Words. Words. Words.

While reading today's lesson in Alma 30-31 of “Come, Follow Me,” I was struck by the power of words to change human behavior and beliefs. Alma's faith in that power led him to organize a missionary effort to try and reclaim the Zoramites. He wanted to bring them back into the fold of God. 

The effort was partially successful. Their efforts converted many of the poor. But most Zoramites, those who didn't change, drove them out of the land. Then, true to Alma's fears, the Zoramites turned their backs on the Nephites and became Lamanites.

There was a similar story in the land of Ammonihah. Those who were changed by Alma's missionary efforts paid with their lives or were driven out of the land by those who weren't. In a demonstration of divine justice, those who didn't change, who murdered those who did, were utterly destroyed by a Lamanite army.

Amalikiah's use of the spoken word is also instructive. In one year, his use of it unified a divided nation and galvanized it into going to war. Thus began a war of conquest to sate Amalikah's ambitions. In the end however, it failed and succeeded only in the deaths of thousands.

Words have great power: they can build or they can destroy. Like the Native American story of the two wolves, the wolf that thrives within us is the one we feed. Which words do we choose to listen to? Words which build faith? Words which instill fear? Words which foster love and unity? Words which incite anger and hate? 

The lesson showed me that while I have the freedom to pick the words I listen to, I am bound to the influence of those words.

How to Get a Perfect Understanding of Events

I read 2 Nephi chapter 1 this morning as part of my daily study regimen. The contrast between 2 Nephi 1:30-31 and Alma 54:17, 23 about Nephi and Zoram’s relationship is instructive. From Nephi’s account of his experience, we read that he and Zoram ended up being good friends. It’s not hard to believe when you think that had not Nephi come along, Zoram would’ve spent the rest of his life as a servant to Laban. Instead, he and his descendants lived as free men as part of the Nephites in the New World.

Contrast that with how Ammoron, and Amalikiah's explanation of that relationship, was used to win over the Lamanites. They claimed Zoram was “pressed and brought” out of Jerusalem. They tell the story as if he was forced against his will to become a victim of Nephi's ambitions. While it's true Nephi gave Zoram a “join us or die” ultimatum, it was to travel with them as an equal, not a slave. That’s the difference in the telling of the stories. 

Zoram was better off for joining Nephi. Since that reality didn’t fit Amalikiah’s agenda, that was never mentioned. Ammoron wanted the Lamanites to believe Zoram was a slave while the Nephites knew he was a friend. That way, the Lamanites would consider Ammoron as an equal and not as an oppressor.

We see the same today in the news. The Republicans will describe something in one way to suit their agenda. Democrats will describe the same thing differently to suit theirs. How do you tell who is telling the truth? As is the case with Zoram, there are going to be elements of truth in both versions, but discerning the whole truth of the story requires study. Most of us don’t take the time to study events so we have a clear understanding of an issue. The flood of soundbites in the 24/7 new cycle doesn’t contain enough substance to give understanding. So, what to do?

While more study is good, President Nelson’s counsel in April 2018 General Conference is best. He said: improve your ability to receive revelation from the Lord. Live righteously. Make the time to study things out because good information leads to good revelation. Ask the Lord to show you where to look. Act on His answer.

That is the path to a “perfect understanding” as Captain Moroni had, of the political turmoil of our day.

My November Vote

In the grand scheme of politics in these United States, I’m a virtual nobody. I do vote, so that makes me somebody for a few minutes in November when I vote, but the rest of the time, I’m a political nobody. I’m OK with that.

With the political and social turmoil embroiling our country now, I do feel a compelling need to let people know how I feel about the upcoming election. I’ll be honest here: I am NOT voting FOR Donald Trump. At the same time I am NOT voting FOR Joe Biden. The truth is, I’m not voting FOR any one person at all.

 

“So you’re not voting this year?” You ask. Au contraire mon ami. I am most certainly going to vote in November. I want to make it clear I am not voting “for” any person. The ONLY person whom I feel safe voting “for” would be Jesus Christ. I have absolute trust in His ability to make wise decisions. I would vote for Him. No one else.

Instead I am voting “for” principles.

I’m voting for the defense of the unborn child. Too many children are killed each year by the likes of “Planned Parenthood.” Children which could otherwise be adopted. This is a travesty that must be stopped.

I’m voting for the appointment of strict constructionist judges. Many of the social problems we suffer from today are the result of activist judges “legislating from the bench.” That is not what the Founding Father’s intended.

