Make Believe

Can you imagine the best-case scenario in life?  What do you desire to experience now? In this lifetime? In the eternities?

As I was having a discussion with a friend about receiving an upgraded life, Jesus said, “Tell her to Make Believe.”

In my mind, I questioned, “Jesus, what do you mean?”

“You know, you need to make believe. There are so many unbelievers on the earth.  I need more believers who follow me.  Make believe.  Make believers;)”

My friend said, “That makes sense, I’ll work on it.”

Jesus made a quick correction, “You don't work on make believe, you play make believe.  Become as a child and play with me.”

Playing make believe with Jesus sounds like a lot of fun because he can do anything. 

We were born creators.  We are in the image of our God. “And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.” Genesis 1:26

We are constantly creating whether we know it or not.  “For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he . . .” Proverbs 23:7  As thought (male)  and emotion (female) come together, a new seed is planted.

Now, we will compare the word unto a seed. Now, if ye give place, that a seed may be planted in your heart, behold, if it be a true seed, or a good seed, if ye do not cast it out by your unbelief, that ye will resist the Spirit of the Lord, behold, it will begin to swell within your breasts; and when you feel these swelling motions, ye will begin to say within yourselves—It must needs be that this is a good seed, or that the word is good, for it beginneth to enlarge my soul; yea, it beginneth to enlighten my understanding, yea, it beginneth to be delicious to me. Alma 32:28

The adversary also understands our ability to create. Through the media, educational systems, and societal pressures, he plants seeds of despair, fear, doubt, arrogance, depression, trepidation, anger, bitterness, smugness, dread, boredom, envy, anxiety, jealousy, greed, resentment, lust, hatred, prejudice, self-pity, enmity, pride, self-importance, inferior complex, etc. There are many times when we let others do the thinking for us. 

For example: When we sit down to watch a movie, we go into semi-hypnotic state.  I know this because I’ve tried getting the attention of my children when they are watching a movie. Many times they aren’t even aware I am in the room. The intensity of the scenes, the music, the words and actions all combine to plant seeds that begin to grow.  Things are created spiritually and then manifest in the physical world.  Those who are not aware will use their creative gifts to the destruction of their soul.

We are seeing the creation of the collective thoughts of mankind.  We are the ones that can turn the tide and make a different decision.  God desires to give us power and gifts.

23 And Christ truly said unto our fathers: If ye have faith ye can do all things which are expedient unto me.

 24 And now I speak unto all the ends of the earth—that if the day cometh that the power and gifts of God shall be done away among you, it shall be because of unbelief.

 25 And wo be unto the children of men if this be the case; for there shall be none that doeth good among you, no not one. For if there be one among you that doeth good, he shall work by the power and gifts of God. Moroni 10:23-25

Jesus has prepared the way for us to do greater works than he did. 

Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father. John 14:12

I believe Jesus speaks the truth.  When he says all things are possible, I believe him.

14 And when they were come to the multitude, there came to him a certain man, kneeling down to him, and saying,

 15 Lord, have mercy on my son: for he is lunatic, and sore vexed: for ofttimes he falleth into the fire, and oft into the water.

 16 And I brought him to thy disciples, and they could not cure him.

 17 Then Jesus answered and said, O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? bring him hither to me.

 18 And Jesus rebuked the devil; and he departed out of him: and the child was cured from that very hour.

 19 Then came the disciples to Jesus apart, and said, Why could not we cast him out?

 20 And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you. Matthew 17:14-20

As we make believe with Jesus, nothing shall be impossible.  Whatever the heart and mind conceives becomes our new reality.  This process works both ways.

But this much I can tell you, that if ye do not watch yourselves, and your thoughts, and your words, and your deeds, and observe the commandments of God, and continue in the faith of what ye have heard concerning the coming of our Lord, even unto the end of your lives, ye must perish. And now, O man, remember, and perish not. Mosiah 4:30

I am more aware of this process today, but for a long time I’ve known the power of my desires and thoughts.  With spring in the air, I am reminded of an experience that happened 24 years ago.

I was serving a mission in Arizona for the LDS church.  Everyone was out of school for spring break and our threesome companionship was working overtime.  We didn’t have time to go to all of our appointments, so we split up and went with stake missionaries.  I was working hard and was tired. I wanted a rest.  On a March afternoon, I remember saying, “Everyone else is having a break; I want a break.”

That night as we were finishing up the work of the day, a drunk driver hit our little car.  My two companions were in the front seats and received minor injuries. I was in the backseat.  When I came back to consciousness, the sirens were flashing, and I realized they were there for me.  The Jaws of Life was used to pry away the metal so they could get me out of the car, and I was taken to the hospital.  

The socket of my hip was broken, and I spent two months lying around letting my hip heal.  God has a sense of humor.  I didn’t specify which kind of break I wanted, so he gave me two different breaks just to make sure I knew I had received my request.  

I know this seed planting works because I’ve had other experiences manifest as I’ve planted seeds of faith with intention.  It’s spring and gardeners are ordering seeds.  Which seeds do you want to order?  You can have everything Father has.  What do you want?

"And he that receiveth my Father receiveth my Father’s kingdom; therefore all that my Father hath shall be given unto him." D&C 84:38

“And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.” John 14:13-14