Practice, Exercise, Sacrifice, and Abundance

Practice, Exercise, Sacrifice, and Abundance

"For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it." (Matt. 16:25)

"I say unto you, my brethren, that if you should render all the thanks and praise which your whole soul has power to possess, to that God who has created you, and has kept and preserved you, and has caused that ye should rejoice, and has granted that ye should live in peace one with another—
"I say unto you that if ye should serve him who has created you from the beginning, and is preserving you from day to day, by lending you breath, that ye may live and move and do according to your own will, and even supporting you from one moment to another—I say, if ye should serve him with all your whole souls yet ye would be unprofitable servants." (Mosiah 2:20-21)

There are countless other verses like these in the scriptures, all pointing to the completeness of what the Lord asks of each of us. The sheer magnitude of these verses is overwhelming. Couple that with our inherent laziness, and you've got yourself enough guilt ammunition to last a thousand lifetimes.

I've looked at these verses dozens of times, each time wondering how I could ever come to do what is asked. My own nature leans me toward absolutism, forcing my mind into a destructive all-or-nothing mentality. I can tell you that nothing could be more detrimental to doing what is asked of us.

I woke up the other morning like I do most mornings, fighting myself over whether I would go to the gym or not. I lay in bed weighing the pros and cons, and the cons were looking to take yet another easy victory. I thought to myself that just a little more sleep at nights would make the difference I needed to get the energy to go and exercise in the morning. Such thinking has been my crutch for a while, and living with a wife that has been transforming me into a night owl like herself, I find it easier and easier to justify my not exercising in the mornings like I need to.

But I couldn't shake the question of how I was ever going to break the cycle. I'm in a daily energy decline, with the only end to this drought being my eventual and early death. Yeah, real positive stuff.

And then it dawned on me.

There are some pretty basic and eternal principles at play that reach across matter, time, and space. In physics, chemistry, and biology, it takes energy to make energy. Cellular respiration burns energy to make more energy. The tearing of muscle fibers makes more muscle. An object in motion tends to stay in motion. Etc, etc.

OK, I know that is pretty much a no-brainer, but it was interesting to have that hit me the way it did. If I wanted energy I needed to spend energy, and I needed to do so wisely. I've been in this position before—under-active and under-motivated—and then gone gung-ho, overstepped my limits (severely), and ended up more sore and wasted than before. Typically that leads to my swearing off physical activity for even more extended periods of time, thus deepening the vicious cycle.

As I got out of bed to go to the gym, I kept pondering on this principle of spending energy to gain energy. I was reminded of the spiritual doctrines and principles that go along with it. The nice thing about truth is that it usually pops up in more than one place. I thought on the parable of the talents and how the wise and profitable servants went and increased their talents by using them, while the unprofitable servant buried his; and in doing so had it taken away and given to the servant with 10 talents.

I've always found that part of the story interesting. Why did that servant get the extra talent? Why didn't the man just give it to a different servant and give him the chance to prove himself?

The answer is based in the principle of abundance. "…unto every one which hath shall be given; and from him that hath not, even that he hath shall be taken away from him." (Luke 19:26)

The Lord gives more unto those that have proven themselves worthy, not because he loves them more than the unprofitable servant. He gives more abundantly to those that generously impart of all their gifts and substance than to those that fearfully or selfishly cling to that which they have and impart not thereof. That is a key principle.

I also thought about the doctrines of sacrifice, obedience, and consecration and their direct tie with these principles. Energy, talents, and abundance do not come easily, nor are they meant to come immediately upon asking or doing. Each is meant to take time, even lifetimes to achieve. But that is the point. If bodybuilding was easy it wouldn't be valued. If faith, hope, and charity were easy we wouldn't be commanded at every turn to cultivate them.

Just as it takes years of practice to become great, or in some cases even just good, at some sports, it takes years of practice and doing to become good at being a disciple of Christ. Also, just as we aren't able or expected to become great at all things (we can't all be Michael Jordan, Pele, or Picasso), we aren't expected to become perfect in all gospel principles in this life. But, we are expected to try.

Just as diversity of activity, study, and interests are important to balance and well roundedness, so is diversity essential to gospel living. Each of us has been given specific talents and gifts, and those we have the unique opportunity to hone and perfect. But a one or two note song doesn't compare to the beauty of a full symphony. Just as our own lives are meant to become a symphony of characteristics and abilities, so is the Church meant to become the greatest synthesis of symphonic harmonies under heaven where all come and contribute of their gifts and special talents.

