Friends on the Playground

The library is hub for interesting folks—like me. Most who come to the public library come because something is not working out: they need internet, they need access to a computer, a fax machine, directions or instructions regarding public services, and so on. I work and study from my laptop at the library almost every day.

One crew that comes regularly is a group of folks with individual handicaps. They can be noisy and spatially invasive, but I enjoy being around them when they come. Each is his or her own person—like the rest of us—with remarkable individualism and personality. One young-ish fellow reminds me of a small mischievous bear. He wears a devious smile and holds a weasel-like posture (scrunched shoulders and face forward) as he regularly picks on a not-so-amused victim—an older lady who seems to assume the position of the mature one of the group, though she obviously has the mental-maturity of a much younger person.

Among these funny characters, one fellow sticks out to me each time he visits. We made eye contact one day, and he lit up. I returned a smile, and he lit up even more. It felt so good to see that, so I make a point to ‘say’ hi each time I see him.

While the rest of the adult world holds a ‘professional’ façade, this grown-up kid still smiles at friends on the playground of life. It hurts to think that in return for his humble happiness, he receives mostly stone-faces and cold looks away. And when he receives a smile, this six-foot man shines like a child. I look forward to seeing him. I can tell he longs for happy friends. And so do I.

Today I saw this friendly fellow enthusiastically put his books away and run out of the library with his caretaker. I made sure to catch his eye as he came. As expected he grinned and almost giggled as he waved and rushed out the door. He had on a baseball cap—backwards—and as he left I could see what it said: “I [heart] Haters.”

I couldn’t help but smile as I thought of the Savior’s words:

“Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; . . .
“For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?”
“Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” (Matt. 5:45, 47; 18:3-4)

I hope to be more like my friend—friendly to all, with true Christlike/childlike love.

Because They Love Me

Airport Connections

Not long ago I was flying to another state to take the bar examination. As it turned out, my connecting flight was in Salt Lake City, near where my parents live, so they joined me for breakfast at the airport.

As I walked through the terminal to meet my mom and dad, memories of previous reconnections and departures filled my mind. I thought of my departure for England nearly a decade ago, and my subsequent return two years later. I remembered stopping in Salt Lake on my way to Washington D.C. as a Senate Intern—my second of five visits to the nation's capital. During my first year of law school we made the 3,000-mile round trip home for Christmas; our son was two, and our daughter was just a few months old. And just last summer I attended a conference at the International Center for Law and Religion Studies at Brigham Young University (a remarkable event I wish all could attend).

In each of these travels, my parents were there—to say "hi" or "goodbye" or to offer an encouraging hug or stuff cash into my pocket. It means a lot to me. I know they have plenty to keep them busy, but they always make an effort to spend time with me.

But it was not until my recent trip that I really understood why they came—why they always come.



Breakfast, Bagels, and Goodbyes

After our breakfast in the SLC airport, I finished my bagel and got in the security line, and we said goodbye.

But my parents stuck around. They watched me until I was out of earshot, but still in sight. We continued to exchange waves, smiles, etc. while I shuffled along toward the checkpoint.

As I meandered through the fairly lengthy security line, I couldn't help but wonder why my parents came in the first place, and why they wanted to remain with me until I was completely out of sight.

At first I thought they just wanted to show their support (which I know they do). But they had already done that—a hundred times over. For a moment I wondered if they had nothing else to do at 8:00 a.m. on a Saturday. But that thought was quickly rebutted; I know my parents' tireless style, and I remembered some of the many things they said they would be doing that day.

Why do they come? Not because I ask them to. And not because I need the support. They come because they want to. They care. That is the only reason. Why did they stay? And watch me work my way through security until I was out of sight? Because they love me.

Transcending Time and Space

Since moving away from home at age 19, I have not lived closer than 300 miles to my parents. In fact, I have lived more than 1,000 miles away for most of the last decade. At first, it was not easy for me, and I know it has never been easy for my mother. Moving away from home is one thing. But leaving on a two-year mission 5,000 miles across the ocean, and then eventually taking my little family (including my parents' grandkids) across the country for graduate school is quite another. Sometimes it seems almost permanent. But I feel their love, and I look forward to each joyous reunion.

Eventually, I recognize death will separate us—at least temporarily. I am grateful to know that God's "divine plan of happiness enables family relationships to be perpetuated beyond the grave" (The Family: A Proclamation to the World, paragraph 3). No matter how far apart we are—either in life or in death—I know we can be together again.



Moving Forward

A few months from now I will once again take the bar exam (hopefully for the last time). There are times when I feel discouraged, and doubt (or forget) that things will work out. But these feelings rarely last. Why? Because I get a phone call from my dad at the same time I am floundering or beginning to panic. He helps me remember I can do it, the power is in me. Or I run across a note from my mom just when I needed a reminder that things will work out (a truth she has consistently taught me). And they pray for me—constantly.

