Cleave

I have tons of scriptures highlighted that I want to discuss on this blog, but before I get to them, I have to post this thought.  It's been consuming my mind lately, and so many different experiences in my life and the lives of those around me are encouraging me to dwell on this particular concept.

So here's the line that's going through my head: In this life, we will not see others at their best.  I don't think it's a quote.  It's just been floating in my head.

This line is not meant to extinguish the faith you have in the good of humanity.  It is meant to remind you that this stage of our eternal lives is the place where we will learn how to be our best in the life to come.  It is the place where we prove that we can continuously improve, and that even if we have setbacks, we can pick ourselves up again and get back on that straight and narrow path.  Cling to this knowledge when you doubt yourself, or even when you doubt others.

If we don't even know what our best is yet, how can we expect others to be their best?  In the past few weeks, I've observed many people (including myself) expecting people to be better than they are and/or have been.  I've seen and heard people judging others without the necessary information to make a well-informed judgment (and in all honesty, the Lord is the only person who can make a good judgment about a person, because He's the only one who knows the whole context of that person).  I've seen and heard many people who have been offended because others have judged them.  This offense is partly created by the offended  not forgiving the offender for being human and making false judgments.  (I'm not entirely sure how to explain this dynamic of judging and offense, but I hope that you can all think about what I have said and hopefully it will make sense.)

I say this with a cloud over my own head, and I say it hoping to inspire others to accept people as they are: sons of Adam and daughters of Eve.  We make mistakes.  Sometimes we learn on our own.  Other times, we need certain experiences to learn from.  If you know someone who is going through one of these experiences and is clearly not at their best, be sure that you don't cast the stone if you yourself are a sinner.  Every time you point your finger at someone to judge them, you have three fingers pointing right back at you.

Everyone is here to solve their puzzle.  It's a hard one, and some people can't try to solve it during every waking moment of their lives.  If we criticize people whenever they attempt to solve their puzzle, like a Rubix cube, then soon they will stop trying because there are far too many wrong turns to take, and they are tired of trying to no avail.  It doesn't help people to make them feel like crap, and if you make them feel like crap by judging them, you will be at least partly responsible if they give up.

Focus on the good that people have to offer and accept the fact that people, like life, have bad that comes with the good.  Be a good example, and be open to learn from them, because I believe everyone has something to teach us.

Choose to Cleave.
*Read my first post, "Preface," for more information about Cleaving

My wireless adapter on my laptop is broken, so I can't blog whenever I have the time to anymore.  I have to go up to campus and use a computer lab, and I feel strange looking up scriptures around a bunch of other students (don't worry, I'm working on my comfort levels of displaying my beliefs in public).

But I would like to say that I've finished the D&C and everything that comes after it.  The only standard work I haven't read cover to cover now is the New Testament, and I'm already a bit into it.

My thought for the day is this: If you die before you read all of the standard works, would you be comfortable?  I do not want anyone to point to me and say, "You didn't even read the scriptures. How can you feel worthy to abide in the Celestial Kingdom?"

Because I haven't, and I don't feel worthy.  I don't think I will ever feel worthy, but I can do all in my power to get as close as I can.  Part of that is doing my best to read all of the scriptures and listen to the prophets.  After all, if I sincerely do my very best, over time my best will become better, and Christ will help me meet the requirements of an Eternal, Celestial life.

Choose to Cleave.
*Read my first post, "Preface," for more information about Cleaving

People say that reading your scriptures (and praying) is like putting on the armor of God.  Keeping this in mind, someone (I don't know who) made the argument:

"Why would I put on the armor of God right before I go to sleep?"

This has helped inspire many people to do their scripture studies (and personal prayers) in the morning.  It makes sense.  Start the day with God and continue the day with God.

However, I still maintain studying scriptures before I go to bed.

I pray in the morning.  Sometimes I read in the morning, but it's not a dependable part of my schedule.  My daily reading happens before I go to bed.  Yes, I love sleep and getting to bed earlier would be nice--so why don't I just go to bed at night and read in the morning?

Put aside the assumption that I don't like to wake up early (you're right, but that's not the reason I read before sleeping).

I like to reflect on the day and look for things I need help with, things I'm greatful for, how well I'm meeting my goals, how much I've incorporated the gospel into my life, etc..

