Redemption – Elder Christofferson – April 2013 General Conference

One of the most prominent roles of the savior is the focus of Elder Christofferson’s wonderful talk from the Sunday Afternoon session of conference. The thing that I have appreciated most about his talks in recent conferences is his doctrinal clarity and bold directness. I also love his focus on the savior Jesus Christ. Elder Christofferson has shown  willingness to clearly speak about subjects such as repentance, correction and, in this talk, redemption. His articulate clear pronouncements of truth in many ways remind me of Neal L. Maxwell filled with rhetorical devices and literary allusions.

The talk began with a historical flourish that I truly appreciated as a history buff. Elder Christofferson spoke of “Redemptioners” or individuals who made the passage to the Americas as indentured servants and worked to pay off their own wages. In many ways, we are like these redemptioners. We have been brought with a price as the scriptures suggest. As King Benjamin declared, even if we serve God with all of our hearts and souls we would remain unprofitable servants. Moreover, we are perpetually in God’s debt because as we give back to him he always gives us more than we could ask for.

That however, is the beautiful part of the atonement. Through it, all debts are paid off. More than that, however, Elder Christofferson emphasizes that thanks to the atonement, not only are the natural consequences of the fall atoned for unconditionally, and the indirect consequences of sin atoned for through our faith and repentance, but also “ the Atonement also satisfies the debt justice owes to us by healing and compensating us for any suffering we innocently endure.” The wonderful thing about the atonement, is that it redeems us both from our sins and from our weaknesses. What this ultimately means is that not only do we receive far more mercy than we deserve, but we also receive far more blessings and justice when wronged or injured. God is both perfectly merciful and perfectly just towards compensating and blessing.

One of the best parts about the Church and Gospel of Christ is that we are active participants in his work. We do not go to Church merely to be entertained, but for the opportunity to serve and redeem others.”Inasmuch as we follow Christ, we seek to participate in and further His redemptive work.” Elder Christofferson identifies a few areas where every members can play a redemptive role : Missionary Work, Family History Work and helping the poor and the needy.Obviously, not incidentally, these points echo the four fold purpose of the Church and remind us that Christ’s Church is there to allow us to become more perfected through active service of our fellow man.

I love his description of the work of redemption that we can engage in while on this earth

“This kind of redemptive work means helping people with their problems. It means befriending the poor and the weak, alleviating suffering, righting wrongs, defending truth, strengthening the rising generation, and achieving security and happiness at home. Much of our redemptive work on earth is to help others grow and achieve their just hopes and aspirations.”

To illustrate his point, Elder Christofferson quotes from Les Miserables and recounts the story of Jean Valjean and the Bishop who redeemed him for God. That book and play show that one kind act of redemption can ripple and bless the lives of many. Yet, the actions of individuals are always limited to some degree, and that is truly why God gave us his church

“Some forms of temporal redemption come by collaborative effort. It is one of the reasons the Savior created a church. Being organized in quorums and auxiliaries and in stakes, wards, and branches, we can not only teach and encourage each other in the gospel, but we can also bring to bear people and resources to deal with the exigencies of life. People acting alone or in ad hoc groups cannot always provide means on a scale needed to address larger challenges. As followers of Jesus Christ we are a community of Saints organized to help redeem the needs of our fellow Saints and as many others as we can reach across the globe.”

This reminded me of one of my favorite non-general authority talks: Why the Church is as True As the Gospel by Eugene England. In that article, England similarly emphasizes what an immense impact serving others in the church can have on those that give up their time, talents and energies to serving the Lord.  This church is a transformative force in the lives of those who are active in it. People who drift out of activity because the church does not meet their needs are missing the point entirely. The church is about allowing us to share our talents with others and through service being transformed. This is a multi-dimensional effort which includes temporal and spiritual aid alike.

Elder Christofferson ends with a powerful story about a deaf woman who’se life was transformed and redeemed by the kindness of a member and by the light of Christ. Such stories are common as Christ and his church engage in its work of salvation. May we continue to be disciples of Christ and assist him in his work of redemption.

Elder Cook- Personal Peace: The Reward of Righteousness- General Conference

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This week has been a stark example that we living in a chaotic world in which peace has been “taken from the earth.” Lest we forget that Satan still has immense power over the hearts of men, the Boston Marathon Bombing this week served as a stark reminder. I was strongly struck this week by the bombings because it hit so close to home. I used to work five minutes away from the finish line. When I saw pictures or Watertown, Cambridge and Boston under lock down, I was reminded of the time I spent there. Likewise, this week saw a fertilizer plant outside of Waco, Texas explode, (my fiances father lives in Waco though far enough away from the plant that he was completely safe) poisonous letters sent to the president and so many other tragic incidents.

Likewise, this has also been finals week and so there has been a lot of stress. For the past couple of days, I had been filled with anxiety about a mistake that I made which could have had very detrimental consequences. Marriage plans are also stressful though also very exciting. In short, there is a lot to be stressed and anxious about. That is why, I so strongly appreciated Elder Cook’s remarks about the peace that can come to each of us as a disciple of Jesus Christ even as chaos reigns in the world around us.

Elder Cook prefaces his remarks by saying that he will talk about the role of Jesus Christ in “helping each of us obtain lasting peace” For me, the concept of lasting peace is really a beautiful one. Since joining the Church of Christ, this is one thing that really changed for me. I am much more content with life in general and much more consistently so. I have far fewer ups and downs because of the influence of the Holy Ghost in my life.

Elder Cook talks about a couple of incidents that really touched him such as the Newtown school shooting, his meeting with members in war-torn Ivory Coast, and the events of September 11th. He recalls how quickly “feelings of peace and safety can be destroyed.” The truth is that life is far too fragile. In an instant, things can change it dramatically. If we live remembering how precious our life is, we will be able to more fully appreciate all of the blessings that we have.

He tells the story his son on 9-11. They lived three blocks from the World Trader Center, and as they realized the city was under attack they made their way to the stake center ( where the temple now is) at Lincoln Center. Elder Cook emphasizes that in these last days the stakes of zion will be a defense and “a refuse from the storm.” I really have found the truth of these sayings both temporally and spiritually.

A couple of years ago, when I was working in Boston doing door to door fundraising for a non-profit organization, I was very discouraged. It was a cold and rainy day and I felt completely alone. As I walked in Arlington, Ma, I realized that I was near the Boston Temple. As I walked along the road, I saw the familiar spire in the distanced and the sight of the temple helped me feel at peace and know that God was mindful of me. The temple was a beacon of safety and peace. Likewise, today, when burden filled as I came to sacrament meeting I instantly felt at peace.

Elder Cook emphasizes that there is a difference between person peace and world peace. When Christ was born, the heavenly hosts declared “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.” Yet, in the aftermath of those remarks, Herod slaughtered the innocent infants, John the Baptist was beheaded and even the Savior of the world himself as betrayed and crucified. Christ’s coming and his sacrifice did not take away human agency. Evil will still reign in this world for a time.

Christ emphasized that he did not come to bring world peace. Indeed, Christ declared

” 34 Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.

35 For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law. (Matthew 10)”

Since joining the church I have seen a lot of conflict. I have had family members upset at me, friends desert me, and a myriad of difficult decisions that never would have come my way had I not begun to believe in the savior. The path is not free of thorns. He that himself wore a crown of thorns did not promise that. Instead, he promised something much sublime. He promised to help transform us and fill our hearts with peace.

Indeed, President Joseph F. Smith emphasized that this inner transformation is essential and that we can never have world wide peace without it. “There never can come to the world that spirit of peace and love … until mankind will receive God’s truth and God’s message … , and acknowledge his power and authority which is divine.”

I used to be part of the anti-war movement when I was in Boston. I would go to anti-war rallies and attend prayers for world peace. I used to think that I was making a real difference in reducing conflict. Since then, however, I have realized that while praying for peace is valuable, peace will never come without an increase in faith in Jesus Christ. Without God and without purpose in life, peace will always be fleeting. When the doctrines of Christ are ignored, peace will always be the casualty.

Elder Cook reminded us that “We earnestly hope and pray for universal peace, but it is as individuals and families that we achieve the kind of peace that is the promised reward of righteousness. This peace is a promised gift of the Savior’s mission and atoning sacrifice.”

That peace is one that is rather inexplicable and hard to describe to those who have not felt it. It is deeper than temporary relief from stress or anxiety. Indeed, it is “an abiding deep happiness and spiritual commitment.” One day on my mission stands out as one of the starkest examples of this peace. That day, was the day we were supposed to call our parents for Mother’s day (one of two times in the year). My father had gotten mad at me and decided not to talk to me that day. I had set up a call with my sister instead, but because of time zone miscommunication she called me at 4 am and spent the time criticizing me for my bad choices in serving a mission. I got off the phone with her broken. I didn’t know what to do. As I sat there, I poured out my heart in prayer to God and was overwhelmed with a sense of peace. I opened up my scriptures randomly and found myself reading Psalm 27

4 One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in his temple.
5 For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock.
6 And now shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me: therefore will I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the Lord.
7 Hear, O Lord, when I cry with my voice: have mercy also upon me, and answer me.
8 When thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, Lord, will I seek.
9 Hide not thy face far from me; put not thy servant away in anger: thou hast been my help; leave me not, neither forsake me, O God of my salvation.
10 When my father and my mother forsake me, then the Lord will take me up.

