Value and Power of Faith

(also from the book Seven Faith Tribes)

Intellectuals tell us that faith will fade away as people awake to the frivolous nature of belief in a higher power but too many have had it proven too real to them.
Faith continues to be an unassailable source of reasonable hope in an unreasonably hopeless world.
What are the alternatives?
Rely on politicians and bureaucrats, and in the systems they offer.
Trust the business world and the marketplace to solve life's deepest issues.
Live for pleasure and allow the entertainment industry to rule.
Believe the theories and spin that the educational system offers as "truth" until new discoveries or revelations shatter those pronouncements.

Faith provides meaning, hope, health, and a cohesive narrative to make sense of one's life and give it direction.

12 commitments of great followers

More thoughts from the book Seven Faith Tribes:

Leaders need to have followers in order to lead. Some of us may be leaders, but we are ALL followers in some way. If we want those we choose to follow to be great leaders, we need to do less compromising and expect more of what we really want. Specifically this applies politically, but it also applies at home, in our communities, in our faith groups, and in business.

With that thought in mind, look at this list of what it means to be a great follower:
Know what you are looking for in a leader
Live and die for the vision
Refuse to settle for anything but the best
Provide constructive feedback
Hold leaders to the highest reasonable standards,
      and expect them to do the same for you
Always place community interest above self interest
Be proud of your leaders
Become a great team player
Perform your duties with excellence
Add value all the time
Focus on the future
Keep growing personally
(For more details, read the book)

And while we are on the subject of leaders here are a few more thoughts:

Great leaders
appreciate the past
live in the present
and think in the future

Leadership is an act of service,
not an exercise of power.

Never stop increasing in wisdom and knowledge.

When you think you know it all,
you have just lost the heartbeat of life.

Seven Faith Tribes by George Barna

 I highly recommend reading this book. It is well researched and enlightening in that research. It is a call to action and a vision on how to bring America back to greatness. America has gone through many National Identities including: Revolutionaries- rebelling against religious restrictions and heavy taxes, Pioneer- exploration and entrepreneurialism, Superpower- economic and military, Vast Consumers- everything from entertainment to food. Now our primary focus seems to be  Individualism and Entitlement.

Individualism may feel good in the moment but it detracts from the strength of society and is very divisive.

This book takes a look at the worldviews of those living in America and then divides us into seven faith groups including: Casual Christians(68%) Captive Christians(16%) Jews(2%) Mormons(1.3%) Panthiests(1.4%) Muslims(0.4%) Skeptics(11%)
He has chapters on each of the faith groups full of data that tells what by our own perceptions we believe and how we view the world, then he also includes by the data what we do and how we live(how those beliefs translate into action)

From this data he has pulled 20 values that we all share in varying degrees.
Those are:
represent the truth well
develop inner peace and purity
seek peace with others
demonstrate wisdom
be forgiving
practice self-restraint
get yourself together before criticizing
invest in young people
respect life
treat others how you want to be treated
be a good citizen
justify people's respect
avoid harmful behavior
honor the elderly
be generous
do not judge or condemn others
be mutually respectful of human rights
cultivate civility
belong to a caring community
facilitate basic skills

He asks the question "Who do we want to be?" (national identity)
and proposes: expand our experience as world leader in becoming a peacemaker, compassionate ambassadors of justice, sensitive to the basic needs of others around the world. Basically a global servant
We need to model: respect , love, generosity, & care for the less fortunate

There are other things from this book that I will address in additional blog posts such as:
different worldviews
12 commitments of great followers
7 components of unity
value of faith and responsibility of the faith tribe in achieving the national identity

Time

All time is Now. It is only the limitations of mortality that make it difficult to comprehend.

Our perception of the present is limited by our ability to observe and our perceived position in existence.

Our comprehension of the future is limited by our incomplete knowledge of the consequences of every choice. For each choice that we know the consequence we can see (or foresee) the future.

Our view of the past is limited by our ability to remember. The more perfectly we remember, the more we can view or perceive the past in the present.

Twisted Words

twisted words
distorting truth
deceiving innocent
destroying good

increasing sorrows

accelerating bondage
freedom lost
deception reigns

Awaken Courageous!
stand fast in Truth
Highlight Joy
break through darkness

Awaken Wisdom!
replace sorrow
comfort (the) suppressed
Let Truth Reign!

