An About Face

I’ve been there.

I was carrying on a conversation, minding my own business (or so I thought), when all of a sudden, someone got right in my face.  My comments were challenged, my points were mocked and belittled, and I was even threatened to take it back or . . .  - and before I realized what was happening, I was shamed and cowered into a corner. 

My choices seemed limited at the time.  And unfortunately, I played the game – becoming super insecure and reverting into myself. 

I didn’t realize it at the time, but I was being bullied.  Pressured into doing, or saying, or thinking, or being something that wouldn’t have been my choice if I didn’t have that shaming influence. 

So when I listened to this address from Elder Robbins, I couldn’t help but grab the air and yank my elbow in.  Yeeeeessssss!!!!!

BAM!  He wasn’t sending artillery to the bully, but arming the bullied. 

The 1st weapon: Establish the “WHY”

If we are in this world to stand on our own premise, then by all means, go with whatever whim and philosophy that comes your way.  But if we are consecrated and dedicated disciples of Christ, as we covenanted to be – the decision is already made. 

I like to think of it as a self-elected representative.  What other government could an individual nominate themselves, cast all the deciding votes, and be their own check on abuses of power.   That’s what agency (free will) is.  Our own self-governing nation.  I voted myself to be a representative of the Savior.  And as His disciple, I represent Him to the people.  NOT the people to the Savior. 

I want to adopt the mantra “I do ALWAYS those things that please the father” as my ‘WHY’. 

The 2nd weapon: Recognize the game

Usually attacks occur because the ‘guilty taketh the truth to be hard

Because there are only two options on who we represent (Savior or Satan), it would be helpful to recognize the strategies used by the opposing team. 

1.        Mocking – It’s sad to realize that mocking, scorn, ridicule, fear, belittling, etc. are usually more effective, than love, acceptance, forgiveness, patience . . .   The other team uses peer pressure as a motivation. (See, I knew high school was Satan’s playground - JK)

2.       Twisting – Making evil look good and good look evil.  That’s a fairly easy strategy to identify. But when he warps or imitates our own strategies, such as love of men before love of God (inversion of priorities) or utilizing guilt to have us turn away from the right (guilt is used to turn us away from sin), it gets a little more fuzzy on which side we really are on. 

It’s kinda funny when you think about it.  The guilty are the ones spreading the guilt.  Bullies try to make one feel guilty for giving offense in regards to their choice - and the only suggestion they offer to relieve that guilt is to give offense to the Savior instead.  ‘Join the bandwagon of sinners in order to relieve your guilt of shaming me.’ Does oxymoronic carry any weight here? 

3.       Legislation – Yep, make it a law . . .  or at least petition for lower standards.  I wonder how many things I would have wrongly supported if I hadn’t learned about the proper role of government.  Satan loves to legislate his ideas into legality.  Almost any law will pass as long as it is “for the children” or “for the underdog” no matter how immoral or counterproductive it is.  The needs of the few become more important than the needs of the many or the needs of the right.  And before you know it, we’ve legislated our way into an apostasized nation. 

The 3rd Weapon:  Be Inspired!

Greatness is inspiring.  Look to the greats.  There are so many accounts of men and women throughout the ages who have stood up to the bullies they faced.  The scriptures are chock full of them.  And as you learn about, be inspired by, and begin to emulate these greats, it is amazing how empowered you become. 

Yes.  It takes courage to stand up to the bully.  And even more importantly, it takes character to stand up to the bully graciously.  But courage is the only antidote for the fear of men.  The strength of an individual - or the strength of a nation – is only in proportion to the unbending on matters of principle. 

Can it be done without giving offense?  Probably not.  It is hard to please God while not giving offense to Satan.  But it really doesn’t matter what the end result is as long as the defense (or representation) – is done IN LOVE.    

When one makes an about face, they turn or change the direction that they were facing.  And like so many of the Savior's teaching, his ways are a change from the direction the natural man is facing.  