When I read that last verse, I was overwhelmed with emotion and the spirit. Even though my heart was full of anxiety and pain, I felt a deep peace. I knew that God was mindful of me and that everything would work out. I knew that as long as I longed for righteousness and to be with God, he would never ever forsake me.

President Heber J. Grant described the Savior’s peace this way: “His peace will ease our suffering, bind up our broken hearts, blot out our hates, engender in our breasts a love of fellow men that will suffuse our souls with calm and happiness.”

Indeed, it is amazing how quickly the savior can heal us and help fill us with love. It is incredible how quickly hatred, fear and prejudice melt away replaced with love and charity. Christ is quick to head our cries.

Elder Cook emphasizes that the victims of Newtown, and the members he met on the Ivory Coast were filled with the savior’s peace despite all that was happening around them. Indeed, they knew that “the Savior’s Atonement would overcome and compensate for all the unfairness of mortal life and bring us peace.”

Elder Cook then spoke about the sources of peace. He reiterated that true peace can never be found in worldly ways. It is not found through riches or amassing great amounts of power. It is not found through great stores of knowledge or through entertainment and technology. Those things can not lead to lasting happiness or peace. I found that this is so true. When I was an undergrad, I was studying in a great university, had good friends and a lot of opportunities, but I still felt I was missing something. I still felt restless and like I was searching for something so illusive and mysterious. It was only when I found Jesus Christ that I found a source of peace and contentment.

Ultimately, it is the atonement of the savior that brings us lasting peace and allows us to experience ‘peace of conscience’ which is essential to happiness and contentment. In other words, we need the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We need to have faith followed by repentance, baptism and becoming lifelong disciples. The Holy Ghost transfoms us as we continue to participate in Christ’s Church and partake of sacred ordinances:

“The Church is a refuge where followers of Christ attain peace. Some young people in the world say they are spiritual but not religious. Feeling spiritual is a good first step. However, it is in the Church that we are fellowshipped, taught, and nourished by the good word of God. More importantly, it is priesthood authority in the Church that provides for sacred ordinances and covenants that bind families together and qualify each of us to return to God the Father and Jesus Christ in the celestial kingdom. These ordinances bring peace because they are covenants with the Lord.”

Elder Cook also spoke beautifully about the peace that comes from temples. The temple for me is the connective glue holding together all the peaces of my testimony. As in the Psalm which I quoted above, my one desire is to be worthy to dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life. I am excited to be sealed in the temple and for the joy and peace I feel whenever I go to the temple.

Elder Cook powerfully retold a story from the dedication of the Suva Fiji temple which occurred while the country was under martial law. The peace felt inside the temple is strongly contrasted with the tumult outside. We too live in a time of wars and rumors of war. War and conflict surround us. We need to have a refuse in the house of the Lord and have the savior in our own hearts in order to feel peace in these times.

Christ’s parting word’s to his disciples powerfully resonate

“Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you.”

I know that he is the source of peace, the rock and redeemer of Israel. I am so grateful for all that he does for me every single day. I bear my testimony that he lives and loves each one of us.

For Peace at Home- Elder Scott- April 2013 Conference

All week, I have seen friends on Facebook post quotes from Elder Scott’s Conference talk. Elder Scott has been one of my favorite Apostles since he came and spoke while I was in the MTC and gave an incredible discourse on receiving revelation. Still, this talk hadn’t stood out to me too strongly when I first listened to it. On re-read and watch however, it’s depth and spiritual power really impressed me. Elder Scott has a degree of depth in some of his comments that  at times seems unmatched

Elder Scott begins by talking about how with our world moving at an even more frantic pace it is ever more important to have a place of refuge where we can go to recharge both physically and spiritually. I have personally found this to be so true as I am in the midst of frentic studying for Law School exams. Coming home and spending time with my fiance and unwinding is so necessary. Human beings are not meant to work without ceasing. We need time to unplug and be at rest.

Many voices from the world in which we live tell us we should live at a frantic pace. There is always more to do and more to accomplish. Yet deep inside each of us is a need to have a place of refuge where peace and serenity prevail, a place where we can reset, regroup, and reenergize to prepare for future pressures.”

I’ve noticed that this is a common theme of Elder Scott’s as he often speaks about finding those places and opportunities needed in order to receive personal revelation. There are of course many places to get this needed spiritual boost, and Elder Scott has in recent years given extensive talks about the Temple and scripture study for those very reasons. However, Elder Scott emphasizes that the ideal place for this is in the home. 

I love that Elder Scott emphasizes that any home, no matter how atypical the arrangement, can be a place of peace if that home is centered on Jesus Christ.

Regardless of your circumstances, you can center your home and your life on the Lord Jesus Christ, for He is the source of true peace in this life.”

 Elder Scott suggests that the way to have a Christ-centered home is to first and foremost “Be certain that every decision you make, whether temporal or spiritual, is conditioned on what the Savior would have you do.” As I am about to begin my own family, this is a really important consideration for me. When making decisions, especially large ones, it is so important for Christ to be at the center of it all. Elder Scott emphasizes that the basic building blocks of a Christ-centered home come from regularly learning about him and from him through prayer, family home evening and scripture study.

I’m sure you can identify the fundamental principles that center your home on the Savior. The prophetic counsel to have daily personal and family prayer, daily personal and family scripture study, and weekly family home evening are the essential, weight-bearing beams in the construction of a Christ-centered home. Without these regular practices it will be difficult to find the desired and much-needed peace and refuge from the world.

I think these little details can be the hardest of all to actually do consistently, which is why I appreciate that Elder Scott emphasizes that we should not rationalize away our failure to do these things, because upon little things truly rests large consequences. Elder Scott also emphasized the importance of steady and consistent observance “More importantly, simple, consistent, good habits lead to a life full of bountiful blessings.” I hope that as I start my family it can likewise be built upon the rock of Jesus Christ and bolstered by these regular practices.

Elder Scott next emphasized the divine potential that each of us – especially those born in this generation- have. He emphasized some interesting doctrine about the pre-earth life that does not get expressed all that often 

In the premortal life you proved to be valiant, obedient, and pure. There you worked hard to develop talents and capacities to prepare yourselves to face mortality with courage, dignity, honor, and success. Not long ago you came to mortality with all of those magnificent capacities and endless possibilities.

It’s interesting to think that our strengths, and also our weaknesses were already with us in the pre-earth life. This life is a wonderful individualized test for each one of us. Each of us are where we need to be in order to develop our talents and overcome our weaknesses. Yet, as Elder Scott emphasized, Satan is trying to exploit our weaknesses and make us fall short of our divine potential. Satan is miserable and wants to make as many of us miserable as possible. He seeks to confuse and distract us from the things that truly count. 

Elder Scott makes clear that technology can be a wonderful tool for good or an instrument from evil.

You live in a world where technological advances occur at an astounding pace. It is difficult for many of my generation to keep up with the possibilities. Depending on how technology is used, these advances can be a blessing or a deterrent. Technology, when understood and used for righteous purposes, need not be a threat but rather an enhancement to spiritual communication.

I experience this phenomenon as I blog about Mormonism. There are so many wonderful and uplifting writers that bear testimony with conviction. Likewise, unfortunately, there are so many blogs that are overcome with cynicism and doubt. Reading those blogs, especially those written by disaffected members, saps and drains the spirit. Even though I know better, I still find myself reading those kinds of blogs out of curiosity, but reading this talk has made me more aware of the importance of distancing myself from that kind of filth. Intellectual curiosity is a virtue, but Satan can also exploit that and turn it into a liability. Being on the Lord’s side in all things truly is the key.

I loved that Elder Scott emphasized that viability of scriptures on Smart Phones and Tables as a way to receive revelation. However, he also emphasized that these things do us no good if we do not use them. With digital scriptures I have found it sometimes harder to sit, ponder and reflect because I am quickly drawn to something else ( playing a game, checking my e-mail etc…) I also loved Elder Scott’s suggestion that we turn to our scriptures as often as we text

Who could have imagined not very many years ago that the full standard works and years of general conference messages would fit into your pocket? Just having them in your pocket will not protect you, but studying, pondering, and listening to them during quiet moments of each day will enhance communication through the Spirit.

Be wise in how you embrace technology. Mark important scriptures on your device and refer back to them frequently. If you young people would review a verse of scripture as often as some of you send text messages, you could soon have hundreds of passages of scripture memorized.

