During the press conference after the Utah/BYU game Max Hall said “I don't like Utah. In fact, I hate them. I hate everything about them. I hate their program, I hate their fans, I hate everything... I think the whole university, their fans and their organization is classless. They threw beer on my family and stuff last year, and they did a whole bunch of nasty things, and I don't respect them, and they deserved to lose.” (emphasis added) There have been hundreds of comments online about his comments (as of right now, over 800 comments on the SL Tribune article, 1442 comments on the KSL.com article, 873 comments on the Deseret News article and hundreds more on other online articles and bulletin boards).
I love sports. I love playing them and for the most part, love watching them. I understand rivalries, too. Being from Green River, Wyoming there was a time in my life when I thought nothing good could ever have come out of Rock Springs. I have been called terrible things by players and fans of a rivalry team firsthand, so I understand that in the emotion of the moment, you can say some negative things about those players and teams. But, I never played for an organization that represents the “only true and living church upon the face of the whole earth”, one that is supported in part by tithing funds that are given under the most difficult of circumstances and sacrifice. Hall’s comments couldn’t be more in opposition to the mission of the Church and BYU. The first thing that went through my mind was, think of all the things the Savior went through. He was spit upon, mocked, physically assaulted and berated and eventually killed, over something much more important than a football game. Did he ever say he “hated” the Jews or the Romans? He forgave them as he hung, dying on the cross. The scriptures are replete with statements such as “love your enemies, do good to them which hate you”, “pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you”. There is no doubt the Savior taught us to react to tribulations in a higher manner.
I could even have given Max Hall a pass had his comments been directed at the players and team, but he included the entire university in his comments quite purposefully (even though he has now issued an apology and said he meant his comments toward those fans who were so rude to him & his family, it is very clear he meant the comments toward the whole University of Utah). As a graduate of said University, I take offense at the comments he directed to the whole University of Utah and its alumni. While I’m not in the same league as the following individuals, I’m in pretty good company with the likes of President Monson, President Hinckley, President Faust, President Eyring, Elder Hales, Elder Wirthlin, Elder Maxwell, Elder McConkie, a physiology Nobel Prize winner, and hundreds of other very prominent men and women who have made valuable contributions to society, much in part due to their education from the University of Utah. For Max Hall to make a blanket statement about the whole university was completely irresponsible.
I realize that Max Hall (and any of us for that matter) is far from the same character as the Savior, but the fact is, he plays a very prominent role in an organization that represents the Savior. His comments have given a black eye to BYU, and it’s unbelievable that there are some people who are supporting and encouraging his comments. What happened to his family is not right, but his reaction shows that he does not truly understand the Savior’s teachings and does not practice them. When you live a life in the limelight, you have to understand who and what you represent. His comments do not represent his church, or his university and as such, I think he should be prohibited from officially representing them from here on out.
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Foreshadowing
In Mosiah 9:5-19, we read the account of Zeniff, who was a Nephite spy sent to observe the Lamanite forces to determine their strength, if it was possible to destroy them to possess the “land of our father’s first inheritance”. Zeniff saw some good in the Lamanites and wanted to make a treaty with them, but it caused an internal struggle among the others with him and after many of the men died fighting one another, he returned to Zarahemla to relate the tale to “their wives and children”. However, he was so zealous to occupy that land, that he once again gathered men together to go up to possess the land. This time he met with the Lamanite king, Laman, and petitioned him to occupy the land in peace. Laman granted them their request and the Nephites began improve the land by building buildings, repairing walls, tilling the ground and planting fruits and vegetables. Zeniff later found out King Laman’s intentions were never to give the Nephites their liberty, but to have them improve the land then subject them into bondage. After 12 years, King Laman grew uneasy about the Nephites because they had grown in numbers and strength, and he worried they would overthrow the Lamanites. A war ensued, and through the grace of God, the Nephites came out victorious.
I have been reading a book called “Murder of the Mormon Prophet: The Political Prelude to the death of Joseph Smith” and the book details the troubles of the Saints in Missouri, how they improved their land, built buildings and houses and then were kicked out of the state and the citizens of Missouri were able to buy their property for the amount of unpaid taxes.
