SPIRITUAL CROCODILES

I spend a lot of time with young people in my job.  They are wonderful friends and so many of them are courageous in a difficult world -- faithful to what they believe.  But like all young people, distractions occur and some choices they make are not always best for their future.  Once in a while they even falter to such a degree that they feel they are not fit for recovery (they are – just see what Jesus says in verse 32 here). 

Part of my job is to warn and prepare these wonderful souls for the challenges they will encounter from outside (and sometimes inside) influences.  Many have parents who are heavily involved in the same process but often these youth feel left without help to make it on their own.  The traps they encounter are so numerous that even the really good ones have moments when they don’t recognize the dangerous positions they are about to enter.  If I didn't  understand the Plan of Salvation, I might think that this whole ‘growing up’ business is unfair and rigged against the unsuspecting.

Pres. Packer

Some years ago, one of the Apostles of the Lord shared a message in General Conference.  The talk was later adapted to a short video that, at least for me, capsulizes what the youth of this world have to do in order to be safe.  It’s called “Spiritual Crocodiles” and can be viewed here.  Take a few minutes (about 9 ½) and see how you feel about the counsel given.  If you like it, you might want to sit down with a young person you know.  Point out some of the ‘crocodiles’ you have encountered out there and ways they can be avoided or overcome. 

But more importantly, invite them to approach their Heavenly Father on a regular basis in personal prayer so they can be protected from the wiles of the Devil in their lives.  I don’t think you will be disappointed with the results and you may just save the life (spiritual and physical) of a wonderful child of God.

Large American Crocodile

P.S. Nephi gives some pointers on the tactics of the devil in these verses: 2 Nephi 28:20-22.  Check it out. 

MR. WIGGINS

Sometime in the early 1990’s I came across a science-fiction novel that quickly became one of my all-time favorites.  It was about a young boy who is drafted into an elite training program designed to find leaders for the preservation of mankind.  The story was intriguing, thought provoking and just “darn” good. 

I never could figure out why the story failed to be made into a movie, but with the rise of the Internet I soon realized the holdup.  The author was determined to have his book done in the correct way and by the correct people rather than settle for something lesser.  Numerous attempts were made to write a screenplay and bring the story to the screen but, alas, all efforts were futile. 

Young Mr. Wiggins

Last weekend the adults in our family finally had the opportunity to attend a showing of the long awaited production of a family favorite story.  Yes, over the years each of our children was ‘indoctrinated’ in the dealings of Mr. Wiggins and came to enjoy the story as much as I did (sadly, I forgot to get Mother involved so this was all new to her).  So, it was with great anticipation that we gathered at the local ‘Megasomething’ theater and sat down to bask in the offerings of the silver screen.

I think, as a whole, we were all very pleased with the movie we viewed.  There were a few quibbles concerning scenes we each wished had been included but overall the film was faithful to the story and the characters we have all grown to love.  It is my opinion that the author was well justified in holding firm to his desires in the creation of the screenplay and the presentation of the story.  Would that all authors had the same sense of purpose in adapting stories to the big screen (yes, I’m talking to you Lord of the Rings guy). 

Mr. Wiggins and Mazer

The actors did their jobs well – especially the young man who played Mr. Wiggins.  I went in very concerned because I am not a fan of Han Solo (or whatever his name really is – OK, I know his name but he isn’t my favorite actor) but even he was not too heavy-handed with his character. And Mazer Rackham was superb in his efforts – as you would expect from an Academy Award winner.

Mazer and that other guy

I don’t know if there will be any follow-up movies from this series but this one was a pleasure to watch and gave a sense of reality to some of the things I have envisioned for so many years.  Thanks to O. S. Card and his cohorts for an enjoyable evening and a delightful film.

FAITH, FAMILY, AND RELIGIOUS FREEDOM

Take a few minutes and read the article below.  Elder Holland offers some good advice and counsel for EVERYONE. 