This also reminded me of the wonderful suggestion of Elder Ardern of the 70 a few years ago: “ Let us be as quick to kneel as we are to text.” I know that I am guilty of being far quicker to text than to read, ponder and pray and so this is a challenge that seems tailored for my needs.

Elder Scott next emphasizes what he declares as an absolute law for getting the power of God into our lives. When an Apostle declares that something is an absolute law, that is a good sign that his advice is really truly important:

I have learned a truth that has been repeated so frequently in my life that I have come to know it as an absolute law. It defines the way obedience and service relate to the power of God. When we obey the commandments of the Lord and serve His children unselfishly, the natural consequence is power from God—power to do more than we can do by ourselves. Our insights, our talents, our abilities are expanded because we receive strength and power from the Lord. His power is a fundamental component to establishing a home filled with peace.

As Elder Scott suggests, the way to have the Lord’s presence more fully in our lives is to go out and serve. I saw this on my mission in a myriad of ways. One transfer late in my mission, my companion and I were having a bit of difficulty getting along. In our first couple of days, things were a bit rough. We then set a goal to fast and pray for unity and to go out and serve as hard as we could. After a couple of weeks, we developed a really great friendship and companionship. We saw so many miracles unfold as we worked to serve others, serve each other and serve the Lord. I know that this is an inspired principle that works exactly as Elder Scott suggests. When we lose ourselves in service, we are endowed with power from on high and able to do so much more than we ever could on our own.

As I learned on my mission, when we have that power miracles happen. Elder Scott emphasizes that people will be drawn to what they see and feel when we are living a Christ-like life of love and services I often wondered when I first joined the Church why so much time is spent talking about the home and family rather than an emphasis on social justice or helping the poor and needy. Only since my mission have I really understood what is meant by the saying ” No success can compensate for failure in the home” As Elder Scott makes clear, one of the most meaningful things we can do to bless the lives of others is build a christ-centered home. Indeed,. He suggests that examples of Christ-centered homes will ultimately be one force that will change the world for the better:

“One of the greatest blessings we can offer to the world is the power of a Christ-centered home where the gospel is taught, covenants are kept, and love abounds.”

Elder Scott tells a story about how spending time in a Mission President’s home helped a young elder who had grown up without a family learn about the importance of family. This story actually reminded me a lot of my own mother. Even though she was not a member of the church, she was always reaching out to others and doing good. She was quick to help those in need. During middle school, I had a really good friend who had a really hard family situation. My mother treated him almost like her son at times. She helped his family out in many ways both temporally and just by showing them that she cared. My home embodied the principle taught by Elder Scott:

Do all you can to have just such a home. Reach out to those living in adverse circumstances. Be a true friend. This kind of enduring friendship is like asphalt that fills the potholes of life and makes the journey smoother and more pleasant. It should not be a resource used to gain personal advantage but a treasure to be appreciated and shared. Welcome into your home others who need to be strengthened by such an experience.

I am truly grateful that I grew up in such a home where love abounded. I am eager to be able to build my own home where that love can be coupled with the teachings of the Savior. 

I love that Elder Scott continues beyond this point to offer a few words of advice and counsel to those whose family situation is far from ideal.

 

I offer some final thoughts for those who love a family member who is not making good choices. That can challenge our patience and endurance. We need to trust in the Lord and in His timing that a positive response to our prayers and rescue efforts can occur. We do all that we can to serve, to bless, and to submissively acknowledge God’s will in all things. We exercise faith and remember that there are some things that must be left to the Lord. He invites us to set our burdens down at His feet. With faith we can know that this straying loved one is not abandoned but is in the watch care of a loving Savior.

Recognize the good in others, not their stains. At times a stain needs appropriate attention to be cleansed, but always build on his or her virtues.

When you feel that there is only a thin thread of hope, it is really not a thread but a massive connecting link, like a life preserver to strengthen and lift you. It will provide comfort so you can cease to fear. Strive to live worthily and place your trust in the Lord.

 

I love the emphasis here on patiently serving others even when they are falling short of where they want to be. The emphasis on recognizing the good in others is so fundamental. It is easy to see the bad in others and to criticize but a lot more rewarding and meaningful to see the good. With my non-member family, this is a principle that I am trying to live. It is also key to never lose hope because God will eventually answer our faithful prayers ( in this life or the next) and those we care about will be blessed by our perseverance and diligence. Our faith hope and charity truly is that life preserver that will help those we care about stay afloat among the increasing spiritual and temporal dangers of our day.

Finally, lest we become discouraged because of all the things we are expected to do and fall short of, Elder Scott ends with a wonderful promise from the Lord 

 

We need not worry if we can’t simultaneously do all of the things that the Lord has counseled us to do. He has spoken of a time and a season for all things. In response to our sincere prayers for guidance, He will direct us in what should be emphasized at each phase of our life. We can learn, grow, and become like Him one consistent step at a time.

We all fall are imperfect in our strivings to love, serve and build a Christ-centered home. We are all balancing far more than we can ever do perfectly. Yet, the Lord’s promise is that as we try we will receive great power from Christ and that. I was today released from my calling as a Ward Mission leader and as I reflect on my service I knew that even though I had not fulfilled my calling as perfectly or diligently as I would have liked ( being engaged and in law school has that effect) that the Lord was pleased with my service. He loves each of us and wants us to be happy and at peace. With Elder Scott I join in bearing my testimony that God is pleased with us as we strive to do good and as we try to build a firm foundations upon the Gospel of Jesus Christ

I bear testimony that living an obedient life, firmly rooted in the gospel of Jesus Christ, provides the greatest assurance for peace and refuge in our homes. There will still be plenty of challenges or heartaches, but even in the midst of turmoil, we can enjoy inner peace and profound happiness. I testify that the Atonement of Jesus Christ is the source of that abundant peace, in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

What is Marriage? Same-Sex Marriage Panel at BYU 4-10-13

Today there was an extraordinary panel at BYU entitled “What is Marriage?” I took really detailed notes and I am including them below. These three individuals spoke very articulately about why we need to stand up and defend the traditional understanding of marriage as a man-woman union meant to help raise children. For the past several weeks, I have been pretty gloomy about the prospects of defeating the same-sex marriage movement. Indeed, I used to think it was inevitable. This event helped me realize that nothing is inevitable. If supporters continue to fearlessly speak out in favor of marriage things can change. We can get pro-families passed and stem the rtide of growing divorce, cohabitation etc. Yet, fighting same-sex marriage is key because it is a watershed and once passed there really is no going back. I am dedicated to speaking out in favor of traditional marriage and in favor of religious freedom no matter the costs

_____________________________________________________________________

What is marriage?

Sherif Girgis- Yale

The argument for keeping marriage between men and women is not one rooted solely in history and its not one based on disagreement with homosexuality. It’s also not a religious argument.

 

There is a “Pre-theological truth” which reflects something about the human good. It reflects the truth about human nature and what makes people live and live well. It shows the wisdom of divine law and gives you a deeper appreciation for it.

 

Usually this debate is settled by a very different framing…One of ‘equality’. If marriage is a good thing then equality says give it to more of them on an equal basis. That framing settles the debate in favor of Same-Sex Marriage. It makes it hard for defense of traditional marriage.

 

Everyone believes in equality and marriage on an equal basis. But we disagree about what marriage actually means.

 

If there is something different about gay unions that would make them different from marriage it would be harmful to include it in our definition of marriage

 

What is marriage?

 

Definition being offered by SS Marriage advocate is that marriage is about love and union. The thing that distinguishes marriage from friendship is really just one of degree and romance. It’s based on a emotional connection.

 

That vision of marriage must get marriage wrong. It can’t explain other features of marriage that everyone appreciates. For instance need for permanence. That would be an arbitrary hang up from tradition based on the new definition. If you lose the romance there is no reason under that thinking to keep the marriage together.

 

Sexual Exclusivity also does not make sense. For some, exclusivity may or may not foster their emotional bond. Open relationships may be better in some ways. Exclusivity becomes arbitrary and unnecessary

 

Monogomy also does not make sense. You can have an emotional connection with 3 or 4 people rather than just one.  They can want all the same benefits and the same relationship.

 

Even the notion that marriage is a sexual relationship at all doesn’t make sense. Platonic bond can be intense enough to meet this standard.

 

This is not just a conservative position but something that is increaisngly being admited by those that support same-sex marriage. For instance, there is the statement “Beyond Marriage” that scholars have released. Argues recognizing any of those things as marriage. Deliberately temporoary, multiple partners, non-sexual etc… We just disagree about whether these things are good or bad.

 

Unifying idea of comprehensive unity best explains marriage. Common activity towards common ends with a unifying commitment.

