Outburst in the branch conference priesthood meeting

I had two outbursts in priesthood today. It's our branch conference so the stake leaders are here in force.

The lesson was on home teaching.

The high councillor who taught is a good man. He serves diligently, he has a generous and willing heart. He, like all of us, has a personally adapted view of the world that leads him to certain conclusions and perspectives. Knowing him fairly well means I know that his perspective drives him to serve his fellow-man in an admirable way.

Having said all that, I was reminded that what motivates one person can be a bitter pill for another.

While asking about what helps us be a better home teacher I shared a quote from Spencer W. Kimball. at a seminar for Regional Representatives in 1979:

"I do not worry about members of the Church being unresponsive when they learn of the needy as much as I worry about our being unaware of such needs. … Please, priesthood leaders, do not get so busy trying to manage Church programs that you forget about basic duties in what the Apostle James described as ‘pure religion, undefiled’ (James 1:27)."

I then made the point that there are many ways of serving others. That if you're not doing your home teaching it might not be because you're doing something bad, but because you're doing something equally good, better or best.

I then mentioned Elder Dube in the recent conference, who was quoting J Reuben Clark:

“...in the service of the Lord, it is not where you serve but how”

http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2013/10/look-ahead-and-believe?lang=eng

I was trying to make the point that there are many ways to serve the Lord by serving our fellow-men. Some of us see Home Teaching as a good way of serving, but we might not see it as the better or best way.

I sat quiet for the lesson which focused more on doing our duty than the joy of service. Towards the end of the lesson the teacher said, "Love is the most important aspect of home teaching. Love should motivate us" (so far so good). He then started talking about our love for our wives and said: "when I first married I didn't love my wife enough because I wouldn't stop smoking and wouldn't go to the temple to be sealed. If we love our wife we will attend our meetings to bring blessings on our family. If we love our wife we will do our home teaching."

He finished and another stake leader started talking. I tried to ignore it my feelings and reaction to the implications of the previous.

I suddenly interrupted the lesson and bubbled out with: "I'm sorry, but I can't let the last message go without comment. I love my wife and she loves me. She doesn't come to church at all but her love for me is neither dependent on not manifested by that decision. I support home teaching as a principle but if my wife could choose I wouldn't do it all. Some might even say that if  I really loved her I wouldn't go at all. But I love her independently of any choices I make to serve other people."

There was an awkward pause. Unfortunately I'd spoken passionately and probably confrontationally. I regret that. The tone of my voice will have meant that some people didn't listen to my choice of words.

The stake leader then went on to start talking about home teaching not being an assignment but a responsibility. Another stake leader then said: "If you really love Jesus Christ, you'd do your home teaching."

Something snapped. "This is ridiculous," I muttered. I stood up and stomped towards the door. As I got near the exit I turned back to the the silent room.

"I deeply disagree with the idea that we can't say we love Jesus Christ if we're not doing our home teaching. There are people in this town who are hungry, lonely, homeless and in prison. If we read Matthew 25 then these are the people we should be serving but we do nothing. We obsess about Home Teaching because it's measured and reported. We ignore those who are truly in need because there's no statistical recognition for it."

As I left the room I planned on gathering up my family and driving home. A councilor on the stake presidency, who had given me my temple recommend interview last month and was aware of some of my changed perspectives, followed me out and asked if he could speak briefly before I left.

I sat down in a side room and started sobbing. "I'm sorry, I feel like I've been hanging on at church by my fingertips for the last year or two. I shouldn't have spoken like that. There are so many people we could serve in so many different ways. No-one is motivated by accusations and guilt trips." He let me finish and then reassured me that he'd also been uncomfortable in the lesson and was sorry it had taken that tone. He appreciated the way I must be feeling. "I'm aware of your challenges. I support you. Keep doing what you're doing. It's important." There was no rebuke, only compassion.

When the priesthood lesson finished I went back and apologised for my outburst to the high councilor. He was bereft and in tears. He hadn't meant to point fingers, he simply meant to speak about his own motivation. That it was this was part of what drove him on to be of service, because he knew it made his wife happy and was expression of love. He hadn't meant to accuse me and was sorry if it sounded like it.

It's so easy to take offence at things people say. I know that I need to work harder at listening for subtext and remember that we are all imperfect communicators. Myself included. I'm sure that there are things I say in lessons that frustrate or bother people and they are generous enough to not call me out as a 'liberal' or 'heretic.' I need to work harder at hearing the intent, not just applying my own perspective.

As Brigham Young once said:

"There is one principle I wish to urge upon the Saints in a way that it may remain with them—that is, to understand men and women as they are, and not understand them as you are."

Later, the same stake councilor who spoke to me after the outburst also spoke in sacrament meeting. He told us that in his home odd socks got put in a box. Once a month the family would sit together and sort through all the odd socks and re-discover several pairs (or close enough to be pairs). We are all, he said, a bit like odd socks. We don't always feel like we fit, but if we are able to find ways of working together and complimenting each other.

As someone feeling like a very odd sock in church, I appreciated his support and message.

A Thoughtful Gospel Principles. Chapter 3: Jesus Christ, Our Chosen Leader and Savior

(Note: repeating a couple of quotes as we didn’t use them last week in class)
http://www.lds.org/manual/gospel-principles/chapter-3-jesus-christ-our-chosen-leader-and-savior?lang=eng

Elder Neil A. Maxwell, in Oct 1985 General Conference gave examples of other people who, throughout history, have considered this pre-life existence. 

“Everything in our life happens as though we entered upon it with a load of obligations contracted in a previous existence … obligations whose sanction is not of this present life, [which] seem to belong to a different world, founded on kindness, scruples, sacrifice, a world entirely different from this one, a world whence we emerge to be born on this earth, before returning thither.” (Marcel Proust, in Gabriel Marcel, Homo Viator, New York: Harper and Row, 1963, p. 8.)

