Thinking, Perceiving, and Acting … Correctly!

Life can be very ironic. It takes sadness to know what happiness is. It needs noise to appreciate silence. And it requires absence to value presence.

A friend is someone who gives you total freedom to be yourself.

I do not fix problems. I fix my thinking and then problems fix themselves.

The most common way people give up their power is by thinking they don't have any.

She was powerful, not because she wasn't scared, but because she went on so strongly, despite the fear.

Don't fear failure. Avoid being in the exact same place next year as you are today by doing something about it.

Life is like an elevator: On your way up, sometimes you simply have to stop and let some people off.

When people that you try to pull up actually pull you down, you may need to reconsider restructuring ... Perhaps, let them go!

People who insist on giving the most advice usually have the most problems.

Challenges are what makes life interesting and overcoming them is what makes life meaningful.

Maybe the journey isn't so much about becoming anything. Maybe it's about unbecoming everything that isn't really you, so you can be who you were meant to be in the first place.

Nothing in all the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity.

Problems are not stop signs; they are guidelines.

What screws us up most in life is the picture in our head of how “everything” is supposed to appear or must be.

If your happiness depends on what somebody else does or thinks, I guess you may actually have a problem to address.

Don't mistake silence for weakness. People, who possess sufficient intelligence, generally don't plan big moves out loud. But then, on the other hand, much can be done in plain sight and very few will even take notice.

I think our eyes need to be washed out by our tears once in a while, so that we can see life with a clearer view.

If you can find a path with no obstacles, requiring no thinking, and offering no growth, it probably doesn't lead you anywhere you want to be anyway ... Unless, of course, you do!

Anyone can run away. That's the temporary, short-term, easy way out. On the other hand, facing problems and working through them introduces another experience of growth and persuades one to become stronger in the long run.

Between what is said and not meant and what is meant and not said, much love is lost.

Only I can choose to change my life. No one else can do it for me.

Facebook is often the place where most people post their problems for everyone to see, except the person with whom they're having the problem with.

Be wise with whom you share your problems, because only God perfectly knows your heart and soul. A few people may care to the best of their ability, but even fewer are in a position to understand, while the majority are just curious and want to have priority and first chance on the latest neighborhood gossip. That's why the best parts of my life are between God and me and simply don't make it to social media!

He Shall Sit as a Refiner and Purifier of Silver

There was a group of women in a Bible Study on the book of Malachi. As they were studying chapter three, they came across verse three, which says: "He shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver" Malachi 3:3. This verse puzzled the women and they wondered what this statement meant about the character and nature of God.

One of the women offered to find out the process of refining silver and get back to the group at their next Bible Study. That week, this woman called up a silversmith and made an appointment to watch him at work.

She didn't mention anything about the reason for her interest beyond her curiosity about the process of refining silver. As she watched the silversmith, he held a piece of silver over the fire and let it heat up. He explained that in refining silver, one needed to hold the silver in the middle of the fire where the flames were hottest as to burn away all the impurities.

The woman thought about God holding us in such a hot spot then she thought again about the verse, "He sits as a refiner and purifier of silver." She asked the silversmith if it was true that he had to sit there in front of the fire the whole time the silver was being refined. The man answered that yes, he not only had to sit there holding the silver, but he had to keep his eyes on the silver the entire time it was in the fire. If the silver was left a moment too long in the flames, it would be destroyed.

The woman was silent for a moment. Then she asked the silversmith, how do you know when the silver is fully refined? He smiled at her and answered, "Oh, that's easy - when I see my image in it."

Alma the younger asked the people these soul-searching questions: “And now behold, I ask of you, my brethren of the church, have ye spiritually been born of God? Have ye received his image in your countenances? Have ye experienced this mighty change in your hearts?” Alma 5:14 “I say unto you, can ye look up to God at that day with a pure heart and clean hands? I say unto you, can you look up, having the image of God engraven upon your countenances?” Alma 5:19

How do we receive his image in our countenances?

“Wherefore, my beloved brethren, if ye have not charity, ye are nothing, for charity never faileth. Wherefore, cleave unto charity, which is the greatest of all, for all things must fail—

“But charity is the pure love of Christ, and it endureth forever; and whoso is found possessed of it at the last day, it shall be well with him.

“Wherefore, my beloved brethren, pray unto the Father with all the energy of heart, that ye may be filled with this love, which he hath bestowed upon all who are true followers of his Son, Jesus Christ; that ye may become the sons of God; that when he shall appear we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is; that we may have this hope; that we may be purified even as he is pure. Amen.” Moroni 7:46-48 

Is charity another one of Christ’s titles? Why doesn’t charity ever fail us? Why doesn’t Christ ever fail us? How can we be filled with charity? Does this quest require everything we have to give? Can we hold anything back from our Lord? Who fills us with charity? Is charity our love for others or Christ’s love for us? When charity is bestowed, is this a divine act of mercy, grace, and love?

