Why I Believe

This morning, my thoughts are turned to what I consider the singularly most significant morning of my life. I was not there, but I believe. More than that, I feel. In my mind I see brief moments where a supposed gardener spoke to a woman who was crying. Mary Magdalene was beyond sorrowful, first at the death of Jesus, and secondly, because His body which she had prepared for burial had been taken. It took only one word to renew her hope. Mary. The Lord spoke her name in a very personal way, and she recognized the Master.

I realize that she and I share something in common. Both of us believed in something that we did not see with our eyes, yet heard and then felt in our hearts. This prescribed pattern for most believers is the same, to trust in things that we cannot see but hope are true – things that we feel.

Before Jesus offered his life as a ransom in Gethsemane and at Golgotha, he told his apostles, “These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you. But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. (John 14:25-27)

Pondering on the magnitude of the Savior’s sacrifice and the miracle of His glorious resurrection, I am filled with gratitude that He would offer such wonderful gifts to a soul so rebellious and proud as mine. Because He triumphed over the effects of sin and death, I can too. Through His holy name, I can believe, become clean, and live in His presence again. I can be there with family, friends, and loved ones because this gift is offered to all who will believe.

I may not hear the Lord’s voice as clearly as did Mary, but I can still hear His voice call my name when I listen to the voice of His Holy Spirit. When I pay attention to the peace and comforting feeling that attends all truth, the Holy Ghost brings special feelings to my remembrance. It is then that I remember how it feels to be called by the voice of the Master. In a very personal way, I can recognize His invitation to follow Him and have the assurance that it is right.

Had I been at the empty tomb with Mary, and seen the angels who were present, I may not have believed any more than she. Yet as I learn to recognize the promptings of the Holy Ghost, my revelation is as clear as hers. The Master lives, for He is risen. Because of that glorious morning, there will be an eternity of beautiful mornings. Each morning we may hear His voice, if we will but pause to listen and then recognize the Master.



What I Believe…


http://saltypockets.blogspot.com/

Out on a Limb

I like comparisons, or rather, I like healthy comparisons. Lately I’ve been thinking about some challenges in my life and how they seem to have something in common. The “something” is a recurring theme with a lot of variations. I think I know the theme well enough now that I’m not going out on a limb to share it.

When I was a kid, I liked climbing trees. I don’t remember ever falling out of a tree, or breaking my arm, but I do remember getting stuck in a few places where I needed some help. Feeling stuck is not a comfortable place to be. I don’t have to be hanging from a branch with four fingers to dislike it. Sometimes being in a place where I don’t feel like I can move without help is hard enough. That’s where faith comes in. It is a definite part of the theme.

The feeling of being stuck has been a familiar companion to my most difficult challenges. More often than not, it seems I am presented with a riddle that has no solution. The questions I have asked myself were not hard to understand, but the answers were elusive. Here are a few of my own examples.

How will my wife and I pay off a student loan and afford to start a family? How do I tell my boss I am uncomfortable with a company decision without losing my job? How can I possibly fit time in an already busy schedule to accept a calling and serve in my church? How can I complete my deadline at work without working on the Sabbath? How can I be at an important school play for my daughter and not neglect my client? With all that is expected of me, how will I possibly get everything done?

Whatever my questions may have been, I seem to have faired alright. In spite of elusive answers, my life hasn’t come to a screeching halt, and there isn’t a single question that has stopped me from moving forward. Yet, I have a tendency to freeze up when I am afraid. I avoid the choices I don’t want to make. Regardless of what is real, the way I perceive my circumstances can make it difficult for me to make good choices, especially if I worry too much about all the “what ifs.” The fact that I have navigated each of my challenges in the past is evidence that there was a way to do it.

This pattern of getting through difficult situations points to a significant personal observation – my biggest challenge has been my fears, not my circumstances.

The most successful way I have found through my challenges is to face them, and more importantly to face them with faith. Is this easier said than done? Yes. But, having the faith to believe that there is a way is a very important step. While many of my challenges have had the appearance of being impossible, or at least very unfavorable, not one of them has stopped me. One by one, I tackled each riddle, left my comfort zone, faced my fears, and went out on a limb. Where I thought I was stuck, I became a little less so by working to find a solution. My next step has been to turn to God.

If I truly believe that “with God nothing shall be impossible,” (Luke 1:37) and I won’t be tested “above that which I can bear,” (Alma 13:28) then I should also have faith in God that He will provide a way to get through every challenge. I can have confidence that He has already provided a way for me to get unstuck. This may be through my own efforts, or it may be from someone else who isn’t clinging to a branch. In whatever the circumstance, He will provide help. "Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you," is what He has promised. (Matthew 7:7)

Truer than finding a lost object in the last place you think to look, needed help often comes when you are at the end of your rope, or at the end of a branch. It comes right when you think you can’t possibly do any more. This is because you “receive no witness until after the trial of your faith.” (Ether 12:6)

God is our loving Father in Heaven. He wants us to be like Him. We become more like Him as we put our faith in Him – faith enough to do as much as we possibly can before He steps in. It’s the faith to act and face our circumstances, even when we are afraid or don’t want to. As we learn to face our fears and replace them with faith, we learn how to get unstuck faster. It happens with His help.

If you ever feel like you are being tested as much as you can possibly bear, hold on and turn to God. Don’t give up. God intends to test our faith to make us stronger. If you feel like you have to make an impossible decision, remember that help will be on its way. That’s what He has promised, and it’s worth remembering when you are stuck out on a limb.


What I Believe…


http://saltypockets.blogspot.com/

My Question

Surprised, I stopped and noticed it –
A question – hiding behind my confidence,
The quiet voice I forgot was there,
Familiar against my silence.

This mark, I thought, had gone away –
Scolded and disciplined for loitering.
Instead it wagged its finger at me,
That question that is questioning.

Should I be worried? Is my faith weak,
I asked, If unresolved the mark remains?
If I have answered more than once,
How long until it stays away?

I took my stance before the mark
As though it were not there.
Exchanging weakness for my strength,
I lowly knelt in prayer.

Even lower did I stand
When I was answered not a word.
Was it the fault of mark or mine,
When my prayer went unheard?

With my adjusted stature,
I saw no place to hide,
Not for me, nor my question,
Beneath confidence, stature, or pride.

I resolved myself to move along
With intentions that are good,
And when my mark no longer questioned,
That’s where my answer stood.

Some answers come by gentle words
That match the quiet voice.
Yet some are found by pure resolve
And in the honest choice.

Perhaps the mark found a place
To hide until I’m weak.
It’s finger to wag, and words to wave
With tongue placed in cheek.


What I Believe…


http://saltypockets.blogspot.com/

Just Like a Pebble

Standing at the edge, I found myself tempted by this irresistible urge. I had to know. I wanted to try. Purposefully, I clenched my hand, made my decision, and then threw the small stone into the water. For a moment longer, the surface of the large pond in the Uintah Mountains remained smooth as glass. Then everything changed.

Once the relatively small rock plunged into the water, there was little I could do to stop the reaction of natural consequences. From the spot where the rock hit the surface, ripples began to move through the water. I watched them surge outward, further and further, until they reached the opposite side of the pond. Upon arrival, the ripples reversed direction and mirrored the bank as they began a return trip to where the stone first fell.

Natural consequences are quite often predictable and easy to repeat. I think it interesting that consequences often carry an undesirable connotation as consistently as water carries a wave. Yet, consequences don’t have to be negative.

There have been moments in my life where I needed extra help and had nowhere to turn. Like the pond, my life was standing still, and it seemed that I was all alone. Figuratively speaking, that is when I threw my stone – I knelt in prayer and waited to see what would happen.

Faith is not a thing of little consequence. In fact, faith the size of a mustard seed has been reported to move mountains. With that kind of force, it is not possible to exercise faith without the effects of expected consequences.

Personal prayer to God is one of the simplest ways we can exercise our faith. The truth is, prayer works. Once you throw the rock, you cannot stop the consequences of that prayer any more than you can stop the ripples in the pond. God hears and answers prayers when we ask in faith. He is not limited in His ability to answer our prayers. Rather, we often limit what He can do by how much faith we put in Him.

If you are a skeptic, you might question my belief that God answers every prayer. In turn, I might reply that some ripples merely take longer to get to the other shore before making the return trip. Sometimes that distance is self imposed because we create distance through our disobedience. I also believe there are other distances that have nothing to do with our worthiness. Instead the time required to answer a prayer has more to do with each individual test of our faith. Some tests just take longer than others. God may have made Abraham wait a hundred years to give him a son, but he did answer his prayer.

In my own life, I have found personal prayer to be very powerful. Whenever I ask in faith, I can see the Lord’s hand both guiding and providing for me. Yes, things may appear very still when He wants me to see what I am capable of, but He does listen, and He does answer prayers. Every time we pray, there are natural consequences. A single prayer offered in faith may seem very small in a wide universe, but it sends a powerful message, just like a pebble in a pond.


What I Believe…


http://saltypockets.blogspot.com/

Columbus Moments

First impressions are powerful. The first thing I associate with Christopher Columbus is the idea that “the world is round.” Perhaps you would agree. Yes, he discovered America, but so did Leif Ericson, and a number of others long before. From the time that I was a boy, I remember hearing stories of Columbus proposing that he could reach Asia by sailing west. Crossing the Atlantic was a task that many Europeans didn’t know had been done. Eventually, Columbus did sail west and proved that he was right. Or was he?

The Niña, the Pinta, and the Santa Maria arrived successfully in the Western Hemisphere, but it wasn’t what Columbus thought. To his death, Columbus argued that he had arrived in Asia. Sadly he was wrong, but his efforts made future exploration possible that would prove that he had the right idea.

Imagine how disastrous the voyage of 1492 would have been for Columbus and his crew had the “New World” not been where he thought Asia should be. The fact that he was both right and wrong is intriguing and beautiful to me. It offers a certain amount of hope to face an unknown task, one where you don’t know entirely what you are doing and have to act on faith. In just such a situation, it is possible that Columbus had additional help.

The ancient American prophet, Nephi, foresaw a time when his descendants would be visited by a people from over the sea. He said, “And I looked and beheld a man among the Gentiles, who was separated from the seed of my brethren by the many waters; and I beheld the Spirit of God, that it came down and wrought upon the man; and he went forth upon the many waters, even unto the seed of my brethren, who were in the promised land.” (1 Nephi 13:12)

The prophecy does not speak of Columbus by name, but if you can consider that his role fits Nephi’s description, there is a valuable clue to receiving personal revelation. Insight may not be all-inclusive, but that doesn’t preclude it from being true. Columbus had enough truth to get him moving in the right direction.