In short, I keep moving because they love me.

I would like to think I am 'all grown up.' But the truth is I miss my parents, siblings, and grandparents when I am not around them. I draw strength from their presence when I am with them. And I feel their prayers when I am not.

I want to be with them. Forever. Because I love them.

I know this is possible because He loves us.

I thank my Father in Heaven for His wonderful plan, for His Son who made it all possible, and for the witness of His Holy Spirit that this is true.


(read the full text of The Family: A Proclamation to the World, published in 1995 by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints)

My Testimony - My Witness

Prefatory Note to Reader:

Often as I write, I wish I could sit down with every reader and deliver my thoughts personally. I think of you—sometimes personally and sometimes collectively—and try to envision my invisible audience. I struggle to organize black-and-white text to express my emotions with full color; I wrestle with words to convey my thoughts with conviction and clarity.

Inevitably, my attempts to explain, share, and testify fall short of the power of personal delivery. Yet, technology has allowed me to break through the barriers of time and space and reach a mind-boggling number of individuals—beyond the possibility of face-to-face discussion. So thank you for reading, and I pray my message makes it to you with the spirit it is intended.

This post—My Testimony—is unique among my writings. Not because it is substantially different or more important, but because I am attempting to summarize what I believe into a single post. (It’s like trying to describe a lifetime of beautiful sunsets—or even one sunset for that matter. Each radiant sunset displays a unique combination of colors and clouds within the context of the temporary, telestial landscape. Describing such a sublime, breathtaking scene is nearly impossible. Anyone who has attempted the task over the phone for example, is left to rely heavily on wishy-washy words like “beautiful,” “gorgeous,” or “awesome,” and usually conclude with something like, “You just have to see it for yourself.”)

I know what I have seen, and it seems the memories burn brighter and the colors more vivid with each new sunset of experience. But I cannot share that vision with you. As demonstrated in the first chapter of the testimony of St John the Apostle, you have to “come and see” for yourself.

Accordingly, I will not explain myself a great deal, nor will I attempt to define or defend my thoughts using the world’s logic or academic sources (though you must know my appreciation for legal, historical, scientific, and other sources of information). But as I said, this is something unique. It is a spiritual witness of what I know from other sources—just as real, and just as (or far more) convincing. I invite you to read with an honest and open heart to what I am trying to describe, and listen with celestial ears. 

My Testimony

God—Our Loving Father

I know God lives. I know He loves me. I felt that love when I was a boy. It was so personal and so real, yet beyond the limits of the inadequate words I may use to describe it. It was just as real (or more so) than our physical senses: sight, sound, smell, touch, and taste. But it was different. It was spiritual (and mental and emotional), not just physical. It was full, complete, and perfect love, and I just knew I was a loved son of a Holy Being. My whole soul knew it. I have felt the same loving embrace many times since my boyhood, providing layers of constant assurance that I am not alone.

Jesus Christ—The Son of God

I have come to know that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, the Savior and Redeemer of the world. This knowledge has distilled upon my soul through daily study of the Holy Scriptures and the witness of the Holy Ghost. In the Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ, I read of His personal ministry to the people in the ancient Americas following His resurrection. I learned and loved His teachings, ministry, and miracles in the New Testament, and His role as the God of the Old Testament. The combination of these witnesses is clear and convincing, but it was the witness of the Holy Ghost that made me know He is real, and that I will someday stand before Him. We all will. And He is really who He said He was—the King of Kings, the Great Immanuel (God with us), the Great I Am (Jehovah, the Creator of Heaven and Earth). He is the promised Messiah. He will appear to the Jews, his ancient covenant people, in their moment of crisis when the whole world is against them. They will see the marks from the nails and spear in His hands, feet, and side. And they will hear Him proclaim, “These ... are the wounds with which I was wounded in the house of my friends (Doctrine & Covenants 45:52). But it is not the Jews only to whom He shall appear. And it is not them only He will save. He has saved us all from our two great obstacles—sin and death. Salvation and Exaltation are available to all who will receive Him.

His Teachings Bless Lives

I know Jesus Christ is the only way to personal hope and happiness in a troubled world. I have seen and experienced a lot my short lifetime—both good and bad. I have learned that when I keep my focus on Him I maintain a spiritual strength and hope to carry me through any hardship. And I have seen the same in others. As a full-time volunteer missionary and as a lay minister, I have seen people rise above enormous obstacles—involving sin, suffering, and even death—by embracing the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He was the Master teacher, the most effective minister, and the only perfect person to walk the earth. He demonstrated power over the elements (earthly things) so He could more effectively teach of heavenly things. Because of Him, all that is unfair about life will be made right. I am sure of it! That includes loneliness, failure, fear, abuse, neglect, miscarriage and other premature death, persecution, uncertainty, unanswered questions, seemingly unanswered prayers, and any other hardship that is inflicted upon us. In His ultimate wisdom (see Isaiah 55:8-9) He may not deliver us right away. But He will deliver us! He can and will help us—now and down the road. His gospel teachings are the only healing balm for a disintegrating world.