Last week we read from Elder Uchtdorf’s talk on how our choices today are influenced by our choices before we were born. (Re-cap on pre-earth spirit existence if new people attending).

This story begins a very long time ago, long before the earth began spinning in its orbit, long before the sun began to reach its fiery arms into the cold of space, long before creatures great and small had populated our planet. At the beginning of this story, you lived in a faraway, beautiful place. 

We do not know many details about life in that premortal sphere, but we do know some. Our Heavenly Father has revealed to us who He is, who we are, and who we can become. 

Back in that first estate, you knew with absolute certainty that God existed because you saw and heard Him. You knew Jesus Christ, who would become the Lamb of God. You had faith in Him. And you knew that your destiny was not to stay in the security of your premortal home. As much as you loved that eternal sphere, you knew you wanted and needed to embark on a journey. You would depart from the arms of your Father, pass through a veil of forgetfulness, receive a mortal body, and learn and experience things that hopefully would help you grow to become more like Father in Heaven and return to His presence. 

In that sacred place, surrounded by those you knew and loved, the great question on your lips and in your heart must have been “Will I return safely to my heavenly home?”There were so many things that would be out of your control. Mortal life would be hard at times, filled with unexpected bends in the road: sickness, heartbreak, accidents, conflict.

http://www.lds.org/broadcasts/article/general-young-women-meeting/2013/03/your-wonderful-journey-home?lang=eng#9-10785_000_64uchtdorf

In the talk we’ve just read Elder Uchtdorf he refers to several stories about journeys: Wizard of Oz; Christmas Carol; a Chinese classic, Journey to the West and the story of Bilbo Baggins in the Hobbit. My daughter loves Harry Potter. She relates lots of life-applicable principles from these stories. In one scene in Harry Potter and The Half Blood Prince (p.532 in my edition) Dumbledore needs to drink a large bowl of dangerous potion and asks Harry to make sure he completes the task. Dumbledore says:

"...this potion... might paralyse me, cause me to forget what I am here for, create so much pain I am distracted, or render me incapable in some other way. This being the case, Harry, it will be your job to make sure I keep drinking... do I have your word that you will do all in your power to make me keep drinking?"

Harry makes Dumbledore drink the potion, even when Dumbledore pleads for the pain to be removed. "I don't want to... make it stop..." to which Harry can only reply "You've got to keep drinking, remember? You told me you had to keep drinking."

Sometimes in life, we’re faced with experiences where we might think “I don’t want to, make it stop.”

Jesus Christ was perfect, without sin, but even he understands what it feels like to want a difficult experience to stop, if possible.

Right before Christ’s atoning agony in the Garden of Gethsemane followed by his death on the cross he said these very understandable and human words:

Luke 22:42 “Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me…”
Mark 14:35-36 “And he went forward a little, and fell on the ground, and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him. And he said, Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee; take away this cup from me…”

After Jesus expressed a desire that, if possible, he might be able to avoid such a challenging experience to come, he used a short phrase that we could all learn:

Luke 22:42 “…nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.”
Mark 14:36 “…nevertheless not what I will, but what thou wilt.”

As we read last week, Elder Neal A. Maxwell said, in Oct 1985 General Conference,

“We agreed to come here and to undergo certain experiences under certain conditions.Elder Orson Hyde said, “We have forgotten! … But our forgetfulness cannot alter the facts.” (Journal of Discourses, 7:315.) Yet, on occasions, there are inklings. President Joseph F. Smith observed how “we often catch a spark from the awakened memories of the immortal soul, which lights up our whole being as with the glory of our former home.” (Gospel Doctrine, 5th ed., Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1939, p. 14.)

So what have we forgotten? When Jesus said in prayer to Heavenly Father: “not my will, but yours” he was also saying “not my will here, but my will before.” Like all of us, Jesus Christ chose to come to earth. It was his choice and expressed willingness to go through everything needed to complete his purpose and role.

Moses 4:2 “But, behold, my Beloved Son, which was my Beloved and Chosen from the beginning, said unto me—Father, thy will be done, and the glory be thine forever.”

Gospel Principles, p.13: When the plan for our salvation was presented to us in the premortal spirit world, we were so happy that we shouted for joy (see Job 38:7). 

We understood that we would have to leave our heavenly home for a time. We would not live in the presence of our Heavenly Father. While we were away from Him, all of us would sin and some of us would lose our way. Our Heavenly Father knew and loved each one of us. He knew we would need help, so He planned a way to help us. 

We needed a Savior to pay for our sins and teach us how to return to our Heavenly Father. Our Father said, “Whom shall I send?” (Abraham 3:27). Jesus Christ, who was called Jehovah, said, “Here am I, send me” (Abraham 3:27; see also Moses 4:1–4).Jesus was willing to come to the earth, give His life for us, and take upon Himself our sins. He, like our Heavenly Father, wanted us to choose whether we would obey Heavenly Father’s commandments. He knew we must be free to choose in order to prove ourselves worthy of exaltation. Jesus said, “Father, thy will be done, and the glory be thine forever” (Moses 4:2). 

Satan, who was called Lucifer, also came, saying, “Behold, here am I, send me, I will be thy son, and I will redeem all mankind, that one soul shall not be lost, and surely I will do it; wherefore give me thine honor” (Moses 4:1). Satan wanted to force us all to do his will. Under his plan, we would not be allowed to choose. He would take away the freedom of choice that our Father had given us. Satan wanted to have all the honor for our salvation. Under his proposal, our purpose in coming to earth would have been frustrated (see Teachings of Presidents of the Church: David O. McKay [2003], 207).