Another American prophet, Moroni, had an insight about what we know and don’t know. He said, “I would show unto the world that faith is things which are hoped for and not seen; wherefore, dispute not because ye see not, for ye receive no witness until after the trial of your faith.” (Ether 12:6)

At times when we are moved upon by the Holy Ghost to act, it may be tempting to doubt that the promptings are real just because we don’t have a full understanding of the impression. That witness may not come until we have chosen to act for ourselves. The Lord may be waiting to see what we will do when we don’t know what to do.

One of the most difficult things I experience while trying to follow the promptings of the Holy Ghost is to make sure I correctly interpret the meaning. In some cases, the meaning simply isn’t clear but I still feel like I need to act all the same. When that feeling leads me to do something good, and I follow, seldom have I ever been disappointed. Then in hindsight the lesson reveals itself. I may have mistaken a few details in my Columbus moment, but the whole picture quite often shows that I did what I needed to do, and it was enough.

Imagine the recent upturn I felt when I made my own discovery about the story of Columbus. The idea that everyone thought the earth was flat appears to be erroneous. Well, there goes my association. There is enough evidence to indicate that many scholars before Columbus believed the earth to be round. In fact, the techniques of celestial navigation were beginning to be widely used by mariners of his time. Curiously, the “flat earth” idea has been misconstrued as history for decades because of a single biography written a little over three hundred years later.

“Hmmm,” says I. While Columbus may not have been completely right in his thoughts, and while history may not be completely accurate in what happened, that doesn’t change the reality of an impression.

I suspect that I will have many more Columbus moments in my life. I may feel the spirit and not be entirely clear about what it means, but as long as I recognize a prompting of the Holy Ghost, and I act on it, I can be assured that God will lead me in the right direction. The key is to follow the impression when it comes.


What I Believe…


http://saltypockets.blogspot.com/

Trying My Hand

They were skeptics, and rightfully so. Five years ago, my wife’s brothers had stopped by for a visit and I showed them my most recent project. By the somewhat veiled expressions on their faces, I could tell that they weren’t sure what to make of it. I was confidently amused.

Downstairs, the walls of the small workroom in our house were canvassed with life-size sketches and photographs. A table was positioned in the middle of the room to make working easier. On top sat a small sheet of particle board with a mound of clay that, to some, resembled an alien. “Hmm,” their eyes whispered sideways. “That’s really something.”

Ten hours into my work, I looked at the vague shape of clay that would eventually take me just over fifty to complete. I had never done a sculpture like this one before, and only had a vague sense of where I would go next. Whether or not I actually got there mattered less at that moment. I felt I had to try.

The process was beautiful. Each gesture of my hands made a subtle refinement. The sensory feeling of clay giving way to my fingers pulled me into the sculpture. Carefully I studied the sketches and photos of my model from every angle. I checked proportions and made adjustments. With every lift, push, and expression, the abstract form began to take life.

I savored the last ten hours of sculpting. By that point, the clay no longer looked unrecognizable. There was an excitement of getting close, of realizing my purpose. The clay had its own meaning just waiting to speak. As the detail of each feature became clearer, a stronger resemblance to its intrinsic design, I felt great satisfaction. My work didn’t have to be perfect. It was mine, and I was pleased.

Afterward, I enjoyed sitting and looking at the form in front of me. I compared two notions. While the form felt like something I had made with my own hands, it also felt like a person that I merely rescued or liberated from the clay – it was a mixture of ability and opportunity.

Quite often I like to pray over my work. I try to express gratitude for opportunities that seem to be given to me. No man is an island, and all good things come from God. I also like to pray for insight on how to improve my work and make it better. When these prayers are answered, I feel that divine guidance is added to ability and opportunity. It is a simple yet wonderful gift to be taught by impressions from God.

As for the skeptics, they really weren’t disbelieving. They just didn’t see at first. My brothers had a different understanding when they returned a week later and saw the finished product.

So often in life, the tangible evidence in front of us may not accurately describe what our work can become. More faith, please. When I believe in my own ability to act, and God’s ability to provide assistance, it’s easier to attempt things I haven’t tried before. I may not know completely what I am doing, but my faith can make up the difference.

As I shape my own life, it is very reassuring to follow a good model. Minor adjustments may not always feel good when I am the clay being sculpted. Yet when I feel I am getting closer to the true meaning of my life, those adjustments become very rewarding. That happens when I remember the purpose of why I am here. The Savior Jesus Christ is my model. Every refinement I make that increases my resemblance to Him gives me satisfaction. I feel freer as I take his image into my countenance. I look forward to when I, with Him, can look back on my life and see what we sculpted together.


What I Believe…


http://saltypockets.blogspot.com/

What Are You Feeling?

This morning one of my favorite songs replayed in the background of my mind as I woke up and I was intrigued by a single line from the lyrics. The song written by Jack Murphy & Frank Wildhorn is called “Little Things,” and it got me thinking about sincerity. “It’s the honest way you ask how I’m feeling,” is a line in the song that suggests that some questions may be less ingenuous. It also suggests that our intent can be audible and recognizable in the way we say something. It’s not just what we say, but what we mean when we say it.

Despite my efforts to be considerate this morning, my “getting ready” routine disturbed my wife’s sleep and I woke her up. Before I kissed her goodbye I asked how she was feeling. I like to think that my concern for her was sincere. I hoped that she felt what I was feeling, which is a deep, deep love for her. Had I been less sincere, I could have asked the question with little intent to do anything. Since perfection is a quality I haven’t managed to wrangle yet, I hope the times I do so are at least few and far between.

I can think of a couple occasions this past week where I asked this same question of two other friends. The circumstances were quite different, but my sincerity was no less than when I spoke to my wife. I care deeply. My question of regard was offered with the hope that it would be received like it was in the song. More than a gesture of courtesy, it was offered as an act of friendship with real intent.

In most conversations that I have, the question, “How are you feeling?” seems to be more common than, “What are you feeling?” I wonder, culturally, if this is because feelings tend to be a little more private. The first question is a simple closed-ended question that is great for small talk. It can easily be answered with a reply of, “good,” or, “not so well,” end of story. The second question, however, may be a little more difficult.

Asking someone, “What are you feeling?” would imply that the person being asked is actually feeling something at the moment. The question would also presume that he or she would know exactly what they were feeling, which is often hard to do. Words seem to make more sense than emotions when we try to describe them, don’t you think? Perhaps the difficult part of this question is the position it puts the person in who is being asked. For instance, if someone asked you that question – a question which happens to be more open-ended – you are forced to make a decision. Do I want to share what I am feeling, or should I say, “it it’s none of your business?” Suddenly the person being asked is put on the spot to make a judgment call of what is too personal and what is not. When feelings and emotions are hard enough to decipher inside your head, having to account for it on the outside can be even more troubling. Agreed? Then, let’s take a closer look at the first question.

Most of the time when I ask, “How are you feeling?” my intent is to know, “Are you well,” or “Are you feeling better?” The question seems most appropriate when the outward appearance is less than obvious, or when the person I am talking to is obviously not feeling as well as he or she could. There are outward indicators that things could be better, if only by a little. Even in these instances, my concern for a friend is generally about their physical feelings, or their emotional feelings. I think, in all reality, there should be a greater concern for spiritual feelings.

Here’s another potentially awkward moment. What if the question, “How are you feeling?” was not intended to be lightly conversational. Another for-instance, what if the person doing the asking meant, “How is your ability to feel?” “Are you capable of feeling spiritual things?” “Do you know how to recognize the promptings of the Holy Ghost when they come?” “Do you… .” Anyway, you get the idea. Suddenly small talk turns in to an interrogation, and the second question by comparison doesn’t look so bad. Talk about awkward. Is it too late to switch questions? If someone asks, “What are you feeling,” I can at least answer, “I’m not sure,” and be completely honest.

The reality of the matter is that most people who believe in inspiration from the Holy Ghost are often unclear about what the inspiration means. Yes, I receive inspiration through my thoughts and feelings, but I don’t always know for sure if it is inspiration or not. I’m not always certain about the meaning or if I am reading my own biases into it. Sometimes it is as though I feel something that might actually mean something, but I’m not sure. Now I’ve gone from feeling awkward to frustrated. What is worse is when I have to make a decision that feels time-sensitive, meaning, I don’t have time to sit and wait around for a sign from heaven. That’s probably a good thing because those signs seldom come.

Choosing to ask myself these same questions in the privacy of my own mind may not be the most comfortable pastime, but it is better than experiencing feelings of doubt when I am in the middle of a crisis and I am in need of heavenly help. I would rather answer questions when I have a comfortable amount of time to do so. Then I can feel better about how I am feeling and what I am feeling. I believe that each of us experience moments of clarity and moments of ambiguity. Separating what we know from what we don’t know can provide a good start.

Moments of clarity for me include those times when I either feel the presence or absence of the Holy Spirit strongly, and I know why. While I am not perfect, there are times that I feel the witness of the Holy Ghost that I am at least worthy, that my efforts to do what God wants have been accepted. I haven’t arrived yet, but I am moving in the right direction. I feel at peace as I feel the presence and influence of the Comforter. That is a wonderful feeling to experience on occasion.

There are other times when I know I feel the spirit, but I don’t feel the peaceful confirmation that I am doing the right thing. Instead I am being reprimanded or chastised. I don’t have to commit a serious sin, I just have to do something that is wrong and the Holy Ghost will warn me of the error I have just made. His influence may not leave, but I have the warning that it will if I don’t correct my mistake and turn my heart to God. Very often, this subtle feeling is no more than a hunch. It’s as though the good feeling I had is diminished but with the option to have it back should I make the right choice. If I am not sincere, and do not have real intent, it will be very apparent to God how I am feeling about His promptings. If I persist in thinking that my way is better and I don’t give heed to the prompting, I start to diminish in my ability to feel spiritual things. This either leads to a moment of ambiguity or the last moment of clarity.

This last moment of clarity I have experienced comes when I have deliberately made the wrong choice. I knew it and I did what I wanted anyway. In those moments, I have felt the influence of the spirit leave and I am left alone because I was prideful or rebellious. In those moments, I knew it, and it was clear. Those are very uncomfortable moments, but they are still a gift when they help me to change.

Separating what you know from what you don’t know before you get to a crisis, not only helps organize your understanding, it can also provide some patterns that may help sort out the times that are less clear. The similarities between these moments of clarity and ambiguity may give enough reason to have a little more faith when we don’t know for sure.

