July's RS Lesson: In Tune with the Music of Faith

Here is my July RS Lesson:  Elder Quentin L. Cook's talk from April Conference:  In Tune with the Music of Faith. 

There are a lot of musical analogies so forgive me if music isn't your thing – but normally, I turn to sports so that's probably a bit of an improvement!  Elder Cook begins:

As the General Authorities of the Church meet with members all over the world, we see firsthand how Latter-day Saints are a force for good. We commend you for all you do to bless the lives of all people.

Those of us with public affairs assignments are acutely aware that many opinion leaders and journalists in the United States and around the world have increased their public discussion of the Church and its members. A unique confluence of factors has raised the Church’s profile significantly.

Many who write about the Church have made a sincere effort to understand our people and our doctrine. They have been civil and have tried to be objective, for which we are grateful.

We also recognize that many individuals are not in tune with sacred things. Chief Rabbi Lord Sacks of England, speaking to Roman Catholic leaders last December at the Pontifical Gregorian University, noted how secular some parts of the world have become. He stated that one culprit is “an aggressive scientific atheism tone deaf to the music of faith.”

For me personally, it's a great and scary time to be a member of the church.  It is truly awesome to see the church flourish with an increase in membership and to have a spotlight on so much good that is done and provide missionary opportunities.  On the other hand, it can be terrifying both as a church and personally, to have so much of our religion in the spotlight.  Certainly, there are things in the past that we've done individually and collectively that may not put the church in a good light.  Other times, people will be critical of anyone with beliefs out of the norm or even if they believe in anything.  This phenomenon forces us to both learn more about and be better examples of what we believe.

I think this phrase by Chief Rabbi Lord Sacks is a critical one:  "tone deaf to the music of faith". Tone deaf is an interesting concept.  There are some that simply are born tone deaf – if you've ever watched auditions for reality tv talent shows, you'll realize there are more out there than you know. 

On the other hand, there are times where we can all be a little tone deaf.  Wikipedia says:  "The ability to hear and reproduce relative pitch, as with other musical abilities, is inherent in healthy functional humans."  Someone on line gave the analogy that her piano was often out of tune.  After counseling with her piano tuner, she discovered that there could be several causes:  water under a foundation or a damaged seal on the windows causing too much hot and cold air to enter the room.  Are we in tune or maybe a little out of tune and don't know it?  Do we have areas in our lives where the storage conditions for our instruments are not ideal?  Are we failing to keep ourselves healthy physically – diet, sleep, exercise?   Do we fall behind on taking care of our spiritual instruments?  Is our family in harmony with each other?

Elder Cook continues:

The great introductory vision in the Book of Mormon is Lehi’s prophetic dream of the tree of life.This vision starkly describes the challenges to faith that exist in our day and the great divide between those who love, worship, and feel accountable to God and those who do not. Lehi explains some of the conduct that destroys faith. Some are proud, vain, and foolish. They are interested only in the so-called wisdom of the world. Others have some interest in God but are lost in worldly mists of darkness and sin. Some have tasted of the love of God and His word but feel ashamed because of those mocking them and fall away into “forbidden paths.”

Finally, there are those who are in tune with the music of faith. You know who you are. You love the Lord and His gospel and continuously try to live and share His message, especially with your families. You are in harmony with the promptings of the Spirit, have awakened to the power of God’s word, have religious observance in your homes, and diligently try to live Christlike lives as His disciples.

We recognize how busy you are. Without a paid professional ministry, the responsibility for administering the Church depends on you consecrated members. We know it is common for members of bishoprics and stake presidencies and many others to render long hours of devoted service. Auxiliary and quorum presidencies are exemplary in their selfless sacrifice. This service and sacrifice extend through the entire membership, to those keeping clerical records, faithful home and visiting teachers, and those teaching classes. We are grateful to those who courageously serve as Scoutmasters and nursery leaders as well. You all have our love and appreciation for what you do and who you are!

In continuing with the theme of music, what I find completely interesting in music is an orchestra and how when something is played correctly, it is usually very difficult to pick out the instruments and especially the different people unless you know what you are looking for.  If we use this analogy to a ward, there may be leaders of a ward that have distinct instrument we see and hear like a violin or drum.  But, most of the music is being played by several indistinguishable instruments all working together to make beautiful music – those teaching classes, those serving as visiting teachers, leading and playing music or saying prayers.  And even though you may only hear or see a triangle once in a while like serving in the nursery, the music from the triangle certainly adds a unique element to the music. 

Elder Cook states:

We acknowledge that there are members who are less interested in and less faithful to some of the Savior’s teachings. Our desire is for these members to awaken fully to faith and increase their activity and commitment. God loves all His children. He wants all of them to return to Him. He desires everyone to be in tune with the sacred music of faith. The Savior’s Atonement is a gift for everyone.

It needs to be taught and understood that we love and respect all of the people whom Lehi described. Remember, it is not up to us to judge. Judgment is the Lord’s. President Thomas S. Monson has specifically asked us to have the “courage to refrain from judging others". He has also asked every faithful member to rescue those who have tasted of the gospel fruit and then have fallen away, as well as those who have not yet found the strait and narrow path. We pray that they will hold to the rod and partake of the love of God, which will fill their “soul[s] with exceedingly great joy.”