 

Common Activity- In friendships there is unity in heart in mind, but only in marriage is it comprehensive. Your person includes your body and for that reason any total union would include bodily union (Sexual activity- “One Flesh”). United in one bodily union towards a single end. Only possible in sexual intercorse. They become actively coordinated towards the end of reproduction. They truly become “one flesh”

 

Common End/ Goods- Relationship of marriage is ordered towards the whole range of goods that comes about in domestic love. Its the act that makes new love and new participants in every aspect of the good. Marriage and the relationship itself is communal deepend or enriched by the bearing of new human beings and helping to bring them to maturity.

 

Comprehensive in the commitment that it requires because of that sense of completeness. Means permanence and exclusivity.

 

Contending vision is a much narrowed and watered down vesion of this marriage.

Why should the state be involved in that?

 

What harms would come from redefining marriage?

 

Ryan T. Anderson- Heritage Foundation, Witherspoon

 

Policy implications of this

 

What happened when marriage was redefined for the second time- Introduction of no-fault divorce. Before that marriage was understood as a permanent bond only severable by abuse adultery or abandonment. The law now taught that marriage need not have the expectation of permanence. Law taught culture and culture influenced belief and action.

 

Activists opposing no-fault divorce did not have same sex relationships on their radar or anti-gay animus at all. They were committed to fighting a false idea of marriage that was being promulgated by the state. All the ills that came from it such as divorce and cohabitation and etc… First generation of marriage activists were writing about this (Gallhager and Blankenhorn)

 

In 2003 the change to same sex marriage was the third big redefinition of marriage. Will making fathers ( or mothers) optional make marriage less valuable?

 

What social function does marriage play and what does it do for a political communtiy ( our society).

 

Marriage exists to bring man and woman together to raise children in unity. It brings people together that otherwise would have a tendency to fragment. It doesn’t happen just be happenstance. Cultural signals are needed and law can either strengthen or weaken those signals. No-fault divorce weakened those signals and so will ‘genderless marriage’

 

Marriage is based on idea that men and women are different and that both are needed for a child. Question is will a father stay with a child? Marriage is an institution that makes it much more likely that a husband will stay with his wife and child. Mothers and fathers bring different and complimentary gifts to  the life of the child.

 

Fathers are essential to ensure that kids are behaved. When father’s leave you see increased criminality and violence etc… 5x more likely to drop out in school 9x more likely to end up in prison etc…

 

Marriage is meant to bolster and support children. Under marriage social science has seen that children do best when raised by married biological mothers and fathers.

This can explain why state cares about marriage. If its all about love life, state should not be involved at all in marriage. It is involved because it is the last intrusive least invasive way for children to be raised in happy families.  Welfare state and child poverty rises when families fall apart. Marriage limits government and protects a flourishing community by doing a better job than the state could ever do. Does it without criminalizing anything.

 

A gay couple can live together, go to a liberal church and be married etc… The question now is whether the state will change the definition of marriage and use state power to redifine the institution. The state has an interest in the marital relationship because it is what can connect children to their mothers and fathers.

 

What would be the harms if we have gay marriage- Concern is not about the gay couples that will marry and have children, but about what vision of marriage will be articulated in society. Is marriage just about intense emotional union or something more. If the former it will make marriage more about the needs of the parents than the children. Nothing in society would hold up idea that children are best with a mother and a father. In fact, the opposite would be true with the state opposing a notion that one is better than the other. We can see that in examples of religious liberty concerns. Catholic Charities in MA  and IL not allowed to adopt children because they advocate this notion.

 

Deeper concern that once you get rid of one of the pillars of marriage, the others become arbitrary. See push for plural, open and other marriages. Pledge of permanence is also at risk…Some want to make marriage like a renewable contract/lease. These things will logically follow once you see marriage as just a personal relationship. Regardless of personal views, it will be a disaster for the public policy that we want society to support. Those other relationships do not have the same externalities that necessitate state support. They actually make fragmented families more likely. Purpose of supporting monogamous families is undercut by a move to viewing these things as arbitrary. If its all a matter of lifestyle choice, that will have dire consequences. We do not want the law to teach that this vision ushered by the sexual revolution is the one that is right.

Robert P. George- From Harvard

 

No University in the country is more supportive than BYU. There is a great admiration for the LDS church and the willingness of members to stand up for the institution of marriage despite the slings and arrows that come. He is grateful that we are willing to bear the cost of discipleship. By our fruits we have shown ourselves to be disciples of Jesus Christ.

 

Marriage is an interesting and great idea. It is a profound human good. One so profound that one would think it thought up by a divine being. Yet, it is pre-political and even before the church.

 

If human beings did not reproduce sexually…Would anyone have thought up the idea of marriage. Probably not. If human babies were born fully developed like Sharks would marriage exist? Probably not.

 

(Aside about how nice it is to see a baby in the audience and how rare that would be at Princeton)

 

This says a lot about what marriage is. It has a lot to do with procreation and childbearing. Bringing man and woman together as husband and wife and conferring upon children born the profound blessing of being reared as part of a family. Marriage is the institution that unites man and women to be husband and wife and mother and father. They each make distinct contributions to the enterprise of childbearing. It is terribly important to realize that it would be an error to suppose that this is a debate about who is allowed to participate in the institution. This is the error that fills the marriage debate. If the definition proposed by same-sex marriage proponents is true, same-sex marriage is the logical outcome. We all agree on equal dignity and equality. The question is what is marriage and we will not get close to resolving this issue unless we answer that question. Here is where there is on offer to our generation and this nation two options:

 

The conjugal understanding v. The Revisionist/ Romantic Companionship Model.

 

On the first view (Conjugal view) marriage is distinct and set apart from other forms of friendship because it is the form naturally oriented towards having and rearing children. It’s also the union that would naturally be fulfilled by child rearing. This is not to suggest that marriage is only for children Those on the other side miscategorize that. Marriage is an intrinsic valuable human good for husband and wife to be in that type of union. You can have those benefits even if the woman is beyond child bearing age. That’s why historically the state has recognized the marriages of infertile people even if that was known and known to be permanent. On the other hand, non-consumation was regarded as an impediment for nullification of the marriage. That is the conjugal understanding. There is a link to procreation but its not a means to an extrinsic end alone. It makes sense of all features of marriage.

 

We have an understanding for instance, that adultery is a sexual affair and the sexual nature of marriage can best be understood by the Conjugal marriage view.

 

Polyamory or the notion of people being married to each other is the antithesis of the conjugal bond. This can not be a true marriage by the conjugal understanding.

 

The revisionist view treats marriage as purely a partnership or companionship. Children are incidental. That view can not make sense of the features of marriage.

 

Revisionist understanding simply can make no sense at all of the factors of marriage. Things like monogamy and child rearing is of no objective significant but just a preference.

 

Our clear headed and candid friends on the other side make the same point. They are saying exactly the same thing. People like Dan Savage and many academics have clearly expressed this viewpoint.

 

This isn’t a slippery slope argument but it’s just an argument about the principels that define marriage.

 

Questions- Unwillingness of conservatives to stand up for the issue. What about people like Blankenhorn

 

Answer- Get some backbone and stand up for what you believe. People on the left are putting careers on the line and so they may be scared to speak out. Talking about basic institution of society upon which the wellfare of children, communities and society rests. Symptom and not a cause. Sexual anarchy and out of wed-lock children has led to a lot of problems for society. The origins are in family breakdown. We’ve known that since the 1960s. Back then the rate was under 5% in the general population. You see all the ills that were predicted. If you want to fight poverty…change the marriage culture. Rebuilding the family is essential. People began to see that until the same sex marriage movement arose.

 

Prevailing will not win all fights, but it will allow us to continue to fight to rebuild the marriage culture. Once we take that step of recognizing same sex marriage there is simply no going back.

 

At the height of the sexual revolution people did not want to speak the truth about these consequences. People lost their backbones and didn’t stand up. The result was an abandonment of the poor and vulnerable.

 

Questions-  Maggie Gallhager explains that marraige is a private promise made in public. Gives societal cues. Will same sex marriage bring more confusion-?

 

Answer: Yes, it would further enshrine in our law the vision of marriage as just between consensual adults and not about the children.

 

Would call into question all those traditional norms.

 

There are good well intentioned people that believe it will have the effect of reducing promiscuity among gay cultures.

There’s a word you will hear a lot more of as marriage changes- Heteronormativity. People will argue that those norms are being imposed on people unjustly

 

Question- Won’t same sex marriage invigorate marriage culture.

 

Changing labels will not lead to excitement about marriage at all.

 

Look at what is writing in Beyond Marriage- They see it as clearly as we do.

 

Question- In this day of relativism how can one take a moral stance

 

Answer-That’s a question for the other side which uses moral terminology to criticze those that support marriage.

 

Question- What impact would this have on religious institutions?