I believe a very common moment of ambiguity is when a person receives inspiration and doesn’t realize it. If the gift of the Holy Ghost is intended to be a constant influence and companion, I do not doubt that someone who is living a Christ-like life is constantly benefiting from inspiration. Just because I don’t recognize it doesn’t mean that I am not receiving it. I would like to be better at recognizing those subtle promptings for what they are so I can include my gratitude for them in my prayers of thanks. I find the more I look the more I find. Watching helps, but I am often uncertain.

Another moment of ambiguity is very similar, when I think I have received some sort of inspiration but I am not positive what the feeling means. I have a hunch that I am supposed to do something, but I am not exactly sure what, and I’m not exactly sure why. It is just a simple hunch accompanied by somewhat familiar feeling.

The moment of ambiguity that I am most familiar with is when I am seeking inspiration and I don’t feel like I am getting what I need. I hope for guidance and all I feel is uncertainty. In those moments, it is as though I am surrounded by a fog. I wrestle in prayer and I don’t feel like I get any closer to an answer. I am left to my own strength for a time, wondering if my fog is a consequence of my own behavior. I think this is the most difficult ambiguity because it is the one where I feel the most alone – I feel as though I am going through a trial by myself. To some degree this is true.

In this last case, it helps to remember that God has promised not to leave those who are faithful. Rather, He has promised to prepare the way before us, to support us in our trials, and bear us up in our afflictions. Just because we can’t see it doesn’t mean that He is not doing it. This requires a greater demonstration of faith on our part. I believe it is in this moment of ambiguity where we experience the greatest potential for personal growth. This is where many of my personal tests can be found. Anticipating this will help prepare our minds and our hearts to be tested.

When I feel that the influence of the Holy Spirit has left me alone, the first thing I do is a safety check. It’s like putting on your seat belt as soon as you get into a car. It becomes a habit. If I feel the absence of that peaceful comforting feeling, the first thing I do is ask myself, “Have I done something that would cause the spirit to withdraw?” Remember, to keep the spirit with us always requires a willingness to remember the teachings of Jesus and to follow Him. We don’t have to be perfect, we just have to be willing and worthy. This says more about where our hearts are pointed than where they are at. If I don’t feel that I have been deliberately rebellious, I move to the next step in my safety check.

At times when I feel alone because I do not feel the spirit close to me, the next condition I check is to see if I feel discouraged. There is a big difference between feeling down and discouraged and feeling guilty because we know we have done something wrong. If I have done something wrong, the spirit will usually help me to see the problem. Occasionally I will feel down and discouraged, not because the Lord feels I have done something wrong, but because I haven’t achieved the expectations I have set for myself. It is not uncommon to be harder on yourself than others would. We simply can’t do everything all at once, and it isn’t required. King Benjamin taught, “it is not requisite that a man should run faster than he has strength.” (Mosiah 4:27)

I have learned that the Holy Ghost is consistent. When I feel the spirit, I always feel uplifted and edified. Even when I have done something wrong, and I am chastened by the Holy Spirit, His influence will guide me to see a way out. He always directs me upward. The Lord told Joseph Smith, “And now, verily, verily, I say unto thee, put your trust in that Spirit which leadeth to do good—yea, to do justly, to walk humbly, to judge righteously; and this is my Spirit. Verily, verily, I say unto you, I will impart unto you of my Spirit, which shall enlighten your mind, which shall fill your soul with joy; And then shall ye know, or by this shall you know, all things whatsoever you desire of me, which are pertaining unto things of righteousness, in faith believing in me that you shall receive.” (Doctrine & Covenants 11:12-14)

If I have passed the rebellious check, and I am not feeling guilty because I have been chastened by the spirit, I proceed to the next safety check: How is my faith? It is my experience that the spirit will leave if we have done something to offend God, or if we have ignored his subtle promptings. There may be times that we don’t feel the spirit as strongly because our desires, appetites, and passions are screaming louder and we give deference to them. But if I am trying to do what is right, and I still don’t feel the spirit, I find that my ambiguity is about to get clearer. The key comes down to a couple of simple keys that were illustrated in the song I woke up to. It’s in the honest way I ask myself how I am feeling. Am I being sincere when I say that I am trying to do what is right? Do I have real intent to follow God? Is there anything I have overlooked that is blocking my faith? When I am truly honest with God, He is more open with me.

Most of the time when I feel ambiguous about where I stand with God, or I wonder why I haven’t felt his Holy Spirit as well as at other times, it is because I am in the middle of a test, and I am about to finish. It is often at the moment when I feel I can’t go any longer or any further that a change begins to happen. It is in the moment when I am willing to submit my will to God and do whatever He wants that my tests usually resolve and I gain understanding. Moroni taught, “for ye receive no witness until after the trial of your faith.” (Ether 12:6)

Moroni also taught, “I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost. And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things.” (Moroni 10:4-5)

Our intent is very recognizable to God in the way we offer our prayers. It’s not just what we say, but what we mean when we say it. He knows what we need before we even ask. He also knows what will help us the most. Even when we feel we have learned what we need to in a trial, God knows best. He has prepared lessons that are specifically tailored to save His children. Just because we don’t understand doesn’t mean we should doubt. As we put our faith in Him, he will not fail us, but will stay with us until we make it home.

So what is it I am feeling? That is really up to me to determine for myself. However the pattern that God has given us is that the Holy Spirit will guide us when we are faithful. If we are consistent in following Him, He will provide moments of clarity amidst the moments of ambiguity. It may not be enough to know for a certainty all the things we want to know, but it will be enough to help us to have faith in Him. Once we do that, and once we learn how to recognize the influence of His Holy Spirit when it is present, then we can feel much better about any trial we are asked to pass through.


http://saltypockets.blogspot.com/

Wanting

Empty.
My soul felt void.
Stripped of water and bread to sustain,
I missed my well and grain –
A source of energy that powers the heart
To action,
To feel and breathe again.

Yearning,
I looked for fuel –
For strength that carries, inspires, and lifts,
So highly valued among my gifts.
I sought reprieve to calm my wants
As time,
I hoped, my thoughts would sift.

Desire points me.
Passions drive me.
My appetites, constant, uphold my need,
Near amounts that closely border greed.
Wondering why I want so much
I pause,
Then let my will concede.

Trying,
I ask in faith,
And not to consume upon my lust,
But to still the raging tempest thrust.
My heart I turn to Him who hears,
…and wait.
His will is always just.

Oh,
How my soul hungers
To learn control and understand
How to receive from the Master’s hand.
I’ll look to Him to fuel my soul,
And then, one day,
Accept the perfect things He’s planned.


http://saltypockets.blogspot.com/

How Long Shall I Suffer?

Mormon’s admonition to pray for charity with all energy of heart has been on my mind a lot lately. He understood a principle I feel I am just beginning to understand. While there are many good things we can do in life, there is only one way to return to our Father’s presence, and that is through His Only Begotten Son, Jesus Christ. As we live the way He lived, as we choose to do what He did, we become like Him. We become pure.

The gift of charity, or the pure love of Christ, is described as the greatest of all the gifts of God. It is the gift that will lead us to eternal life. While this gift cannot be purchased with money or be received by giving our excess to a charitable organization, the gift comes with a heavy price. The amount is the cost of a single heart offered to the Lord – mine.

The prophet Mormon described this cost to his people. “And charity suffereth long, and is kind, and envieth not, and is not puffed up, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil, and rejoiceth not in iniquity but rejoiceth in the truth, beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.” (Moroni 7:45)

In the scriptures the word, “suffer,” has two meanings that are related but different. One meaning is to endure pain, distress, loss, separation, or even death. King Benjamin described the suffering that Jesus would endure for our sakes in similar terms. “And lo, he shall suffer temptations, and pain of body, hunger, thirst, and fatigue, even more than man can suffer, except it be unto death; for behold, blood cometh from every pore, so great shall be his anguish for the wickedness and the abominations of his people.” (Mosiah 3:7)

This type of suffering describes all experiences that are difficult and unpleasant. It is usually associated with pain that is either physical, or emotional. Some pain that we feel may only be temporary and fleeting. Pain can also be severe enough that it causes damage and leaves a mark. I find great comfort knowing the atoning sacrifice Jesus made for all mankind will take away our pain and heal our marks. He has made it possible to find hope.

The second meaning of the word, “suffer,” can be found in the New Testament. As a group of people brought their children to be blessed by Jesus, His disciples rebuked them. Jesus’ reply to His disciples was, “Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.” (Mark 10:14) The account of this story does not describe the experience of having young children come to Him as difficult or unpleasant. In fact, it was something that Jesus wanted. In this context the word, “suffer,” means to allow or permit.

As I consider these two meanings in relation to the cost of charity, I am left wondering how they relate. Suffering alone does not equate to love. Merely allowing unpleasant things does not guarantee us greater love, either. However, if I take both meanings and I add them to a common purpose, I get a different result. If I am willing to endure difficult trials and allow Father to direct my life because I trust Him, it may not be pleasant, but in the larger picture I can count on Him to make my life better. When I do hard things out of love, my love increases and my capacity to love increases.

Suffering can often teach us lessons we wouldn’t learn any other way. Paul in his letter to the Hebrews describes the prophet Melchizedek who offered “strong crying and tears” with his prayers that God would save him from death. Little more is known about his experience except that he learned “obedience by the things which he suffered.” (Hebrews 5:6-8) Melchizedek was a man of great faith, but that too came with a cost.

At the beginning of His ministry, Jesus went into the wilderness to pray. “And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights and had communed with God, he was afterward an hungered and was left to be tempted of the devil.” (JST Matthew 4:2) I find it interesting that Jesus was doing something good and was rewarded with a trial. That is how it may look from the first appearance, anyway. Instead, consider that Jesus went into the wilderness to submit to the Father. He wasn’t looking for a reward. He was there to worship. Because His vision was clear in spite of His lack of strength, He was true to the Father and chose not to worship the deceiver.

Sometimes, the only way we learn the lessons Father wants us to is through difficult experiences. Joseph Smith taught that Jesus “suffered temptations but gave no heed unto them.” (Doctrine & Covenants 20:22) He lived a perfect life, but He still suffered and learned grace to grace.

King Benjamin also prophesied of the suffering that Jesus would endure. He said that Jesus would subject Himself to the Father, and that He “suffereth temptation, and yieldeth not to the temptation, but suffereth himself to be mocked, and scourged, and cast out, and disowned by his people. … Yea, even so he shall be led, crucified, and slain, the flesh becoming subject even unto death, the will of the Son being swallowed up in the will of the Father. (Mosiah 15:5-8) This passage includes both definitions of the word “suffer.” Jesus suffered, and He allowed Himself to suffer, that He might gain victory over sin and death.