I have felt of Christ’s enabling and healing power. He has enabled me to do much more than I am able to do on my own. He has healed my heart in times of sorrow, and helped me to keep on trying. He desires that we should be perfect, but perfection is not possible for us yet. Yet each day we can do better than yesterday, until eventually through Him we will reach perfection.

Biblical Prophets

I know God speaks through prophets—past and present. The Old Testament prophets were ordinary people who were given extraordinary priesthood power and responsibilities. I know the record of the Holy Bible is true. I derive great strength from Old Testament stories: the promises God gave to Abraham, the miracles that accompanied Moses and the Children of Israel, the courage of Daniel and his fellows in the face of social pressure, and countless others—Ether, Job, Isaiah, and the list goes on. None of the prophets were fully accepted in their time, and many were killed for speaking the truth. Yet their record is true, and God has preserved and perpetuated their words across the globe.

When the Lord Himself condescended from His throne above to complete His earthly ministry, he was treated as the prophets before Him. He was “despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief” (Isaiah 53:3). He established His church with priesthood authority and the keys of the Kingdom of God on the earth (see Matt 16:19). And then, after atoning for the sins off all mankind, He gave His life as a witness and culmination of His mission for the Father. After His resurrection and assention into heaven (and under His direction), His Apostles continued the work He gave them to do (see Matt 28:19), but they too were killed and scattered. And with them went the authority to continue God’s work. The world paid for the rejection of the Son of God and His authorized servants as it plunged into the dark ages. Though many continued to search for truth, it was not to be found in purity and authority (see Amos 8:11-12).

The Reformation and Restoration

I have a deep appreciation for the religious reformers and martyrs who brought the Holy Bible into my language. Martin Luther, William Tyndale, John Wycliffe, and many others sacrificed all that they possessed—even their own lives—to bring the word of God to the common person. I know I under appreciate their sacrifice, and I pray I may do my part to use the tools they gave to me.

In the early 19^th century, an ordinary young man was called by God like the prophets of old. I have the same witness and appreciation for His calling as I do of all the ancient prophets. Joseph Smith really did see God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ. They appeared in response to his sincere prayer to personally usher in the dispensation of the fullness of times. The long awaited and anticipated work of the Father there commenced, and continued to distill upon the earth line upon line, revelation upon revelation. I revere the prophet Joseph who literally brought the heavens down to earth. All that is good in my life is a result of the restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ in these latter-days before the return of Christ. I look forward to His coming with great anticipation.

Latter-day Prophets

When I was a boy, I had an opportunity to be in the same room as the prophet. In response to my prayerful and sincere inquiry, the Spirit of God bore sure witness to me that he was indeed God’s prophet on the earth today. I felt the power of his mantle in a way I cannot explain or deny. I knew he was an ordinary man who had been given extraordinary responsibilities and power to speak and do the Lord’s will. Like a latter-day Abraham, he is truly the Lord’s called and chosen mouthpiece. I have had the same reassurance as the prophet continues to speaks, and as one prophet died and his successor took his place. I sustain Thomas S. Monson as the Lord’s prophet, seer, and revelator—authorized to exercise all priesthood keys. I know he is the Lord’s chosen servant, like Peter of the New Testament.

A Marvelous Work

I know God’s hand is in the development of technological tools and discovery of every kind leading up to the eventual return of our Lord and Savior. From the Constitution of the United States of America to the development of the telephone and other communicative technology, the work of the Father is moving forward in miraculous ways. All true and useful advancements in science and religion are from the hand of God to move His work forward, and they will continue until our Savior returns.

I have a sure witness that this Church—The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints—is truly the Lord’s church on the earth today. He is at its head. It is not just another church or sect. It was not made by men or women, and it is not guided by mere men or women. It is the Lord’s church which He established from the beginning with Adam and Eve. It holds the same priesthood authority and power that was restored to prophets in every dispensation—Noah, Moses, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. The ancient covenants and promises have been renewed, and so has the commission Christ gave to His apostles.

I love and rely on the holy scriptures and the words of the prophets. The Holy Bible and The Book of Mormon are companion witnesses of the divinity of Jesus Christ and the reality of His resurrection and prophesied return in the latter-days. The Doctrine and Covenants provides clear, guiding principles for His church. And endless latter-day revelation through prophets, seers, and revelators is available as fast as I can receive it. It is remarkable to me that in my pocket, I have access to more revealed light and truth than any generation in the history of the world. I pray I may receive and use it well!

