I love reading the different epistles of Chief Captain Moroni. Particularly, I love the correspondence between Moroni and Pahoran. Moroni reprimanded Pahoran severely in one of his epistles. We all know how Pahoran responded: "And now, in your epistle you have censured me, but it mattereth not; I am not angry, but do rejoice in the greatness of your heart." (Alma 61:9) I love the fact that this man, the ruler and chief governor over all the land, was not only unpretentious in his reaction but was also overjoyed at Moroni's patriotism and greatness of heart. Such humility on Pahoran's part!
I have recently read a few noteworthy stories illustrating this brilliant attribute of humbly 'taking it'. One of my favorites is when Parley P. Pratt recalled an occasion when President Brigham Young chastened him and certain others for the governing of the westward migration. President Young wrote two letters of a reproaching nature, even accusing them of insubordination. Elder Pratt wrote of this situation, "I could not realize this at the time, and protested that in my own heart, so far as I was concerned, I had no such motive; that I had been actuated by the purest motives...." Later Elder Pratt was made aware that some of those scolded had motives that weren't as pure as his. He continued to say, "...yet I thank God for this timely chastisement; I profited by it, and it caused me to be more watchful and careful ever after." (Autobiography of Parley Parker Pratt, 341-42.) What fertile ground for retaliation on the guiltless Elder Pratt's part, yet he 'took it' and even more importantly he "profited by it."
These lessons learned from people like Elder Pratt and Pahoran without doubt precipitate serious self-reflection, especially when we know we're more prone to take offense instead of, as Elder Pratt so eloquently put it, "thank[ing] God for this timely chastisement..."; or to go as far as rejoicing, as Pahoran did, in the greatness of our offender's heart.
Showing posts with label Humility. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Humility. Show all posts
Sunday, July 13, 2008
Sunday, July 6, 2008
Follow the Prophet
I was reading in 2 Kings 5 the other night and was impressed by the blessings that come from following the prophet. A man named Naaman who was at one time a great "captain of the host of the king of Syria." (v. 1) He was also "a mighty man of valour, but he was a leper." (v. 1) Naaman was fortunate enough to seek the help and counsel of the prophet Elisha. So he went and when he stood at the door of the house of the prophet, "Elisha sent a messenger unto him, saying, go and wash in Jordan seven times, and thy flesh shall come again to thee, and thou shalt be clean." (v. 10)
Naaman's reaction was not pretty. In fact, he was "wroth" (v.11) and "in a rage" (v.12) Naaman was offended that Elisha didn't himself come out to meet him and perform some mighty, earth-shattering miracle. He even murmured at the thought of washing in the Jordan rather than in some better, possibly cleaner waters.
How many of us pray or ask for something but are disappointed when the answer or solution comes in a way we aren't too thrilled about? It's unfortunate to think that we, (in our finite knowledge and intelligence), still question God, (in His infinite wisdom and omniscience), and also doubt His will for us!
Luckily Naaman had some pretty faithful servants that came near and asked, "if the prophet had bid thee do some GREAT thing, wouldest thou not have done it?" (v.13 emphasis added) They then pointed out the ease of Elisha's command and observed it would be unwise to reject this relatively simple counsel. Naaman submitted, washed himself seven times and "he was clean." (v. 14)
Sometimes we make things harder than they need to be. At times we think that if God asked us to we could move mountains, yet we murmur when we get an unglamorous calling in the church. I think we also misunderstand the Lord's timing. Naaman had to wash himself seven times, SEVEN TIMES. Could not the Lord have healed him in just a single washing or no washing at all? At times He will draw things out longer than we think is necessary. I know from very personal experience that the Lord will oft-times stretch me beyond my comfort level and understanding.
Neal A. Maxwell contemplatively asked this question concerning our obedience to the prophets and our submitting to the Lord's timing:
"Is there some spiritual discipline at work that tests our obedience by requiring the tested to go, again and again, till we learn to trust and to follow the prophets fully?"
What a marvelously introspective question that is! I truly believe the answer to that question is a resounding YES!
Naaman's reaction was not pretty. In fact, he was "wroth" (v.11) and "in a rage" (v.12) Naaman was offended that Elisha didn't himself come out to meet him and perform some mighty, earth-shattering miracle. He even murmured at the thought of washing in the Jordan rather than in some better, possibly cleaner waters.
How many of us pray or ask for something but are disappointed when the answer or solution comes in a way we aren't too thrilled about? It's unfortunate to think that we, (in our finite knowledge and intelligence), still question God, (in His infinite wisdom and omniscience), and also doubt His will for us!
