Elder Eyring saw his father-in-law serving his family one day and felt inspired to write it down. After that he said,

"I wrote down a few lines every day for years. I never missed a day no matter how tired I was or how early I would have to start the next day. Before I would write, I would ponder this question: “Have I seen the hand of God reaching out to touch us or our children or our family today?” As I kept at it, something began to happen. As I would cast my mind over the day, I would see evidence of what God had done for one of us that I had not recognized in the busy moments of the day. As that happened, and it happened often, I realized that trying to remember had allowed God to show me what He had done.

""More than gratitude began to grow in my heart. Testimony grew. I became ever more certain that our Heavenly Father hears and answers prayers. I felt more gratitude for the softening and refining that come because of the Atonement of the Savior Jesus Christ. And I grew more confident that the Holy Ghost can bring all things to our remembrance—even things we did not notice or pay attention to when they happened."

In that same talk Elder Eyring encouraged us " to find ways to recognize and remember God’s kindness." So I found a suitable book and began.

What a blessing it has been in my life. It helps me focus on the good in people and the constant care of my Father in Heaven. Some days the evidence is found in the fact that I have a job. On others I have asked for something in prayer and received the answer in scriptures right away.

He was also right about the pondering. So often I would have quickly forgotten a thoughtful act had I not looked for it. Just yesterday my brother-in-law found a cooking gadget I wanted at a garage sale and would take no money for it. He dropped it off at my work and left with only a few words. Business crowded out the moment. I'm glad the writing and the reading of it will keep bringing it back.

Too often we hear people suffering a tragedy ask "Why is God doing this to me?" How marvelous it would be if they would ask that question daily on the heals of a blessing.

(The views written in this post are the views of the author and do not necessarily represent The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.)

The Virtue of Kindness

I spent last Saturday at a parent conference that my professional organization sponsored. After that I attended a board meeting and then had dinner with the board members and others from the conference. I engaged in many delightful conversations of how to teach and parent better. We discussed books and there was even a bit of brainstorming. How I enjoy these acquaintances!

Sunday morning I woke up and listened to Elder Wirthlin's talk titled "The Virtue of Kindness" on BYUTV... "Kindness is the essence of greatness and the fundamental characteristic of the noblest men and women I have known. Kindness is a passport that opens doors and fashions friends....We are all children of our Heavenly Father. And we are here with the same purpose: to learn to love Him with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, and to love our neighbor as ourselves....My brothers and sisters, the gospel of Jesus Christ transcends mortality. Our work here is but a shadow of greater and unimaginable things to come."

A friend of many years from out of state is coming to visit tonight. Her kindness is remarkable. It touches so many lives. She is a good example of Elder Wirthlin's words.

(The views written in this post are the views of the author and do not necessarily represent The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.)

Raising Children

Another topic of conversation at that same picnic (see the July 19th post) dealt with the challenges of raising children. One mother commented that as a baby her boy was so easy but then as a child he had become so difficult. Another said to just wait until they were teens and that they would switch again. I am not a parent, but most of my career has involved working with teens and pre-teens. It is a scary time for parents. This is an idea that might help them influence the direction of the switching.

"In uncertain and difficult times, faith is truly a spiritual gift worthy of our utmost efforts. We can give our children education, lessons, athletics, the arts, and material possessions, but if we do not give them faith in Christ, we have given little....When we teach our children by example or precept to be casual or situational in obeying God’s commandments, we prevent them from receiving this vital spiritual gift. Faith requires an attitude of exact obedience, even in the small, simple things." Elder Pearson

Please don't misunderstand. I don't consider myself at all perfect in this. But we do need to hold on to and keep striving for the ideal.

(The views written in this post are the views of the author and do not necessarily represent The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.)

Asking for Help

At a picnic yesterday I heard some people talking about the new Harry Potter movie. The conversation moved to discussing which of his shows they liked the least. I told them that the Goblet of Fire was too dark for me and that in it the adults were not trustworthy. The students had no where to turn.