I wonder if while translating the above portion of the Book of Mosiah, if Joseph realized it was foreshadowing what would happen to the saints about 10 years later, or while they were being expelled from Missouri, did Joseph think back about what happened to the Nephites?
I have been reading a book called “Murder of the Mormon Prophet: The Political Prelude to the death of Joseph Smith” and the book details the troubles of the Saints in Missouri, how they improved their land, built buildings and houses and then were kicked out of the state and the citizens of Missouri were able to buy their property for the amount of unpaid taxes.
I wonder if while translating the above portion of the Book of Mosiah, if Joseph realized it was foreshadowing what would happen to the saints about 10 years later, or while they were being expelled from Missouri, did Joseph think back about what happened to the Nephites?
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Judging the King
Once Michael Jackson’s death was announced, it caused a flood of emotions from fans and critics alike. However, the more and more distant the passing becomes, the more people are willing to attack his character. For my part, I will remember being a pre-teen listening to his music, trying to imitate his moves, and to an extent, wearing the same clothes. There was a time in my life when there was nothing I wanted more than a white sequined glove. To me, Michael was the ultimate in music and popularity. He was untouchable in my eyes. I also admit that I was pretty much out of societal influence when he was first accused of child abuse. I was preparing to leave on a mission to California, and didn’t really pay much attention to what was going on around the world, since I would be “immune” from it for the next two years. For some reason, I don’t really recall much about the second instance of molestation charges against him either. I was getting my MBA at the time, and was probably too engrossed in weekly papers and reading textbooks to notice anything else.
Fast forward to the present; Michael has been memorialized in historic fashion, and hundreds of millions of people are rekindling their love of his music and performing abilities. There are still those who do not believe that he was anything but a pedophile and a child molester. I’m not one of them. As cynical as I can be at times, I have to believe that in the two instances of accusation, one being settled out of court, being acquitted of the other, I have to believe in our justice system. If not, then in what system or set of ideals can I trust? I’m content to let the records state what they may, and let the rest be handled by the one Person who truly knows what happened and who can rightfully judge the matter. The rest of use should ask ourselves the same question that Paul asked the Romans “But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ…So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God. Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother’s way.” (Romans 14: 10, 12-13)
I can’t imaging how difficult it must have been to be raised the way Michael was, if in fact you can call that, being raised. Who’s to say that I wouldn’t have had similar problems with self image, self esteem, and an overall sense of self consciousness. I deal with my own issues as it is, I can’t imagine living in front of millions of people who dissect my every move. To this, I can say I actually agree with the Reverend Al Sharpton on at least on thing. During Michael’s memorial service, Sharpton, addressing Michael’s children, said "there weren't nothing strange about your daddy, it was strange what your daddy had to deal with but he dealt with it…" There certainly were some strange things he dealt with, but I’m in no position to judge his character. I’ll just continue to jam to his music, teach my children as best as I can how to moonwalk, and hope that one day I’ll get that sequined glove.
Fast forward to the present; Michael has been memorialized in historic fashion, and hundreds of millions of people are rekindling their love of his music and performing abilities. There are still those who do not believe that he was anything but a pedophile and a child molester. I’m not one of them. As cynical as I can be at times, I have to believe that in the two instances of accusation, one being settled out of court, being acquitted of the other, I have to believe in our justice system. If not, then in what system or set of ideals can I trust? I’m content to let the records state what they may, and let the rest be handled by the one Person who truly knows what happened and who can rightfully judge the matter. The rest of use should ask ourselves the same question that Paul asked the Romans “But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ…So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God. Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother’s way.” (Romans 14: 10, 12-13)
I can’t imaging how difficult it must have been to be raised the way Michael was, if in fact you can call that, being raised. Who’s to say that I wouldn’t have had similar problems with self image, self esteem, and an overall sense of self consciousness. I deal with my own issues as it is, I can’t imagine living in front of millions of people who dissect my every move. To this, I can say I actually agree with the Reverend Al Sharpton on at least on thing. During Michael’s memorial service, Sharpton, addressing Michael’s children, said "there weren't nothing strange about your daddy, it was strange what your daddy had to deal with but he dealt with it…" There certainly were some strange things he dealt with, but I’m in no position to judge his character. I’ll just continue to jam to his music, teach my children as best as I can how to moonwalk, and hope that one day I’ll get that sequined glove.
