Today, as I was reading in Mosiah 17, I was struck, as usual, by Abinadi's sacrifice - to give up his life preaching what he knew to be true. Along with this study, I read this quote by Elder Hales, "What a powerful example Abinadi should be to all of us! He courageously obeyed the Lord's commandments - even though it cost him his life! Prophets of all dispensations have willingly put their lives on the line and, with courage, have done the will and proclaimed the word of God. The Prophet Joseph Smith went 'like a lamb to the slaughter,' never wavering as he fulfilled the Lord's commandments. And think of our Savior's example..."
I am so glad that our prophets and apostles today do not need to fear for their lives as they speak truth to all the earth. And we, as well, are free to share and express those beliefs we hold dear. But we do face pressure and threat of another kind - public and social ridicule. I remember years back when President Packer gave a conference talk that was widely criticized. I knew, however, that, just as Abinadi wouldn't, President Packer would not take back the things he said or apologize for offending anyone. He was just as strong and unwavering as Abinadi was in his final hours.
The world is getting harder, spiritually and morally. I have no doubt that our beliefs and ways of life will be even more criticized as time goes on. We most likely (I hope!) will not be asked to give our lives for what we believe, but we will most likely be asked in some measure to give our social standing or popularity for what we believe. In Abinadi, Joseph, and many others, we have an example of strength of character and faith that can guide us as we navigate society while living what we believe.
Tuesday, October 29, 2013
Thursday, October 17, 2013
I think, therefore I am
Look at me, still philosophizing with the help of Descartes! I spent time thinking about this idea yesterday - I think, therefore I am. I have recently gone through phases of varying motivation, and it has been frustrating me. Some of it relates to changes in medication, but I realized there is more to it than that.
I remember back when I lived in Oregon, going visiting teaching one time and the friend we were visiting said, "I think how hard motherhood is is the best kept secret." So true. Now, let me throw in here that I am extremely grateful for children, the opportunity to have them and to raise them. But, it is hard. And so is running a household. And so is trying to do all things I want to do and need to do, like scripture study, reading, and relaxing. In short, life is hard. Sometimes I convince myself it is too hard, that I can't do it all. And I don't mean all as in all the things I could do, just the things that are important to me to do.
But I figured out a secret. A lot of it is my perception of what needs to be done in relation to myself. For example, sometimes I tell myself I am just too tired to go clean the bathrooms, put the laundry away, make dinner, do the dishes and then get the kids to bed. And then I drag myself around wishing I could just be doing something else. Other days, like yesterday, I decided that I could do everything I needed to with no problem. And I did. In short, I believed I was capable and I was. When I think I am not, I'm not. Hence, I think, therefore I am. Now, I think Descartes may have had something else in mind when he said this, but to me, yesterday, it meant that if I think I can, I can.
I easily discourage myself. Part of that is in connection to my struggle with anxiety, but I think I can give myself more control than I do. So, I am going to try my hardest to believe that I can do whatever I need to do and then fit in things I want to do to boot. I think it will help. I think my motivation will spike and so will my productivity. And heck, maybe I will even get myself out of bed at 6:00 every morning like I want to!
I remember back when I lived in Oregon, going visiting teaching one time and the friend we were visiting said, "I think how hard motherhood is is the best kept secret." So true. Now, let me throw in here that I am extremely grateful for children, the opportunity to have them and to raise them. But, it is hard. And so is running a household. And so is trying to do all things I want to do and need to do, like scripture study, reading, and relaxing. In short, life is hard. Sometimes I convince myself it is too hard, that I can't do it all. And I don't mean all as in all the things I could do, just the things that are important to me to do.
But I figured out a secret. A lot of it is my perception of what needs to be done in relation to myself. For example, sometimes I tell myself I am just too tired to go clean the bathrooms, put the laundry away, make dinner, do the dishes and then get the kids to bed. And then I drag myself around wishing I could just be doing something else. Other days, like yesterday, I decided that I could do everything I needed to with no problem. And I did. In short, I believed I was capable and I was. When I think I am not, I'm not. Hence, I think, therefore I am. Now, I think Descartes may have had something else in mind when he said this, but to me, yesterday, it meant that if I think I can, I can.
I easily discourage myself. Part of that is in connection to my struggle with anxiety, but I think I can give myself more control than I do. So, I am going to try my hardest to believe that I can do whatever I need to do and then fit in things I want to do to boot. I think it will help. I think my motivation will spike and so will my productivity. And heck, maybe I will even get myself out of bed at 6:00 every morning like I want to!