I am voting for reduced government involvement in my life. I’m mindful of history that shows what Pres. Gerald Ford once said is very true. He said, “a government that can give you everything you want has the power to take everything you have.” I don’t want that kind of government. If it means it can give less stuff away, so be it. I don’t want it to take any more of my stuff than necessary.

I’m voting for a government that respects the rule of law. Though to be candid, I don’t see that principle in effect very many places at all.

I’m voting for a government which allows the free market to decide “winners” and “losers” in the economy. “To big to fail,” or “protected groups deserving special consideration” is anathema to me. No one gives me a special break when it comes to bills I have to pay or qualifying for a position in a company. Why should anyone else?

I’m voting for the right to defend my property and person. This summer has shown the police can be overwhelmed by events and out of touch politicians. (Yes, I'm thinking of you Jenny Durkan.) While I’d much rather they do the job, when they can’t I want to be able to defend myself.

I’m voting for equal representation at the ballot box. It’s scary to think that enough dead people have voted to change the outcome of elections. That shouldn’t be.

I’m voting for elections to be limited to those who actually have skin in the game of government. I pay taxes, so I have a right to make my voice heard at the ballot box. I am passionately opposed to letting people vote who don’t pay taxes or contribute to the system.

I’m voting for a better, choice-driven education system. Public schools in America, especially in inner cities are absolute failures. The practice and laws which deny parents choice in where their children attend school, must be abolished. Let the free-market work to make schools better.

I’m voting for a foreign policy where the interests of my country are not for sale to foreign powers.

I’m voting for a color blind government. Laws shouldn’t favor or punish anyone simply for the color of their skin. Laws that discriminate against someone on the grounds of the color of their skin or race or where they live should be altered or abolished.

I’m voting for smaller government. The smaller the government, the less power it has and the less appealing it is to those who lust after power. We have enough masters as it is. I don’t want overlords.

I’m voting for a government that keeps a level playing field in the world of business and finance. I’m against the cozy relationships between government agencies and large businesses, non-profit foundations, private interest groups, lobbyist and trade unions.

I’m voting for the right to keep my money from being sent to a trade union I don’t want representing me.

I’m voting for a government which doesn’t punish me for wanting to live the precepts of my religion. (Obviously there are limits here, a “religion” that condones honor killings for some perceived abuse should not be allowed to do such things.)

Yet, since voting requires voting “for” a person, I will vote for someone. But the person I vote for will be the person who I think will best represent these interests.

Antidote for the Perfect Storm

Several years ago, I actively wrote in this blog. I used it to grapple with the fallout of a massive crisis of faith which engulfed my life. That period of time is now passed and I haven’t touched this blog for years.

My faith is fine. But I am, dismayed, angry and dumbfounded at the events which are unfolding across our country. We are living through a perfect storm of political unrest:

• An unprecedented illness has engulfed the world. 

• Civil unrest wracks our country more than anytime since the Civil War. 

• I watch journalistic malpractice, in the name of political agendas no less, so damnable Joseph Goebbels would be proud. 

• We have a president who is so hated by state and local leaders, they feel justified in trampling on the rule of law to score political points against him. 

• Political correctness and accusations of "racism" are now bludgeons used to silence different points of view.

I often ask myself, "What are we to do in the face of all this?" For I see it consuming, even destroying, the social fabric of my country.

To the depths of my soul, I believe the Book of Mormon can help us through this period of unrest as it helped me through my faith crisis. So, here I am, writing in my blog, again. My hope is that my efforts to come to terms with what's happening will help you in some ways do the same.

President Uchtdorf: Yearning for Home

A Yearning for Home

Something Pres. Uchtdorf said several times throughout this past conference is, "blessings come not from our abilities, but from our choices." He first mentioned it Saturday when he spoke in the Women’s session and repeated it again in this talk.

He spoke about it in the context of his talk on our “yearning for home.” His talk and Elder Holland’s talk both addressed the relationship we have with Heavenly Father and of His great love for us. I feel within each of us there is a divine spark and like Bobbie, the wonder dog, that yearning motivates us to seek out a higher purpose in life. To wonder and ask, “Is this all that I am?” or “If I didn’t have all these weaknesses, who would I be? What could I become?