 

Answer- Church would be left to perform marriages as they see it, but as Obama Admin sees religious liberty that’s about as far as it would extend. It would not extend to businesses such as the florists or photographers sued etc… Business owners would not be protected and would see law coming down against them. Religious liberty protections should protect more than just the freedom to worship, but that’s not the case. Look at what’s happening with contraception. There’s a notion that you have to leave your religion at home.

 

In canada we have seen ministers called before human rights commissions simply for speaking from Leviticus. That isn’t expected here because of our more robust notions of speech, but once people are by law discriminating there are a lot of ways to deal with them. The speech isn’t shut down, but there are so many other civic disabilities imposed on them (licensing, accreditation, government contracting)

 

Bob Jones Case relating to racism is a harbinger of that. Religious traditions would likewise be treated. Also, think about the disabilities that would be imposed in culture. If someone finds out you are opposed to same-sex marriage will it be treated the same as someone who has racist views today. Consequences are just beginning and they will be profound. We can’t give up on marriage and retreat to the defense of religious liberty. It won’t work.

 

Question- What Valid argument does the opposition have?

 

Answer- Conjugal view is not discrimination and its not bigotry, however the conjugal definition was essential abolished 50 years ago. As such, now that you have embodied in law alternatives you’ve got to be consistent and support same sex marriage. You’ve already yielded in the matter of principle so you have to go all the way, but gay marriage wasn’t even on the radar at the time. If we can prevent marriage from being redefined out of existence we can be at the forefront of bringing back the traditional understanding of marriage.

 

Question- In pop culture now there are so many references to gay marriage. Is there a eugenic alterior motive to the sudden influx of gay marriage in the culture?

 

Answer- No..Sanger was a eugenicist and was involved in the development of modern sexual norms, but I do not attribute bad will to anyone on the other side.  They think the way they think because we have to a significant extent already permited the conjugal definition to erode.

 

Question- What can be done? Is it too little too late?  What will be the impact on religious liberties?

 

Answer: There’s a ‘post-christian myth’ that replaces the notion of a divine judge and providence. It’s the notion of history as a person and a judge. This is the basis for the notion that you don’t want to be on the wrong side of history. This notion is that a future consensus makes something right. It suggests we don’t have freedom in society to chose one path or another. Future is not fixed it is chosen. You can chose based on information. It’s not lost and it’s not a done deal. It’s no more certain than marxism was to succeed or that abortion wcould never be stopped. What will make it certain is believing that it is certain. Then, the only people that can influence others will be silenced.

 

The view of history being fixed is absurd. History is open and it is up to us. The key thing to convey to us is that we should not be intimidated or bullied into silence. You may suffer consequences, but you are ‘saints’ Saints should be willing to pay the cost of discipleship. Only way its inevitable is if we permit ourselves to be bullied into silence

 

Question- What can be done in the grassroots

 

Make the argument. It’s not that it has been made and rejected, but it hasn’t really been heard. There are thousands of campuses and most students have not heard the philosophical sociological or theological argument about marriage. We have to get out and make the argument. Groups are springing up in college campuses to equip student leaders to make an argument for a humane view of sexuality and norms of family. They are not popular but are highly respect when lived in practice.  

 

The other side has to speak in terms of inevitability because its not really so. So many states would not side with same sex marriage in our lifetime. That’s why they went to the court. But there aren’t five votes for that right now. The rulings may not be in our favor, but we are not going to get a roe v. wade type ruling on marriage. That means the conversation will go on for years. That means each of us will have an opportunity to speak out for the truth. We can speak out and write op-eds and advocate for the truth. It’s what Christ came to do.

 

It’s all up to us, but we don’t have to have a 5 or 50 year manifeto. The key is fidelity and fidelity to our vocations. The first thing we have to do is live up to the vision we are holding up to society. Stand up for the cause, pray, blog, speak to those you know. The example is the abortion movement which sprung up with legal arguments, crisis centers, intellectual movements to make sure the arguments got made. Only way that rich variety of response happens is when people discern their vocation and then do it.

 

BE BOLD. Don’t be reckless but be bold. Don’t go into the debate not knowing what you are talking about, but act and not be intimidated once you have done your homework and understand what is at stake. You don’t need to achieve the level of mastery that the speakers have in order to be a contributing person to the debate. Someone has to stand up and point out the errors and make the case. You don’t have to have a whole course to do so.

 

Even as you are speaking out, continue to educate yourself and turn to the best sources. You will sharpen your wits, abilities and arguments.

 

No one in this room does not have a contribution to make to this cause. It’s our duty to make that contribution. If it weren’t something as important as the institution on marriage we could let it slide. But marriage is so fundamental and upon it everything else depends. Its about rebuilding a vibrant healthy marriage culture.

Saturday LDS General Conference Reflections- April 2013

I was blessed to be able to attend the Saturday A.M. and Priesthood sessions live in Salt Lake City which was a really wonderful experience. I watched the P.M session in a chapel in the Joseph Smith Memorial building which was a pretty good place to watch it as well

I really enjoyed conference immensely. First of all, the big news story of the day is of course that Sister Jean Stevens gave the closing prayer at the end of the Morning Session. Her prayer was sweet and the crowd in the conference center did not really react in any discernible way to the fact that a sister was giving the prayer. I was glad that she gave the prayer because there is no doctrinal reason for women not to pray.

Overall, I love how the church deals with controversy. They are willing to compromise on anything that is not viewed as essential to the Gospel while holding firm to the things that really matter. Since there was no reason for women not to pray in conference, the Church was eager to change. I’ve seen the same deftness and willingness to accommodate in the reaction to the election, Book of Mormon Musical and all sorts of other controversies. The church chooses its fights with care.

On the other hand, the biggest message for me of conference today is that while the Church will compromise on unessential things, it is firm and steadfast on matters of doctrine essential for salvation.

Indeed, practically every speaker spoke about how the Church’s standards are not the worlds standards and will not chance in response to public pressure or what is popular. So much of what was said today seemed to come as a direct response to the push for Gay Rights, Ordain Women Movement and, attack on the family in general. If anyone was looking for a softened of the Church’s position on homosexuality, this conference should clarify that on matters of morality the church is not going anywhere. 

President Packer started out the first session with an invocation of moral agency to overcome whatever temptations the adversary puts in our way. Elder Ballard clearly explained that doctrinally men are the ones given the priesthood authority even though all have access to priesthood power.Elder Bednar hit it out of the park with a wonderful talk explaining the doctrine behind the Law of Chastity. He powerfully decried sexual sin of all sorts and affirmed that our standards will not change even as the world shifts.

The Church has a single, undeviating standard of sexual morality, Elder Bednar explained. “Intimate relations are proper only between a man and a woman in the marriage relationship prescribed in God’s plan. Such relations are not merely a curiosity to be explored, an appetite to be satisfied, or a type of recreation or entertainment to be pursued selfishly. They are not a conquest to be achieved or simply an act to be performed. Rather, they are in mortality one of the ultimate expressions of our divine nature and potential and a way of strengthening emotional and spiritual bonds between husband and wife. We are agents are blessed with moral agency and are defined by our divine heritage as children of God — and not by sexual behaviors, contemporary attitudes or secular philosophies.”

 

In the priesthood session, Elder Hales spoke about the need to put on the whole armor of God as the mores of the world continue to drift from those of the church. He warned faithful members that we will likely face hatred, discrimination and even persecution as we continue to hold firm to the teachings of the savior. He compared those who speak out for truth in our day to the prophets of old including Nephi, Samuel and Lamanite and the Savior himself.

As I entered the vortex of discussion over Same Sex Marriage at the Supreme Court a few weeks ago, I began to seriously wonder if it was worth it to keep speaking out on these issues. I know that I have offended some with my words. While want to maintain friendships, I now realize more fully that I will not and can not compromise on this key issue. True friends would be friends even if we disagreed on a political or social issue.

I am proud of the leaders of the Church for clearly speaking out on topics of such moral importance and for waving a clear and undeviating standard even as the world’s standards continue to collapse.

Being on the wrong side of history

In the past few weeks, we have seen a major change in public sentiment on gay marriage. Notable senators such as Republican Rob Portman have come out in favor of gay marriage. In November for the first time 4 states voted in favor of gay marriage or against restricting it. Polls suggest that majorities now favor it. So many pundits have suggested that those that oppose gay marriage are on the “wrong side of history” and that 20 years from now we will be looked back on as bigots and the equivalent of those that defended slavery or segregation. 

I don’t really deny any of that. The tide of public opinion has swung dramatically. The viewpoint of traditional Christians is more and more pushed aside to the margins. I realize every time I comment against gay marriage that I am closing a door. Already, I have lost good friends because of my position and  I realize that opposing gay marriage vocally will make it harder for me to get hired in the future.