Monday, April 20, 2009
Touching Heaven & Removing Barnacles
Last night I was reading President Monson’s talk in the May 1988 Ensign titled “You Make A Difference” and ran across this story about King Darius and Alexander the Great.
“Darius, through the proper rites had been recognized as legitimate King of Egypt. His rival Alexander the Great had been declared legitimate son of Ammon. He, too, was Pharaoh. Alexander, finding the defeated Darius on the point of death, laid his hands upon his head to heal him, commanding him to arise and resume his kingly power, concluding, “I swear unto thee, Darius, by all the gods, that I do these things truly and without fakery.” Darius replied with a gentle rebuke, “Alexander, my boy, … do you think you can touch heaven with those hands of yours?” (quoted by Hugh Nibley, Abraham in Egypt p. 192).”
President Monson relates this story at least four other times in General Conference:
That We May Touch Heaven (November 1990)
Your Eternal Voyage (May 2000)
The Call For Courage (May 2004)
True To Our Priesthood Trust (November 2006)
I’ve had a hard time finding the source of this story (other than the Nibley reference), but if it is true, what an amazing analogy for priesthood holders. I’ve always wondered what happens when a priesthood holder gives a blessing or otherwise exercises his priesthood unworthily, can his hands “touch heaven” as it were? We do know “that the rights of the priesthood are inseparably connected with the powers of heaven, and that the powers of heaven cannot be controlled nor handled only upon the principles of righteousness.” (D&C 121:36)
So if someone is not worthy to exercise the priesthood, but does anyway, does it “count”? The next verse says when we “undertake to cover our sins…the spirit of the Lord is grieved; and when it is withdrawn, Amen to the priesthood or the authority of that man.” At that point I think the blessing becomes more like a prayer, not directly under the authority of the priesthood. Although I suppose the faith of an individual receiving a blessing can make up for the lack of worthiness of the priesthood bearer, and achieve the same outcome. Ordinances are a completely different situation. I would think if someone unworthily ordains someone else, the ordinance has to be valid, but I’ve heard that individual “drinks damnation” to his own soul.
In the same talk, President Monson gives another analogy regarding barnacles.
“To some it may seem strange to see ships of many nations loading and unloading cargo along the docks at Portland, Oregon. That city is 100 miles from the ocean. Getting there involves a difficult, often turbulent passage over the bar guarding the Columbia River and a long trip up the Columbia and Willamette Rivers.
“But ship captains like to tie up at Portland. They know that as their ships travel the seas, a curious salt water shellfish called a barnacle fastens itself to the hull and stays there for the rest of its life, surrounding itself with a rock-like shell. As more and more barnacles attach themselves, they increase the ship’s drag, slow its progress, decrease its efficiency.
“Periodically, the ship must go into dry dock, where with great effort the barnacles are chiseled or scraped off. It’s a difficult, expensive process that ties up the ship for days”. But not if the captain can get his ship to Portland. Barnacles can’t live in fresh water. There, in the sweet, fresh waters of the Willamette or Columbia, the barnacles loosen and fall away, and the ship returns to its task lightened and renewed.
“Sins are like those barnacles. Hardly anyone goes through life without picking up some. They increase the drag, slow our progress, decrease our efficiency. Unrepented, building up one on another, they can eventually sink us.
“In His infinite love and mercy, our Lord has provided a harbor where, through repentance, our barnacles fall away and are forgotten. With our souls lightened and renewed, we can go efficiently about our work and His” (“Harbor of Forgiveness,” 30 Jan. 1988, p. 16).