The Second Coming of Christ

As is evident in many of my writings, I look forward to the Messiah’s return with great anticipation. As a boy I learned about and loved my Savior, and wanted to see Him personally and touch His hands. As a teenager I engaged in more specific study and thought about the events surrounding His coming and my part to play in it. As a missionary I preached every day of His eventual return—the fundamental reason for my service. As a father of a growing family, I desire to “prepare [my] children to hear the word at the time of his coming” (The Book of Mormon, Alma 39:16). As a student in law school, I developed a greater anticipation for His return to put an end to the mess we have made for ourselves. A similar feeling stirs in me as I follow world events and attitudes on news and social media. Forefront in my mind is the truth that “only the gospel will save the world from the calamity of its own self-destruction.”

I see the world reaching out for a Savior, but they know not where to find Him (see Doctrine & Covenants 123:12). Of particular interest to me is the return of the Jews to Jerusalem. When I lived in St. George, Utah, my LDS Bishop came from a Jewish family. He had a deep respect for the way their Jewish tradition prepared his family to receive the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. When I was in law school in Ohio, I became friends with a Jewish young man to whom I gave a copy of the Book of Mormon. I testified to Him that we too have awaited the coming of Elijah the prophet, and that he had come! (Read the prophet's account in section 110 of the Doctrine & Covenants.) I shared with Him my witness of the Messiah who came and would come again, and I invited Him to read. My prayer is that He will hold onto all the truth and wholesome tradition he has, and embrace the restored truths of the gospel of Christ.

I love this work, and I love the Lord. He is the light and life of the world. He humbly came into the world and gave His life for all mankind. He taught the truths of eternity and paid the price for our weakness so we can enjoy salvation and exaltation.

Invitation

Ask Him—He knows, He cares, and He will answer you.

The question every soul (myself included) needs to ask God is whether this work is true—the Book of Mormon; latter-day prophecy, visions, and revelations; and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It is either true, or it is not. It is either God’s work or it is not. And we can know it. Millions do (myself included) because we followed the Savior’s invitation to ask, seek, and knock—and He answered. If we are sincere in our search for light and truth, God will not leave us to wander in darkness.

Thus, in closing, I extend the invitation and promise found in the Introduction to the Book of Mormon:

We invite all men everywhere to read the Book of Mormon, to ponder in their hearts the message it contains, and then to ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ if the book is true. Those who pursue this course and ask in faith will gain a testimony of its truth and divinity by the power of the Holy Ghost. (See Moroni 10:3-5.)

Those who gain this divine witness from the Holy Spirit will also come to know by the same power that Jesus Christ is the Savior of the world, that Joseph Smith is His revelator and prophet in these last days, and that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the Lord’s kingdom once again established on the earth, preparatory to the Second Coming of the Messiah.

As I mentioned at the beginning, I wish I could deliver these words to you, personally. Someday I hope to do so.

This blog and my thoughts are my own, and should not be seen as a representation of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. For official Church teachings, please visit mormon.org, lds.org, jesuschrist.lds.org, josephsmith.net, or any other official Church website.

Prone to Forget: Abraham Lincoln's Thanksgiving Speech

While in college, I was asked to paint some portraits for a "mastermind group" collection. Two of the inspiring figures chosen by the commissioner were Abraham Lincoln and George Washington. The more I learn about each of these good men, the more I respect and appreciate what they have done for the world.

Each year as I gather with family for Thanksgiving, I make time to reread Abraham Lincoln's 1963 Thanksgiving speech. It's a personal tradition--an anchor that pulls me back and puts things into proper focus.

Painted from a photograph taken by Alexander Gardner in 1863
(archived in the Library of Congress)

My rendition of President Washington based on 1853 painting by Rembrandt Peale (currently held in the Smithsonian's National Portrait Gallery in Washington, D.C.)

Thanksgiving traditions far predate Abraham Lincoln and George Washington, but both presidents formally acknowledged the divine hand of providence in this blessed country.

In 1789, George Washington issued a proclamation designating a national day of thanksgiving for that year. Almost a century later, at the persistence of Sarah Josepha Hale, and in the turbulent wake of the Civil War, Abraham Lincoln proclaimed Thanksgiving Day to be an annual event celebrated throughout the United States.  While remarking on the “blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies,” President Lincoln made the following observation:

To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they come, others have been added, which are of so extraordinary a nature, that they cannot fail to penetrate and soften even the heart which is habitually insensible to the ever watchful providence of Almighty God.

Then, recounting the current struggles of a civil war “of unequaled magnitude and severity,” he noted that the American people somehow continue to prosper.  Despite the “waste” of war, he observed, the Nation increased in population and development, and the land “yielded even more abundantly than heretofore.”

President Lincoln concludes:

No human counsel hath devised nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things. They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God, who, while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy. 