Justification, Purification, Sanctification

Yesterday in scripture class, we were discussing Moses 6. Part of that discussion was determining the meaning of and differences of the words Justification, Sanctification, and Purification. This is my understanding and opinion as shared in the class.


Moses 6:60

Justification:
to be made just, or free from guilt and sin. Justification is a daily process. As we work daily to over come sin, we are in the process. The Holy Ghost helps to accelerate this process by revealing where we still need work, warning of temptations, teaching the baby steps of skills we still need to develop, testifying of truths that help us make those life changing reversals.

Sanctification:
Sanctification is not something we have any power in our self to do. It is being perfect. We need to be perfect to be in our Heavenly Fathers presence. Once we have made a mistake of any kind, we are no longer perfect. We cannot go back and unmake the mistake. Only one who is perfect can step in and fulfill the requirements of the law. That is where the mercy and grace come in. Jesus Christ through the atonement steps in for us and fulfills the requirements of the law. Through that power, it takes away all sin and mistakes. We become once again perfect, like the mistake had never happened. Christ then owns our debt, and the required price is repentance. Repentance is basically turning our hearts back to Christ and doing our very best to do all that we are capable of doing. Though we may remember our sins, especially so that we can remember the lessons we have learned from them, with repentance, God will remember them no more. It is because the price has been paid by the atonement and we are once again perfect, as if the mistake had never been made in the first place.

Purification:
The act of purifying our hearts. Intellectually we choose to be obedient to the principles and the laws. We may or may not completely understand the need for those laws. After time and experience we have a new understanding and the law becomes written on our hearts. When it is written in our hearts, there is no longer a need for the law. It becomes so much a part of who we are, that we would never transgress that law under any circumstance. It is the difference between knowing in our head and knowing in our heart. Those things that we only know on an intellectual level we will sometimes still transgress, depending on the circumstances. When it has moved to our heart, we can say our heart is pure in regard to that particular law or principle. The more laws and principles that we are obedient to over time, and with experience, become written in our hearts, the more pure in heart we become. That is the process of purification.


Any questions or comments please ask. I can always use help in trying to clarify my viewpoints and understanding and being able to express them verbally.

Sacred not Secret

With the ad in the TV Guide of the HBO Big Love representation of the temple, I have been pondering how to put into words why what goes on in the temple is sacred rather than secret. It really isn't a secret. Apparently you can find out everything in the temple ceremony on the Internet. Everything about the temple and the ceremony is richly symbolic, with layers and layers of symbolism. Taken out of the context of the whole experience and not being prepared spiritually, especially in light of a TV shows misrepresentation, distracts from the personal spiritual message. The sacredness of the experience comes from the personal preparation of the individual. It also comes from enough spiritual maturity to be able to start understanding that symbolism. That takes time and study and application in things of a spiritual nature. We also make covenants in the temple. That is like signing a contract with God. We need to understand what it is that we are promising. We also need to be willing and capable of carrying out that promise. Have you ever signed a contract that you did not understand? What happens when you default on that contract? So it is with the covenants we make in the temple. The blessings that come are rich, but the consequences of default are devastating. That is why those that are not willing, or are not capable, are NOT to go to the temple. Everyone is welcome to the opportunity, but you need to be capable of fulfilling your side of the promise, otherwise it is not a blessing but a curse.

Women and the Priesthood

A while back at a family gathering the topic of women not being able to hold the priesthood came up. The implication being that we are somehow suppressed, or less than, because we don't have that opportunity. How do you explain in a few words, that it isn't like that at all. The real understanding is such a paradigm shift from the cultural norm. I have been reading Eve and the Choice Made in Eden by Beverly Campbell. That book, in my opinion, provides a very good look into the cultural background of the LDS woman and why, when we really understand our value and role as women, we feel no need to try and compete with the men or take over their role. An analogy I was thinking of this morning: Is any one part of the body more important than another? Like for instance the heart and the brain. Is the role of either the heart or the brain any less important to the life of our bodies. So also are the roles of the men and the women. We could compare the women to the heart and the function of the priesthood(men) with the brain. The brain directs and organises. The heart pumps the life blood that nourishes the body. We symbolically associate the heart with love and emotions, even to spirituality. Emotional intelligence and intuition come from the heart. How can we value the role of one over the other? They are both of equal value.