Jeffrey R. Holland

http://www.jrcls.org/publications/clark_memo/sections/f13/CMF13_Holland.pdf

It just happens that I believe he is a modern Apostle but his words are appropriate for anyone who has concerns for where this nation is headed.  Give him a try.

LIVING WATER

Today I spent a little time studying the book of Isaiah (yeah, I know, no one can understand what he says but I still like to try).  My focus was in chapter 12 and I was most impressed with verse 6:

Therefore, with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation. (Isa. 12:6)

My first thoughts were of the great power water has in our physical lives.  Without it, we cannot live very long – most people think about three days is the max.  But it is also the source of life for all that keeps us alive.  Animals, like us, need water to survive.  Plants cannot produce fruit or regenerate themselves if they are deprived of water.  So it appears that, for whatever reason, the world revolves around water and its essence.

Water was essential to the survival of Jesus' people.

I believe that is the message Isaiah is trying to convey as he speaks of the “wells of salvation.”  Without the Savior, we cannot survive in this life.  His essence, power, strength and love are the source of all goodness and growth in mortality.  When our buckets are drawn from His well, we will be filled with the joy of eternal life.  He is the “Well of Living Water.”  If there is no Savior, there is no happiness in this life or in the eternal worlds beyond.

As the world becomes more secular and selfish in its desires, the Water becomes less important to many.  Like the water that sustains our physical/mortal lives, if we choose to abstain from the “Living Water” we will notice degradation in our existence.  Eventually, after thirsting for too long, our souls will wither and die.  The sickness that precedes that death is what we are witnessing in today’s world.

The only source of life is in Christ and his Water.  Isaiah was right – as we follow Jesus and His prophets we find that “with joy shall [we] draw water out of the wells of salvation.”

P.O.L.K.A.

Before he died, the great Book of Mormon prophet Lehi called his sons together to give them counsel (see 2 Nephi 1-4), hoping to guide them in ways of truth for the rest of their lives.  To all of them he promised that if they would follow Christ they would find happiness and peace in mortality.  But to his son Jacob he was a bit more specific.

Interestingly, Lehi chose to focus his words to Jacob on a subject that might seem a little odd – until you consider the challenges Jacob encountered with his older brothers, Laman and Lemuel.  Though not stated explicitly, it is most likely true that the older brothers had little or no tolerance for the righteous young Jacob.  And as was the case with Nephi, it would not surprise me to find that Jacob was concerned for the older boys and their salvation.  Thus, Lehi chose to speak and teach his son, Jacob, the doctrine and principles that help us understand AGENCY.

Agency or the ability to choose is a God-given right, essential to the work of the Father.  He has promised that each of His children will always be allowed to make the choices they want, no matter what!!

BUT!!!  He also promised that each choice would be attached to a consequence that must be received with the action of choosing.  We can’t have one without taking on the other.

There are four parts to having real agency in mortality.  Someone, much smarter than I, has created and acronym to help us remember what it takes to be able to exercise agency.  It’s simple but has helped me keep things straight.

1.    Power to choose – in order to HAVE choices, there must BE choices.  Lehi taught it this way:

Wherefore, the Lord God gave unto man that he should act for himself.  Wherefore, man could not act for himself save it should be that he was enticed by the one or the other. (2 Nephi 2:16)

In other words, if there is no second choice, there is really no power to choose. 

2.   Opposition – choosing good from evil requires that there must be two things to choose and one of the must be better than the other.

For it must needs be, that there is an opposition in all things.  If not… righteousness could not be brought to pass… (2 Nephi 2:11)

3.   Law – the only way to know right from wrong is to have law that defines each side.  God has given us laws that designate which choices we make in life are right and which are wrong.  He does not force us to choose, but he expects us to know and follow His law.

And if ye shall say there is no law, ye shall also say there is no sin.  If ye shall say there is no sin, ye shall also say there is no righteousness… (2 Nephi 2:13)

4.   Knowledge of good and evil – with the law, we are able to make choices between good and evil – whether we want to follow Christ or not. 