I thank God for inspired leaders like Presidents Washington and Lincoln. I thank God for this country with its foundation rooted in true and eternal principles. I thank Heaven for this beautiful earth with all its variety, simplicity, and breathtaking grandeur.

I thank my Father in Heaven for a loving plan that is both perfectly just and perfectly merciful; for the gift of His Son who makes salvation possible for all; and for the knowledge that families can be together forever through covenant.

May we who are "prone to forget" make the simple effort to see what is always before our eyes--our freedom, our faith, our family, and all with which the God of Heaven and Earth has blessed us.

For more information, see:

President George Washington's Thanksgiving address and historical background.
President Abraham Lincoln's Thanksgiving address and historical background.

To Whom Shall We Go? Response to LDS Church Policy on Children of Same-sex Couples

When the Lord miraculously fed thousands with bread and fish, it is no wonder they followed Him (see Matt. 14:13-21 and accompanying Bible Video).

When He declared unto them "hard sayings," it is also no surprise that many "walked no more with him" (John 6:60-66).

The question, "Will ye also go away?" (John 6:67) asked by Jesus to His apostles, required an honest, personal examination of which type of bread they were after. Were they just following the happily-fed crowd; or were they prepared to feed His sheep (see John 21:15-17)? Were they merely enjoying the 'bread' that satisfies the temporal needs of nourishment, stability, belonging, etc.; or did they truly hunger and thirst after righteousness (see Matt. 5:6)? In short, the question the Lord was asking His apostles is whether they were after the bread of convenience or the bread of covenants.

Temporal Bread

The truth is the Lord has the power and desire to feed us physically. He declared, "it is my purpose to provide for my saints, for all things are mine. . . . [T]he earth is full, and there is enough and to spare" (Doctrine & Covenants 104:15-17).

For 40 years, the God of Heaven and Earth, the Great Jehovah of the Old Testament fed the Children of Israel in the wilderness (Exodus 16:35).

During His mortal sojourn on earth, Jesus again fed and taught the multitudes:

"Consider the ravens . . . . God feedeth them: how much more are ye better than the fowls? . . . Consider the lilies . . . . If then God so clothe the grass . . . how much more will he clothe you, O ye of little faith?" (Luke 12: 24, 27-28)

As a Latter-day Saint, I have witnessed, participated in, and received this 'temporal' bread. The Church's welfare and humanitarian efforts have literally blessed millions, one person at a time (see LDSPhilanthropies.org, the Church Welfare Program, and ProvidentLiving.org for some examples; for a recent example, see the Church's encouragement to assist European refugees). While many are losing trust in governments, charities, and non-profit relief organizations, The Church continues to prove effective and efficient in temporal salvation. I take great comfort in knowing my contribution (albeit comparatively minuscule) is getting to the people who need it. When the dust settles, I think many will begin to see the good the Church has done and is doing for individuals, communities, and nations worldwide.

The Church provides additional kinds of 'temporal' sustenance. Everything from addiction recovery to youth programs—fulfilling social, mental, emotional and other needs. Each member has a friend and a responsibility. And at a very basic level, the Church is reliably the same wherever I go. (If you don't trust me, join the church and try moving around a bit.) Everywhere I have been—Indiana, Texas, Utah, Ohio, Kansas, Missouri, England, and Italy—the Church and its teachings are the same. This consistency and reliability provides an invaluable sense of stability and belonging.

Truly, the Lord has provided a church structure to meet all our needs. But the Lord's work of salvation is more than temporal.

Everlasting Bread

Jesus fed bread to multitudes out of compassion. But He had a higher purpose in mind.

Instead of reading my attempt to relay the Lord's powerful teachings, just read and/or watch it (John 6:1-71 and the accompanying Bible Video: I Am the Bread of Life).

Do you see how short-sighted many of his followers were? Is it any wonder they left when he declared "hard sayings" unto them?
Can you see what He is inviting them to do? And, in the end, who are the real beneficiaries of the covenants He invites us to make with Him—us or Him?

Will ye also go away?

"The road of discipleship is not for the spiritually faint of heart" (see full address, which I recommend wholeheartedly: Elder Neil L. Anderson, "Never Leave Him," Oct. 2010 General Conference).

The Lord, though infinitely compassionate, requires full commitment. He does not ask for ten percent of our heart or one day in seven for our devotion. Rather, He commands we give all our heart, soul, and mind, and our service to others (Matt. 22:37-40). "If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me;" and then the paradoxical promise: "whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it" (Matt. 16:24-25 and Bible Video).

The Lord asks for it all--at least all we have to give. And in return for our 'sacrifice,' He promises "all that the Father hath" (Doctrine & Covenants 84:38).

