Triumphant

Last night Anna and I were getting to bed kind of late. We were both lying down nearly asleep when we realized we still needed to read and pray. Anna said, "Tell me or read me a good scripture". (No pressure!) :-) So I opened to Moroni 10, (one of my favorite chapters). I was looking for a specific scripture, but I couldn't find what I was looking for... (I only had my Romanian scriptures handy, which aren't as well marked). So while I was quickly skimming for this scripture, and not finding it, I eventually came to the very last verse. Here's what Moroni said:

"And now I bid unto all, farewell. I soon go to rest in the paradise of God, until my spirit and body shall again reunite, and I am brought forth triumphant through the air, to meet you before the pleasing bar of the great Jehovah, the eternal judge of both quick and dead. Amen." (Moroni 10:34)

The word "triumphant" stuck out to me. I have been pondering a lot about some of the trials each of us are divinely allotted. There are times when I want things to be different than they are. There are certain trials and stumbling blocks I would rather not face. More than anything I would like to say with faith and conviction, as Moroni did, that I will "rest in the paradise of God" and that I will be "brought forth triumphant". It then hit me more than ever before that I cannot be truly "triumphant" if I don't have anything to triumph over! If I attempt to pray away my troubles, I would be, in a very real sense, denying myself the high privilege of conquering this estate. Moroni was not "brought forth triumphant" by having an easy lot. Christ did not "overcome the world" by facing little tribulation. (John 16:33; see also D&C 50:41; D&C 76:107)

Christ even told us, "In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." (John 16:33) I hope to "be of good cheer" so I too, in a small measure, can be like my Savior and overcome the sacred trials and "thorn[s] in the flesh" the Lord has in store for me. (2 Cor. 12:7)

Personal Inventory

I often take inventory of my own life. Where am I at? What am I doing to progress and grow? In what ways am I doing better now compared to just a few months ago? What can I do and should I do tomorrow to improve upon today? Unfortunately, I don't always love the honest answers to these soul-searching questions.

I came across this passage the other day and it gave me reason to reflect upon my own discipleship:

"And when [Jesus] was gone forth into the way, there came one running, and kneeled to him, and asked him, Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?
"And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God.
"Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud not, Honour thy father and mother.
"And he answered and said unto him, Master, all these have I observed from my youth.
"Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me.
"And he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved: for he had great possessions." (Mark 10:17-22)

I wonder if I would react as this man did or would I be truly dedicated enough to Christ and His gospel to do the thing I felt least able to do? This man had observed all the commandments from his youth and perhaps was quite pleased with himself, thinking he was ready for the next step. Do we think, as this man apparently did, true discipleship is to simply not kill, steal, commit adultery, etc...? I hope not. I think once we master the "thou shalt not" commandments, (and desire further discipleship), we will be given the "thou shalt" commandments which most likely will be those things we feel least able to perform.

I often think of Nephi's bold statement and covenant with the Lord concerning obedience: "I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded" (1 Ne. 3:7) A promise, so simply stated, yet so valiantly kept! Nephi, too, was asked to do something he thought he would never have to do when he happened upon an intoxicated Laban. (1 Ne. 4:7-18) We know that Nephi "shrank" but nevertheless he "did obey the voice of the Spirit." (1 Ne. 4:10,18) What a contrast!

Now here's the inventory part: Can I follow the various commands and counsels of the Lord no matter how difficult or will I "[go] away grieved" when the counsel is much harder than previously anticipated?

Count Your Blessings

About two weeks ago I was privileged to give a Priesthood blessing to a woman at my work. I've been reflecting on the trials she has been given in her life and in so doing I have felt so very grateful for all my many blessings but also for the many "thorns" I have been "given"! (See 2 Cor. 12:7)

In explaining this woman's situation I think it's worth noting that she lost a son a few years back just after his mission. She also lost her mother within the last year. And if all that wasn't enough, a few weeks ago, this woman's husband passed away unexpectedly in his sleep.

She had, understandably, been away from work for a couple of weeks and her first few days back were extremely hard! She asked for a blessing and I was honored to give her one. Without going into too many details, I would like to share just a few thoughts.

During the blessing I was deeply moved. I couldn't stop thinking about the perfect love of our Savior! I had this feeling that the Lord gives us trials BECAUSE He loves us, not because He doesn't; and often times those trials are very specific to our individual situations, strengths and needs! I couldn't help but feel that these trials were in some way a part of God's love.

This experience has also caused me to count my many blessings! I have so many good things going for me and unfortunately I don't appreciate those wonderful things quite like I should. It's hard enough for most of us to recognize God's love when things are going great, but it is a true disciple that can see God's flawless and abiding love even through the deepest despair.

The Testimony of Lamoni

During Sunday school last week I had an interesting experience. Actually, so far I've had really great experiences almost every week here in our new ward. I love the teachers!

We were discussing the sons of Mosiah and their diligence in teaching the gospel to the Lamanites. Most of us are familiar with the story of Ammon and King Lamoni. The King had been so touched by the spirit that he "believed all [Ammon's] words." (Alma 18:40) He was so humbled by this experience that his strength completely failed him and "he fell unto the earth, as if he were dead." (Alma 18:42)

It wasn't until three days later that he arose. He immediately began praising God saying, "blessed be the name of God." (Alma 19:12) He then said something that hasn't ever hit me quite as hard as it did on Sunday. Lamoni testified, "behold, I have seen my Redeemer." (Alma 19:13) After reading this line, our tender-hearted and humble teacher then paused, holding back his obviously profound emotions, and with sincerity and modesty asked, "If any words were to be coveted, would not these be they?"

What a profound and reflective question! Words cannot describe how I long for that same privilege to say, "behold, I have seen my Redeemer!"

I am humbled and grateful for teachers like this. I am so grateful to him for preparing properly for that lesson. By so doing, he was able to follow the guidance of the spirit, which ultimately touched me profoundly. I will never read that passage again without reevaluating my commitment to my Redeemer!

Growth-Promoting Chastisement

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.

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!

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.