I also remembered an activity a couple of years ago where my students posed problems and asked each other what they would do in those difficult situations. It was interesting, but sad, that none of them said they would go to an adult. They may have thought it was against the imaginary rules, but I wondered how often these kids would go to adults with real problems.

This morning it occurred to me that as adults we often act the same way. When we come up against insurmountable odds, how many of us turn to our Heavenly Father for help. How many of us with sincerely troubling questions chant Laman and Lemuel's mantra of "...the Lord maketh no such thing known unto us?"

In my life I have had sweet seasons when help from Him came easily and others when it was slower. Perhaps if I kept closer the formulas to improve that situation, those times would be fewer.

"President Kimball said, 'I find that when I get casual in my relationships with divinity and when it seems that no divine ear is listening and no divine voice is speaking, that I am far, far away. If I immerse myself in the scriptures the distance narrows and the spirituality returns.'" (The Teachings of Spencer W. Kimball, ed. Edward L. Kimball, Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1982, p. 135.)

In a Conference talk Elder Pearson quoted Elder Bruce R. McConkie ...“Faith is a gift of God bestowed as a reward for personal righteousness. It is always given when righteousness is present, and the greater the measure of obedience to God’s laws the greater will be the endowment of faith.” (Mormon Doctrine, 2nd ed. [1966], 264). Elder Pearson also said "Faith is a gift from God, and one possessed of it can receive enormous spiritual power."

Independence is sometimes required. However, we should not go it alone when help is there for the asking.

(The views written in this post are the views of the author and do not necessarily represent The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.)

"Be of Good Cheer"

I’ve long been a fan of inventor Dean Kayman. This morning I found a LDS version of Dean in Tom Dickson. In the BYU Magazine article “Will it Blend?” he is quoted saying, “I always wanted to see how to improve the processes.” “My passion is to help people have a better life.” His wife said “…if anyone loves to get up in the morning and go to work, it’s Tom.” His inventions include a motion-sickness patch, and ocular insert of glaucoma patients, and a supper blender.

The other day I found myself especially gloomy about the economy. Then I started some brain storming and my spirits lifted. There really are ways to think yourself out of trouble. In fact, I tell my students that when you get good at problem solving, you actually enjoy having problems, you may even look for them. Tom Dickson is a living example of that statement.

The speakers at the last General Conference said many things to cheer us up in hard times. President Monson said...

"I testify to you that our promised blessings are beyond measure. Though the storm clouds may gather, though the rains may pour down upon us, our knowledge of the gospel and our love of our Heavenly Father and of our Savior will comfort and sustain us and bring joy to our hearts as we walk uprightly and keep the commandments. There will be nothing in this world that can defeat us. My beloved brothers and sisters, fear not. Be of good cheer. The future is as bright as your faith."

(The views written in this post are the views of the author and do not necessarily represent The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.)

My Rules

On the TV show NCIS, Gibbs teaches the agents that work under him rules to live by. Newt Gingrich just authored a book with his daughter about five secrets to a successful life. One of my Dad's mottoes is that "It is not enough to be good, you've got to be good for something." King Arthur's soliloquy in Camelot gives his ideals starting with the word "Resolved."

Most of my rules, secrets, mottoes, or resolutions started out as quotes that I have kept in my heart and tried to live by. Some are quotes that I would like to have make it to motto status because of repeated use. Here are a few off the top of my head.

• There are at least five ways of doing almost everything. (This grew out of Future Problem Solving thinking.)
• Have a passion for learning and thrive on challenge and change. (Carol Dweck)
• What is the real problem? (This grew out of Future Problem Solving thinking too.)
• "Everyone is doing the level best they can." (Sherri Dew)
• "Run boy, run!" (King Arthur said this at the end of Camelot.)
• The past need not hold the future hostage. (Elder Neal A. Maxwell)

The next quote is saying about the same thing as the last rule...