I am increasingly amazed at God's desire to bless us more than we could ever deserve. Here are some of my favorite examples. Follow the links to read them in context for greater meaning:

• "Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse . . . and prove me now . . . if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it" (Malachi 3:10).
• "Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom" (Luke 12:32).
• "[I]if ye should serve him who has created you from the beginning, and is preserving you from day to day, by lending you breath, that ye may live and move and do according to your own will, and even supporting you from one moment to another—I say, if ye should serve him with all your whole souls yet ye would be unprofitable servants. And behold, all that he requires of you is to keep his commandments; and . . . ye should prosper in the land" (Mosiah 2:21-22).
• "For thus saith the Lord—I, the Lord, am merciful and gracious unto those who fear me, and delight to honor those who serve me in righteousness and in truth unto the end" (Doctrine & Covenants 76:5, italics added).

To whom shall we go?

Peter's answer to the Lord's question, "Will ye also go away?" is logical and resolute: "Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life. . . . we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God" (John 6:68-69).

Many are struggling with the LDS Church's policy requiring children of same-sex couples to wait until the age of majority to be baptized. Many are leaving the Church or redefining 'their' Mormon beliefs. But this is not the first potential offense and it will not be the last. Each time I see or hear statements regarding how the Church leaders are "wrong" or "mistaken," I am reminded of the principle taught by Wilford Woodruff and others that the Lord will never allow His chosen prophets to lead His church astray:

The Lord will never permit [the] President of this Church to lead you astray. It is not in the programme. It is not in the mind of God. If I were to attempt that, the Lord would remove me out of my place, and so He will any other man who attempts to lead the children of men astray from the oracles of God and from their duty. (Official Declaration 1; for an in-depth discussion on this truth, see Teachings of the Living Prophets Student Manual, Ch. 2: The Living Prophet: The President of the Church)

To be clear, "[w]e cannot separate Christ from His servants," and we cannot expect to stay connected to the gospel and atoning power of Jesus Christ "by jumping out of the boat and trying to swim . . . by ourselves" ("God Is at the Helm," Elder M. Russell Ballard, Oct. 2015; Elder Ballard continues: "It is the Church wherein we learn the works of God and accept the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ that saves us. It is within the Church that we form the commitments and covenants of eternal families [and] exaltation. It is the Church that is powered by the priesthood to propel us through the unpredictable waters of mortality.").

How we answer the Lord's question, "Will ye also go away?" depends on our relationship with Him and an understanding of His true character. He is perfectly just and perfectly merciful. He lived a perfect life, and suffered infinite temptation, pain, sorrow, and all kinds of suffering. He knows us and understands our struggles perfectly. He will never forsake us, and He will not allow His chosen prophets to lead us astray. He is aware of (and will address in His own time and in His own way) every question and concern we have. He is at the helm of the Old Ship Zion. Of this the Spirit has born witness to me and will to you if you if you are sincere (see Moroni 10:2-7).

If the Savior stood beside me...

Occasionally, I imagine the Savior nearby--at church, at school, and at home. Each Sunday in our meetings, I imagine Him sitting in the corner watching and listening. I imagine Him seeing my wife and me try to sit with three small children. I wonder what He thinks of what is being said and the way we (as covenant members of His Church) interact with one another and accept or reject His doctrine.

He invites us to believe in Him, to follow Him, and to always remember Him and keep His commandments that we may always have His Spirit to be with us. He pleads with us to be faithful until the day of His return.

May we never forsake Him is my prayer.




Related posts: Walking by faith with both feet (parts 1-2).

FAITH: Substantial Evidence or Blind Obedience?

"In every change, He faithful will remain"

(Be Still My Soul, a familiar Christian hymn)

Life as a believer has become increasingly demanding as the morale of the world changes. What was once expected as common decency is largely considered old-fashioned. What was once right and true is now considered relative or even wrong (an irony of its own). In a strange turn of history, Christianity, which found its strongest roots in the Western European and American world, is now hardly welcome at home.

Holding onto one's faith is becoming increasingly difficult, but the God of Heaven is not an absentee landlord. The narrow path of discipleship is not easy, "[b]ut they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint" (Isaiah 40:31).

Persecution: The Test of Faith

I am a Mormon—a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. My people have a hard history of persecution. Some of my not-so-distant ancestors were abused and driven out of their homes—even while calling upon the United States government for Constitutional protection and redress which was never granted. Though Latter-day Saints have enjoyed some tranquil years, we know persecutions will continue (and even increase) until the Savior returns.

But Mormons are not the only people to suffer persecutions. Jews—the Lord's ancient covenant people—have possible suffered more for their faith and heritage than any other people. Muslims also have a rough heritage. And there are many more. Virtually all believers have suffered to some degree at one time or another.

