A Call to Arms

I love Captain Moroni.  He is such an amazing icon of righteousness, leadership, and Inspiration.   He stands right up there with the Savior as examples what to be – prophetically even the adversary cowers to his greatness.  And what is he most famous for… fastening his cloak on a stick.  That Title of Liberty still inspires all who come to know of its purpose. 

Until recently, I have always felt that story was a thing of the past, a tribute to the victory which he fought and won.   Although I have heard it said that President Ezra Taft Benson could have been compared to Captain Moroni due to his valiant support of the constitution and the liberties guaranteed therein.  That idea intrigued me… that a parallel of scriptural occurrences could be happening in my lifetime.  So when I was recently studying, it occurred to me that the Title of Liberty has been comparitively posted and is flying on a flagpole in the form of a Proclamation that has gone to all the world. 

Moroni said,

                In memory of our God, our religion, and freedom, 

                and our peace, our wives, and our children. 

The Family Proclamation goes a little more into the details of our doctrine though I found the parallels to be interesting.

In memory of our God:  “All human beings – male and female – are created in the image of God.  Each is a beloved spirit son or daughter of heavenly parents, and, as such, each has a divine nature and destiny.”  
Identifying and understanding our divine origin is a pretty significant thing to remember.

In memory of our religion: “Sacred ordinances and covenants available in holy temples make it possible for individuals to return to the presence of god and for families to be united eternally.”

In memory of our freedom: “In the premortal realm, spirit sons and daughters knew and worshiped  God as their Eternal Father and accepted His plan by which his children could obtain a physical body and gain earthly experience …”  The plan of Salvation is the epitome of preserving our freedom.

In memory of our peace: “Husbands and wives – mothers and fathers- will be held accountable before God for the discharge of these obligations.” And “Happiness in family life is most likely to be achieved when founded upon the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ”. 

In memory of our wives: “Husband and wife have a solemn responsibility to love and care other…”

In memory of our children: “Children are an heritage of the Lord (Psalm 127:3) Parents have a sacred duty to rear their children in love and righteousness…” and “Children are entitled to birth within the bonds of matrimony and to be reared by a father and mother who honor marital vows with complete fidelity.”

And then comes the fastening on the pole and compelling the King-men to defend their country… or else.   "We warn that individuals who violate covenants of chastity, who abuse spouse or offspring, or who fail to fulfill family responsibilities will one day stand accountable before God.  Further we warn that the disintegration of the family will bring upon individuals, communities, and nations the calamities foretold by ancient and modern prophets?” 

And finally The Call to Arms:  “We call upon responsible citizens and officers of government everywhere to promote those measures designed to maintain and strengthen the family as the fundamental unit of society."

I’m not sure why seeing the Family Proclamation as a modern day Title of Liberty seems to raise its importance just a little more as well as engage my patriotism to stand behind our modern-day Captain Moroni in defending these remembrances in an ever forgetful society.

The History Books got it Wrong!

I love history. 

Not necessarily the memorizing of dates… I’ve never been too good at that part. But oh, the stories that took place in real time, that’s what I love.  Even the movies that are based off a true story, seem more powerful because it really happened to real people. 

I guess the one thing I don’t like is what the history books choose to highlight as the significant events that make up history.  Oh. My. Goodness. If History is defined as the study of past events affecting human affairs – thousands of years worth of events could be on the table for the picking.  And what do we get in our abridged collection… wars, governments, movements, inventions, discoveries, similar periods of thought or progression, a few key personalities, etc.  I suppose those were chosen because they appear to have been the greatest influence for change on humankind.  

Although, I can’t help but wonder if the textbook writers got it wrong. 

I get how, for the sake of space and interest, they wanted to choose items that seemed unique in nature and appearing to alter the course that mankind was pursuing.  You know, the superman syndrome, where one aspires to greatness and stands out above the masses, becoming a temporary God of society.   After all, we believe in the power of one or the impact of small movements.  Though I would venture that there was something even more significant than the Roman Empire conquering other nations.  Even more notable than the printing press or discovering America.  Even more important than the Constitution or the “Origin of Species”.  Even greater influence than classical thinking or the feudal systems.  Even more newsworthy than Pharaohs, Kings, and Emperors.  Even more remarkable than the romantic period of arts. 

Was it Ralph Waldo Emerson who penned the phrase, "There is no history, only biography".

I believe the greatest influence in the lives of mankind is really only a small but simple thing, done by millions across the world for generations.  The singing of lullabies, the shaping of characters, the nurturing of souls that happens within the homes of every human being.  Done by the masses (with a few exceptions) yet done on an individual basis.  This ministering to the one, or the lack thereof, has had more impact on society and mankind than all those other history facts combined.  That’s a pretty audacious statement and it may not be completely accurate, though it does emphasize just how important the role of each mother and father has on the world.  It doesn’t affect just the one child, but the world at large.

A mother’s teaching and the woman’s nature has the ability to define the moral standing on society.  A father’s protecting of women and attitude about work possesses the capacity of defining the chivalrous expectations on society.  Granted, it’s not just one man or one woman’s contribution that makes all the difference, but united it does.  Unity is the key to bring about the changes and demonstrate the influences on human happenings. 

So although I understand why history is recorded as it is, the real history is taking place right now in our individual homes, each man and each woman, fulfilling their God-given role, is impacting the whole of human affairs.  We are, each of us, that superman hero that saves humanity. 

Identity Crisis

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I’m having an identity Crisis!

(And I don’t mean the one that occurred as my children transitioned to the public schools while my life’s work of home-education came to screeching halt.)