Other thoughts on this issue:
When we look at the primary purpose or work of the church, it is to bring the salvation of souls. (saviors [saving] of men) "There needs be an equitable division of labor so that the respective missions of men and women may be jointly undertaken and jointly acomplished." (Campbell 143)
This leads me to one of my favorite quotes from the book:

"Men have to have something given to them in mortality to make them saviors of men, but not mothers, not women. They are born with an inherent right, an inherent authority, to be the saviors of human souls... and the regenerating force in the lives of God's children." (Matthew Cowley)

Association Meme

This post is in response to Jaspenelle post.
Why Not? Association Meme

Family:
Family is my most important priority in life. It is the source of my greatest joy and my greatest sorrow. There is no love like that found in family. Family knows you at your very worst and loves you anyway. Friends we choose mostly because of similarities, we don't always get that with family. Sometimes maintaining relationships with family can be the most challenging, but when we face the challenge and get to the other side there is no joy that can compare.


Resourceful:
My resourcefulness comes out when I am challenged. I will take the easy way when it is available but I will also make do with whatever is available. It is at those times that some of my most favorite creations have come about. I have discovered that I can be very creative when the need arises. My resourcefulness is not limited to just things, but can also be found in bringing together diverse ideas, or in relationships.


Spiritual:
This is my source of life and inner strength. Nourishing my spirit is my number one personal priority. Without it I don't have anything left to give to anyone else and being a blessing in the lives of others is a top priority.


Faithful:
When Jaspenelle thinks of me as being faithful, I am not really sure in what way she is meaning. Faith as in Religious, faithful to my husband, or as in loyalty to a friend. All three apply. As far as friendship goes, if you have ever taken the opportunity to get to know me enough and consider us friends, then you are always a friend and hold a special place in my heart, and I will continue to want the very best for you even if we do not have an ongoing relationship.


Debating:
Debating for me is an intellectual exercise. It helps me to explore all the different perspectives of an issue and then gives me an opportunity to further clarify my own viewpoint and practice putting that viewpoint into words. It is not about convincing another person that their viewpoint is wrong. It also helps me get to know others better and I think is a great exercise in tolerance. My personal choice is to stop debating when I recognize that the debate is getting heated or moving into personal attacks. It is also something that is fairly recent in my life and probably most that know me do not have any idea that I like to debate.

aching arms

My oldest daughter gave birth to Jayden Amy Mitchell on Tues morning. This spirit was so perfect that all she needed was a body before she went to live with her Heavenly Father. My daughters arms and heart will have to wait a time before their ache will be satisfied. She will have to leave the cuddling and care to her great grandparents for a time.

This is the letter my husband sent to my daughter:

Great Grandma is There.

Great Grandma Stott was an incredible cook, eating a meal at her home was a memorable treat. Having dinner at her house on mutual nights has always been one of Mom’s favorite memories. She loved to make quilts. Her favorite time was always Christmas Eve when her entire family visited her. She loved having her family around her!

Great Grandma Oliphant absolutely loved children! She had thirteen of her own and spent her entire life serving in Primary. She wouldn’t serve anywhere else. She loved to can and is the originator of the famous turkey soup noodles Mom still fixes after Thanksgiving.

Great Grandma Cox was a registered nurse. She succored many a child back to good health. She was the champion spoiler of all grandmas! Every time we visited her, she had a new toy for us, or slipped a ten-dollar bill into our pockets, or fixed us a root beer float.

Great Grandma Lord/Stewart loved little girls. Just weeks before she passed away, I felt impressed to visit her and introduce her to her first Great Granddaughter, Ginanne. You couldn’t talk yet, but neither could she due to a stroke she had suffered. I sat you on her table right in front of her chair and for the longest time the two of you cooed, giggled, and hummed to each other. She loved you!

Tonight all four of those grandmas along with those from Jordan’s family are holding Jayden. They are cooing over her, snuggling her, comforting her. She is in very, very good hands. Hands that have decades of experience with babies and families, hands that are expert in comforting.