Living one's faith may not be difficult when it is consistent with popular belief. But when society's standards begin to slip, it can make life uneasy for the believer. This is no surprise, however. It was not convenient for the only One who lived a perfect life either (for a wonderful analysis of inconvenient discipleship, see Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, "The Inconvenient Messiah," from a 1982 speech at BYU).

One question faced by many believers is this: if the world is telling me I am wrong, how do I know I am following the right path? How do I know God's laws are true and still relevant? And, for me as a Latter-day Saint, how did I know this Church is still true?

I hope my explanation will resolve some of these questions. Specifically I will discuss the concept of "blind obedience" in contrast to what I think it means to walk by the light of faith.

Now, please remember that I am just another member of the Church. I do not speak on behalf of the Church. However, I have tried to highlight and hyperlink true sources which cut to the core of the issues of faith, truth, and revelation. This post is motivated by reactions to LDS Church teachings, doctrines, policy and procedure.

Let's start with a definition.

Faith: Substantial Evidence or Blind Obedience?

What is faith? Is it a feeling? A belief? A person's religious views? Or is it an assurance? Or even actual knowledge? Though I used "faith" above in reference to religious heritage or belief, I am now focusing on faith as a principle of action and power.

The Apostle Paul described faith as "the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen" (Hebrew 11:1). Substance? Evidence? These sound like concrete words. But where is the concreteness in things that are merely "hoped for" and "not seen"? Where is the evidence if we cannot see it? And where is the substance if we cannot hold it, touch it, or taste it?

The truth is we do have real evidence—which I will touch on in a moment. But these types of questions assume that knowledge and truth are limited to the sensual—touch, taste, sight, sound, and smell. There is so much more, and it is just as real as what we can discern with the common five senses (for an excellent and thorough discussion on truth, see "What is Truth?," Dieter F. Uchtdorf).

The Lord Jesus Christ performed miracles, but condemned those who sought after 'signs of the flesh.' His miracles did not produce faith (if they did, then all who saw them would have had faith in Him). But to those who believed He gave substantial physical evidence as a foundation for belief in His spiritual power.

My favorite example of this pattern is found in Mark 2, in which Jesus heals a man sick with palsy. After being criticized for saying he forgave the sins of the palsied man, Jesus asks this question: "Whether is it easier to say to the sick of the palsy, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and take up thy bed, and walk?" (v. 9). And then He followed the question with evidence:

But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (he saith to the sick of the palsy,)
I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy bed, and go thy way into thine house.
And immediately he arose, took up the bed, and went forth before them all; insomuch that they were all amazed, and glorified God, saying, We never saw it on this fashion. (vv. 10-12)

(here is a link if you want to watch the Bible Video or read the verses yourself)

To the faithful His miracles confirmed and increased their faith and allowed them to believe Him when he spoke of "heavenly things" that were sometimes hard to hear (see John 3:1-36 in which Jesus teaches Nicodemus of spiritual rebirth using the example of physical birth; or John 6:25-71 in which Jesus teaches the people of the Bread of Life--Himself--after feeding them loafs of real bread).

To each of us, the Lord compassionately provides enough substantial evidence to move forward, but wisely withholds the complete picture. "For we walk by faith, not by sight" (2 Cor. 5:7).

So is faith blind? Consider the following from a prophet I admire:

     When men obey commands of a creator, it is not blind obedience. How different is the cowering of a subject to his totalitarian monarch and the dignified, willing obedience one gives to his God. The dictator is ambitious, selfish, and has ulterior motives. God’s every command is righteous, every directive purposeful, and all for the good of the governed. The first may be blind obedience, but the latter is certainly faith obedience. …
     Is it blind obedience when one regards the sign “High Voltage—Keep Away” or is it the obedience of faith in the judgment of experts who know the hazard?
Is it blind obedience when the air traveler fastens his seat belt as that sign flashes or is it confidence in the experience and wisdom of those who know more of hazards and dangers?
     Is it blind obedience when the little child gleefully jumps from the table into the strong arms of its smiling father, or is this implicit trust in a loving parent who feels sure of his catch and who loves the child better than life itself? …
     Is it then blind obedience when we, with our limited vision, elementary knowledge, selfish desires, ulterior motives, and carnal urges, accept and follow the guidance and obey the commands of our loving Father who … created a world for us, loves us, and has planned a constructive program for us, wholly without ulterior motive, whose greatest joy and glory is to “bring to pass the immortality and eternal life” of all his children? [See Moses 1:39.]
     It is not blind obedience, even without total understanding, to follow a Father who has proved himself. (from Teachings of Spencer W. Kimball)

I know Him and love Him, and I will follow Him in faith.



Related posts: Walking by Faith with Both Feet (parts 1-2)

The Divine Gift of Intellect

The following is an introduction to my book: The Divine Gift of Intellect. I still have much to do, but wanted to share a snapshot of what it is about. The chapter titles are listed after the introduction.