At a time in his life when it appeared that he could suffer no more, Joseph Smith prayed to the Father for himself and for his people, “O God, where art thou? And where is the pavilion that covereth thy hiding place? How long shall thy hand be stayed…? let thine heart be softened, and thy bowels moved with compassion toward us.” (Doctrine & Covenants 121:1-2, 4)

The Lord’s reply was merciful. “My son, peace be unto thy soul; thine adversity and thine afflictions shall be but a small moment; And then, if thou endure it well, God shall exalt thee on high; thou shalt triumph over all thy foes. Thy friends do stand by thee, and they shall hail thee again with warm hearts and friendly hands. Thou art not yet as Job….” (Doctrine & Covenants 121:7-10) The Lord continues, “If thou art called to pass through tribulation;” and he lists a number of examples of suffering, “if the very jaws of hell shall gape open the mouth wide after thee, know thou, my son, that all these things shall give thee experience, and shall be for thy good. The Son of Man hath descended below them all. Art thou greater than he? Therefore, hold on thy way… for God shall be with you forever and ever. (Doctrine & Covenants 122:5, 7-9)

Poor Joseph. In his darkest moment, he had not yet endured as Job. He had not suffered like the Lord of all. But he did have a reason to hope. God did not abandon Job, but blessed him with increase. The Lord “gave Job twice as much as he had before,” and “blessed the latter end of [his life] more than his beginning.” (Job 42:10, 12) God did not abandon His Only Begotten Son, either. After Jesus knelt in the Garden of Gethsemane, he prayed, “Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.” I love this example because Jesus prayed out of the honesty of His heart. He told Father what he wanted, but then clarified that He would submit to the Father’s will. He suffered. Then, “there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him. And being in agony he prayed more earnestly: and he sweat as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground.” (Luke 22:42-44, JST Luke 22:44)

The Lord told Joseph Smith, “I, God, have suffered these things for all, that they might not suffer if they would repent; But if they would not repent they must suffer even as I; Which suffering caused myself, even God, the greatest of all, to tremble because of pain, and to bleed at every pore, and to suffer both body and spirit – and would that I might not drink the bitter cup, and shrink – Nevertheless, glory be to the Father, and I partook and finished my preparations unto the children of men.” (Doctrine & Covenants 19:16-19)

Knowing that someone else knows what you are going through can be a great comfort. Knowing that Jesus has done something for us so that we wouldn’t have to is a tremendous gift! Knowing that even He had a hard time and didn’t want to do it makes His experience that much more personal to me. Believing that God does not lie and He does not change gives me hope that He will help me and save me in my desperation, too. Faith will get me started in the right direction, and hope will provide motivation when things get difficult. But, it is charity, the pure love of God, that will see me through to the end when my trials seem unbearable.

As I compare the many tears I shed in my own suffering with the blood that was shed in my behalf by the Savior, I am tempted to feel small and ashamed that I am so weak and vulnerable. The thing that saves me from greater self-pity and despair is that Jesus does not ask me to do what He did. I don’t have to suffer the way He did. I just need to live the way He wants me to, and that will be enough. I am not as strong as He is, but together we can do anything. I am not perfect like He is, but I am trying. I am not required to be perfect in my weakness. If I want to be like Jesus, I am required to turn to Him in faith when I am having a hard time. As I turn to him, then I can suffer the difficult lessons. I can allow Father to take the time He needs to make me better. I find I can do more and more through practice and prayer, as long as I have hope.

In the midst of that dark moment for Joseph Smith, the Lord gave him some instruction that was also meant to give him hope. And here we come back to the idea that I started with – charity. “Let thy bowels also be full of charity towards all men, and to the household of faith, and let virtue garnish thy thoughts unceasingly; then shall thy confidence wax strong in the presence of God; and the doctrine of the priesthood shall distill upon thy soul as the dews from heaven. The Holy Ghost shall be thy constant companion, and thy scepter an unchanging scepter of righteousness and truth; and thy dominion shall be an everlasting dominion, and without compulsory means it shall flow unto thee forever and ever.” (Doctrine & Covenants 121:45-46) This strength all starts with charity, which never faileth.

Whether it is charity that helps me in suffering, or that I gain more charity through the right kind of suffering, I don’t know for sure. But if I am willing to endure, and allow difficult lessons to shape who I am because I am seeking charity, at least I know that I am moving in the right direction. Little by little, and grace for grace, my heart becomes purer and I become a little more ready to meet my Savior. Each time that my suffering increases, I turn to Father in prayer. And, like Joseph, Melchizedek, and the Savior, Father will hear and answer our prayers. He will send angels to comfort us and buoy us up. I know Father will bless us with that which we seek if we pray for charity with all the energy of heart.


http://saltypockets.blogspot.com/

Lose Your Self, Not Your Perspective

There is often a difference between “being right” and “being righteous.” Wanting to be right isn’t a bad thing. This desire can stem from a desire to do good, to be obedient, and to be sure that the path we are on will take us to the right destination. It suggests that we are not only seeking good, but that we have found it, or at least some part that is worth holding on to. It may also be evidence that our faith has resulted in a knowledge of good and evil.

Our actions after we have found something good are what determine our own goodness. It is then that we find whether we match the goodness we have discovered, or if we merely admire something that is better than ourselves. I often sorrow for my own weaknesses when I have discovered the latter. Yet if I didn’t recognize this truth, I could never get past “being right” to “become" righteous.

I believe the desire for security to be innate in all of us. We want to be happy. We want to be successful, and we want the happiness we have found to continue. In order to do so, it is natural to guard what we have and what we know. We settle. We are willing to accept the little bit of success we have gained at the risk of forgetting there is much more. So, here lies the heart of the problem, and the difference between being right and being righteous. I have to be willing to ask myself a difficult question. “Am I protecting myself, my success, and my possessions, or am I protecting my ability to gain more truth?” My answer to this question should clearly define where I feel safe and show where my insecurities are.

Settling for a lesser truth can be very risky. Consider a difficult court case where a defendant is being tried for a serious offense. It is difficult to know whether the person is innocent, guilty, or merely negligent without proper evidence. If a verdict is determined too quickly based on a single piece of evidence, the judgment may not be fair. We may want to find a person either guilty or innocent, hoping for black and white clarity, when in fact the person may be some of each. I find that my imperfections put me in this camp more often than I would like. Just because I am trying to do what is right doesn’t mean I am completely right. Understanding this valuable truth will help me to turn to a more complete source. Personalizing this trial of faith will help me to understand that I have to defend truth without being personally defensive. If my own interests get in the way of the truth I am seeking, I become blinded and I stop seeing clearly.

In the coasts of Caesarea Philippi during his Galilean ministry, Jesus asked his disciples, “Whom say ye that I am?” Peter answered, “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. Jesus then told Peter he was blessed because he had received this witness from the Father. Immediately after, Jesus began to teach those who were with him of the things he had to do as the Christ and Savior of the World. He told them how he would suffer and be killed. Peter quickly began to rebuke him, telling Jesus that this wouldn’t happen. Jesus’ response to Peter is a little disturbing. “Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.” (Matthew 16:15-16, 22-23)

I feel for Peter. What a difficult thing to have just had a spiritual experience – to have born witness by the power of the Holy Ghost that Jesus is the Christ, to be told that the Church would be built upon the principles of revelation and priesthood keys, and that Peter himself would be given these as well as the sealing power to perform God’s work – and then to be told that you are Satan because you care not for the things that are God’s. I think if I had been in Peter’s shoes, I might have been a little confused and frightened. It would be easy to take the accusation personally without some degree of faith that Jesus was merely preparing Peter for something greater. Shortly after, Peter was given those keys as Moses, Elias, Elijah, and John the Baptist appeared to him on the mount of transfiguration. He continued to grow from grace to grace though he was not perfect. He learned how to see larger perspective through God’s eyes. He learned how to be trusted.

The struggle with self is perhaps the most difficult battle we will ever face. So much happens in the heart that goes unseen. Each of us places things that we treasure in our hearts. We make rooms for people who are important to us. We choose what we will think and how we will act by what we allow into our hearts. If we are selfish and self focused, we will savor the things of men rather than God. Yet if we enlarge our perspective so that our focus is on truth instead of our desires only, then self gets swallowed up in something greater. We become greater. Our outward beauty becomes a reflection of the change that takes place in our hearts. It demonstrates whether or not we have taken the Lord’s image into our own countenances.

Being swallowed up may sound like a negative thing, but this should not be compared to a hostile corporate takeover. Jesus invites us to come unto Him, so that we can follow Him and be with Him, He offers us a grand gift, to be a joint-heir of all that the Father has. He asks us to do what He has done. Offering ourselves up to be swallowed up in the will of the Lord is much like Jonah recognizing his mistakes, offering to be thrown off the ship only to be swallowed by the whale, and then be delivered safely. Had Jonah accepted this principle sooner, he could have swallowed his pride and been blessed instead of having to endure the stomach of a whale. Consider the sign of Jonah. (Matthew 16:4)

The prophet Abinadi foretold the difficult things Jesus would do during his ministry. Interestingly enough, it is the same thing that Jesus foretold to Peter. To King Noah he said, “And thus the flesh becoming subject to the Spirit, or the Son to the Father, being one God, suffereth temptation, and yieldeth not to the temptation, but suffereth himself to be mocked, and scourged, and cast out, and disowned by his people. … Yea, even so he shall be led, crucified, and slain, the flesh becoming subject even unto death, the will of the Son being swallowed up in the will of the Father.” (Mosiah 15:5-7) By yielding to the Holy Spirit and submitting our desires for sanctification and approval, we allow our will to be swallowed up in the will of the Father.

After Jesus chastened Peter, He taught him how to keep a clear perspective. He said, “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.” (Matthew 16:24) His disciples hadn’t seen him carry his own cross yet, but would according to his word. We may assume that they had seen others crucified along the roads of Jerusalem who had born their own cross before receiving their final sentence of death. In this symbolic act, if we take up our own cross, we may do something difficult that acknowledges the death of the natural man so that we can more properly follow the Savior. Jesus continues, “And now for a man to take up his cross, is to deny himself of all ungodliness, and every worldly lust, and keep my commandments.” (JST Matthew 16:26)

Jesus spake of His Cross and His deliverance as things that had already happened. He was obedient to the Father at every step. He also taught how we could follow him without having to make the same sacrifice, if we would just be willing to do so and then do whatever else He asks of us. The account of this story is recorded slightly different in three of the four gospels of the New Testament. Each one adds some insight to keeping a proper perspective.