And men are instructed sufficiently that they know good from evil.  (2 Nephi 2:5)

5.   Agency exists – when all the conditions are met (power to choose, opposition, law, and knowledge of good and evil) then we have agency.  If any part of this is missing, we are stunted in our growth.

Wherefore, men are free according to the flesh; and all things are given them which are expedient unto man.  And they are free to choose liberty and eternal life, through the great Mediator of all men, or to choose captivity and death, according to the captivity and power of the devil; for he seeketh that all men might be miserable like unto himself. (2 Nephi 2:27)

Jacob needed to know this so he would understand why Laman and Lemuel turned out so different from the rest of Lehi’s children.  He grew up with the example of what good and bad choices could do to an individual and Lehi wanted him to remember how to live. 

Remember the acronym and remember why we can choose!!

P.O.L.K.A – the dance will never be the same.

P.S. The whole of 2 Nephi 2 is very enlightening if you want to spend some time pondering.

LEISURE

One of the things I really love about being a Mormon is that I never have to be lazy.  I CAN be if I want, but the truth is I have so many things I need to do that I just don’t have time.  For instance:

1.   Every month there are several families that I need to visit and be sure they are doing alright.  Yes, I’m assigned as their home-teacher but over time we DO become friends and they expect and enjoy the visits that are made (Teresa goes with me most of the time).

Jordan River Temple

2.  Every Wednesday my sweetheart and I spend the evening (about 6 hours) helping other members participate in ordinances in the Temple.  We meet lots of wonderful people and also get to help those who have passed on receive blessings they might not otherwise enjoy.

3.  Most Sundays and some days in between I get to visit with the members of another ward in our Stake and help their leaders understand/learn ways to bless their congregations.  Our Stake President thinks I might be of use to a young Bishop since I have a little experience in that area.

4.  Teresa and I have a number of friends who are elderly and are nearing the end of their mortal journey.  We love to visit with them and remind them how much they are loved – even though they may feel less than useful because of their circumstances.  Actually, this task (not really a task but I can’t think of a better name) is the most enjoyable and we wish we had even more time. 

And I’m sure I have missed some things but these are the highlights.  Being a good Mormon is lots of work!!  I think the Lord made it that way so we can learn a few things:

a.   Be busy

b.  Stay out of trouble

c.   Learn to love and serve people

I’m reminded of a verse in the Book of Mormon:

And behold, I tell you these things that ye may learn that when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God.  (Mosiah 2:17)

Pretty smart guy, that King Benjamin fellow.  He knew I would have lots of distractions so he prepared a message for my feeble soul. 

Thank you Sir!!

Just the beginning of His work.

Leisure time is just not available much when you are trying to learn to be like the Savior.  Of course, it doesn’t seem like He had much downtime during His life – guess He was just showing the way.

Stay busy my friends!!  (To use a phrase in a better way)

LESIONS

My day job is to associate with and try to bless the lives of young people as they make the trek through life.  Some of them are very excited to be in my classes but there are a few who would rather be anywhere else.

I understand the feelings they have ……… who wants to spend 80 minutes every other day with an old man who is always talking about religion?

(A boy at another seminary once complained to the principal that his teacher just kept talking about Jesus…..  REALLY, what else should a seminary teacher do? L)

There are days when it feels like I am all alone in my efforts.  The kids are cranky and the message seems too deep for their minds and hearts -------the end result is boredom or obnoxious behavior.

For the most part, those days are MY fault.  O, there are occasional times when the “wild teen” goes berserk and destroys the class but generally, poor days are a result of my efforts in preparing.

But recently I have discovered that there is another reason for failure.

And it is also my fault.

Often, I prepare very well and have a decent idea what should happen but things still fall apart.

Guess what the problem is?

It’s my attitude.

No matter how well I study and find interesting things to teach, if I am grumpy or sarcastic, then everything goes awry.

Now, you would think that after nearly 20 years doing this I would recognize that problem in myself.

And I do!! 

But, as with so many other personal issues, I tend to forget and let things creep back in.

I know the Lord is merciful so I am confident that EVENTUALLY I will overcome some of these lesions on my soul, but I sure wish I could hurry and get things straight.