As long as I can remember, I have been taught that I am a child of God.  I learned it from my parents as we had family home evening and read from the scriptures.  I learned it in primary as the leaders went to great lengths to plant those seeds of faith in our young minds.  I learned it as society at large (although subtle, it was still there) had references to mankind being created in the image of God and through the lineage of Adam and Eve.  I learned it myself as I received the confirmation from the Holy Spirit whenever I heard these and other witnesses of this truth.  Prophets, seminary teachers, good neighbors, local ward members.  Everywhere is this underlining knowledge that there is a God and he is my Father. 

And to be honest, I thought I believed it.

That is until I realized that maybe I didn’t. 

If I truly believed that the great Elohim was my daddy – my life would be very different.  I wouldn’t have contradictory beliefs that I am not worthy or not enough or not valuable.  I wouldn’t even consider statements that appear to contradict this (or other divine truths) as carrying any weight at all.  There would be no addictions or character weaknesses.  My potential wouldn’t be viewed as limited nor would I struggle with scarcity mentality.  My religious experience would be rich and meaningful, never simply going through the motions.  I wouldn’t allow others, or myself, to treat me with disrespect. My self-talk would be positive, encouraging, and centered in truth.  And I wouldn’t feel trials and hardships are an injustice being played on me, nor would I ever feel abandoned or alone. 

Some might say that is simply part of the earthly, mortal experience.  I say it is simply a by-product of my lack of faith. No wonder the Savior said “Oh ye of little Faith”.   I have had faith to receive the witness of this truth and faith to profess it myself though maybe not enough faith to carry it over into application internally. 

The Vicar's view

My daddy IS the Great King and father of all Creation.  I AM worthy.  I AM enough.  I AM priceless.  My needs are met (no need for addiction) and I live a principled and virtuous life.  I have limitless potential and thrive in abundance.  I connect and am aligned with my daddy’s will, my Savior’s atonement, and my family’s hearts.  I embrace growth opportunities to become like him and I know He is always there. 

I’m confident that as I choose to increase my faith in this truth – I AM A CHILD OF GOD and increase my understanding of the nature of God as well as my own true eternal nature, then my identity crisis will be over and I can apply what I know to be true.

Really . . . ?

"It's a great movie.  You're gonna love it!"

I'd heard that from several people and so I was prepared to be wow'd when I finally got the opportunity to go.  With a title like "Murder on the Orient Express", I assumed it might have something to do with a murder on a train.  I was not disappointed.

And I followed along the mystery pretty well.  Okay, I have to admit (even though I didn't have my children with me) I kept guessing what was said.  Yes, I'm at the stage of life where I hear better when the subtitles are on.  But for the most part, I knew the jist of what was going on in the detective's investigation.  I clued into that every suspect was just as likely as the next to be the murderer and it was a conundrum for him.  I didn't go so far as to draw my own conclusion  because I knew it would be revealed long before I would have a chance at logically deducing the winner - or in this case, the loser.

And then it happened.  The climatic moment when the unexpected was revealed.  The true identities of the passengers was disclosed as well as their connection to the man murdered.  It was impressive the wide spectrum of people whose lives were affected by one incident.  Yep, one life has a major influence on so many others. 

As the concept was sinking in, I was surprised.  I was confused.  I was disappointed.  And then . . .  I was empty. I couldn't put my finger on what was going on inside me but I knew this movie was discussion worthy and I couldn't wait for the ride home.

In that discussion, it was pointed out that this was a group effort of premeditated murder.  A staged farce to bring about a revenge.  Not one person who was affected by this evil man, had the courage to not be part of such an extremely dangerous plan.  Even with the detective on board, they weren't deterred from their dishonorable intentions.  Everyone was so focused on their individual pain, that they were willing to put their own lives at risk rather than to pursue legal means.  They really felt their intentions were honorable.  Everyone of them entered into a secret combination to murder and not tell others about it in order to get what they wanted.   Needless to say, I was not impressed with the moral caliber of these people.

And then to add insult to injury, the personification of justice, the detective who unveiled all their lies and foul play . . .  joined their combination and became an accomplice to their crime.  Talk about compassion gone sour.  The combined effort of the passengers to murder a man is portrayed as the victims of crime and not the monstrous deed that it was.  Yes it is more than unfortunate for the injustice that was done to them by this man.  Yes the pain they experienced was real.  But that doesn't discredit the fact that the actions they did was every bit as foul as what the child thief did.  I get that one wrong doesn't make it right.  And two wrongs don't make it right.  So let's throw a third one in there by silencing justice altogether.  Geesh. 

There is no sorrow for their act.  No pleading for mercy or desiring to make restitution.  No accountability at all.  As if the wrong they had received was all the justification they needed to change the definition of what was right and wrong.

It was pointed out that this movie was a broken story.  Where the bad wins in the end.  And it was all done with sympathy and compassion for the perpetrators.  I remember I had that same sick feeling in my gut when watching "The Count of Monte Cristo" and "Ben Hur" or any other movie that took the course of seeking revenge.  At least in those, it ended portraying the futility of that pursuit and a changed heart.  This movie's ending message honored revenge, glorified the lack of liability, and pulled at the heart strings by blaming and excusing and justifying. 

And really such circular logic - a fallacy if you will.  Where is the compassion story for the man that was murdered?  Apparently murder can be justified if there is a sad story attached to it and so I'm sure he was a victim at some point in his life.  Following this philosophy of the end justifies the means, his actions deserved no justice either.  With this circular thinking, there would be no justice for any act.  Everyone a casualty by another's acts and so not accountable for the choices they make.   Free to be acted upon but not free to act.  - truly a falsehood.

It is true mercy and justice go together - but this movie depicted a twisted version of it.

I can't help but wonder why my children and friends recommended this movie with such enthusiasm.  But I'm going to do the same.  Watch it, consider it, discuss at length what the motive and intent of it really is.  And then expose the brokenness of it.