In Matthew we read, “Break not my commandments for to save your lives; for whosoever will save his life in this world, shall lose it in the world to come.” (JST Matthew 16:27) Less dire than saving our lives is an attempt to save a mortgage, pay a bill, or provide for our wants and needs by breaking the sabbath or withholding our tithes and offerings from the Lord. If we are tempted to break a commandment to provide for a want, will we not be judged more harshly than if we were trying to save our lives? Still, the instruction remains not to break the commandments to save our lives. Rather than judging others for their decisions, I feel we are better off judging our own intent to see if we are trying to be right or trying to be righteous. If we are unsure, the Lord will help us to know if we ask in faith.

“For whosoever will save his life in this world, shall lose it in the world to come. And whosoever will lose his life in this world, for my sake shall find it in the world to come. Therefore, forsake the world, and save your souls….” (JST Matthew 16:27-29) Jesus’ words here have everything to do with priority. Do I give too much voice to my current needs that I forget about the tomorrow of eternity? Am I so focused on self that I lose my perspective? What am I willing to offer to make sure this does not happen? I find when I am not only willing to ask these questions, but answer them with positive action and choices, my perspective enlarges and I feel closer to the Holy Spirit.

In Mark we read, “For whosoever will save his life, shall lose it; or whosever will save his life, shall be willing to lay it down for my sake; and if he is not willing to lay it down for my sake, he shall lose it.” (JST Mark 8:37) This account reinforces that our willingness is most important. We may not have to give up everything. In fact, it is Father who wishes to give us everything, but He can only do it if our hearts are set upon Him instead of the things He wishes to give us. We have to be willing to endure and not settle for anything less than Him.

“In Luke we read, “For whosoever will save his life, must be willing to lose it for my sake; and whosoever will be willing to lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it. For what doth it profit a man if he gain the whole world, and yet he receive him not whom God hath ordained, and he lose his own soul, and he himself be a castaway?” (JST Luke 9:24-25) Jesus enlarges this understanding beyond the will of the Father to include the words of those servants who have been called to teach us and chasten us. He does not ask that we give our lives in death, but to give our lives in service as we follow the Lord’s anointed. “Therefore deny yourselves of these, and be not ashamed of me.” (JST Mark 8:40)

On another occasion, Jesus taught this same principle and said, “Remember Lot’s wife. Whosoever shall seek to save his life shall lose it; and whosoever shall lose his life shall preserve it.” (Luke 17:32-33) He then continued to tell them of some of the signs of the second coming, how there would be two and one would be taken and one left behind. If we wish to have oil in our lamps when the bridegroom returns for the wedding, we should be willing to put self aside and purify our hearts.

Jesus Christ has shown the way to eternal life with the Father. He has taught us the truth and has paid the price for our sins. As we partake the emblems of His atoning sacrifice, and swallow them to become part of us, we demonstrate a willingness to let him into our core, into our heart. By so doing we swallow our pride and offer up our hearts and our desires to Him. This offering is not so that we will give up, suppress, or deny those God given desires, appetites, and passions, but to allow him to purge “self” from them, making them more pure and more powerful. This sanctification of our hearts removes selfishness and makes room for Him whose love is as broad as the universe.

The hardest decisions I will ever make will take place in my heart. I tend to have more fear when I can only see the instant of now and what I have to give up. When I understand the larger picture, my judgment is clearer and I am more likely to swallow and offer willingly. Recognizing that God is the only complete source for truth and happiness helps me to turn my focus from self and keep it on Him.


http://saltypockets.blogspot.com/

Keeping the Garden

Daily I walk
Through elder trees and newer foliage
On familiar paths that change.
Canopies of leaves extend and reach
To cover the growth that sometimes frightens.
The orchard’s fullest depth holds a mystery.
Its many rooms remain a wonder.
The Garden I keep for another
Has fruit both wild and tame.
Each tree bears fruit in its own season,
Save two.
That place in the Garden is different,
And the two trees unique.

Since its planting,
The first never ceases to furnish fruit.
It never stops bearing,
Not for a moment.
The tree has one eternal round
Of giving two gifts –
Fruit which is ripe, and that which is rotten.
Upon first picking,
The tree’s forbidden flavor
Became common knowledge.
The delicious fruit has been greatly desired
By all who have tasted
For many seasons since.

At first harvest,
The second likewise experienced a change.
In place of always providing
This tree is continually ripening.
Closer and closer, the fruit, white and pure,
Nigh to ready,
Seems just out of reach.
Whether by knowledge,
Passed on in story,
Or due to lack of availability,
The fruit of the tree,
So full of life,
Is declared most desirable above all.

Between the two trees
An empty spot lingered;
Ground most fertile, and peculiar, perhaps.
If these others should bear
So very uniquely,
I wondered,
What could happen, if only by chance,
That I experiment with a third?
Desire worked in me.
My thoughts made room for hope.
Carefully placed, I set a small seed,
Which I thought
to be mustard.

Presumption took hold.
I qualmed and I doubted.
This Garden, not mine, was mine but to tend.
Still I questioned
If my small effort, insignificant at best,
Could possibly anger the one for whom
This Garden I kept.
With desire to equal both neighboring trees,
I settled, and decided
To watch and to wait.
I nourished, and tended, and kept.
And then I was angered.
What I saw was not what I thought.

Two trees stood,
Each flanking my spot.
They were majestic and strong,
Ideal for the ground
So fertile and willing.
But mine,
Twisted and gnarled, not slender or strait,
Had come from the dust,
Much smaller, and weaker.
I was less hopeful.
Perhaps it wasn’t the Garden soil after all.
The tree seemed disappointing,
My efforts vain.

Were it not for the notice
I gave to the leaves,
Which seemed to resemble the very first tree,
I should not have discovered
The fruit, a single olive,
Matching in whiteness and brilliance
The color of the ever ripening fruit.
There between trees, a third form was growing,
Finding strength from the soil
And the other two trees.
It was becoming and resembled
Another mount, another garden,
Covered in trees.


http://saltypockets.blogspot.com/

Leaving the Garden of Eden

Four years ago I made the mistake of missing a return airplane flight on President’s Day weekend. I was not aware of how busy that particular Friday was for flyers and thought I might be able to arrange another departure. I was wrong. Worse yet, I disappointed my wife. My missed departure equated to a lost opportunity for a Friday night date we had been planning for a while. Saddened, after discovering that all outgoing flights were not only sold out but were overbooked, I had to figure out what I would do for accommodations. I went back to the car rental where I had just returned my car only to pick up another. My next task was to find a hotel room for the weekend. Admittedly, my decisions left me with circumstances I had not expected.

While Independence, Missouri, is a cold place to be in February, it is very different in the summer. In my effort to make the best of an extended business trip, I revisited memories of previous trips – times when leaves on trees were full and green rather than bleakly missing. I recalled driving through that part of the country, appreciating its recent and ancient history. In my memory, I appreciated the beauty of what I had known before. What I saw in front of me on that trip was a completely different context.

It was a sad irony that my attempt to leave Independence left me trapped and stranded from the home I wished to return to. Another small irony was that I was trying to leave by choice when, not quite two hundred years ago, many of my ancestors who had lived in that same area were forced to abandon their homes and lands, and leave against their will. Almost overnight, they had no accommodations and were at the mercy of other settlers who took them in and gave them a place to stay. They, too, left in the cold of winter, but they did not have rental cars or hotel rooms to comfort them. I was attempting to get home. They had to leave theirs.

Not far from this area is a place called Adam-ondi-Ahman, a name my ancestors referred to as the land where Adam dwelt. The valley of Adam-ondi-Ahman is now used for crops and is a quite a fertile area. Because of its namesake, I have wondered how fertile it might have been in comparison to the Garden of Eden. What were conditions really like there? What was summer like? How severe was winter when Adam and Eve were driven out? To what home did they then go?

The ancient account of leaving the fertile garden was partly out of choice, and partly by requirement. Yes, Adam and Eve were driven from the Garden of Eden by God, but only after having made the choice that triggered the consequence. First, they were warned of what would happen should they choose to eat the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil. Then they chose.

God commanded Adam, “Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat, but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it, nevertheless, thou mayest choose for thyself, for it is given unto thee; but, remember that I forbid it, for in the day thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.” (Moses 3:16-17)

I wonder if we received similar instruction in the grand council in heaven before coming to this earth. When the plan of our Father in heaven was presented, were we not also warned of what would happen should we choose to accept His plan, requiring us to gain knowledge and choose between good and evil? Did we not accept the conditions of death as part of mortality? How much did we know? We didn’t know what death was like because we hadn’t experienced it. We didn’t know how temptations would affect a mortal body, either. Yet we knew enough to follow Jehovah and reject Lucifer during the war in heaven. We knew enough to choose sides and pick between good and evil.

In a sense, choosing to leave the premortal world was no different than choosing to leave the Garden of Eden. Whether our choice or the choice of Adam and Eve, it was a choice to leave the presence of God so that we could be tested. The weight of this choice can only be fully understood when we acknowledge what was being left behind. We chose to leave our home in heaven, to become strangers in a strange land. Adam and Eve chose to accept the consequences of death that they might become as gods knowing good and evil.

After the fall, the Holy Ghost fell upon Adam and he said, “Blessed be the name of God, for because of my transgression my eyes are opened, and in this life I shall have joy, and again in the flesh I shall see God.” Eve having heard this was glad and said, “Were it not for our transgression we never should have had seed, and never should have known good and evil, and the joy of our redemption, and the eternal life which God giveth unto all the obedient.” (Moses 5:10-11)

These verses of scripture hold an interesting contradiction. Adam and Eve were warned by God what would happen if they ate the forbidden fruit. Yet after their transgression, the Holy Ghost comes as a reward and comforts them. Adam acknowledges that he will have joy that he could not have experienced otherwise. Eve expresses her hope for eternal life through obedience. Both were glad for their decision. When Adam and Eve chose death, they also chose the opportunity to have eternal life. While they didn’t know this until after they had eaten the forbidden fruit, they were persuaded by the serpent to become like God. While it was his intent to deceive Adam and Eve, it was the intent of God to save them. The apparent contradiction between God’s warning and the reaction of Adam and Eve after their fall represents a paradox more than conflicting circumstances.

A choice to leave the Garden is a choice to accept opposition. It is also a choice to let go of something we know in exchange for something better. The greater reward comes with a cost. As we choose to meet opposition, and choose between good and evil, we become something better. We become converted, and we become worthy. By choice, we become like God.