Unlike some analogies, this one makes a lot of sense to me, and when you read more about barnacles, they really can do damage to what they adhere to, especially animals. They root themselves so deep that the typical shedding of the outer layer of skin doesn’t get rid of them. Applying that analogy could mean that you have to go deeper to remove the sin, it’s not just something superficial on the surface.
“Darius, through the proper rites had been recognized as legitimate King of Egypt. His rival Alexander the Great had been declared legitimate son of Ammon. He, too, was Pharaoh. Alexander, finding the defeated Darius on the point of death, laid his hands upon his head to heal him, commanding him to arise and resume his kingly power, concluding, “I swear unto thee, Darius, by all the gods, that I do these things truly and without fakery.” Darius replied with a gentle rebuke, “Alexander, my boy, … do you think you can touch heaven with those hands of yours?” (quoted by Hugh Nibley, Abraham in Egypt p. 192).”
President Monson relates this story at least four other times in General Conference:
That We May Touch Heaven (November 1990)
Your Eternal Voyage (May 2000)
The Call For Courage (May 2004)
True To Our Priesthood Trust (November 2006)
I’ve had a hard time finding the source of this story (other than the Nibley reference), but if it is true, what an amazing analogy for priesthood holders. I’ve always wondered what happens when a priesthood holder gives a blessing or otherwise exercises his priesthood unworthily, can his hands “touch heaven” as it were? We do know “that the rights of the priesthood are inseparably connected with the powers of heaven, and that the powers of heaven cannot be controlled nor handled only upon the principles of righteousness.” (D&C 121:36)
So if someone is not worthy to exercise the priesthood, but does anyway, does it “count”? The next verse says when we “undertake to cover our sins…the spirit of the Lord is grieved; and when it is withdrawn, Amen to the priesthood or the authority of that man.” At that point I think the blessing becomes more like a prayer, not directly under the authority of the priesthood. Although I suppose the faith of an individual receiving a blessing can make up for the lack of worthiness of the priesthood bearer, and achieve the same outcome. Ordinances are a completely different situation. I would think if someone unworthily ordains someone else, the ordinance has to be valid, but I’ve heard that individual “drinks damnation” to his own soul.
In the same talk, President Monson gives another analogy regarding barnacles.
“To some it may seem strange to see ships of many nations loading and unloading cargo along the docks at Portland, Oregon. That city is 100 miles from the ocean. Getting there involves a difficult, often turbulent passage over the bar guarding the Columbia River and a long trip up the Columbia and Willamette Rivers.
“But ship captains like to tie up at Portland. They know that as their ships travel the seas, a curious salt water shellfish called a barnacle fastens itself to the hull and stays there for the rest of its life, surrounding itself with a rock-like shell. As more and more barnacles attach themselves, they increase the ship’s drag, slow its progress, decrease its efficiency.
“Periodically, the ship must go into dry dock, where with great effort the barnacles are chiseled or scraped off. It’s a difficult, expensive process that ties up the ship for days”. But not if the captain can get his ship to Portland. Barnacles can’t live in fresh water. There, in the sweet, fresh waters of the Willamette or Columbia, the barnacles loosen and fall away, and the ship returns to its task lightened and renewed.
“Sins are like those barnacles. Hardly anyone goes through life without picking up some. They increase the drag, slow our progress, decrease our efficiency. Unrepented, building up one on another, they can eventually sink us.
“In His infinite love and mercy, our Lord has provided a harbor where, through repentance, our barnacles fall away and are forgotten. With our souls lightened and renewed, we can go efficiently about our work and His” (“Harbor of Forgiveness,” 30 Jan. 1988, p. 16).
Unlike some analogies, this one makes a lot of sense to me, and when you read more about barnacles, they really can do damage to what they adhere to, especially animals. They root themselves so deep that the typical shedding of the outer layer of skin doesn’t get rid of them. Applying that analogy could mean that you have to go deeper to remove the sin, it’s not just something superficial on the surface.
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
"...esteem them very highly..."