Introduction

In 1842, a woman by the name of Augusta Ada King developed what is considered the first computer program. Her discoveries came long before twentieth-century electrification; and the first ‘official’ computer would not take form for over 100 years. Yet at age 27, this remarkable woman envisioned things well into the future—even beyond the technology we possess today.

This seemingly rare woman—Ada Lovelace as she is called—is not alone in her accomplishments or her foresight. Hundreds like her have discovered and contributed to the explosion of invention and information over the past 200 years. Inventors, authors, scientists, musicians, religious reformers, and a host of other "discoverers" have continued to move the world forward at an ever-increasing pace. And just to bring it up to speed, in 2014 alone the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) granted over 326,000 patents. That is a lot of “new” and “useful” inventions.

Some may consider this acceleration nothing more than a fortunate evolution of technological advancement, or a natural outgrowth of economic and new-frontier conditions; and this would certainly be a good start. But a true examination of the miraculous and unprecedented growth in the past few centuries reveals evidence of the divine hand of providence. For thousands of years no progress has been this rapid. The acceleration is not coincidental, and neither is your placement in it.

The God of Heaven and Earth is hastening His work in preparation for His coming. He will come just as prophesied, and it will be glorious! The signs are all around us, including the acceleration of technological advancements. Ours is the opportunity to participate in this marvelous work. Ours is the responsibility to take advantage of these great discoveries, and to join the cause of truth—to prepare the world for His return.

Like the light of the sun to seedlings under the soil, the Light of Christ is illuminating the minds of men and women to discover, invent, and perpetuate useful tools, information, and ideas for His purposes. A number of discoveries seem to have appeared simultaneously—as if the authors' plucked them from the same tree that was just coming to fruition. The discovery of oxygen, the theory of evolution of species, the telephone, the airplane, and even calculus are some well-known examples. Though some may take issue with these examples, and explain them away with this or that circumstance, none can ignore the unprecedented growth at a time of religious revival, restoration, and preparation for that which is to come.

Communicative technology—particularly social media—has a specific purpose, though few acknowledge it. And no, it is not to share cat videos or pictures of your lunch. There is a higher purpose.

One of my greatest heroes is a man by the name of William Wilberforce—the subject of the book and film entitled Amazing Grace. In the early years of his life young Wilberforce felt drawn to God, and began examining and developing his spirituality. But it did not take long for his mother and some fellow students at Cambridge to pull young Wilberforce away from his new-found faith. After some riotous but regretted years, Wilberforce came to himself and to God through a traveling companion named Isaac Milner—a mathematician, inventor, preacher, and President of Queens’ College in Cambridge.

Wilberforce’s conversion was deep and continuous, and was the motivation for his remarkable efforts. He felt an ever-present sense of accountability for his time and resources. He sold a substantial portion of his inheritance, and He championed numerous causes—everything from the Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals to the number of misfit servants he kindly employed. But the abolition of the slave trade was his first and great objective. Listing his accomplishments would be exhausting, and numbering the people impacted by his efforts is impossible. Truly, Wilberforce changed the world.

One would think that abolishing the British slave trade (and throughout much of Europe and the Western world) would be enough to merit a peaceful rest. And if that were not enough, then surely Wilberforce’s reformation of the entire middle- and upper-classes of British society toward a more moral civilization would be sufficient for his resume. The man was called the “conscience of the nation;” what more could he have done? But this is exactly how he felt. He regretted not having done more. Even in his old age, after six decades in the houses of Parliament and endless international efforts on all issues moral, he could not rest. When the news was delivered to him personally of the long-awaited emancipation bill that would finally be successful, Wilberforce rose and asked to present the bill himself. He did not have to, nor did he do so for his own glory. Rather, it was the fire of truth in his soul that could not be contained. He had to be a part of it—to do it for the glory of God. And it was a glorious day indeed!

Wilberforce knew who he was. He knew he was a natural man, without even a hope of attaining holiness on his own. But he also understood that he had within him something divine. Wilberforce knew he was, in some small way, a creator like the God he knew and loved. And he used that knowledge to plan, prepare, and perpetuate truth and goodness across the globe.

Wilberforce also understood that he would give an accounting for how he used what God had given him—time, resources, and his gift of intellect. Though none of us is the final judge of any other, I suspect that Wilberforce’s welcome in heaven was glorious. He did not live a perfect life, but he was firmly attached to one who did. And with that firm attachment, he obtained the vision and power to prepare the world for that which is to come.

We each have a part to play in preparing for the return of the Great Creator. May it be a glorious day for each of us!

The Gift of Intellect - chapters:

1-He is Coming

2-Inspired by the Great Creator

3-The Gift of Intellect

4-Intellectual Property

5-Inspired Discoveries

6-Our Place in His-Story

7-His Return