This divine spark is the force behind our desires to find happiness, to be better, to do more, to be more than who we are now. Becoming better is innate to our being. I read this morning a quote by Heraclitus, it goes along with this…

The soul is dyed the color of its thoughts. Think only on those things that are in line with your principles and can bear the light of day. The content of your character is your choice. Day by day, what you choose, what you think, and what you do is who you become. Your integrity is your destiny . . . it is the light that guides your way.  (Heraclitus. ca. 535 BC to ca. 475 BC)

Pres. Uchtdorf also spoke of discipleship… the process of making choices which shape who we are and our destination require us to “swim upstream when needed.”

There is so much more which he talked about, I don’t have the space to talk about it. Suffice it to say, his is one which stood out in a conference filled with great addresses.

Dallin Oaks, “The Plan and the Proclamation”

No other talk in conference generated as much press as did Elder Oaks talk on the “Proclamation on the Family.” I think had the killings not occurred in Vegas Sunday evening after conference, this talk would’ve gotten a lot more coverage in the news and by critics of the Church.

So, what is all the fuss about? It centers on two paragraphs uttered by him and the tenor of his admonition to the Saints:

“The family proclamation begins by declaring ‘that marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God and that the family is central to the Creator’s plan for the eternal destiny of His children.’ It also affirms that ‘gender is an essential characteristic of individual premortal, mortal, and eternal identity and purpose.’ It further declares ‘that God has commanded that the sacred powers of procreation are to be employed only between man and woman, lawfully wedded as husband and wife.’”

“I testify that the proclamation on the family is a statement of eternal truth, the will of the Lord for His children who seek eternal life. It has been the basis of Church teaching and practice for the last 22 years and will continue so for the future. Consider it as such, teach it, live by it, and you will be blessed as you press forward toward eternal life.”

In effect he’s saying, this is the revealed will of God to man about the role of the sexes, families, and marriage. While man has passed laws which go against this, God is not beholden to them. True disciples of God will pay the price to follow His law over man’s laws.

Additionally, he made it very clear what God’s standards are regarding chastity and marriage and then contrasted that with what the world thinks of those two concepts. He then pointed out where our loyalty and devotion should lie if we really mean to be disciples of Christ. It wasn’t harsh against those who choose to not live these principles, but rather “if you intend to be a disciple, you will be opposed and criticized by the world.”

That said, it was his story of how the proclamation came to be which was most interesting to me. It was “a surprise to some,” said Elder Oaks. The general thought at the time was the doctrines about marriage and family were well understood and not in need of “restatement.” Nevertheless, he said, the spirit confirmed to them the need to proceed, so they did. After nearly a year of fasting, prayer and counseling with each other, the document was presented to the First Presidency. After they made further changes, it was announced by President Hinckley to the church in September, 1995.

Elder Oaks followed this with a sobering observation. He said forty years ago, President Benson taught every generation [of Saints] has its test and its chance to stand and prove itself.” Our stance on the proclamation is one of the tests for our generation.

He’s right.

The Adventure Continues... Conference Talks

One of the great messages that came to me again and again in this last conference is that I need to be more diligent in my scripture study. As I pondered and listened to the closing address by Elder Anderson, the thought came to mind I should blog my weekly pondering of the conference addresses. There are enough of them I can write about one a week between now and the next conference in April. So, that’s what I’m going to do.

At this point, there’s no particular order in which I will take them. However, since there’s so much being said about Elder Oak’s comments, I plan on writing on his talk next week. I start this week with Elder Anderson’s closing address.


There are three themes which struck me during his talk:
1. Praying in the temple: “I am on my knees in the Temple with my brethren and I attest to the goodness of their souls. Their greatest desire is to please the Lord.” It reminds me of the prayers we offered in Bishopric meeting while I served as Executive Secretary. I have always felt we accomplished more in those morning prayers than in anything else we did. This resonates with my soul.

2. The effort which goes into preparing an address: “The Lord wants no pretense diminishing His voice to His saints.” They view it as a recurring burden and a sacred trust. Elder Holland spoke of this before. They fast. They pray. They study. They write and re-write. Elder Oaks would go through 15 drafts. I remember reading something about Elder Maxwell where he would make as many as 40 re-writes of his conference talks. I thought of this and Elder Oak’s comments on Saturday. He was testifying to the reality that their words are inspired.

3. He finished with a promise: “As you hear the voice of the Lord to you in the teachings of this conference and then act on those prompting, you will feel Heaven’s hand upon you and your life and the lives of those around you will be blessed.” What a marvelous promise!