• "...if the Lord...hath visited men in so much mercy, why should my heart weep...and my strength slacken because of mine afflictions?" (2 Nephi 4:26)
• Life is good! (from President Gordon B. Hinckley's biography)
• "...one equal temper of heroic hearts, made weak by time and fate but strong in will. To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield!" (Alfred Lord Tension's Ulysses)
• "Now, therefore, give me this mountain." (Joshua 14:12)

What are your mottos?

(The views written in this post are the views of the author and do not necessarily represent The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.)

Creating

I spent some time this week creating a webpage to help teachers in their classrooms be more effective. For the most part I was finding useful sites and linking to them. I fit those links into larger concepts and found a way to make the page visually apealing. It felt good. President Uchtdorf explains why...

"Creating and being compassionate are two objectives that contribute to our Heavenly Father’s perfect happiness. Creating and being compassionate are two activities that we as His spirit children can and should emulate....We were created with the express purpose and potential of experiencing a fulness of joy. (2 Nephi 2:25) Our birthright—and the purpose of our great voyage on this earth—is to seek and experience eternal happiness. One of the ways we find this is by creating things....The more you trust and rely upon the Spirit, the greater your capacity to create."

He went on to speak of the healing power of service. There are so many experiences in our days that bring us down. I am grateful for a job that allows me to create and serve, and heal.

(The views written in this post are the views of the author and do not necessarily represent The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.)

Thinking Clearly

It seems appropriate that a blog called "Brain Quotes" would deal with thinking clearly. Watching TV is usually the opposite of thinking but this morning my television was my teacher. I heard these words on BYUTV from Elder Faust. I wanted to hold on to them and to improve my actions. So I found them on-line and pasted a part of them here.

"Thinking clearly is the ability to discern things that matter most and separate them from things of less importance. We can think more clearly when we:
1. Take an interest in current events: listen to the news or read a newspaper.
2. Discuss ideas with one another...
3. Read good literature. ...
4. Keep our bodies healthy.... A healthy body promotes a healthy mind.

"Questions--in the sense of searching, not doubting--seem to be essential for learning. They are a primary means of expressing curiosity, the self-motivation to search for knowledge. Indeed, many of the Prophet Joseph Smith's revelations came in response to inquiry, in response to prayer.... Such inquiries may be considered as a condition precedent to his receiving revelations. [HC 5:xxxiv]

"In today's jargon, thinking clearly is often characterized as "prioritizing." But clear thinking means more than that: it is choosing the better part, not the one that will bring the most money or fame. It also means making the best use of our time."

Finding the time, place, and people for the conversation described above is difficult...but it is my quest!

(The views written in this post are the views of the author and do not necessarily represent The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.)

Good Samaritans

In the March 2009 Reader's Digest there is an article by Carl M. Cannon. He said, "From our earliest day, we've been known as a nation of helpers." (p. 76) He then gave examples of the kindness of strangers. He pointed out that often the only way to pay for help received was to do what you could when you saw others in need. He ended the article with "It's what Americans do."

I was the recipient of that kindness last night. I went to Auto Zone to find out why there was no low beam in my car's headlights. The man helping me was very knowledgeable but he didn't stop at pointing out the right replacement bulbs. He put on his coat and for the next fifteen minutes, in the cold, he figured out how to work the spring clips in my Hyundai, removed the old bulbs, and replaced them with new ones. When I went to pay for the bulbs, I found there was no fee for his service. Chivalry is not dead.

President Monson observed this about the Good Samaritan story, "Jesus provided our watchword: 'Go, and do thou likewise.' (Luke 10:29-37) When we obey that declaration, there opens to our view a vista of joy seldom equaled and never surpassed."

You might say, "It's what Christians do." (See also Alma 41:14)

I know so little about keeping my car running. I am so grateful for the help I've received. It is now my turn to watch for chances to payback the kindness.

(The views written in this post are the views of the author and do not necessarily represent The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.)

