Kittens and Obedience

For the last several years I have been pursuing a project of transcribing the Book of Mormon verse by verse, and commenting on each verse as I go.  I have discovered that as I do this the thoughts and understandings which flow into my mind are often well beyond the words in the verse.  Sometimes they are not even really related to the verse at all.  The blessings from reading the Book of Mormon far transcend the marvelous testimonies in that book.  I believe that at least part of the reason is because when we read the Book of Mormon we are obeying the counsel of God's prophets, apostles, and other leaders.

Recently I read an opinion piece in the newspaper about a rather controversial topic of the day.  The piece implicitly supported the position of the Church leadership on this particular topic.  After completing the article I read some of the responses from other readers.  Most opposed the positions stated in the article, a few supported them.  As is usual, many of the comments were more hysterical than reasoned.  However, as I considered what was written I noticed that some of the opposing views raised some valid questions.

As I thought about those opposing views I started formulating in my mind how I, through a written response to the article, could enter into a discussion about the merits of those points.  I felt that a thoughtful investigation might be beneficial to me.

After a couple of hours, though, I found something alarming had happened.  Suddenly I was not just contemplating a thoughtful discussion, but full-blown doubts about the position of the leaders of the Church were entering my mind.  It was as if I had paused merely to let a small house cat rub against my leg, and suddenly found myself on the ground wrestling with a fully enraged Bengal tiger.  The intensity and the suddenness of the attack was frightening, and I quickly had to bring to bear all the elements of obedience which are necessary to counter such an event.  I prayed, immersed myself in the scriptures, and reflected on what I know to be true.

Soon enough the crisis passed, but I was left to wonder why things had happened so quickly and so violently.  I had the impression that, just as the good that comes from reading the Book of Mormon far surpasses merely the words read, so the danger in contemplating these opposing views was much greater then merely the words of the views might suggest.

I contemplated why this might be so, and came to a rather unexpected conclusion.  Although the authors of the opposing views may not have intended it, they were speaking ill of the Lord's anointed leaders.  By so doing they were putting themselves in opposition to the word of God.  Even though I thought I was giving a very measured consideration of their views, by admitting any legitimacy I was allowing myself to be drawn into the same position of opposing the Lord's will.

It was a powerful and valuable lesson.  I still need to think critically about all things, and seek for as much light and understanding as I can.  However, I need to avoid even the slightest shadow of criticism of the Lord's leaders if I wish to receive the blessings that come from sustaining them.

The Vine and the Branches

As I listened to the talk by Elder José A. Teixeira from the most recent conference I was struck by something he said.  He referred to the metaphor of the Savior as the Vine, and us as the branches.  The reference is in John 15:

4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.

 5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

Because I have been thinking of the atonement and how it relates to me today I saw something in this example that has never before caught my attention.  If we can picture the vine growing, and a branch laying on the ground, it is clear that it is meaningless to expect that branch to produce anything.  I have always understood that portion of the picture, even if it hits me a little harder now.  But the other part of that is, if you picture the branch connected to the vine, there is no sudden moment when the vine imparts strength to the branch, and in fact there is no time when the branch is not being nourished by the vine.  So in very fact, we are constantly nourished and strengthened by the atonement of Jesus.  The atonement is not just present in our lives, it is central to our lives.

Orange Juice - A very brief play in one act

Orange Juice

A very brief play in 1 act

Cast of characters:

Me (played by me)
A friend (played by a friend of mine)

Friend:  I sure am thirsty!

Me: Here, have some of this orange juice I'm drinking.  It's really good.

F: Oh, no.  I won't drink that orange juice.

M: Why not? You said you were thirsty.

F:  But that orange juice is clearly mislabeled.

M: What do you mean, mislabeled?

F:  What does it say right there? (pointing to the label)

M: (Reading from label) "Made from oranges imported from Bolivia."

F:  See?  That proves it!

M:  (Now thoroughly confused) What does that prove?

F:  There is no proof that those oranges came from Bolivia, nor indeed that there are any juice oranges from Bolivia.

M:  Well, OK, I can't trace this particular bottle, but I've eaten oranges in Bolivia.

F:  But those aren't oranges used for making juice, and there is no proof that that company ever imported oranges from Bolivia.

M:  Well, OK.  I don't know much about making orange juice, I guess.  But won't you try some anyway?

F:  Oh, no.  I would rather be thirsty than to drink a lie!

The End