May

21

What does honesty get you?

Filed Under David O. McKay, Gordon B. Hinckley, Gospel, Honesty, Prophets, Talks | 2 Comments

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I was browsing through a list of devotionals at byu.edu and came across one given in 1989, entitled “He Loveth That Which Is Right“, and it got me thinking about honesty and truthfulness.

Lately I’ve been through a number of interviews, not because I’m actively looking for work, but because I’m open to what’s out there. In all these interviews I always maintain a high level of honesty, especially when asked why I am leaving the current company I work for. I explain to them, that I have no objections to my current employer, nor am I unhappy with my job. I am merely seeing what is available.

I also, probably too a fault, am honest about my abilities in my field. I know intimately what I’m qualified for and the comfortable amount of leeway I feel for what’s possible. I’m probably too conservative, but I can modify as the need arises.

Recently I’ve had the opportunity to actually get some feedback on the last interview, and accordingly they were impressed with my honesty. While I don’t know if I’ll get the job or not, I feel good that the impression I left is one of honesty.

For Family Home Evening we read a story out of the latest Friend magazine. I admit I picked it because it had an image of a video game on the TV and a boy in a Cub Scout uniform and I figured that covers a few of the things my boys are into.

One phrase caught my eye…

“I was just wondering what other games you have,” Andy said to B.J.

“Why? Don’t you like this one?”

“It’s just—it’s just that …” Andy stammered, trying to make his voice work. “It’s just that my parents won’t let me play that game.”

B.J. laughed. “Oh. Well, that’s OK. We won’t tell them.” 1

So after we had finished reading the story we talked to our boys about the incident and how they would handle it, knowing they have friends in their lives that play video games that are beyond what we allow them. I know the kind of pressure one can feel in these situations because as a kid I can remember those exact ones. Video games, movies, any number of different media - but the same problem exists. Standing up.

I admit, I failed a number of times. I didn’t have the strength needed to follow the admonition of David O. McKay in saying that “it is better to be trusted then to be loved”. 2 I also know of the sheer force that pressure can be on young children, even young adults. Especially for those children who do not get the necessary love and attention from their own parents and turn and seek it elsewhere.

The effects are seen today, and in my mind are only getting worse. Gordon B. Hinckley expressed his views by relating the following.

“How cheaply some men and women sell their good names! I recall the widely publicized case of a prominent public figure who was arrested for taking an item costing less than five dollars. I do not know whether he was ever convicted in the courts, but his petty misdeed convicted him before the people. In a measure, his foolish act nullified much of the good he had done and was capable of yet doing.”3

Today it seems that there is no regard for being caught. Politicians, Actors, and other role models seem to perpetuate the idea that it’s alright, you say sorry to the public, but never really admitting you’ve done anything wrong and you’re free to carry on and do it again.

He goes on to say.

“Some may regard the quality of character known as honesty to be a most ordinary subject. But I believe it to be the very essence of the gospel. Without honesty, our lives and the fabric of our society will disintegrate into ugliness and chaos.”4

While taking that statement by itself paints a pretty bleak outlook, it rings truth. What are the after effects of dishonesty? Look at the rise in the number of divorces, corruptions, and even deaths that could be attributed to the needless act of lying.

What to do? Well I think we need to start with ourselves. We need to look at our lives and see where we can make those changes. I believe our countenance changes when we become more honest, people take notice - especially our children. This also passes on to those around us, I think it rubs off. Teaching our children is another way to advance the idea that being truthful is better then not.

Let’s try to remember the 13th Article of Faith,

“We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to all men; indeed, we may say that we follow the admonition of Paul—We believe all things, we hope all things, we have endured many things, and hope to be able to endure all things. If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things.”[AoF 13]

and strive for a more honest lifestyle to those around us and to the Lord.

  1. “Andy’s Choice,” Friend, May 2008, 28–31 ↩
  2. He Loveth That Which Is Right - Marvin J. Ashton (1989) ↩
  3. We Believe in Being Honest - Ensign October 1990 ↩
  4. We Believe in Being Honest - Ensign October 1990 ↩

May

15

Atonement, hard to understand?

Filed Under Atonement, Faith, Gordon B. Hinckley, Gospel, Prophets, Talks | 3 Comments

I don’t feel as though I completely understand the Atonement. Don’t get me wrong, I get the jist of it - but I feel like I’m missing pieces of it.

I looked up the Atonement under Gospel Topics on lds.org. There is a brief description of the atonement and some addtional links for other information. I chose to look at Church Magazine Articles to see if there were some talks out there that might help me understand it in a more plain fashion.