Why does the Father only bestow this love upon true followers of his Son? Are we purified because of our sinless nature or because of His purity? Is this what he means when he says “And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.” 1 Peter 4:8 “Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered.” Romans 4:7 Does His charity cover our sins?

How does charity purify true followers of Jesus Christ? What is the purpose of the refiner’s fire? What does this purifying and purging fire feel like? Why, in his charity, does he require us to pass through this intense heat?  Is this the baptism of fire? Can those who are impure offer up to God an offering in righteousness? Malachi 3:2-3 

Before I was married, I lived with my sister.  She didn’t have a sprinkler system, and I was in charge of watering the lawn.  It was hard trying to keep the lawn watered evenly. Sometimes I would turn on the sprinkler, forget about it, leave it running, and create a flood.  Other times I would set the sprinkler, and the outer edges didn’t receive enough water.  When I finally had the lawn watered, it was time to start the cycle again.  It was a big job keeping the lawn green all summer.

One hot July day, I looked up at the sun and thought, “What will happen if I don’t water the lawn?” The answer was obvious, “It will dry up and get brown.” Another question came, “What is created when the hot sun shines down upon a well-watered lawn?” Answer: “The lawn becomes green and lush.” 

An analogy came to mind.  The sun in the heavens can be compared to the Son of God.  During the summer when we feel the heat of the sun/Son, we need a lot of water. On a hot July day, we need extra water.  Without continually drinking from the well of living water, we would shrivel and die; but with ample water, we grow and thrive.

It’s interesting that as we approach the Son, the heat intensifies, and our need for living water also increases.  How do we acquire this essential, life-sustaining water?  “But unto him that keepeth my commandments I will give the mysteries of my kingdom, and the same shall be in him a well of living water, springing up unto everlasting life” D&C 63:23.

How are the mysteries of God’s kingdom a well of living water? Why is God able to share His mysteries with those who keep the commandments? What are the mysteries of God’s Kingdom? Why are these mysteries essential to our survival? How do we gain everlasting life?

Who is vigilantly watching as we pass through the fire? Do we trust Him with our soul? Do we trust that he will remove us from the fire before we are destroyed? “Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.” Isaiah 41:10 

“Behold, there are many called, but few are chosen” D&C 121:34. “For, behold, I have refined thee, I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction” 1 Nephi 20:10. Why does He choose his servants in the furnace of affliction?  Are we willing to patiently submit to the refiner’s fire before being chosen?

Who is waiting for us on the other side of the fire?

 “And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they?

“And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.

“Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple: and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them.

“They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat.

“For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes. Revelation 7:13-17  

What are these great tribulations? What are these robes? How do our robes become white in the blood of the Lamb? How does he quench our thirst? How much does he really love us? 

Opposition Strengthens the Soul

A man found a cocoon of an emperor moth. He took it home so that he could watch the moth come out of the cocoon. On that day a small opening appeared, he sat and watched the moth for several hours as the moth struggled to force the body through that little hole. Then it seemed to stop making any progress. It appeared as if it had gotten as far as it could and it could go no farther. It just seemed to be stuck.

Then the man, in his kindness, decided to help the moth, so he took a pair of scissors and snipped off the remaining bit of the cocoon. The moth then emerged easily. But it had a swollen body and small, shriveled wings. The man continued to watch the moth because he expected that, at any moment, the wings would enlarge and expand to be able to support the body, which would contract in time. Neither happened! In fact, the little moth spent the rest of its life crawling around with a swollen body and shriveled wings. It never was able to fly.

What the man in his kindness and haste did not understand was that the restricting cocoon and the struggle required for the moth to get through the tiny opening was the way of forcing fluid from the body of the moth into its wings so that it would be ready for flight once it achieved its freedom from the cocoon. Freedom and flight would only come after the struggle. By depriving the moth of a struggle, he deprived the moth of health.

We are like a moth emerging from a cocoon. As we are met with resistance on every side, we are fortified and strengthened. Our struggles are calculated to become some of our greatest blessings. This challenging obstacle course is exactly what we need. My journey is custom-made for me. Your experience will be different than mine and specifically made for you. If we were to go through life without any impediments, difficulties, or complications, we would remain crippled and sick.