And yet, I have covenanted with God to speak out and share my faith in all times and places and ways. That is true even if it means being unpopular or going against conventional wisdom. Having only come to this position after long prayer and consideration…I simply can not do otherwise. I have written in depth about my struggling over this issue and those who know me know how conflicted I have been over this topic. Yet, I feel my conviction actually increasing as I see the tide of public opinion turn against me. 

Some things are true no matter what history writes about them. Truth will win out in the long term even if in society we see a march in the opposite direction. Marx was certain that history was on the side of communism and yet in time communism failed. More importantly, Christ was on the ‘wrong side of history’ and yet he will one day come again and every knee will bow and every tongue confess that he is in fact the Christ and savior of the world.

I do not do so out of hatred for people that have homosexual tendencies. I want deeply for them to feel loved in society. I want tolerance to prevail. And yet, I know that the recognition they seek now will damage the institution of marriage and will take away rights from believers. I know from the words of the prophets and from my own observation that the result will be oppression and hatred towards believing individuals. That I can not countenance or support. I wish for a middle ground and yet those most vocally agitating are increasingly vocal that it is their way or no way at all.

The Supreme Court is hearing the Prop 8 case today. I pray that they will have the wisdom to see a way through this culture war and to reach a result that will be equitable for all. Unfortunately, I don’t really see how. Whoever prevails, the battle will go on. And so, even though I fight reluctantly still I march onward. God and not history will ultimately be the judge of my conduct. God and not history will decide who is right.

Conducted after the workings of the spirit

Conducted After the Workings of the Spirit.

In Moroni Chapter 6, Moroni looks back at the Church of Christ that led to hundreds of years of peace on the American Continent. He gives us advice that is very relevant to the Church in our days and filled with insight that would strengthen our words and branches. I see his counsel echoing the wise instruction of the Apostles and Prophets urging us to baptize converts that are truly converted, fellowship those that enter the fold, and to have the spirit present in our meetings.

True Conversion

 1 And now I speak concerning baptism. Behold, elders, priests, and teachers were baptized; and they were not baptized save they brought forth fruit meet that they were worthy of it.

2 Neither did they receive any unto baptism save they came forth with a broken heart and a contrite spirit, and witnessed unto the church that they truly repented of all their sins.3 And none were received unto baptism save they took upon them the name of Christ, having a determination to serve him to the end.

In my mission and missions across the world, converts are baptized well before they are ready to take that sacred step. Perhaps they came to church and ‘felt something’ that they liked, perhaps they fell in love with a particular missionary or felt good around him or her. People make the choice to be baptized for many different reasons. However, only a true conversion to the gospel evidenced by a broken heart and a contrite spirit as well as fruits of repentance and a determination to serve God to the end can lead to abiding fellowship and membership in the church and the covenant.

Elder Hales exhorted each of us to ensure that those that we help prepare for baptism ( be it our children, or friends and neighbors) truly understand the commitment they are making (The Covenant of Baptism: To Be in the Kingdom and Of the Kingdom, October 2000 General Conference)

“We cannot take lightly the law given to us to teach our children the doctrine of repentance; faith in Christ, the Son of the living God; and of baptism and the gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands when eight years old, which is the age of accountability appointed by God. We need to do a better job of teaching our children and our grandchildren to understand what it means to enter the kingdom of God, for we will be held accountable. Many members of the Church do not fully understand what happened when they went into the waters of baptism. It is very important for us to understand the marvelous gift of the remission of sins, but there is much more. Do you understand and do your children understand that when they are baptized they are changed forever? Adult converts to the Church often have a better understanding of this transformation because they feel the contrast as they come out of the world into the kingdom of God.

When we are baptized, we take upon ourselves the sacred name of Jesus Christ. Taking upon us His name is one of the most significant experiences we have in life. Yet sometimes we pass through that experience without having a full understanding…..

How many of our children—how many of us—really understand that when we were baptized we took upon us not only the name of Christ but also the law of obedience?I urge all parents to prepare your children, and missionaries to prepare your converts, for the sacred baptismal ordinance. Teach of its significance so that their baptism will be impressed upon their spiritual memory for the rest of their lives. Take them to sacrament meeting weekly to renew their baptismal covenants through the ordinance of the sacrament. Be a good example for them to follow. Teach them that because of baptism and the gift of the Holy Ghost, the way they look at the things of the world should change. A mighty change must take place in their hearts and in their minds so they will be able to turn from temptations of the world and from that time forward put their “heart, might, mind and strength” (D&C 4:2) into being citizens in the kingdom of God.”

Nourishment by the good word of God

4 And after they had been received unto baptism, and were wrought upon and cleansed by the power of the Holy Ghost, they were numbered among the people of the church of Christ; and their names were taken, that they might be remembered and nourished by the good word of God, to keep them in the right way, to keep them continually watchful unto prayer, relying alone upon the merits of Christ, who was the author and the finisher of their faith.

Everyone of course remembers President Hinckley’s plea that every recent convert be given: a friend, a responsibility, and nurturing with “the good word of God.” In my mission we were woefully inadequate at doing so. New Converts went for months without a calling and without friendship outside of the full time missionaries. Bishops/branch presidents would regard callings as a gift that needed to be reserved for those that ‘earned’ their trust rather than an opportunity to help strengthen a new members testimony. So many wonderful people fell away due to the return of old habits and the pressures of family and friends.  Sadly, when a new convert would make a mistake members would be judgmental rather than loving.  How dramatic would be the growth in the church if we took to heart Moroni and President Hinckley’s plea and truly strove to accept, love and integrate these new coverts.

Moroni suggests that we can do better if we truly love these new converts and exhort them to remember the savior and rely on him. We can help people be truly anchored in the gospel and in the church. Moroni’s words of forgiveness are also very critical in our ever diversifying and growing Church.

7 And they were strict to observe that there should be no iniquity among them; and whoso was found to commit iniquity, and three witnesses of the church did condemn them before the elders, and if they repented not, and confessed not, their names were blotted out, and they were not numbered among the people of Christ.8 But as oft as they repented and sought forgiveness, with real intent, they were forgiven.

I am reminded of President Uchtdorf’s eloquent evocation

“I am deeply impressed by the way our Church members extend themselves to others. As we hear of your selfless sacrifice and overwhelming compassion, our hearts swell with gratitude and happiness. You are a shining light to the world, and you are known for your goodness and compassion all around the globe.

Unfortunately, from time to time we also hear of Church members who become discouraged and subsequently quit coming to and participating in our Church meetings because they think they don’t fit in….

I hope that we welcome and love all of God’s children, including those who might dress, look, speak, or just do things differently. It is not good to make others feel as though they are deficient. Let us lift those around us. Let us extend a welcoming hand. Let us bestow upon our brothers and sisters in the Church a special measure of humanity, compassion, and charity so that they feel, at long last, they have finally found home….

I am not suggesting that we accept sin or overlook evil, in our personal life or in the world. Nevertheless, in our zeal, we sometimes confuse sin with sinner, and we condemn too quickly and with too little compassion. We know from modern revelation that “the worth of souls is great in the sight of God.” 4 We cannot gauge the worth of another soul any more than we can measure the span of the universe. Every person we meet is a VIP to our Heavenly Father. Once we understand that, we can begin to understand how we should treat our fellowmen. ” (You are my Hands, April 2010 General Conference)

After the manner of the workings of the spirit

5 And the church did meet together oft, to fast and to pray, and to speak one with another concerning the welfare of their souls.6 And they did meet together oft to partake of bread and wine, in remembrance of the Lord Jesus.9 And their meetings were conducted by the church after the manner of the workings of the Spirit, and by the power of the Holy Ghost; for as the power of the Holy Ghost led them whether to preach, or to exhort, or to pray, or to supplicate, or to sing, even so it was done.

It’s no secret that at times our church meetings can be dull, dry, formulaic and predictable.  I firmly believe that what Spencer W. Kimball was right when he said that he had never been to a boring sacrament meeting. So much of what we can get from our church meetings is based on what we bring. We can receive personal revelation in even a very dull and poorly prepared lesson as illustrated by this story told by Elder Scott

“Subsequently, I visited the Sunday School class in our ward, where a very well-educated teacher presented his lesson. That experience was in striking contrast to the one enjoyed in the priesthood meeting. It seemed to me that the instructor had purposely chosen obscure references and unusual examples to illustrate the principles of the lesson. I had the distinct impression that this instructor was using the teaching opportunity to impress the class with his vast store of knowledge. At any rate, he certainly did not seem as intent on communicating principles as had the humble priesthood leader.

In that environment, strong impressions began to flow to me again. I wrote them down. The message included specific counsel on how to become more effective as an instrument in the hands of the Lord. I received such an outpouring of impressions that were so personal that I felt it was not appropriate to record them in the midst of a Sunday School class. I sought a more private location, where I continued to write the feelings that flooded into my mind and heart as faithfully as possible. After each powerful impression was recorded, I pondered the feelings I had received to determine if I had accurately expressed them in writing. As a result, I made a few minor changes to what had been written. Then I studied their meaning and application in my own life.