There are three key principles to take from this lesson which we can discuss in turn:

• -          Jesus chose to fulfil his role. It was not imposed, it was not forced.
• -          Satan wanted to remove choice and agency.
• -          We chose to come to earth, with all the highs and lows it would bring. It was our choice. Not imposed, not forced.

This means that every person around us was in the same situation and also chose to follow God’s plan.

The story of the pre-earth existence teaches us that all of humanity were once working in unity.

Gospel Principles, p.15-16: “Because our Heavenly Father chose Jesus Christ to be our Savior, Satan became angry and rebelled. There was war in heaven. Satan and his followers fought against Jesus Christ and His followers. The Savior’s followers “overcame [Satan] by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony” (Revelation 12:11). 

In this great rebellion, Satan and all the spirits who followed him were sent away from the presence of God and cast down from heaven. A third part of the hosts of heaven were punished for following Satan (see D&C 29:36). They were denied the right to receive mortal bodies.”

 As we mentioned last week, from Elder Uchtdorf's talk:

“…everyone you see around you—in this meeting or at any other place, today or at any other time—was valiant in the premortal world. Of one thing you can be certain: every person you see—no matter the race, religion, political beliefs, body type, or appearance—is family.”

Knowing that every person we meet was with us in the pre-earth spirit world and followed the same choices we did should lead us to greater care and unity. In the Oct 2013 general conference Elder Caussé said:

"Unity is not achieved by ignoring and isolating members who seem to be different or weaker and only associating with people who are like us. On the contrary, unity is gained by welcoming and serving those who are new and who have particular needs. These members are a blessing for the Church and provide us with opportunities to serve our neighbors and thus purify our own hearts.”

Elder Wirthlin similarly said, in March 1993:

“In the message of the gospel, the entire human race is one family descended from a single God. … “Every person is a spiritual child of God. “In this gospel view there is no room for a contracted, narrow, or prejudicial view. … “There is no underlying excuse for smugness, arrogance, or pride. …

Given we would all come to earth under different conditions, with a range of challenges, environments, influences and opportunities, God ensured that every person was given enough knowledge and truth to progress on their best next step towards godliness.

James E. Faust, “Communion with the Holy Spirit,” Ensign, Mar 2002, quoted a statement made by the first presidency of the church in 1978:

"The great religious leaders of the world such as Mohammed, Confucius, and the Reformers, as well as philosophers including Socrates, Plato, and others, received a portion of God’s light. Moral truths were given to them by God to enlighten whole nations and to bring a higher level of understanding to individuals. … We believe that God has given and will give to all peoples sufficient knowledge to help them on their way to eternal salvation”

We are all given the opportunity of being taught principles of truth, wherever we are in the world and whatever our conditions.

GP, p.16: From the beginning, Jesus Christ has revealed the gospel, which tells us what we must do to return to our Heavenly Father. At the appointed time He came to earth Himself. He taught the plan of salvation and exaltation by His word and by the way He lived.

Are Adam and Eve better as symbols than ancestors?

In the LDS Endowment, the story of Adam and Eve is depicted. This isn't breaking temple sanctity. That's been mentioned in other LDS resources.

The temple preparation manual states:

In a symbolic way, the teachings and rituals of the temple take us on an upward journey toward eternal life, ending with a symbolic entrance into the presence of God. The characters depicted, the physical setting, the clothing worn, the signs given, and all the events covered in the temple are symbolic. When they are understood, they will help each person recognize truth and grow spiritually.

Elder Packer stated (emphasis added):

If you will go to the temple and remember that the teaching is symbolic, you will never go in the proper spirit without coming away with your vision extended, feeling a little more exalted, with your knowledge increased as to things that are spiritual. The teaching plan is superb. It is inspired. The Lord Himself, the Master Teacher, taught His disciples constantly in parables—a verbal way to represent symbolically things that might otherwise be difficult to understand.

For me, Adam and Eve as symbols is far more important than as first ancestors.

I am not categorically saying that Adam and Eve are 'fictional parables,' but I'm saying the principles we learn from their story in church teachings are better understood as symbols for our journey through birth/innocence/aaronic p'hood and m'dek p'hood ordinances. There are so many amazing symbols for our life in Adam and Eve, that when we focus on the 'literal' aspect of their story we miss out on their message.

I sincerely love the Endowment. It is a work of inspired genius. It is far, far more than the 'cultish/masonic ceremony' that some critics make it out to be.

When I spent time in the Salt Lake and then Manti temples experiencing a live acting session rather than the temple film depiction of the creation and Adam and Eve experience I'd always experienced before, I realised more than ever before that, like a play, this was a series of lessons and symbols of our life.

I believe that in trying to imagine ourselves as Adam and Eve we can also imagine them as us. It's our story, our journey. Seeing the progress of the rooms in some of the early temples, especially the world room in Manti temple just further re-enforced how much this is a symbol of the latter days and our own lives.

I sometimes hear people talk about the Endowment/Adam and Eve story historically and technically and it seems to miss the point. I'm absolutely fine with the notion that they could also be historically 'real' people. I'm also fine if they aren't. They can be both. But I think they are more important as symbols than historical figures. If they aren't 'real' then I'm even fine with them being taught as 'real' anyway, because that gives them much greater presence in r

eligious teaching than fictional people in parables.




Here are some of the allegorical principles I take from the story:

• Gathering matter unorganised and creating planet earth: our conception, the creation of our bodies
• Separating water and land: my body growing in darkness, growing in the womb
• Separating the light from the darkness: birth, coming into the light of the world
• Initial innocence in the Garden: Spirit world and/or early innocence of childhood
• Eve eating the apple: the active and positive choice to live a mortal life that would result in all of us (male and female) experiencing the challenges, struggles, joys and delights of life.
• Adam eating the apple: perhaps Christ being willing to also join us on earth. Also our potential roles (both as males and females) in being leaders and teachers to other people (male and female).
  **I can fully appreciate the concerns that some female members have about the apparent submissiveness expected in the temple. When taken as literal covenants I would also squirm if I were in your position. Given I consider them to only be symbolic I also see myself as Eve. I think we should see ourselves as Adam AND Eve.**
• Leaving the garden: Beginning of accountability. 8-years old perhaps (or 12, or adulthood... depending on your perspective).