Tuesday, October 15, 2013
Philosophy
Today my mom and I entered into a discussion about philosophy. One of her childhood friends posted a comment on facebook quoting Nietzsche. I strongly disagreed with the quote - but I disagree with a lot of what he says anyway. I began wondering about what makes a philosopher, what makes one person's opinions more read than anothers. The interesting thing about philosophy is that it really is just rooted in one person's opinions. I like that, to a certain extent, because I am pretty opinionated myself (just ask my husband, who gets the brunt of my rantings.) Anyone can philosophize, all it requires is an opinion and some observation to go with. See, I am philosophizing right now, rudimentary as it may be. So, we read philosophy, ruminate on it and decide what we believe in conjuction with what we have observed. I think it is a great tool for self reflection. But we approach it with caution, remembering that it is just someone's opinion. It is, therefore, transitory and subject to change.
Then I thought about those things that to me are more than philosophy, the things I believe so strongly that there is no room for question or change. Those things, it turns out, are not philosophy, but doctrine. Doctrine, and the expounding of doctrine, is deeper than philosophy - it is truth. It is not transitory. It will not change. Our prophet and apostles are not philosophers, but are prophets, seers and revelators - in other words, they give us truth that is sure.
Interestingly, we can find the same purposes in philosophy and the expounding of doctrine. We find an attempt to understand the world around us, our purpose, morality, our relation to others and God. But, the difference is that philosophy is subject to opinion whereas doctrine is subject to Godly truth. When we study the words of philosophers, we decide what we believe and discard the others as their opinion. For example, I will rarely find anything I can agree with among Nietzche and his nihilistic cohort. Oh the other hand, when we study doctrine, we will find it is truth, no part of which we need to discard. The witness of that, which we recieve through prayer and confirmation from the Holy Ghost will ingrain doctrine inside of us in a way that philosophy never will be.
Then I thought about those things that to me are more than philosophy, the things I believe so strongly that there is no room for question or change. Those things, it turns out, are not philosophy, but doctrine. Doctrine, and the expounding of doctrine, is deeper than philosophy - it is truth. It is not transitory. It will not change. Our prophet and apostles are not philosophers, but are prophets, seers and revelators - in other words, they give us truth that is sure.
Interestingly, we can find the same purposes in philosophy and the expounding of doctrine. We find an attempt to understand the world around us, our purpose, morality, our relation to others and God. But, the difference is that philosophy is subject to opinion whereas doctrine is subject to Godly truth. When we study the words of philosophers, we decide what we believe and discard the others as their opinion. For example, I will rarely find anything I can agree with among Nietzche and his nihilistic cohort. Oh the other hand, when we study doctrine, we will find it is truth, no part of which we need to discard. The witness of that, which we recieve through prayer and confirmation from the Holy Ghost will ingrain doctrine inside of us in a way that philosophy never will be.
Saturday, November 24, 2012
Bad word?
Maybe bad word is a little strong, I don't know. But I have recently developed a love/hate relationship with a word in my vocabulary: Should. I feel like Should has the potential to cause a lot of damage in our lives.
For example:
I love my kids. I really do. But they are hard. My husband (who happens to be a psychologist) and I think Jordan has mild ADHD. A lot of people scoff when we say this, so let me explain. There is more to ADHD than jumping off the walls. He doesn't do that. However, the boy can't focus on anything. When we ask him to pick something up it takes constant refocusing and reminding. He can't just enjoy anything he is doing or getting because he is constantly worrying and wondering about what is next. Along with all of this, he is developing some anxieties that are hard to deal with. I suppose it is ironic for me to say that because I struggle with anxiety myself. But he is going through another stage of attachment issues - he, for some reason, is terrified that I am going to leave him. If I go upstairs to put laundry away, for example, he starts shouting, "MOM! MOM! Where are you??" And these are just a part of everything going on. Along with Jordan we have Colette - Jordan Jr. She follows me around fussing and crying all day - ALL day. Fortunately we have our easy child Evan in between. He is so sweet.
I don't mean to sound negative, but I feel a little overwhelmed by these children sometimes. But, then I had this realization. One of the reasons I struggle so much with them is that I focus on how I think they should be instead of how they actually are. So, I feel like Jordan should be able to relax and focus, and so when he doesn't it feels like a bigger deal than it is. And when Colette follows me around all day I think of other moms whose 2-year-olds play happily with toys while they clean or whatnot. But, my kids are who they are, and when it comes down to it, I wouldn't change them because along with the bad comes a whole lot of good. Instead, I need to focus on who they are and make the best of my time with them and encourage, teach and love them where they are at. And we will all be happier and more relaxed, I am sure.