Speak with a Strong Voice

It is easy to sit around moaning and groaning about all that is sick and wrong in our world. Our past prophet, Gordon B. Hinckley, taught that we should do something about it.

"…in this world so filled with problems, so constantly threatened by dark and evil challenges, you can and must rise above mediocrity, above indifference. You can become involved and speak with a strong voice for that which is right.

"…It is imperative that good people, men and women of principle, be involved in the political process; otherwise we abdicate power to those whose designs are almost entirely selfish.

"…Your strong voice is needed. The weight of your stance may be enough to tip the scales in the direction of truth.

"…The adversary of all truth would put into your heart a reluctance to make an effort. Cast that fear aside and be valiant in the cause of truth and righteousness and faith."

I haven't yet figured out what I'm going to do. When I was fifteen I went with a group of LDS youth to clean up after a flood in eastern Idaho. I later told my mother that the lady we were helping said she didn't know where to start. Mother, with all of her practice at being practical, said "You put your hand out and start there." I'm pretty sure I can hear her saying the same now.

(The views written in this post are the views of the author and do not necessarily represent The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.)

Christlike Love

"True love...is eternally patient and forgiving. It believes, hopes, and endures all things...

"We all yearn to experience love like this. Even when we make mistakes, we hope others will love us in spite of our shortcomings—even if we don’t deserve it.

"Oh, it is wonderful to know that our Heavenly Father loves us—even with all our flaws!

"...There is no pain it cannot soften, no bitterness it cannot remove, no hatred it cannot alter.

"…Without charity—or the pure love of Christ—whatever else we accomplish matters little. With it, all else becomes vibrant and alive.

"…If we wish to learn truly how to love, all we need to do is reflect on the life of our Savior."

Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin
Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
Ensign, Nov 2007, 28–31

Too Much Liberty?

The national mood right now seems very much like the feelings a child in a candy store might have with a pocket full of imaginary money. The problem is, the clerk seems to be accepting that form of payment.

Thomas Jefferson wrote this about George Washington, "He has often declared to me that he considered our new Constitution as an experiment on the practicability of republican government, and with what dose of liberty man could be trusted for his own good; that he was determined the experiment should have a fair trial, and would loose the last drop of his blood in support of it." (The Norton Reader, 5th edition, p. 329)

Our republicans (representatives) are pushing the liberty limit. (See 2 Nephi 10:11-14) This spending spree may end in the demise of the "fair trial." Where are the parents (statesmen) that will protect us from ourselves? Where are the grandparents (historians) that will show that such spending did not work in the past? What must happen to get our attention so that we will listen to parents and grandparents?

"The revered Abraham Lincoln accurately described our plight: 'We have been the recipients of the choicest bounties of Heaven; we have been preserved these many years in peace and prosperity; we have grown in numbers, wealth, and power.…But we have forgotten God....we have vainly imagined, in the deceitfulness of our hearts, that all these blessings were produced by some superior wisdom and virtue of our own....we have become...too proud to pray to the God that made us.'" (quoted by President Monson, Ensign, Nov. 2000)

(The views written in this post are the views of the author and do not necessarily represent The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.)

Why Pain

I had a conversation yesterday with at teacher about dealing with sensitive topics in literature. Euthanasia was brought up. I said I would have my students find out what their religion had to say about it. She didn’t think it was a good idea to bring up religion. I told her that my religion would decide it for me. She felt that there were situations where euthanasia might be right and that the students ought to grapple with the question. I wished later that there was a better way to explain the certainty I felt in following prophets.

This morning I was reminded of a talk by Elder Faust. In it he quoted President Kimball saying “If pain and sorrow and total punishment immediately followed the doing of evil, no soul would repeat a misdeed. If joy and peace and rewards were instantaneously given the doer of good, there could be no evil—all would do good and not because of the rightness of doing good. There would be no test of strength, no development of character, no growth of powers, no free agency. … There would also be an absence of joy, success, resurrection, eternal life, and godhood.”