I could go on more, but I believe that this is more than sufficient to relay what I was pondering the other morning. What it has done for me is provided me with a much needed improvement in perspective. I now look at growing in the gospel, and in lots of other things, as a long-term commitment to becoming more than I could have ever hoped otherwise. I look forward to the process now almost as much as I do the end result. That, in and of itself, is a great accomplishment for me.

Just Because

Just Because

There are some things in life that are best done based off of detailed, strategic plans. Waking up one morning and deciding, "I want to be the next Google," is not something that will likely come to fruition just because you want it to. I won't even begin to go into the insanity of what it would take to compete directly with Google – besides, this post isn't even about marketing or business (I know… thank goodness).

There is something interesting, though, about the phrase "just because." Lately I have brooding over my reasons for doing certain things and trying to find the motivation to put my head down and go for it. Looking even deeper into my life and personality, I can quickly identify that this striving to have the best possible answer—and thus the best possible motivation (right?)—is how I have both justified myself in doing and NOT doing certain things. Before fairly recently, I never stopped to think about what that actually means to be so cavalier with my reasons for doing what I do.

Granted, it is important to have convictions of certain things in life and to allow those convictions drive you to positive ends. But is it so important to have a reason for everything? Maybe eventually, but not today.

"Just because" is what I have discredited or even ignored throughout my life because of it's assumed wistfulness and lack of direction. The reality is that I couldn't be further from the truth. If every one of us gave up doing all of the good things we do in life that didn't have some deep, thought-out motivation, can you imagine how selfish and lonely this world would be?

Doing the dishes for my wife just because I love her is a far better reason for doing them than determining that I will enjoy a happier marriage, at least for a few hours, than if I were not to do them. In that light, just because becomes that caring and more selfless part of my nature. Just because doesn't have to be persuaded or compelled to act. Just because is that piece of ourselves that ends up making the greatest difference to someone else.

I have my doubts and concerns about life, what I believe in and why I believe the way I do, but so does most everyone else. What I have done way too much of is allow those doubts to rationalize away my doing good just because. I guess then that I have some work to do to get back on track and start doing what is right and good just because it is right and good – no matter what I believe.

The Strait and Narrow Path

The Strait and Narrow Path

I mentioned briefly in my last post the differences in the paths that are followed when striving to live the restored gospel. Some experience great joy and draw ever nearer to Christ in thought, word and deed. Others, though apparently striving along the same path, experience frustration, doubt and fear in greater measure than the happiness promised to those sincerely doing all they can.

So what makes the difference? Is the path they are trying to walk somehow not the same path?

No, and yes.

The plan of happiness, or plan of salvation for God's children, is chronicled throughout scripture in abundant detail. Modern prophecy and revelation have sharpened our understanding of the plan and painted a lush and vibrant picture of the pathway to eternal life. The detail and variety described in the restored gospel lends itself to being understood by every personality type and personal perspective known to man. The simplicity and straitness of the way as taught in scripture are meant to guide us through our lives toward the promise of eternal life and exaltation in the highest degree of celestial glory.

As in all things, the key difference in how we each follow the path, in either joy or frustration, depends upon our personal agency and perspective. Heavenly Father desires each of us to come unto him through his Son, but he cannot and will not force us to do so. He will even go so far as to grant unto men according to their desires, so that he may righteously and fairly judge us based upon our own choices and the condition of our hearts. This is important to note when we look closer at the way of the strait and narrow path.

The strait and narrow path is what is most often referred to in the Church as the way by which we are to return to live with Father and Son in glory and eternal joy. The many likenesses and metaphors used to describe the strait and narrow path lend themselves to a strict and unyielding course we are to follow if we desire to reach a glorious end. The scriptures are quick to mention that many will fall away because of the straitness/strictness of the way, warning us that we must stay within the bounds that the Lord has set or suffer the consequences.

Such language is meant to inspire humility, obedience and determination to endure to the end and get the most we possibly can out of the experience. However, just as common a reaction to the vastness of the requirements is feeling overwhelmed and even depressed—definitely not feelings that are heavenly inspired. What doesn't help much is the frequent experience of gospel instruction that emphasizes the dogmatism of the strait and narrow instead of the delights of discipleship. Such instruction is generally not intended to be such, but walking the fine line between conformity and charity is not an easy task.

I believe that much of the difficulty in bridging the gap between frustration and joy in walking the strait and narrow lies in how that path is viewed. That is what I meant in that the path is both the same path for everyone, and yet the path is simultaneously different. It's all a matter of perspective. I've put together 2 illustrations that depict what I think the main difference of perspective regarding the strait and narrow looks like, in the hopes of shedding new light on the path.