God cursed the ground for Adam and Eve’s sake, not as a punishment but that they might have joy. The path is sweat and sorrow, thorns and thistles, yet our reward is heaven and eternal life. Seeing through the opposition – not only of good and evil, but between pleasure and sorrow, weakness and strength – requires us to have faith, and the more the better. To live in the world but not of it challenges us to become strong in adversity. The desire for happiness when we suffer from loss invites us to seek help from a loving Father who loves to care for His children. Striving to overcome our weaknesses in the hope of finding strength demands all the faith we can provide. The beauty of this offering is that our faith is then matched, increased, and returned in greater abundance. Faith in God never fails, but turns to charity as we feel His love and as our love for Him grows in our hearts. Thus the pathway is not punishment but perfection.

I believe that repeatedly each of us is required to leave our own intermittent Gardens of Eden. It takes faith to face a situation that will require a willing sacrifice, believing that the result will be greater. It requires our trust in God that His way is always better. When we are willing to let go of the things we know, we have nothing to trust in but the things we do not know but hope to believe. This is Father’s purpose. He invites us, through faith on His Only Begotten Son, to believe though we cannot see, as we follow the enticings of His Holy Spirit. This leap of faith requires us to leave Eden to travel through our own wilderness, our destination being our heavenly home. This test proves to ourselves just how valuable the heavenly gift means to us. More importantly, it demonstrates the strength of our love for God.

Isaiah the prophet taught that the Lord will comfort His people. When we look to Abraham and Sarah, like Adam and Eve, and we keep the covenants God made with them, he will give us the same blessings. Isaiah said, “Hearken to me, ye that follow after righteousness, ye that seek the Lord: look unto the rock whence ye are hewn, and to the hole of the pit whence ye are digged. Look unto Abraham your father, and unto Sarah that bare you: for I called him alone, and blessed him, and increased him. For the Lord shall comfort Zion: he will comfort all her waste places; and he will make her wilderness like Eden, and her desert like the garden of the Lord; joy and gladness shall be found therein, thanksgiving, and the voice of melody.” (Isaiah 51:1-3)

Adam and Eve left the garden to face death and brought children into the world. Abraham left his garden as he ascended the Mount in Moriah to offer his son, Isaac. He found comfort in the promises of the Lord. The early pioneers who left Missouri faced the martyrdom of Carthage and the despair of Nauvoo, but found their Zion where the desert was made a garden. Each of us may find comfort in our places of despair when we face our wilderness with faith. The first step is to leave the comfort of our home in Eden in the hope of arriving at a better place.

The prophet Mormon taught us, “if ye will lay hold upon every good thing, and condemn it not, ye certainly will be a child of Christ. And now, my brethren, how is it possible that ye can lay hold upon every good thing? 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.” (Moroni 7:19-21)

As we hear the words of Christ and exercise faith in Him, we increase our ability to lay hold upon every good thing. But first we must let go of our fears, our pride, and our vanity. If we fail to do so, these things possess our hearts and leave no room for faith. When we release our grasp on the things that we treasure in our hearts, trusting that God is always right, then will our deserts be turned into gardens, and joy and gladness will fill our hearts. This is the purpose of our existence, that we might have joy through the Lord.

Repeatedly this last year, I have felt as though I have had promptings to give up things that were very valuable to me. I have been asked to give up my Eden. Each time I have left the comfort and security of the garden – each time I was willing to submit to and yield to the enticings of the Holy Spirit and make an offering of faith to the Lord – He has rewarded me like Abraham, accepting my willingness and allowing me to keep my treasure. Whether our trials are lengthy or temporary, the anguish of our departure will always be softened by faith. Like a missed plane flight, some things are only temporary. Blessings may be delayed like an inconvenient layover, but the Lord always keeps His promises, and He always rewards faith. I may have more gardens to leave before I am finished, but I become less and less afraid knowing that God’s way is always better, and is often inclusive.


http://saltypockets.blogspot.com/

Among the Clouds

Hail, precipice of solid rock!
From ground to clouds the sky you’ve climbed,
While lesser things the earth will walk,
In Babel’s shadow left to talk.

Adorned with clouds and hid from sight
Your tops are veiled with densest fog.
And yet, I’d face uncertain fright
If I but once could reach your height.

Among my fears, which is my test?
The mountain tall or clouded thought?
From which will I first seek some rest
When strength is gone and doubt expressed?

Dear Brother, you have gone before
With sixteen stones for glowing light.
I ask again, please, pray once more
That I, too, might have knowledge sure.

Consider mountain, rock, and stone,
With clouds and fog that veil the Light.
The obstacle that hides the throne
Is also that which makes Him known.

Just as the Lord without disguise
Stretched forth his hand and touched the stones,
The veil was taken from your eyes
And doubt gave way to parted skies.

When few with faith are thus endowed
Shall I with hope appraise my own
By mountains climbed, which veils enshroud,
Or my comfort among the clouds?

Hail, Brother! Thou that stands
Upon Mount Shelem, nigh with God,
With eighteen stones now in thy hands
To light the way to distant lands.

And so it is when you return,
You bring the height of mountains back
Deep in your heart where hope will yearn,
Then I with faith will start to learn.


http://saltypockets.blogspot.com/

But Whom Say Ye That I Am?

During His ministry in Galilee, Jesus asked His Twelve Apostles two questions that distinguish a true disciple from a casual admirer. After feeding four thousand people with loaves and fishes, Jesus departed with his disciples by boat from Magdala on the west coast of the Sea of Galilee to Bethsaida, and then continued northward close to 30 miles on foot toward Caesarea Philippi. When they were alone, by the wayside, Jesus asked his disciples, “Whom do men say that I am?” There were many, including Herod, who believed that Jesus was John the Baptist, Elias, Jeremias, or one of the older prophets who had returned from the dead. Whether they believed in Jesus or not, it would have been hard to dispute the reputation that was spreading about His miracles.

Jesus then asked His disciples, “But whom say ye that I am?” Peter responded, “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the Living God.” Jesus said, “Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-jona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.” It wasn’t because of the miracles that Peter believed. It was from the witness in his heart that only the Holy Ghost can deliver from the Father. Peter had obtained his knowledge from God through faith. (Matthew 16:13-20, Mark 8:27-30, Luke 9:18-22)

I don’t believe Jesus was concerned with miracles. It was the faith of His people that He wanted. Eating the loaves and fishes that He multiplied for them would satisfy them for a moment, but it wasn’t nearly enough to develop their faith. For that they had to take something else inside of them.

Just before his death, Jesus gathered with the Apostles to observe the Passover. There He instituted the sacrament by breaking bread and giving it to them in remembrance of His body. He then gave them wine, in remembrance of His blood. These emblems are a significant reminder, not only of the sacrifice that Jesus made for us in Gethsemane and at Golgotha, but also of the sacrifice that we should be willing to make for Him, that of a broken heart and a contrite spirit. (3 Nephi 9:20)

As we take the emblems of the flesh and blood of Jesus into our own bodies, we covenant to remember Him and witness that we are willing to do certain things. First, we witness that we are willing to take upon ourselves His name. As we repent and are redeemed from the fall through His sacrifice, we are spiritually reborn and we become His children. This is what Jesus taught the brother of Jared when He said that all who believe on His name should have eternal life, “and they shall become my sons and my daughters.” (Ether 3:14) As we partake of the sacrament, we also witness that we are willing to keep His commandments that we may always have His Spirit, even the Holy Ghost, to be with us. This affords us the same gift given to Peter, a witness that Jesus is the Christ, and not just a man who performed miracles.

Regarding this willingness, Elder Dallin H. Oaks of the Twelve Apostles said, “It is significant that when we partake of the sacrament we do not witness that we take upon us the name of Jesus Christ. We witness that we are willing to do so. (See D&C 20:77) The fact that we only witness to our willingness suggests that something else must happen before we actually take that sacred name upon us in the most important sense.” (Ensign, May 1985) It isn’t just loaves and fishes that we must eat, nor is it merely the sacrament that we must take into our bodies. It is what we take into our hearts. It is the covenants we make with God that we must internalize. Until we do this, we cannot receive a witness like Peter’s. Instead of becoming true disciples, we remain casual admirers.

What then does it mean to have faith in Christ? What is the difference between being a casual admirer and a true disciple? The answers are tied together. It is in the moment that we move past being willing to follow Jesus and actually follow him that we become a disciple. It is then that we become eligible to receive our own witness from the Holy Ghost. Through our actions we demonstrate our faith. As we sacrifice our own hearts, our desires, our wants, and our will, we become like Him.

The pathway of faith may be examined in several steps, each of which is important. Because we all learn line upon line, grace for grace, we should not discount any of them. Rather we should acknowledge them and look for our next step in following the Savior. Jesus said, “I give unto you these sayings that you may understand and know how to worship, and know what you worship, that you may come unto the Father in my name, and in due time receive of his fulness. For if you keep my commandments you shall receive of his fulness, and be glorified in me as I am in the Father; therefore, I say unto you, you shall receive grace for grace.” (Doctrine & Covenants 93:19-20)

Believe that Jesus lived
Our first step of faith is to believe that Jesus actually lived. When we acknowledge that He was born in Bethlehem to Mary and Joseph, that He grew up in Nazareth, that He taught in Galilee, Perea, and Judea, we can turn to the accounts recorded in Holy Scripture to learn more.

During His life on earth, Jesus loved, healed, and ministered to the people. According to their faith He performed many miracles. Jesus taught the gospel and His Father’s plan to all who would listen. His exemplary life was flawless and without sin. He is the only person ever to live who has been perfectly obedient to the commandments of God.

Jesus said, “Learn of me, and listen to my words; walk in the meekness of my Spirit, and you shall have peace in me. I am Jesus Christ; I came by the will of the Father, and I do his will.” (Doctrine & Covenants 19:23-24)

Believe that Jesus lived before His birth
Jesus was in the beginning with the Father. In the world of spirits, He was the firstborn of our Father’s children. In that place, Jesus offered to champion Father’s plan for our happiness. He was willing to be our Savior. In the war in heaven against Lucifer, He prevailed and gave the glory to God.

At the direction of Father, Jesus created the earth, the heavens, and all things that in them are. After mankind was created on the earth, Jesus directed His servants the prophets. He was the God of the Old Testament who spoke to Adam, Noah, Enoch, Abraham, Moses, Isaiah, and others. He made promises to His covenant people and fulfilled those covenants when the children of our Father were obedient.

Believe that Jesus did only the will of the Father
Jesus said, “I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me, I speak these things. And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him.” (John 8:28-29) He subjected His will to God and set an example for us to do the same.

Because of His love for us, Jesus was born into mortality and subjected Himself to the same temptations, pains, anguish, and suffering that we would endure. He did this so that He would know how to succor us and help us in our afflictions. Jesus did all things that He was asked to do by our Father. Because He was willing to give everything, Father gave Him power to do all things, even the power to overcome death and hell.