He also said “Now all this suffering might indeed be unfair if everything ended at death, but it doesn’t. Life is not like a one-act play. It has three acts….”

I felt bad that my friend might never read these words…and that she would bring up problems without connecting students to the peace that would come with real answers. If I had a chance to do it again, I would tell her that this life is a test and that how we endured suffering had a great impact on the final grade. She would probably not pursue my reasoning but she might better understand why I found my answers in my religion. (See Moroni 10:4-5)

(The views written in this post are the views of the author and do not necessarily represent The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.)

He Lives

"With all my heart and the fervency of my soul, I lift my voice in testimony today as a special witness and declare that God does live. Jesus is His Son, the Only Begotten of the Father in the flesh. He is our Redeemer; He is our Mediator with the Father. He loves us with a love we cannot fully comprehend, and because He loves us, He gave His life for us. My gratitude to Him is beyond expression." President Thomas S. Monson

I just watched again the DVD called "Finding Faith in Christ". I was impressed that He is not only our Redeemer in the next life, but able and willing to be our Savior here and now. It fills me with awe and hope. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. He continues to speak to us, usually through His prophets by the Holy Ghost. Because of Him we can receive the miracles of physical and spiritual health. He lives and continues to love each of us.

Elder Wirthlin said, "The Lord Jesus Christ is our partner, helper, and advocate. He wants us to be happy. He wants us to be successful. If we do our part, He will step in. He who descended below all things will come to our aid. He will comfort and uphold us. He will strengthen us in our weakness and fortify us in our distress. He will make weak things become strong. " (See Ether 12:27)

(If you click here and scroll to the bottom of that screen, you can watch the DVD "Finding Faith in Christ.")

(The views written in this post are the views of the author and do not necessarily represent The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.)

Them Church Girls

I was walking up to a door with my companion one summer day. We went past an open window. Through it we heard "There's them church girls. Get rid of 'em." To that person, the idea of a "church girl" was obviously something negative. The same sentiment is felt when some speak of "organized religion." Too often churches are seen as places where an honest but fallible person wouldn't fit in and church people are thought to have a false sense of superiority. Elder Wirthlin's words are more inviting.

“The Church is not a place where perfect people gather to say perfect things, or have perfect thoughts, or have perfect feelings. The Church is a place where imperfect people gather to provide encouragement, support, and service to each other as we press on in our journey to return to our Heavenly Father.”

If people were perfect then there would be no need for mercy. Mercy was promised as the Savior came “with healing in his wings.” (2 Ne 25:13) I hope that when people see a building with “The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints” on it, they think of a place where Christ, and people trying to be like Him, would welcome them. (See also 3 Ne 27:7-9)

(The views written in this post are the views of the author and do not necessarily represent The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.)

How to Read Scripture

Reading scriptures has been an important part of my life. It is one way that I have felt close to God. I’m not a fast reader, but people usually don’t go fast when they are reading for understanding. Elder Christofferson described an excellent way to study scriptures.

“I see you sometimes reading a few verses,

stopping to ponder them,

carefully reading the verses again,

and as you think about what they mean,

praying for understanding,

asking questions in your mind,

waiting for spiritual impressions,

and writing down the impressions and insights

that come so you can remember and learn more.

Studying in this way, you may not read a lot of chapters or verses in a half hour, but you will be giving place in your heart for the word of God,

and He will be speaking to you.”

The New Testament testifies of Jesus Christ. Reading it this way would certainly help a person come closer to Him. Another book that testifies of Christ is the Book of Mormon. By reading this book, pondering, waiting and writing, as described above, we can gain an even deeper appreciation of our Savior.

The way we read books has everything to do with the value we get from them. In The Book of Mormon there are further reading instructions that will help you find truth. It involves remembering, pondering, asking in the name of Christ, with real intent, with a sincere heart, and having faith in Christ. (See Moroni 10:3-5)

Our loving Father in Heaven never meant for us to make this earthly journey alone. He wants us to rely on Him and to follow the example of His Son. His words, coming through the mouths and pens of His prophets, can comfort and guide us. They help us become His children in deed.