Until next time – BE NICE.

WHITHER SHALL I GO

I have never been one of those people who needs to know exactly where my life is going.  Most of the time I just take what comes and try to make the best of the situation. 

It’s not that I don’t have goals but I believe life can be good in a variety of ways so why worry about which one happens.  As long as the family is happy and we have enough to eat and a place to live, then the other parts of life will sort themselves out.

I have made a better effort to listen to the promptings of the Spirit so I can know what Heavenly Father wants but in many cases it seems He feels much as I do about too many specifics. 

The other day I was preparing a lesson for class on the experience Nephi had after he and his family arrived in the land Bountiful (1 Nephi 17).  They had been marching through the wilderness of Arabia for eight years and had finally come to a place that showed some promise for the future.  There was plenty of food, water and other resources and it appears the environment was very hospitable.  I’m sure many (Laman and Lemuel especially) felt that this was the end of their journey – The Promised Land.

But “after the space of many days” Nephi was called by the Lord to disrupt the quiet, idyllic life that many had surely come to enjoy.

And it came to pass that the Lord spake unto me, saying; Thou shalt construct a ship, after the manner which I shall show thee, that I may carry thy people across these waters. (1 Nephi 17:8)

Whenever I read scripture, I try to put myself in the place of those in the story so I can imagine my thoughts as Nephi:

What!!!  Hey, we just got here.  This is a nice place and we have lots of food and great weather and life is grand.  Why can’t we just stay?  The past eight years have been difficult, and you know my brothers are gonna be upset if we have to move again.  Are you sure we need to do this?  Besides, I know nothing about making ships.  I’m from Jerusalem and have no experience with ocean voyages, storms on the sea or anything of that sort.  Can’t we just stay put for a while?

And so forth! 

But Nephi isn’t me.  So his response was totally different and actually more in line with what I hope I have done in my life.

And I said: Lord, whither shall I go that I may find ore to molten, that I may make tools to construct the ship after the manner which thou hast shown unto me?

Making tools

The concern wasn’t that there was to be a big change in life.  It wasn’t that he had no experience with boat building. Nor was he worried that his brothers would rebel (that was just the way they were).  

He was interested in where he could find rocks that had ore that could be made into metal for hammers and axes and such stuff so they could build a ship.  NO PROBLEM that he didn’t know anything about ships or other sailing stuff!!!  Nephi just wanted to do what the Lord asked him to do.

Nephi was confident that God could show him how to build a ship – without actually knowing many of the skills necessary for such a job.  He was willing to do what he knew to do and then expected the Lord to show him the rest.

That is faith.  That is trust.

That is what life should always be.  Experiences in mortality are to prepare us for the life of eternity.  Who knows all we will be called upon to do when we are resurrected?  It won’t be all harps, singing and riding on clouds – God has much more important work for our eternal souls (D&C 88:15) to complete.  The best way to prepare is to listen NOW so when we get there it is a habit.  Then we will listen and DO what He has for us to do.

The still, small voice of the Holy Ghost is the guide we have to find Father’s will.  Our sensitivity to His voice greatly enhances our ability to do His will.  And…

If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God or whether I speak of myself.  (John 7:17)

The finished product

P.S.

For a modern day example of this same attitude/faithfulness, take a gander at a story over on another site.  This little girl is pretty special to me and she exhibits exactly what Nephi taught in his ‘boat-building’ adventure.  In fact, I printed the story out for my students so they could see an example from real life.  

THE MOST CORRECT

One of my students asked me the following question one day: 

“Brother Whitmer, why did Joseph Smith say the Book of Mormon is a perfect book?  Haven’t there been lots of changes in the book to fix errors?  And if it isn't a perfect book, how can we believe it is true?”