Believe that Jesus is our Savior and Redeemer
Knowing that all of His children save One would fall prey to temptation in their attempt to be obedient, our Father in Heaven provided a Savior and Redeemer who would save us from our sins. Jesus is that Savior. He was able to make that payment because He was without sin.

On the Mount of Olives, in the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus prepared to offer Himself as a ransom and sacrifice for all. From the eleven remaining Apostles, He took with Him Peter, James, and John, and told them to stay and watch with him. Jesus was “sorrowful, even unto death,” because of the severity of what he was about to do. As He knelt in prayer, Jesus plead with the Father, saying, “O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.” (Matthew 26:38-39)

In the moment of deepest need, His three most trusted Apostles slept and could not watch or console Him. Father sent an angel from heaven to comfort Him. “And being in agony, he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground.” (Luke 22:43-44)

Much later, Jesus revealed to the Prophet Joseph Smith, “For behold, I, God, have suffered these things for all, that they might not suffer if they would repent; But if they would not repent they must suffer even as I; Which suffering caused myself, even God, the greatest of all, to tremble because of pain, and to bleed at every pore, and to suffer both body and spirit—and would that I might not drink the bitter cup, and shrink – Nevertheless, glory be to the Father, and I partook and finished my preparations unto the children of men.” (Doctrine & Covenants 19:16-19)

All believing saints prior to that time observed and kept the Law of Sacrifice in similitude of the one true sacrifice that would be made by the Lamb of God. They placed their hope in a Savior that could take away the guilt and remorse from their sins. They had faith in the words of the prophets that a Savior would be born. They were able to repent of their sins and benefit from His infinite atonement, even though their faith was in a sacrifice that was yet to be made. And then it was finished. Jesus did what He said he would do in the grand councils of heaven. He overcame the claim of hell on the imperfect through their faith and repentance. He ended the lies of the great deceiver who led away a third of Father’s children. Jesus paid the price for our sins as He trod the winepress alone.

As the prophet Isaiah wrote, “Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.” (Isaiah 53:4-7)

Following this eternal moment of triumph over sin, when Jesus answered the prayers of all faithful who had gone before, He was immediately betrayed with a kiss by his own Apostle, Judas. After He had given His blood to pay the price of atonement, He was then bound and given to the hands of murderers who would not reverence His magnificent gift.

Just as the price of sin was made alone by the Holy One, there was little that anyone could do to assist Jesus in his final task. His disciples forsook him, and fled. Peter denied knowing Jesus three times. Jesus was tried before Annas and Caiaphas. He was beaten, spit upon, and ridiculed. Jesus was then questioned by Herod and Pilot. As the King of the Jews, He was stripped, scourged, crowned with thorns, and given a robe of purple. Then with very little strength remaining, Jesus was given a cross to bear for His own crucifixion.

After being nailed securely to His cross, Jesus was lifted up before the world. This act represented the shame of the Jews in two ways. Truly, many were ashamed of Him, because they thought Him guilty of unforgiveable blasphemies. Sadly, they were also shamed by their own pride and hardhearted state, because no other people in creation would kill their own God.

There at the end, few were left to mourn with Jesus. Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve said, “Thus, of divine necessity, the supporting circle around Jesus gets smaller and smaller and smaller…. John stood at the foot of the cross with Jesus’s mother. Especially and always the blessed women in the Savior’s life stayed as close to Him as they could. But essentially His lonely journey back to His Father continued without comfort or companionship.” (Ensign, May 2009)

Darkness covered the land and Jesus felt the spirit withdraw, sufficient for Him to complete His sacrifice completely alone. In anguish He exclaimed, “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” (Matthew 27:46) Having faith in the Father He knew was there but could not feel, Jesus exclaimed, “It is finished….” Jesus had done His Father’s will in every respect. (John 19:30) Then He continued, “Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit….” With that last effort, Jesus gave up the ghost and surrendered His body. Just as His spirit and His body were separated, the veil of the temple, that light separation between us and the Holy One of Israel, was rent in two.

Jesus Christ freely gave to us gifts that can never be repaid. He subjected Himself to the same conditions that we all must pass through and then did that which we could not do for ourselves. Through His incomprehensible gift of love that permitted Him to feel and carry the sins of all mankind, and by the ultimate gift of laying down His life for each of us, Jesus overcame both death and hell. It was with His own blood that the price of eternity was paid.

Believe that Jesus arose from the dead
On the morning of the third day following his death, Mary Magdalene and other women returned to the tomb where they had laid Jesus so they could anoint his body with spices. As they approached, they found the stone had been rolled away from the tomb. Two angels met them and declared to them that Jesus was no longer there, for he had risen from the dead. Likewise, when Peter and John returned to the tomb, they also found it empty and returned home

Mary Magdalene remained at the tomb after the others had left and she wept. It was there that the risen Jesus appeared to her. He comforted her and told her that He had not yet ascended to His Father, but would soon appear to His disciples. Shortly afterward, Jesus appeared to two men on the road to Emmaus. He also appeared to eleven of the Apostles. Many witnessed that Jesus became the firstfruits of them that slept. Being the Son of the Eternal Father, power was given to Him to take up His body again and live immortally with eternal life.

Believe enough to change
There are many points upon which we can base our faith in Jesus Christ. It is one thing to merely believe that Jesus lived on the earth. Believing that He was the literal Son of God is another step forward. If we believe that He truly performed miracles, healed the sick, raised the dead, and was Himself resurrected, then we have no reason to doubt that He truly is our Savior and Redeemer. If Jesus did the will of the Father, and the Father cannot lie, then we have every reason to believe that what Jesus said is true. This is especially applicable to his doctrine and teachings.

“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. (Matthew 11:28-30)

“But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” (Matthew 6:33)

“If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.” (John 15:7)

“I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.” (John 14:18)

Before the death of Jesus Christ, when the Apostle Thomas asked Jesus how we might know the way to the Father, Jesus replied, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father but by me.” (John 14:6)

If we believe in Jesus enough to believe that what He said is true, then should we not believe that He will keep all of His promises? Will He not give us rest, answer our prayers, and show us the way? The only correct answer is yes. He will do all this and more if we are faithful disciples and not just admirers.

The proof of our discipleship is not in our willingness to take upon us His name, it is in the doing of it. This is the only way to lasting happiness. If you are a disciple then you likely already know this. If you are only a casual admirer, you may never know. Discipleship comes one action at a time. The decision to move past being willing to follow Jesus and actually following him is as thin as a veil. It is a veil of unbelief, and yet a veil that can be lifted. We learn by trying. Like Peter, we can obtain this knowledge from God through faith.


http://saltypockets.blogspot.com/

Oh Brother

If you don’t know him, I’d like you to meet my older brother, Burke. Let me introduce you to a champion basketball player who speaks Japanese, has a background in CAD design, loves to travel, specializes in IT support, and manages an electronic vault for his national company. He likes digital scrapbooking and web page design, loves adventure, and above all, he’s a family man. Burke is very well-rounded and fun loving. Not only is he someone I have looked up to all my life, he is confident, friendly, charismatic, energetic, and very dependable. My only fault with him is that he got the lion’s share of good looks between the two of us. Well, I got over that, and I still love him. Grin. Recently his example has given me even more to admire.

Burke has spent the last several months learning to deal with cancer. It has been challenging for me to watch, and much more challenging for him to face. His first set of treatments was unsuccessful, and we are now waiting to hear the results of the second attempt. Typical of my brother, he has been very positive and calm. He has a lot of faith. He has also experienced a lot of discomfort without complaint. Family members have rallied around him, but there are some challenges where you feel helpless to do anything. This has been one of them. I have felt like I couldn’t do more than listen and pray.

My present anxiety for my brother has caused me to think about one of my personal heroes, Mahonri Moriancumer. He is an example of great faith that has taught me a lot about prayer. Fortunately he was a writer, and it was important for him to keep a record of his life. Were it not for this brief account of his experiences, we may never have known about this man. It was said of him that his words were so great that they were overpowering for man to read them. (Ether 12:24) One thing that is significant in his record is his relationship with his brother.

It is not the relationship of the two brothers that intrigues me as much as the example of their faith, prayers, and how those prayers were answered. I believe in this there is a significant lesson to be learned if we desire to return to God.

For reasons that remain unknown, we would only know Mahonri as “the brother of Jared” were in not for a modern source. While Jared is named in the record, and his brother is not, we know even less about Jared. Both lived a few thousand years ago in the Western Hemisphere. Before coming to this continent, however, they were contemporaries of Nimrod in the Old Testament and lived in Babel which later became Babylon. These two brothers left Babel with their friends and family and became a large nation of people.

At the time that God confounded the languages when the sons of men built the tower of Babel, Jared was worried for their families and friends, that they would be confounded too. The account does not say how Jared knew this, or why he was worried. It does not clearly say why God was disappointed in His children. What it does say is that the Lord “swore in his wrath that [the people] should be scattered upon all the face of the earth; and according to the word of the Lord the people were scattered.” (Ether 1:33) Somehow Jared had warning of this, yet it is his response that was significant.

Jared believed in God enough that he knew where to turn for help in his troubles – he understood the power of prayer. What is curious about the account is who he preferred to do the praying. It was his brother. Again, his reasons are not known, but we do know that the brother of Jared was “a man highly favored of the Lord,” so Jared asked him to appeal to the Lord for help. It was as if he said, “Oh brother, can you help me?” Jared said, “Cry unto the Lord, that he will not confound us that we may not understand our words.” (Ether 1:34) His brother did so and the Lord answered his prayer. Similarly, he prayed for their friends and their families, and they were not confounded.

Having had successfully received the desired answers to prayer, Jared again asked his brother to pray, saying, “Go and inquire of the Lord whether he will drive us out of the land, and if he will drive us out of the land, cry unto him whither we shall go. And who knoweth but the Lord will carry us forth into a land which is choice above all the earth: And if it so be, let us be faithful unto the Lord, that we may receive it for our inheritance.” (Ether 1:38) Jared’s request suggests that there was some concern that they would have to leave. It also suggests that he had enough faith in God to believe that he would provide a way. What that way was, he could only hope. However, Jared did have the desire to be faithful and he was again rewarded.

When the brother of Jared prayed again, the Lord told him to gather their possessions and make preparations to leave and He would lead them to a land that was choice above all other lands of the earth where they would become a great nation. The part of the Lord’s response that intrigues me the most is a simple sentence that explains why he would do such a thing. He said, “And thus I will do unto thee because this long time ye have cried unto me.” (Ether 1:43)

The Lord led this group of family and friends through a part of the wilderness where man had not yet been before. He spoke to the brother of Jared in a cloud, and gave directions where they should travel. These directions led them to a great sea where they pitched their tents for four years. At the end of those four years, the Lord again spoke to the brother of Jared in a cloud for three hours. It is unique that, during that conversation, the Lord chastened the brother of Jared for not remembering to call upon the Lord in prayer.