This concept of respect isn't new to us – especially with what we have been discussing in recent weeks in relation to missionary work.  But, I do like the phrase "the courage to refrain from judging others".  It certainly does take courage to not immediately jump to judging and especially to back away when others do so.  Hopefully, we can all take that phrase to heart and really have more courage to look at others with more love and respect.

Elder Cook continues:

While Lehi’s vision includes all people, the culminating doctrinal concept is the eternal significance of the family. “The family is ordained of God. It is the most important unit in time and in eternity.” As Lehi partook of the fruit of the tree of life (the love of God), he was desirous that his “family should partake of it also.”

Our great desire is to raise our children in truth and righteousness. One principle that will help us accomplish this is to avoid being overly judgmental about conduct that is foolish or unwise but not sinful. Many years ago, when my wife and I had children at home, Elder Dallin H. Oaks taught that it was important to distinguish between youthful mistakes which should be corrected and sins that require chastening and repentance. Where there is lack of wisdom, our children need instruction. Where there is sin, repentance is essential. We found this to be helpful in our own family.

While I don't have children myself, I just spent the last week with my nieces and nephews and this would have been a good thing to remember.  It's good to have perspective – children running around the house after the babies are down for a nap haven't disobeyed a commandment (although somewhere Thou Shalt Honor Thy Aunt should be an 11^th Commandment, shouldn't it). 

(Note:  a sister commented that this direction is good in our own lives - how many of us beat ourselves up over something we did that was simply foolish versus something we knowingly did.  I thought that was good advice)

Elder Cook continues to focus on families:

Religious observance in the home blesses our families. Example is particularly important. What we are speaks so loudly that our children may not hear what we say. When I was nearly five years old, my mother received word that her younger brother had been killed when the battleship on which he was serving was bombed off the coast of Japan near the end of World War II. This news was devastating to her. She was very emotional and went into the bedroom. After a while I peeked into the room to see if she was OK. She was kneeling by the bed in prayer. A great peace came over me because she had taught me to pray and love the Savior. This was typical of the example she always set for me. Mothers and fathers praying with children may be more important than any other example.

The message, ministry, and Atonement of Jesus Christ, our Savior, are our essential family curriculum. No scripture characterizes our faith better than 2 Nephi 25:26: “And we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ, and we write according to our prophecies, that our children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins.”

In playing music, we often look to something to tell us the timing.  If we are playing a solo, we often look to a metronome.  In high school, I played the bass keyboard, so I was responsible for keeping the beat.  I wore a set of headphones with clicking noises to set the beat of the music.  If we play in an orchestra, we look to the conductor.  We know that the way we need to set our lives is to Christ.  We teach our children so many things, but let's make sure we are discussing Christ in all that we do.

Elder Cook states:

One of the underlying premises of Lehi’s vision is that faithful members must hold fast to the rod of iron to keep them on the strait and narrow path leading to the tree of life. It is essential for members to read, ponder, and study the scriptures.

The Book of Mormon is of seminal importance. There will, of course, always be those who underestimate the significance of or even disparage this sacred book. Some have used humor. Before I served a mission, a university professor quoted Mark Twain’s statement that if you took “And it came to pass” out of the Book of Mormon, it “would have been only a pamphlet.”

A few months later, while I was serving a mission in London, England, a distinguished Oxford-educated teacher at London University, an Egyptian expert in Semitic languages, read the Book of Mormon, corresponded with President David O. McKay, and met with missionaries. He informed them he was convinced the Book of Mormon was indeed a translation of “the learning of the Jews and the language of the Egyptians” for the periods described in the Book of Mormon. One example among many he used was the conjunctive phrase “And it came to pass,” which he said mirrored how he would translate phraseology used in ancient Semitic writings. The professor was informed that while his intellectual approach based on his profession had helped him, it was still essential to have a spiritual testimony. Through study and prayer he gained a spiritual witness and was baptized. So what one famous humorist saw as an object of ridicule, a scholar recognized as profound evidence of the truth of the Book of Mormon, which was confirmed to him by the Spirit.

The essential doctrine of agency requires that a testimony of the restored gospel be based on faith rather than just external or scientific proof. Obsessive focus on things not yet fully revealed, such as how the virgin birth or the Resurrection of the Savior could have occurred or exactly how Joseph Smith translated our scriptures, will not be efficacious or yield spiritual progress. These are matters of faith. Ultimately, Moroni’s counsel to read and ponder and then ask God in all sincerity of heart, with real intent, to confirm scriptural truths by the witness of the Spirit is the answer. In addition, when we inculcate into our lives scriptural imperatives and live the gospel, we are blessed with the Spirit and taste of His goodness with feelings of joy, happiness, and especially peace.

For those familiar with music, there is something called a minor chord which usually involves playing a note that's sounds out of place.  I was listening to a song on the radio yesterday that starts with a minor chord.  For some, it sounds weird; others it sounds cool.  Some people will just focus on their note or maybe only the top half or bottom half without being able to hear the whole chord.  If we focus on just the negative or unique, we may not have the full picture.  The other thing to note about music is nearly always, the minor chords are corrected before the song is over.  Just like this, things that we don't understand or don't make sense will likely always "correct itself" in the end.