When I was younger, my church leaders seemed almost heroic. They were men who knew so much about the gospel, seemed to have every answer, and didn’t seem to have any flaws at all. This is a quasi confession, but the older I get the less I see these same qualities in my current church leaders. I realize that none of us (especially me) are perfect; that we are all trying the best we can to lead those of which we have stewardship. I don’t know if it is my pride or the fact that I have seen a variety of different leaders since I was younger, but I tend to compare them all, and the shortcomings that some have compared to others, make it difficult for me to have complete trust and faith in them.
Toward the end of his first letter to the Thessalonians, the Apostle Paul gave some advice that hit me like a ton of bricks in this regard. He says:
“12 And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you;
13 And to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. And be at peace among yourselves.” (1 Thessalonians 5:12-13).
I have noticed over the past several months that my attitude has digressed a little, and I have tried to make goals to improve my perception of local church leaders, although it has been slow going. As I read this short exhortation, it hit home to me that the leaders serving in local congregations truly are laboring among us and we should esteem them highly for their willingness and ability to serve the Lord in whatever capacity He has called them.
Toward the end of his first letter to the Thessalonians, the Apostle Paul gave some advice that hit me like a ton of bricks in this regard. He says:
“12 And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you;
13 And to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. And be at peace among yourselves.” (1 Thessalonians 5:12-13).
I have noticed over the past several months that my attitude has digressed a little, and I have tried to make goals to improve my perception of local church leaders, although it has been slow going. As I read this short exhortation, it hit home to me that the leaders serving in local congregations truly are laboring among us and we should esteem them highly for their willingness and ability to serve the Lord in whatever capacity He has called them.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Service and Rewards
Last night I was reading “Selfless Service” by William R. Bradford out of the November 1987 Ensign. I have been thinking about service lately because that is one of my responsibilities in our ward. Having this topic on my mind and after reading this talk I felt the need to write down my thoughts.
Elder Bradford tells the story of a group of young people who raised a lot of money to go on an adventure outing, and wanted his help in getting some press coverage of their accomplishments. He told them “no”, because he felt there were better things they could do with the money they had raised than spend it something fairly frivolous for themselves. The young people came around and decided to donate the money to the missionary fund, and wanted to present a check and take some pictures to get a little publicity. Again Elder Bradford told them “no”, but this time because their intentions were wrong. They would be donating money for recognition, not to help others. The theme of his talk is “Many things are only interesting and enticing, while other things are important.”
It was this last statement that stuck out to me. I know there are people who enjoy giving service, but I think, unfortunately those are the minority. I understand people are busy, and giving service at soup kitchens or canneries or whatever, isn’t very high on the priority list. I also understand that some people are willing to give service, but they want recognition for it. But that’s the whole problem with a lot of us. We have filled our lives with so many things (some important, but I dare say most are only interesting/enticing) that we don’t or won’t give time to give service to others.
Elder Bradford then summarizes:
“To get recognition and the praise of men can become an obsessive goal in one’s life. It can lead from one act to another until life is filled with egotism and selfishness. The momentary pleasure that recognition and the praise of men bring almost always causes people to want more. If they can’t get it in one way, they will try another. If it can’t be obtained by being one’s natural self, they will try to get it acting out a life that is unnatural. The longing to be popular, to be praised by one’s peers, and to receive the recognition of men is a very powerful force.
It is vain to seek the praise or recognition of men. This vanity comes of evil because it springs forth out of selfishness. Christ clearly taught this as he spoke of those who “set themselves up for a light unto the world, that they may get gain and praise of the world; but they seek not the welfare of Zion.
“Behold, the Lord hath forbidden this thing; wherefore, the Lord God hath given a commandment that all men should have charity, which charity is love. And except they should have charity they were nothing. Wherefore, if they should have charity they would not suffer the laborer in Zion to perish.
“But the laborer in Zion shall labor for Zion” (2 Ne. 26:29–31).
It reminds me of the Savior’s teachings during the Sermon on the Mount (see Matthew 6). The Savior gives examples of giving alms to be seen of men, praying to be heard of men and fasting in a way that people are aware you are fasting. All of these (giving alms, praying and fasting) are very important, but the underlying reason for doing them is the key the Savior is teaching. In the examples given, the Savior explains that God does not reward those who do these worthwhile things for the wrong reasons. In other words, if the only reason we gave alms/pray/fast is so others would know we are, and if that is our intent, then our reward is having people see us, hear us and see us “disfigure [our] faces” and if that is really what we want, “[we] have [our] reward”.