I have often wondered at this passage because it appears to be a strange contradiction. Here is a man who knows how to pray and is highly favored of the Lord. Not only did he pray and successfully receive answers to his prayers, but the Lord continually spoke to him to direct him. So what happened? Was the brother of Jared the type of person who would suddenly forget what the Lord had done? Perhaps, but I am not certain.

Four years seems a long time to camp on the beach. I wonder if this group of family and friends felt they had arrived at the promised land or if they were waiting for additional instructions, whenever it happened to be that they came. The record does not say. If, however, they were not convinced that they had arrived, then the sea would have seemed an interesting obstacle for them, one larger than they had faced to that point. At least it was enough to stop them for four years. Whether they were satisfied with a partial blessing as an answer to their prayers, or they saw the sea as an obstacle to their goal, I can find a personal application.

I know in my own life that I have had a pattern of prayer that has been consistent since I was little. I have prayed morning and night and often throughout the day. Yet there have been times that I have forgotten to pray with real intent. I haven’t forgotten Father. I have just forgotten to make a concerted effort to show him that I was serious. If my needs seem to be taken care of, it is easy to ease up in my intensity. Living on a beach may not be such a bad thing, unless it keeps you from praying for help to get to a better land or place.

There have also been other times that I have had obstacles placed in my way. For a long time I may consider the obstacle or trial, wondering how I am going to overcome it. Like the sea, it may seem impossible to cross or go around. Then, after some time, I decide to pray and ask for help. As often as I have prayed, the Lord has directed me. He hears and answers prayers. Repeatedly in the scriptures, he reassures us, “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.” (Matthew 6:7-8) For whichever reason the brother of Jared did not remember to call upon God, when he repented and cried unto the Lord, the Lord again heard and answered his prayers.

There are some interesting lessons we can learn at this point from Jared and his brother. Both provide valuable insight on our own requests to the Lord. As we follow their example, we may increase the likelihood of receiving similar answers.

Jared was conscientious of the Lord’s warnings and took them seriously. He knew that God could help with his troubles, and he believed in prayer. Jared had the desire for his family and friends to be faithful so that the Lord could bless them. He believed that the Lord would provide a way for their deliverance.

The brother of Jared was highly favored of the Lord. The Lord answered his prayers because he cried unto the Lord for a long time. Perhaps the importance was not the duration of a single prayer, but the duration of a heart-felt habit. Because of his faith, the Lord spoke to the brother of Jared and gave him directions that led him where man had not been before. This in and of itself is an act of faith.

After their stay at the beach, the Lord told the brother of Jared that he would take them across the ocean to another land, and that they would need to build barges to travel in. The barges were to be water-tight and could not have windows. They were to have an opening in the top and in the bottom for functional reasons such as letting in fresh air.

After the brother of Jared had completed making the barges, he prayed to the Lord and said, “O Lord, I have performed the work which thou hast commanded me, and I have made the barges according as thou hast directed me.” (Ether 2:18) Simply put, he was diligent in making sure that he had done everything the Lord had asked of him before asking for another blessing. Since blessings are predicated upon obedience, the brother of Jared wanted to do everything possible to increase the likelihood that the Lord would help him. But then he discovered a problem.

The barges built to the specifications the Lord had given to the brother of Jared did not allow for any light when the openings were sealed. This would have made for a long journey in the dark. When the brother of Jared asked the Lord what to do, His response was, “what will ye that I should prepare for you that ye may have light when ye are swallowed up in the depths of the sea?” (Ether 2:25) The Lord expected him to be part of the solution.

To that point, the brother of Jared was used to receiving unique answers to prayer. While languages of other people had been confounded, his group’s had not. When they traveled through the wilderness where no one had been before, the Lord was their guide. As the brother of Jared pondered what he wanted the Lord to do for him, he again came up with a possibility that was unique. He fashioned sixteen stones out of molten rock that were transparent and white. And then he prayed.

“O Lord, thou hast said that we must be encompassed about by the floods. Now behold, O Lord, and do not be angry with thy servant because of his weakness before thee; for we know that thou art holy and dwellest in the heavens, and that we are unworthy before thee; because of the fall our natures have become evil continually; nevertheless, O Lord, thou hast given us a commandment that we must call upon thee, that from thee we may receive according to our desires.

“Behold, O Lord, thou hast smitten us because of our iniquity, and hast driven us forth, and for these many years we have been in the wilderness; nevertheless, thou hast been merciful unto us. O Lord, look upon me in pity, and turn away thine anger from this thy people, and suffer not that they shall go forth across this raging deep in darkness; but behold these things which I have molten out of the rock.

“And I know, O Lord, that thou hast all power, and can do whatsoever thou wilt for the benefit of man; therefore touch these stones, O Lord, with thy finger, and prepare them that they may shine forth in darkness; and they shall shine forth unto us in the vessels which we have prepared, that we may have light while we shall cross the sea.

“Behold, O Lord, thou canst do this. We know that thou art able to show forth great power, which looks small unto the understanding of men.” (Ether 3:2-5)

Following that moment of prayer, something wonderful occurred. The Lord stretched forth his hand from the cloud and touched the stones with his finger, and the veil was taken from off the eyes of the brother of Jared. As unique of an occurrence as it would have been to have seen the finger of God, the part I feel is most unique is the fact that the veil was removed from his eyes. It was the veil of unbelief that withholds our memory of premortal things; the veil that separates us from God. Similar to the veil of the Israelite tabernacle or temple, it is light enough that it can be lifted when the time is right. It may be lifted when our faith is sufficient.

After seeing this sight, the brother of Jared fell to the ground out of fear because he did not expect to see the finger of the Lord. When the Lord asked if he saw more, he replied that he did not and then asked the Lord to show Himself to him. Just as the brother of Jared described that God’s commandment for us to pray for our desires, the Lord granted the brother of Jared his desire and showed Himself unto him, and said, “Because thou knowest these things ye are redeemed from the fall; therefore ye are brought back into my presence; therefore I show myself unto you. Behold, I am he who was prepared from the foundation of the world to redeem my people. Behold, I am Jesus Christ.” (Ether 3:13-14) The brother of Jared saw the Lord in spirit as he would appear when born on the earth over two thousand years later. The Lord then showed him all the inhabitants of the earth from the beginning to the end, and withheld them not from his sight. (Ether 3:25)

Again, to me it is less important what the brother of Jared saw, and more important that he did see because he could not be kept from within the veil any longer. Regarding these things, the prophet Moroni invites us to follow the same pattern of prayer. He invites us to cast off our doubt and fear and have faith like unto the brother of Jared.

“Come unto me, O ye Gentiles, and I will show unto you the greater things, the knowledge which is hid up because of unbelief. Come unto me, O ye house of Israel, and it shall be made manifest unto you how great things the Father hath laid up for you, from the foundation of the world; and it hath not come unto you, because of unbelief.” (Ether 4:13-14) His invitation is not to the prophets, but to Israel and the Gentiles alike. It is to all, which implies that it is within the reach of all to do. It is also not a matter of if, but of when.

Moroni continues, “Behold, when ye shall rend that veil of unbelief which doth cause you to remain in your awful state of wickedness, and hardness of heart, and blindness of mind, then shall the great and marvelous things which have been hid up from the foundation of the world from you—yea, when ye shall call upon the Father in my name, with a broken heart and a contrite spirit, then shall ye know that the Father hath remembered the covenant which he made unto your fathers, O house of Israel.” (Ether 4:15)

There is a certain amount of irony in the fact that the people of Babel were trying to reach God. It was their approach that failed. The brother of Jared not only reached the Lord, but he invited the Lord to reach toward him and touch the stones he had made. It was not the sky that separated the tower of Babel from the Lord, it was the veil of unbelief. It was something more intangible and less visible than even a veil.

So as I pray for my own brother, and consider the example of the brother of Jared, I wonder, “What is it I lack yet? What does it mean to have faith as the brother of Jared? What would it take for my requests for my brother to be heard and answered?” This is worth pondering. In part, it may be more than believing that God can answer our prayers and grant according to our desires. It may be more than believing that he can do all things. What would I need to change in my life if having more faith also meant making sure that what I ask for is aligned with what God wants? Here is a simple clue of how to find such faith.

When Jesus visited the people on the American continent after His resurrection, he prayed, and they prayed with Him. In the Book of Mormon we read, “And it came to pass that when Jesus had thus prayed unto the Father, he came unto his disciples, and behold, they did still continue, without ceasing, to pray unto him; and they did not multiply many words, for it was given unto them what they should pray, and they were filled with desire.” (3 Nephi 19:24) When we turn our hearts to the Lord, we turn our desires so they are properly aligned. When we are filled with His desire, then the Holy Spirit can teach us what to pray for and what not to pray for. Trusting in the Holy Spirit takes a lot of faith. Learning when to pray for our desires and when to yield takes a lot of restraint. It is an exercise in faith, trusting that God will deliver us. When we choose to follow the Lord, and we choose to follow His Spirit, the answer may not be what we want, but it will always be better.

Look again at the story of the brother of Jared. From the Lord’s perspective, He said He would scatter all the people on the face of the earth. He didn’t change His mind with Jared or his brother. The family and friends of the two brothers were still scattered, but they weren’t confounded. Something that seemed like a terrible thing, turned out not to be so bad because the Lord was with them. He spoke to them, He directed them, and He answered their prayers. He didn’t set them on a cruise liner for a vacation voyage across the sea for 344 days. Instead he put them in a place that was doable, though not exactly comfortable or desirable.

As they traversed the ocean, we learn that “when they were encompassed about by many waters they did cry unto the Lord, and he did bring them forth again upon the top of the waters.” (Ether 6:7) This was by design so that they would turn their hearts to God. The brother of Jared had not remembered to call upon the Lord at one point. The Lord provided an experience that would help ensure that that mistake was not repeated a second time.

My prayers for my own brother have not ceased. Perhaps I need to cry unto the Lord for 344 days. Perhaps it is the habit of heart-felt prayer that is more important.

For me, the story of the brother of Jared is less about an obstacle of water, and more about a veil of unbelief. It has less to do with merely praying for what we want, and learning how to pray in a way that will help us to rend the veil. Whether it is your own trial, or that of your brother’s, these experiences are designed to help us lift the veil and behold the Lord.

It is a great comfort when you can turn to someone like a brother and ask them to pray for you. Praying is especially comforting when you know the key to successful prayer.


http://saltypockets.blogspot.com/