So the next time a bully is IN YOUR FACE and you feel that you have to LOSE FACE in order to SAVE FACE, understand that is being TWO-FACED about the obstacle you FACE, and so instead, make an ABOUT FACE. 

The Individual Element

The human body.

It is fascinating on so many levels.  Each body is made up of components called organs, which are made up of components called cells, which are made up of components called organelles, which are made up of components called atoms, which are made up of components called atomic particles, which are made up of components called quarks, which are made up of components called. . . . .  and so it goes.

Each component can be broken down to smaller and smaller parts.  Each part is necessary to perform the design of that component.

Conversely, the human body can also be a component of a larger function.  For instance, a person is part of a family, which is part of a community, which is part of a nation, which is part of the world, which is part of the solar system, which is part of . . . .

Bigger and bigger. Never ending.

These thoughts crossed my mind while pondering the talk by President Boyd K. Packer.

He mentions that each member of this church is a critical element in the body of Christ.  I’m pretty sure this is a symbolic reference rather than a physical adaptation.  So along those lines, each person is a part of the family. . . ., the community. . . . , the nation. . . . ., etc… of Christ’s kingdom.  But not only that, it is the testimony of Jesus Christ, or the spiritual strength, of each member that defines His success. 

Tangent here.  I vaguely remember watching the modern version of Clash of the Titans.  It was a little challenging to stomach with the amount of artistic license that was taken.  But one of the concepts was that the Greek god’s strength was only in proportion to the belief of their followers.  And when everyone stopped believing . . .  then the “god” was completely powerless. 

I wouldn’t be surprised if Satan (or his followers) truly believe this about Heavenly Father.  The campaign to stop believing in God is strong and having great success.  I find both truth and a great error in this philosophy.  It is true that God’s glory is defined by those who worship him, and He will be successful only by us choosing to follow his plan.  But the error lies in assuming that he will be without power if we stop believing.  The only one who is without power is the one who stops believing.  Or have we forgotten the lesson of Noah.  Everyone on the earth stopped believing to the point that there was no good in them at all – so God (still very much in power, but very saddened by the lack of belief) wiped out all human existence . . .  save one little preserved ark.

So when I say the success of Christ’s kingdom is pending the spiritual strength of its members - don’t equate power with success. 

President Packer continues with the reference to the war we are engaged in against the adversary.  Stating that each and every member of the church, with a spiritually strong testimony, is necessary to win against Satan.  In other words, the people have to be united and the caliber of Captain Moroni in order for Satan to be bound. 

Again, Satan is bound already to Heavenly Father.  He is subject to obey God’s every command.  The only reason he has been allowed any power is because it provides the opposition necessary for His plan and our progress.  But Satan is not bound to me and he’s not bound to you, at least not yet.  The only way which he will be bound in this life, is if we unite ourselves and fortify our testimonies of Christ.  (Again a reference to Captain Moroni – fortifying cities against the enemy)

This earthly sojourn is our boot camp and battlefield all rolled up into one.  We are in enemy territory receiving our battle training line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little, there a little – with each critical choice we either put on armament or remove it. 

And each warrior's preparedness makes or breaks the strength of the army. 

Continuing the body analogy, if a cell (say an individual) mutates or becomes cancerous (apostates) and it starts to break down the cells surrounding them, it will eventually affect the whole system adversely.  If a cell is “luke warm” so to speak, it could be considered a fat cell (spectator members), not part of the powerhouse of the body but sits there in storage to possibly be used some day.  If a cell is actively doing its part (participating member) – magnifying its callings, applying the Sunday school answers, exercising faith – it is a healthy and productive element of the system.  Fulfilling the measure of their creation.  And when other good cells combine, it makes for a healthy organ (wards/stakes/regions/areas) and a healthy and successful body.

I’m a believer in the power of One.  I’ve seen its effect in both directions. 

The decisions an ancestor made has affected generations. The ripple effect (or the butterfly effect) truly reaches out beyond our own little circle.   Consider the influence of one person in the movie "It's a Wonderful Life".  One person can make all the difference in the lives of so many people.  

Yes, I believe in the power of One.  