Elder Cook continues:

Clearly, a dividing line between those who hear the music of faith and those who are tone-deaf or off-key is the active study of the scriptures. I was deeply touched years ago that a beloved prophet, Spencer W. Kimball, emphasized the need to continually read and study the scriptures. He said: “I find that when I get casual in my relationships with divinity and when it seems that no divine ear is listening and no divine voice is speaking, that I am far, far away. If I immerse myself in the scriptures the distance narrows and the spirituality returns.”

I hope we are reading the Book of Mormon with our children regularly. I have discussed this with my own children. They have shared with me two observations. First, persistence in reading the scriptures daily as a family is the key. My daughter in a lighthearted way describes their early-morning efforts with mostly teenage children to consistently read the scriptures. She and her husband wake up early in the morning and move through the blurry mist to grasp the iron railing that lines their staircase to where their family gathers to read the word of God. Persistence is the answer, and a sense of humor helps. It requires great effort from every family member every day, but it is worth the effort. Temporary setbacks are overshadowed by persistence.

The second is how our youngest son and his wife are reading the scriptures with their young family. Two out of their four children are not old enough to read. For the five-year-old, they have five finger signals to which he responds in order for him to participate fully in the family scripture reading. The signal for finger 1 is for him to repeat, “And it came to pass” whenever it appears in the Book of Mormon. I have to admit that I love the fact that the phrase appears so often. Incidentally, for the interest of young families, finger signal 2 is “And thus we see”; fingers 3, 4, and 5 are chosen by the parents based on the words contained in the chapter they are reading.

We know that family scripture study and family home evenings are not always perfect. Regardless of the challenges you face, do not become discouraged.

I loved this analogy that I read which I'm going to modify a bit:  If you have ever been to a symphony performance, you know that a symphony tunes their instruments to the same A (440 Hz) usually given by an oboe before the concert begins. If you’ve heard this “tuning” you know that it is not in any way comparable to the beauty of the music that will follow. In fact, most of the time for the average listener it’s pretty annoying to listen to. The counselor then commented on how, after the intermission, the orchestra tunes again. He thought, “These people are professionals. Why do they need to tune again?” And then he realized that they are professionals, and they want to make sure that even the slightest error is corrected before they move on to the actual masterpieces they are there to perform.

Trying to have family prayer and scripture study is our daily tuning. Even if we did it yesterday and the day before and the day before that, even the slightest error can damage the sound of a beautiful symphony.  So, consistency is the key.

Elder Cook concludes:

Please understand that having faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and keeping His commandments are and always will be the defining test of mortality. Above all else, each of us must realize that when one is tone-deaf to the music of faith, he or she is out of tune with the Spirit. As the prophet Nephi taught, “Ye have heard his voice … ; and he hath spoken unto you in a still small voice, but ye were past feeling, that ye could not feel his words.”

Our doctrine is clear; we are to be positive and of good cheer. We emphasize our faith, not our fears. We rejoice in the Lord’s assurance that He will stand by us and give us guidance and direction. The Holy Ghost testifies to our hearts that we have a loving Father in Heaven, whose merciful plan for our redemption will be fulfilled in every aspect because of the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ.

As Naomi W. Randall, author of “I Am a Child of God,” penned, “His Spirit guides; his love assures that fear departs when faith endures.”

Let us, therefore, wherever we are on the path of discipleship in Lehi’s vision, resolve to awaken within us and our families a greater desire to claim the Savior’s incomprehensible gift of eternal life. I pray that we will stay in tune with the music of faith.

Happy Auntie Day!!

Today is a special day to commemorate aunts everywhere.  I have some pretty wonderful aunts who have made an impact both by example and by their friendship.  They have shared their homes, their gifts and most importantly, their love.  Thank you for being who you are and sharing your amazing talents with me.

Most importantly today, I want to celebrate being an aunt.  I have four wonderful nieces and three amazing nephews.  I have spent time with all of them this last week on a family trip.  They range in age from 10 1/2 to five months old.  Each of them have amazing personalities that makes them incredibly unique. 

Niece #1 has a lot of amazing talents - from art to basketball to singing.  When she is excited about something, she love to let you know it (and the opposite is true as well!).  She'll grow up finding her way to something that she is good at.

Nephew #1 has a learning challenge.  But, our family is extremely blessed that he is happy and loving.  He will milk a joke to death (and resurrect it over and over).  He is a genius on the computer and will probably end up making more money than the rest of us!

Niece #2 is a wonderful soul.  She loves to be the peacemaker and will often take the blame for things she didn't even do.  She can Jeckle & Hyde sometimes, but the older she gets, the more loving she becomes.  She'll be everyone's friend and everyone will love to have her.

Nephew #2 is a free spirited one.  He has the best imagination of anyone on the planet and can often be found playing by himself reliving the latest movie he's watched.  He can be stubborn, but maybe that's part of the creative process.

Niece #4 is free spirited in her own way.  She is never afraid to tell you want she thinks and normally .  She looks and talks like a pixie doll.  And she gives great hugs!!!  She will grow up to do whatever she wants to do.

Nephew #3 is a cute one - he's a boy's boy for sure.  He will gravitate to testosterone no matter where we are.  He's determined and someday when he's big enough, he'll pay back his sisters for all the "love" he's received.

Niece #3 is beautfiul.  She loves to smile and play, but once she's hungry or tired, she lets you know right away.  I'm grateful she is here so she can take care of her two brothers when all of the grownups are gone. 