Reading that the Atonement is “the most difficult to understand”1, or “it is impossible for me to put into words the full meaning”2 of the Atonement is not exactly what I needed to see. I need it easy!

But I figure I’m going to have to read a lot, if I want to get to a better understanding of it. We can start with the basics of it and what it does for us.

The Bible Dictionary states “Atone describes the setting “at one” of those who have been estranged, and denotes the reconciliation of man to God. Sin is the cause of the estrangement, and therefore the purpose of atonement is to correct or overcome the consequences of sin.”3

If you look it up through Gospel Topics, it says this “As used in the scriptures, to atone is to suffer the penalty for sins, thereby removing the effects of sin from the repentant sinner and allowing him or her to be reconciled to God. Jesus Christ was the only one capable of carrying out the Atonement for all mankind. Because of His Atonement, all people will be resurrected, and those who obey His gospel will receive the gift of eternal life with God.”4

In essence, Jesus is our rescuer, and he stands in our place. He was the only one capable. Because He was born of a mortal mother [could die] and of an imortal Father [overcome death]. 5

I’m still missing something though and I think it has to do with sin and the effects there of. What I mean is, if we commit sin that removes us from God - the opposite of atone [at one]. As a mortal we can only do so much, repent and obey. To complete the process [what we can't do] Jesus atoned for us, enabling us to return [at one] to God. It’s our choice.

Gordon B. Hinckley explained it like this

“a one room school house in the mountains of Virginia where the boys were so rough no teacher had been able to handle them.

“Then one day an inexperienced young teacher applied. He was told that every teacher had received an awful beating, but the teacher accepted the risk. The first day of school the teacher asked the boys to establish their own rules and the penalty for breaking the rules. The class came up with 10 rules, which were written on the blackboard. Then the teacher asked, ‘What shall we do with one who breaks the rules?’

“ ‘Beat him across the back ten times without his coat on,’ came the response.

“A day or so later, … the lunch of a big student, named Tom, was stolen. ‘The thief was located—a little hungry fellow, about ten years old.’

“As Little Jim came up to take his licking, he pleaded to keep his coat on. ‘Take your coat off,’ the teacher said. ‘You helped make the rules!’

“The boy took off the coat. He had no shirt and revealed a bony little crippled body. As the teacher hesitated with the rod, Big Tom jumped to his feet and volunteered to take the boy’s licking.

“ ‘Very well, there is a certain law that one can become a substitute for another. Are you all agreed?’ the teacher asked.

“After five strokes across Tom’s back, the rod broke. The class was sobbing. ‘Little Jim had reached up and caught Tom with both arms around his neck. “Tom, I’m sorry that I stole your lunch, but I was awful hungry. Tom, I will love you till I die for taking my licking for me! Yes, I will love you forever!” ’6

In this parable, I would hazard a guess that in the great counsel in heaven we all agreed on the rules. God is the teacher, we are Little Jim and Jesus is Tom.  Jesus stepped in for us because as a mortal we can not bear the punishment alone.

I once asked a Stake President to help me understand the Atonement, and he went about it in an even simpler method taking his garbage can and putting it to the edge of his desk. Then telling me the items on his desk were our sins, wiped them into the garbage can. Back then I didn’t quite grasp that concept, I over thought it, but it makes sense. I can not forgive myself and be worthy to enter the Kingdom of Heaven - Jesus has got to help. He can take those red stains of sin and turn them white 7.

I understand now more so about why they counsel that it is hard to understand or to put into words the concept of the Atonement. There is a lot of pieces that are not known to me, suffice it to say that you keep digging deeper to learn as much as you can about it.

James E. Faust understood what was meant in Mosiah 4:6-7 when he said “Our salvation depends on believing in and accepting the Atonement.”

I’ll end this by saying that, I am not a LDS scholar, nor do I consider myself all that smart with the LDS Gospel. I’m trying to learn as much as I can, and so there may be errors in my thoughts. I’m not trying to pass anything off as official, but making sense of what I don’t understand. If you feel there are errors here, please let me know.

  1. James E. Faust -The Atonement: Our Greatest Hope ↩
  2. Elder M. Russell Ballard - The Atonement and the Value of One Soul ↩
  3. Bible Dictionary - Atonement ↩
  4. Gospel Topic - Atonement of Jesus Christ ↩
  5. Gospel Topic - Atonement of Jesus Christ; Additional Information ↩
  6. Pres. Hinckley: Christmas a Result of Redeeming Christ,” Church News, 10 Dec. 1994, 4 ↩
  7. Isaiah 1:18 ↩

May

13

Debt, it’s crushing force

Filed Under Debt, Faith, Gordon B. Hinckley, Prophets, Spencer W. Kimball, Talks | 1 Comment

In an effort to heed the Prophet’s counsel, we’ve [my house] have been trying to pay off our debts as fast as possible. It’s tough, we allowed ourselves to get a bit over our heads. But we are making progress, and it is tough.

