you make the right choice in the face of potential criticism, you build strength that makes it easier the next time. The reverse is also true. Satan counts on that."

"A decisive, correct choice made once and consistently kept thereafter will avoid much heartache. You then can use your energy in keeping your resolve rather than repeatedly wrestling with the same challenge. Also, you will greatly reduce the possibility that you will be overcome by temptation."

"Do what is right; let the consequence follow."

The Simplicity, and the Mysteriousness of the Gospel

"For this people’s heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them."

 - Matthew 13:15

Last night, a friend ask me about how I overcame my almost-life-long issue of negativity. My answer as I expressed it to her really did sum up to "my relationship with the Saviour." But everyone hears that answer (everyone in church, that is). Everyone has that idea firmly planted in their minds that Christ can do something about all the problems we have.

But the implementation is a little more mysterious. The substance of meaning in His gospel seems to be like his parables: hidden in plain sight.

The true substance of what Christ wants us to understand is, as I believe it, hidden like the meaning of parables: it takes one who has eyes of the Spirit to see the meaning. That is not to say that all who don't understand don't have eyes of the Spirit, but rather, everyone has the opportunity to do what it takes to see as Christ sees, feel as He feels and know what He knows.

And we all know how to do that: it's been repeated over and over and over and over and... and over and over. Scriptures study, prayer, and pondering.

I would bring emphasis on pondering, since the other two are straightforward. The other two can be done lightheartedly if there is no pondering. When an individual is pondering something, that individual is musing over the most meaningful and important things in their life. They have come to accept that some things they love in life must take a back seat to those things which will last forever: A relationship with God. A testimony. A conversion. Continual spiritual, secular, physical and emotional education. Family bonds. Progression. Missionary work. Redeeming the dead.

Once an individual opens their hearts to what God sees is important, they are inviting the Spirit into their life. Make and keep covenants, and the Spirit can progressively trust that individual with treasures of hidden knowledge, even the mysteries of God.

I am reminded of a quote from the Sherlock Holmes novels: "'When I hear you give your reasons,’ I remarked, ‘the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you explain your process.'" (Dr. Watson to Sherlock Holmes A Scandal in Bohemia.)

We will all experience Watson's beffuddlement until the Spirit opens our eyes.

Now, what does this have to do with repentance and faith, Aaron?

Just quickly, let me define repentance and faith.

Repentance is turning away from things not of God, and turning to God. Faith is the correct exercising of correct gospel principles, or otherwise explained, the decision making and execution involved with coming closer to God.

Simple, right? I've discovered that repentance and faith has been the solution to my problems over and over again - solutions that don't just last a few weeks or a year like some of the world's solutions - gospel solutions that last forever, for as long as we care to implement them.

I am reminded of Jeffrey R Holland's quote: "The solutions to life’s problems are always gospel solutions" (How do I love Thee?)

Now I did say "simple, right?" Well, this is where the pondering comes in - because it's easier said than done. Easier mentioned than understood. I have discovered that in order to fully apply the principles of faith and repentance in my life, I have needed to pray and ponder over how to apply them.

During the Atoning suffering of Christ, the scriptures said of Christ, "being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground."
Luke 22:44

He prayed more earnestly? Christ? He who did no sin? He who lived life perfectly, with no offense to the Father?

Elder James E Talmage taught that the greater struggles of life call upon the greater struggles in prayer and fasting. (Somewhere in his authored book Jesus the Christ.)

In summary, when a friend asks for spiritual things, it takes a spiritual answer to convey the message God intends, and no human being can adequately express that. I end this post with Elder Richard G Scott's introductory words from his talk, "Do What Is Right."

"I have prayed about, pondered over, and worked on this message because each one of you is an exceptional daughter or son of our Father in Heaven and I want to help you. Early on, I strongly felt impressed to discuss with you how to make your noble dreams and aspirations a reality. I am sure that each one of you has treasured dreams of what you want your life to be. Having moved down the path of life ahead of you, I have learned that while there are growing challenges along the way, life is most beautiful. As you continue to exercise faith in the Master and are obedient to His commandments, you will receive magnificent blessings. Some of those blessings you will have dreamed about. Other blessings He plans for you are beyond anything you can conceive of now. My earnest desire is to help you live so that your worthy dreams become realities.

"I have wrestled with many different ways to communicate principles that I know—if understood and applied—would greatly help you. As this evening approached, I realized I did not yet have a satisfactory way to express what I know to be true. Then a peace enveloped me. I felt that if I strive the best I can to talk to you, and you listen with an open mind and heart with real intent, having faith in the Lord, then it won’t matter too much what I say. You will have impressions come to you that will be individually tailored to your needs. As you write those impressions down and follow them, they will be guidelines for your life and will help you realize your righteous dreams."

To Have It All?

My scripture readings right now on this train on the way to uni have me pondering about… well, everything of course.

And this thought occurred to me: miracles to us are in Heavenly Father’s eyes quite ordinary. At will He can bring them about, and surely upon our gratitude to Him for them, He would reply “Oh, it was nothing” (in less colloquial language of course).