In life, from Baptism onwards, we start making covenants. Ezra Taft Benson taught about some of the covenants we make in the temple: "...law of obedience and sacrifice, the law of the gospel, the law of chastity, and the law of consecration."

I see the temple covenants as symbols for life. At baptism we also make covenants of sacrifice and obedience. We sacrifice our old self, including a final sacrifice, perhaps, of the pre-mortal self we might have had a distant memory of at infancy. We make a covenant of obedience. It's one of my favourites. It's a covenant of service.

After baptism we go on to make further and ongoing covenants at the sacrament. These two covenants are Aaronic priesthood ordinances. Preparatory ordinances from a preparatory priesthood. Part of an ongoing commitment to learn and live the gospel of Jesus Christ. A gospel that is, again, centered on love and service.

The later interactions with other priesthood figures remind me of Melchizedek priesthood ordinances and marriage commitments. The covenant of chastity relating to that marriage is one I appreciate and keep.

I take the signs and token as symbols of some of the stages of life and the priesthood ordinances that act as markers along the way. I think the symbol of not sharing them represents the idea that only I can make those covenants with God for myself. I can't make them for anyone else and no-one else can take my covenants from me. The tokens are, for me, a minor part of the bigger story of who I am. Their source was a little organic and not in the originals, so I don't get too hung up on them. They were, and perhaps in future will be, an organic, evolving, changing aspect. Just like the whole endowment.

While discussing the Endowment:

"Bro[ther] Joseph [Smith] turned to me [Brigham Young] and said: “Brother Brigham this is not arranged right, but we have done the best we could under the circumstances in which we are placed, and I wish you to take this mat[t]er in hand and organize and systematize all these ceremonies with the signs, tokens, penalties and key words.” I did so and each time I got something more; so that when we went through the Temple at Nauvoo, I understood and knew how to place them there. We had our ceremonies pretty correct."

http://www.dialoguejournal.com/wp-content/uploads/sbi/articles/Dialogue_V20N04_35.pdf

Eventually we have a direct interaction with God. This is also a symbol of my growing self. An initial need to have other people lead me towards God, culminating in me being able to eventually move on from that dependency. The moment at the veil is, in a way, me reaching my independent relationship with God. The temple is a parable for us growing to a stage of not needing or relying on other people to be able to interact with the heavens. That moment teaches me that eventually I will need to reach an independence from church leaders, church structure and interact with God directly.

This is why I like the endowment, regardless of its source. This is why I see it as a parable, an allegory and I see myself in all of it.

Gospel Principles Chapter 2: Our Heavenly Family

http://www.lds.org/manual/gospel-principles/chapter-2-our-heavenly-family?lang=eng

The lesson went well and we had positive discussion around what we can learn from our opportunities in life and the benefit of a perspective of this life being our choice, not an imposition.

The Plato, Encyclopedia of Mormonism and Givens quotes were bending my 'rules' a little... but they fitted nicely.

Many people have asked, does God really care about me?

Job’s friend, Elihu, after seeing Job's suffering, asks whether our lives are really noticed? He questions whether we are truly cared about (Job 35:5-7): 

“Look at the heavens and see; observe the clouds, which are higher than you. If you have sinned, what do you accomplish against him? And if your transgressions are multiplied, what do you do to him? If you are righteous, what do you give to him…?”

Psalm 8:3-4 “When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars that you have established; what are human beings that you are mindful of them, mortals that you care for them? (NRSV)

Job questioned (7:17): What is man, that thou shouldest magnify him? and that thou shouldest set thine heart upon him?

God knows us and has known us from before our physical birth

Gospel Principles, p.9: God is not only our Ruler and Creator; He is also our Heavenly Father. All men and women are literally the sons and daughters of God. “Man, as a spirit, was begotten and born of heavenly parents, and reared to maturity in the eternal mansions of the Father, prior to coming upon the earth in a temporal [physical] body” (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph F. Smith [1998], 335).Every person who was ever born on earth is our spirit brother or sister. Because we are the spirit children of God, we have inherited the potential to develop His divine qualities. Through the Atonement of Jesus Christ, we can become like our Heavenly Father and receive a fullness of joy.

We were and are individuals. God knows us enough to give us the best opportunities to grow.

Gospel Principles, p.10: We were not all alike in heaven… We possessed different talents and abilities, and we were called to do different things on earth… A veil covers our memories of our premortal life, but our Father in Heaven knows who we are and what we did before we came here. He has chosen the time and place for each of us to be born so we can learn the lessons we personally need and do the most good with our individual talents and personalities. 

D&C 138:56 Even before they were born, they, with many others, received their first lessons in the world of spirits and were prepared to come forth in the due time of the Lord to labor in his vineyard for the salvation of the souls of men.

(The Encyclopaedia of Mormonism was published in 1992. The compilation project was approved by the First Presidency and articles in the Encyclopaedia are often quoted in church manuals and articles). The entry says the following on pre-earth life and preparation for coming to earth:

Latter-day Saints further believe that the times, places, and circumstances of birth into mortality may be the outcome of former covenants and decisions as well as that which would be best, in divine wisdom, to provide both opportunities and challenges for the individual's growth and development... The specifics of these factors remain unclear. As a result, a person's premortal character can never be judged by his or her present station in life. Some of the most bitter and arduous circumstances may be, in the perspective of eternity, the most blessed, and perhaps even the situations that men and women elected and agreed to enter.http://eom.byu.edu/index.php/Foreordination

In other words, if a person is born into an LDS family it does not mean they were more or less righteous in the pre-earth life. Jesus said he had many sheep, in many folds. The parables of the labourers and the 1,2 and 5 talents teach that those who serve God at different times and in different ways are still equally appreciated and rewarded by God.