In October 1998 conference, Gordon B. Hinckley suggested “that the time has come to get our houses in order”. Prophetic to say the least, look at the country now (and the world). Financial woes abound, uncertainy prevelant.

I was looking at a graph, and it shows a pretty good increase since 1980 in the number of bankruptcies. I know you could say there’s an increase in numbers of people, and what about the drop at the end (they changed the laws), but look at the bigger picture there, the yellow mark - that indicates the percent paid towards debt. Bankrupt or not, more money is being paid to debt each year.

The article that I am quoting from [Climbing Out of Debt] gives some very good steps, that my family is now trying to implement. So let’s go over them!

1 Paying an honest tithing. Each month we always pay our tithing first. If we are to get out of debt, we really do need the Lord to “open … the windows of heaven, and pour [us] out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it” (Mal. 3:10).

Often our financial efforts are hampered by misfortune that devours our resources, such as unexpected car and household repairs, illness, and so forth. The Lord promises that He “will rebuke the devourer for [our] sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of [our] ground” (Mal. 3:11). When we pay our tithes, the Lord can bless us so that our unexpected challenges are minimized and so that we are better able to manage the resources we have.

I’m not sure how LDS members miss this one, I can testify that my family would have been in dire straights numerous times if we weren’t paying our tithing. I have a great testimony in this because of those miracles. There have been veryt spectacular times where we needed money in an emergency and all the sudden the money is there to use!

2 Paying a generous fast offering. When I was in college, President Spencer W. Kimball (1895–1985) taught that the Lord would bless Church members if they were able to double their fast offerings. We thus made it a point, even while students, to pay more than the cost of our meals as a fast offering. As our means have increased, we have increased our offerings, and the Lord has abundantly blessed us.

We try to add extra into Fast Offerings each month, though I think we can spare more to add to this for us, but again - what I have isn’t mine. My earning potential, the pay I do earn, these things all came from the Lord!

3 Giving time, talent, and energy toward building the kingdom of God. We have learned that when we are busy in the Lord’s work, losing ourselves in serving others, we have less time to worry about the things we don’t have. Material possessions are seen in the proper perspective.

For example, service greatly minimizes the time we spend watching television, thus limiting the advertisements or shows we view that would make us feel bad about the material things we don’t have. Decreasing our wants makes it easier to avoid debt.

I’ll admit, I can get a bit gruff about helping others. But in my house, we’re always either doing a project around our house or with one our extended families houses. By the end of the day though, I’ll always admit at how good I feel about what I accomplished for our family or someone else’s.

4 Following principles of self-reliance. Producing food in our garden and striving to purchase on-sale items for food storage have allowed us to save greatly on food expenses. This has not only helped us to be more self-reliant, but also allowed us to apply the money we saved toward debt elimination.

PROPHETIC, say it with me. Look around, look at what’s happening. I know, you can’t always grow everything you need in a garden, but we have a small yard and have managed to get a nice little garden box in. We grow beans, peas, spinach, tomatoes, etc to help off set some costs. We also try to use the coupons and base our meals in accordance to what’s on sale.

But I also think there is more here then just food and coupons, self reliance is also good around the home, home repairs, etc. What can you fix on your own that can save you money? We’re putting in a small concrete pad next to our single width driveway (winter parking nightmare) but we’re doing everything but mixing the concrete ourselves, there by saving hundreds of dollars. I’m learning what I can from my father in law on home repairs and DYI things around the house too.

5 Cultivating gratitude. Reflecting on the multitude of blessings we enjoy and thanking Heavenly Father for them allows us to focus on that which we have rather than on that which we have not. Recognizing all the blessings we have reduces the desire to acquire material possessions.—Robert and Mary Merrill, East Wenatchee First Ward, Wenatchee Washington Stake.

We try to stick to a template for our family prayers - 10 things we’re grateful for. Like I said before, what I have isn’t mine, the Lord provided and the gratitude belongs to him! We’re still working on the material wants, but we make progress. I’m trying to help my oldest understand that the things he wants, he won’t want in a few years (or months). Currently he is into bionicles, but I’m trying to help him understand that his money might be better spent on a tool [leatherman] instead which would last longer and be more useful in the long run.

This isn’t a burden too great for anyone to overcome. In our house we’ve incorporated fasting to help us to know how to live within our means and guidance on methods to do so. We’ve made progress, and we have the Lord to thank for it.