“If thou faint in the day of adversity, thy strength is small.” Proverbs 24:10 “For, behold, I have refined thee, I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction.” 1 Nephi 20:10 As we exercise our faith, our spiritual strength grows. If we fail to resist the opposing force, our muscles atrophy, and our strength stays small. On the other hand, a furious fire of opposition can refine, purge, and purify the soul and prepare us to receive great power.

Obstacles present an opportunity to improve our condition. Every situation offers greater knowledge and understanding. Each set of opposing circumstances provides opportunities to expand awareness, improve discernment, and gain experience. Opposition presents the chance to gain an expanded perspective. We should note, however, our point of view here on earth is not the same view God has in heaven. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55:9

Sometimes we may perceive, for one reason or another, our trials, tribulations, and general opposition are a waste of time, useless, and should be immediately dispelled; but God sees it differently. He has experienced opposition in all things, fully understands it, and knows the value of it. “Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered;” Hebrews 5:8

Opposition is essential for our growth, development, and progression. “For it must needs be, that there is an opposition in all things. If not so, my first-born in the wilderness, righteousness could not be brought to pass, neither wickedness, neither holiness nor misery, neither good nor bad.” 2 Nephi 2:11

To appreciate the sweet, we must taste the bitter. To value and understood life, we experience death. To know happiness, we experience misery. Righteousness, beauty, and glory, come after we confront wickedness, ugliness, and damnation. The growth and new life of spring appear after the death of winter. The amount of order, light, and knowledge we obtain is received in direct proportion to the opposing chaos, darkness, and ignorance we overcome. To comprehend the light of a perfect day D&C 50:24, we must see and understand the darkest night.

To see God, we must confront Satan, the father of lies, who was cast out of heaven for rebellion. Lucifer, the fallen angel, is seeking our destruction and stands between God and us. D&C 76:25-29 The vision of the Celestial Kingdom D&C 76:50-70 was opened after viewing the repulsive terror of outer darkness. D&C 76:43-48 Darkness comes before the light JSH 1:15-17. The obstacles the adversary throws in our path are the very stepping-stones we need to reach up to God.

Joseph Smith said, “Thy mind, O man! if thou wilt lead a soul unto salvation, must stretch as high as the utmost heavens, and search into and contemplate the darkest abyss, and the broad expanse of eternity --  thou must commune with God.” TPJS, Page 137 

If we want to commune with heaven, comprehend the eternities, and claim eternal life, we must also contemplate the darkest abyss.  Do we understand that to receive the Second Comforter, we have to face and the Adversary?

After Moses had spoken to God face to face, he again dealt with Satan, “I can judge between him and thee. Depart hence, Satan. And now, when Moses had said these words, Satan cried with a loud voice, and ranted upon the earth, and commanded, saying: I am the Only Begotten, worship me.” It was after this confrontation that Moses heard the voice of God, saying: “Blessed art thou, Moses, for I, the Almighty, have chosen thee.” We must be able to discern between the deceiving imposter and the true and living God. We must continue to call upon God in the name of His Only Begotten and worship Him. In spite of exceeding fear and seeing the bitterness of hell, we must command Satan to depart hence, in the name of the Only Begotten. Moses1:18-25 

“. . . it must needs be that there was an opposition; even the forbidden fruit in opposition to the tree of life; the one being sweet and the other bitter.” 2 Nephi 2:15

Opposition in all things is required in God’s plan of salvation. To ascend, rise, and be redeemed; we must first, descend, go down, and fall. Jesus has experienced it all. There is reason and purpose behind His willingness to descend and then ascend. “He that ascended up on high, as also he descended below all things, in that he comprehended all things, that he might be in all and through all things, the light of truth;” D&C 88:6

He knows what He is talking about, comprehends all things, and is a perfect example and prototype of salvation. He is my Savior, and “there shall be no other name given nor any other way nor means whereby salvation can come unto the children of men, only in and through the name of Christ, the Lord Omnipotent.” Mosiah 3:17

Without experiencing opposing forces, conflicting energies, confrontations, and wrestles in our lives, we would likely be crawling around with swollen bodies and shriveled wings like the moth. Without Jesus Christ, our Redeemer, we would be unable to take flight, fail to soar, and remain powerless to claim “eternal life, which gift is the greatest of all the gifts of God.” D&C 14:7

The Reality of Satan

“The things of God are of deep import; and time, and experience, and careful and ponderous and solemn thoughts can only find them out. Thy mind, O man! if thou wilt lead a soul unto salvation, must stretch as high as the utmost heavens, and search into and contemplate the darkest abyss, and the broad expanse of eternity—thou must commune with God. ” Joseph Smith, DHC 3:295 

“And these signs shall follow them that believe—in my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; they shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick and they shall recover;” Mormon 9:24

Those who think the devil only has power to tempt and put thoughts into your mind have been deceived by the evil spirits that possess your body.