Elder Uchtdorf said, in the March 2013 General Young Women Meeting: 

You are not alone on this journey. Your Heavenly Father knows you. Even when no one else hears you, He hears you. When you rejoice in righteousness, He rejoices with you. When you are beset with trial, He grieves with you.“…everyone you see around you—in this meeting or at any other place, today or at any other time—was valiant in the premortal world. That unassuming and ordinary-looking person sitting next to you may have been one of the great figures you loved and admired in the sphere of spirits. You may have been such a role model yourself!Of one thing you can be certain: every person you see—no matter the race, religion, political beliefs, body type, or appearance—is family.

http://www.lds.org/broadcasts/article/general-young-women-meeting/2013/03/your-wonderful-journey-home?lang=eng#9-10785_000_64uchtdorf

Elder Neal A. Maxwell said, in Oct 1985 General Conference,

“We agreed to come here and to undergo certain experiences under certain conditions.Elder Orson Hyde said, “We have forgotten! … But our forgetfulness cannot alter the facts.” (Journal of Discourses, 7:315.) Yet, on occasions, there are inklings. President Joseph F. Smith observed how “we often catch a spark from the awakened memories of the immortal soul, which lights up our whole being as with the glory of our former home.” (Gospel Doctrine, 5th ed., Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1939, p. 14.) 

There can be sudden surges of deja vu. A flash from the mirror of memory can beckon us forward to that far pavilion, filled with “everlasting splendours” and resurrected beings.  

C. S. Lewis wrote, “We cannot mingle with the splendours we see. But all the leaves of the New Testament are rustling with the rumour that it will not always be so.”From long experience, His sheep know His voice and His doctrine. Meanwhile, the soul weaving in process for such a long time goes on as described in these anonymous lines: 

My life is but a weavingBetween my Lord and me;I cannot choose the colorsHe worketh steadily.Ofttimes He weaveth sorrowAnd I in foolish pride,Forget that He seeth the upper,And I the under side.Not till the loom is silentAnd the shuttles cease to fly,Shall God unroll the canvasAnd explain the reason why.The dark threads are as needfulIn the Weaver’s skillful hand,As the threads of gold and silverIn the pattern He has planned.(In Sourcebook of Poetry, comp. Al Bryant, Grand Rapids, Mich.: Zondervan Publishing House, 1968, p. 664.)

Elder Maxwell used examples of other people who, throughout history, have considered this pre-life existence. 

There are ponderings, like this one:“Everything in our life happens as though we entered upon it with a load of obligations contracted in a previous existence … obligations whose sanction is not of this present life, [which] seem to belong to a different world, founded on kindness, scruples, sacrifice, a world entirely different from this one, a world whence we emerge to be born on this earth, before returning thither.” (Marcel Proust, in Gabriel Marcel, Homo Viator, New York: Harper and Row, 1963, p. 8.)And finally, there are these more familiar lines:Our birth is but a sleep and a forgetting: … But trailing clouds of glory do we come From God, who is our home.(William Wordsworth, “Ode: Intimations of Immortality from Recollections of Early Childhood,” lines 58, 64–65.)

I find personal strength and answers in one of Plato’s stories of choosing a life carefully:

http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=WMbS85Ijg2oC&pg=PT610&lpg=PT610&dq=plato+%22become+more+just%22&source=bl&ots=hO4PJ3y92n&sig=ijBpJ_tg6hIPYRcdR4yJjRTNYIE&hl=en&sa=X&ei=w_XRUrq8F8ORhQeXg4HQBQ&ved=0CGkQ6AEwBw#v=onepage&q=plato%20%22become%20more%20just%22&f=false)

"Call  a life worse," [Plato] said, "if it leads a soul to become more unjust,and better if it leads the soul to become more just."

We had a discussion around what we want if we had a magic lamp (comfort, ease, financial wealth) and then what we really want (happiness, satisfaction, meaningful relationships). I didn't read the Givens quote below out, but talked about this type of perspective being one that appeals to me and inspires me:

We have no way of knowing, of course, why some are born in health and affluence, while others enter broken bodies or broken homes, or emerge into a realm of war or hunger. So we cannot give definite meaning to our place in the world, or to our neighbor's.  But Plato's reflections should give us pause and invite both humility and hope.  Humility because if we chose our lot in life there is every reason to suspect merit, and not disfavor, is behind disadvantaged birth.  A blighted life may have been the more courageous choice--at least it was for Plato.  Though the first act of the play was obscure its hidden details make any judgments in this second act so much foolish speculation.  So how can we feel pride in our own blessedness, or condescension at another's misfortune?  And Plato's reflections should give us hope, because his myth reminds us that suffering can be sanctifying, that pain is not punishment, and that the path to virtue is fraught with opposition.

(Terryl & Fiona Givens, The God Who Weeps, pg. 60-61)

God created the earth as a place for us to be able to progress towards our best potential

Gospel Principles, p.11: “…Heavenly Father called a Grand Council to present His plan for our progression. We learned that if we followed His plan, we would become like Him.”
“…we also learned the purpose for our progression: to have a fulness of joy. However, we also learned that some would be deceived, choose other paths, and lose their way. We learned that all of us would have trials in our lives: sickness, disappointment, pain, sorrow, and death. But we understood that these would be given to us for our experience and our good. If we allowed them to, these trials would purify us rather than defeat us. They would teach us to have endurance, patience, and charity.