I know that I can still reflect on these things in the morning, but in the morning, yesterday doesn't seem quite as fresh, and I tend to have a time limit on how long I can study and reflect on the things I need.  Eventually, I have to leave the house.

I appreciate the night because no one will disturb me, I've finished everything I need to for the day, so my mind doesn't wander as much, and I can take as much time as I need.  I might not face trials at bedtime like I do during the day, but it's not like I forget what I studied the night before as soon as I wake up.  If I go to sleep in my armor, I can wake up prepared for battle.  And it's not as if the armor is uncomfortable.  That armor is one of the best things to go to sleep in.

Studying and reflecting in the morning isn't bad--whatever works for you works for you.  But nightspirituality isn't any less than morning spirituality.  Whatever works for you works for you.

Choose to Cleave.

*Read my first post, "Preface," for more information about Cleaving

Stick with me on this one.  It might not seem entirely gospel linked for the first part.

One of my favorite shows is Super Nanny.  Not favorite as in I actively watch every new episode--favorite as in when I'm flipping through the channels, I will stop on it.  I love watching shows that teach "wild" kids manners and crucial social skills.  I like Super Nanny because Jo (the nanny) uses principles that I believe in.  She knows that children want attention and freedom, but they also need structure.  She teaches parents discipline techniques that don't harm the children, that help them learn lessons, and that aren't too straining on parents.

The other day I was watching and Jo was coaching a dad about discipline.  She said something along the lines of "when they say 'discipline with sharpness,' they don't mean you have to be scary.  They use the word 'sharp' in the way that it's effective and wisely timed.  And after you're done, always show them that you love them, because your love should be the motivation behind changing their behavior, not fear."  When I heard this, I thought of one of my favorite quotes:

"The sword can be used to slash or it can be used to merely point."

I've always liked the thought of using the sword as a sort of laser pen rather than a weapon.

Then I came across this scripture in D&C:

"Reproving betimes with sharpness, when moved upon by the Holy Ghost; and then showing forth afterwards an increase of love toward him whom thou has reproved, lest he esteem thee to be his enemy;" (121:43).

Are you thinking what I'm thinking?

Nanny Jo is a Mormon and she doesn't even know it!

Choose to Cleave.
*Read my first post, "Preface," for more information about Cleaving

From Elder Maxwell in this month's Ensign:

"God doesn't care nearly as much about where you have been as He does about where you are and, with His help, where you are willing to go."

I read that yesterday, and I can't get it out of my head, so I figure I should post it for other people to read as well.  In fact, you should read the entire article here.  It really is great.

I just want to say that sometimes I get caught up in regret and wishing that I was a different person, that I was my absolute best already.  But this article, this quote, has helped me feel peace about the things in my past that I have repented of and instilled a deeper understanding that right now, I'm the best that I can be at this moment, and with God's help, my best can improve.  I realized that I will never be perfect in this life, so I will most likely never feel as if I measure up to who I want to be, because I will always want to be better. And then I remembered what my mom said to me growing up: "He only expects your best, and your best changes from day to day."  I just hope that my best increases day to day.

It's strange. Whenever I focus on this principle, it seems that I find more and more ways to make little changes without much effort.  I discover ways of viewing the world that helps me make good choices, and my eyes are carefully and kindly opened as to ways I can refine myself. It's like my cup (in this case figurative of my potential) is half-full, and I'm getting a little more every day, and if I look hard enough, I can see that each drop is making my cup fuller.

Choose to Cleave.
*Read my first post, "Preface," for more information about Cleaving
*Photo: reference

"The Garden [does] for Easter what The Forgotten Carols has done for Christmas..."

To understand that statement (from an item description of The Garden soundtrack), I will briefly explain what the Forgotten Carols are for those of you who do not know:

The Forgotten Carols is a musical written and composed by Michael McClean.  It's about a nurse who has nothing better to do on Christmas so she takes care of an old man (assisted living or whatever).  This old man is perceived as going crazy as he ages, and he tells her stories about ornaments on his Christmas tree, each of them representing "forgotten" moments and characters in the story of Christmas.  There's a song about an infertile woman who gets the chance to hold Mary's baby.  A song about Joseph, saying that he could never consider himself a father of the Christ child because he learned more from the child than he could ever hope to teach as a father.  There's a song about a wise man left behind because he was sleeping, one who is left to imagine what it would've been like to see the Baby in a manger.  There's a song pleading everyone to let Christ into their Inns.  It's amazing.