(The views written in this post are the views of the author and do not necessarily represent The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.)

Genius Times

"These are the times in which a genius would wish to live. It is not in the still calm of life, or the repose of a pacific station, that great characters are formed. The habits of a vigorous mind are formed in contending with difficulties. Great necessities call out great virtues. When a mind is raised, and animated by scenes that engage the heart, then those qualities which would otherwise lay dormant, wake into life and form the character of the hero and the statesman."
Abigail Adams

I believe we live in times when minds are "animated by scenes that engage the heart"...if considered the right way. Too often we are tempted to see ourselves as victims of difficulties instead of grabbing them up as opportunities as Abigail would.

There is another great comfort in times that we need it. If we can "remember how merciful the Lord hath been unto the children of men" then we can be assured that he will deal that way with us now (Moroni 10:3). A merciful God gets us through hardships when we turn to Him for help. This has been and continues to be my experience. My job is not exactly secure at the moment, but I trust that I will be helped through whatever comes...and that brings me great peace.

(The views written in this post are the views of the author and do not necessarily represent The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.)

Talents and Gifts

In one of the axioms below, I wrote that if we were not charitable, we would lose talents. It seemed to be what the scripture was saying, but it was a new idea to me. I wondered why that was so.

The purpose for having a gift is to bless the lives of those around us. (See Doctrine and Covenants 46:8-9) It makes sense that if you are not going to use your gift for its original intent, that you might not keep it long. And yet, we are all acquainted with people of great talent that appear to be full of themselves, without giving much thought towards using talents to help others. This brings to mind the axiom about not seeing clearly cause and effect. It is difficult to see the coming and going of gifts in ourselves let alone in others.

As for the coming of gifts in ourselves, I found a quote recently that could be very helpful in identifying what our gifts are. "Your successes highlight your gifts; your disappointments help you learn your limitations and identify areas to work on. These important lessons directly affect who you are in God’s plan and play a major role in helping you determine your true identity." Elder Robert C. Oaks

Father in Heaven has a plan for all of his children collectively and a plan for each of his children individually. Knowing what our gifts are will help us understand His plan for us individually. (See also Moroni 10:9-19)

(The views written in this post are the views of the author and do not necessarily represent The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.)

Faith Explains It

Last night I saw some friends I've known for a few years now. They are a couple that never cease to amaze me. She is wheel chair bound, happy and vivacious. He is at her side, ever attentive, loving. They are probably in their early seventies. They work on projects together. For any help I’ve given them they are always generous with their gratitude. Being around them lifts me up and makes my day.

The project I help them with is Family History. They want to know who their ancestors are so they can do for them what they can not do for themselves. Why her cheerfulness? Why his devotion? Why choose to serve when they might easily sit back and be served?

The answer comes from an observation by Elder Condie. “Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ is evident when we believe His teachings and claim His 'exceeding great and precious promises' and become 'partakers of the divine nature' (2 Peter 1:4)."

This couple’s faith and belief are evident when I see their nature. They are becoming "like Him." (Moroni 7: 48)

(The views written in this post are the views of the author and do not necessarily represent The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.)

Truths, Tests, and Talents

My college class on Logic had a lasting effect on how I view the world. Today I am seeing truth broken down into axioms that might be used in a later proof. Here are a few to consider:

• All consequences are not immediate.


• Cause and Effect are difficult to perceive because of the wideness of eternity (pre-earth life/life/that which comes after.)


• One of the purposes of life is to prove ourselves...this is a test. (Abraham 3:28)


• One of the tests, in fact, one of the most important to pass, is to see if we will be Christ-like in our Charity. (Ether 12:28)


• One test of our Charity is the weakness of the people around us.


• If we don't pass the Charity test, we will loose the talents we have. (Matthew 25:28)


• People that have talents, and can keep them, will get more...and that is fair.