“We learned that He would provide an earth for us where we would prove ourselves.” The original meaning of “prove” is: to learn or find out by experience.

By divine design, we are living in a state of not seeing the whole picture.

Gospel Principles, p.11: A veil would cover our memories, and we would forget our heavenly home. This would be necessary so we could exercise our agency to choose good or evil without being influenced by the memory of living with our Heavenly Father. Thus we could obey Him because of our faith in Him, not because of our knowledge or memory of Him. 

1 Corinthians 13:8-12 “…whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. For now we see through a glass, darkly… now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.” 

We have been blessed with much knowledge by revelation from God which, in some part, the world lacks. But there is an incomprehensibly greater part of truth which we must yet discover. Our revealed truth should leave us stricken with the knowledge of how little we really know.Elder Hugh B. Brown

http://aims.byu.edu/sites/default/files/foundationdocuments/An_Eternal_Quest--Freedom_of_the_Mind--Hugh_B_Brown.pdf

We simply don’t know all things—we can’t see everything. What may seem contradictory now may be perfectly understandable as we search for and receive more trustworthy information. Because we see through a glass darkly, we have to trust the Lord, who sees all things clearly.

http://www.lds.org/broadcasts/article/ces-devotionals/2013/01/what-is-truth?lang=eng

Draw strength from having learned to love in the presence of God.

In his talk to the young women of the church Elder Uchtdorf shared a message for all of us:

Have you ever wondered what language we all spoke when we lived in the presence of God? I have strong suspicions that it was German, though I suppose no one knows for sure. But I do know that in our premortal life we learned firsthand, from the Father of our spirits, a universal language—one that has the power to overcome emotional, physical, and spiritual barriers.That language is the pure love of Jesus Christ. It is the most powerful language in the world...We received our “first lessons” in this language of love as spirits in God’s presence, and here on earth we have opportunities to practice it and become fluent. You can know if you are learning this language of love by evaluating what motivates your thoughts and actions.

http://www.lds.org/broadcasts/article/general-young-women-meeting/2013/03/your-wonderful-journey-home?lang=eng#9-10785_000_64uchtdorf

The message of the pre-mortal existence helps us trust that we are all on a journey with God, even if we appear to be at different stages.

Elder Uchtdorf continued: Sometimes we become impatient with where we are in our journey… There will always be things to complain about—things that don’t seem to go quite right. You can spend your days feeling sad, alone, misunderstood, or unwanted. But that isn’t the journey you had hoped for, and it’s not the journey Heavenly Father sent you to take…
With this in mind, I invite you to walk confidently and joyfully. Yes, the road has bumps and detours and even some hazards. But don’t focus on them. Look for the happiness your Father in Heaven has prepared for you in every step of your journey. Happiness is the destination, but it’s also the path. “Peace in this world, and eternal life in the world to come” is what He promises.

http://www.lds.org/broadcasts/article/general-young-women-meeting/2013/03/your-wonderful-journey-home?lang=eng#9-10785_000_64uchtdorf

Today was a good day

I'm aware that I often post 'in-anger.' For the handful of people who read this, it might be easy to assume that I'm always frustrated by church. I'm not.

I came home happy. My lovely wife noticed it and said so. I consider myself very fortunate to be married to a wonderful woman who, despite not attending church herself and not believing in the tenets of Mormonism, is still happy for me to be happy. I've read of a lot of 'dissaffected' people who celebrate their still active spouse's 'bad days' at church.

There were several reasons why church was good. The children all sat well through sacrament. These last couple of years has given me a real appreciation for how mind-numbing church must be for the "wives-of-bishops" who have young kids. It's a 70 minute endurance test sometimes. Especially when there are babes in arms. Mine are now getting old enough to occupy themselves for most of it. Youngest can still be a bit of a fidget but not too much.

I was impressed that all three had their attention truly grabbed by a 'sky-diving' story from our concluding speaker. It was a good talk. Simple and focused on Faith in Jesus Christ. No bashing "the rest of the world," no sense of superiority that sometimes irks me. Just straightforward faith. He re-told President Hinkley's story of Big Tom taking Little Jim's punishment. I've heard it several times before, but it was a good reminder of the positive principle of grace and mercy.

Sunday School was enjoyable. We had 4 elders and 4 class-members. I'll post my notes on it in a moment. The class went well and there was positive participation. I'm aware that I'm partly teaching the gospel according to me. But I stick to the rule of selecting from LDS resources, so I don't feel I'm teaching 'dodgy doctrine.' Selective perhaps... but not made up.

I could see that one of the Elder was getting a bit 'fidgety' by a couple of the quotes I used. The lesson intro encourages the teacher to stick to the topic and message of the lesson content (which I do) but also accepts using LDS resources and sharing personal experiences:

"If you have been called to teach a quorum or class using this book, do not substitute outside materials, however interesting they may be. Stay true to the scriptures and the words in the book. As appropriate, use personal experiences and articles from Church magazines to supplement the lessons. (Gospel Principles, Introduction)."

I usually include 4-5 LDS quotes to supplement the material. My rule is it either must be from LDS.org or a statement by a general authority (e.g. a CES devotional or book). I'll occasionally include a "personal experience" of reading other material but limit this and usually don't quote directly.

This might sound quite restrictive, but LDS.org has a huge archive and a very wide range of perspectives. Combining about 50% of the lesson material with selective LDS.org quotes helps me teach a "Thoughtful Gospel Principles." I don't think I could manage a straight, linear teach.

I found out the approach is working. There's a member whose long-term boyfriend has attended church from time-to-time but has previously had little interest in church. His girlfriend mentioned to the Branch President that the lesson last week was one of the first times he'd felt a connection in a lesson. He has little belief in God, but the view of God presented in the lesson was appealing and seemed reasonable.