I think that Should also keeps us from being happy in life. We all face disappointment, hurt, sadness, anger, and the like. If we have a "should" attitude, we might approach all these situations as "my life should be different" and therefore get angry, depressed, or resentful. The truth is that we all have to have trials in life. We were sent here to learn, grow and prove worthy of greater things. We can't do that in a perfect "my life should be this way" kind of existence. Instead, our responsibility is to take what we are given and use it for our good. If we own our trials, disappointments, hurt and anything else we didn't expect and figure out what we can do with them, I am confident that we will be happy. I know I need reminding of this often as I face my own life.
Our home teachers came over last week and reminded us of President Uchtdorf's talk from last General Conference. In it, he said, "So often we get caught up in the illusion that there is something just beyond our reach that would bring us happiness: a better family situation, a better financial situation, or the end of a challenging trial. The older we get, the more we look back and realize that external circumstances don't really matter or determine our happiness. We do matter. We determine our happiness. You and I are ulitmately in charge of our own happiness... Let us...[r]esolve to strive more earnestly to become the person God wants us to be. [Let us] resolve to find happiness, regardless of our circumstances." I am grateful for the reminder because I needed it.
For example:
I love my kids. I really do. But they are hard. My husband (who happens to be a psychologist) and I think Jordan has mild ADHD. A lot of people scoff when we say this, so let me explain. There is more to ADHD than jumping off the walls. He doesn't do that. However, the boy can't focus on anything. When we ask him to pick something up it takes constant refocusing and reminding. He can't just enjoy anything he is doing or getting because he is constantly worrying and wondering about what is next. Along with all of this, he is developing some anxieties that are hard to deal with. I suppose it is ironic for me to say that because I struggle with anxiety myself. But he is going through another stage of attachment issues - he, for some reason, is terrified that I am going to leave him. If I go upstairs to put laundry away, for example, he starts shouting, "MOM! MOM! Where are you??" And these are just a part of everything going on. Along with Jordan we have Colette - Jordan Jr. She follows me around fussing and crying all day - ALL day. Fortunately we have our easy child Evan in between. He is so sweet.
I don't mean to sound negative, but I feel a little overwhelmed by these children sometimes. But, then I had this realization. One of the reasons I struggle so much with them is that I focus on how I think they should be instead of how they actually are. So, I feel like Jordan should be able to relax and focus, and so when he doesn't it feels like a bigger deal than it is. And when Colette follows me around all day I think of other moms whose 2-year-olds play happily with toys while they clean or whatnot. But, my kids are who they are, and when it comes down to it, I wouldn't change them because along with the bad comes a whole lot of good. Instead, I need to focus on who they are and make the best of my time with them and encourage, teach and love them where they are at. And we will all be happier and more relaxed, I am sure.
I think that Should also keeps us from being happy in life. We all face disappointment, hurt, sadness, anger, and the like. If we have a "should" attitude, we might approach all these situations as "my life should be different" and therefore get angry, depressed, or resentful. The truth is that we all have to have trials in life. We were sent here to learn, grow and prove worthy of greater things. We can't do that in a perfect "my life should be this way" kind of existence. Instead, our responsibility is to take what we are given and use it for our good. If we own our trials, disappointments, hurt and anything else we didn't expect and figure out what we can do with them, I am confident that we will be happy. I know I need reminding of this often as I face my own life.
Our home teachers came over last week and reminded us of President Uchtdorf's talk from last General Conference. In it, he said, "So often we get caught up in the illusion that there is something just beyond our reach that would bring us happiness: a better family situation, a better financial situation, or the end of a challenging trial. The older we get, the more we look back and realize that external circumstances don't really matter or determine our happiness. We do matter. We determine our happiness. You and I are ulitmately in charge of our own happiness... Let us...[r]esolve to strive more earnestly to become the person God wants us to be. [Let us] resolve to find happiness, regardless of our circumstances." I am grateful for the reminder because I needed it.
