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Thursday, May 23, 2013

Sweet Power

I have been studying the end of the book of Revelation.

I adore that book.

It’s symbolism is so rich.

Recently I read a chapter that I even hesitate to bring up.

It is in a collection of chapters that portray the evils of the world in the days leading up to the Second Coming.

The descriptions of dragons, leopards, bears, lions, whores, heads, crowns, and blood leave a unsettled feeling.

The image of a dragon with seven heads reminds me that the face of wickedness is everywhere.

Everywhere we turn we will see his nasty face.

Leopards and bears and lions remind me of the predatory nature of evil and evil people.

No concern for their prey.

The description of the mother of harlots drunk with the sins of mankind and the blood of the saints, parading on the back of a beast–the declaration of her wickedness engraved shamelessly on her forehead prompted an interesting response from John the Revelator.

“And I saw the woman drunken with the ablood of the saints, and with the blood of the bmartyrs of Jesus: and when I saw her, I wondered with great cadmiration.” (Revelation 17:6).

The Greek for the word admiration is “astonishment.”

The image left John with wonder.

How could there be such wickedness in this world?

I believe I have felt part of what he felt.

Sometimes when I read the news, or hear a story from friends about some awful evil, I am left to wonder as well.

Too often I shake my head in a dual effort to release the memory and thought from my mind and in astonishment that such darkness could be in the world I live in.

I cringe as I admittedly teeter on the threshold of fear and anger.

Despair and even doubt wait eagerly for the door to my heart to just crack an inch.

And then a flicker of light.

A spark of hope.

One ounce of goodness seems to dispel the power of darkness in a snap.

This week–it was this:

 

How could I not take a picture of it?

A reminder of sweet innocence.

Of goodness.

The part that is the sweetest about the whole thing (besides the fact that the coin column has the number of coins included instead of the total) is our Bishops recent call to help with the ward mission fund.

A call to sacrifice in order to assist the hastening work.

I thought of a little boy hearing and heeding the call.

I thought of how precious coins are to little boys and the tug on his heart as he placed it in an envelope.

I thought of a mother teaching and then a mother praising.

It left me thinking–There is so much good in this world.

All the influence and thoughts of the organized efforts of evil the whole world over was washed out of my mind with four pennies and one dime.

Soon the battle will be over and in an unseemingly and unimaginable swift defeat the Lamb will prevail over the dragon.

Deliberate Discipleship:

Today I challenge you to look for and participate in small acts of goodness.  They have power.

Posted inBrother Butler,Deliberate Discipleship,Living Deliberately
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Wednesday, May 22, 2013

Meditate Upon These Things

Gospel Doctrine Lesson 20

Several weeks ago I received an email from one of our friends on this blog.

This friend asked me a question that I get asked often… How long do you study the scriptures, and how do you decide what to study?

Mostly what I study is driven by the needs of my life.  The most pressing needs always seem to draw me into the scriptures…whether it is rearing teenagers, deciding what course to pursue in life, or health challenges …in the end my seeking seems to lead to the holy words written within those scripture pages and I search until the answer comes.  If I wake up and don’t feel driven to search for something then I study what I need to for the upcoming lessons that I will attend on Sunday.

As far as how long I study with my scriptures open right in front of me, it varies every single day.  Sometimes five minutes.  One verse.  Other times I will follow footnote after footnote and eventually notice that quite a bit of time has passed by unexpectedly.

But the key to how I study is not really found in either of those two answers.

I was reminded of this key as I looked through the Gospel Doctrine lesson for this Sunday found in chapter 20.  The first question in the manual asks, “What circumstances led to the vision that is recorded in D&C 76?”  The reference to find the answer is found in D&C 76:11-19.

There are three things we learn about Joseph and Sidney from reading these verses…

They were in the Spirit
They were in the process of translating John 5 ––so they were reading the scriptures
And then they read something they didn’t understand.