The Devil doesn't want us to know how real he is.  He likes to stay hidden and undetected. "And behold, others he flattereth away, and telleth them there is no hell; and he saith unto them: I am no devil, for there is none—and thus he whispereth in their ears, until he grasps them with his awful chains, from whence there is no deliverance. 2 Nephi 28:22

In the day of judgment the unrepentant will say, "O that we had repented in the day that the word of the Lord came unto us . . . Behold, we are surrounded by demons, yea, we are encircled about by the angels of him who hath sought to destroy our souls. Behold, our iniquities are great. O Lord, canst thou not turn away thine anger from us? And this shall be your language in those days. But behold, your days  of probation are past; ye have procrastinated the day of your salvation until it is everlastingly too late, and your destruction is made sure; yea, for ye have sought all the days of your lives for that which ye could not obtain; and ye have sought for happiness in doing iniquity, which thing is contrary to the nature of that righteousness which is in our great and Eternal Head." Helaman 13:36-38

I have had many experiences where I have seen and felt the destructive reality of Satan, his devils, and demons. I have learned: First, the dark side is real, active, and constantly causing trouble.  Second, through the power of the atonement of Jesus Christ, we have command over and can cast out darkness and all its hellish hues. It’s a matter of choice.  Who is our master?  Who do we choose to follow?

In 2006, I spent about 4 months in Haiti. I was lying on my bed one night, when I felt this power pressing down upon my chest.  I couldn’t call out for help, or move my body.  I knew evil spirits were attacking me.  My mind was still working, so I thought the words, “I am a child of God.” They left, and I was released from the power that held me bound.

One night, one of our little boys was having trouble breathing.  It sounded like he was breathing through one of those tiny coffee straws.  His air supply was being cut off.  The thought came into my mind to check for the presence of evil spirits.  We cast out the evil spirits, and within 30 seconds he was breathing normally again.

Help doesn’t always come immediately.  Sometimes there is a lesson for me to learn, or I lack information.  My understanding in this area is still deficient, but I have confidence in God’s power to lead me through the minefield. I know that continuing to call upon God has brought answers and relief.

Brigham Young said, “You never felt a pain and ache, or felt disagreeable, or uncomfortable in your bodies and minds, but what an evil spirit was present causing it.  Do you realize that the ague, the fever, the chills, the severe pain in the head, the pleurisy, or any pain in the system, from the crown of the head to the soles of the feet, is put there by the devil?  You do not realize this, do you? . . . The spirits that afflict us and plant disease in our bodies, pain in the system, and finally death, have control over us so far as the flesh is concerned.” JD 4:133

During Christ’s mortal ministry, he was constantly casting out devils and unclean spirits.  Do we think that being possessed by evil spirits is a thing of the past?  The devils don’t want us to recognize them or see the havoc they generate in our lives. Once we recognize them and see the problem for what it is, we can get rid of them.  Through the power of the atonement of Jesus Christ, we can choose to cast evil out of our lives.

I am not interested in playing with these devils or entertaining them in any form, fashion, or way.  I am only interested in detecting their presence, casting them out, filling my life with light and love, and shielding my family from their destructive work.

The LDS Church did a professional job creating a new First Vision movie; but I was greatly alarmed when I saw that they deleted the scene where Satan attacked Joseph Smith before he saw God Joseph Smith First Vision Part 2 YouTube. That deletion should not be taken lightly. 

If we’re going to see God, we’ve got to know that Satan will seek to destroy us.  He definitely does not want us to be redeemed.  We don’t need to be afraid. “Fear not, little children, for you are mine, and I have overcome the world, and you are of them that my Father hath given me.” D&C 50:41. Recognizing the pattern is very helpful in knowing what to expect. It is reassuring to know that God will deliver us as we continue to call upon Him.

 15 After I had retired to the place where I had previously designed to go, having looked around me, and finding myself alone, I kneeled down and began to offer up the desires of my heart to God. I had scarcely done so, when immediately I was seized upon by some power which entirely overcame me, and had such an astonishing influence over me as to bind my tongue so that I could not speak. Thick darkness gathered around me, and it seemed to me for a time as if I were doomed to sudden destruction.

 16 But, exerting all my powers to call upon God to deliver me out of the power of this enemy which had seized upon me, and at the very moment when I was ready to sink into despair and abandon myself to destruction—not to an imaginary ruin, but to the power of some actual being from the unseen world, who had such marvelous power as I had never before felt in any being—just at this moment of great alarm, I saw a pillar of light exactly over my head, above the brightness of the sun, which descended gradually until it fell upon me.