As far as I can remember during my formative years , the way in which the strait and narrow path was described was something like the diagram on the right. The little separations in the line represent a sort of step-by-step process of obedience and ordinances. Personal transgressions create tangents in the line, and repentance brings you back to where the tangent took place; and in some cases further back on the path than where you left (depending upon the transgression). The path is marked by prophetic counsel and sacred scripture (the word of God/iron rod). The end goal is celestial glory and perfection. The atonement makes getting back on and staying on the path possible, while personal efforts (agency) are what determine the outcome. There are many more details that could be used to describe the nuances of the path, but I believe that this description is generally accurate and something we can all identify with.

So, what's the problem with this depiction? Doctrinally this is correct as it relates to the basics of what we must do to inherit celestial glory. But, though correct, I do not believe it to be complete. The first issue that stands out with this diagram is that the path of progression appears to be linear and predictable. The fact that there are prescribed milestones in the path is sure, but is there only one right sequence in which me must reach these milestones? No.

What I mean is that each of us have specific strengths and weaknesses that factor into how and when we reach specific levels (if you will) of spirituality and conversion. We must meet certain requirements to be baptized, receive other ordinances and make specific covenants, but we are not required to all be on the same level of understanding, humility, kindness, patience, testimony, etc to be considered sufficiently worthy to receive them. As long as we meet the base requirements and are judged as worthy to receive by the Lord's anointed servants, then we are permitted onward.

The key in my stating this is to show that a linear path is not as complete in showing the way as something more true to the nature of God. As we read, His course is "one eternal round," and His purposes are eternal. Though the end result of living according to the gospel law is celestial rest, that is not the ultimate goal. Our Savior, perfect Exemplar and Master is the central point of the gospel. Through Him we will be made whole (perfect), and it is His image that we must strive to have reflected in our countenances. If Jesus Christ is the true center of our striving to follow the strait and narrow path, then the path takes a different view altogether.

The words strait and narrow are interchangeably defined in the dictionary. Tight, constricted, rigid and confined are all used multiple times to better define these two terms. Taken out of context, it is easy to see how these can be discouraging to would-be followers. Yet, though meant to weed out those unwilling to bend their will to God's, it is not meant to discourage or alienate the willing disciple. Looking further at the definitions of strait and narrow in context with the ultimate goal of becoming like our Savior, the words focused, true, singular and targeted emerge as viable similes. Let me paint a picture using the spiral diagram shown.

Each of us begin walking the strait and narrow path quite some distance away from our target of becoming like Jesus, but the longer we walk in faith the closer we get to the target. Put differently, Christ is not just a destination – He is the focus. He is the center, the culmination, the zenith of the gospel plan, both in doctrine and example. It is His image we strive to have in our countenances. We cannot become such a being without truly knowing the Master inside and out. As you look at the spiral you can see that, though still very much narrow, it circles around and around the focal point, bringing the follower ever closer to the center from every possible angle. True disciples of the Master will not only strive to know His doctrine, but they will seek to incorporate every last aspect of His life into theirs.

The possible comparisons and doctrinal parallels with this spiral view of the path are nearly endless. The one point that I believe is the strongest qualifier of such a visual is that of how the differences in the path provide such differing views of the end goal – and those who journey with us. A linear path typically does not afford as detailed a view of the goal as does a circular path around the goal. A linear path also does not provide as much interaction with the sphere of influence of both the goal and those striving along the same as does a circular path.

In other words, with Christ being the center and the ultimate goal, each of us will begin to take on the traits and abilities of the Savior the longer we remain in the strait and narrow path. Those characteristics are enhanced by the light of Christ and made even brighter by the Holy Ghost. Our own striving to live like Christ expands His light and influence, providing beacons of light and hope to others, no matter their position on the path.

Becoming like Christ in the strait and narrow also has the effect of enlarging our hearts and capacity for kindness and love. A natural by-product of the path should be a reaching outward to others because of the joy we feel in the process of becoming. As I have stated in previous posts, the entire focus of the Church, the family and the gospel plan is to seal the family of God together in eternal bonds. These bonds are not meant to just be priesthood bonds, but bonds of love, joy and deep cherishing of the relationships we have formed.