Tuesday, November 13, 2012
Contrasts, Part 2
As I said before, I have been thinking a lot about the contrast in 4 Nephi. We don't yet know the society-wide contrast as they did in the Book of Mormon - we have not yet experienced that near perfect existence. So, how does this apply to me? I know it applies as we look forward to the Second Coming. But what about now? In the mean time, what can we do? We can and need to create our own surroundings in a way that promotes our own righteousness. I know that there is definitely a contrast in my life when I am choosing to focus on the right things and do them, and those times when I am preoccupied by other things. I feel happy, I feel more generous towards others, and I feel clearer to feel and think. On the other hand, sometimes we all find ourselves rebelling against what we know, just like they did in the Book of Mormon.
In what ways do I rebel, where adherence to what I know would bring me greater happiness and joy?
I was reading the other day and realized that one way I rebel sometimes is in forgiving. There are times that I want to hold on the hurt, to hold the person/persons accountable still. Sometimes I just don't want to put in the effort to work through the pain caused. But, the times I have done as commanded, forgiven those who have offended, the difference is very noticable. I know we have all heard stories about the change forgiveness brings us and that we are the only ones punished by holding on to such negativity. So, by following the words of Christ, we can choose to have happiness and stay on the right path.
It is an interesting exercise, to think of the ways we may rebel against that which we know, therefore robbing us of happiness just to dwell in misery. These choices may not cause dramatic changes right away, but over times they can destroy us, just as the Nephites were destroyed. On the other hand, continually choosing to adhere to the commandments will keep us on the path to eternal joy, which will bring us peace in this life. In doing so, we will also create homes that are centered in Christ, where the Holy Ghost can dwell and influence us for good. We can live in harmony and peace in our families and experience the joy that will come. And hopefully we and our families will have some influence for good on the world around us.
In what ways do I rebel, where adherence to what I know would bring me greater happiness and joy?
I was reading the other day and realized that one way I rebel sometimes is in forgiving. There are times that I want to hold on the hurt, to hold the person/persons accountable still. Sometimes I just don't want to put in the effort to work through the pain caused. But, the times I have done as commanded, forgiven those who have offended, the difference is very noticable. I know we have all heard stories about the change forgiveness brings us and that we are the only ones punished by holding on to such negativity. So, by following the words of Christ, we can choose to have happiness and stay on the right path.
It is an interesting exercise, to think of the ways we may rebel against that which we know, therefore robbing us of happiness just to dwell in misery. These choices may not cause dramatic changes right away, but over times they can destroy us, just as the Nephites were destroyed. On the other hand, continually choosing to adhere to the commandments will keep us on the path to eternal joy, which will bring us peace in this life. In doing so, we will also create homes that are centered in Christ, where the Holy Ghost can dwell and influence us for good. We can live in harmony and peace in our families and experience the joy that will come. And hopefully we and our families will have some influence for good on the world around us.
Monday, November 12, 2012
Contrasts, Part 1
I have been struck my many things as I have read. My posts will probably often deal with things from my reading. I am trying to keep up with the Sunday School schedule for now. The first I wanted to talk about starts in 3 Nephi 26 and goes through Mormon. I don't know why 3 Nephi 26 struck me so much this time, but it really did, especially the end,
But, as always happens, certain groups of people began to change. They became proud, focusing on vain, worldly things and lifting themselves above others. Soon the people were again divided into groups and many rebelled against the gospel of Christ. It is interesting that in verse 38 it says, "they did not dwindle in unbelief, but they did wilfully rebel against the gospel of Christ." So, they chose to go a different way. This is the part I can't understand. With such experiences, why would anyone choose another way? I know that with subsequent generations they may forget, but the scriptures clearly say they didn't slowly lose the knowledge, but chose to go against it. Eventually, in Mormon we read that the people fought with each other until one group was completely destroyed, and, as the scriptures say, the disciples were taken away, there were no more miracles and the Holy Ghost could not be with them.
I am so struck by the contrast. I would love to experience what those in the Americas experienced when Christ came to visit them and soon after. It seems like such a superior existence.
Fortunately we have been promised that the gospel, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, will never be taken from the earth again. Christ will come again and we will have that existence they had for a brief time in the Book of Mormon.
"13 Therefore, I would that ye should behold that the Lord truly did teach the people, for the space of three days; and after that he did ashow himself unto them oft, and did break bbread oft, and bless it, and give it unto them.
14 And it came to pass that he did teach and minister unto the achildren of the multitude of whom hath been spoken, and he did bloose their ctongues, and they did speak unto their fathers great and marvelous things, even greater than he had revealed unto the people; and he loosed their tongues that they could utter.