With my age in life and no prospect of having kids any time soon, these kids are the closest things I have to my own.  Sometimes I scold them, sometimes I spoil them, but most importantly, I love them.  My prayer is that they grow up to be strong in the gospel of Jesus Christ, happy with their life choices, and close to their family!

Not a fan of camping, but a fanatic about Girls Camp!!!

Gotta be honest - I don't know the appeal of camping.  It's okay if you do.  I just don't get loading up the car with your own sleeping gear, cooking implements, and clothing to cover every alternative.  It takes hours to pack up a cooler, pull the sleeping bags out, driving to the location, and setting up shop.  You come back smelling like smoke, dirt in strange places, usually sleep deprived, never being at the right temperature and almost always forgetting something.

But, I usually put all that aside for an annual trip to Darby for a Young Women Girls Camp.  (For those of you that aren't LDS - Young Women is the organziation for girls ages 12 - 18).  I serve as the Assistant Stake Camp Director.  This year, we did something unique - it was Ward Camp, but all the girls went to the same camp location at the same time.  Each ward created their own schedules and activities.  So, as a Stake, we had a very minor role. 

I got a late start Wednesday night and drove like a manaic.  I didn't even change clothes.  I figure the Lord was with me because I made the drive in like record time in time to make skits.  I noticed the Camp Director was not around and found out she left earlier in the day, which left me in charge - GULP!  Many of the girls had already been there three full days.  Fortunately, the mood was good - no major fighting or injuries.

The camp has had major upgrades the last few years.  Many of you that grew up going to Darby would be amazed.  No longer are there grungy grates in the showers, constantly clogged toilets, wobbly benches in the lodge, or squeaky beds in the cabins.  They have built wood stairs all over and flattened the area to prevent tent flooding!  However, there is no more cabin in the meadow (a tragedy), the small slide is gone (our ward's traditional picture spot) and all the old cabins with signatures have been torn down - sad because it was always fun to find my name and others in the crevases and corners.

The next morning, many of the girls left on hikes so I was up at 5:45 and sent four groups out.  My job was being home base.  Also not a huge fan of hiking, but in 90+ degree weather, it wasn't happening anyway.  After a short nap (unusual for me), I visited with one of the camp hosts for a couple of hours - a very nice lady from Shelley. 

My home ward invited me to have lunch - no cooking is always a plus.  Then I was invited to take some photos of the waterfight with the new bishop at the creek (a tradition that I was very glad to have back).  I decided to join in - it was cold at first, but then a welcome relief in the heat. 

Stake duties called... God has a funny irony - as punishment for always climbing up the side of the slide instead of taking the stairs when I was 12, now, I have to chastize the girls who do the same thing.  Being a leader is likely payback for all the things you did as a youth - talking back, being lazy, etc.  It's also hard to be the rule enforcer when you clearly broke so many of them at some point as either a youth, youth leader, ward leader and even a stake leader :-).

The last hike from Table Rock came back really, really late.  We had to push everything back and I was starting to get worried about things happening on my watch.  We've had bad things happen before on hikes.  Fortunately, everyone was good - a hot day made hiking take a little longer. 

Dinner with the 28th Ward.  They had a turkey and roast cook in a pit.  Yum!!!!  I don't think I've ever done that before.  The stars were AMAZING.  That night it was hard to sleep - there were actually warm winds in spots and a lot of snoring going on.

We got awoken at 6 am to find out we had no toilet paper (well, there was some, but...).  It's just interesting how much drama can occur when you MIGHT run out of toilet paper.  After putting on flag ceremony, we had a testimony meeting with the whole stake.  (Testimony meeting is a time where church members can share their beliefs with everyone to edify us all.)  It was great to hear so many girls and leaders and the diversity of both. 

After a great breakfast, it was time to pack up and go home.  It was hot so the girls were a little sluggish to get things done.  Fortunately, we got everything done by noon and on our way.  I drove a little less quickly - good thing as I discovered when I got home that I was missing my right contact lens!!! 

A good shower later and all the Darby Dirt, icky creek water and nasty sweat was downt he drain.  A little bit of heat rash, a couple of nasty blisters, a lack of sleep and a little sun - but no major problems.  The best part of the week is hanging out with great youth and getting my spiritual batteries recharges.  Great memories, good laughs, and a spiritual high are the paybacks for all the challenges of camping!

Rocky Mountain High

The week continues: 
Thursday morning - early start, took the dog to the pet hotel and then a few hours of work. I flew from IF to Colorado Springs. My experience with United: Our gate was moved three times (IF airport only has three gates!) and arrived 40 minutes late. So, we arrive in Denver with no attempt to rush the baggage or anything else. Missed my flight to Colorado Springs by THREE MINUTES!!!

Subpar customer service to get my on the next flight - two hours later. I'm sitting at the gate waiting for an announcement and finally find out that I am at the wrong gate by checking the board - no announcement. Run down to find out the flight is delayed. Delayed 30 minutes - only when the flight is supposed to have been gone do we hear that it's delayed again 20 more minutes.  Finally, we board and then spent 20 minutes on the tarmac waiting for a passenger list.  News flash - if passengers aren't there after one hour delay, they ain't comin!!!!  I finally land in Colorado Springs 4 hours later.  Glad I paid hundreds of dollars to fly directly to Colorado Springs when I could have rented a car and got there three hours earlier!!!