“And while we meditated upon these things, the Lord touched the eyes of our understandings and they were opened.”  D&C 76:19)

While we meditated…

I would say one of the most important aspects of my scripture study is what happens after I close the book.  It is as I go through the motions of the day meditating on the scriptures I just read that the greatest learning comes.

In those moments my eyes are opened and I see how the scriptures apply to my life.  Every day.  When I choose to meditate upon what I read.

The lesson this week is really about the Kingdoms of Glory…and it is a fascinating study.

But the lesson that captured my heart was the reminder of how to receive personal revelation…

Be in tune with the Spirit
Read the scriptures
Meditate

Understanding will come.

Deliberate Discipleship:

How do you study?  Does your current method include time for meditating?

“I think we pay too little attention to the value of meditation, a principle of devotion.  In our worship there are two elements: one is spiritual communion rising from our own meditation; the other instruction from others, particularly from those who have authority to guide and instruct us.  Of the two, the more profitable introspectively is meditation.  Meditation is the language of the soul.  Meditation is a form of prayer.  We can say prayers without having any spiritual response.  Meditation is one of the most secret, most sacred doors through which we pass into the presence of the Lord.” (“Consciousness of God: Supreme Goal of Life,” [President David O. McKay, 1967 General Conference Address, Improvement Era, June 1967, pp. 80-82])

Posted inD&C 2013,Deliberate Discipleship
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Tuesday, May 21, 2013

Get in the Game

General Conference: Four Titles, President Uchtdorf 

I was told a story today that impressed me deeply.

I have thought about it all day.

It was the story of a professional football player.

The setting of the story was Superbowl Sunday.

He had arrived at the mecca of professional football.

Only a select percentage get to play in this game.

Only a few get to perform at this level in front of thousands live and millions more at home.

There was no spared expense.

The players were treated like royalty–by fans and authorities alike.

As he walked through the tunnel leading onto the field he could hear the roar of the crowds.

A literal sea of fans chanted and cheered his arrival.

The music was blasting, the announcer booming, fireworks lit up the perimeter.

It was the perfect equation for the perfect moment.

I can only imagine.

This good brother then had a thought.

The moment he set his foot on the grass this thought came to his mind:

I should be at priesthood meeting.

He was shocked by the flood of disappointment he felt.

What he anticipated would be his greatest hour was overshadowed by a sense of something more powerful he was missing.

I thought about this man as I read President Uchtdorf’s talk from priesthood session.

He spoke of the titles we bear.

We all have different titles we are known by in different circles of influence.

We all have different roles we fill at different moments of our lives.

To this linebacker, professional football player, athlete, and Superbowl Champion–the title of “bearer of the holy priesthood” had a more penetrating influence on his heart.

Perhaps he sensed this truth President Uchtdorf taught:

“This is a most noble labor that will challenge our every sense and stretch our every ability. Do we desire to see the heavens open and witness the promptings of the Holy Spirit showing us the way? Then let’s take up our sickle and put our back into this great work—a cause much greater than ourselves!”

My Bishop asked us on Sunday about a brother in our ward who is not attending.

Someone made a comment that he needed to feel needed.

Then my Bishop asked this question– “Is he needed?  We will tell him he is.  But is he really needed?”

The silence was a teaching moment.

A moment to ponder the significance of that question–for him and for me.

Then a gentle answer.

He is needed to minister.  We all need help.  We all need encouragement.  We all need each other.  In a world filled with doubt, despair, sin and sorrow, we need every voice and every reassurance and every encouraging word from each other.  Every hand is needed to lift the millions of souls caught in the mire of misery.  He is needed in God’s work and God’s church–not in a particular calling–but for certain people.

I thank God for that sweet reminder.

“You have your own special contribution to make, and God can magnify that contribution in a mighty way. Your ability to contribute is not dependent upon your calling in the Church. Your opportunities for service are endless. If you are waiting on the sidelines, I encourage you to get in the game.”

Deliberate Discipleship:

Remember the challenge from yesterday?  Time to get in the game.  The right one.