Luckily Naaman had some pretty faithful servants that came near and asked, "if the prophet had bid thee do some GREAT thing, wouldest thou not have done it?" (v.13 emphasis added) They then pointed out the ease of Elisha's command and observed it would be unwise to reject this relatively simple counsel. Naaman submitted, washed himself seven times and "he was clean." (v. 14)
Sometimes we make things harder than they need to be. At times we think that if God asked us to we could move mountains, yet we murmur when we get an unglamorous calling in the church. I think we also misunderstand the Lord's timing. Naaman had to wash himself seven times, SEVEN TIMES. Could not the Lord have healed him in just a single washing or no washing at all? At times He will draw things out longer than we think is necessary. I know from very personal experience that the Lord will oft-times stretch me beyond my comfort level and understanding.
Neal A. Maxwell contemplatively asked this question concerning our obedience to the prophets and our submitting to the Lord's timing:
"Is there some spiritual discipline at work that tests our obedience by requiring the tested to go, again and again, till we learn to trust and to follow the prophets fully?"
What a marvelously introspective question that is! I truly believe the answer to that question is a resounding YES!
Sunday, June 29, 2008
Samuel and Eli
I was reading in 1 Samuel 3 the other night. Many of us know the story of young Samuel and Eli the temple priest. Both lay down to sleep and through that night there came a call, 'Samuel.' The boy Samuel, thinking Eli had called him, went to Eli's room to find that Eli had not called him. He went back and lay down and returned not only a second but also a third time. At this third visit, Eli sensing that Samuel was being spoken to by the Lord, said, 'if he call thee...say, Speak, Lord; for thy servant heareth.' (v.9)
Now there is much to be learned here. Samuel obeyed the very FIRST time. He also remained diligent and obeyed each subsequent time. So much faith and dedication! Having said that, there is something that caught my attention even more than that.
In the next few verses we read that Samuel received a message, a rather harsh message, concerning his mentor Eli: 'I will perform against Eli all things which I have spoken concerning his house...because his sons made themselves vile, and he restrained them not.'
That next morning Eli asked Samuel to tell him 'the thing that the Lord hath said unto [him].' (v. 17) Can you imagine how scared Samuel must have been to tell Eli what the Lord had said? Verse 15 tells us, 'And Samuel feared to shew Eli the vision.' But despite Samuel's fear he 'told him every whit, and hid nothing from him.' (v. 18) I am impressed by the courage and love this young boy had in telling Eli 'every whit.' But what impresses me even more is Eli's response. Put yourself in Eli's shoes for a moment. He was the temple priest; Samuel was just a kid. Who was Samuel to be counseling Eli and prophesying against him? But listen closely to Eli's response. He said: 'It is the Lord: let him do what seemeth him good.'
Wow! Such humility! Eli could have been puffed up in anger and pride to hear such words, but instead he reacted with meekness and submissiveness. I believe they both loved and cared for each other enough to be ungrudgingly open to receive counsel and correction and, when moved upon by the spirit, even be willing to give it.
W. Somerset Maugham said: "People ask you for criticism, but they only want praise." I hope that's not entirely true for me. I feel I have been blessed with so many deep relationships. I pray I will be open to receive some much needed counsel and correction and to also be loving and courageous enough to give it when moved upon by the spirit.
Now there is much to be learned here. Samuel obeyed the very FIRST time. He also remained diligent and obeyed each subsequent time. So much faith and dedication! Having said that, there is something that caught my attention even more than that.
In the next few verses we read that Samuel received a message, a rather harsh message, concerning his mentor Eli: 'I will perform against Eli all things which I have spoken concerning his house...because his sons made themselves vile, and he restrained them not.'
That next morning Eli asked Samuel to tell him 'the thing that the Lord hath said unto [him].' (v. 17) Can you imagine how scared Samuel must have been to tell Eli what the Lord had said? Verse 15 tells us, 'And Samuel feared to shew Eli the vision.' But despite Samuel's fear he 'told him every whit, and hid nothing from him.' (v. 18) I am impressed by the courage and love this young boy had in telling Eli 'every whit.' But what impresses me even more is Eli's response. Put yourself in Eli's shoes for a moment. He was the temple priest; Samuel was just a kid. Who was Samuel to be counseling Eli and prophesying against him? But listen closely to Eli's response. He said: 'It is the Lord: let him do what seemeth him good.'
Wow! Such humility! Eli could have been puffed up in anger and pride to hear such words, but instead he reacted with meekness and submissiveness. I believe they both loved and cared for each other enough to be ungrudgingly open to receive counsel and correction and, when moved upon by the spirit, even be willing to give it.
W. Somerset Maugham said: "People ask you for criticism, but they only want praise." I hope that's not entirely true for me. I feel I have been blessed with so many deep relationships. I pray I will be open to receive some much needed counsel and correction and to also be loving and courageous enough to give it when moved upon by the spirit.
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