So, what The Forgotten Carols is to Christmas, The Garden is to Easter.  The Garden is a musical by the same artist and it is simply amazing.  I've listened to it since I was a child.  I would duet with my mothers and sisters.  I was listening to it today and one of my dear roommates looked at me a little funny because she has never heard of it.

I wholeheartedly recommend this musical, and The Forgotten Carols, to anyone who is in the least bit interested in a good natured album of music.  It has helped me learn things about the Atonement, about myself, and about my relationship with Heavenly Father, Christ, and the Prophets.  I could never write anything beautiful enough to explain just how wonderful it is.

Choose to Cleave.
*Read my first post, "Preface," for more information about Cleaving

"For if you keep my commandments you shall receive of his fulness, and be gloried in me as I am in the Father; therefore, I say unto you, you shall receive grace for grace"(D&C 93:20).

I just have two thoughts on this, the second of them stemming from my interest in spelling.  First thought: the last sentence seemed italicized when I read it in the scriptures (not really slanted, but it seemed different and stood out somehow).  "...you shall receive grace for grace."

You know that eye for an eye rule?  I looked at "grace for grace" that way.  If you do your best to live with grace, act with grace, think with grace....whatever it is you can do with grace, if you give it, you will receive it.  Simple enough, right?  But I love that sentence.  I feel like those few words contain chapters of meaning, meaning that isn't expressed in words, but felt and observed and reflected on.

Second thought: "fulness" is spelled like it is the ending of a word, -fulness, that generally implies the quality of being full of something.  Like thankfulness, helpfulness, sorrowfulness...there are a lot of -fulness words.  I know that these scriptures were written a long time ago and fulness is most likely an alternative spelling of fullness, but isn't it interesting to think that the promise in the scriptures refers to us receiving the qualities of God?  Because isn't that what we're really striving for?  We are children of a god, and children have the inherent right within their very genetics to become as their parents are. We are like flower buds.  We are cute when we are so little, but we are beautiful when we are done blossoming.  Buds aren't meant to stay buds (unless we are talking about buds as in buddies--friends can stay buds). I hope to receive the -fulness of my Heavenly Father.

Choose to Cleave.
*Read my first post, "Preface," for more information about Cleaving

I have a system worked out for this blog: read, highlight, then post about what I highlighted.  I'm pretty good at steps one and two...so now I have quite a few highlighted areas in my scriptures to catch up on.

D&C 88:78 says "Teach ye diligently and my grace shall attend you, that you may be instructed more perfectly in theory, in principle, in doctrine, in the law of the gospel, in all things that pertain unto the kingdom of God, that are expedient for you to understand."

I was really excited about the promise in this scripture, and it stuck in my head until I started thinking that one of the differences between the great teachers and the so-so teachers might be diligence.  I know that most teachers try to make their classes good ones, but sometimes trying doesn't seem to cut it.  There must be a difference between trying and diligence.  So I looked up the meaning of diligence. The definition I found has 3 parts:

1. Conscientious in paying proper attention to a task; giving the degree of care required in a situation
2. Persevering determination to accomplish a task
3. Application; a diligent effort--"It is a job requiring serious application."

So I think teaching is a "job requiring serious application," which means we can't settle ourselves in with excuses of "I'm too busy," and "It won't be hard."  It is a job that requires a degree of attention and care in order to succeed, which means that we can't just read through a lesson and be prepared because we "know" what it is about.  And teaching a great lesson doesn't include a one-time performance.  There must be a "persevering determination."  Persevering implies that there is time passing in which the determination doesn't fail.  I take this to mean that from week to week, you never lose the desire to teach well, and you don't stop looking for ways to prepare yourself.

Teaching is important, and teachers who apply themselves with diligence can be blessed with the knowledge of that which is expedient for them to understand.  I also know that teaching will bless them in other countless ways.

Choose to Cleave.
*Read my first post, "Preface," for more information about Cleaving