The Gold Plates of Mormon

My answer went something like this:

Joseph did not state that the Book of Mormon was a perfect book.  What he DID say was:

“I told the brethren that the Book of Mormon was the most correct of any book on earth, and the keystone of our religion, and a man would get nearer to God by abiding by its precepts, than by any other book.” (Introduction to the Book of Mormon, Paragraph 6)

Being the ‘most correct’ book does not indicate that it is perfect – in fact, the prophet himself is leaving room for error.  But not error in doctrine or revelation from God – he was leaving the door open to account for the challenges mortal man has in recording the words and revelations of God.

 

The First Vision

The writers of all scripture are mortal men and have biases, fears, shortcomings and attitudes that affect the way they see and record the revelations they receive.  They are not perfect men!! But they listen and record, as best they can, the things they witness concerning God and Christ and their kingdom.

The Book of Mormon is the “most correct” book because it has had only one translation and the translator was called of God to perform that work.  Yes, there were errors in some of the transcribing by scribes and when it went to the printers.  There were also some words that were misunderstood and had to be corrected after the printing.  But the doctrine and principles of truth that are available to mankind in the Book of Mormon are simple, clear and completely focused on the role of the Savior Jesus Christ in the redemption of man.

Our only source of Salvation

Any person who studies the words of the prophets contained in the Book of Mormon will better understand the role of Jesus Christ in the Father’s Plan of Salvation – the vital role that provides a way to overcome all the challenges of mortality -- sin, death, sickness, physical ailments, mental struggles, and all else that comes to mortal men and women (see Alma 7:11-13).

That was the gist of my answer to that student.  Now I add something for those who may read this posting.

For 183 years there have been doubters and naysayers all over the world who have declared that Joseph was a fraud or false prophet and that the Book of Mormon was the invention of deceitful men.  

Yet, millions who have read the Book of Mormon have come away with a greater appreciation for the Lord and Savior of this world.  Jesus Christ is the focus of all Joseph taught and Jesus is the leader and center of the religion Joseph founded.  We honor the prophet for that, but we worship the Savior.  Any who think otherwise do not understand the Latter-day Saints.

The Eternal Atonement

The keystone of our religion remains firmly centered in the arch.  And that keystone is another testimony of Jesus Christ – the one true Founder and Finisher of our faith.

I love Him and hope to be with Him one day.  

CLEAVING

…Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh. (Genesis 2:24)

 

Our First Parents who
were always faithful
to each other.

Recently Teresa and I have been visiting some of the folks we love the most who live near us.  Many are relatives or long-time friends and some are fairly new additions to our circle but we have grown to appreciate each of them for specific reasons.  Some make us laugh and others offer us ways to serve and step outside our selfish world view.

I have noticed that most of these people are in the later reaches of mortal life and are suffering from some physical or mental weakness that makes life difficult.  Maybe we like them because we are approaching those years and want to get some clues on how to deal with the future.  For whatever reason, our days are better when we visit with these good souls and offer the hand of fellowship.

But there is an even more important message in our visits with our friends.  Without exception, one or both in the couple has a debilitating malady that makes life nearly unbearable for their companion.  Some are losing their mental faculties; others are physically weak or incapacitated; but, despite the challenges proffered by their lives, all these couples have stayed true to their companion.  Not just by staying in the home but by sacrificing all their time and efforts to support and provide for their spouse.  Many of these good people are ill themselves but they work day and night to care for and protect their eternal companion from the ravages of this mortal experience. 

When God commanded Adam and Eve to “cleave” unto each other, and none else, most often we consider the need to be morally true to our spouse.  But I believe He was also thinking of times like the end of life. 

It has always been interesting to me that He used the word “CLEAVE” because it has two meanings – and they are opposites.  I guess it was His way of seeing who would be faithful and understand what He really meant in His command.

The adversary would invite the world to cleave from (split or sever) their companion because it is too hard to care for them.  The Lord challenges us to cleave to (become very strongly involved with or emotionally attached to) and hold on because these are the people we have covenanted to love and cherish throughout all eternity. 

Eternal Covenants are made here.

My hope is that when the time comes to care for my sweetheart, I will be prepared to give ALL I have to protect and love for her.  She is my most important friend and I want that to be true forever.

I WILL cleave unto her with all my heart!!!