May

13

If Ye Are Prepared Ye Shall Not Fear

Filed Under Faith, Gospel, Official LDS, Prophets, Talks | Leave a Comment

Gordon B. Hinckley, “If Ye Are Prepared Ye Shall Not Fear,” Liahona, Nov 2005, 60–62

We can so live that we can call upon the Lord for His protection and guidance. … We cannot expect His help if we are unwilling to keep His commandments.

My dear brethren of the priesthood, wherever you may be across this broad world—what a tremendous body you have become, men and boys of every race and kindred, all a part of the family of God.

How precious is His gift to us. He has given to us a portion of that which is His divine authority, the eternal priesthood, the power by which He brings to pass the immortality and eternal life of man. It follows that when much has been given to us much is required of us (see Luke 12:48; D&C 82:3).

I know that we are not perfect men. We know the perfect way, but we do not always act according to our knowledge. But I think that for the most part we are trying. We are trying to be the kind of men our Father would have us be. That is a very high objective, and I commend all of you who are trying to reach it. May the Lord bless you as you seek to live exemplary lives in every respect.

Now, as all of us are aware, the Gulf States area of the United States has recently suffered terribly from raging winds and waters. Many have lost all they had. The damage has been astronomical. Literally millions have suffered. Fear and worry have gripped the hearts of many. Lives have been lost.

With all of this, there has been a great outpouring of help. Hearts have been softened. Homes have been opened. Critics love to talk about the failures of Christianity. Any such should take a look at what the churches have done in these circumstances. Those of many denominations have accomplished wonders. And far from the least among these has been our own Church. Great numbers of our men have traveled considerable distances, bringing with them tools and tents and radiant hope. Men of the priesthood have given thousands upon thousands of hours in the work of rehabilitation. There have been three and four thousand at a time. There are some there tonight. We cannot say enough of thanks to them. Please know of our gratitude, of our love, and of our prayers in your behalf.

Two of our Area Seventies, Brother John Anderson, who resides in Florida, and Brother Stanley Ellis, who lives in Texas, have directed much of this effort. But they would be the first to say that the credit belongs to the great numbers of men and boys who have given assistance. Many have worn shirts that say “Mormon Helping Hands.” They have won the love and respect of those they have assisted. Their assistance has gone not only to members of the Church in trouble, but to great numbers of those concerning whom no religious affiliation has been made.

They have followed the pattern of the Nephites as recorded in the book of Alma: “They did not send away any who were naked, or that were hungry, or that were athirst, or that were sick, or that had not been nourished; and they did not set their hearts upon riches; therefore they were liberal to all, both old and young, both bond and free, both male and female, whether out of the church or in the church, having no respect to persons as to those who stood in need” (Alma 1:30).

Women and girls in many parts of the Church have rendered a Herculean effort in providing hygiene and cleaning kits by the tens of thousands. The Church has provided equipment, food, water, and comfort.

We have contributed substantial amounts of money to the Red Cross and other agencies. We have given millions from fast offerings and humanitarian funds. To every one of you I say thanks in behalf of your beneficiaries and thanks in behalf of the Church.

Now, I do not say, and I repeat emphatically that I do not say or infer, that what has happened is the punishment of the Lord. Many good people, including some of our faithful Latter-day Saints, are among those who have suffered. Having said this, I do not hesitate to say that this old world is no stranger to calamities and catastrophes. Those of us who read and believe the scriptures are aware of the warnings of prophets concerning catastrophes that have come to pass and are yet to come to pass.

There was the great Flood, when waters covered the earth and when, as Peter says, only “eight souls were saved” (1 Pet. 3:20).

If anyone has any doubt concerning the terrible things that can and will afflict mankind, let him read the 24th chapter of Matthew. Among other things the Lord says: “Ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars. …

“For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.

“All these are the beginning of sorrows. …

“And woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days! …

“For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.

“And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened” (Matt. 24:6–8, 19, 21–22).

In the Book of Mormon we read of unimaginable destruction in the Western Hemisphere at the time of the Savior’s death in Jerusalem. Again I quote:

“And it came to pass in the thirty and fourth year, in the first month, on the fourth day of the month, there arose a great storm, such an one as never had been known in all the land.

“And there was also a great and terrible tempest; and there was terrible thunder, insomuch that it did shake the whole earth as if it was about to divide asunder.

“And there were exceedingly sharp lightnings, such as never had been known in all the land.

“And the city of Zarahemla did take fire.

“And the city of Moroni did sink into the depths of the sea, and the inhabitants thereof were drowned.