Drama aside.  My whole family was together for the first time in over a year so it was a blast.  The girls loved having a baby girl around and nephew #2 and niece #3 are like two peas in a pod.  The next day, we went to an amusement park called North Pole.  It's a mini amusement park with lots of small rides.  Unfortunately, many of them are spinning rides - not cool for Aunt Heather.  My poor sister actually got physically sick after taking one for the team and riding one more time with her son.  But the decor was fun and the kids had a ball.

The next morning, niece #2 was baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  In our religion, we believe that once children are of the age of accountability (8 years old), they can be baptized and receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.  It was a simple, but beautiful program.  Both grandmothers said prayers, her sister and mom spoke and nieces #1 and #2 sang a duet.  I am so proud of her for making this important decision in her life.

Afterwards, we all went to lunch at Tucano's - Brazilian barbeque!!!!  It was a carnivore's dream (which is niece #2's favorite).  We ate until we were sick. AWESOME service and food.  It ended with desserts and a birthday serenade!

The next day, I went to church with my brother's family.  My brother is in the bishopric (a lay leader in the congregation) and conducted the service.  Niece #1 sang and did a beautiful job - after a rough morning.  Later, during the last hour, it POURED rain!!!  In 20 minutes, the roads were flooded.  Interesting that this area just a week earlier was battling horrific fires and now huge rain.

I flew out that night.  Now I gotta give props to that United crew.  Despite not being able to fuel the plane due to lightening and trying to load three flights at once, they got the flight boarded just fifteen  minutes and even got us there early!!!!  Take a lesson IF and Denver - that's customer service.  I didn't get home until 12:00 am - but worth it.  It was so fun to see everyone.

Funny moments:

• Niece #3 - after I was telling my parents about the magician at the North Pole, my niece said "There was a hole in the cloth" and "the bird was fake" - cynical at 6?!?!?!  Then after grandpa told her she was missing family prayer:  "I don't care". 
• Nephew #3 - he does not like women.  If any guys is within 10 yards, he will race to them.  It's probably because his sisters have mauled him for so long that he looks for a male protector.
• My sister-in-law's father was in bed.  He was laying there when he felt someone snuggling up to him.  After realizing it wasn't his wife, he went into the bathroom.  By the time he came back, Nephew #1 had grabbed the phone and looked up Gene Rayburn.  Grandpa Bankhead laughed a lot and told that story at least five times!

The 4th

Last week was a whirlwind.  The first half of the week - plenty of hours of work - but not nearly as many as I should have. 

On the 4th, my good friend Mari and her little boy let me hang out with them.  I went to the Idaho Falls parade.  Hint to self:  if you sit near the front of the parade, you get way more candy and Otter Pops - of course, they were all for Mari's son, right :-)!  I ran a few errands and then we went to the river to walk around.  There was plenty to eat, things to buy, and lots of bouncy houses.  I've decided our next company event needs a couple of those for the adults.

Idaho Falls is host to the Melaleuca Freedom Celebration - one of the largest fireworks shows in the Western US.  Our town doubles in size and people are everywhere.  Well, I guess at that point, there were unattended blankets and roped off areas all along the greenbelt.  Next year, I've decided to put a 60 foot tarp on the ground four days before and then charge people to sit there - drives me nuts that the city allows it.  Okay, stepping off the soapbox.

Anyway, by the time we walked around, I had developed several blisters.  But it didn't stop me from introducing Mari to Mexican roasted corn on the cob - YUM!!!!  Mari went home and I didn't want to watch the fireworks alone, so I watched them from the Sam's Club parking lot - I had a much better view before Walgreen's was built (Jerks - :-) ).  Maybe I'll climb up on top of ShopKo next year.

The fireworks and especially the music were the best I remember - great mix of patriotic and up-tempo music.  And every time I thought it was over, it just kept going.  I want my family to all come to town next year and we get an awesome spot by the river.  I think everyone would love it.

I'm grateful for the freedoms which we enjoy in America.  I'm grateful that God put plans into place to allow the Constitution to be written.  I am indebted to those who have protected our freedom and those who still do so today.  In the words of Lee Greenwood - God Bless the USA.

I wanna put on my my my my Boogie Shoes

A friend and I were at lunch today and she talked about opening a dance club.  That comment with the combination of Dance Moms being on Lifetime made me think...

These days, the closest I get to a dance floor is slipping out of the shower.  But I have loved dancing in my life. 

When I was around ten, I started with drill team with the Idaho Gems.  I remember even then that I wasn't limber.  I had to sit in a bathtub backwards to stretch out before competitions.  And I slept in foam rollers - do they even make these any more?  But it paid off in sparkly costumes and makeup.

I moved to a group called the Marionettes - less competitive.  I gotta admit that I got pretty good at drill team - especially drill downs.  (Amazing now because I'm not a fan of taking orders!)  I competed in a couple of competitions and did okay.  I learned one important thing - you should always use Velcro when you have a cape.  I practiced for weeks with a cape and never had a problem untying it during the routine until the day I went to competition!

I loved dancing in the parade and at the Miss Idaho Falls Pageant.  And it was fun to do this with my little sister - who had less than ideal rhythm, but so much confidence that all eyes were on her.  To this day, when I hear "Magnum PI" or "New York, New York", I still remember the moves.