Subsequently I prayed, reviewing with the Lord what I thought I had been taught by the Spirit. When a feeling of peace came, I thanked Him for the guidance given. I was then impressed to ask, “Was there yet more to be given?” I received further impressions, and the process of writing down the impressions, pondering, and praying for confirmation was repeated. Again I was prompted to ask, “Is there more I should know?” And there was. When that last, most sacred experience was concluded, I had received some of the most precious, specific, personal direction one could hope to obtain in this life. Had I not responded to the first impressions and recorded them, I would not have received the last, most precious guidance.” ( To Acquire Spiritual Guidance; October 2009)

This is true, and I bear testimony that we can always seek revelation if we are seeking it. HOWEVER, it is also equally true that our church meetings would be even more uplifiting, revelatory and inspiring if we more frequently followed the admonition of Moroni and conducted our meetings after the workings of the spirit.

I recently had two really great experiences that illustrated this principle and showed me once again that those men called of God to lead this Church truly understand the Gospel and are urging us to emulate them and the savior more fully.

In October, I went to New York and Boston for a couple of days. I had the opportunity to attend the University Ward in Cambridge and that evening attend a fireside hosted by Elder Neil L. Anderson of the Quorum of the Twelve. Elder Anderson spoke about receiving the promptings of the spirit and following his guidance. However, what impressed me was how he illustrated this principle in his talk. On the stand sat his wife as well as several bishops and stake presidents from the area. Elder Anderson got up to talk and said that he felt prompted to try something a bit different. He called upon those that he knew in the audience ( including my bishop Roger Porter who was sitting in the back of the audience and had not been told in advance that he would speak- indeed none of them had been told in advance) to come up and share an experience or teach about a particular principle relating to revelation. What amazed me was how beautifully the spirit led the meeting and how the various short talks from about 10 different people came together like a symphony to illustrate gospel principles. It was actually similar to the experience at general conference when dozens of talks are not coordinated in advance but yet are able to compliment each other so beautifully.

A few weeks ago, we had a stake conference here in Provo and Bishop Dean M. Davies of the President Bishopric presided over the meeting. As I came in to the sacrament hall, Bishop Davies was walking around and shaking hands with members and find out where they were from and about them. This seemed like a pretty standard practice and I didn’t think much of it until halfway through the meeting Bishop Davies said that he would call on some people that he had met earlier to get up and bear their testimony of the savior.  He chose a few of those with whom he had spoken and invited them to bear a short testimony of the savior. These were very sweet and powerful testimonies and it brought the spirit quite powerfully. Again, these short testimonies really complimented his overall message and left a deep impression.

I love how these two general authorities are leading by example by following the promptings of the spirit and conducting after the manner of the spirit. I hope that Bishops and Stake Presidents will continue to take inspiration from these men and learn how to conduct with spontaneity and spiritual power. I know that as we strive to have the spirit more ever present in our meetings, our communities will improve as we are more fully led by the spirit of God.

The District and missionary training

The District and missionary training

I am enjoying (re)watching the District on BYU TV. For those who don’t know, this is a ‘reality tv show’ that was filmed in San Diego, California following around a district of missionaries. These videos are currently being used as training videos watched as part of the Twelve Week Training program. As a missionary, these videos became somewhat of an inside joke as we would quote parts of these videos to each other all the time. They were one of the few sources of ‘approved’ media for us and we used them to practice, role play and learn essential missionary skills.

The BYU TV version of these videos are if anything more entertaining than the ones given to missionaries. It seems that here they filmed a lot of footage of the families and church leaders of the missionaries to make a production that is equally focused on the missionaries and the investigators. Its really great to see that every single missionary is completely unique and led to serve for different reasons.

There’s a certain sense of voyeurism that comes from watching these sacred moments of teaching, conversion and baptism portrayed on screen. Yet, it is undeniable that the spirit that the missionaries bring remains even on film.

The baptism scenes are a treasure for anyone that wants to try to help friends experience a baptismal service without requiring it in person. There is nothing quite like the spirit that comes from a baptismal service!

I really enjoyed using these videos in missionary training as they are very effective at illustrating certain teaching principles. I love how the missionaries here pray and prepare to teach these people. I can really feel their love for the most part. I also love that failures are often focused on and not just successes. Missionary work is challenging and there are more days without success than days when one sees miracles. Yet, looking back all I can really remember are the miracles and the great days. A mission really is an incredible time and I hope this show helps more people get a feel for that!

There have been three parts aired so far and I am going to do a bit of a synopsis of the people that are taught and maybe some thoughts about the missionaries

Time to Shine

In this episode there is the introduction for each of the missionaries Elder Murray is shown opening his mission call, which is really cool. His family is from San Diego. They were all pretty shocked that he was called there. He and his companion Elder Tuitui have been having a very hard time finding people to teach and are struggling. It really goes to show you that every missionary no matter how great has times when things do not work out and periods where they must show faith and continue to work despite trials. Elder Christiansen is a musician and used to play guitar in a heavy metal/hardcore band. He is from Florida. He was Salutatorian of his class. Its really cool to see him playing the guitar and listen to some of the music! He struggled to decide whether or not he should serve. His parents prayed and fasted for him and eventually he decided that he had to go serve. He leaves the band once he gets an answer to his prayer and then the band explodes and gets a record deal. It was a pretty big sacrifice, but I am really glad that he chose to go on a mission. He is one of my favorites. He is very sincere and a great teacher. Sister Zaldivar talks about how Sister Boyles “Came pre-trained” that’s another one of those lines we would often quote. Leslie and Terry- They ask the missionaries all of their question and stereotypes they have heard about the church. They ask about polygamy and whether or not we keep holidays. They like that the missionaries are quite sincere. They are interested in learning more. (this clip was not in the original DVD so its new to me) They teach them the restoration of the Gospel using the scripture in Amos about Lord speaking through Prophets. Leslie does not really get the concept of a living prophet. She has a lot of questions about the idea of a living prophet and isn’t really ready to listen with an open heart. They try to encourage her to read and pray about the Book of Mormon. They both commit to do so. They then teach them about the Plan of Salvation.. Coleen a member that is present on the lesson is a really great help! The plan of salvation really helps her open up and bit and feel the spirit. Brother Rodriguez- Part member family. The mother asks the missionaries to begin to teach her husband. He has been taught in the past but not very effectively or thoroughly. His family is Catholic and so he believes he should continue to be a Catholic. Robles Family- Part member family with the husband a member and the wife not a member. They are the best family ever. They bring their daughter to church to be blessed and that begins their being taught. The missionaries and the family get along really well! They are such a wonderful family! Amor ( the wife) finally begins to accept the gospel for herself. Alejandra- A long time investigator that can not make the step to be baptized. She is baptized in a different church already. They show her only for a couple of seconds. Amusing clip at the end of Elder Christensen talking about getting a bad haircut because he could not speak Spanish very well Brothers and Sisters

Brothers and Sisters

The missionary story line is focused on Sister Boyles who has her brother die while she is on her mission. It is a pretty big tragedy for her, but she keeps going despite it. I really admire her courage. I always wondered what I would do on my mission if my father died, and I am so happy that I never had to deal with that particular challenge. Sister Boyles is a really great example of faith as she puts all of her trust in the Lord despite the tragedy that has happened. Towards the end of the episode she bears really powerful testimony of the afterlife and her knowledge that she will see her brother again!

Leslie- The missionaries never really connect with her in this episode and are quite impatient. Not one of their best teaching moments, She is a protestant and does not like the focus on Joseph Smith. An interview with her that is not in the training dvd has her explain that the missionaries found her in a rough time in her life and helped her get back on the path to God. This shows something that I learned as a missionary. Not every person that we meet is ready to make the step and be baptized right away, but we can help each and every person draw closer to Jesus Christ. That is truly our goal as ambassadors of the Lord!

Alydia- She is a golden investigator who is absolutely amazing. She reminds me of one of the first people I taught in Russia! She is living with members and really sensitive to the spirit. She has concerns about rushing into baptism because she has a member boyfriend and wants to make sure its for the right reasons. She is afraid of ‘the b-word’ She is just such a cool person that I could see myself being friends with!

Brother and Sister Rodriguez- This is a wonderful part member family! Brother Rodriguez is a Catholic but supports his family in the church. He has a deep faith and in this episode shares an experience where he prayed for help to catch a bus and felt that he was blessed.

The Robles Family- Best family ever! The husband starts out as a less active member and his wife is not a member at all. They have the cutest children. The gospel really touches their family and helps them. (Eventually they all get baptized and prepare for the temple!) Sister Boyles and Zaldivar are really personal with this family and they develop a really great relationship. This relationship is a model for the relationship that missionaries should have with investigators. Its really powerful to see the father baptizing his wife and children. There is such joy on the wife’s face as she is baptized and as they sit together at church.