15 And it came to pass that after he had ascended into heaven—the second time that he showed himself unto them, and had gone unto the Father, after having ahealed all their sick, and their lame, and opened the eyes of their blind and unstopped the ears of the deaf, and even had done all manner of cures among them, and raised a man from the bdead, and had shown forth his power unto them, and had ascended unto the Father—
16 Behold, it came to pass on the morrow that the multitude gathered themselves together, and they both saw and heard these children; yea, even ababes did open their mouths and utter marvelous things; and the things which they did utter were bforbidden that there should not any man write them.
17 And it came to pass that the adisciples whom Jesus had chosen began bfrom that time forth to cbaptize and to teach as many as did come unto them; and as many as were baptized in the name of Jesus were filled with the Holy Ghost.
18 And many of them saw and heard unspeakable things, which are anot lawful to be written.
19 And they taught, and did aminister one to another; and they had ball things ccommon among them, every man dealing justly, one with another.
20 And it came to pass that they did do all things even as Jesus had commanded them.
21 And they who were baptized in the name of Jesus were called the achurch of Christ."That sounds so amazing. And then after Christ left them, they lived in peace, with no contention at all, and prospered in great ways. The scriptures speak of great miracles and faith at that time. I can imagine the immense happiness and joy they must have experienced.
But, as always happens, certain groups of people began to change. They became proud, focusing on vain, worldly things and lifting themselves above others. Soon the people were again divided into groups and many rebelled against the gospel of Christ. It is interesting that in verse 38 it says, "they did not dwindle in unbelief, but they did wilfully rebel against the gospel of Christ." So, they chose to go a different way. This is the part I can't understand. With such experiences, why would anyone choose another way? I know that with subsequent generations they may forget, but the scriptures clearly say they didn't slowly lose the knowledge, but chose to go against it. Eventually, in Mormon we read that the people fought with each other until one group was completely destroyed, and, as the scriptures say, the disciples were taken away, there were no more miracles and the Holy Ghost could not be with them.
I am so struck by the contrast. I would love to experience what those in the Americas experienced when Christ came to visit them and soon after. It seems like such a superior existence.
Fortunately we have been promised that the gospel, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, will never be taken from the earth again. Christ will come again and we will have that existence they had for a brief time in the Book of Mormon.
Saturday, November 10, 2012
Goal!
I have started a new goal, with the hope that I will find a way and time to study the Book of Mormon better. I have a need to make the situation perfect before I can do get myself to sit down and study. But I have decided that the only way I am going to come close to accomplishing this goal is by getting up early in the morning. I can tell you that I am NOT a morning person. I stay in bed as long as I possibly can and then a little longer. However, this is the only way I can do it adequately. I remember listening to a talk from BYU Women's Conference a couple years ago about this very thing. She said that morning is the best time for most of us to not only have the time and quiet to read our scriptures but that our minds are more open and receptive. Then she acknowledged two things: getting up early is hard for a lot of us, and that fortunately we can all change. So, it took me a couple years, but I am finally asking for help. You know, that famous scripture in Matthew 7:7 that says, "Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened." Well, so far it is working and I have been able to get up and read. So, here's hoping I can keep it up! I do have faith that Heavenly Father will help me if I ask. And I know that He will help us with any righteous goal (spiritual or not) if we ask, believing that He will help.
I was reading in Mormon the other day, and it said they "...did struggle for their lives without calling upon that Being who created them" (Mormon 5:2). Now I know here he is talking literally about struggling to stay alive. But it hit me this time as a good lesson for us on any level. There are a lot of things we struggle with, big and small. I truly believe that if it is important to us, it is important to Heavenly Father. So, we can turn to Him and ask for help. So, I am practicing what I preach here. I am going to continue to pray for help to get up each morning and study. Wish me luck, or rather, steadfastness!
I hope to use this blog as an outlet for the things I study, learn and experience about the gospel. And, hopefully, and accountability for keeping my goal!
I was reading in Mormon the other day, and it said they "...did struggle for their lives without calling upon that Being who created them" (Mormon 5:2). Now I know here he is talking literally about struggling to stay alive. But it hit me this time as a good lesson for us on any level. There are a lot of things we struggle with, big and small. I truly believe that if it is important to us, it is important to Heavenly Father. So, we can turn to Him and ask for help. So, I am practicing what I preach here. I am going to continue to pray for help to get up each morning and study. Wish me luck, or rather, steadfastness!
I hope to use this blog as an outlet for the things I study, learn and experience about the gospel. And, hopefully, and accountability for keeping my goal!
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