Walking the linear path does not afford such influence and emphasizes more the individual efforts needed for salvation rather than expanding those into the becoming like the Savior and one with all around us. The spiral path requires, as does the true purpose of the gospel, that we share our lives, our hopes, our dreams, our insecurities and our fears with those closest to us. In this sharing of our lives we find the greatest joy and love, because doing so is also our greatest act of selflessness. On the flip side, if we withhold our true selves from those around us, no matter how flawed and goofy we are, that is the greatest act of selfishness we can commit in this life. Eventually, all things shall be made known upon the roof tops, and the secrets of our lives will be shouted out for all to see and hear. How much better will it be if those closest to us already know about these things and can love and support us through even the most difficult and vulnerable of personal tragedies!

I wish to close this post with a thought about the life of Christ and how He did exactly that with His life that I just mentioned. Children have a natural aversion to strangers and seek shelter in the protection of their parents. The light and countenance of the Savior was such that children—and adults—flocked to Him. Some came seeking miracles, others came with questions. But the children came because of the love and joy that radiated from Jesus' countenance. He shared His table with disciples AND with sinners. He shared not only His teachings but His entire being with all who sought Him. His very presence inspired peace, love, joy and unity. The greatest miracle Jesus performed outside of the atonement was the miracle of His example. He is the Master. He is the focus. It is His will that ours is to bend to meet. That is why I believe that the strait and narrow is bent around He who is the center of all things.

Be Ye Therefore Perfect

Be Ye Therefore Perfect

“Be ye therefore perfect…” (Matt. 5:48; 3 Ne. 12:48) Nothing tends to intimidate members of the Church more than these words, especially since they are repeated in every major canon of scripture except the Pearl of Great Price. In fact, many scriptures in this same vein of scope and directness do a most effective job of putting the fear of God into the saints—in one way or another.

And well they should… the scriptures that is. History has proven time and again that, unless the word is strict and immovable, men will distort or simply ignore lesser counsel. The plainness of the word of God as found in scripture, both ancient and modern, is already prostituted far too often—even in its current purity and strength.

So, why does it sound like I’m adding to the already bleak picture that many tend to paint for themselves through the gospel lens? Because, like so many, I have spent much of my life struggling to conform and comply with the apparent rigidity of gospel doctrine and law. In those struggles I have found both great blessings and immense frustration; blessings on the one hand because the “Lord [is] bound when [we] do what [he] say[s]” (D&C 82:10), and frustration on the other because of the weakness of my flesh and the fiery darts of the adversary.

It is this frustration that so easily gets carried away into depression and despair over the straitness of the way. Satan is brilliant when it comes to straining doctrine into dogma, commandments into constrictions and discipline into dictatorship. He does so through his own whisperings, telling us that the way is too hard and that our efforts will never be enough, and many other subtle, nearly undetectable lies. It is this frustration that I would like to address by providing some possible insights into the command to be perfect.

The Savior’s command to his disciples as referenced in Matthew 5:48 to be perfect has been discussed many times throughout the history of the restored Church. The point most often made when analyzing this verse comes when the Matthew reference is compared to the Savior's reiteration of the same to the Nephites after His resurrection. The notable difference is that the pre-resurrected Lord refers to being perfect “even as your Father which is in Heaven is perfect,” while the post-resurrected Lord includes Himself along with His Father when referring to the perfect example to follow. This important difference sheds critical light onto the meaning of perfection intended by the Savior.

Jesus Christ was, is, and will ever be the only man never to commit sin. If it were not so then he could not have performed the atonement, and we would be lost forever. The distinction I wish to make is that, though sinless, the Master did not refer to himself as perfect until after his atoning sacrifice, death and resurrection. This is because sinlessness does not equal perfection. I repeat – sinlessness does not equal perfection. It is an essential part of perfection, but it does not signify the whole of what perfection is meant to be. That is where so many good people of the church begin to miss the mark as they equate the two as being the same. That is also where much of the frustration with ourselves under the seeming tyranny of perfection/sinlessness is fostered.

Let’s break this down a little further to help clarify some important points.