I promise you that. I also promise you that the day will come when you will hold that child again and have the opportunity to raise her to adulthood and you will understand what the purpose of this entire ordeal is about. It will make sense and you will be glad it happened. It will be a blessing to you, Jordan, and Jayden.

“ But little children are alive in Christ, even from the foundation of the world.”
--Moroni 8:12

Stay strong and close to the Lord!

I love you,

Dad

On Fitting In

(A talk given in sacrament meeting- assigned topic "fitting in")

To the youth, to the newer members of the church that feel like they don’t know enough to contribute yet, and to all of us who have ever felt like “I don’t fit in”

It is human nature to want acceptance and to feel like we “Fit In”

If I ask myself “Do I fit in? Am I accepted?”

On any given day and depending on how I am feeling about myself, the answer to that question could be different. The very fact that I would be asking myself those questions probably indicates that my focus and perspective is on how I am different or that I am feeling inadequate or weak. Therefore, my answer will most likely be No, I don’t feel like I fit in.

Let’s look at that concept of feeling like we fit in or not, from a gospel perspective.

One thing that comes to mind is Lehi’s dream of the Tree of Life.

26 And I also cast my eyes round about, and beheld, on the other side of the river of water, a great and spacious building; and it stood as it were in the air, high above the earth.

27 And it was filled with people, both old and young, both male and female; and their manner of dress was exceedingly fine; and they were in the attitude of mocking and pointing their fingers towards those who had come at and were partaking of the fruit.

28 And after they had tasted of the fruit they were ashamed, because of those that were scoffing at them; and they fell away into forbidden paths and were lost. (1Nephi 8:26-28)

The mocking and pointing fingers as if to say; “if you make that choice, you do NOT fit”

And many fell away and were lost.

We all have strengths (or differences) and we all have weaknesses and there is purpose in that.

D&C 46:11-12 says:

11 For all have not every gift given unto them; for there are many gifts, and to every man is given a gift by the Spirit of God.

12 To some is given one, and to some is given another, that all may be profited thereby.

Every one is given a gift (or a strength). The gifts are too numerous for any one person. The purpose is so that we all may receive the profit from each of the gifts. If one holds back their gift out of fear of rejection, or feeling it is not needed, we all miss out on the benefit of that gift.

Ether 12:27 says:

27 And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them.

It is our weakness that humbles us. Humility gives us an opportunity to turn to and learn of who the savior is. And it is that REALLY learning who the Savior is, and the marvelous gift of the atonement, that opens up a whole new understanding of the glorious gospel and a whole new world.

Another aspect of trying to fit in: We need to determine by whose standards.

We are put in a position of judging who has the power and authority. We give that person or group of people power over us as we try to win their acceptance. At the same time, we are also judging others as not fitting into that group and we tend to shun them and reject them, putting them below us and not worthy of us showing them value.

On scriptural terms:

D&C 3:7 For, behold, you should not have feared man more than God.

We also forget that God is no respecter of persons and all are equal in the sight of God.

D&C1:35 For I (Jesus Christ) am no respecter of persons

Acts 10:34 Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons

Mosiah 27:3 And there was a strict command throughout all the churches that there should be no persecutions among them, that there should be an equality among all men

But you think to yourself, sometimes we have to judge people and avoid them lest their influence will lead us astray. No, It is not the people you avoid, but the behavior. Sometimes we may need to walk away to keep ourselves from inappropriate behavior, but outside of the behavior, we can still show respect for the person and look for their strengths and learn from their strengths.

When it comes right down to it: WE ALL FIT IN!

Remember our Divine Nature – we are all children of God.

So rather than ask ourselves if we fit in:

Push that question aside and ask; “How can I take my gifts and contribute?”

We may feel completely inadequate in any given situation, but changing our focus and looking for the ways that we can contribute or serve blesses not only the lives of those around us but also our own.

When it comes to interacting with other people; if my focus changes from whether or not I am accepted to:

With a recognition that each person has both strengths and weakness;

What can I learn from this person? and What gift do I have that can help strengthen this person?

Each and every person becomes of equal worth in our eyes both as someone we can learn from and as someone we can share a gift with.