I think it is interesting that Elder Bradford mentions the scripture in the Book of Mormon about charity, because charity is what is needed if we are to give service with real intent. Service should be given so that we can truly help others, especially those less fortunate. Without charity, we could still give service, I suppose, but we would not be giving it for the right reason. This was actually a topic I taught about a few weeks ago in class. In reading Paul’s “Love Psalm” (see 1 Corinthians 13), we talked about verse 3 which states “And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.” and discussed why someone would “bestow all my goods to feed the poor” without having charity. Why would they? The answer is for the (wrong) reasons mentioned above; to be seen of others. Paul’s statement that this type of service “profiteth me nothing” goes hand in hand with the Savior’s teaching that those who serve for the wrong reasons, already have their reward.
Elder Bradford tells the story of a group of young people who raised a lot of money to go on an adventure outing, and wanted his help in getting some press coverage of their accomplishments. He told them “no”, because he felt there were better things they could do with the money they had raised than spend it something fairly frivolous for themselves. The young people came around and decided to donate the money to the missionary fund, and wanted to present a check and take some pictures to get a little publicity. Again Elder Bradford told them “no”, but this time because their intentions were wrong. They would be donating money for recognition, not to help others. The theme of his talk is “Many things are only interesting and enticing, while other things are important.”
It was this last statement that stuck out to me. I know there are people who enjoy giving service, but I think, unfortunately those are the minority. I understand people are busy, and giving service at soup kitchens or canneries or whatever, isn’t very high on the priority list. I also understand that some people are willing to give service, but they want recognition for it. But that’s the whole problem with a lot of us. We have filled our lives with so many things (some important, but I dare say most are only interesting/enticing) that we don’t or won’t give time to give service to others.
Elder Bradford then summarizes:
“To get recognition and the praise of men can become an obsessive goal in one’s life. It can lead from one act to another until life is filled with egotism and selfishness. The momentary pleasure that recognition and the praise of men bring almost always causes people to want more. If they can’t get it in one way, they will try another. If it can’t be obtained by being one’s natural self, they will try to get it acting out a life that is unnatural. The longing to be popular, to be praised by one’s peers, and to receive the recognition of men is a very powerful force.
It is vain to seek the praise or recognition of men. This vanity comes of evil because it springs forth out of selfishness. Christ clearly taught this as he spoke of those who “set themselves up for a light unto the world, that they may get gain and praise of the world; but they seek not the welfare of Zion.
“Behold, the Lord hath forbidden this thing; wherefore, the Lord God hath given a commandment that all men should have charity, which charity is love. And except they should have charity they were nothing. Wherefore, if they should have charity they would not suffer the laborer in Zion to perish.
“But the laborer in Zion shall labor for Zion” (2 Ne. 26:29–31).
It reminds me of the Savior’s teachings during the Sermon on the Mount (see Matthew 6). The Savior gives examples of giving alms to be seen of men, praying to be heard of men and fasting in a way that people are aware you are fasting. All of these (giving alms, praying and fasting) are very important, but the underlying reason for doing them is the key the Savior is teaching. In the examples given, the Savior explains that God does not reward those who do these worthwhile things for the wrong reasons. In other words, if the only reason we gave alms/pray/fast is so others would know we are, and if that is our intent, then our reward is having people see us, hear us and see us “disfigure [our] faces” and if that is really what we want, “[we] have [our] reward”.
I think it is interesting that Elder Bradford mentions the scripture in the Book of Mormon about charity, because charity is what is needed if we are to give service with real intent. Service should be given so that we can truly help others, especially those less fortunate. Without charity, we could still give service, I suppose, but we would not be giving it for the right reason. This was actually a topic I taught about a few weeks ago in class. In reading Paul’s “Love Psalm” (see 1 Corinthians 13), we talked about verse 3 which states “And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.” and discussed why someone would “bestow all my goods to feed the poor” without having charity. Why would they? The answer is for the (wrong) reasons mentioned above; to be seen of others. Paul’s statement that this type of service “profiteth me nothing” goes hand in hand with the Savior’s teaching that those who serve for the wrong reasons, already have their reward.