I mentioned to the Branch President that I didn't always keep strictly to the lesson outline. He smiled and said, "I don't care, if people are enjoying the lesson, just keep teaching it the way you do."

He's a good man. He hasn't spent a long time buried in church history, but is still quite moderate in his views. He's focused on the people he serves and doesn't mind ignoring a program if it interferes with his focus on helping making members better followers of Christ.

We were chatting after church today and I mentioned to him that he might get a letter on the recent same-sex issue. He shrugged and said that he accepted the church's position on gay marriage for members but that he also had no desire to oppose gay marriage for non-members. He preferred to support the law of the land and the right of the individual.

He's a good friend and someone I'm happy to support and serve with. Regardless of the 'truthiness' of some of the church claims, my immediate environment offers positive opportunities to support people, look after each other and reach out to those in need. There's merit in that alone.

A Thoughtful Gospel Principles. Chapter 1: Our Father in Heaven

Gospel Principles Chapter 1: Our Father in Heaven

http://www.lds.org/manual/gospel-principles/chapter-1-our-father-in-heaven?lang=eng

Start with:

GP, p.5: Alma, a Book of Mormon prophet, wrote, “All things denote there is a God; yea, even the earth, and all things that are upon the face of it, yea, and its motion, yea, and also all the planets which move in their regular form do witness that there is a Supreme Creator” (Alma 30:44). We can look up at the sky at night and have an idea of what Alma meant. There are millions of stars and planets, all in perfect order. They did not get there by chance. We can see the work of God in the heavens and on the earth. The many beautiful plants, the many kinds of animals, the mountains, the rivers, the clouds that bring us rain and snow—all these testify to us that there is a God. 

The prophets have taught us that God is the Almighty Ruler of the universe. God dwells in heaven (see D&C 20:17). Through His Son, Jesus Christ, He created the heavens and the earth and all things that are in them (see 3 Nephi 9:15; Moses 2:1). He made the moon, the stars, and the sun. He organized this world and gave it form, motion, and life. He filled the air and the water with living things. He covered the hills and plains with all kinds of animal life. He gave us day and night, summer and winter, seedtime and harvest. He made man in His own image to be a ruler over His other creations (see Genesis 1:26–27).

Q: What things help you believe there is a God?

Q: How has God been portrayed and described? What do you think God is like?

In the early 1800s, when Joseph was a young man, God was viewed by many people around him as: “unknowable, without body, parts, or passions and dwelling outside space and time.”

In an article on the nature of God, Jeffrey R. Holland quoted a fourth-century monk who cried out, “Woe is me! They have taken my God away from me, … and I know not whom to adore or to address.”

The idea of a God with emotions and the physical ability to show them was not just new to the people of the 19^th Century. The ancient patriarch Enoch was also surprised to discover God’s ability to feel and demonstrate feelings like distress or concern:

Moses 7:28 And it came to pass that the God of heaven looked upon the residue of the people, and he wept; and Enoch bore record of it, saying: How is it that the heavens weep, and shed forth their tears as the rain upon the mountains? 29 And Enoch said unto the Lord: How is it that thou canst weep, seeing thou art holy, and from all eternity to all eternity?

Through this and other inspired statements, Joseph Smith introduced us to a more personal and compassionate God.

GP, p.5-6: God is the Supreme and Absolute Being in whom we believe and whom we worship. He is “the Great Parent of the universe,” and He “looks upon the whole of the human family with a fatherly care and paternal regard” (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith [2007], 39).

Elder Orson F. Whitney described his view of God in a General Conference in April 1924:

"Our Heavenly Father is far more merciful, infinitely more charitable than even the best of his servants. And the Everlasting Gospel is mightier in power to save than our narrow finite minds can comprehend."

He was echoing a view of God taught by Joseph Smith, who said:

“Our heavenly Father is more liberal in His views, and boundless in His mercies and blessings, than we are ready to believe or receive..."

(Also quoted by Jeffrey R. Holland in General Conference Oct 2003)

Getting a clearer picture of what God may be like supports us in growing to become more like him. Our path to godliness is helped by seeing where the path is leading to.

GP, p. 6: Because we are made in His image (see Moses 2:26; 6:9), we know that our bodies are like His body. His eternal spirit is housed in a tangible body of flesh and bones (see D&C 130:22). God’s body, however, is perfected and glorified, with a glory beyond all description.

God is perfect. He is a God of righteousness, with attributes such as love, mercy, charity, truth, power, faith, knowledge, and judgment. He has all power. He knows all things. He is full of goodness.

All good things come from God. Everything that He does is to help His children become like Him. He has said, “Behold, this is my work and my glory—to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man.”

Q: How does this description of God make you feel? Does it influence the way you approach God?

How this might influence our relationship with God:

John 7:17 If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself.

God gave us agency. God does not control or orchestrate human behaviour, choices, and events, to conform perfectly to his will. He participates in the human success, human tragedy, and human grief.

John Taylor, the fourth president of the church said:

"I cannot, will not be a slave. I would not be a slave to God! I'd be His servant, friend, His son. I'd go at His behest; but I would not be his slave. His friend I feel I am, and He is mine. . . . I'm God's free man."

President Howard W. Hunter taught, in October 2010 General Conference, that God loves all of his children and reaches out to each of them in ways they can understand and respond to:

"We believe there is a spiritual influence that emanates from the presence of God to fill the immensity of space. (See D&C 88:12.) All men share an inheritance of divine light. God operates among his children in all nations, and those who seek God are entitled to further light and knowledge, regardless of their race, nationality, or cultural traditions."

With this opportunity and invitation, it should encourage us to explore and use our talents to discover God’s truths and will. Elder Uchtdorf said, in January 2013:

“I believe that our Father in Heaven is pleased with His children when they use their talents and mental faculties to earnestly discover truth. Over the centuries many wise men and women—through logic, reason, scientific inquiry, and, yes, through inspiration—have discovered truth. These discoveries have enriched mankind, improved our lives, and inspired joy, wonder, and awe."