Posted inBrother Butler,Deliberate Discipleship,General Conference
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Monday, May 20, 2013

In Memory of Frances

Sometimes we forget the Prophet is human just like us.

It is not often that we consider his quiet hours.

The moments, years ago, when he paced the floor holding an infant with a raging fever.

Or stood in line outside of a drive-in to buy a shake for a pregnant wife with a craving.

Or the Saturday’s he spent weeding the garden.

When I was growing up, our family owned a home across the street from President Monson’s home in Midway, Utah.  I have memories of him mowing the lawn in his coveralls.  I remember him stopping for a break to come share stories with my Grandma Belle.

And when he drove down the street in his car, I remember Frances sitting next to him.

This weekend my thoughts have been consumed with the thought of a Prophet whose heart is mourning.

A prophet, who spoke at the funeral of so many dear women, who is about to attend the funeral of the woman dearest to him.

In Church yesterday our Prophet was mentioned in every prayer…

We petitioned Heaven in his behalf.

That he would find comfort.

He who has comforted us.  Served us.  Watched over us.

The Prophet who has taught us what it means to love the one.

Today he is the one who needs our love.

Our comfort.

Our service.

There is not a lot we can do to express our love, or send our comfort.  But perhaps we can serve him in a very small way…

Church officials said that Frances “will forever be remembered for her kindness and quiet, sustained support of her husband.”

In honor of her, perhaps we could share a quiet act of kindness toward someone every single day this week.

In memory of Frances.

In an effort to bear up our Prophet with love.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Posted inCome, Follow Me,Deliberate Discipleship
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Montserrat - May 20, 2013 - 8:28 AM

This is a perfectly lovely idea! I know my children will particularly enjoy doing service. I’ll introduce it tonight for family home evening.

Friday, May 17, 2013

Summer Eve

It’s that time of year.

Summer Eve.

Days are getting longer, the sun is shining brighter, school countdown chains are shorter, waiting is almost over.

Grills are being cleaned off, gardens are being prepped and planted, inflatable swimming pools are being dusted off, summer plans are on the mind.

I cannot help but smile as I sit here and think about the anticipation.

Moments like this are waiting in the wings.

Lemonade stands are starting to pop up.

My favorite shave ice place has unlocked the swinging doors.

I am legitimately giddy about it.

My favorite evening of the year is Sunday night after the last day of school.

Oh, I love it!

I sit on the back deck with good company and good views and just enjoy the fact that we will wake up the next morning to summertime.

I love the anticipation.

Anticipation for happy days.

Thinking about it today as I mowed the grass reminded me of this favorite quote of mine from Joseph Smith:

“The building up of Zion is a cause that has interested the people of God in every age; it is a theme upon which prophets, priests and kings have dwelt with peculiar delight; they have looked forward with joyful anticipation to the day in which we live; and fired with heavenly and joyful anticipations they have sung and written and prophesied of this our day; … we are the favored people that God has [chosen] to bring about the Latter-day glory.”  

Of all the happy days we have anticipated, the happiest are yet to come.

We live in the Summer Eve of time.

A time soon before the day when the Lord will return to the earth and bring glory, and light, and peace, and joy with Him.

Prophets and priests and kings have looked forward to this time for thousands of years.

They have looked forward to a favored people who would get to live in the weeks and months and years proceeding His magnificent return.

A people who get to prepare the world for the coming of the Bridegroom–an event that will be so brilliant that even the days of preparation can be celebrated.

I hope today as you continue to enjoy the anticipation of the happy days of summer, you will also give room to enjoy the anticipation of the happy days to come.

We sure are lucky.

Living Deliberately:

I invite you to think often about the days we live in.  To think deeply about what it means to be the “favored people” who came to earth at the time and with the responsibilities we have been given.  I invite you to anticipate with joy what is coming.  To give it a little more of your heart.  And to get excited!

Posted inBrother Butler,Deliberate Discipleship,Living Deliberately
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