I danced in roadshows.  I remember my mutual teacher who coached the Honeybees at Bonneville telling me that I was really really good.  I danced at church dances when I was FINALLY old enough to go and hardly believing there were so many cute guys out there (that feeling wore off as I got to know some of them).

I stopped with competitive dancing after a few years.  Back then, the drill team tended to have a different reputation than I had.  I did join the Dance Club my junior year.  I remember my friend Vicky coming up with a routine so we could try out - Howard Jones "Things Can Only Get Better".  I danced in the parade one year and danced at the Homecoming Festivities.  But, getting to dance in group numbers was more political than on actual skill so I dropped it.

High school Friday nights is where my dancing shoes got worn the most.  Probably every other week, you'd find me in the cafeteria at IFHS clapping and swaying to "Mountain Music" by Alabama and "Old Time Rock & Roll" by Bob Seagar.  I wasn't afraid to ask a guy and wasn't afraid to dance with girl friends.  I loved Prom and Girls Choice - I had a wall of pictures and memories.

College saw the beginning of my dancing shoe retirement.  The Galleria (or Gonarea as we called it) had some appeal, but I got more nervous on the floor as the stakes were a little higher and the competition a little more fierce.  My best memory - dancing with the music group The Jets one fall day (thanks Katia).  I took a ballroom dance class at BYU as a junior with a bunch of freshman guys.  I had fun and can still do most of the moves today.

Now, I'm usually the girl hangin back on the wall.  You'll see me dance with my nieces and nephews in the kitchen.  But, if the right song comes along like "On and On" by Earth, Wind, & Fire - the old shoes start tapping and I'm cha-cha-cha-ing across my bedroom floor.  I should dance more...I'm gonna dance more!

Laborers in the Vineyard

My Lesson from June - I teach on the fourth Sunday of each month to the Relief Society sisters (the women's organization in the LDS church).  I pull thoughts from so many bloggers that I thought I should return the favor.  Hope this helps:

Today’s lesson is from the April 2012 Conference talk:  The Laborers in the Vineyard By Elder Jeffrey R. Holland Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.  Elder Holland begins:
I wish to speak of the Savior’s parable in which a householder “went out early in the morning to hire labourers.” After employing the first group at 6:00 in the morning, he returned at 9:00 a.m., at 12:00 noon, and at 3:00 in the afternoon, hiring more workers as the urgency of the harvest increased. The scripture says he came back a final time, “about the eleventh hour” (approximately 5:00 p.m.), and hired a concluding number. Then just an hour later, all the workers gathered to receive their day’s wage. Surprisingly, all received the same wage in spite of the different hours of labor. Immediately, those hired first were angry, saying, “These last have wrought but one hour, and thou hast made them equal unto us, which have borne the burden and heat of the day.”1 When reading this parable, perhaps you, as well as those workers, have felt there was an injustice being done here. Let me speak briefly to that concern.

First of all it is important to note that no one has been treated unfairly here. The first workers agreed to the full wage of the day, and they received it. Furthermore, they were, I can only imagine, very grateful to get the work. In the time of the Savior, an average man and his family could not do much more than live on what they made that day. If you didn’t work or farm or fish or sell, you likely didn’t eat. With more prospective workers than jobs, these first men chosen were the most fortunate in the entire labor pool that morning.

Indeed, if there is any sympathy to be generated, it should at least initially be for the men not chosen who also had mouths to feed and backs to clothe. Luck never seemed to be with some of them. With each visit of the steward throughout the day, they always saw someone else chosen.

But just at day’s close, the householder returns a surprising fifth time with a remarkable eleventh-hour offer! These last and most discouraged of laborers, hearing only that they will be treated fairly, accept work without even knowing the wage, knowing that anything will be better than nothing, which is what they have had so far. Then as they gather for their payment, they are stunned to receive the same as all the others! How awestruck they must have been and how very, very grateful! Surely never had such compassion been seen in all their working days.

As with all the parables, there is something to be learned from taking the point of view of all the players in the story.  Additionally, the story could cover just about any area of our lives – although this specifically compares to the kingdom of heaven, this could easily apply to actual employment, talents, or other situations in life.  As you relate this parable to yourself, try to put yourself in the shoes of all the players – those of the first hour, those of the last hour, and the householdman.

Elder Holland does a great job here putting us in the shoes of those asked to join in the final hours.  I remember being in seminary and talking about a woman who joined the church when she was 95 years old.  All of us talked about how lucky that she was to have her whole life to “make mistakes” and then be baptized so late in life.  But, a wise teacher helped us consider all that she wasn’t able to have throughout her life.

 Why were the people in the first hour upset?  As most of us do, we sometimes simply look at the final reward of the day.  We neglect in our own lives to see the good that we gained during the journey.  I expect the first laborers hired were able to gain much physical strength that would carry them to the next day’s work.  Maybe they gained new friendships or connections for other employement.  Plus, as Elder Holland explains so well – the first ones taken were able to have the peace of mind throughout the day knowing they would be able to take care of their families.  All of us know what a great blessing it is to have that peace and assurance.

On the other side, can we consider times when maybe we have been those hired at the eleventh hour.  Maybe we are asked to have a church calling that we would never think about in our stage of life.  Perhaps you discover a talent in your later years.  Maybe we have been lax at living a gospel principle that suddenly becomes important to us.  Most of us probably feel like the laborers in the story that we just want even a little something that can be of benefit to us and our families.  But. what joy we can receive at understanding that we too can gain the same rewards even if we are the very last ones hired. 