How can we come to know God?

GP, p. 6: Knowing God is so important that the Savior said, “This is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent” (John 17:3).

Q: Open up for discussion about ways the class have come to know God

Perhaps the best way to come to know God is to come to know Christ:

(Acknowledgment: I give appreciative acknowledgement to Terryl and Fiona Givens whose views have shaped my own. Here’s one brief source: http://terrylgivens.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/Prophecy-of-Enoch.pdf. Their book, The God Who Weeps, is worth reading in full).

A Thoughtful Gospel Principles. Chapter 47: Exaltation

(Note: Due to Christmas combinations I ended up teaching this lesson in combination with the 'Final Judgement' one. I added in the following resources and then jumped about between the two lessons a bit)

GP, p.279: The Prophet Joseph Smith taught: “When you climb up a ladder, you must begin at the bottom, and ascend step by step, until you arrive at the top; and so it is with the principles of the gospel—you must begin with the first, and go on until you learn all the principles of exaltation. But it will be a great while after you have passed through the veil [died] before you will have learned them. It is not all to be comprehended in this world; it will be a great work to learn our salvation and exaltation even beyond the grave” (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith [2007], 268).

I love this principle because it teaches individual progress. It teaches that what ever stage we are at in life there is always the opportunity to take a small step forwards. Our ladder of progress started in spirit, before we were born and will continue after we move to the next life. It may be that this brief life, these "threescore years and ten," are designed for climbing one rung or ten rungs.

In the Book of Mormon, the prophet Alma expressed his wish to be able to be like an angel and preach his message to every person in the whole world. While reflecting on this, he appreciated that this was not needed because God provides messengers to every people in every culture to help them climb from where-ever they are on the ladder of life to the next rung:

Alma 29:7 Why should I desire that I were an angel, that I could speak unto all the ends of the earth?8 For behold, the Lord doth grant unto all nations, of their own nation and tongue, to teach his word, yea, in wisdom, all that he seeth fit that they should have; therefore we see that the Lord doth counsel in wisdom, according to that which is just and true.

God reaches each of his children with the message they most need to hear in order to step up the ladder of life or continue progressing along the path to godliness in the way they are best personally able to.

GP, p.275: When we lived with our Heavenly Father, He explained a plan for our progression. We could become like Him, an exalted being. The plan required that we be separated from Him and come to earth. This separation was necessary to prove whether we would obey our Father’s commandments even though we were no longer in His presence. The plan provided that when earth life ended, we would be judged and rewarded according to the degree of our faith and obedience.

Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin, in March 1993, described how God is able to reach out to the whole human family as part of his plan: 

“In the message of the gospel, the entire human race is one family descended from a single God. …“Every person is a spiritual child of God.“In this gospel view there is no room for a contracted, narrow, or prejudicial view. …“There is no underlying excuse for smugness, arrogance, or pride. …

And with a similar message, in October 1991 General Conference, President Howard W. Hunter said: 

"We believe there is a spiritual influence that emanates from the presence of God to fill the immensity of space. (See D&C 88:12.) All men share an inheritance of divine light. God operates among his children in all nations, and those who seek God are entitled to further light and knowledge, regardless of their race, nationality, or cultural traditions."

What is exaltation?

GP, p.275-6: Exaltation is eternal life, the kind of life God lives. He lives in great glory. He is perfect. He possesses all knowledge and all wisdom. He is the Father of spirit children. He is a creator. We can become like our Heavenly Father. This is exaltation. 

If we prove faithful to the Lord, we will live in the highest degree of the celestial kingdom of heaven. We will become exalted, to live with our Heavenly Father in eternal families. Exaltation is the greatest gift that Heavenly Father can give His children (see D&C 14:7).  

GP, p.275-6: Our Heavenly Father is perfect, and He glories in the fact that it is possible for His children to become like Him. His work and glory is “to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man” (Moses 1:39).

Elder Uchtdorf taught, in a January 2013 fireside, that each of us should find courage and strength in the Saviour's message and love to continue walking the path today, with hope for the opportunities to come.

"If we will only have enough courage and faith to walk in His path, it will lead us to peace of heart and mind, to lasting meaning in life, to happiness in this world, and to joy in the world to come. The Savior is “not far from every one of us.” We have His promise that if we seek Him diligently, we will find Him."

This gospel message should give us encouragement and inspiration. The June 1994 Ensign included a report of a speech Joseph Smith gave while visiting Washington D.C. A member of the audience wrote a letter to his wife with his reaction to the speech. He also sent a copy of the letter to the church which they added to the History of the Church publication. It shows the impact and impression left on people when they hear the restored gospel message:

"He said very little of rewards and punishments; but one conclusion, from what he did say, was irresistible—he contended throughout, that everything which had a beginning must have an ending; and consequently if the punishment of man commenced in the next world, it must, according to his logic and belief have an end... and he again repeated that all who would follow the precepts of the Bible, whether Mormon or not, would assuredly be saved. 

There was much in his precepts, if they were followed, that would soften the asperities of man towards man, and that would tend to make him a more rational being than he is generally found to be. There was no violence, no fury, no denunciation. His religion appears to be the religion of meekness, lowliness, and mild persuasion.”

Each of us are on the ladder, or travelling the path, towards being more like God. He knows best how far we have come and how far we could progress in this life. With this knowledge of a long-term journey we should, like Elder Wirthlin taught, avoid any smugness or pride at apparent differences in personal progress. God has a personalised curriculum for each of us, so let us trust in that as we continue on our journey while supporting and helping each other to make the best next step towards being more like Him.