"Wherefore, I know by this thing which thou hast said, that if the Gentiles have not charity, because of our weakness, that thou wilt prove them, and take away their talent, yea, even that which they have received, and give unto them who shall have more abundantly." Ether 12:35

(The views written in this post are the views of the author and do not necessarily represent The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.)

Trouble

Emilee commented on the last post about how difficult turning the other cheek would be. Joseph Smith, a modern prophet (I will write more of him later), brought us this translation clarifying the meaning of that scripture:

"And unto him who smiteth thee on the cheek, offer also the other; or, in other words, it is better to offer the other, than to revile again. And him who taketh away thy cloak, forbid not to take thy coat also. For it is better that thou suffer thine enemy to take these things, than to contend with him. Verily I say unto you, Your heavenly Father who seeth in secret, shall bring that wicked one into judgment. "
JST LUKE 6: 29-30

Heavenly Father doesn't want us to look for trouble, or to add to it once it finds us. He does want us to love each other and go clear out of our way to avoid contention. That may mean suffering in silence. My feeling is that we would come closer to living this higher law if we did less back biting about injustices that have been done to us. We need to worry less about getting immediate justice and care more about the offenders. This also takes a certain kind of courage.

Although proponents of Civil Disobedience do not strike back, they do look for contention as a way of helping everyone see the injustice. Part of this plan may embrace turning the other cheek, but the first part has nothing to do with the spirit of this scripture. The sad truth is, most Civil Disobedience turns eventually into violence. It did in India and it did in the 1960s South.

Remember the quote from the last post: "All that is unfair about life can be made right through the Atonement of Jesus Christ." (Preach My Gospel, 2004, USA p.52)

(The views written in this post are the views of the author and do not necessarily represent The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.)

Civil Disobedience

I had the chance this week to teach my students about Civil Disobedience in connection with Martin Luther King Jr. Day. He was inspired by Mahatma Gandhi who was inspired by Henry David Thoreau...but the idea started in the New Testament. Jesus Christ taught that we should turn the other cheek. (Matthew 5:39-41, 44)

My students were confused. Wouldn't that lead to being trampled on? It was clear these were new ideas to them. I wished desperately that the setting was Sunday School and not public school. I left them to ponder the idea.

I had told them that rebellions, riots and revolutions happened because people felt that there was something very unfair going on. I often hear people say "Life is unfair...get used to it." The problem with that approach is that it stops short of the full truth. The rest of the story is "All that is unfair about life can be made right through the Atonement of Jesus Christ." (Preach My Gospel, 2004, USA p.52) This is why we don't have to take offense when offense is given.

We can leave all the wrongs others commit in His hands and focus on making ourselves right...but we don't do that alone either. "Christ promises to forgive our sins on the condition that we accept Him by exercising faith in Him, repenting, receiving baptism by immersion, and the laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost, and striving faithfully to keep His commandments to the end of our lives." (ibid.) (see also Psalms 119:165 and 2 Nephi 2:6-8)

With all of my heart I believe this is the way to the peace we all seek.

(The views written in this post are the views of the author and do not necessarily represent The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.)

Pick Your Poultry

"...I say you can pick your poultry. You can either be like Chicken Little and run about shouting 'The sky is falling; the sky is falling' or you can be like the Little Red Hen and forge ahead with the productive tasks of living, regardless of who does or doesn't help you or who does or doesn’t believe just the way you believe."
Elder Jeffrey R. Holland

With their love for the sensational, TV and News organizations have gone the Chicken Little route. We need reminders in our world that there is a better choice. The best motivators that I know of to engage in "productive tasks" are goals. Not the make and break kind but the make, try for a while, and adjust when needed kind.

One of my goals is to read scriptures every day. The words of the Bible and the Book of Mormon bring me great peace and understanding. They help me focus on important ideas. I'm not very good at memorizing scriptures, but when I need them, their meanings and sometimes key phrases are usually there for me.

(The views written in this post are the views of the author and do not necessarily represent The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.)