“And the earth was carried up upon the city of Moronihah, that in the place of the city there became a great mountain. …

“… The whole face of the land was changed, because of the tempest and the whirlwinds, and the thunderings and the lightnings, and the exceedingly great quaking of the whole earth;

“And the highways were broken up, and the level roads were spoiled, and many smooth places became rough.

“And many great and notable cities were sunk, and many were burned, and many were shaken till the buildings thereof had fallen to the earth, and the inhabitants thereof were slain, and the places were left desolate” (3 Ne. 8:5–10, 12–14).

What a terrible catastrophe that must have been.

The plague or Black Death of the fourteenth century took millions of lives. Other pandemic diseases, such as smallpox, have brought untold suffering and death through the centuries.

In the year a.d. 79 the great city of Pompeii was destroyed when Mount Vesuvius erupted.

Chicago was ravaged by a terrible fire. Tidal waves have swamped areas of Hawaii. The San Francisco earthquake in 1906 ruined the city and took some 3,000 lives. The hurricane that hit Galveston, Texas, in 1900 killed 8,000. And more recently, as you know, has been the terrible tsunami of Southeast Asia, where thousands of lives were lost and where relief efforts are still needed.

How portentous are the words of revelation found in the 88th section of the Doctrine and Covenants concerning the calamities that should befall after the testimonies of the elders. The Lord says:

“For after your testimony cometh the testimony of earthquakes, that shall cause groanings in the midst of her, and men shall fall upon the ground and shall not be able to stand.

“And also cometh the testimony of the voice of thunderings, and the voice of lightnings, and the voice of tempests, and the voice of the waves of the sea heaving themselves beyond their bounds.

“And all things shall be in commotion; and surely, men’s hearts shall fail them; for fear shall come upon all people” (D&C 88:89–91).

How interesting are descriptions of the tsunami and the recent hurricanes in terms of the language of this revelation, which says, “The voice of the waves of the sea heaving themselves beyond their bounds.”

Man’s inhumanity to man expressed in past and present conflict has and continues to bring unspeakable suffering. In the Darfur region of Sudan, tens of thousands have been killed and well over a million have been left homeless.

What we have experienced in the past was all foretold, and the end is not yet. Just as there have been calamities in the past, we expect more in the future. What do we do?

Someone has said it was not raining when Noah built the ark. But he built it, and the rains came.

The Lord has said, “If ye are prepared ye shall not fear” (D&C 38:30).

The primary preparation is also set forth in the Doctrine and Covenants, wherein it says, “Wherefore, stand ye in holy places, and be not moved, until the day of the Lord come” (D&C 87:8).

We sing the song:

When the earth begins to tremble,
Bid our fearful thoughts be still;
When thy judgments spread destruction,
Keep us safe on Zion’s hill.
(“Guide Us, O Thou Great Jehovah,” Hymns, no. 83)

We can so live that we can call upon the Lord for His protection and guidance. This is a first priority. We cannot expect His help if we are unwilling to keep His commandments. We in this Church have evidence enough of the penalties of disobedience in the examples of both the Jaredite and the Nephite nations. Each went from glory to utter destruction because of wickedness.

We know, of course, that the rain falls on the just as well as the unjust (see Matt. 5:45). But even though the just die they are not lost, but are saved through the Atonement of the Redeemer. Paul wrote to the Romans, “For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord” (Rom. 14:8).

We can heed warnings. We have been told that many had been given concerning the vulnerability of New Orleans. We are told by seismologists that the Salt Lake Valley is a potential earthquake zone. This is the primary reason that we are extensively renovating the Tabernacle on Temple Square. This historic and remarkable building must be made to withstand the shaking of the earth.

We have built grain storage and storehouses and stocked them with the necessities of life in the event of a disaster. But the best storehouse is the family storeroom. In words of revelation the Lord has said, “Organize yourselves; prepare every needful thing” (D&C 109:8).

Our people for three-quarters of a century have been counseled and encouraged to make such preparation as will assure survival should a calamity come.

We can set aside some water, basic food, medicine, and clothing to keep us warm. We ought to have a little money laid aside in case of a rainy day.

Now what I have said should not occasion a run on the grocery store or anything of that kind. I am saying nothing that has not been said for a very long time.

Let us never lose sight of the dream of Pharaoh concerning the fat cattle and the lean, the full ears of corn, and the blasted ears; the meaning of which was interpreted by Joseph to indicate years of plenty and years of scarcity (see Gen. 41:1–36).

I have faith, my dear brethren, that the Lord will bless us, and watch over us, and assist us if we walk in obedience to His light, His gospel, and His commandments. He is our Father and our God, and we are His children, and we must be in every way deserving of His love and concern. That we may do so is my humble prayer, in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.