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Goals, Resolutions and Becoming a Better Person
The New Year is typically a time when we look at our lives and make resolutions or goals to accomplish more or become better people. This is usually the case with me. I like to review my life quite often to make sure I am heading (or at least trying to head) in the right direction. This desire is the first step in improving ourselves. The next steps involve putting that desire into action.
In a talk by Elder M. Russell Ballard given to Salt Lake area Young Adults in 1981, he states "I am a great believer that what you and I think about will ultimately come to pass. I believe if we think about committing a sin long enough, we will find ourselves entangled in that sin. I believe if we think about what it takes to be successful long enough and if we are willing to discipline ourselves to the principle of success, we will experience success." (Ensign, June 1983)
In the Book of Mormon, Jacob taught this same principle. In Jacob 2:5, he says "But behold, hearken ye unto me, and know that by the help of the all-powerful Creator of heaven and earth I can tell you concerning your thoughts, how that ye are beginning to labor in sin, which sin appeareth very abominable unto me, yea, and abominable unto God." According to Robert L. Millet & Joseph Fielding McConkie, "The sins of the people in Jacob's day were not inadvertent transgressions; they had begun to 'labor in sin' in the sense that sin had become their obsession and their preoccupation." (Doctrinal Commentary on the Book of Mormon, vol. 2, p.11).
It's interesting that Jacob taught that their thoughts caused them to "labor in sin", because thoughts are the seeds of action. According an anonymous quote:
Sow a Thought, Reap and Action
Sow an Action, Reap a Habit
Sow a Habit, Reap a Character
Sow a Character, Reap a Destiny
The next step in becoming a better person, who we truly want to become – who God knows we can become – is regarding our thoughts; getting rid of negative or sinful thoughts and replacing them with positive or righteous thoughts.
Doing this takes a fair amount of self discipline. We have all been given the gift of moral agency, "to choose liberty and eternal life…or to choose captivity and death" (2 Nephi 2:27). As the above quote suggests, our thoughts become our actions, habits, and character and eventually lead us to a final destination. Righteous thoughts lead to righteous acts and freedom, eventually leading to eternal life. Impure thoughts cause bondage or captivity. The key is that we chose the outcome. Despite what circumstances we are faced with, we can still choose how to react to those circumstances.
In the book Man's Search for Meaning, Viktor Frankl writes "We who lived in concentration camps can remember the men who walked through the huts comforting others, giving away their last piece of bread. They may have been few in number, but they offer sufficient proof that everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms - to choose one's attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one's own way" (p. 86). Even in the most destitute of circumstances, some chose to react positively to serve and help others.
The next step is to set goals and write them down. While I was serving a mission, we lived by the phrase "Share the Vision". The "vision" could be anything from living a better life, baptism, or accomplishing any goal. The important thing was to share that vision with someone else. I have seen this in our lives as our family sits down at the beginning of the year to make goals and write predictions of things we think will happen during the next year. We write down our goals, put them in a jar (to hopefully be reviewed during the year) and then review them again at the new year to see how we did.
According to Elder Ballard, the next step is to spend our time on things that make a difference. It is pointless to worry about things that are completely out of control. I have seen people become paralyzed with fear because of trivial matters, things that haven't necessarily happened, but could. It's one thing to be prepared for the worst, it's another thing to worry needlessly over what the worst will be. Regarding spending time on things that make a difference, Viktor Frankl said "I consider it a dangerous misconception of mental hygiene to assume that what man needs in the first place is equilibrium or, as it is called in biology, "homeostasis," i.e., a tensionless state. What man actually needs is not a tensionless state but rather the striving and struggling for a worthwhile goal, a freely chosen task." (Man's Search for Meaning, p. 127)
If we are always choosing to improve ourselves, not content with mediocrity or idleness, and consistently keeping our thoughts on positive things, we are setting a formula to truly become better people. I believe this is a worthwhile goal, and something that everyone can do, because let's face it, we can all improve something about ourselves, while at the same time making sure we are positive about the things we have gotten right. So here's to a new year and added enthusiasm to improve ourselves.