The clip at the very end shows the Robles family after they all join the church. They are such a sweet incredible family! They are sealed and that is so beautiful. Watching them brings tears to my eyes every time! This is what the gospel and missionary work is all about.

Shout out to Sister Zaldivar who is a 1L with me at BYU Law School and is just as awesome as she comes across on screen!

Number One

Elder Mureno- This video focuses a bit on Elder Mureno. Elder Mureno was a bit of a troublemaker. He was a soccer player and gives up a professional career for a mission. He talks about how he did not have a testimony as a teen and was bored by church. He helped his friend Ronnie cope with the death of a relative. He then prayed to gain a real testimony of the gospel. His friend was baptized and he was able to help the missionaries teach him which I can imagine was an incredible experience. I love that Elder Mureno is a ‘typical Utah Mormon’ and yet the video shows that his life is not cookie cutter. Everyone no matter where they are form has unique experiences and trials.

Herman- Another amazing golden investigator. He has Mormon ancestors but does not know much about the church. The missionaries meet him on the street and almost do not talk to him ( shows how important it is to truly talk to everyone!). He commits to baptism on the first lesson and he agrees to quit smoking and really changes his life around.

The law of chastity lesson with Herman shows how things can go wrong if missionaries do not teach carefully. My fellow missionaries would laugh and joke around about this clip quite a bit. They do not clearly explain what is forbidden under the Law of Chastity and a few days later find out that Herman is not asking people out on dates because he thinks that goes against the law.

Herman’s family members are present at the baptism and bear their testimony/talk about how much the event means to them. This wasn’t in the original DVD and it’s a really nice addition. Right at the end they have a clip 10 months later. Herman’s mother speaks about the peace she has felt since his baptism. He is shown baptizing his mother! That’s so amazing. I haven’t seen that clip before and its wonderful.

Dennis- His wife is a member and he has been investigating on and off for 30 years. He has a Word of Wisdom challenge. His wife talks about taking a step of faith, which is pretty powerful stuff. In a later lesson they do a great job teaching about the importance of proper authority. Dennis isn’t ready to commit to baptism. He really isn’t making any progress. It seems like they ‘drop’ him by the end of the episode but he is still reading the Book of Mormon with his wife.

Brother and Sister Rodriguez- The missionaries go in without a clear plan about what to teach, but when they come in the wife shares a really great personal story about someone she helped lead back to the church. The missionaries decide to have a testimony meeting and the children really bear powerful testimony. Brother Rodriguez admits that he has yet to pray about the Book of Mormon.

Brandon Flowers defends his faith against Richard Dawkins!

This clip has been floating around for a couple of weeks, but I finally stumbled upon it today. This was filmed on a sweedish talk show called Skavlan

Killer’s lead singer Brandon Flowers came on the show to talk about his band and their new album Battle Born (A pretty good album well worth a listen!). Unexpectedly, he was asked questions about his Mormon faith and after a few minutes of discussing his faith.

Quotes taken from The Christian Post

“The host of the talk show, Fredrik Skavlan, asked Flowers, a devout Mormon, to describe the “beauty of [his] faith.”

Flowers responded positively to Skavlan’s request, saying that some of the things he loves about his Mormon faith are “my mother teaching me to pray, and that I have that communication with my heavenly Father. That’s something I turn to on a daily basis.”

“There are answers to questions that my church has that also are very…it’s a beautiful thing to me, and I’m happy,” the musician added.

Flowers went on to say that he believes Mormonism is a “misunderstood” religion and that people are unfamiliar with it.

Brandon Flowers is a very soft spoken advocate for his faith. His band members are not members and he is engaged in a very difficult career in which it is very difficult to be an active member. Brandon has also done a great job featured as part of Mormon.org’s “I am a Mormon Campaign.” In short, he is a wonderful ambassador for the faith because he is genuinely nice and very highly regarded among his peers.

On this particular show, Brandon was unexpectedly ambushed by famed Oxford Biologist Richard Dawkins who began to first attack religion on the whole and then specifically go off on how The Book of Mormon is an obvious fraud and Joseph Smith a charlatan.

“I have to say that when I read the book of Mormon recently, what impressed me was that this was an obvious fake. This was a 19th century book written in 16th century English. That’s not the way people talked in the 19th century – it’s a fake. So it’s not beautiful, it’s a work of charlatanry.”

To be completely honest, Richard Dawkins comes off as incredibly rude and arrogant in this exchange. He comes out to personally berate the faith of another. It is kind of sad that a brilliant biologist feels the need to go onto Sweedish talk shows to insult a believer. Not a theologian or someone with any special knowledge, but just an average member. I am rather ashamed of the fact that at one point I supported Mr. Dawkins and was a member of his atheist movement.

Brandon did a great job responding to the attacks

“”The book has been studied and torn apart and looked at but I’m not one of the professors that have done it. To call this man a charlatan – I take offense to it…These are all falsehoods – you should do your research.”

Unfortunately, the confrontation ended soon after. I would have loved to see more of a discussion between this two. Mr. Dawkins did not come off looking good when he spent the next day bashing Mormonism and Mitt Romney on twitter with incredibly sophmoric posts such as

“Houston to orbiter. Houston to orbiter. Check Kolob coordinates in magic hat. Repeat, check Kolob coordinates in magic hat “

“Romney’s Middle East Policy: Native Americans are lost tribesmen of Israel who sailed to America, therefore . . . “

I have lost all respect that I once had for Mr. Dawkins. He is a brilliant scientist and should stick to actually promoting science. When he talks about faith he comes off as less informed than a first year college student in Western Civ 101. He is arrogant and focuses on silly arguments meant to berate and insult. Reading his twitter feed, it is hard to imagine that this man is an Oxford trained scientist. Instead, he really comes off as juvenile.

In contrast, Brandon Flowers has skyrocketed to the top of my list of favorite celebritie! Killers FTW!

All Paths lead towards (but not to) heaven!

I just found this incredible painting which expresses better than any that I’ve seen a theological understandings that came to me over my mission. I’d often heard growing up the notion that all paths lead to heaven. I grew up loving this notion that no matter what we did, we would eventually be rewarded by a loving father. The only problem with this thought is that it is plain wrong. The Book of Mormon and Bible both empathically state that there really is one way

“ 2 Nephi 9: 41 O then, my beloved brethren, come unto the Lord, the Holy One. Remember that his paths are righteous. Behold, the way for man is narrow, but it lieth in a straight course before him, and the keeper of the gate is the Holy One of Israel; and he employeth no servant there; and there is none other way save it be by the gate; for he cannot be deceived, for the Lord God is his name.”

It is clear that there is only one path that can lead us all the way back to our heavenly father, yet is there some way to reconcile these two modes of thinking and understanding? On my mission I thought a lot about this idea and even wrote a poem about it which I will try to upload at some point soon, but I came to the understanding that these notions are in fact reconcilable.

We are all on our journey on the path ways on life. Our goal is a city in a shinning hill that appears far far in the distance. Leading most directly towards the city, there is a super highway that is smooth and straight. It is a toll road, and so the cards coming on the road must sooner or later pay a certain fine for passage. Intersecting with this road are dozens or hundreds of smaller roads and diverse pathways. Some appear to be shortcuts at first as they go directly towards the city for a time. Others, are obvious detours that take one far far away. However, there are a couple of curious things. First of all, given time these roads eventually lead back to the  highway. That is, a driver that continues to desire to reach the city can continue down the path they are on and they eventually will come back to the road somewhere down the road. On the other hand, many drivers get diverted on these side roads. They see the sights and begin to think that are better off elsewhere. They have found their bountiful and stop seeking and moving forward. All those that continue eventually find the highway but have to decide if they are ready to pay the toll.  However, here’s the key to the whole metaphor, of all of those roads absolutely none lead into the city itself; any other attempts lead to an impassible moat or an intimidating wall None except for the highway that is which leads one directly and safely into the city. No one can make it into the city without driving on the highway and no one can drive on the highway without paying the toll.

I like this metaphor for several reasons. It preserves the notion that there is only one path that eventually leads back to the presence of god, but it also allows credit for the many valuable truths and values taught in our faith traditions. These roads do in fact lead one much much closer to God and his presence. They do help people become better, more spiritual and more christlike people. They do so many good things and we should praise them for that. What they CAN NOT do however is take one all the way. The cost for that, the fare that we are asked to pay is the Gospel of Jesus Christ namely: faith, repentance, baptism, receiving the gift of the holy ghost and enduring to the end. Without this fare, we can get close to God, but we CAN NOT return to his presence. That’s really what we mean when we tell people to “‘Bring all the good that you have and let us see if we can add to it.’” We are not asking sincere people of faith  to drive in reverse or to change course, but merely to continue and to not lose sight of our common destination.