1. Every child of Heavenly Father has need of the atonement of Jesus Christ to be cleansed from sin to have opportunity to inherit exaltation. As we read in both the Book of Mormon and the D&C, “…the Lord cannot look upon sin with the least degree of allowance;” (Alma 45:16; D&C 1:31) for “no unclean thing can enter the kingdom of heaven.” (Alma 11:37) Thus the supernal need for Jesus Christ and his atonement.
2. The definition of perfect in the dictionary is broad and very insightful. Exactness is a main theme in the definitions provided, but completeness and wholeness are just as equally cited in defining perfection. When the command to be perfect is understood in light of these defining terms, combined with the insight found in the pre and post-resurrected Lord's exhortation to be perfect, a more perfect (ha ha) picture emerges. Perfection as it relates to our lives is an eventual state of wholeness or completion. Jesus, though sinless in mortality, was not perfect until he had reached the consummation of his purpose and done “all that he was commanded to do.” That incredible, unfathomable burden of atoning for all mankind was something that Jesus had to do to fully come to know each of us personally. That is what makes him the only One who can be both advocate and judge, because He has become one with each of us. For us to become perfect we need to become like Jesus, in that our perfection is not complete with sinlessness alone but with the consummation of our earthly missions. We must not only strive for being purified and clean but doing all with our lives that the Father intended, which is not something that can be done alone.
3. The atonement was both all-encompassing and completely individualized. We must accept Jesus as our personal Savior, and yet He is not our savior alone. He saved us all—every last soul that chose to keep their first estate. The atonement was not meant to work in the silo of our own lives but as part of the great plan of happiness for all of God's children together—unified, sealed, one. You and I cannot pay for each other’s sins, but we can, and must become saviors on mount Zion by sharing the gospel through the way we live our lives, through our testimonies and our love. We can only become like Jesus insofar as we give of ourselves to others, for Father didn’t just plan on saving individuals; His plan was for his family. We can only be made truly perfect when our lives, our hearts and our souls are knit together as one with each other. This essential truth is reiterated as we look into the mirrors on opposite sides of the altars of the temple. We can see forever into our past and future. Our hearts and the hearts of those on both sides of the veil must be turned to each other. We cannot be saved without our family—Father’s family—those long since past and those yet to come.
4. It can be easy to get discouraged when thinking that, since perfection is more than just keeping the commandments and becoming clean from sin, we can only fulfill the measure of our creation and our individual missions if we live some ideal, nearly impossible life path without straying therefrom in the least. Satan strives to enslave us under the tyranny of what we should have done better, or what we could be like now if only we had followed some different path. It is true that blessings once lost cannot be regained by doing over something we might have done better. But dwelling on such mistakes or reacting out of fear in similar future instances is not ordained of God. Such self-doubt and fear is contrary to the Father’s plan of individual agency. Is there an ideal way to live? Sure. Does that mean that not following some pre-determined, paint-by-the-numbers way to live ideal voids us of eternal happiness and reward? NO! Agency, both our own and that of others often makes following a prescribed ideal impossible and even unwise. The key is not the dogmatic following of some check-listed, step-by-step life pattern, but the continuous bending of our will to God’s and becoming like He who has saved us all. The condition of our hearts is the ultimate deciding factor—something that is infinitely more merciful, and yet not something that is part of an easy, carnally influenced life course. Alma 5:14 and many other verses in that chapter refer to the condition of our hearts as the measuring rod of our perfection. Faith, repentance, obedience and enduring to the end are musts, but marking these off of some sort of requirements list while not having our hearts filled with charity for our fellow men will not gain us the kind of heavenly reward we hope for. In summary, the Lord knows our hearts and will judge us according to what we have become, not merely by the order in which we have done things.
5. Perfection is a joyful process, one that is best understood and enjoyed through vision that is focused on Jesus Christ and love for all around us. Everything we experience, be it difficult or pleasant, is meant for our good. As long as our eyes are single to God’s glory, our vision will be bright with hope, our hearts full of love and our countenances full of light. Constancy in such joy is the hardest choice we make on a daily basis, because Satan’s ultimate goal is to ruin hope and joy. Sin kills joy, proving “wickedness never was happiness.” Frustration also kills joy, but frustration is more a product of choice rather than circumstance. The more we strive to live the gospel in joy and love the harder things will seem – for a while. As we navigate the strait and narrow path, we come to see more and more that the way is not a direct linear path before us, but rather one eternal round centered on the Savior and his life. The longer we walk the path in joy and love the more like the Savior we become. If we are walking the gospel path and not experiencing joy then we are not walking the right path.

There is a lot more that I could say about these concepts, but this post is already much too long for a traditional blog. So I will stop here. Suffice it to say that I have felt very impressed by the pattern of perfection that the Savior has left for us to follow. Though the way may contain many trials and sorrows, the path itself is one of true joy. That joy cannot be achieved by walking the path alone, but by sharing our lives with our family and friends. They are the source of true joy, for with them we are able to practice living as the Savior lived, and thus hopefully become even as He is.