Elder Holland continues:

It is with that reading of the story that I feel the grumbling of the first laborers must be seen. As the householder in the parable tells them (and I paraphrase only slightly): “My friends, I am not being unfair to you. You agreed on the wage for the day, a good wage. You were very happy to get the work, and I am very happy with the way you served. You are paid in full. Take your pay and enjoy the blessing. As for the others, surely I am free to do what I like with my own money.” Then this piercing question to anyone then or now who needs to hear it: “Why should you be jealous because I choose to be kind?”

Again, let’s stop and put ourselves in the shoes of the householder.  Think about how much courage and kindness it took to do this.  The householder had to have known that paying everyone the same wage would cause controversy.  Yet he chose to do it anyway.  We may not have financial means to give, but we all can give kindness and support.  Are there times that we need to have courage to be kind?  Will we incur the judgments of our current friends if we try to make new friends? 

Are there times in our lives where we may hold back on giving praise or recognition to the new laborers simply because they weren’t there “the whole day”?  Do we look at someone called to a position in the church and hold back support because they haven’t been in the ward that long or are a new convert or maybe just don’t fit the profile?  As a single sister with no children, being called to be a Primary President surely would have been an eyebrow raiser for some – fortunately, I was lucky to be supported. 

Let’s take the opportunity to give mercy and kindness when we have the chance. 

Elder Holland states:
Brothers and sisters, there are going to be times in our lives when someone else gets an unexpected blessing or receives some special recognition. May I plead with us not to be hurt—and certainly not to feel envious—when good fortune comes to another person? We are not diminished when someone else is added upon. We are not in a race against each other to see who is the wealthiest or the most talented or the most beautiful or even the most blessed. The race we are really in is the race against sin, and surely envy is one of the most universal of those.

Furthermore, envy is a mistake that just keeps on giving. Obviously we suffer a little when some misfortune befalls us, but envy requires us to suffer all good fortune that befalls everyone we know! What a bright prospect that is—downing another quart of pickle juice every time anyone around you has a happy moment! To say nothing of the chagrin in the end, when we find that God really is both just and merciful, giving to all who stand with Him “all that he hath,”2 as the scripture says. So lesson number one from the Lord’s vineyard: coveting, pouting, or tearing others down does not elevate your standing, nor does demeaning someone else improve your self-image. So be kind, and be grateful that God is kind. It is a happy way to live.

There are several awesome points from this section that could be a whole lesson itself:

·         We are not in a race to see who is the wealthiest, the most talented, the most beautiful or the most blessed.  I often think that particularly the latter-day saints fall into this trap because we tend to believe that physical blessings are a result of the level of righteousness.  We often talk in the Book of Mormon how when the saints were righteous, they lived a better life in all ways – they were richer, had better homes and clothing, etc.  So, we may look at our circumstances versus anothers as a direct reflection on how righteous we are.  But, as we have learned so much in life – blessings come in many different forms.  And we are only racing against sin.

·         Envy is downing another quart of pickle juice every time anyone around you has a happy moment.  Unfortunately, I can relate to this in my own life.  I recall a situation a couple of years ago when we had a new department head begin.  I was extremely frustrated with the direction things were going for me and I took it out a bit on one of my dear friends at the office who was having things go very very well for her.  It’s interesting now that the roles are a bit reversed.  We’ve both had to work through some envy – although she is much better than I was in the same position. 

·         Coveting, pouting, or tearing others down does not elevate your standing, nor does demeaning someone else improve your self-image.  In our uber-competitive world, that doesn’t necessarily make sense our minds.  Dr. Steven Covey talks about a scarcity versus abundance mentality:  People with a scarcity mentality see life as having only so much, as though there were only one pie out there.  And if someone were to get a big piece of the pie, it would mean less for everybody else.  The abundance mentality, on the other hand, is the paradigm that there is plenty out there and enough to spare for everybody. Do we see the world as having one pie or having the ability to make an infinite number of pies?

Elder Holland continues:

A second point I wish to take from this parable is the sorrowful mistake some could make if they were to forgo the receipt of their wages at the end of the day because they were preoccupied with perceived problems earlier in the day. It doesn’t say here that anyone threw his coin in the householder’s face and stormed off penniless, but I suppose one might have.

My beloved brothers and sisters, what happened in this story at 9:00 or noon or 3:00 is swept up in the grandeur of the universally generous payment at the end of the day. The formula of faith is to hold on, work on, see it through, and let the distress of earlier hours—real or imagined—fall away in the abundance of the final reward. Don’t dwell on old issues or grievances—not toward yourself nor your neighbor nor even, I might add, toward this true and living Church. The majesty of your life, of your neighbor’s life, and of the gospel of Jesus Christ will be made manifest at the last day, even if such majesty is not always recognized by everyone in the early going. So don’t hyperventilate about something that happened at 9:00 in the morning when the grace of God is trying to reward you at 6:00 in the evening—whatever your labor arrangements have been through the day.