 17 It no sooner appeared than I found myself delivered from the enemy which held me bound. When the light rested upon me I saw two Personages, whose brightness and glory defy all description, standing above me in the air. One of them spake unto me, calling me by name and said, pointing to the other—This is My Beloved Son. Hear Him! JSH 1:15-17

As a Side Note: I just started reading the book Conquering Spiritual Evil by Douglas H. Mendenhall.  This book has been a manual for me in helping me recognize the tricks and tactics of the devil. Even though I have had some experience, I still don’t know very much. I am learning how to cast out evil, the importance of filling my life with light and love, and how to shield my family from the powers of darkness.  The book has proved very beneficial.  I am told you can find the book at Confetti Bookstore, 273 North Main Street, Spanish Fork, UT 84660 (801) 798-0137

Persecution, then Respect, then Popular, and then Admiration

I found some interesting quotes from church leaders over the last 150 years or so.  They have different opinions about what persecution and acceptance really mean. Everyone has his or her own opinion.  See what you think.

 “When the spirit of persecution, the spirit of hatred, of wrath, and malice ceases in the world against this people, it will be the time that this people have apostatized and joined hands with the wicked, and never until then; which I pray may never come.” President Brigham Young, May 31, 1857, JD4:327 

“The Lord says, ‘Woe unto you when all men speak well of you.’ Sometimes I have known the papers say this and that good thing about the ‘Mormons,’ and I have said, ‘What’s up? Are we getting wicked, that the world loves us?’” George A. Smith, First Counselor in the First Presidency, November 20, 1870, JD 13:297 

“The great change that has come about since the days of my boyhood in the general attitude toward this people is almost beyond contemplation or expectation. I can remember when I was the junior member of the Council of the Twelve, forty-eight years ago this month, that during my first trips away from home, almost invariably, wherever I went I found opposition. I found ill-will toward the Latter-day Saints. I found men so full of bitterness toward us that they said if they had their way the "Mormons" would be shut up in their tabernacle and the guns of Fort Douglas be turned upon them. Today, wherever I go I find the opposite feeling; I find good-will; I find kindness; I find readiness and willingness on the part of newspapers to give us favorable public notices. Anything we wish to say they are willing to print. . . . Today, we are getting very favorable publicity. . . . To have over three thousand newspapers; to have the Associated Press; to have the Hearst papers, and to have western papers—especially in Utah and in Idaho—the newspapers generally, give us such extended and favorable articles as this immense volume contains, is a cause of deep gratitude on my part and that of my associates of the General Authorities of the Church.” President Heber J. Grant, Conference Report, October 1930

“Ours is the blessing to live in a better season. The terrible persecutions of the past are behind us. Today we are looked upon with respect by people across the world.” PresidentGordon B. Hinckley, October 5, 1996

“Those who observe us say that we are moving into the mainstream of religion. We are not changing. The world’s perception of us is changing. We teach the same doctrine. We have the same organization. We labor to perform the same good works. But the old hatred is disappearing, the old persecution is dying. People are better informed. They are coming to realize what we stand for and what we do.” Gordon B. Hinckley, October 6, 2001 

Now in the year 2012, LDS Church President Thomas S. Monson is one of the 10 "Most Admired Men," according to an annual poll of Americans by Gallup.

Some of the church leaders quoted above indicate public respect or acceptance means apostasy. On the other hand, some believe public popularity, favorable notice, and publicity means righteousness and a better season. I wonder which is true?

We, as a church, are moving into the mainstream of religion, at least from the view of those who observe us from the outside. If we are moving into the mainstream of religion and following the trends of society, how could we possibly be teaching the same doctrines that Joseph Smith restored? How could we be living the doctrines of Christ and yet fit in so well with the world?

Is the church really the same as it was 180 years ago, or is it just following the world? Are we more accepted because the world is becoming more righteous? Or are we apostatizing from the truths that used to bring persecution?

What do we stand for now that causes the world to like us so much? If we are currently teaching the same gospel that Joseph Smith restored, why does the world admire us today, but persecuted the saints in former times?

Why was Joseph Smith hated, despised, and persecuted? Why was his life taken? Through all generations, why were prophets of God reviled, rejected, persecuted, or killed? The world didn’t seem to like Jesus either; even His life was sacrificed.

Why is the church more respected and well liked by the world today? Why has President Thomas S. Monson been chosen as one of the 10 "Most Admired Men," according to the Gallup poll? Does any of these trends seem to alarm or cause concern to anyone? Do we live the gospel of Jesus Christ or follow mainstream religion? How do we know? Are there any indicating signs?

Jesus declared, “If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also”. John 15:18-20