So, what really does amaze Him? It is the reason why He may delay miracles, why He sent us to earth to be tested. It is the turning of our hearts to Him. Although He can foresee this, it never grows old for Him. It is like a grandparent experiencing the joys of grand-parenthood with each grandchild born.

His joy is continually made full in the positive dynamics of His family unit.

How do you know so Aaron?

1 Corinthians 13:

1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.

2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.

3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.

Surely at some stage, all of us will come to realize that having every possession is incomparable to having a loving, tight-knit family unit. An innumerable number of movies have demonstrated this theme. Heavenly Father has it all. But one of the lessons He wants us to learn in this life is that you can have it all, but have nothing. Or you can have the love of a wonderful marriage, a family risen up in Christ, without much money, with a humble job, with little influence in the world, and believe that you have everything in the world—because it’s all that really matters: your family. All other things in life don’t amount to the value of an eternal family, aside from your relationship, testimony and conversion to God.

This all being said, many of us suffer from the injustice brought about by others. If a happy family is not opportune in this life, we should ready ourselves for an eternity of happy family time in the next life. So be worthy. Repent. Fulfil the Lord’s will. Be valiant in your testimony of Christ.

In the meantime, many of us singles can prepare to be the best spouse and parent that our future family could ever imagine – with leeway for human frailty (lots of leeway). And we can learn to identify relationships that destroy us, and relationships that build us.

Raising people from the dead? Turning water into wine? Walking on water? No… the greatest miracle is the turning of hearts to good, to better, and to the best things the eternal spiritual world can offer. The greatest miracle is seeing the light in your child’s eyes as they learn to value the importance of repentance. The greatest miracle is a spouse into whose eyes you see eternity—an eternity of walking through thick and thin, and staying loyal because you have God on your side, and can accomplish anything. The greatest miracle is the sacrifice of One so beloved, pure and perfect in order for the family to have the aforementioned miracles, leading us back to the presence of the Father to dwell in happiness forever.

Education of the Soul

“Satan had great power, unto the stirring up of the people to do all manner of iniquity, and to the puffing them up with pride, tempting them to seek for power, and authority, and riches, and the vain things of the world.”

Let's dissect this verse a little, shall we?

“Satan had great power...”

I've heard a general authority say, "what power does Satan of himself have?" paraphrased. His power is only what we give to him. But let us observe the influence he can have on us.

“...unto the stirring up of the people to do all manner of iniquity...”

Stirring. Do you allow Satan to stir you? What does stirring look like? It looks like provocation. It looks like chipping away to get to my core. It looks like catching us off guard. It pooks like a recipe for disaster – his disaster, calculated to destroy us.

“...and to the puffing them up with pride...”

If he can help us get to the level of self-motivation for evil, his work is all the more easier. He says to us as he said to Cain, "God doesn't determine your life. You do." He says to us as he said to Judas, "You have the right to challenge God – He will prove Himself in the end anyway."

“...tempting them to seek for power, and authority, and riches, and the vain things of the world.”

All things against the principles of righteousness outlined in section 121 of the doctrine & covenants. Ironically, if we follow God we can receive all tha the Father hath. He asks that our priorities be in line.

I walked with a friend through the shadows of our university buildings once. I asked him, "which do you think is more important: education of the mind? Or education of the heart?"

Which do you think?

When the Moment Challenges Me...

“And the people began to be distinguished by ranks, according to their riches and their chances for learning; yea, some were ignorant because of their poverty, and others did receive great learning because of their riches.”

On some large and small degree, I have learning.

Am I humble?

The scenario came to mind of a critical decision to be made: one that would affect my company. My knowledge suggests a way contrary to the Spirit's guidance.

How will I react? Will I have practiced this situation much beforehand, choosing the right? Will I be prideful with my knowledge, fearful of authorities or humbly follow the Lord?

Lord, prepare me for the challenges to come.

Hope in Things to Come

Just some thoughts from my morning scripture reading.

My friends and I have all fallen victim to a mental and emotional weight that can give us reason to reduce our commitment.

The righteous in the Book of Mormon received the same temptation. The wicked planned a day when they would destroy the righteous. They made fun of those who believed in the signs of the birth of Christ: a full day, night then a day that when the brightness would only be as one day.

"And they began to rejoice over their brethren, saying: Behold the time is past, and the words of Samuel are not fulfilled; therefore your joy and your faith concerning this thing hath been in vain" (3 Nephi 1:6).

I find myself thinking that the time has passed for a job application to be accepted - that's my current thoughts. Another friend is scared that he will never find someone to marry - he's only in his early twenties. And yet many of my friends have similar fears - understandable. But it's not in God's ways to let these doubts stay and grow.

"...and the people who believed began to be very sorrowful, lest by any means those things which had been spoken might not come to pass. But behold, they did watch steadfastly for that day and that night and that day which should be as one day as if there were not night, that they might know that their faith had not been in vain" (3 Nephi 1:7).

If we can wait in cheerfulness, then we can do it better than the righteous in this story. Granted, the righteous did have more struggles that your average struggle. But the reward feels and is greater when we invest more faith in the wait!

"Therefore, dearly beloved brethren, let us cheerfully do all things that lie in our power; and then may we stand still, with the utmost assurance, to see the salvation of God, and for his arm to be revealed" (D&C 123:17).