So what can one person do to make a positive difference in His Kingdom.  That's simple.  Find your purpose and accomplish it.  Seek revelation and fulfill the measure of your creation.  And when we do that, and unify with others doing the same thing, the individual element becomes a legion of warriors. 

Seeking inspiration

Over the last couple of years, I’ve been writing occasionally, as power thoughts came to me.  A couple of friends on facebook would make a simple comment which for some reason would stick with me and I’d ponder on it for a length of time until I blogged what was occupying my thoughts.  There were times that I had more power thoughts than time to write about.  Lately, however, I’ve been having the desire to write (because I get so much insight from my own writing) but haven’t been able to identify anything that speaks or weighs on my mind at present.  I guess you can say I am without inspiration. 

So with my desire to continue my search for truth, I’m adapting my blogging to a different source of inspiration.  Maybe those power thoughts came so easily because they were gifted to me but now it’s time to stretch myself a little more by seeking them out.  I’m hoping to study each of the general conference addresses and ponder the message that I receive from it, enough to write about it.

   

The first address is not rich in doctrine or heavy with direction.  I guess it could be compared to the ‘State of the Union’ address given by the president of the nation.  Instead this is the ‘State of the kingdom’ given by the prophet of God. 

I find it significant that his welcome begins by relating the purpose for this world wide gathering –

Why would we gather?

It isn’t because we are all on the same bandwagon or political ideal, a bunch of fringees who like to hear someone speak in our language and our own ideas.  It’s not any type of sales presentation where they are selling an idea, concept, or product.  It’s not really a duty to listen to those that preside over us, such as the royal decrees from a king or military instructions, or even our elected officials.  It’s not like a seminar or convention where you go to the class of your own picking and choose from the ideas presented on how you might try to improve your life. 

It is a gathering of the saints (those who have covenanted with their father) from all over the world (all of his children) to listen and learn (those that have ears, let them hearken and heed) to those whom we sustain (promise to support and follow their counsel) and receive the inspiration they’ve been given for us (revealed messages specifically for this time and this people). 

What a glorious purpose!  

Then there is the summary aspect of the kingdom.  Brief but encouraging.

The prophet takes the time to express gratitude for the progress and privileges granted us in this time.  From the beginnings when conference could no longer reach all its members and how that has changed with the advanced technologies of radio, television, cable, satellite, internet, and now personal devices.  We truly are blessed to have everything available instantly.  When you consider that King Benjamin’s tower and hand written transcripts were remarkable solutions for the masses that could not hear him, to the availability of God’s word through the prophet, today – it is difficult to not feel gratitude.  And of course, our prophet is leading the way in how to observe and express that appreciation.

Not only do we have access to the prophet’s voice, he points us to the temple.  Temple dedications, rededications, and construction progress keep the vision of where we are to look and stand.  With 170 temples in (near) operation, I can see the foundation being laid for the work that we are to engage in. 

In keeping with the growth of technology and temples, the membership of the church continues to increase as the stone cut out of the mountain rolls forth.  15 million really isn’t much when compared to the billions of people on the earth, but when compared to the 6 members that the church began with only less than 200 years ago, it is quite impressive.  I wonder how that growth compares with Christianity as a whole or any of the other world religions. 

I’m trying to remember a statistic, but I may be waaaaay off.  I believe back in 1999, there were only about 15,000 missionaries.  I recall being friends with someone who was interested in comparing Mormons against Christians.  They were impressed with the number of youth who volunteered to serve.  Now the missionaries are over 88,000, my daughter being one of them, and another daughter in preparation.  I can see how the Lord is in earnest, sifting out those who hear from those who choose to be deaf. 

The major counsel given during this address is the invitation to pay attention.  Like a mother or teacher encouraging a child to pay attention so that we won’t miss something that will be of value to us later.  Some important skill or knowledge will be available, if we but choose to catch it.  He closes his remarks with the desire that our hearts will be touched and our faith increased.  It is my hope that in pondering, evaluating, and blogging about conference, that his desire will come to fruition.