We consume such precious emotional and spiritual capital clinging tenaciously to the memory of a discordant note we struck in a childhood piano recital, or something a spouse said or did 20 years ago that we are determined to hold over his or her head for another 20, or an incident in Church history that proved no more or less than that mortals will always struggle to measure up to the immortal hopes placed before them. Even if one of those grievances did not originate with you, it can end with you. And what a reward there will be for that contribution when the Lord of the vineyard looks you in the eye and accounts are settled at the end of our earthly day.

What a wonderful perspective to this parable.  Have there been times in our lives when we simply “threw back” the wages we received because we suddenly didn’t like the terms.  In the movie “A Christmas Story” (about the boy who wants a Red Rider BB Gun), the little boy is forced to eat soap after using unkind words.  He dreams of the day of revenge when he shows up blind at his parents doorstep because he was poisoned by soap!  Do we often take that path – someone who offends us at church and we say “I’ll show you – I won’t show up for church next week.”  Yep, that will show them when our spiritual growth is stunted.  Let us make sure in our lives that we aren’t blinded. 

I love this simple, but complicated definition of Faith – hold on, work on, see it through and let the distress of the past go as we see the final reward.  I think Elder Holland makes a very strong point on ensuring that we don’t dwell on the past, we don’t think of times that seemed unfair and understand that the reward at the end was just.

Elder Holland states:

This parable—like all parables—is not really about laborers or wages any more than the others are about sheep and goats. This is a story about God’s goodness, His patience and forgiveness, and the Atonement of the Lord Jesus Christ. It is a story about generosity and compassion. It is a story about grace. It underscores the thought I heard many years ago that surely the thing God enjoys most about being God is the thrill of being merciful, especially to those who don’t expect it and often feel they don’t deserve it.

I do not know who in this vast audience today may need to hear the message of forgiveness inherent in this parable, but however late you think you are, however many chances you think you have missed, however many mistakes you feel you have made or talents you think you don’t have, or however far from home and family and God you feel you have traveled, I testify that you have not traveled beyond the reach of divine love. It is not possible for you to sink lower than the infinite light of Christ’s Atonement shines.

Whether you are not yet of our faith or were with us once and have not remained, there is nothing in either case that you have done that cannot be undone. There is no problem which you cannot overcome. There is no dream that in the unfolding of time and eternity cannot yet be realized. Even if you feel you are the lost and last laborer of the eleventh hour, the Lord of the vineyard still stands beckoning. “Come boldly [to] the throne of grace,” and fall at the feet of the Holy One of Israel. Come and feast “without money and without price” at the table of the Lord.

My beloved brothers and sisters, to those of you who have been blessed by the gospel for many years because you were fortunate enough to find it early, to those of you who have come to the gospel by stages and phases later, and to those of you—members and not yet members—who may still be hanging back, to each of you, one and all, I testify of the renewing power of God’s love and the miracle of His grace. His concern is for the faith at which you finally arrive, not the hour of the day in which you got there.

I can’t add much to this.  We know that in some aspect of our lives, we will all likely be the eleventh hour laborer.  We are in dire need of our Father’s mercy.  Let us share with our neighbors, friends and family this message that we all can come into the gospel and back into the gospel.

I close with Elder Holland’s words:

So if you have made covenants, keep them. If you haven’t made them, make them. If you have made them and broken them, repent and repair them. It is never too late so long as the Master of the vineyard says there is time. Please listen to the prompting of the Holy Spirit telling you right now, this very moment, that you should accept the atoning gift of the Lord Jesus Christ and enjoy the fellowship of His labor. Don’t delay. It’s getting late. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Here it goes...

Wow - I'm shocked that creating a blog could be so easy.

I don't know that I have any great insights on the world to warrant creating a blog.  I don't have anything to sell, any new ideas to present, any great crafty or cooking tips.  Maybe it's just a way for me to actually document my life and thoughts a bit more formally. 

Today is as good as any to start.  It was a great day of church today.  There wasn't anything specific, but it was just a great spirit.  I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints or to say it more simply, I am a Mormon.  On the first Sunday of each month, the members of the congregation are encouraged to share their beliefs with everyone - we call it bearing your testimonies on Fast Sunday.

It was such a great mix - some of the young children bore their testimonies, several of the young men were inspiring talking about their strength in the scriptures; former ward members spoke and several of the fathers.

We began and ended the meeting with patriotic songs.  I thought of two people in the congregation (or ward, as is the term for the LDS).  One served in the military many many years ago.  I know that whenever I see the flag, I will always remember him because of his love of this country.  The other is a gentleman that is married to a young girl that I had taught years ago who less than a year ago returned from a tour in Iraq.  They span many years and many experiences.  But both have an impact on my life.

I am unbelievably indebted to those who have served and those who are serving now.  I hope that we all take time this week with picnics, parades and fireworks to really look at the flag and think about what is stands for.  I hope everyone teaches children to have more respect for the flag and military than I had when I was young. 

Maybe another reason I'm feeling strong is the loss of my Aunt Barbara.  She has had medical problems for a while, so it's good that she is somewhere that she no longer is in pain.  I feel truly sad for my Uncle Clayton, for my cousins and second cousins who have to struggle at this time. 

It makes me truly grateful for the gospel of Jesus Christ.  It give me the knowledge and courage to know what happens when we die - that we can be families forever.  Our Savior Jesus Christ died for us and allowed us to live again and to live happily forever if we make good choices.  It's an unbelievable peace to have during times of sorrow. 

That was a lot to lay on for a first blog.