In a talk by Elder M. Russell Ballard given to Salt Lake area Young Adults in 1981, he states "I am a great believer that what you and I think about will ultimately come to pass. I believe if we think about committing a sin long enough, we will find ourselves entangled in that sin. I believe if we think about what it takes to be successful long enough and if we are willing to discipline ourselves to the principle of success, we will experience success." (Ensign, June 1983)
In the Book of Mormon, Jacob taught this same principle. In Jacob 2:5, he says "But behold, hearken ye unto me, and know that by the help of the all-powerful Creator of heaven and earth I can tell you concerning your thoughts, how that ye are beginning to labor in sin, which sin appeareth very abominable unto me, yea, and abominable unto God." According to Robert L. Millet & Joseph Fielding McConkie, "The sins of the people in Jacob's day were not inadvertent transgressions; they had begun to 'labor in sin' in the sense that sin had become their obsession and their preoccupation." (Doctrinal Commentary on the Book of Mormon, vol. 2, p.11).
It's interesting that Jacob taught that their thoughts caused them to "labor in sin", because thoughts are the seeds of action. According an anonymous quote:
Sow a Thought, Reap and Action
Sow an Action, Reap a Habit
Sow a Habit, Reap a Character
Sow a Character, Reap a Destiny
The next step in becoming a better person, who we truly want to become – who God knows we can become – is regarding our thoughts; getting rid of negative or sinful thoughts and replacing them with positive or righteous thoughts.
Doing this takes a fair amount of self discipline. We have all been given the gift of moral agency, "to choose liberty and eternal life…or to choose captivity and death" (2 Nephi 2:27). As the above quote suggests, our thoughts become our actions, habits, and character and eventually lead us to a final destination. Righteous thoughts lead to righteous acts and freedom, eventually leading to eternal life. Impure thoughts cause bondage or captivity. The key is that we chose the outcome. Despite what circumstances we are faced with, we can still choose how to react to those circumstances.
In the book Man's Search for Meaning, Viktor Frankl writes "We who lived in concentration camps can remember the men who walked through the huts comforting others, giving away their last piece of bread. They may have been few in number, but they offer sufficient proof that everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms - to choose one's attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one's own way" (p. 86). Even in the most destitute of circumstances, some chose to react positively to serve and help others.
The next step is to set goals and write them down. While I was serving a mission, we lived by the phrase "Share the Vision". The "vision" could be anything from living a better life, baptism, or accomplishing any goal. The important thing was to share that vision with someone else. I have seen this in our lives as our family sits down at the beginning of the year to make goals and write predictions of things we think will happen during the next year. We write down our goals, put them in a jar (to hopefully be reviewed during the year) and then review them again at the new year to see how we did.
According to Elder Ballard, the next step is to spend our time on things that make a difference. It is pointless to worry about things that are completely out of control. I have seen people become paralyzed with fear because of trivial matters, things that haven't necessarily happened, but could. It's one thing to be prepared for the worst, it's another thing to worry needlessly over what the worst will be. Regarding spending time on things that make a difference, Viktor Frankl said "I consider it a dangerous misconception of mental hygiene to assume that what man needs in the first place is equilibrium or, as it is called in biology, "homeostasis," i.e., a tensionless state. What man actually needs is not a tensionless state but rather the striving and struggling for a worthwhile goal, a freely chosen task." (Man's Search for Meaning, p. 127)
If we are always choosing to improve ourselves, not content with mediocrity or idleness, and consistently keeping our thoughts on positive things, we are setting a formula to truly become better people. I believe this is a worthwhile goal, and something that everyone can do, because let's face it, we can all improve something about ourselves, while at the same time making sure we are positive about the things we have gotten right. So here's to a new year and added enthusiasm to improve ourselves.
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